This happens to me all the time. I will be staring at my book about adult-topics: The Gender Perspectives of Sociology, Alienation of Labour & The Protestant Ethic with the Spirit of Capitalism. These things that make you realize that you are getting older, drawn to know the world that surrounds you and see all of its ugly contradictions. You read views from theorists and philosophers years in the past make statements that still ring heavily true today, an example? Beccaria's view of torture and justice still has a hold in today's system of law.
For a moment, you gander outside and ponder: can a world that I've grown free of worry and fear be this horrendous, monstrous and mechanical?
You take a strong look, sigh at the downpour of the rain and watch the different shades of gray shadow the diorama of this city; one among many.
Just one look and you feel this discouraged feeling of peace and calm overcome you.
Back to your computer, you do what any bored employee, student or child does. Explore YouTube for mild amusement, but like anyone at one point or another, you stumble across old Disney films. I'm sure you can name 6 easy ones without breaking a sweat or feeling even nearly ashamed of these films. And it only takes one song to truly want you to fall back into the rabbit hole!
There's something about Disney during those older times that nearly take your breath away, steal your mind and let it drift upon the lake of great films, great music and captivating scenes. There's something about Disney that isn't nostalgic, you don't get this sense that the times are lost, that these morals are lost upon the newer generations. You're aware of the possibility, but as you watch Ariel sing, Jasmine being taken on a whole new world or the Belle being waltzed by a refined Beast. You don't think: "Goddamn kids are missing out on these classics!", you don't think. You just watch and smile, laugh, tilt your head in agreement, in a soft soothed feeling of agreement and genuine sentiment.
There's something about these movies that call out the best of anyone who watches. You watch films by Dream Works and you can see an attempt to gear jokes to certain audiences (the parents or the children). They're funny, witty, but you know you're either alone or amongst the few who get the pop. culture reference or the more adult-centered comedic relief:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvO3_orG_mg
This is the best I could find off-hand. Shrek does a lot of pop. culture references though
Very funny, yet... not the same. When you sit down and watch whether alone, with your partner or with family. There is no shame, no feeling of being out of place. You know this film, somehow, encompasses everyone and everything in a remote state of being humanly swayed by emotions.
When you watch the film, you are taken, to a certain extent, to a level of emotions that grasps that you have a nature of normality. The knowledge that you are not alone and at least normal on some ground or force.
And the songs? My God, how do they do it? How do they manage to make songs that are easy to remember, beautifully written, yet used with nearly simple words sung with such passion, strength and humbleness. I say humility because these singers aren't exactly known or famous and yet they sing so beautifully and I, personally, can't think of anyone who could do it with such genuine beauty and passion!
Generally, love scenes make me uncomfortable because they leave me unconvinced or simply poorly placed. But yet... with this smooth song, the lyrics speaking in point of views and the continuation of narrating a psychological side of the story, I feel spoiled with glee and joy and deep interest.
Another one that originally never enjoyed, but the more I listen to it. The more it makes me feel I can achieve greatness. Do you songs that can do this? A cartoon of all things, a form that most associate with only making us laugh, but not go to the extent of telling compelling stories (often remakes of the actual book)
More? Almost done, I'm trying to find a good balance. Of course love stories have such prominence. + Show Spoiler +
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pPUmv3U2XY
Another classic. Speaking exploration, the desire to see the world while hinting of women empowerment. A classic. She's spoiled, trapped by the security and strength of her father, but only desires to see the outer world. Never have such complaints been sung so melodiously and beautifully. It's sung so casually, but somehow... it's just beautiful and calming.
The antagonist is neither mysterious, hidden, yet his Scar's voice-acting is perfect. Dark, strong, devious. He's got this intellect of cynicism and sarcasm that compels us to smile in amusement. There's talk of death, a rise of a new king, etc. The whole song is sinister, evil and cool. Smooth even and attractive to the ears.
Simplicity, Being Genuine does leave us yearning for more in today's time. But as we are watching these films and listening to these songs, all feelings of resentment of today's current forms of children's media just dissolve and evaporate until the credits roll.
We reminisce, yet are thankful for what we can still look back on. There are tons of songs I skipped or overlooked (I didn't want to overload this topic with youtube videos). So feel free to post some you like the most, etc.
I think the biggest companies that achieve this level of genius innocence is Pixar (Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Ratatouille, Monsters Inc.) and
Studio Ghibli
Castle in the Sky, The Cat Returns, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and Ponyo on the cliff by the sea.
Oh, have you heard of Joe Hisaishi's pieces?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMdJ9x0ITvU
This is the vocal version of it. I advocate this song all the time and if you like it, you can see why instantly. It's powerful, sweet and it leads you like a puppy; lapping for another note, another sound or even breath.
They capture an essence of youth, well-being and prosperity with each film that they do with reimagined creations, fantasy and realistic view of untouched and real children (not those caught in the whirlpool of materialism, entitlement and superficiality).
I have a paper to write, but I think I'll find my soul and childhood again.
P.S: All photos were captured on this weird stupid phone I have, sorry
This happens to me all the time. I will be staring at my book about adult-topics: The Gender Perspectives of Sociology, Alienation of Labour & The Protestant Ethic with the Spirit of Capitalism.
You have a very different reading list to me. Can't say I have read anything along these lines.
However this point
There's something about these movies that call out the best of anyone who watches. You watch films by Dream Works and you can see an attempt to gear jokes to certain audiences (the parents or the children). They're funny, witty, but you know you're either alone or amongst the few who get the pop. culture reference or the more adult-centered comedic relief.
is very very true.
Disney lasts because it is always essentially true. The jokes and humour are about characters and how they interact with each other. Take the hyenas from Lion King, you have the wise-ass (Whoopie at her best), the dumbass and the tough guy (ass?). Pretty standard trio but the humour comes from their interplay, not an obscure reference. This makes the movie timeless.
Disney movies also deal with difficult topics about growing up that are not really handled so well nowadays. Besides the Toy Story franchise, nothing comes to mind that captures heartache like Mufasa being runned down. The whole plot line is complex and difficult, even from an adult viewpoint. But always at its heart is essential truth. Work hard, live life, make it on your own and look out for those you love.
Of course Nostalgia plays its part, but asking me to try and think of Disney movies without Nostalgia is like asking Harry Potter fans to rate the series objectively. I can't be objective because Disney affected my childhood and as such will always colour my view.
Love the article mate, brilliant, simple and truthful
The music of Disney is really what makes it so prominent for me. How the songs can all fit together as 'canon' (the Disney albums of Greatest Hits really flow together) but all be so different really amazes me.
As for Studio Ghibli, GO KIKI.
And awesome pictures of the area around you, Torte.
aaaaaaahhhhhhhh disney songs are so good (I'll Make a Man out of You; Hakuna Matata; I Can't Wait to Be King; Be Prepared; Colors of the Wind, Bear Necessities, Under the Sea, A Whole New World!...). they do tend to overuse the half-step-up transposition though...
one thing though, it would be nice if you resized the pics
On August 03 2011 16:39 ]343[ wrote: aaaaaaahhhhhhhh disney songs are so good (I'll Make a Man out of You; Hakuna Matata; I Can't Wait to Be King; Be Prepared; Colors of the Wind, Bear Necessities, Under the Sea, A Whole New World!...).
+1 miss the good old days of animated disney films. songs in those films were epic
On August 03 2011 16:25 ymir233 wrote: Isn't part of these studios' success simply due to the fact that catharsis/representation of ideas is easier to achieve with the surreal?
No, not entirely. If you make a cartoon or tinker with the surreal or even the imaginary, you have to ensure that the viewer is not estranged.
To speak, with Pixar films, although all their characters are bugs in It's a Bug's Life, they ensure that the characters have human voices and familiar or kind ones at that (you'll see Ratzenburger in almost every Pixar film). The beauty of Disney films is that they take adult classical stories that stand the age of time and make a parallel retelling of the story for children while maintaining the human familiarity to it so that the viewer doesn't feel alienated.
In other words, what they do is tell classic moral stories, but change the scene, the characters and the story every time. It's the same formula of storytelling (essentially), just everything is new or different.
On August 03 2011 15:35 PaPoolee wrote: Is it bad that I read the topic and opened thinking it was Destiny is more than Nostalgia ?
If you felt deceived or draw nothing from this blog, then it is bad.
This happens to me all the time. I will be staring at my book about adult-topics: The Gender Perspectives of Sociology, Alienation of Labour & The Protestant Ethic with the Spirit of Capitalism.
You have a very different reading list to me. Can't say I have read anything along these lines.
There's something about these movies that call out the best of anyone who watches. You watch films by Dream Works and you can see an attempt to gear jokes to certain audiences (the parents or the children). They're funny, witty, but you know you're either alone or amongst the few who get the pop. culture reference or the more adult-centered comedic relief.
is very very true.
Disney lasts because it is always essentially true. The jokes and humour are about characters and how they interact with each other. Take the hyenas from Lion King, you have the wise-ass (Whoopie at her best), the dumbass and the tough guy (ass?). Pretty standard trio but the humour comes from their interplay, not an obscure reference. This makes the movie timeless.
Disney movies also deal with difficult topics about growing up that are not really handled so well nowadays. Besides the Toy Story franchise, nothing comes to mind that captures heartache like Mufasa being runned down. The whole plot line is complex and difficult, even from an adult viewpoint. But always at its heart is essential truth. Work hard, live life, make it on your own and look out for those you love.
Of course Nostalgia plays its part, but asking me to try and think of Disney movies without Nostalgia is like asking Harry Potter fans to rate the series objectively. I can't be objective because Disney affected my childhood and as such will always colour my view.
Love the article mate, brilliant, simple and truthful
You can actually approach Disney films with feeling nostalgic (as I did above), they're nostalgic because they still invoke the same kind of feelings as they did before, perhaps not as strong, but feelings nonetheless. Thats a key quality to take into account.
I should really watch some of the Disney movies again. I've only seen them dubbed in glorious Finnish. Even though they weren't badly dubbed, it just ain't the same, especially the songs.
On August 03 2011 14:52 Torte de Lini wrote: "I will be staring at my book about adult-topics: The Gender Perspectives of Sociology"
"There's something about these movies that call out the best of anyone who watches."
So i suppose staring =/= reading.
Pretty much when you've done it for long strenuous hours over a course of several months.
I was more talking in reference to the way gender theory ruined Disney for me. The 'classic' movies cement some appallingly sexist values. They're pretty much as bad as giving a barbie doll and an easy-bake oven to your daughter and some army men figures and Lego's to your son.
On August 03 2011 14:52 Torte de Lini wrote: "I will be staring at my book about adult-topics: The Gender Perspectives of Sociology"
"There's something about these movies that call out the best of anyone who watches."
So i suppose staring =/= reading.
Pretty much when you've done it for long strenuous hours over a course of several months.
I was more talking in reference to the way gender theory ruined Disney for me. The 'classic' movies cement some appallingly sexist values. They're pretty much as bad as giving a barbie doll and an easy-bake oven to your daughter and some army men figures and Lego's to your son.
I think if you take a gander at the time these films were made, what their main intentions were and what a child retains as a child, you'll come to realize that these established implicit views from the Disney films aren't intentionally malicious.
Are they apparent to you and I? The educated and the sociologically imagined? You bet. To a child? Not at first, but in due they'll come to acknowledge these poor values set by the Disney industry, but you discredit the flexibility and sponginess of a child's values and understanding of the world they live in and as they grow and see Mommy doing things that contradict what the cartoons imply, they'll form their own understanding.
Disney films also have discriminatory implications as well, but those who can grasp things within their contextual timeline tend to overlook these things and focus more on the benefits of these films.
To put it bluntly, you're not achieving much by your "insightful" view. If I wanted this subject to be mechanically understood and sociologically keen, I'd have worded it that way rather through description of emotions. I appreciate the "other side" aspect you're trying to give, but you're insinuating things I never wanted to be a debate or form of discussion :3
Every time I see one of your photos, I absolutely have to pause and sort of stare dreamily at it while I let my imagination run away and I ponder anything and everything...
On August 04 2011 05:45 Torte de Lini wrote: Disney films aren't intentionally malicious.
Are they apparent to you and I? The educated and the sociologically imagined? You bet. To a child? Not at first, but in due they'll come to acknowledge these poor values set by the Disney industry, but you discredit the flexibility and sponginess of a child's values and understanding of the world they live in and as they grow and see Mommy doing things that contradict what the cartoons imply, they'll form their own understanding.
The problem isn't the kids with parents who have a balanced perspective. The problem is the kids who are sat in front of the TV while mommy and daddy are working or who, for lack of better words; have stupid parents with very unequal relationships.
You're writing about an escape into a 'better world' and that's exactly it - that's what a cartoon for children should be! If your stepfather is beating your mom and you're told on a regular basis you're ugly or otherwise undesirable, that movie you watch should take you to a better world.
That world shouldn't be about waiting around for a handsome prince to come rescue you, it shouldn't be about ugly ducklings turning into swans and it shouldn't portray some skewed version of a utopia for the entitled that you, if scrappy enough, may enter into.
I'm not saying "don't enjoy Disney", i'm merely saying that if we don't want another generation of Miss USA contestants who question evolution openly in interviews it might behoove us to come up with some new cartoons that help with perspective where parents fail.
I don't worry about my own hypothetical kids growing up with skewed Disney dreams, i'm worried about them not fitting into the collective mainstream dream Disney upholds and protects.
But yeah - won't take this any further. I just think whenever Disney is mentioned in a positive light its darker side should be mentioned as well. If a blog is made with Youtube videos of North Korean parades or the Nürnburg gatherings proclaiming how cool they look, you don't really have to include a disclaimer saying "ofc this is all really bad because ..." but in so many minds there's still nothing wrong with Disney.
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EDIT: Meh, don't want to come off as all high and mighty, it's just the title of your blog that stabs me in they eye.. Really wasn't expecting an all-positive ode to Disney when i saw the title. It's teamliquid.net i'm pissed off at, not you.
The parents aren't stupid and blaming them without considering their predicament is a pretty narrow-minded view that solves nothing. There's a reason why both parents are working and children are meant to rely on PBS shows to give moral or value feedback. There is a sociological theory that television, even commercials have an informal foundation equal to their own perpetuation of creating wants. Balancing both financial support and moral support for a child is a very touchy subject and you might be missing a few finer points of consideration.
Television has its upsets and can be frail, but there are some educated values in television that can help a child.
I'm writing about a source of feel-good emotions and concepts that are a staple to moral stability of one's path to adulthood and understanding of the basic concepts of values and taking into account the feelings of others. It's an escape or an outlet, but a source to consider. No amount of television will compensate the disproportionate relationship between two parents and its chaotic atmosphere on a child. That's ridiculous and unfounded, memoirs write about how, as a child, one would escape to cartoons when there was bickering between parents and it "saved" him/her similar to video-games, but it neither substituted nor was very reliable for the void of egotistical parents who couldn't put aside their differences or poor behaviors for the care of the child. You're not escaping if you aren't free from the emotional harm.
Your third paragraph is just ranting.
I'm not saying "don't enjoy Disney", i'm merely saying that if we don't want another generation of Miss USA contestants who question evolution openly in interviews it might behoove us to come up with some new cartoons that help with perspective where parents fail.
Nothing wrong with Miss USA contestants nor those who are proud or accepting of alternative theories. The issue here is that you are not distinguishing other perspectives and saying: I personally disagree with it and think it's stupid, therefore it is wrong based on my theory that has scientific support. I disagree with XYZ theories that are Darwinian or based on mounds of research, but I respect anyone who chooses, willingly and openly, to consider alternatives that have, in part, an acceptance in non-cult societies. There is a similarity of complaints from people who see "arranged marriages" as an equal weight to holding back equal values you feel so strongly about, but never consider those who actually have their marriages arranged and enjoy it or prefer it that way (and their reasoning is logical and justified). Miss USA contestants often give off the idea that women are objectified or judged on parts or issues that other genders or same genders don't find any value or feel it is deserving to be judged on, but have you asked those contestants how they feel about it and feel about your viewpoint?
As long as you teach your hypothetical kids that it is okay to be themselves, to be rational and reasonable on their own, the fear of conformity or the idea that they need to conform will evaporate on its own. I am a product of this and I can tell you my childhood through an 8-year timeline if you want.
I understand your viewpoint (it is my major after all), but I'm not feigning ignorance, just speaking in forms of anecdotes. If I wanted to debate, I have two papers to write about how orgasms through 4 centuries, either helped men pay attention to women's health, gave liberty of expression to women based on a misconception and then propaganda robbed women of their right to feel if they don't want to be viewed as inferior to men and then the stigma of sexually-active women continues until this day.
If you want to criticize Disney, you're going to have criticize forms of communication, entertainment and ultimately, the way things are conveyed, portrayed, transferred or given to the viewers.
EDIT: Meh, don't want to come off as all high and mighty, it's just the title of your blog that stabs me in they eye.. Really wasn't expecting an all-positive ode to Disney when i saw the title. It's teamliquid.net i'm pissed off at, not you.
When we speak in retrospectively, we tend to only remember what we want to remember. It's positive because I want it to be positive.
EPT![[image loading]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/Xeroxer/Photo0016.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://daleyus.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/studio_ghibli.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/Xeroxer/Photo0024.jpg)
