What's The Hype With Cinderella?

Yesterday the trailer for the live action version of Cinderella was released, and created a storm of bibbity-bobbity-boo over the internet. And it's not difficult to see why!

There have been a myriad of "Cinderella stories", but none quite meeting the standard of Disney's classic animation of Charles Perrault's story. There's been: A Cinderella Story, plus it's sequel's, Ella Enchanted, Ever After, and of course the version with Brandy and Whitney Houston (yes, I still have it in my video collection!).

The 2015, Disney's live action version will be added to the list of works inspired by the fairy tale, but I can't help but feel a little more excited for this release for the following reason's, and so should you!

Helena Bonham Carter is the Fairy Godmother

This is an interesting casting, as we know Helena mostly for her darker and eccentric roles, which would make her perfect for the wicked stepmother, Lady Tremaine. But in the trailer she is rocking it and looks fabulous with blonde hair, I must admit! From what I can tell, the character has been crafted in such a way to provide comic relief, and now that the trailer has been released, I can't imagine anyone else in the role! What an amazing addition to the cast! But it doesn't stop there, because...

...Robb Stark is Prince Charming

Well not quite Robb Stark, but the actor who plays him- Richard Madden is! And he's almost unrecognisable without his beard and GOT costume. And he's actually really charming. Jenna Coleman is a very lucky woman. This is another casting that's a little bit of a red herring: a Scottish guy, who played a tough, cursing Stark, but it appears to work strangely well. Maybe that's because...

...Kenneth Branagh is the Director!

I can't think of anyone else better to direct this movie. You might know him better as Gilderoy Lockhart in the Harry Potter movies, but he is also a great director! Thor? Iron Man 2? Yup, that was him! He's also an amazing Shakespearean actor, which will put him in a good position for bringing out the classical elements of Cinderella. 

The Costume Department Are Amazing

Lily James, who plays the titular character, get's to wear the dress every girl has imagined: a beautiful baby blue, with more than a dozen layers of skirt, and of course matching glass slippers, that the Fairy Godmother insists are comfortable.


And of course there are the wicked Step Mother and Sisters' costumes, which have been designed to be "a bit too much", according to Sandy Powell, the Oscar winning costume designer

Happy 25th Birthday The Little Mermaid!

Or should that be 41st Birthday Ariel? A character which began the championing of fabulous female characters in Disney movies!

Not only am I a huge Pixar fan, but I also love it's parent company, Disney, just as much, with Ariel easily being my favourite character. It only seemed fair to celebrate the 25th anniversary, of the movie that practically saved Disney, and brought it into a new era: the Renaissance.

Fun fact: the CEO of Disney back in 1989, Jeffrey Katzenberg, believed the movie was going to be a big flop because it was a "girl's movie" (wtf), and that Oliver & Company was going to be the big success... The Little Mermaid then went on to gross $84 million, whereas Oliver & Company grossed only $53 million. Ariel was a clear advocate for females at the time.

In fact, that's one of the characteristics, that makes me love her so much! Although a fairytale, if you translate the movie into realistic comparisons, there's some powerful, coming of age themes built in.

She spent many years wishing to be part of a new world, and unlike many of her predecessors, she goes and makes her own luck. Many people criticize her for leaving behind her family (p.s. let's be real about this, it wasn't for a guy), but don't realise that in some ways they were psychologically abusive: she saw a better life and leapt at the first chance. That brings us onto her flaws, another attribute Cinderella, Aurora and Snow White lacked. I definitely can relate to her, whether that's her wanderlust to explore a further world, or to grow independent.

Ariel opened a gateway for new female characters, even more diverse  than her, for example: Tiana, Elsa and Merida. I'd like to thank the creators (especially Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman), for giving a mermaid and millions of people around the world, a voice.

Here's a video of Peter Andre singing Kiss the Girl from the 1997 edition of The Little Mermaid, purely for nostalgic and humorous purposes, enjoy!

5 Ways Pixar Has Shaped Our Lives

Today has been a very exciting day for those in their teens to the early twenties, damn it even your parent's and little cousins are going to be squealing with happiness!

Toy Story 4 has just been announced, and is set for release on 16th of June 2017! The reason I say, even adults will be excited is because, Pixar don't do "wishy washy" plot-less dribble: the stories often have amazing morals attached to them and the odd adult joke. Do you remember the "I'll tell you when you're older" line you were given? And now we all know...

Let's take a look back at what lessons were taught, stories were told and memories made by this awesome company!

1. Pizza Planet Truck

You went to go see a Pixar movie, knowing one thing is for sure: the Pizza Planet Truck would be there! Except for in The Incredibles, but we won't speak of that. Many people went to see Brave, to see how the animators would fit in the iconic vehicle into ancient Scotland. You can see in the first picture above, how they managed to do so by having the witch/wood carver (we saw right through you!) chopping away, to make one.
Rule 1: You might have no interest in the plot (what the hell is wrong with you?!), but you will go to spot the Pizza Planet Trucks!

2. Woody and Buzz taught us about friendship

Before Toy Story, there wasn't much representation of what real friendships are like. Sure, you might "rip the shit" out of each other, but you definitely will save them from an evil toy collector, or the bully next door, or demonic toys. Never has there been a bromance quite like Woody and Buzz on the silver screen.

3. Nemo helped us (and our parent's) learn we are braver and stronger than we think

Nemo was a little guy with an abnormally small fin. But he's the toughest guy you ever did see in a Pixar movie. He might have been scared at the start but, in the end he saved himself and Dory, along with a little help from his Dad.

I know for me, my family tell me that I can't do this or that, because I'm not strong enough, tall enough, old enough (yes, and I'm 19), independent enough... In general: just not enough. And so did Marlin with Nemo. It took a big step for them both to realise Nemo's potential, even if he had a small fin. A brilliant moral, that actually has some really inspiring undertones!

4. Monster's Inc followed us through life

Released in 2001

Released in 2013

In 2001 I was six, so pretty close to the age of Boo. I still remember going to the cinema and being terrified of Randall. What if my door at night suddenly opened up to the Antarctic?! What if the Abominable Snowman offered me a snow cone?! The possible repercussions don't bare thinking about.

But then Monster's University came around, and it was Sully and Mike's age I was close to. In fact it came out the year I started University. You can't help but think, with Pixar's track record, that this was not a coincidence. It's a really scary period for young people to go through. You go on your first day, not knowing if you're going speak to anyone when it comes to making friends, or if classes are going to be way too advanced for you, or if you'll even enjoy your degree. I think it's important to thank Pixar for the representation of young people going through that point in their lives. Thank you!

5. Inside Out - coming 19th June 2015!

I'm super excited for this movie. Emotions are not something really, properly shown in Hollywood, and I guess it can screw kids up. But this movie has a normal young girl, living in an identikit town, has feelings, and facing a realistic situation. Especially with mental illness being something still taboo (wtf), this is a really big step forward! Bravo, Pixar.

Plus it also features the fabulous Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, and Bill Hader... How will it not be a hit?!