Mulan is probably my favorite Disney film of all time. It has a strong, multi-dimensional female lead, hilarious and heart-warming characters, and a deliciously cultural-filled plot complete with action scenes and comedy. The movie is insanely quotable and memorable and there’s no way you can forget the relationship between Mulan and Shang or the antics of the wise-cracking talking dragon Mushu. I could fill many blogs with how much I love this movie but instead, I’ll get to the awesome Chinese meal I prepared to go with it.
For an appetizer I made these delicious rainbow spring rolls. It’s very simple; sliced up vegetables including carrots, cabbage, and peppers, to create a rainbow of colors that look as cool as it tastes. The original recipe used typical spring roll wrappers but we decided to add even more color with seaweed wraps. My favorite part of this dish was the spicy peanut dipping sauce. These were a very healthy snack, a bit difficult to wrap, but delicious to eat.
For the main course of my Mulan meal I took inspiration from the scene where Mushu is toasting wontons over a fire and chose to make some homemade wonton soup. At first I thought that this would be difficult and time-consuming, but in reality it was quite easy to do. This soup was so incredibly delicious that we finished almost the entire pot in one night. I fell in love with this soup and will most definitely be making it again.
For dessert I went with a classic dish that was famous in ancient China and especially known to be eaten during the Chinese New Year: sticky date cake. I love dates, they’re not only yummy but a great healthy substitute to plain sugar. You steam or bake the cake and then pour the sugary topping on afterwards. This cake was a hit with my family and the longer it sits out, the more moist and sticky it becomes. This was the perfect dessert for my Mulan meal.
This was one of my favorite Disney Dinner and a Movie blogs to date, both because Mulan is my favorite movie but also because the meal was absolutely delicious and refreshing without being too filling or unhealthy. I especially loved the wonton soup. This is one movie and a meal combination I recommend to anyone.
Coming Soon: Disney Dinner and a Movie: The Princess and the Frog
Everyone wants to have pop culture figures that they feel they can identity with and that’s why many members of the LGBT community will seek out movies and tv shows that showcase LGBT characters. Who among us hasn’t watched a show just because we heard there were lesbians in it? I decided to put together a guide of LGBT ladies in TV for anyone who is looking for some characters they can relate to. These aren’t in any particular order and I may very well have missed some (feel free to comment and tell me if I did!) Also, SPOILERS.You have been warned.
Main Characters/Long-Term Lesbians (aka shows where girl-on-girl is more than just an episodic plot device)
The L Word
The L Word had to be first on this list. 6 seasons (5 if you’re like me and like to pretend the last one never happened) of awesome lesbian story-lines that we hate to love and love to hate. The L Word was revolutionary when it comes to LGBT representation on TV and will always hold a high spot in the collective lesbian heart for that reason. Also: Shane.
I should also mention that this show spawned a reality show called The Real L Word about actual lesbians, also worth checking out.
South of Nowhere
South of Nowhere is one of the best teenage coming-out stories I’ve ever seen. The main characters of the show are Spencer and Ashley (known affectionately by their fans as Spashley) and its their relationship as friends and girlfriends that drives the show (along with some other awesome characters as well). South of Nowhere is possibly my favorite out of all the shows on this list.
Lip Service
Lip Service is sometimes referred to as “the British version of the L Word” because it features a cast with a majority of lesbian characters. This show only lasted two (short) seasons but gave us some great characters and interesting relationships. Like The L Word, it wasn’t afraid to kill off one of the main characters. It’s a short watch and definitely worth doing if you’re into lesbian-themed programming.
Skins UK
Skins UK’s 2nd Generation (series 3 and 4) featured another fan favorite couple: Emily and Naomi. Season 3 is quite brilliant as we watch these two girls discover themselves and their sexuality, fall in love, and come out of their shells. Season 4 mucks everything up but comes around in the end. And whatever you do, DO NOT watch their 2 part episode appearances in Skins: Fire (series 7) unless you want your heart ripped out of your chest. Another season of a show I like to pretend doesn’t exist.
Lost Girl
Okay I’m still working my way through this show (love it so far!) and I don’t know about all the relationships yet but I do know that A. Bo is a super hott bisexual with super hott hook-ups B. They didn’t make a big deal out of the fact that she goes both ways, which is awesome and C. Tumblr lesbians go nuts for this show. There’s more than one lady-on-lady relationship (or so I am told) and I can’t wait to see how it all develops.
Pretty Little Liars
Pretty Little Liars is essentially a giant murder mystery where four girls make four seasons worth of bad decisions. The best part of the show is one of the friends, Emily (played by Shay Mitchell)’s coming out story as she falls for the gorgeous Maya and comes out to her friends and family. Their relationship suffered many tragedies and Emily is now with Paige but regardless, the show handles the lesbian relationships pretty well. Emily and Maya > Emily and Paige.
Orange is the New Black
Orange is the New Black is possibly the best thing to happen to Netflix. Bisexual Piper goes to jail where she encounters her super hott ex-girlfriend Alex who is sort of the reason she’s in there in the first place. We get flashback scenes, along with new developing relationships, and lots of characters with varying sexualities.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy’s best friend (and badass witch) Willow figures out that she’s gay in Season 4 when she meets fellow witch Tara. The two’s relationship is one that is a favorite among Buffy fans of all types and even though Joss Whedon hates us, we will never forget it. Willow’s relationship with slayer potential Kennedy is hated on by fans, mostly because Kennedy simply isn’t Tara.
The Fosters
The Foster’s is another ABC Family show that isn’t afraid to bring in the lesbians. Lena and Stef are a gay couple who live in San Diego, raise children and deal with typical crazy plots. The Fosters gives us a stable and loving lesbian marriage wrapped in the ooey gooey drama that accompanies all ABC Family shows.
Dates
Dates is a recently created show about strangers meeting, interacting, and dating. One of the episodes focuses on Gemma Chan, a beautiful closeted lesbian who goes on a date with the vivacious and stunning Katie McGrath. They argue, they kiss, they argue more, they hook up, and they confess secrets to each other. Their episode is only 20-something minutes long and definitely worth watching for an honest look at the high speed dating world of the 21st century. The follow up episode deals with Gemma’s character coming out and defending herself to her brother, another one worth watching.
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation has been airing for almost 15 years now and throughout the seasons it has featured multiple LGBT characters and relationships. There was Paige, the popular girl who found herself falling for rebel Alex, FTM transgender and his religious and confused girlfriend Becky, and rich girl Fiona who falls in love with her best friend Holly J ad eventually ends up dating spunky individual Imogen. The show has done some crappy things to some of our faves but it never fails to include LGBT characters and Adam especially is a victory for LGBT television representation.
Glee
Not gonna lie, I hate Glee. But I do admit to watching YouTube clips of the various lesbian relationships in the show, especially Santana and Brittany, Santana and Demi Lovato, and the one-time-only amazing incident between Santana and Quinn. While I applaud Glee for their representation of gay and lesbian characters, I do think they handle bisexuality very poorly and should stop with the underhanded insults.
Chicago Fire
Paramedic Leslie Shay is a lesbian and the show mentions her previous long-term relationship with the now pregnant Clarice Carthage. There is speculation that the plot will eventually include a relationship between Leslie and fellow paramedic Gabriella Dawson. I guess we’ll have to wait and find out.
Orphan Black
Orphan Black is a recent hit show not just because of it’s crazy sci-fi/action/mystery plot but also because of the tremendous performances of Tatiana Maslany who plays at least 4 different characters in each episode. One of those characters is Cosima, a dreadlocked lesbian biologist who promptly won the hearts of anyone watching. Her relationship with Delphine is rocky and full of secrets but has potential for series 2.
Dracula
Dracula’s short season has yet to be confirmed for renewal but we loved Katie McGrath’s Lucy Westenra, the sparkling socialite who is secretly and desperately in love with her best friend Mina who rebuffs her advances. After being manipulated by vampire hunter Lady Jane, Lucy makes some terrible decisions out of spite and ends up in a very interesting position by the end of the series. I sincerely hope for a Season 2 so we can see what they have in store for our gorgeous gay blonde.
Black Sails
Black Sails is a new show on Starz and has only had a few episodes so far but its lead female is stubborn tough girl Eleanor Guthrie. We immediately know that Eleanor is into both men and women and the best part of the show is that they never make a big deal out of it and no one ever questions it. Her relationships with sultry prostitute Max is wonderful, tumultuous, and terrible all at once. I’m definitely intrigued in how her character will evolve.
Once and Again
Once and Again features two popular actresses back when they were younger: Evan Rachel Wood and Mischa Barton in a sweet teenage love story. The characters start out as friends but when one discovers that the other is gay she begins to question her own motives and eventually their relationship blossoms into romance. It’s an adorable coming out story and their relationship is built up quite realistically.
Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomy has had many power couples over the seasons but it’s Callie and Arizona that seem to have the strongest fans lately (despite plane crashes and adultery). Callie coming to terms with her feelings for women was a sweet journey and her father’s journey to acceptance was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. There’s been other LGBT ladies on the show as well with both Callie and Arizona having on-air relationships and hook-ups with other females.
Skins US
This is more of an obligatory add than anything else because this was a terrible show that got axed pretty quickly and handled their lesbian character horribly. But it still had one so here you go.
Bomb Girls
Bomb Girls is another one of my favorites. A short-lived show, Bomb Girls was about women in Canada working at a bomb sheler during WWII. One of these women is Betty, the feisty mother hen of the group who falls for her best friend only to have her heart broken. Luckily, a beautiful soldier named Teresa comes along to pick up the pieces. I was devastated to hear the show wouldn’t get a season 3 but luckily, they are making a film to give the show a proper ending. Keep an eye out this spring for it.
The Playboy Club
The Playboy Club is another short-lived television show. Set in 1961, the show follows the Bunnies (employees) of Chicago’s Playboy Club. Real life bisexual Amber Heard headlines as Bunny Maureen but it’s Leah Renee as Bunny Alice who brings the lesbian storyline to the show. She and her husband are both closeted homosexuals who attend secret meetings, at one of which she meets socialite Frances Dunhill and it’s love at first sight. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled before we really got into the relationship but I like to think they lived happily ever after.
Rookie Blue
Rookie Blue features bisexual Gail Peck (played by Charlotte Sullivan) who meets and falls for a forensic specialist Holly in Season 4 and the two begin a relationship that the fans are definitely looking forward to seeing more of.
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon is the beloved anime that has survived and thrived over the years (and will be coming back to TV soon). Despite any homosexuality being dubbed over in the episodes aired in the US and Europe, the original plot-line includes a lesbian relationship between two of the sailor scouts: Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune. The relationship between these two is one of the most beloved (and googled) one on the internet.
Defiance
SyFy’s post-apocalyptic original series Defiance features many different LGBT characters including human brothel owner Kenya and married alien Stahma. The show and its characters don’t make a big deal about sexuality, which is a great attitude to have.
Sugar Rush
Sugar Rush is a lesser-known but must-watch television show for those who like LGBT storylines. The show follows 15 year old lesbian Kim Daniels and how she deals with her obsession with her straight best friend Sugar and other issues with her dating life. Sugar Rush only has 2 seasons and it’s definitely worth watching.
Warehouse 13
Warehouse 13 is a SyFy show about a warehouse that holds a plethora of supernatural artifacts and the agents assinged to protect them. LGBT characters include time-traveling H.G. Wells (Jaimie’s Murray) and Joanne Kelly‘s special agent Myka Bering.
Under the Dome
Based on a Stephen King novel, Under the Dome is about a town that suddenly becomes cut off from the rest of the world by a clear dome. Amongst the residents of the stranded town are lesbian couple (played by Samantha Mathis and Aisha Hinds) and their daughter. This relationship is not only great because it features an interracial lesbian couple, but an interracial unconventional family as well.
The Good Wife
One of The Good Wife’s main characters is bisexual private investigator Kalinda. We first see her trying to reconcile with her estranged husband but throughout the show she’s been in multiple girl-on-girl relationships. I haven’t seen the show myself but I know Kalinda has plenty of fans.
House
One of House’s biggest stars is Remy “Thirteen” Hadley, played by Olivia Wilde. Thirteen is bisexual and throughout the show she dates both men and women. Despite some grumblings from the gay community, it’s equally as important to have well-represented bisexual women in television as it is to have lesbians and Thirteen is one of them.
Heartbeat
Heartbeat is a medical drama that aired from 1988 to 1989 and while it’s mostly forgotten, it is famous for being the first American television series to include a lesbian as a lead character: nurse practitioner and founding partner Marilyn McGrath (Gail Strickland). And for that, it’s worth a mention here.
True Blood
True Blood is one of the most LGBT-friendly shows on TV right now featuring gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and various other characters who can identity as queer in some way. Plenty of its female characters have shown their sexual fluidity including Tara, Pam, Sophie-Anne, and Nora. Many fans are anxiously waiting for a Tara/Pam relationship next season that would be incredibly epic. Fingers crossed.
E.R.
Kerry Weaver was one of E.R.’s top doctor’s and main characters. Her coming out story involved her spouse kissing her in front of her coworkers and her subsequent conflicts at the hospital including a homophobic doctor out to get her. Having a main character who is a lesbian and watching her experience issues that many gay women experience themselves earns E.R. major points in this blog.
Hex
Hex is a British supernatural drama. One of its main characters is lesbian ghost Thelma who has many different (some unrequited) relationships on the show.
Ellen/The Ellen Show
And of course we can’t leave out Ellen DeGeneres’s sitcoms Ellen and The Ellen Show. Ellen’s character Ellen comes out as a lesbian during the first sitcom Ellen and is out for her second, The Ellen Show. While there wasn’t too much emphasis on her sexuality during either shows, Ellen DeGeneres is an LGBT icon and her coming out (both on and off screen) paved the way for many others.
Guest Stars/”It was a one time thing” (aka shows that took a peek at the sapphic lifestyle but didn’t stay long)
Good Luck Charlie
Good Luck Charlie made headlines recently by being the Disney Channel’s first show to feature a lesbian couple. The introduction of these two women was short and sweet but worth mentioning because it’s another landmark moment in television history. Unfortunately, the show was recently cancelled.
90210
West Beverly Hills High School’s former child star and current aspiring musician Adriana is known mostly for her on and off relationship with Navid, however; during Season 2 of the show Adriana dates a female student named Gia. This is one of those examples of a female character who all of a sudden dates another female, ditches them sooner rather than later, then goes back to the men for the rest of the show and pretends the storyline didn’t happen. It could be a ploy to up ratings but then again, plenty of people have this type of experience in their lives.
The O.C.
The O.C. had a storyline very similar to 90210′s. Popular girl Marissa falls for rebel bisexual Alex and they have a relationship for a few episodes which eventually ends and Marissa goes back to boys for good. It’s still a great watch, especially for the irresistible Olivia Wilde.
Spartacus
Okay, so Gaia and Lucrezia’s hook-ups were clearly more than a one-time deal and despite the fact that Lucrezia was madly in love with her husband, it was obvious that she cared deeply for Gaia as well. Their relationship wasn’t a particularly strong point of the show but it does serve as another example of the spectrum of love between people.
Legend of the Seeker
Legend of the Seeker is about a man and his companions who seek to overthrow a tyrant in a mythical medieval world. One of those companions is Cara Mason, known for being kick-ass and aloof. She’s also a bisexual, having relationships with both men and women on the show. This is another show that never makes a big deal of her sexuality, which I appreciate.
Arrow
Arrow is DC’s latest venture into a superhero television show and it’s actually pretty good. Black Canary aka Sarah Lance is Starling City’s newest crime-fighting resident and she brought with her members of the League of Assassins sent to either bring her back or kill her. One of them is Nyssa al Ghul (daughter of Ra’s) who ends up kissing Sarah instead of killing her. We may get to see more of Sarah’s lady-loving side in the future but until then, this one-episode will suffice.
PanAm
Ashley Greene’s horribly acted secondary character started out as a love interest to one of the male leads but ended up confessing her sexuality during a smooch with Christina Ricci’s character. It’s a shame that they cancelled the show and we’ll never get to see more from any of them.
Masters of Sex
Master’s of Sex is all about exploring and studying sexuality of all kinds. Prostitute Betty DeMilo sleeps with men for money but actually loves women. She has to deal with being gay in the 1950′s which is hard enough without being a prostitute. Betty isn’t a main character but any show about William Masters and Virginia Johnson is sure to feature many homosexual storylines and tones and it’ls interesting to see it in this way.
Once Upon a Time
Once Upon A Time is in this category because A. We had maybe two scenes that were hinting at Mulan’s love for the ladies and then we haven’t heard from her again and B. Her love for Aurora was (sadly) unrequited. We all want OUAT to give Mulan a healthy lesbian relationship in the future. But I’m not getting my hopes up.
Sex and the City
In Season 4 promiscuous Samantha has a brief but serious relationship with a woman named Maria. Samantha’s foray into lesbianism was clearly superficial for both the writers and the characters and it’s not really a show worth looking up to for LGBT ladies but for a moment there, we do have a serious girl-on-girl relationship.
Soap Operas (aka they’ve been on forever so we’ll just YouTube the good parts)
There’s a great many soap operas who have featured LGBT lady characters including:
Hand aufs Herz, Los Hombres De Paco, Footballers’ Wives, Paradise Falls, Passions, Ros na Rún, Hollyoaks, Verbotene Liebe, Fair City, Home and Away, The Bold and the Beautiful, Neighbours, Lindenstraße, EastEnders, Brookside, Number 96, Emmerdale, All My Children, Coronation Street, Guiding Light, Tierra De Lobos and of course the LGBT-oriented Dante’s Cove.
Honorary Mention (aka it’s not official, but we really ship it)
Xena: Warrior Princess
If there’s one undisputed non-canon lesbian couple on TV it’s Xena and Gabrielle. Some fans will fight tooth and nail to defend their opinion that these two really were in love with one another, and who knows, maybe that’s true; the writer’s definitely made it ambiguous on purpose. Regardless, you can’t have a lesbian list with mentioning them.
So Much More!
There are fortunately a lot of television shows with LGBT ladies and since I couldn’t blurb about each and every one of them, here’s some more that might be worth checking out:
Shameless, Upstairs Downstairs, Law & Order: LA, Outlaw, White Collar, Dirt, Stargate Universe, Sons of Anarchy, Mad Men, Heroes, Nip/Tuck, L.A. Law, House of Lies, Stingers, Carnivale, 24, Battlestar Galactica, Melrose Place, The Education of Max Bickford, All Saints, Getting On, Oranges are Not the Only Fruit, House of Cards, Blue Mountain State, Go On, Nurse Jackie, Jekyll, Waterloo Road, Torchwood, Ugly Betty, Dr. Who, One Tree Hill, Bones, Weeds, Beating Heart, Desperate Housewives, American Horror Story, Two and a Half Men, Mistresses, Suburgatory, Veronica Mars, Exes and Ohs, The Bridge, Ringer, Banshee, Ray Donovan, Wonderfalls, The Returned, Being Human, Emily Owens M.D., Offspring, Banshee, Political Animals, Hell on Wheels, The Killing, and Boardwalk Empire.
Have I forgotten any shows with LGBT ladies? Leave a comment and let me know and I’ll be sure to add them to the list.
One of the many exciting aspects of the Academy Awards is the fashion and here I present to you the Best Dressed lady from each year of the Academy Awards.
1929: Mary Pickford
1930: Norma Shearer
1931: Marie Dressler
1932: Helen Hayes
1934: Elsa Lanchester
1935: Norma Shearer
1936: Bette Davis
1937: Luise Rainer
1938: Janet Gaynor
1939: Bette Davis
1940: Vivian Leigh
1941: Ginger Rogers
1942: Joan Fontaine
1943: Greer Garson
1944: Katina Paxinou
1945: Ingrid Bergman
1946: Ginger Rogers
1947: Olivia de Havilland
1948: Loretta Young
1949: Jeanne Crain
1950: Mercedes Mccambridge
1951: Marilyn Monroe
1952: Lauren Bacall
1953: Elizabeth Taylor
1954: Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy
1955: Grace Kelly in Edith Head
1956: Grace Kelly
1957: Elizabeth Taylor
1958: Miyoshi Umeki
1959: Susan Hayward
1960: Doris Day
1961: Elizabeth Taylor
1962: Natalie Wood
1963 Sophia Loren
1964: Anne Bacroft
1965: Audrey Hepburn
1966: Julie Christie
1967: Elizabeth Taylor
1968: Audrey Hepburn
1969: Barbara Streisand
1970: Elizabeth Taylor
1971: Goldie Hawn
1972: Raquel Welch
1973: Cher
1974: Cybill Shepherd
1975: Lauren Hutton
1976: Anjelica Huston
1977: Louise Fletcher
1978: Farah Fawcett in Stephen Burrows
1979: Jane Fonda
1980: Meryl Streep
1981: Jane Seymour
1982: Maureen Stapleton
1983: Meryl Streep
1984: Joan Collins
1985: Sally Field
1986: Rebecca De Mornay
1987: Dianne Wiest
1988: Daryl Hannah
1989: Jodie Foster
1990: Jane Fonda
1991: Madonna
1992: Juliette Lewis
1993: Cindy Crawford
1994: Winona Ryder in vintage
1995: Uma Thurman in Miuccia Prada
1996: Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein
1997: Nicole Kidman in Christian Dior by John Galliano
Just in time forMardi Gras I present to you: Disney Dinner and a Movie: The Princess and the Frog!
The Princess and the Frog is one of my top 5 favorite Disney films and is, in my opinion, somewhat underrated. The story is rich and full of fabulous characters that represent all the different facets of New Orleans personality. Taking place both in the city and the surrounding bayou we get gorgeous landscapes and scenery as well as a terrifying villain (and even scarier are the dark spirits he’s afraid of). Not to mention Tiana is perhaps the best role model Disney has provided yet, teaching children that you have to work hard to accomplish your goals (and learning that it’s okay to have fun sometimes too). Her romance with the charming Naveen is well-developed and comical and their journey to become human again after being turned into frogs is a fabulous one to watch. Not to mention this film has one of the best soundtracks Disney has provided with jazz-inspired tunes. If you haven’t seen this film yet, stop what you’re doing and go watch it!
A first time for this series, Paul C. provided a guest contribution in this delicious green drink and here’s what he had to say about it: ”When trying to think of a complimentary component to Jamie’s dishes for The Princess and the Frog I kept coming back to one New Orleans staple: alcohol! However, why make a regular drink when you can make one as green as our main characters in the movie? Without going over the top I came across a Green Iced Tea recipe for a sort of refreshing and alcoholic beverage that isn’t overwhelming. You take 1 Decaf Ginger lemon tea bag, 3 ounces of cucumber juice, 1 1/2 ounces of tequila and some lemon juice (or if you want, ginger ale for sweetener). The end product is something of a crossover between two New Orleans staples, alcohol and iced tea, and it was pretty tasty.”
For an appetizer I knew right away that I had to use mushrooms. Tiana teaches Naveen how to mince mushrooms and it’s one of the best moments in their developing relationship. I found this recipe for stuffed mushrooms that includes sour cream, breadcrumbs, and spinach. These were rich and tasty but best eaten right away before they get cold.
For the main course there was only one option: gumbo! Tiana is introduced to us as a little girl who enjoys her father’s famous gumbo beloved by their whole neighborhood. Not only is gumbo a New Orleans staple, but it became an important part of Tiana’s growth as a chef and remembrance of her father. There are plenty of different ways to make gumbo but I used this meat-free recipe and I found it to be better than other gumbo recipes I’ve tried. Don’t be afraid of okra either, it may seem slimy at first but once mixed into the gumbo it’s perfect!
Dessert for this meal was also an obvious choice. Tiana is famous around town for her “man catching beignets” that she brings to Charlotte’s ball where she eventually kisses frog Naveen and is transformed herself. These are quite simple to make (try this recipe) as well as being incredibly delicious. If you’re never had a beignet, they’re similar to fried dough or funnel cake. You just plop pieces of dough into a fryer and then cover it with powdered sugar. My friends and I had a lot of fun (and made quite a mess) making these and it only added to the experience.
The Princess and the Frog is not only an absolutely amazing film but it inspires one of the yummiest, most “themed” meals yet. Tiana’s dream of owning her own restaurant provides us with the simple task of designing a meal full of New Orleans classics like gumbo and beignets. You simply can’t get any better than that.
Coming Soon: Disney Dinner and a Movie: Cinderella
They recently announced that Sofia Coppola will be directing a live-action version of The Little Mermaid. This film will follow the original Hans Christian Andersen tale and anyone who has read it knows that it is a dark departure from the kid-friendly Disney version. Here are my ideas for ten ladies who would be perfect for the role as The Little Mermaid.
Holliday Grainger is an extremely talented actress who played the role of Lucrezia Borgia to perfection. Her soft-spoken yet strong manner and ethereal beauty makes her a perfect choice for this role.
Elizabeth Olsen is another actress who could deliver a fabulous performance, especially since she would have to deal with being mute for a large chunk of the film. It’s only a matter of time before she plays a princess and this is the perfect one for her.
Nathalie Emmanuel hasn’t had her time to shine yet on Game of Thrones but her beauty is undeniable. Despite having a bit part on the show, her on point facial expressions shows she can emote without speaking much.
Sarah Bolger’s pale beauty makes her look like she could easily be a princess from the sea and she’s had plenty of experience playing royalty; both as Aurora on Once Upon a Time and Mary on The Tudors.
Kaya Scodelario is becoming a bigger star each year, first with Skins and soon with The Maze Runner. She has the right balance of star power and anonymity. Not to mention that gorgeous face.
Shay Mitchell is the star of ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars. If anyone has “mermaid hair” it’s this gorgeous Canadian actress. Plus, she’s had plenty of practice looking afraid and concerned playing Emily Fields.
Saorise Ronan is one of the most talented young ladies in show business. She’s been tapped to play various princesses in films and I think this is one she could definitely nail without a doubt.
Sophie Turner has grown up in front of our eyes on Game of Thrones and has turned into an incredibly pretty young woman. She has the right mix of maturity and youth for The Little Mermaid and has already proven her acting talents.
Arden Cho has a face that screams ethereal. She’s a talented actress, singer, and model, and I think she would rock this role.
Astrid Bergès-Frisbey has already played a mermaid in POTC 4 but she looked absolutely perfect as one and I think she could handle a meatier role.
Who would you like to see cast in the role of The Little Mermaid?
For this installment of Showdown! I take a look at Starz’s two current original scripted programs: Black Sails and Da Vinci’s Demons.
Story:
Black Sails debuted in January of 2014 under the production of Jonathan E. Steinberg, Michael Bay, and others. Written as a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island, the show includes fictional characters from the novel as well as real life figures such as Charles Vane, Jack Rackham, Anne Bonny and Benjamin Hornigold. Black Sails centers around different pirate crews and residents of New Providence Island in the West Indies who all have different goals but most want to find the famed Spanish treasure galleon Urca de Lima. Crews are betrayed, alliances tested, and battles fought as everyone attempts to carve a living out of a harsh world.
Da Vinci’s Demons, which premiered in April of 2013, is David S. Goyer’s fictional account of Leonardo da Vinci’s early life during the Italian Renaissance. Leonardo’s brilliance and talent gets him embroiled in the long standing feud between the Medicis of Florence and Pazzi family and Catholic Church of Rome. All the while, Leonardo and his friends are searching for the mysterious Book of Leaves which is said to be able to shape the future. Leonardo must deal with traitors, thieves, murderers, and trials of all sorts in order to accomplish his quest. At the end of the day, both are new and interesting takes on old ideas and it really comes down to each viewer’s personal preference.
Winner: Tie
Cast and Characters:
Black Sails has a large cast with many starring roles including Hannah New as Eleanor Guthrie, Toby Stephens as Captain James Flint, Luke Arnold as John Silver, Jessica Parker Kennedy as Max, Tom Hopper as William “Bones” Manderly and Zach McGowan as Captain Charles Vane. The characters are broken into into residents of the island and the different pirate crews. Sultry Captain Vane leads one crew with the clever Jack and silent-but-deadly Anne Bonny while Captain Flint commands the other crew, made up of Billy Bones, Gates, and more. Both crews have run-ins with the slippery John Silver as they attempt to locate the treasure galleon Urca de Lima. Then there is Eleanor Guthrie, the owner of the Island’s tavern and pretty much the lady in charge, as well as her right-hand-man Mr. Scott, and prostitute lover Max. I give the show props for showing deep relationships of all kinds and between all types of people. These characters are constantly scheming against each other and then working together in an intricate web of piracy.
Da Vinci’s Demons stars Tom Riley as the famous Leonardo Da Vinci as well as Laura Haddock as Lucrezia Donati, Blake Ritson as Count Girolamo Riario, Elliot Cowan as Lorenzo de’ Medici and Lara Pulver as Clarice Orsini. Leonardo Da Vinci is the clear star of the show and he’s often accompanied by his dashing best friend Zoroaster and sidekicks Nico and Vanessa. He works for the Medici family, brothers Lorenzo and Giulano, as they plot to stop the Pazzi family from taking control of Florence. Lucrezia is the lead female of the show; she’s Lorenzo’s lover and a Pazzi spy who ends up falling in love with Da Vinci. The characters in the show are great, if not typical. They’re all well-written and play well off each other, but we’ve seen each of these types of characters before. There is nothing particularly new (with the exception of the young Da Vinci, whose mind is a wonder to explore) about these Renaissance relationships so the point here goes to the more creative Black Sails.
Winner: Black Sails
Fights and Feuds:
Starz is known for it’s realism and bloody action scenes, and neither of these shows disappoint. Black Sails gives us murderers, fist-fights, and epic sea-battles between pirate ships. The feuding isn’t always clear, however, as alliances change so swiftly in the show. As for Da Vinci’s Demons, we have a clear divide between the Medici’s and the Pazzi’s and a few scenes stick out as action-packed. We also get to see Da Vinci’s experiments and inventions in action, which provide for some great elements of both drama and comedy. While both shows give us some great action moments, Da Vinci’s Demons presents us with a less muddled feud and more brains over brawn when it comes to it’s fight scenes.
Winner: Da Vinci’s Demons
Production Value:
Black Sails is filmed at Cape Town Film Studios in Cape Town, South Africa with local production company Film Afrika. Each ship built for the show is immaculately detailed, taking over 300 workers to build. Da Vinci’s Demons is filmed in Wales at Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot and Margam Castle. Multiple sets were built to resemble 15th century Florence. Starz has a knack for good production value and both shows make you feel like you’re trapped in the dirty worlds of the characters. I can’t really say either is better than the other, which is a testament to the network’s commitment to detail.
Winner: Tie
Execution:
Both shows have pretty detailed plot-lines and admittedly, both can be very confusing at times. I remember having to stop and look up something during at least one visit of each program. Having an intricate story can be a good thing, so long as the audience can follow along with ease, which isn’t always the case with these shows. Regardless, both shows have delivered on their promised story-lines from the beginning, with both Season 1 finales ending in a climax that moves the story forward. Captain Flint is still looking for the Urca and Da Vinci is still searching for the Book of Leaves, yet both have gotten a bit closer to their goals than they were in the beginning. Both shows provide us with fascinating and well-told stories so the difference here comes down to the clarity of character goals. There are so many characters in Black Sails, it is sometimes difficult to understand each one’s motives and the writers sometimes bite off more than they can chew. With Da Vinci’s Demons, on the other hand, we know from the get-go what these people want and what they’re willing to do to achieve it. That small detail is enough to give Demons a slight edge in execution.
Winner: Da Vinci’s Demons
I quite enjoy watching both Black Sails and Da Vinci’s Demons. Pirate exploits and Italian geniuses are both equally fascinating and Starz’s dedication to production value and superb casting is reflected in both programs. In the end, both shows are worth watching but Da Vinic’s Demons will leave you less confused and more engaged.
The Met Gala is fashion’s biggest night of the year where people go all out and it’s okay to wear something crazy that wouldn’t work any other day. This year’s theme is Charles James: Beyond Fashion. James was known for his ball gowns, stunning silhouettes, and very formal wear. Here’s a sample of some of James’ most famous designs:
Below I give you the 15 ladies I think looked the most fabulous while working that gorgeous Charles James theme.
1. Liu Wen
2. Karolina Kurkova
3. Karlie Kloss
4. Amy Adams
5. Karen Elson
6. Anna Kendrick
7. Sarah Silverman
8. Charlize Theron
9. Blake Lively
10. Taylor Swift
11. Chanel Iman
12. Dita Von Teese
13. Florence Welch
14. Kristen Wiig
15. Hailee Steinfeld
Who did you think was best dressed at this year’s Met Gala?
Once Upon a Time‘s season finale left audiences gasping with shock and excitement when they made it clear that Elsa from Frozen will be making an appearance in Storybrooke. Producers have hinted that they want to bring in some other Frozen characters as well and really, you can’t have Elsa without Anna. Here are my choices for who they should cast as the lovely sisters from Arendelle.
1. Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell
This one may seem like an obvious choice but it should. Sure, they don’t necessarily look the part but it doesn’t matter because they ARE the characters. Plus, there’s always wigs.
2. Natalie Dormer and Sophie Turner
Game of Thrones fans have been dreamcasting these two as Elsa and Anna for a while now and I think it would work. Natalie is an amazing actress who can pull off ice queen perfectly and Sophie would be wonderful as the sweet and bubbly Anna. Plus, we already know they have great chemistry.
3. Sarah Gadon and AnnaSophia Robb
These two are my personal picks for the roles. Sarah Gadon’s quiet but intense beauty and underrated talent would make her a match for Elsa while Annasophia’s sweet yet spunky attitude makes her Anna in my eyes.
4. Dakota and Elle Fanning
The most important part of casting Elsa and Anna would be the chemistry and their sisterly bond. A pair of actual sisters could help to capture this. Not to mention Dakota and Elle are both extremely talented actresses.
5. Dianna Agron and Molly C. Quinn
Both ladies are talented and beautiful and both seasoned TV veterans. Plus, they look the parts perfectly.
6. Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez
Who says the sisters have to be white? I think the show could use a little diversity and these ladies are already quite familiar with the Disney brand. Demi’s already halfway there with her amazing rendition of “Let it Go” and Selena’s perky attitude would work for Anna.
I’m a huge fan of horror films and a friend of mine recently asked me to give her some recommendations. She’s never been into scary movies before so this is brand new territory for her and I decided to lay out a step-by-step process for anyone interested in getting into the horror game. It gets progressively more frightening as it goes on (depending on your personal fears of course) and attempts to introduce viewers to a variety of films within each horror subgenre.
Step 1: The Not-so-scary Ones: Hocus Pocus, Ghostbusters, and Jurassic Park
Okay so these aren’t technically horror films but to some people they can be quite scary. They’re also all film classics that are perfect for people to enjoy who don’t want to be frightened but do want to get into the spirit. These are the baby steps films. Once you’ve tackled these you’re ready to get started on your journey into horror.
Step 2: The Old School Classics: King Kong, Dracula, and Bride of Frankenstein
Not everyone likes old movies or old horror movies but I think these are so important not just because I greatly enjoy watching them, but because they are the foundation of the horror film genre as we know it today. If someone really wants to get a feel for the roots of horror, these are the top three classics I recommend. Plus, modern audiences aren’t ususally scared by these at all so they’re great for this level of the game.
Step 3: Hitchcock: Rear Window, The Birds, and Psycho
Alfred Hitchcock is a genre-bending legend. He’s known mostly for thrillers but a few of his best films fall under the horror category (at least partly). These are a step up in quality and scariness from the old school classics, but won’t make you keep your light on at night. Well, maybe Psycho will bu, you gotta dive in somewhere!
Step 4: The Creature Features: The Mist, Jaws, and The Thing
Some of these might not be scary either but there’s no doubt that when it comes to modern creature features, these three are some of the best. Whether it be the arctic, the ocean, or even your own home, you’re not safe from man-eating beasts. All three are excellent films that cross genres and are must-watches for any film buff.
Step 5: Werewolves: The Wolf Man, An American Werewolf in London, and Gingersnaps.
Werewolves films is sort of a sub-genre of the creature feature but most of them have other themes as well. Here are three of the best and most popular werewolf films spanning multiple generations. They each have different versions of the werewolf mythology and are a good example of just how diverse the werewolf genre can be.
Step 6: Vampires: Nosferatu, The Lost Boys, and 30 Days of Night
Vampires can be scary for many people but today’s romanticized vamps has taken the fear out of them for others. Here’s thre very different takes on the vampire to give you a good idea of the variety of vampire films out there and maybe even scare you a bit along the way.
Step 7: Zombies: Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead (1978), and 28 Days Later
Now we’re getting into the deeper horror stuff. Plenty of people enjoy zombie films without actually being scared by them yet many others have zombies on their “things that freak me out list.” This is another great trilogy that includes zombie films from three different decades and are three of the biggest fan favorites as well. Bonus: Shaun of the Dead might be more comedy than horror but it’s amazing and must be watched.
Step 8: The Slashers: A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and Halloween
Slashers are some of the most famous horror movies and the holy trinity of slasher films are A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and Halloween. Each is a classic in its own right and each has spawned a ridiculous amount of sequels and remakes. To be a true horror aficionado you have to have seen at least the original of each series and if you like it, continue on and you won’t run out of Freddy, Jason, or Michael any time soon.
Step 9: Aliens: Alien, Signs, and Dark Skies
Aliens are the scariest horror villains out there for me personally but others don’t agree. No horror marathon is complete without a watch of Alien, a fantastic blend of Sci-Fi and horror with some of the most iconic scenes in horror history. Signs is another pretty creepy film, and perhaps one of the most famous alien ones, and Dark Skies is a lot more recent but a great take on the alien mythos.
Step 10: Haunted Houses: The Amityville Horror, Poltergeist, and The Others
Haunted houses are the most classic horror themes out there and a plethora of films in this subgenre range from fantastic to terrible. These are the three I think are the most classic and well-made and will make the best introduction. If you find yourself a fan of haunted house films then you’re in luck because they make new ones almost every year.
Step 11: Possession Films: Evil Dead, The Exorcist, and The Shining
Possession films are some of the scariest films out there with The Exorcist frequently considered one of the most terrifying movies ever made. Evil Dead is a horror classic that is followed up by two great sequels and a surprisingly awesome remake. The Shining is another one of the most classic horror films and one of Stephen King’s best. All three are must-watches for horror lovers.
Step 12: Series: Paranormal Activity, Saw, and Scream
Check out the first film in each of these series and if you like them, they you have a whole bunch more to watch. Be warned, the first in each series is generally the best but the rest are still worth watching if you’re interested in the topic. Paranormal Activity is more about jump scares while Saw relies on gore and shock and the Scream series is amazing because it mixes comedy and horror beautifully.
Step 13: Modern Marvels: The Ring, The Descent, and The Conjuring
Today’s horror films tend to either do really well or really poorly at the box office. Some of the better recent American horror films are remakes and The Ring is the quintessential one to watch for that subgenre. The Descent is a truly original and terrifying story that many horror fans list as one of their favorites and The Conjuring is perhaps the best horror film to be released in the last decade. All three are different but all represent some of today’s greatest horror offerings.
Step 14: Foreign Films: Suspiria, A Tale of Two Sisters, and The Orphanage
Foreign horror films are often the best ones out there and tend to be scarier and more intense than a lot of American-made films. Suspiria is one of Italian horror master Dario Argento’s best works and holds up splendidly to this day. A Tale of Two Sisters is a super creepy film that makes a great introduction to East Asian horror and The Oprhange is a fantastic example of how great Spanish horror flicks can be.
Step 15: The Advanced Level: Martyrs, Haute Tension, and Inside
These are three of the scariest, most messed-up, and craziest horror films I could think of and they all happen to be French. I’m a huge horror fan and even I had some trouble with these. The French really know how to make an incredibly intense and terrifying horror film. Think of these as extra credit; if you’ve made it this far and think you can handle it then go for it and good luck!
Now that you’ve built up your tolerance for horror films you can watch any of them without fear! You’ve seen all the classics so you can talk horror with the best of them and you now have a taste for each different subgenre and know what you like and what to explore further. I hope this article was helpful to anyone out there looking to work their way into the world horror. Good luck on your journey!
Disney recently announced plans to produce their own live-action Beauty and the Beast tale. We already have La belle et la bête with Lea Seydoux and Vincent Cassel coming soon and Guillermo del Toro’s announced version with Emma Watson which may or may not ever happen. For this Disney version I’m assuming they will stick close to their animated classic and for that, I give you ten choices for who I think would be the perfect live action Belle.
1. Gemma Arterton. Gemma is not only stunningly gorgeous but has proven herself talented in all genres and even medias (she’s headling a musical very soon!).
2. Antonia Thomas. There’s no doubt in my mind that Disney will cast a white girl who looks like Belle from the animated film but I really wish they’d consider a WOC in the role and especially Thomas, who is one of the most beautiful and spunky actresses working today.
3. Adèle Exarchopoulos. If they want to cast an actual French actress, who better than the lovely and extremely talented Adèle? Plus, she’s new to the scene so she’d be perfect for such an iconic role.
4. Troian Bellisario. Troian is known for her role in ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars and she has the right mix of youth and maturity for the role of Belle.
5. Jessica Brown-Findlay is younger than she looks and ready for a big role since her departure from Downton Abbey.
6. Keira Knightley may seem too old for the role but she has one of the most strikingly gorgeous faces on the planet.
7. Mary Elizabeth Winstead deserves more fame than she has and this role would be perfect for her.
8. Felicity Jones is another sweet and talented actress who could capture Belle’s warm spirit.
9. Adelaide Kane. Despite being known mostly to CW fans, Kane is actually a very good actress whose portrayal of strong-willed Queen Mary would work in this role.
10. An unknown. Because we always have too high of expectations for these live-action princess roles and since it’s a Disney film, everyone is going to see it anyway.
The Lion King is, in my opinion, the best Disney film ever made. I’m sure plenty will disagree with that statement but I think hardly anyone would disagree with the idea that it’s one of the most classic, beautiful, touching, and well-made animated films of all time. Roughly based on Hamlet, The Lion King gives us the story of young Simba who must overcome his fears to save his pride of lions. I could go on about the plot and how great the film is but you’ve seen it already. And if you haven’t, stop what you’re doing and go watch it! Making a themed meal for this film was a bit difficult since I don’t share many eating habits with lions. Instead, I opted to go for traditional African cuisine (according to the Internet anyway).
For an appetizer for The Lion King meal I made African peanut soup. A tomato-based soup with veggies, peanut butter, and rice, this was definitely something new for me. If you like soup and you like peanuts then definitely try this one out; it’s a unique and tasty recipe.
For the main course I went with something more substantial: Mchicha. This Tanzanian dish is made with spinach, peanuts, and curry and turned out to be quite a delicious experience. I chose to serve it over rice and it made a hearty and spice-filled meal that my family also enjoyed. I recommend this to fans of curry or peanut based stir-fries.
For dessert I found this recipe for Mandazi, which are essentially East African doughnuts. They’re not as sweet or slick as the ones you get at Dunkin but they are yummy and satisfying, especially when covered in powdered sugar.
My meal for The Lion King was definitely different and exciting. Using classic African cuisine staples like peanuts, I found a three-course meal that perfectly fit the sweet and spicy tone of the amazing film The Lion King.
It’s officially shark week! There are few things that I love more than sharks and one of them is the US’s founding fathers so in a ridiculously random effort I have decided which species of shark matches up with each of them.
George Washington would be a Whale Shark; the gentle giant that everyone loves.
John Hancock is the Megalodon; flashy and cool to look at but kind of irrelevant now.
Thomas Jefferson is a Great White; the most imposing shark, very famous, and gets shit done.
Benjamin Franklin is a Hammerhead; different and more interesting than the rest as well as many people’s favorite.
John Adams would be a Tiger Shark; most likely to attack people.
Alexander Hamilton is a Bull Shark; arrogant and forceful.
James Madison would be a Leopard Shark; small and shy.
John Jay is the Blue Shark ; reliable and influential but not exciting enough to be talked about too much.
Aladdin is one of Disney’s greatest films. A Renaissance piece that spawned two sequels, a television show and a Broadway play, Aladdin is fan favorite. Featuring one of the oldest fairy tales along with colorful characters and the voice talents of Robin Williams, Aladdin is a rich and exciting adventure. When it came to creating a matching meal, I had to be flexible for this one. The creators of Aladdin never tell us exactly where Agrabah is located. Various clues from the film point to India, Saudi Arabia, and even the Persian Empire. Since Disney was purposely ambiguous about this, I had some creative liberty when it came to choosing recipes.
For an appetizer I found a recipe for Persian Esfanaj borani, which is a yogurt and spinach dip that is yummy and very easy to make. I served it with scoopable tortillas because they resemble stars in my mind and reminded me of Jasmine and Aladdin’s magic carpet ride.
When it came to making an entree I ventured into a different possible geographic realm and found a recipe for the lentil and rice dish mujadarra which I topped with Egyptian tomato sauce. This was a fun dish to make and used some of the staples of my vegan kitchen. Healthy, hearty, and delicious.
For dessert I had an idea to combine two of my favorite scenes from the movie. In one scene Aladdin gives his hard-earned bread to two children who need it more than him and in the other Jasmine gives an apple to a little boy. These two scenes help to characterize our leads and show us how they’re both generous and big-hearted. So combining these two ingrediants I found this apple spice bread recipe which works superbly and was a hit with my whole family.
Aladdin is a great film and can be enjoyed by all ages. The meal I planned to go with it spans multiple geographic regions to represent Aladdin’s ambiguous location and includes some wonderful flavors and textures. I hope you enjoyed this latest installment of Disney Dinner and a Movie!
Coming Soon: Disney Dinner and a Movie: Sleeping Beauty
Shark Week may be over but our oceans and their inhabitants are still in danger. Check out some of the celebrities who are working to save them.
1. Leonardo DiCaprio
DiCaprio is n doubt one of the most charitable and environmentally friendly celebrities in the limelight and one of the many passions he has is for protecting the oceans. He recently pledged $7 million to ocean conservation efforts and earlier this year donated $3 million last winter to ocean advocacy non-profit Oceana.
2. January Jones
In 2009 Jones became the spokesperson for Oceana’s campaign to save sharks, which are incredibly threatened by fishing and finning in all oceans. She also campaigned for the Shark Conservation Act in the US.
3. Paul Walker
Recently deceased and incredibly missed action star Walker was known for his charitable efforts, including his campaigning against unsustainable fishing practices and shark finning with The Billfish Foundation. He also helped to stop coral reef destruction in the Mentawais, mainly caused by bomb fishing, and is considered a hero in their community.
4. Jack Johnson
Johnson is a supporter of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, which helps to protect endangered sea turtles and has even donated concert tickets to the cause. He and his wife began the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation which supports education and environmental causes, including teaching children about ocean pollution.
5. Marisa Miller
Actress and model Miller promotes environmentally-friendly lifestyles including reducing plastic bottle waste and sustainable seafood. She is also a spokesperson for the Surfrider Foundation which works to protects oceans and coasts. She even makes her own ocean-safe beauty products.
6. Pierce Brosnan
Brosnan and his family are environmentalists who have fought against environmentally disruptive processes off the coast including drilling for natural gas, salt factories, and deadly sonar use that kills sea creatures. Pierce is on the the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s Board of Advisors and is a member of Oceana’s Ocean Council as well. Brosnan is also the narrator of Disney’s Oceans.
7. Amy Smart
Actress Smart is a board member for California’s Heal the Bay, a non-profit environmental organization. She has also made PSAs advocated for marine protected areas and worked with the Plastic Pollution Coalition where he advocates for a ban on plastic bags which end up polluting our land and seas.
8. Jason Mraz
Mraz is involved in numerous ocean-related charities including the Surfrider Foundation, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Rob Machado Foundation. He was also interviewed for the book Sea Voices.
9. Ted Danson
Danson is an ocean superstar, sitting on the board of Oceana and founder of the American Oceans Campaign. He also narrated the over-fishing documentary The End of the Line and testified against Arctic drilling.
10. Adrian Grenier
Grenier is a huge advocate for recycling and taking care of our planet’s oceans. He joined Oceana in their quest to prevent Bluefin Tuna extinction. He’s also producing a whale documentary in the future.
Interested in learning more about these issues, donating to a good cause, or joining one of these fabulous organizations? Check them out here:
Sleeping Beauty is one of my all time favorite films. I adore the 14th century-inspired animation, whimsical Tchaikovsky score, and fantastic characters. The story is a classic princess tale filled with dragons, magic, and a heroic prince. There are few villains who can compare to Maleficent and the three fairies are are absolute delight and steal the show. Sleeping Beauty is a classic for a reason and this blog will explore the themed meal I created to go along with it.
For an appetizer I took inspiration from the scene where Briar Rose (aka Princess Aurora) is off picking berries in the forest. This is an important and lovely scene because it’s when the kind-hearted princess meets brave and charming Prince Philip. I took the berry theme and found this recipe for chilled berry soup. It was something between a gazpacho and a smoothie and definitely a refreshing snack, something I would recommend for entertaining on warm summer days.
For my entree I searched all over until I finally found these adorable spinwheel shaped pasta. The spinning wheel is an integral part of the movie because as per Maleficent’s curse Aurora pricks her finger on it and falls into a deep sleep. I choose to use this homemade pesto sauce recipe because the green is so prevalent in this film, both in the forest that they live in and because the spinwheel itself is glowing green from Maleficent’s magic when Aurora touches it. This was a hearty yet still light pasta dish perfect for late summer.
For dessert I wanted to recreate Aurora’s 16th birthday cake that her three aunts lovingly failed at making her. This is perhaps my favorite scene of any Disney film and seeing them completely botch this birthday party is fantastic. The cake that Fauna attempted to make was absolutely gross and liquid-y since she didn’t know she had to bake it. Now, since I wanted to make something edible I did bake my chocolate cake. To make it resemble the one in the film; however, I used very soft icing over cake layers that I staggered and kept together with wooden sticks. Then I added some blue (and pink as well since I couldn’t leave out the blue vs pink battle) and voila! I ended up with a cake that looks super gross but tasted super delicious. I even added a tiny broom for added cuteness factor.
And there you have it, a yummy meal made for a beautiful film. Enjoy!
Coming Soon: Disney Dinner and a Movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas
For the last two years I’ve written articles recommending authors to read during the Halloween season (check out the first one here and the second here). This year, instead of novels, I’m suggesting 30 graphic novels and trade paperbacks that are perfect to get you into the Halloween spirit.
Vampires:
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (by Michael Burgen and José Alfonso Ocampo Ruiz): A re-telling of the classic gothic novel.
30 Days of Night (by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith): An Alaskan town must survive an onslaught of vampires while the sun is down for 30 days.
American Vampire Vol. 1 (by Scott Snyder, Stephen King, and Rafael Albuquerque): A 1920’s vampire sets out for revenge against those who wronged her.
Zombies:
iZombie Vol 1: Dead to the World (by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred): Various supernatural characters deal with everyday life as well as unnatural threats.
Heathentown (by Corinna Sara Bechko and Gabriel Hardman): A woman visiting a small town in the Everglades discovers some deadly and unusual secrets.
The Walking Dead, Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye(by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore): Police officer Rick Grimes must survive an apocalyptic post-zombie outbreak world.
Werewolves:
Severed (by Scott Snyder, Scott Tuft and Attila Futaki): A young runaway in the early 20th century encounters a strange man with sharp teeth and the desire to kill.
Werewolves of Wisconsin and other American Myths, Monsters and Ghosts: A Graphic Novel (by Andy Fish): This is an illustrated journey to the most haunted American locations.
Harbor Moon (by Ryan Colucci, Dikran Ornekian and Pawel Sambor): A man travels to Harbor Moon, Maine where the inhabitants are not what they seem.
Supernatural:
Locke & Key, Vol 1: Welcome to Lovecraft (by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez): The story of a New England mansion full of fantasy and horror.
Wraith (by Joe Hill and Charles Paul Wilson III): Discover the scary world of Christmasland and the mad man who rules there: Charlie Talent Manx III.
The Wake (by Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy): Scientists studying in the Arctic Circle discover more than they bargained for.
The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes (by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, Mike Dringenberg, Malcolm Jones III, and Dave McKean): Occultists, Death, Dream and Lucifer interact in this fantasy tale.
Deadly Humans:
Joe R. Lansdale’s The Drive-In (byJoe R. Lansdale and Andres Guinaldo): After being trapped in a drive-in, a group of people must fight off something scarier than what’s on screen: other people.
From Hell (by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell): From Hell is a beautifully illustrated and meticulously researched tale of Jack the Ripper.
Harpe: America’s First Serial Killers (by Chad Kinkle and Adam Shaw): A tale of two murderous brothers in the Old West who go on a crime spree.
Vlad the Impaler (by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon): The brutal story of the real life man who inspired Dracula.
Heroes:
Superman and Batman vs. Vampires and Werewolves (by Kevin VanHook and Tom Mandrake): The world’s finest faces the deadliest creatures of the night.
Superman and Batman Vs. Aliens and Predator (by Mark Schultz, with art by Ariel Olivetti): Superman and Batman must stop a hidden colony of aliens and predators from taking over the Earth.
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction (by Mike Mignola and John Byrne): Hellboy discovers his grisly origins when sent to investigate a supernatural mystery.
Hellblazer, Vol. 1: Original Sins (by Jamie Delano, Rick Veitch, John Ridgway, Alfredo Alcala, and Tom Mandrake): Occultist antihero John Constantine investigates supernatural occurrences.
Marvel Zombies (by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips): In an alternate universe the world’s superheroes have been turned into zombies.
Inspired by TV/Film:
Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash (by James Kuhoric and Jason Craig): Ash must stop Freddy and Jason from using the Necronomicon to achieve godhood.
28 Days Later: The Aftermath (by Steve Niles): Four separate stories of people trying to survive the terrible rage virus.
X-Files Classics Volume 1 (by Stefan Petrucha and Charlie Adlard): All new mysteries featuring the famous pairing Mulder and Scully.
Halloween Vol 1: First Death of Laurie Strode (by Stefan Hutchinson, Jeff Zornow, Nick Filardi, Ed Dukeshire, Stephen Christy): Laurie Strode is convinced the madman from Halloween is still out there.
Trick ‘r Treat (by Marc Andreyko, Mike Huddleston, Grant Bond, Christopher Gugliotti and Fiona Staples): A graphic novel version of the popular anthology film about the weird goings-ons on Halloween.
For the Younger Crowd:
I luv Halloween (by Keith Giffen and Ben Roman): The story of a group of trick-or-treaters and their misadventures on Halloween.
Scooby Doo Vol 1: You Meddling Kids! (by Dan Slott and Barbara Slate): The creepy adventures of the classic Scooby Gang put to page.
Plants vs. Zombies: Lawnmageddon (by Paul Tobin): Crazy Dave, Patrice, and Nate must fight off a “fun-dead” neighborhood invasion.
What are you reading this Halloween season?
Have you read our TOP 100 MUST READ GRAPHIC NOVELS? Click HERE to begin!
Since I did a Hocus Pocus themed meal last October I wanted to focus on another one of my favorite Halloween Disney films: The Nightmare Before Christmas. This film is just fantastic in every way. It’s a delight to look at and listen to and is simultaneously a popular film and a cult classic. There is really nothing bad I can say about this film so let’s move on to the meal, shall we?
For an appetizer I wanted to use the lead character Jack Skellington as inspiration. Since Jack is The Pumpkin King I carved out a small pumpkin and decorated it to resemble his face. I then filled it with homemade bruschetta (made from tomatoes, onions, garlic and basil) and followed these instructions to turn tortillas into crispy bones and other skeletal parts since Jack is himself a skeleton. Using various aspects of Jack I made a tasty and pretty easy snack that anyone can enjoy.
For my entree I wanted to make a dish inspired by the film’s villain: Oogie Boogie. Since Oogie is basically a bunch of bugs wrapped in burlap I found this cute recipe online for creepy crawly pasta salad that used tomatoes, olives and spiral pasta to make it look like you’re eating insects and worms. For a side dish I turned green apples into grinning ghouls with peanut butter and almond slivers. Both tasty and delicious!
For dessert I wanted to mix Halloween and Christmas the way the film does. I found this recipe for pumpkin cookies and added crushed up candy canes on top. Rather than grinding them completely I left the pieces sharp and jarring to get a creepy factor more suited to the theme of the movie. The recipe worked out great and so did the added candy. It turned out to be a fun blend of flavors.
This was a super fun meal to make because Halloween is my favorite holiday and I absolutely adore this film. I tried my best to represent the characters and themes from the film and to bring in some traditional holiday flavors as well. I hope you enjoyed this installment of Disney Dinner and a Movie.
Coming Soon: Disney Dinner and a Movie: Cinderella
There’s nothing better than finding a horror film with one of your favorite Scream Queens in it; excepting finding a film with multiple Scream Queens! Here’s a list of some of the most “scream-queen-esque” films!
15. Cabin Fever
Both Cerina Vincent and Jordan Ladd from Cabin Fever may not be A-list but are well known among horror fans for their Scream Queen status.
14. And Soon the Darkness
Amber Heard and Odette Annable star together in this remake and both count it as only one among many horror films on their resume.
13. You’re Next
You’re Next combines the classic talent from veteran scream queen Barbara Crampton and newcomer Sharni Vinson.
12. I Know What You Did Last Summer
Jennifer Love Hewitt and Sarah Michelle Gellar were two of the hottest scream queens of the 90’s and starred together in the first film of this popular trilogy.
11. The Ward
Amber Heard and Danielle Panabaker are two of the most popular scream queens from the 21st century and both were in this Carpenter film.
10. Freddy vs Jason
Monica Keena and Katharine Isabelle are two big heavy-hitters in the horror community and even more so after making this fun film.
9. Friday the 13th
Juliana Guill, America Olivo and Danielle Panabaker make up an all-star scream cast in this remake.
8. Mother’s Day
Jaime King, Deborah Ann Woll and Briana Evigan are all fantastic scream queens of the modern age and star in this great remake.
7. Night of the Demons
Two modern queens, Monica Keena and Diora Baird, as well as one classic one, Linnea Quigley, all appear in this supernatural remake.
6. Halloween
Danielle Harris, Sheri Moon Zombie and Scout Taylor-Compton have some of the most impressive horror resumes of this century and all starred in the Halloween remake.
5. Lords of Salem
Barbara Crampton, Dee Wallace and Sheri Moon Zombie all make appearances in Rob Zombie’s witchy feature.
4. See No Evil 2
This better sequel to a not-so-great original stars two top scream queens, Katharine Isabelle and Danielle Harris, and the more unknown but equally experienced Chelan Simmons.
3. Halloween
Three classic scream queens of the 70’s and 80’s Jamie Lee Curtis, Nancy Kyes and PJ Soles, starred together in this revolutionary classic.
2. Scream
Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox Arquette and Rose McGowan became some of the most famous scream queens of the 90’s after making this film.
1. The Fog
Three of the biggest Scream Queens of all time, Jamie Lee Curtis, Janet Leigh and Adrienne Barbeau, star together in this amazing Carpenter classic.
This installment of Showdown! seemed inevitable. I didn’t originally want to compare these two great films but have been asked to do so and it seemed like it makes sense after all. Both are fantastic modern fairy tales but here I will break them down to see which reigns supreme.
Story: Both Tangled and Frozen take classic fairy tales and adapt them into kid-friendly films. Tangled is based on the famous Grimm’s tale “Rapunzel” about a young woman with extraordinarily long hair who is kept in a tower by a wicked witch and later rescued by a handsome prince. In Tangled, Rapunzel meets her not-so-princely mate Flynn Rider and together they escape her evil mother’s tower to have adventures and fall in love. Disney took a beloved classic and added some feminism and fun to make a wonderful film.
Frozen is based on Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Snow Queen”. The original story is about a young girl who goes on an epic adventure to rescue her friend from an evil snow queen after he is hurt by a shard of magical glass. Frozen ends up being very different from the original story. In fact, the only similarities are its Nordic origins and the presence of a powerful women who can manipulate ice and snow. Disney adapted this into a tale about two royal sisters; Elsa who is rejected by her people because of her ice powers and Anna who goes on an adventure to save her sister and restore the kingdom. Together, their love is powerful enough to leave us with a happy ending.
When looking at both the original tales and the classic fairytale flow of the story, the point here goes to Tangled. “Rapunzel” is a more classic and fun story than “The Snow Queen” and the film follows a very comforting and familiar timeline. Frozen breaks the mold, which some people love and others hate, but Tangled‘s flow works for everyone.
Point:Tangled
Originality: Both of these films are based on beloved classic fairy tales. Tangled is a classic princess tale but with Disney’s modern twist; a naive yet lovable princess escapes from an evil witch and lives happily ever after. While its princess-centric fairy tale is a joy to watch, it can’t compete in this category with the original adaptation that is Frozen. Frozen has princesses, princes, heroes, villains, and sidekicks like most other Disney films. However, it also has a focus on family, friendship, and true love between sisters and not a couple. It also shows us characters with much deeper and relatable flaws. Frozen gives us not only a plot that is new and unpredictable, but characters that are as well. All in all, Tangled is a fantastic film but Frozen is must more creative and mold-breaking.
Point: Frozen
Characters: Let’s break this down shall we? First off we have our heroines. Rapunzel is naive, sweet and quirky. She’s a young girl with a big heart who doesn’t know much about the world but wants to experience it. Anna and Elsa from Frozen are the two princesses of Arendale. Elsa is the soon-to-be queen; poised and responsible until her ice powers become out of control and she is rejected by her people. Elsa’s acceptance of her uniqueness and eventual being comfortable with her powers makes her a flawed and fabulous character that anyone watching the movie can relate to. On top of that, Frozen gives us Anna, the spunky, warm-hearted and courageous younger sister of Elsa who heroically braves dangers to rescue her sister and her kingdom. Anna is selfless and strong but also naive and youthful, another well-rounded character from Disney. Rapunzel is certainly a great Disney princess but Anna and Elsa are different from the previous princesses and balance each other out perfectly.
Now for the villains. In Tangled, Rapunzel is stolen as a baby by Mother Gothel, a witch of sorts, who locks her in a tower and uses Rapunzel’s magical hair to stay young. Rapunzel, in a sort of Stockholm Syndrome, loves her mean and spiteful adoptive mother and struggles with escaping until Mother Gothel eventually reveals herself for the truly horrible person she is. Mother Gothel is absolutely hilarious and steals every scene she’s in. Frozen plays the twist card, allowing us to think the main villain is actually the good guy until three-quarters of the way into the film. Then Elsa, who could have been the villain, is saved and becomes a hero. And then there’s that random old guy who’s technically a villain too but no one remembers him. While Hans and his penchant for killing young women is definitely scary, Mother Gothel is a much more defined, hilarious, and memorable villain.
Hero time. In Tangled we have Flynn Rider, the dashing thief who breaks into Rapunzel’s tower to hide after a crime. They form an unlikely partnership and escape the tower. In the beginning he sees her as a stupid young girl he can manipulate but eventually falls in love with her and helps to save the day. Flynn is funny, charming, and completely memorable. In Frozen, we think Hans is our charming prince for awhile until we realize he’s actually a super jerk. It turns out that the real hero is Kristoff, the rough and tumble mountain man who meets up with Anna in her quest to save her sister and reverse eternal winter. He is an everyday kind of guy, one who cares about who a person is on the inside and not how much power or money they have. Kristoff is definitely a fantastic character but Flynn Rider is an incredibly iconic part of Tangled and Disney in general.
Lastly, we come to side characters. In Tangled we have the adorable chameleon Pascal, sassy horse Maximus, and a band of lovable ruffians. Frozen gives us loyal reindeer Sven and the show-stealing snowman Olaf who provides some of the most quotable dialogue of the film. Both films give us some great supporting characters but it’s hard to beat Olaf’s well-deserved popularity. After breaking this down we get a score of 2-2 which means this category is a draw.
Point: Tie
Music: Disney’s soundtracks are not to be messed with. Each animated film presents us with a fantastic set of songs to go with it. In Tangled we have the sweet “When Will My Life Begin”, the fun “I’ve Got a Dream” and the funny “Mother Knows Best”, as well as the Oscar-nominated “I See the Light”. These are all great songs and I can’t complain about any of them. With Frozen, however, we have a soundtrack that people of every age have memorized, idolized, and occasionally burst into song because of. “Love is an Open Door” is romantic, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman” is haunting, and “In Summer” is hilarious. And of course there’s the Oscar-winning “Let It Go”, perhaps one of the most popular Disney songs of all time. Tangled soundtrack is no doubt fantastic but Frozen‘s soundtrack is more than just great music; it’s an epidemic.
Point:Frozen
Social Relevance: Both Tangled and Frozen belong to Disney’s “Revival” era. Since 2009 and The Princess and the Frog, Disney has been releasing powerful films that are wonderful as movies but also give the audience beautiful animation, fun music, and fantastic role-model characters. Tangled was released in 2010 and garnered much attention and is said to have been the inspiration for the subsequent Disney animated films’ style. Tangled was a huge hit; it has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 89% and is the 21st highest-grossing animated feature ever released.With big-name voices, beautiful animation, and fun characters, Tangled made quite a splash when it was released.
Frozen was released in 2013 and instantly became a huge hit. It also has an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and is the highest-grossing animated film of all time. Frozen is insanely popular and that might even be an understatement. Everyone knows the lyrics to “Let it Go”. Stores are constantly restocking Frozen merchandise, even a year later. There were countless Elsas parading the street this Halloween and if you walk into any elementary school you will see Frozen backpacks, gloves, folders, hats, and anything else you can imagine littering the cubbies. Frozen’s beautiful animation and talented voice cast attracted audiences and its complex characters, classic songs, and fun jokes kept them coming back.
Point: Frozen
These are two of the best animated films of all time, with gorgeous animation, fun characters and catchy tunes. But there can only be one winner. All in all, while both films are entertaining, enjoyable, and amazing, Frozen is a groundbreaking phenomenon that has taken over the world.
