Showing posts with label disney. Show all posts
Recently, as of the last year or so, I have taken a deep interest in fairytales. They are tales with such depth and meaning and have changed over the years. I made them the topic of my dissertation where I created my own fairytale and it was the uttermost fun. I hope to share my fairytale at a later date when I have graduated etc. 
My personal reading has been linking with my dissertation, what a blessing this has been. It has made things a little easier. One of the many books I have been reading is Emma Donoghue's Kissing the Witch. The book I will be reviewing in this blog post. 
Kissing the Witch is a collection of modern-day retellings of traditional fairytales. The collection was released in 1993. In total there are thirteen tales inside of the collection. Each with the most wonderful imagery and descriptions. Kissing the Witch is an unbelievable collection that kicks original fairytale ass! The reinvention of tales we knew as children with a whole new spin, and not for children. The tales are sexy and of a queer kind. I enjoyed every page, it isn't a long collection maybe a hundred pages or so. I read the collection on my kindle and I read the whole thing in one sitting. I was gripped!
My number one favourite story from the collection is The Tale of the Voice.  The original was the Little Mermaid written by Hans Christian Anderson, or more popularly known Disney made a film The Little Mermaid.  This retelling was closer to the original version than the Disney, but I adored it. This collection is quite romantic, and not child friendly. 
 I also really enjoyed The Tale of the Shoe, Cinderella but from a feminist perspective. I love the ending of this one, Cinderella doesn't run away with the prince and instead falls for the fairy godmother. It would be this tale I would recommend to the masses. 
They are the first fairytale's I have ever read with queer characters and sexual relationships. I'd call these grown-up fairytales, not too different from Angela Carter's collection The Bloody Chambers. This collection is about women taking control of their own lives and situations, whereas in traditional fairytales this isn't usually the case. I loved this collection, it was fun and refreshing, 

Kissing the Witch (Review)

Thursday, 30 April 2020

The book I’ve been reading is The Kingdom by Jess  Rothenberg. If you’ve seen this title around you’ll have seen a different cover. I got this version before the final one was published. 


It’s such a magical story, the version I’ve read is the uncorrected version. I really enjoyed this book, it was a break for my brain. A chance to be transported to what I can only describe as fucked up Disney. 

You see a world where it’s scientificially modifier, from hybrid animals to bringing back extinct creatures. The main characters are the fantasists, and you follow the life of Ana. 

In the story you see friendship, love and deceit. It seems like such a happy story as you read through the chapters with the characters, but as the story unfolds you begin to read a tragedy. 

I really loved the characters, all the different princess’ and seeing their capabilities. It reminded me of Disney princesses but maybe modern day and if they were real. 

I really enjoyed the different chapters format, one chapter you’ll get story and it switches between story and court cases and interviews. The court cases are ahead of the story, so you’re constantly wondering what made this event occur. Very captivating. The court cases are somewhat present tense whereas the narrative chapters are dated ‘14 months before trial’. It’s interesting seeing the events unfold this way, watching the consequences without seeing or witnessing the action. Which you don’t find out until the end of the book. 

There is such a brilliant plot twist towards the end of the book, and it was intense and the ending was beautiful. 

This book was captivating, and different from anything else I’ve read. Not a difficult read but definitely a gripping one. I do believe there will be another, at least in the copy I read you’re lead to believe that this is the beginning of a series.

I created a poem inspired by this book, see below: 




The Kingdom - Book Review

Friday, 21 June 2019

I've seen the title float around Netflix and it peaked my interest but not enough to watch it immediately until tonight. I fancied something light hearted and thought why not?
I have to say it was so much better than I had anticipated and for two reasons
1) It turned out to be sort of a musical - I adore musicals so naturally I was head over heels
2) James Corden - I adore this man and was much very much happy to see his face and hear his voice narrating the film.
I'm not a hundred percent sure exactly what I was expecting, but being Disney I thought it had to be something happy. I think what I liked best was that it wasn't just a focus on one fairytale it had several entwined, also it wasn't always so happy it got dark in certain parts, which I loved. Also amongst the enticing storyline and catchy songs, were many familiar famous faces; Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Johnny Depp, Chris Pine and Christine Baranski. All of which were incredible.
The film was longer than I thought it would be, but the plot twist definitely made up for it. Having said all the above, there was parts that were quite shocking and abrupt, like sudden deaths and promiscuous Princes, but a good one time watch.

Into the Woods

Monday, 26 December 2016

You never really grow up, I realised this today. Sure bills happen and even more responsibility but you're still young at heart. I realised this as I sat with one of my close friends dancing and miming along to a playlist I created. A playlist that contains tracks from childhood Disney films; Camp Rock, High School Musical, Starstruck and the programme Hannah Montana. As eighteen year olds this is probably not normal, but we've been doing this on a daily basis, allowing our young selves to recite lyrics and jamming to the songs we once swore were our lives. It's those moments that make me feel alive and filled with pure happiness. I'm listening to this playlist as I type away, this playlist has become my guilty pleasure, my go to instant happiness. Do you have your go to pick me up?

Pick me up

Tuesday, 29 November 2016

"I've been looking out of a window for eighteen years, dreaming about what I might feel like when those lights rise in the sky. What if it's not everything I dreamed it would be?"- Tangled

QOTW

Thursday, 21 April 2016

Do you know when you are having one of those days where you need a little pick me up? Feeling a little blue and all, I decided to watch the Cinderella movie that was released this year, I am a sucker for fairy tales!
Cinderella (2015) Poster
IMDB Details;


When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her daughters. Never one to give up hope, Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger.

Director:

 

Writer:

  (screenplay)

I really enjoyed watching the movie, I love Disney so it was nice to see this kind of thing. I also loved that Richard Madden was in it, I adored him in Game of Thrones. 

Cinderella was lighthearted, and quite lovely. It was sort of funny, it was nice. I loved the fairy godmother scene, it was so magical and just you know, I won't go all hazy eyed on yous.

It was warm hearted, and left definitely feeling better than I had been before hand.

Cinderella (Movie Review)

Saturday, 25 July 2015

Inside Out (2015) Poster
Movie Picture - I don't own this image
The moment I first saw the trailer I was dying to watch this, my inner child begged me! So I gave in and wow.

IMDB DETAILS;

After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.

Writers:

  (story),  (story) (as Ronnie del Carmen) ,


It was so good. Faultless to say at the least. Watching the journey of emotions was quite the visual adventure! I have to say that it made me cry, yeah I sob a lot!

It was really good to watch, fun and educational. Being seventeen years old I can say that it doesn't matter what age you will love it! It was a good movie, not what I was expecting. It's quite deep if you think about it, certain aspects really open your eyes and you really get thinking about certain emotions and different stages you go through.

I recommend the movie as always, plus I hope there is another one!!


Inside Out (Movie Review)

Monday, 13 July 2015