The Promised Movie Review

Dear friends, fans, phans, theatre people, and other fabulous people (or chickens),

Allow me to show you a picture. 

I can hear your gasps now--what is this phenomenon? Surely they are not making Phantom of the Opera into--of all things--an animated movie?  

Alas, the answer is no. For better or worse, we're stuck with Karimloo as the best Phantom for now. Oh well.  Yet I still beg your attention for this great little film. Un Monstre à Paris is one of the best non-Barbie, non-Disney animated films I've ever seen. Which actually isn't that many. I guess that makes this one even more valuable, right? 

A Monster in Paris, to use the English title, is a French animated movie from 2011, with Vanessa Paradis and Matthieu Chedid (Sean Lennon in English) voicing the roles of Lucille and Francoeur, respectively. It is seriously underrated. I heard of it from a Youtube playlist, of all places. This is ridiculous. I should have had people clamoring from all sides for me to see this musical/movie. Since a sad lack of popularity seems to be its fate, I believe perhaps a brief summary is in order.

A musical genius is shunned and mocked and hunted in society through no fault of his own in 1910.

  

He finds his way into the dressing room of a young singer with brown curly hair who wears a lot of white. She is often referred to as an 'angel.' At first she is frightened of him, but when she hears his beautiful voice she overcomes her fear and grows to have affection for him, even singing with him on stage (he wears a white mask to hide himself). 

 Meanwhile a young man named Raoul is trying to renew his childhood friendship with the singer, though he is interested in a bit more than friendship at this point.

Raoul and his infamous straw coat

 Lucille is kept busy hiding her genius alternately from the bumbling proprietor and prominent guests of the cabaret, Mme. Carlotta, and two gentlemen, one tall and one short. 

Eventually a citywide hunt for the 'monster' begins, and he disappears seemingly without a trace (actually there's more, but you'll have to watch it for that). 

 I don't know about you, but I've never heard anything quite like that before.

...      

So maybe it borrows liberally and unashamedly from Leroux's novel, but this lovely film relies on more than stealing from Gaston Leroux and Andrew Lloyd Webber--it's got plenty of fun elements of its own, in *both* languages. 

First of all, I would like to draw your attention to the songs. "La Seine" is the most prominent (I suspect because it gets stuck in everyone's head the most). As noted, it's catchy and fun. I don't care for the English version so much--I have a hard time telling Lucille and Fracoeur's voices apart, but both versions are still  lovely. If you look up a translation of the French words, Fracoeur's verse is actually addressed to Lucille. I found this adorable. There are a few other songs, but the title song "A Monster in Paris"--Francoeur's heartbroken solo song--is the one that stands out the most. As a musical theatre fan, I love movie musicals. Ones that don't have to be previewed/edited are even better. As a sensible person and a six year old at heart, I appreciate the fact that there aren't *too* many songs. This movie has the movie/music balance just about right. 

Another awesome element to this movie is that it is a French film. I'm a studious student of French. I need French stuff. My sister is a French student. She needs French stuff.  My other siblings are bored. They need French stuff (all right, maybe we did watch it in English. Whatever). The fact remains, however, that it's a great opportunity to study another language/culture through a familiar, non-boring medium. My younger brother has picked up part of the chorus of "La Seine" ("Je ne sais, ne sais, ne sais pas pourquoi") from hearing the song in French and English. I often use those phrases in conversation, and he was able to pick up and apply a bit of a language that he isn't officially learning yet. Yay for multilingual experiences. 

The biggest reason this movie is so great, though, is that it's just plain fun.  Sure, it contains elements from a dark-ish story, but it still stays mostly lighthearted and doesn't take itself too seriously. The characters are great

Emile and Maud, the adorable subplot that I forgot to mention

--how can you not love a guy who names his delivery truck Catherine?

--and while the story's often funny, it has its 'feelsy' moments too. Lucille is the queen of sass. Emile and Maud are absolutely adorably awkward. And Francoeur...well. Let's just say you have never been as attached to a flea, nor are you ever likely to again. I like Francoeur. Francoeur is cool. 

 Plus, there's actually a happy ending, which is more than I can say for the source material. 

While it is a kids' movie, I think a paraphrase of Lewis is suitable here--if you won't watch a movie when you're all grown up and in high school, you shouldn't watch it when you're ten. Which basically means that big kids can do little things too.Or something. 

In short, this is a great little film. It's not Frozen, and it's not Phantom, but it combines elements of both into an hour and thirty minutes of enjoyment. To quote AVPM, it's 'totally awesome.'   

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go seek out Lucille cosplays. I know they're out there somewhere... 

(I am not allowed to use deliberative oratory in the review for class, but no one said anything about here. Guys, this movie needs attention. Go watch it. Make your siblings watch it. Spread the madness!)

   

When is it Okay to Fangirl?

...I thought that, just for fun, I would compile a brief list of when (and when not) to fangirl. I find it a tricky business myself, but I hope this helps.

When to Fangirl...
~~at home during the day when you see something exciting.
Tom Hiddleston is coming to Shreveport? *cue squeals*
Your wonderful Australian friend is coming to visit? *cue squeals* 

exception: when an important family member is napping or suffering from a headache. The high-frequency noises can cause significant irriatation and/or pain. In this case it is wise to place a cushion, a hand, or some other muffling device over the mouth to prevent sound escaping. If this course of action is ignored, a sibling may volunteer to oblige you.

~~when with friends

Fangirling, like any other sport, is more fun in a group. If the area permits, fangirl away.

exception: when the majority of the group in no way share the fandom being fangirled over--especially if they're not fans because of family or conscience-related restrictions. That's just rude.

~~Online
Obviously, it's all right, or I wouldn't be here.

or something like that...

seriously though, you can't exactly smash your face on the keyboard in 'real' life. And sometimes that's the only way to express yourself adequately.

I especially condone the tactful taking over of Tumblr posts...

'just Sherly things' are a particular favorite.

~~When you meet Charles Dickens

~~In public

You love your fandoms; why be ashamed of them?

exception: in very tight spaces, such as automobiles. Or anywhere your screaming might carry, really.

exception 2: when your social skills have not developed past the point of creepiness (this mainly applies to attempts to make contact with a fellow fan).

exception 3: when mental fangirling causes awkward facial expressions.

When it's NOT okay...

~At Random Moments when Someone is Speaking to You: 

I know, I know--it's hard. I personally have a sort of mental pinterest board that I scroll through when I'm bored (no pun intended--just this once).  I'll suddenly come across something funny and fandom-related, and just burst out laughing, no matter the time, the place, or who I'm supposed to be listening to.

did I also mention it is okay to use as many Sherlock gifs on your own blog post as you want? 'cause it is.

  ...it can get awkward. If anyone has a remedy for this (besides actually listening), I'd be grateful.

~Weddings and funerals. Just don't.

~In the theatre.

Unless you do it very quietly. This is another hard one.

~When you see a favorite character's look-alike in public. This is the most difficult. Once in Destin we saw--and were forced to interact with--someone who looked EXACTLY LIKE MR. TILNEY. 

A very tricky situation to keep under control--we nearly lost it when he did the smirk. Keep calm and carry on, I suppose...

Well, there you have it--a quick guide to the appropriate place to express your appreciation for your fandoms. This is by no means exhaustive, so if you have any more, let me know. 

This also applies to fanboys, just to clear up any confusion.  

Do you have any tips on controlling fandom-related outbursts when forced from your lair?  

31...er, 30...er, 30ish Day Challenge?

 http://whatcatiedid.blogspot.com/2014/10/31er-30er-30ish-day-challenge.html

How's that for an exciting start? Since I believe, apparently, in arriving fashionably late to events, I found no reason to make an exception for the 31 Days challenge.
Apprehension and uncertainty had nothing to do with it, I assure you.

So, without further fuss,

Welcome to...

30ish Days of Fandom Randomness! 

(clever title, no? I came up with it myself)

...in which I shall attempt to post something every day for the rest of the month. The topic is my 'fandoms' which is short for 'fanatic domain,' (thank you Pinterest) or a domain of fans.

People who inhabit fandoms are generally called fans; if one wishes to be gender-specific, fanboys or fangirls. The latter are most common and most prominent.  I thought we might start with a few definitions to smooth the way for those of who who may be unfamiliar with the topic.

fangirl--noun, 1. a female fan 2. one who fangirls
fangirl--verb, 1. to feel excitement concerning a fandom 2. see 'whale noises' or 'pterodactyl screaming'  3. a seizure--symptoms: impossibly high-pitched whining noises and temporary paralysis of the upper body (with the exception of the hands, which often flap about wildly), combined with difficulty breathing.
Example: "I am fangirling so hard about the Dauphin rescue scene."
or 
"SQUUUEEEEEE PERCY!"

past tense: fangirled-- 1.to have been fangirling under the circumstances described above 2. a feeling of exhaustion caused by fangirling
Example: "I am all fangirled out after that Tinkerbell movie. OH HIDDLES!" 

To fanboy is also generally accepted as a verb but is less commonly used, due to the scarcity of the species.

Feels: noun, emotions, usually overpowering. Always used in plural form.
"Oooooh the FEELS!"

Ship, shipping: verb, to desire two characters to become romantically attached to each other.
Example:  (in reference to a conversation between two characters that implies possible attraction) "I ship it!" 
"I am shipping Sherlolly so hard right now." 

Ship: noun, a (real or imagined) couple. Often associated with nautical terminology. 
Example: "My ship has sunk. Curse you, Moffat!" 
"MY SHIP SAILED! SQUEEE!" 
OTP: a shipping acronym for "One true pairing," meaning the shipper's ideal or favorite couple. The 'one' can be misleading, as most fans have several OTPs 
Shipping names: one of the most confusing habits of the fandoms is the tendency to type seemingly unintelligible gibberish. "Knighthouse? What's that about?" 
This is an example of a shipping name, which is developed by smashing together the names of the two parties of a ship for quicker reference. Simple, no?
Canon: in accordance with the original inspiration or material. 
"I really like the Canon references in "A Study in Pink."  
Squee: exclamation. Short for "I am squealing loudly like a stuck pig at the moment because I am excited." 
There are many more terms, of course, but that should prove sufficient for now.
Over the next few weeks we will explore several different aspects of being in a fandom, a few of my fandoms, and fandom-produced stuff. Some possible topics:
Obscure Fandom Day, Old Fandom Day, Random Fandom Day, The Starving Fandom, Frightening Fangirls, How to keep Your Conscience Safe while Fangirling, Fanfiction: Yes or No? Liking with a Disclaimer, Can INTJs fangirl? When is it okay to Fangirl? Is there Life after Fangirling? (no),  and that tricky game, Faking Fandoms

I hope you'll come along for the adventure as we delve deep into this fascinating world.
"Do you wanna come with me? 'cause if you do, you're going to see all sorts of things. And it won't be quiet, it won't be safe, and it won't be calm. But I tell you what it will be. The trip of a lifetime."


Leave a comment and tell me what you want me to write first (bonus points to you if you guess the quote. Not that points are worth anything)!

Disclaimer: I do not own any photos that I did not take. If it looks like I didn't take them, then they're not mine.

Click here to see my other posts in this series.

Click here to go back to 31 Days Home.

Random Pictures from Events I Have not Posted About, Part I--the sorta-kinda ball

....meaning, of course, that we were told that we could dress up for this dance, but not to worry about coming in costume.

Ha. 

Haha.

Hahaha.

We read it something like this:

OMGSH.

A BALL! YAAAAAAY!

What are we going to wear?

Mother! My muslin needs new trim! And my ridicule is absolutely ridiculous!

I need new ribbon for shoe-roses...and ostrich feathers...

HOBBY LOBBY, HERE WE COME!

At least the boys' costumes are okay...

DAD'S WAISTCOAT IS TWO INCHES TOO SHORT!

WHERE IS BRENNAN'S QUIZZING-GLASS?

...while some people might respond to this reaction by wondering why we stress over something so simple and informal...

...we are too busy sewing each other into gowns to notice. Actually, we love having an event for which we must dress up, so we make the most out of it. If we have to make a mountain out of a molehill...well, we'll do it. Can't really tell the difference in LA, anyway. Don't have many mountains. It's not stress! It's fun. 

Actually, curling Lu's entire head in paper is stressful. But that's not our fault.  

Without further ado...

 Left to right: Em,  Jess, Bren, Lu, et moi, confident in our poshness.

 Brennan and Dad...

 Myself dancing the Ship's Cook (an wonderful dance from a wonderful miniseries) with Kristoff Grayson

 Shoe-tying--one of my chief occupations of the evening. Apparently, I was the only one whose stays didn't prohibit her movements. Ergo, guess who gets to secure the footwear? Me, that's 'oo!

 My parents, also posh

 Lu and Em in full aristocratic snobbery.

Fun fact: Emery sewed the red ribbons on her gown crossed in back (they came undone) and crossed in front in memory of the victims of the Reign of Terror. The ribbons symbolized the captives' bonds, and her red choker stood for...yeah. *gulp* that. We based it off a fashion plate from the 1790s. She said she hoped someone would ask about them so she could explain in all the gory detail.
Luckily for her, someone did. O.O

 Gabe. Need more be said?

 Gabbi and her mother. Aren't her sleeves nice and poufy? ;) 

 The Dark Side of ECD

 Lu and Gab. I was responisble for Gabbi's tunic-drape-thingy (I am so eloquent!). It's a curtain panel than was cut for use in a pelisse, but the pelisse was completed without it. It was the perfect shape already--all I did was hem and stitch the shoulder and add a sash. I would have preferred the sash to be higher, but I thought it still turned out well. 

 Scottish!

Shoe ribbons in disarray!


And I leave you with this photograph, which perfectly portrays our stately grandeur and dignity.

Frozen, part 2

A LERT

CONCERNING CERTAIN SPOILERS

WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE AHeAD

AND WHICh MAY THREATEN THE NAIVETE 

OF THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN THE FILM

WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS LERT

I'm growing rather fond of my little spoiler alert. Thanks, N.D. Wilson.

All right! Now I've dealt with the conspiracy, it's time for my thoughts on the film itself. Because you're all dying to know, right? WHAT DOES CATIE SAY? AM I GOING TO BE JUSTIFIED IN MY OPINION OF THIS FILM UNTIL CATIE GIVES HERS? (I always wonder why we bloggers think our opinions matter so much. anyway) AHEM.

Be warned. Philosophical nonsense ahead. Slippery ground, folks (You're not laughing. Get it? slippery? ice? eh).

I love the characters. I like the music. The animation is lovely. However, what impressed me most was the plot. It's not epic*, and it's not too sweet. I prefer my tea without sugar, thank you. 

I was concerned for the message of the movie when said dear friend performed 'Let It Go" during a nightlong sing/talk/giggle party. She did an excellent job, by the way.Whether or not I threatened to drop an Omnibus textbook on her toe during the chorus will remain unsaid. It was exam week, for goodness's sake!**  The song seemed to express a rather modern notion of retreating into oneself to find peace, happiness, whatever, and 'letting go' of societal (and often moral) restraints. "No right, no wrong, no rules for me. I'm free!"
 If that was all the movie had to say, it was worth an eye-roll, and that was it. 

BUT IT WASN'T. I was shocked. Flabbergasted. And rather pleased. 
In my Omnibus class, we have been discussing (actually it consists mostly of the illustrious Mr. Sumpter lecturing while I yawn and burn my tongue while guzzling Earl Grey--7 that's a.m. for ya) the concept of the 'true self' and the 'false self.'  The false self is our twisted nature, and our self-image--what we want others to see. In a word, hypocrisy. 
I have heard multiple thoughts on hypocrisy, from multiple sources. Pascal is my favorite.  Most people agree that hypocrisy is not recommendable, but often the only solution offered is 'to just be yourself.'
Hold on a minute. Not only did you just split an infinitive, but what if I don't like myself? What if my self is messed up? In this post  the author made a rather uncomfortable point--we're twisted. 
Thus, 'the real me' isn't likely to be someone very nice.
Frozen illustrated this wonderfully. Elsa tries to conceal her power her whole life, trying to be a 'good girl' all by herself. She shuts everyone out, because, as C.S. Lewis so eloquently said, 

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” 

I immediately thought of this quote when I saw Elsa's frozen room in "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?"

 She trying to keep her family, and herself, safe by keeping away from everyone. "Conceal; don't feel. Put on a show." Until Coronation Day finds her minus one glove. oops. Or perhaps, might we say, minus one cup of coffee, or night of sleep, or ____ (insert anything used to make one sociable). 

A nod to the similarity between Frozen and S& S

In "Let It Go," Elsa is rejecting her false self, her avatar.

"The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside

couldn't keep it in; Heaven knows I've tried....

I don't care what they're going to say!

Let the storm rage on; the cold never bothered me, anyway."

There is triumph in finally letting go of one's image, and it's a valuable experience...

"It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small

and the fears that once controlled me can't get to me at all!"

In class, Mr. Sumpter presented to us the 3 Ps of Power, Possessions, and Prestige. People are slaves to them to preserve their self-image--Mr. Merdle in Little Dorrit, for example. Or Gollum. Or Fanny Dashwood. Or any politician you can think of. Unfortunately, rejecting one's facade isn't enough. 

"No right, no wrong, no rules for me--I'm free!"

is not a valid conclusion. Most movies, however, would have stopped there, frozen in an individualistic ice castle of independence.
Frozen didn't. "Let It Go" is only one stage of Elsa's progression. But before I spend too much time on stage 3, let's go to everyone's favourite royal redhead...

 ...because, in her own way, Anna is doing exactly what Elsa did. Because her sister won't love her, she seeks companionship in other places. Elsa retreats further into herself, and Anna looks further and further away for satisfaction--first to her dolls, no doubt, the the pictures on the walls (la! another rhyme!), and finally, Mr. Willoughby. I mean Hans. It's the difference between the introvert and the extrovert--they have opposite reactions to the same problem. 

"For the first time in forever I won't be alone. I can't wait to meet everyone!" 

  ...needless to say, Anna's method didn't work out either. 
Back to Elsa. She isolates (get it? Ice-o-lates? I think the song made that one already) herself in her castle, thinking she's 'alone and free.' She seeks freedom within herself. In Omni we've been discussing the difference between Christian, Trinitarian freedom and unitarian, 'loner god' freedom. In the latter case the freedom is individualistic--I'm free to do what I want. I am independent. Liberty, equality, fraternity. Long live the rights of man (and woman).

In Trinitarian freedom, I'm free to serve others; I'm free because I'm dependent. I'm a slave to love. The Christian God, in three Persons, is able to love Himself selflessly. I know. My brain just exploded, too. Mop it up and let's continue. But first I need some carrots (behind you there). They're good for my brain--what's left of it, anyway. Good for noses as well.

What amazed me so much in Frozen was, they seemed to get it. 

"I'm such a fool! I can't be free

no escape from the storm inside of me!

I can't control the curse!"  

Elsa finds her true self after she abandons her scheme of independence. Turns out that her selfish letting go was not any more real than her good girl facade.  Elsa learns to love, and then she's able to conquer 'the storm,' and use her power for good. 

"'I don't even know what true love is.'

'I do. That's when you put someone else's needs before your own.'" 

Anna learns that true love isn't necessarily romantic--it's a decision, and she finally stops fantasising about Prince Charming. The sisters learn to love each other, and Elsa is finally free, but in a completely different way. 

Being so similar in personality to a character as I am to Elsa is more uncomfortable than anything else I can think of, apart from theater seats. It's been embarrassing to me to see how often I behave just like her without even realising it. What if, say, Elsa had the power of writing, or rhetoric, or ___(insert talent), instead of ice? Words can hurt worse than any old icicle, and they can create personal flurries for people as well. 

Me: (while reading a criticism of my work) "Oh look! I've been impaled." 

Power is dangerous. Repressed power is dangerous and highly explosive. Self-centered power is even more dangerous. Power, used for true love*, is glorious.

That's what I saw in Frozen. Perhaps I'm being philosophically nonsensical, as usual, but I enjoy being that way. And I daresay it's better than frowning at everything, or just giggling at everything. Don't you think?     

*Odyssey-epic here
**and don't you think a Martin Luther version of that song should be composed? "Here I stand" and all that
* agape, unconditional love--found perfectly only in God

*Waits to see how long she can go without posting about Frozen*

*discovers that it's not very long*
I think my first words after viewing this lovely film were "At last! A Disney movie with some CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!"  It seems to me that every other Disney princess film I've seen (which may or may not be all of them--Tangled, I'll get to you someday) the princess was perfect to begin with, or if she wasn't, she stayed that way. While I do enjoy characters like that--Snow White, Cinderella, Jane Bennet, Fanny Price, Cosette, Lucie Manette, (aha! La, a rhyme!)...Barbie...I do love an Emma Woodhouse, who starts out likeable (Right, Laurel?) and changes for the better. Lest I keep rambling in long, dull paragraphs, I suppose it's time for a spoiler alert. I'm not sure I've done a spoiler alert before, so bear with me.

A LERT

CONCERNING CERTAIN SPOILERS

WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE AHEAD

AND WHICh MAY THREATEN THE NAIVETE 

OF THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN THE FILM

WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS LERT

First, the CONSPIRACY.

 This is my dear friend Gabbi. This is her blog: http://livingright4him.blogspot.com
(not that she posts oftener than I do--we are so similar. We're taking a stand for the rights of people everywhere...who...don't post often.)  She and her family like Disney. That is something we Dunlaps don't really understand. She knows that. She also has a very good sense of humor.
WHICH IS WHY SHE SOLD US TO DISNEY.
There. I said it. My best friend has been selling secret information about us to some fluffy kid's corporation that is trying to take over the world, and THEY MADE A MOVIE OUT OF IT.  WITHOUT MENTIONING US.
How shocking. Here's the proof.
Myself (the oldest) with my little-sister-who's-taller-than-me. Jess is an exemplary extrovert, while I am a tiny bit on the introverted side (INTJ, to be precise). When we were younger I was often reprimanded for locking myself in my room for long periods of time (books can be hard on relationships). Jess has a much higher range than I do. She is a soprano, and I am...not a soprano.

 

And the two new princesses. YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP.
They even got Jess's nose right. Humph.

Evidence part 2: We live in the swamp. the swampy swamp. the swampy hot swamp. we long for some place that is cooler. GABBI KNOWS THIS. It was ironic to put the princesses in a place so...eh, Frozen. Very clever, indeed. Bravo.  

Evidence part 3: The king and queen.

Okay, minor evidence.

But I had to include a picture of Dad in his top hat somewhere. No, I don't think a mustache would enhance the effect. Mustaches rarely do.

Evidence part 4: KRISTOFF is a BLOND GRAYSON. I'm not kidding.

and as that was the only picture of Grayson I could find, you'll just have to take my word for it.

FREAKY. That is, it would be, if not for our conspiracy. 

And they totally stole Hans from Austen. And the ice monster from Barbie Nutcracker. It is NOT NICE to THROW PEOPLE!

Gabbi, next time see if you can get Lu and Bren into the movie, dear. :) Lainey is tired of being Ariel. She says the water hurts her eyes.

ANYWAY, if you want some not-so-silly thoughts on the movie, tune in for my next post. Or align your URL to my next post. Pay attention to your feed for my next post. Whatever.