Category Archives: Movies

They Can’t Take Away Her Dreaming: Why Cinderella is Now One of My Favorite Disney Films on Rewatch

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Author’s note: Over the pandemic, I watched 59 theatrical animated films created by Walt Disney Animation Studios in order of release. If you haven’t already, I highly encourage you to read the first post in the series, Snow White to Strange World: Re-visiting Disney One Animated Film at a Time.

Screenshots of Disney's Pinocchio

“I may be live bait down there, but I’m with you.” I certainly wish I had Jiminy Cricket with me during the darkest Disney trauma of the 1940s. 

But before we get to Pinocchio, we must not gloss over the blatant racism of the resource-limited 1940s and the one deleted scene from the still renown Fantasia. 

(Disclaimer: while I tried to educate myself throughout this process, researching and referencing external sources, my viewpoint is still limited, and I apologize in advance for anything I may have overlooked.) 

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Snow White to Strange World: Re-Visiting Disney One Animated Film at a Time

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Two years ago, I decided I would watch all the theatrical animated films created by Walt Disney Animation Studios in order of release.

Why? Because it was the start of Omicron, and I knew I was in for another long winter in isolation. And also, maybe I was bored? 

But during the pandemic, I got the idea from my brother to rewatch series of films in a particular order. Because, as we all know, having a routine with a goal in sight keeps the mind sane. 

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Happy Diaversary: 11 Inspiring Movie Scenes I Need Right Now

Posted in Diabetes, Mental Health, Movies, Personal, Type 1 by

Today is my 11-year anniversary with Type 1 diabetes. This week has been a rollercoaster (though I am amazed at how much I can accomplish on so little sleep). Apparently, I’ve been holding in a lot of stress. Shocking. But bodies are perceptive that way (blood sugar levels included).

I haven’t seen a familiar face in four weeks (excluding video chats). The time has surprisingly gone by fast. But even if I am enjoying my newfound freedom and the productive self-isolation sessions, there is something missing beneath the surface. And that subtle ache pulls at me – materializing in my nightly, often anxiety-ridden dreams and blinking at me through the sun slants of the window pane.

I am not quite whole. I have felt broken before. And at times like these when I need to be reminded of my own resilience and feel empowered among circumstances outside of my control, I consult my favorite cinematic moments – scenes that are not necessarily award-winning but still inspire me and encourage me to find the strength to carry on.

Many of these movies (spoilers ahead) focus on a leader or woman (or sometimes that inner voice) overcoming adversity (often through innovative approaches) and subsequently inspiring others through their courage to stay true to who they are, follow their dreams and stand up for what they deserve. Continue reading →

The Little Mermaid is My Favorite Disney Movie, and I Finally Figured Out Why

Posted in Body Image, Disney, Movies, Personal, Travel by

Ever since I saw The Little Mermaid as a young girl (it came out when I was two), I was immediately entranced. I dressed as a mermaid that Halloween and belted out “Part of Your World” on the daily.

But as I grew up and became more aware of feminism ideology, I started to feel shame for the love of a movie that seemed to completely go against that ideology. Here is a young princess with the underworld at her fin, and she decides to give up all of that, including her most prized possession—her voice—for a man she barely knows.

Yeah… it’s hard to reconcile that as an adult. But here’s the thing—that’s not what drew me to this film. I didn’t run around the house with an Eric doll pining for the day I could find my own Eric and be led into another world. No, I idealized Ariel for having the guts to leave everything behind to explore something new and find her sense of belonging.

Let me break it down. Here are the real reasons I love Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Continue reading →

Life Lessons From ‘The Thief and the Cobbler’

Posted in Movies, Personal by

The ThiefIn 1993, Miramax came out with the animated film, The Thief and the Cobbler, with character voices by such notable names as Vincent Price, Matthew Broderick and Jonathan Winters. A few years later when my dad found this hidden gem, little did my brothers and I know the controversary surrounding its production.

Sheltered from the criticism of the masses, my brothers and I merely loved this movie not for the animation and the storyline, but solely for the presence of the thief. I was recently reminded of the film a few weeks ago when my brother texted me at 11 a.m. on a Tuesday with this: Finally, something easy. Just walk up the stairs, grab the balls, and go home; I’ll be in bed by 8!

There was no context, but I immediately recognized the origin and voice of this quote. For the next 12 hours, we continued to text back and forth only quotes from the character of the thief. I admit towards the end I had to look some up, but my brother shelled these out straight from memory.

How does a film, most notably recognized for its botched up rendition of one of the most acclaimed animations in history, stay in the minds of a brother and sister? And why? Continue reading →