Song of the Day: Once Upon A Dream by Lana Del Rey

"I know you,
I walked with you once upon a dream.
I know you,
That look in your eyes is so familiar a gleam..."

Review + Response: Maleficent (2014)

After the success of hit musical 'Wicked' we've become hugely interested in hearing the villain's side of the story that sheds light on their actions. We like our villains motivated and well rounded. We try to find some sympathy for them. This is true with Disney's latest effort, Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie in the titular role and Elle Fanning as a young Princess Aurora. It's a dark family film and felt like something Tim Burton wishes he could have pulled off. It's colourful and vibrant with darker scenes to contrast as Maleficent develops as a character. The film acts as a sort of feminist/revisionist back story that somewhat corrects the original Sleeping Beauty film that Disney had previously released to create a new narrative that steps aside from the cocoon of the previous movie.

My main criticism would be that it felt a little too short. I wanted more. I wanted to see The Moors. I wanted to see more of Maleficent as she grew from child to darker, wingless adult. I'm not sure if she was given as much of a voice as I'd have liked. Basically more Angelina Jolie please. Jolie gave a truly stunning performance, even using some of the original character dialogue, and executed a perfect performance. I loved the costumes and some of the changes from the original Sleeping Beauty tale. I'll keep this spoiler free but I can tell you there's a moment where queer women everywhere will want to cheer a little bit in the movie theater. The brevity of the film was their only downfall. otherwise this was an enchanting film.

Song of the Day: Strangers Like Me by Phil Collins

"Whatever you do, I'll do it too

Show me everything and tell me how

It all means something

And yet nothing to me

I can see there's so much to learn

It's all so close and yet so far

I see myself as people see me

Oh, I just know there's something bigger out there"

Song of the Day: Let It Go (cover) by Alex Boye ft One Voice Children's Choir

Just when you thought you were over "Let It Go" from Frozen, this turns up.
This wonderful cover of the hit Disney song has been making the rounds on the internet lately.
With a full choir and a djembe beat, this version is a nice refreshing cover.
Enjoy,

Recommended Reads? I guess so...

Hello you.
I missed you.
You're here for recommended reads aren't you?
See, I knew it!
Of course recommended reads is a blog segment where I share a few things with you that I've spotted about t'internet lately. In sharing them with you I hope you enjoy them too.
So here they are for this week:

• 18 Ways To Make The Best Of Your 20s
• Here are some interesting facts about the Disneyland/Disney World parks.
• Check out this house for sale. Nice exterior, plenty of bedrooms and... BODIES BURIED IN THE GARDEN?
• Here's an interesting article on Hollywood sexism and the Oscars from the Huffington Post. 
• Speaking of the Oscars, someone from Buzzfeed points out how ridiculously women are questioned on the red carpet by asking Kevin Spacey some of the sexist questions actresses are often asked. Click here for the article and a video to go with it.
• Working a tough job? Need to hear something uplifting? Why not read John Green's commencement address. I promise you, it's wonderful - especially if you're a recently graduated university/college student working a shitty job. It'll be a little bit uplifting. 
• So this is a thing: Fuck, Mary, Kill: The Disney Edition.
• HuffPost have picked out some recent funny tweets, so knock your socks off. 

Disney Hit "Frozen" To Become A Musical?

Yes, it seems to be true. The reigning box office hit "Frozen", a classic Disney flick still in cinemas, is set to become a stage musical. It's not the first Disney film to hit the stage: Mary Poppins, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid have all become musicals and have remained overwhelmingly popular. The voice of Elsa was played by Idina Menzel, an actress who is no stranger to Broadway stage especially in her breakthrough role as Elphaba in Wicked. If she were to play Else in the stage show this musical could be unstoppable.

Would YOU go to see a stage musical of Frozen?