My Take on Tangled: From a Disney Freak

If you know me you know I'm a Disney FANATIC! I don't think I know anyone who knows and loves Disney as much as I do. My mom owned almost all of the Disney Classic videos when I was growing up, and now I own all of the Classic DVDs AND their sequels (but one). That's right. Did you know that Mulan 2 was REALLY good? Not nearly as good as the first of course, but WAY better than your average Disney sequel.

Anyway. Some people like the perks of having a "mom blog" because they get free stuff. I don't care so much about the stuff as I do some of the opportunities. So when I saw that one of my friends got to see Tangled I was like "What?! Where's Disney and why didn't they write to ME?!" I'm their biggest fan! And I was so hurt!!

I've been anticipating this movie for over a year. I heard it was going to be called "Braided" and I kept calling it that for awhile. I was looking at some of these concept-art pictures and was SO EXCITED. About it.


Luckily, this blogger is a good friend of mine so she got me in touch with her contact and I wrote to him saying "What about MEEEEEE?!!" In so many words. And then they apologized and got me in touch with the people in charge of the Texas screening and there I was last night, Little J in my lap, watching Tangled two weeks before the official release. And let me tell you it was GOOD! SO GOOD! In my opinion it's the best Disney movie since The Lion King. No joke!

So good in fact that I need to re-do my Disney top 10. In fact, I've been re-watching many of them over again these past few months (especially over maternity leave) and there's a lot of re-working I need to do.

1. The Lion King (1994): Surprise surprise (not really)! I'm not sure this movie will ever be replaced. To this day this movie is amazing to watch. It makes me laugh and cry. It's got a great message, great music, beautiful artwork. Just amazing!

2. Aladdin (1992): Princess Jasmine, the Genie, and of course Aladdin are characters I fell in love with. I will watch this movie any time I catch it on TV, and it ALWAYS makes me laugh. Even though I've seen it a million times, and even though I know it by heart. Some Disney movies have a lull part I want to skip over (like that "Can You Feel the Love Tonight scene in Lion King, or the Be Our Guest scene in Beauty and the Beast) this one doesn't have one of those scenes for me. I love it from start to finish!

I can't believe I'm doing this but...

3. Tangled (2010): Yes, Tangled has made my top 3 in Disney movies, and therefore one of my top 3 favorite movies of all time. I'll have to see it again, and again and again to make sure the excitement of it doesn't wear off but it really was good. It had me laughing, tearing up, and wanting to jump up and sing. All of the beautiful qualities of Disney Classics, plus my favorite aspect--A love story. But they didn't skim it over, they really let you get to know the characters and fall in love with each of them. But it's not too girlie like other princess movies, it has more than enough humor for little boys. It was enchanted like Beauty and the Beast and... Ok, I'll stop and let you see it.

I was comparing it to my other favorites and I like it more than everything after this, surprisingly. It was that good (to me). I think the biggest reason was because of he humor. Lil' J had fallen asleep and I tried not to wake her but I still couldn't help but laugh out loud at so many parts. Music, humor, and plot score higher points with me than the depth of the "message." Which I think some of these others on my list do a better job of developing and conveying.

 4. Mulan (1998): I know it's a newer one too, but music is one big thing I love about Disney movies and this one didn't have a song I dislike. The storyline is great too. The horse in Tangled today reminded me of the one in this movie. I think it's cute how you see a lot of the same characters cross-appear in Disney movies (or maybe I'm the only one who noticed).

5. Beauty and the Beast (1991): I don't really need to give this one a description. Everyone loves this movie. Its a classic. Nuf said.

6. Pocahontas (1995): I love this movie. I love the Romeo and Juliet-style romance, and how strong Pocahontas seems as a woman. Great message about nature, and we really sure resurrect this classic seeing as how we're all "green" focused these days. I'll always love this movie regardless.

 7. The Little Mermaid (1989): My mom says this was the first movie she and I saw together that I could comprehend, and that must have been why I decided to dress up as a read-headed mermaid with "nude" colored (of course meaning a white shade on my dark skin, but I didn't care cause I was Ariel!) for Halloween my Kindergarten year. I re-watched this movie recently and wasn't as captivated as I used to be but it will always be a favorite.

8. Tarzan (1999): My favorite thing about this movie was the music. It also is really just plain hilarious. It's one of those movies that doesn't need a "princess" to be good. It's actually one of Disney's movies more geared towards boys but I like it just the same.

9. Lady and the Tramp (1955): The oldest Disney movie to make my list, but oh it will always be a good one. Not as many songs as some of the others but oh so cute! I haven't seen the sequels yet, even though I own them, I need to get on that.

10. Toy Story 3 (2009): I actually liked this one better than the first one. I don't like many of the Pixar movies as much as the classics (which is why this is the only one on the list) but this one had a sweet message, a great story line, and was hilarious. It's the only Disney movie I don't have in my possession at this time but I hope to change that by Christmas!

Honorable Mentions: The Princess and the Frog, Wall-E, Up, Cinderella.

Honestly, I watched Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Cinderella recently and I fell asleep during them. Could be the sleep deprivation, but I think they just aren't topping some of these new ones to me!

So there's a new top 10 Disney Classics list from a Disney critic. I will say one thing I DIDN'T like about last night's movie and that's seeing it in 3D. It was not necessary and actually made me a little dizzy. I'd much rather see it again in 2D and just enjoy it!

What's your Disney Top 10, 5, or 3?

Disney Nesting

One reason I really really want Spawnie to be a girl is because I really want to watch Disney movies with her. I know boys can like Disney movies too but I'm pretty sure that princesses are move of a girlie thing. But then again there are a bunch with boyish action and stuff. What do you think? Anyone out there have boys who like Disney movies?

I got to see The Princess and the Frog a week early thanks to a perk of my job... Advanced press screening!

While I really did enjoy it, it didn't break my Disney top 5. I was SO EXCITED to see Disney go back to the hand-drawn characters, the musicals, the singing, dancing and color! Loved that. Loved that the princess was black (now COME ON Disney, make a Hispanic princess!), loved the New Orleans scene (that's where my dad is from) but it didn't make me cry from laughing or sadness... It didn't break or melt my heart like some other Disney movies. I have to admit though.. I think part of it could be because my expectations were SO HIGH (and that I'd been anticipating it for over a year) and part of it could be because *gasp* ... I'm not a little girl anymore.

But I can talk about Disney for days! I can out-play ANYONE at Disney Scene It. I'll stand and correct you when you call "Anastasia," "All Dogs Go to Heaven" or "Land Before Time" a Disney movie (cause they're not.. Although I have those too!).I've collected all 100-and-something Disney and Dianey-Pixar Animated Classics (oh yes, did I mention I have the sequels too?) from Snow White on to Ratatouille. I just need Bolt, Wall-E, Up and I totally missed Meet the Robinsons (I found that one, I do have it! Watched it for the first time, it was great!). I also would LOVE to collect the Pixar short films! Boy will Spawnie have quite a collection... I'll be HEARTBROKEN if (s)he doesn't like it.Being the Disney freak that I am, I decided to rank my top ten Disney movies so you can get an idea as to where The Princess and the Frog fits...

10. Princess and the Frog '09: Not too bad at all, it made my top 10. I'm being kind of generous. But I really could stop smiling at the beautiful characters and their cute accents and the music! My dad is from New Orleans too so I felt a special connection with the people. Aww. Love! Oh... But don't get surprised like me... This fact ALMOST ruiened the movie for me. When you think of Tiana (the princess) don't think "Jasmine" think "Belle" or "Cinderella." There... Not giving too much away :)

9. Lady and the Tramp '55: This is the oldest movie on my list. One of the original classics I LOVED and will always love... In fact, I watched it a few months ago and loved it just as much. Snoop also loves this movie.. I think the dog barking noises are actually real cause he totally likes watching this!

8. Hercules '97: Loved the colors, love the music, love the love (You'll see a trend with this). And I also just enjoyed the Greek mythology coming to life!

7. The Little Mermaid '89: This was the first Disney movie... Or movie period, I can remember seeing and understanding in the theater. I left wanting to be a mermaid and I did become one... For Halloween my Kindergarten year. I had the red wig and all.

6. Beauty and the Beast '91: I swear this movie was my entertainment for at least an entire summer. I was one of those kids who could watch the same movie over and over and over and love it each and every time. My sister and I would sct out the characters, running around and singing the songs in our basement.

5. Pocahontas '95: I know... How can this be above #6? Well, this movie to me was inspiring. A brave brown girl stopping a war between two groups of people... Ok, maybe it didn't exactly go down that way in real life, but I loved the movie nonetheless. Still do, and I love the love connection with John Smith.
4. Mulan '98: Once again, I know my taste in Disney Classics may be different than other's but I LOVED Mulan.. Still do. Mushu was hilarious, Mulan was so pretty, loved her singing.. Loved ALL of the songs! I can put that movie in today and still die laughing through it. it's also very touching and has a good message.

3. Tarzan '99: This one is about a tie with Mulan. I LOVE the music in Tarzan probably more than any other Disney movie, however there's one song I hate so much I almost want to fast forward through it. I love the mother-son connection though, and I like that little boys could like it too. It also makes me tear up!! LOVE this movie.

2. Aladdin '92: Who doesn't like this movie? It was on TV a few weeks ago and my husband actually watched it with me. I have this entire movie memorized, love the music, love the humor, love the love! And can't I have a genie?!

And no surprise to many # 1. The Lion King '94: This I think will forever be my favorite Disney movie. I will be SO HAPPY if Disney can one day top this but I'm not sure that's possible. The gut-wrenching plot was enough to bring me to tears time and time again before I was 10 (why do they do that to kids?) and time and time again even today (but it could be the hormones). I can recite this entire movie no problem.The 3-5th grade I had an entire collection of Lion King attire... Clothing, book bag, lunch box, toys. I don't know how many times we went to Burger King for those collectible cards and figurines. I was obsessed... And obviously still am.

Honorable mentions: Wall-E, Finding Nemo, The Emperors New Groove.

I'm hoping Disney movies are fun for babies to watch cause I'm already envisioning Fantasia lullabying Spawnie to sleep.

What are your favorite Disney movies?

Now that I have movies squared away though I think I'm on to books. Good children's book recommendations?

PS: I Promise my next post will be about Snoop knowing I'm pregnant, a few people have asked me about that!

The Look Back

It's a little late because I work Sundays and I just HAD to share my excitement about cooking, but better late than never right?

Sometimes I don't think I'm ready for parenthood because I still act like a child myself. A perfect weekend for me would consist of watching at least one Disney movie and maybe a cartoon show or two. I love playing board games, and eating snacks like Mac and Cheese.

I often get nostalgic about the days when my sister and I would play with our Barbie dolls, dress them up and cut their hair. We even teased our little brother once and pulled off all of the heads on his power ranger action figured and switched them with the other super hero heads. It was mean, but it was fun.

One summer we got creative and turned our sleeping bags into sleds and drove them down the staircase. Karaoke and dress-up were commonly on our to-do-list. We loved to play! But you know what?--I still do.

It's a lot easier to entertain myself with the Internet at my hands, but I miss the good 'ol days of laughing at childish movies, and watching them over and over a million times.

I got a taste of this a couple of weeks ago. I watched Tarzan than Cinderella, then when my husband got home I made him watch Tarzan with me again cause he had never seen it before.

Have I mentioned I love Disney? I think I have... Once or twice. But really, I DO! I bought an entire DVD collection of EVERY Disney Classic (cartoon) movie from Snow White to Ratatouille (I just need Bolt and Wall-E). I can't wait to have kids and be able to share all of those movies with them. They may not like them as much as I did, but I sure hope it's a tradition I can pass on to my kiddos!

I love being around little kids cause I feel like it gives me an excuse to BE a kid again--An excuse to take me back. I don't want to feel like an old fart already. Is this why people say children keep you young? I hope that means becoming a mom will take off a few years for me. If anything it'll give me someone to watch those things with since right now getting my husband to watch them with me is like pulling teeth. And now that it's Easter season I'm sad that I don't have a little girl to dress up in a pretty dress, or a cute little boy to put in a suit.--Even worse, I don't have someone to decorate eggs with... It's not dying them alone (or with an unenthusiastic husband).

Same story at Halloween and Christmas time. I'm really looking forward to being young again through my children.--At the same time thought I'm hoping I'm not one of those crazy moms that tries to force my kids to do things I didn't get to do. We'll see how it works out.

What are other fun traditions you have with your kiddos? And do your kids keep you young, or make you feel old?

The Movie I Can't Wait to See

The Greatest Movie on Earth...Alright, I'm probably exaggerating. But let me tell you this... I'M A DISNEY FINATIC! Really, I grew up watching Disney movies over and over with my younger siblings. I would challenge anyone in a Disney trivia game, and I own every Disney Classic (the cartoon ones) from Pinocchio to Ratatouille all on DVD. I just need Wall-E and I'm set! My mom collected the movies on VHS when I was younger, so this DVD collection I hope to keep up with so all of my kids can appreciate them like I do.

Growing up I dressed up as many of the Disney princess characters: Belle, Ariel (red wig and all), Jasmine, Pocahontas, oh the list goes on! I loved them all! But NOW my future little girls will have a princess that looks like THEM... Princess Tiana, in Disney's "The Princess and the Frog."

I'm sooooo excited! Isn't it about time Disney gets a black princess?! I'm so glad that's going to happen this year! And better yet... It's going to be a musical, going back to the Disney roots I LOVE--Hand drawn characters, singing, dancing, colorful! So. Dang. Excited. ! ! !

I haven't dragged my husband to a Disney movie in a looong time so he owes me this one. It doesn't come out until November but I'm already watching for every updated preview I can get my hands on. Here's the latest: