Book Reviews: The Princess Bride

Good Day, Friends!

Okay, so I'm assuming you have seen The Princess Bride and know what I'm talking about. If not, shame on you. Go watch it right now. In any case, for Christmas, I got the 30^th Anniversary Edition of the book The Princess Bride was based on. (The book is also called The Princess Bride.) I just wanted to share my thoughts on it.

I gave this book 4.5 stars. I like the movie better, but there were definitely nice things about reading the book.

Pros:

• We got to read Inigo's and Fezzick's backstories! It was so fun to see where they were coming from and what made them who they are.
• Buttercup is sensible and practical! (Well, a little.) "Oh, the boys!. . . I do not care about 'the boys.' Horse loves me and that is quite sufficient, thank you."
• Humperdinck's Zoo of Death
  • This adds another trial/layer to the story, and it adds a good amount of depth to Humperdinck's character. However, it is cruelty to animals, so if you're sensitive to that, beware. (I do not like that part.)

Cons:

• The characters didn't have much more depth than they did in the movie. This doesn't seem like an issue, but usually, even though we don't realize it, book characters have more depth than movie characters, because we can't read movie characters' thoughts like we can in books, and movie characters have much less time to develop a well-rounded, not flat character. Therefore, the amount of depth a movie character has in order to seem realistic is much less than the amount of depth a book character has to have. So, it was kind of disappointing when the book characters in The Princess Bride were not more well-rounded and did not have more depth than the movie characters.
• Fezzick was portrayed as quite dumb and childish, which I didn't like.

Another note: The author has some. . . interesting commentary. You'll have to read it and research it yourself to get what I mean.

That's all for today!

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Bride-Deluxe-Gift/dp/B000YE1808/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1529370642&sr=8-6&keywords=the+princess+bride+book

Fairy Tales: Thoughts on Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Hello, Mythical Creatures!

Today, I just wanted to share my thoughts on Beauty and the Beast, the Disney movie. I know there is quite a bit of controversy over this, but these are just my views. You don't have to agree with me. :)

First of all, Beauty and the Beast is my absolute favorite Disney movie.

I want to share my thoughts on why this movie was revolutionary and brilliant for its time.

I love that Belle doesn't fit in, is a reader, smart, and won't just marry some guy because he's cute.

Thankfully, this movie goes against many stereotypes, like women can't be smart, and can't or shouldn't read. Belle loves to read, and isn't a typical princess in need of rescuing. In fact, she does the rescuing: she rescues her father. That is brilliant, and upends so many stereotypes already.

Also, she's practical, and will stand up for herself. She will not marry Gaston, no matter what the town thinks of her, and no matter what he threatens. She wants to marry someone who is smart and caring, and she's not afraid to make that known. Gaston comes to propose to her, and she slyly throws him out.

Another thing that resonates with Belle for me is she doesn't quite fit in. She's not like the other girls in town, and no one really knows what to make of her. However, she doesn't give up her dreams, hobbies, or character in order to fit in. Despite all this, she is still a hero and celebrated as a Disney princess, which overturns stereotypes all over the place.

• Gaston, who's supposed to be the hero, is the villain, and the Beast, who is supposed to be the villain, is the hero.

Although this storyline seems familiar or common, it went against the stereotype of the handsome prince coming and saving the day, by killing the hideous creature. Although this storyline is extremely old as well, for whatever reason, in American society, it is less prominent. If you are interested in different versions of and stories related to Beauty and the Beast, I posted a couple posts on it. Here are the links: Part One, and Part Two.

In any case, the amazing thing about Beauty and the Beast is the Beast did not start out as a good character. He treated Belle terribly, had a horrible temper, and although he wanted to find love, it could be argued his main reason for wanting to fall in love (at least, at the beginning) was so he could have his human body back, because he hated his beast form. However, slowly, he grew to care for Belle, partially because Belle was honest with him. For example, she refused to come to dinner, and yelled at him to control his temper. By the end of the movie, the Beast transformed, physically, but also emotionally. He was able to care for someone else, learned to work through his problems instead of run away from them, and learned what the Enchantress wanted him to learn. In short, his heart changed.

Beauty and the Beast teaches the Beast, but also the children/people watching, in the Enchantress's words, that “Beauty lies within.” Truly. Beauty and the Beast accomplishes this so well by making the handsome man be the villain, and the horrific Beast be the hero.

In any case, these are some of my thoughts on Beauty and the Beast. However, I just wanted to mention one more thing. The Beast did not treat Belle well at all when she first arrived at his castle. I love this movie because the Beast's heart changed, not because he treated her so terribly.

Those are just a few of my thoughts, and why I love Beauty and the Beast so much! What's your favorite Disney princess movie? Why?

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: 

https://pixabay.com/en/nature-roses-romantic-nice-love-3061486/

https://pixabay.com/en/library-education-wisdom-3115371/ 

Dragons: How to Train Your Dragon*

Hello, Friends!

Let's take a little break from our dragon features series and talk about How to Train Your Dragon. This is one of my favorite movies. Why? The awesome music, flying, wonderful message, and, of course, dragons.

First, the awesome music. The How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack is one of my absolute favorite soundtracks, because it sounds like dragons. It sounds like dragons fighting and dragons flying, but still keeps Berk and the vikings in mind. The music perfectly fits the whole setting, scenery, and characters of How to Train Your Dragon. But why are you listening to me talk about it? Go listen to it! (Here's the link.)

Secondly, flying. I have always dreamt of flying, and the music along with the awe-inspiring scenery takes my breath away.

The message. Maybe it's just because I saw the movie first, but I like the movie better than the book. The movie's message is a stronger, needed message, and the characters have more personality, and their personalities are varied. Anyways, let's talk about the message of the movie. The movie is about a young boy who keeps trying to be someone else, someone he's not. He finally finds a friend, in the most unlikely of places, and is determined to keep that friend, despite what everyone else wants him to do, and despite that by refusing to give up his friend, he suffers. He turns the vikings' enemies into their friends.

Finally, the dragons. I mean, there is a whole section of my blog dedicated to dragons. Honestly, what would you expect? Also, the dragons are just so amazing that you're going to have to go watch the movie. (Again.) The vikings have an entire book of dragon species, and they also have some of the coolest dragon species imaginable.

So that's why I love How to Train Your Dragon so much.

(Sorry, no pictures. How to Train Your Dragon is copyrighted.)

Spruce Nogard

*Actually posted on May 31st. See here for details.

On My Mind: Beauty and the Beast

Hello, Storybook Characters!

Today, I am excited about Beauty and the Beast. The old Beauty and the Beast movie was my favorite princess movie when I was younger. Actually, it still is. I loved Belle because she was a reader, just like me. Also, I loved the songs, and, well, everything else. :)

I remember when I first heard they were making a live-action Beauty and the Beast, in 2015. I remember thinking 2017 was so far away. But now, here it is. I'm seeing it tomorrow, and I can't wait!

I also am excited Emma Watson is playing Belle. Emma Watson is such a great actress, and seems the perfect fit for Belle. Not to mention, as someone online remarked, Hermione and the Beast's library has got to be a wonderful scene.

Are you excited for Beauty and the Beast? Are you nervous about it? What was/is your favorite Disney movie?

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: https://pixabay.com/en/beautiful-beast-characters-963893/

*Post written on 3/27/17 

Creative Complex: The Electronic World

Hello, Friends!

The other day, we were listening to the Tron soundtrack, and it made me think of this question:

What would you do if you were trapped inside a video game?

Which video game would you be trapped in?

What would be some challenges about that specific video game?

How would you get out?

Spruce Nogard

Attributions:

https://pixabay.com/en/tron-tea-car-dark-light-lighting-1785156/

On My Mind: Zootopia

Hello, Animal-Lovers!

Today, Zootopia is on my mind.

How many of you have seen Zootopia? How many of you liked it? I know it's a kids movie, but that doesn't mean we can't like it. :)

Zootopia is about a place where animals live in harmony, whether prey or predator. The story is about a rabbit, Judy Hopps, who fulfills her life's dream: to become the first rabbit police officer. Meanwhile, animals in the city of Zootopia are disappearing. The police force is having trouble finding them, but then Officer Hopps takes the case. The rest of the police force is less than thrilled. Meanwhile, Officer Hopps has to work with Nicholas Wilde, a fox who isn't always on the right side of the law, go to a naturalist club (the animals don't wear clothes!), deal with some very slow sloths, and much more!

Sorry, but because it's copyrighted, I can't put any pictures of the movie here. Here's a link, though:

http://img.lum.dolimg.com/v1/images/products_zootopia_digitalhd_5f05fae6.png

Zootopia is a great movie with wonderful morals. I would tell you about them, but that would give you plot spoilers, and, if you've already seen the movie, you know exactly what I'm talking about. I love Zootopia for three reasons:

1. As I said earlier, it has great morals and lessons
2. It has an intriguing plot
3. It parallels real society very well (in my opinion)

Besides, it is the first really good Disney kids movie to come out recently. :) Again, in my opinion. :)

Go watch it, then comment below. What did you like about it? Were there things you think they could have done better?

Spruce Nogard