Showing posts with label Frozen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frozen. Show all posts

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Celebrating Sisters' Day, the Fandom Way


Psst. National Sisters' Day is August 6th! In commemoration of such a joyous occasion, we celebrate the special bond only sisters share with, you guessed it, fandoms. Here are a few fandom celebration suggestions to consider.

The Powerpuff Girls 


The Powerpuff Girls has always been something my sister and I (and even my mom) would watch together. Maybe what drew us in was the kickass action and sassy sweetness, but what kept us watching was how well these sisters, though quite distinctive from each other, interacted. That made me think that each sister might have a different idea about what to do on such a holiday. 

Blossom might suggest that her siblings sit around a comfortable nook, reading books. 


Buttercup might offer that physical training (anything dealing with martial arts, weight lifting, kickball, dodgeball, fighting crime... well, maybe leave that to the superheroes) might be beneficial.

Bubbles could consider a nice tea party (perhaps, a lady’s luncheon) to be just the thing to spice up a lovely day. 

But one thing the girls would agree on is that spending time with each other is a paramount idea on National Sisters' Day. 

Frozen 


You knew I was going to mention this. You had to. Even though Frozen is a tad overrated, I still can't help but remember the first time I saw it. I bawled. The movie made me think about how much I missed and appreciated my sister. 

Either sister in Frozen would definitely have a different idea about spending this wonderful day together. Anna, on one hand, would suggest anything adventurous, whether that be finishing each others sandwiches, attending a kingdom-wide ball, getting chocolate truffles, building a snowman (even in the middle of summer), or battling ice giants.


I imagine Elsa would agree to the chocolate suggestion, but she might have more of a subtle way of spending it, like having a picnic or ice skating. She'd rather keep it intimate. 

But what they both understand is that sisters make sacrifices for one another. Either of them would agree to the other's plans to make their sister happy. 

The Parent Trap 


Here's another fandom that my sister and I enjoyed watching when we were younger. Partially, it must have been because these two reminded us of ourselves, two opposites who somehow made their relationship work. 

Both girls are extremely mischievous, agreeing on a plan to get their parents back together again. 

Hallie (the twin who stayed with her father) is much more of a tomboy, so she might suggest that a stroll (or sprint) through her dad's vineyard would be fun. A hike would also seem interesting, especially when followed by a breakfast buffet. 

Annie (the twin who stayed with her mother) might enjoy learning a language with her sister, or perhaps even horseback riding. 


Though, they would both agree on gorging on Oreos smothered with peanut butter after a match of fencing. More than that, they understand that sisters have a special bond, something no one can ever break. No matter distance or difference in personality, sisters have an invisible string that ties them together.

Hocus Pocus


Hocus Pocus will ALWAYS hold a special place in my twisted lil' soul. There was something about it, maybe the familial love between Max and Dani, Binx's story arc, or even the way the Sanderson Sisters played off one another. Their chemistry is just TOO perfect and they ended up creating hilarious situations.

Winnie, the leader of the three, is much more dramatic, so I'd think she'd like to spend time doing something over-the-top, something that requires children's suffering. Eh. Maybe don't do anything Winnie would do.

Mary (the sister in red) is much more caring than her other sisters, and would probably suggest they decide on something calming, maybe mediation or a relaxing sip of a child's youth.

Sarah (the most air-headed of the three) loves to sing, so she'd serenade her sisters with her siren's song then perhaps have them dance around a black-flame bonfire. 


All three have their own... unique way of spending their time, but what they all know is that you should embrace your weirdness. Sisters are one of the few people who can truly understand all your odd jokes and hobbies. 

My Neighbor Totoro
Totoro is one of those classics you can't help but watch again and again, and part of the reason why is because of the two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, and their many lovely adventures (Totoro big or soot spirit small adventures, at that).

Satsuki is the big sister, and is therefore much more protective and a little more responsible. She might suggest cartwheeling while in the garden or racing her younger sister while shining the floors.

Mei (the younger of the two) is sweet and innocent, and is a ball of tumbling energy. She would be up for anything that requires running around or fun and games. Riding the catbus is always a must.


What's most important for these two is that Satsuki and her little sister Mei are there for one another through thick and thin, whether they're adjusting to a new home, a family illness, or standing at a catbus stop and stumbling upon an ancient forest spirit. What's most important is that they’re there for one another.

Whether you live under the same roof as your sister or live a thousand miles away from her, make sure you wish her a Happy National Sisters' Day

Who are your fandom favorite sisters?

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Ice Wielders: Why Winter Weather is Wonderful

I can't help but dread the temperature drop every single winter. I'd much prefer 70s all year round, but we can't always get what we want, can we?

However, cold weather isn't all bad. In fact, some of the best fictional characters possess the power to wield ice. I hereby present to you a few of my favorite ice wielders. Though, I've limited the characters to those whose powers mainly focus on ice and/or water manipulation.

Elsa (Frozen)


From an early age, Elsa has had power over snow and ice. But as she grows older, it becomes much more difficult to control. In fact, she ends up mistakenly freezing her entire kingdom!

(source)

But even though her powers are that of ice and frigid cold, she has a rather warm heart.

Best Thing About Cold Weather: Warm hugs, of course!

Shiva (Final Fantasy series)


(source)

Throughout the Final Fantasy series, Shiva has filled the role of summon and goddess. In all games of the series, she’s used her tremendous powers (ahem, diamond dust) to help our heroes out of countless messes.


Best Thing About Cold Weather: The stainless beauty of ice and snow. Everything glitters.

Sailor Mercury (Sailor Moon)


Sailor Mercury isn’t just the brains of the sailor scouts. Rather, she also packs a punch in the powers department, especially with her Shine Aqua Illusion (and Shine Snow Illusion), which sends forth a wall of water that miraculously turns to ice or snow.

Best Thing About Cold Weather: Staying inside with close friends and curling up with a good book.

Iceman (X-Men)


Iceman is a mutant with the power to freeze water to ice particles. He's even able to turn his entire body to ice!


Best Thing About Cold Weather: Snowball fights and more opportunities for kissing. ;)

Waterbenders (Avatar: the Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra)


Waterbenders like Aang, Katara, and Korra are able to control water in various forms. They also have one of the most graceful and fluid fighting styles, which reflects their control of water in all its stages: liquid, solid, and even gas.

Best Thing About Cold Weather: Definitely penguin sledding!

Ice King (Adventure Time)


Though the Ice King has a rather sad story, he still finds time to enjoy himself (maybe sometimes in the wrong ways). Through a series of unfortunate circumstances, the Ice King received the power of the crown, which gave him control over ice and snow.


Best Thing About Cold Weather: It’s easier to kidnap princesses because they’re too busy drinking hot cocoa!

Jack Frost (Rise of the Guardians)


Jack has domain over winter, including the ability to fly, speak to the wind, and create ice and snow. As a guardian, his true power is something much deeper and much more important.


Best Thing About Cold Weather: Snowball fights, sledding, holidays, snow days…that face.

Who is your favorite? 

Thursday, June 23, 2016

A Very Fangirl Birthday!

Well, as you may have guessed by the title, this week was my birthday! On Tuesday, I turned twenty years old (what?!)! I thought it'd be fun to see some fandom moments that happened on my date of birth and see if I share my birthday with any of my favorite characters or celebrities!

Fictional Characters Born June 21st

Princess Anna :: Disney's Frozen

Courtesy of Disney's Frozen
AHH! This was very exciting for me. I love Frozen, and as overplayed as the title songs can be, I will probably not tire of it. Princess Anna was indeed born on June 21st. Actually, I think this is fantastic characterization because it's the Summer Solstice and it's interesting, if you know the story, that her sister is an Ice Queen and she was born on the first day of summer.

Plus, she just really gets me. We would totally understand each other, like look at this--

Courtesy of Disney's Frozen
--it's very me.

Comics Published

So, since comic book releases are usually set for specific dates, I had to go with the week of my birthday, but this was still really exciting!

On June 19, 1996, two days before I was born; an issue of Batman & Robin Adventures came out... with Batgirl on the cover!

Courtesy of D.C. Comics

Music on June 21, 1996

In the music world, on that fateful day, the Sex Pistols began the 1996 "Filthy Lucre Word Tour," their first live performance in over 18 years!

Courtesy of The Sex Pistols Facebook

Famous Birthdays

Finally, I looked up some stars I share my birthday with and was far from disappointed. 

Lana Del Rey :: June 21, 1985

Courtesy of Billboard.com

Chris Pratt :: June 21, 1979

Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly
Prince William :: June 21, 1982

Courtesy of People Magazine
What and who do you share a birthday with?

This post brought to you by a whole bunch of birthday cake.


Sunday, February 15, 2015

Love According to Frozen

Valentine's Day is officially behind us, but since the holiday came and went so quickly, I'm still thinking about it. I confess, I'm rather relieved my news feed won't be clogged by pictures of couples and their various flowery or chocolaty gifts anymore. I also won't have to hear phrases like "Single's Awareness Day" until next February.
All of this did get me thinking, though. Valentine's Day is supposed to be about love, yet we typically view it as a couple's holiday exclusively. And while romantic love is certainly wonderful and important, it's not the only kind of love. In fact, it may not even be the strongest. To help illustrate this, I'm looking to none other than Disney. True, Disney has given us some of the sweetest and most iconic couples of all time. We discussed that earlier this month here on the Fangirl Initiative.
But Disney also gives us the stories of everlasting love found in families and friendships. I could cite examples from countless films, but for this post, I'll focus on one of the most recent releases: Frozen.


It's been talked about a lot, but I'd like to share my own little insights on the love in this movie. Frozen reminded me that love is so much more than romance. Love is...

1. Friendship. Anna and Elsa are sisters by birth, but friends by choice. As kids, they are inseparable. They have matching dolls, enjoy each other's company, and are always there for one another. After an accident divides them, both grow up missing this friendship. It never fully fades, though, and by the end of the movie, they're back to having fun together as both sisters and friends.



2. Having things in common. From building snowmen, loving warm hugs and chocolate and giggling at the same jokes, Elsa and Anna share a lot. A great part of love is about what we share.


3. Having and accepting differences. This is perhaps an even greater part of love than sharing likenesses. Anna and Elsa are similar in some ways, but also opposites. Anna is bubbly, extroverted, trusting, and a bit clumsy; Elsa is quieter, introverted, cautious and elegant. Anna is "completely ordinary (in the best way!)" and Elsa has magical ice powers. Yet they never try to change each other. Even when Elsa has frozen the summer, Anna tries to change the situation not her sister. Although I'm trying to avoid discussing romance, I have to point out that Anna and Kristoff are also very different. Instead of judging those differences, though, they're drawn to them and balance one another out.


4. Being honest, even when it's hard. Elsa tells Anna she can't marry a man she just met, although it means Elsa is risking her newly regained friendship with Anna. Elsa isn't trying to dash her sister's hopes; she's telling her the truth because she genuinely cares about Anna's future. Imagine if Elsa had gone along with idea of Anna marrying Hans! Frozen would have been a far different film.


5. Protecting the person you care about. In the song "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?" I always feel sorry for Anna when Elsa tells her to go away. But it must have been hard for Elsa to send her little sister away, too. Since Elsa couldn't control her powers, she did what seemed like the only alternative: Locking herself away to keep Anna safe. I've heard people call Elsa's parents abusive for keeping her in her room, but I disagree. They didn't know how to help her, so they thought keeping her away from people who wouldn't understand was the solution. Elsa was already terrified of hurting others, so they assumed that protecting her from people would limit her anxiety. They were trying to protect both of their daughters out of love.


6. Forgiving. Elsa and Anna each have reasons they could stay angry with one another, but instead, they let it go. Love can't exist alongside grudges, and both Anna and Elsa know this. Anna, especially, forgives Elsa over and over. This isn't simply a trait of Anna's personality, since she isn't as generous towards Hans. It's a choice she makes out of love for her sister.


7. Putting someone else's needs before your own. For a somewhat clueless but adorable snowman, Olaf defines love with true insight.


I love that in Frozen, love isn't a feeling. It isn't reserved for first sight, couples or duets. Love is a verb. It's a choice that characters make over and over, as they put each other first. In some way or other, just about every character (except Hans) does this throughout the story. Elsa is willing to live in isolation to keep her sister safe. Anna will literally climb mountains to find Elsa, even when everyone else believes she's a monster. Kristoff is willing to let Anna go to her "true love," even though it means he's giving up his own true love. Olaf is so determined to save Anna, he nearly melts himself.



And at the end, Anna sacrifices herself to save Elsa. Love is sacrifice, and Frozen reminds us of that over and over.


Love is indeed a force that's powerful and strange. And true love exists in many forms: In romance, yes, or being "in love", but also in parents protecting their children, friends sticking together, sisters forgiving one another, and making sacrifices for the people we care about most. Even the most anti-Valentine's-day person has to admit, true love really does thaw a frozen heart.


And that's the kind of love worth melting for, even after Valentine's Day.