Showing posts with label Snow Queen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Snow Queen. Show all posts

Thursday, September 26, 2013

New Movie Trailer for Disney's Frozen




The Snow Queen? No.

This new trailer for Frozen is more entertaining and gives hope for some general entertainment. But it has no resemblance whatsoever to HCA's The Snow Queen. I'm grateful they changed the title on this one. So unless more news shows a greater relationship to the fairy tale, I won't be covering the movie here on the blog.

Tangled, at least, resembled the fairy tale and had recognizable elements. I'm not seeing that here.

Forbes has a great article about the movie by Scott Mendelson:

As you may recall, Disney infamously changed the title of 2010′s Rapunzel to Tangled and also altered the marketing campaign to highlight not its lead female would-be princess character but the wise-cracking male lead who would be her love interest and would-be rescuer. And, having successfully marketed Tangled as the merry adventure of rogue Flynn with Rapunzel seemingly playing a supporting role in her own story, Disney then went and announced that Tangled would be the last such fairy tale adaptation they would be producing. Because obviously The Princess and the Frog “only” made $267 million worldwide in 2009 primarily because it had the word “princess” in the title.

$600 million in worldwide box office later (more than any other non-Pixar cartoon outside of The Lion King), they secretly changed their tune, which brings us this loose adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson‘s The Snow Queen. So yes, however small the victory, let us celebrate that Disney is boasting, rather than hiding, the fact that they have made another female-centric animated fable. It is a telling sign of how far gender parity has fallen in the last decade when something like this or Brave is considered noteworthy, especially as the female-driven animated features like Mulan or Anastasia used to come and go without comment in the mid-to-late 1990′s.

But for the moment, kudos to Disney for not only bringing us another animated film co-directed and co-written by a female (Jennifer Lee, who co-wrote Disney’s Wreck It Ralph), but producing one starring a female hero and villain (Idina Menzel). And most importantly, kudos for not being afraid to hide the film’s female-centric bent in the marketing campaign, thus bucking the “girls will see boy movies but boys won’t see girl movies” conventional wisdom. One can only hope that the successes of The Twilight Saga, Tangled, Brave, and The Hunger Games is helping to dispel that myth.
And I still contend that Princess and the Frog just wasn't very entertaining. The Princess title may not have helped but the film itself wasn't making people go back to see it. And it released later than usual that year, too, after Thanksgiving. Voodoo and characters that are animals longer than they are humans isn't appealing to as large an audience. Fine if we have animal characters, but when we know they are enchanted humans, well, frogs aren't that interesting. I'm usually entertained by Disney movies on some levels but I remember sitting with my sister to watch it and we were both thoroughly bored. It was boring. And I didn't want to be bored and I was rooting for a non-white princess, too.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

New Book: The Wilful Eye (Tales from the Tower)



The Wilful Eye (Tales from the Tower) edited by Isobelle Carmody and Nan McNab was released earlier this month. Originally released in Australia in 2011, it has finally been released here in the US. A companion book, The Wicked Wood (Tales from the Tower), will be released in August.

Book description:

A dozen of the most exciting and unique writers for young people have chosen fairytales as starting points for their own original stories, in this surprising and spellbinding two-volume collection.

Margo Lanagan (Tender Morsels), Rosie Borella, Isobelle Carmody, Richard Harland (Worldshaker), Margaret Mahy (The Seven Chinese Brothers), and Martine Murray (Henrietta There's No One Better) have taken inspiration from stories that have shaped us all, tales like "Beauty and the Beast," "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," and "The Snow Queen." This collection carries universal themes of envy and desire, deception and abandonment, courage and sacrifice. Characters are enchanted, they transgress, they yearn, they hunger, they hate, and, sometimes, they kill. Some of the stories inhabit a traditional fairytale world, while others are set in the distant future. Some are set in the present and some in an alternative present. The stories offer no prescription for living or moral advice and none belong in a nursery. Open the covers and submit to their enchantment.

And from the publisher's site:

Six of the world's most exciting and best-loved writers have chosen fairytales as inspiration for this spellbinding and subversive short-story collection.

Six writers - Margo Lanagan, Rosie Borella, Isobelle Carmody, Richard Harland, Margaret Mahy and Martine Murray - have taken inspiration from stories that have shaped us all, tales like 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'The Steadfast Tin Soldier' and 'The Snow Queen'. This collection carries universal themes of envy and desire, deception and abandonment, courage and sacrifice.

Characters are enchanted, they transgress, they yearn, they hunger, they hate and, sometimes, they kill.

Some of the stories inhabit a traditional fairytale world, while others are set in the distant future. Some are set in the present and some in an alternative present. The stories offer no prescription for living or moral advice and none belong in a nursery.

Open the covers and submit to their enchantment.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Bargain Ebook: Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu



Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu has temporarily dropped to $1.99 for ebook format. This book was on a lot of "best of" lists for the year it was released.

Book description:

A stunning modern-day fairy tale from acclaimed author Anne Ursu

Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it's up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Breadcrumbs is a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Fairy Tale Tabs 12/27/2012


Janet and Anne Graham Johnstone

Read Guest post: Christie from Spinning Straw Into Gold on Little Match Girl at Tales of Faerie


I enjoyed All I Want For Christmas... at Doc in Boots. Hope some of the wishes are fulfilled.

I'm especially eager to read Fairy Tale Queens. There's a chapter, "The Queen's Wardrobe: Dressing the Part," which could have been written especially for me! Although I'm also intrigued by "The Fairest of Them All: Queenship and Beauty." Every chapter looks fascinating and I have high hopes.

Read On The Snow Queen, Part 2 at Spinning Straw into Gold:

Though the devil's mirror and the Snow Queen are not direct accomplices, their methods are similar. The glass shards make Kai blind to the living beauty of the roses and only able to appreciate the inorganic geometry of the snowflakes.


And also Snow White's Stepmother at Spinning Straw into Gold:

I never tire of reading about, writing about, and watching Snow White. That said, I'm late to viewing this 90's film, Snow White: A Tale of Terror, but I liked it.

It's grounded in a historical medieval Europe (there is mention of Paris and the Black Plague) and earned its title with suitably nightmarish scenes and plot details. There's definitely the elements of a horror film at work. Not to mention, A Tale of Terror preceded the dark fairy tale remakes now in vogue over a decade later. Think Red Riding Hood, The Brothers Grimm, and Snow White and the Huntsman.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Fairy Tale Tabs 12/17/2012


It's way past time for me to clear out some tabs:


Read On "The Snow Queen," Part 1 at Spinning Straw into Gold.

IAP9677

Read Why Stories are Important at Something to Read for the Train.

The Gingerbread Man had gotten out of shape and everything hurt. I’m  officially getting old, he thought.
So he decided to start going on nightly jogs. Halfway through the first one he was feeling young and spry again, like he was back in his old high school track days, and he shouted proudly, “Run run run as fast as you can, you can’t catch me I’m the—AGH MY KNEE! OH GOD I TORE SOMETHING! THE PAIN IS EXCRUCIATING!”

Read The Gingerbread Man at Fairy Tales for Twenty Somethings.


Not fairy tale related, but I definitely relate: The Book Hangover at All About Romance. Actually, I've been craving one of these. Need a book hangover badly. They are purging and I come out feeling refreshed, after I catch up on sleep, like a great vacation was taken without leaving my cozy home.

SurLaLune CafePress Shop

And, finally, wow, SurLaLune's CafePress site was recommended by Sycorax as a place for gift buying at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. Thanks!

Sycorax says, "One of my favourite places to find presents for like-minded people is the Sur La Lune shop. It has products with old illustrations from fairy tales on them. You can look at these by fairy tale (which to my delight includes some of the less well-known ones), by illustrator (they have about twenty) or by product. I was already in love with Arthur Rackham's work, but this place made me discover the gorgeousness of Kay Nielson, Ivan Bilibin and several others."

Once you see a design you like, you can have it placed on just about anything, from tshirts to waterbottles. They also have journals with illustrated covers, as well

Monday, October 22, 2012

Bargain Ebook: Stork by Wendy Delsol



Stork (Stork Trilogy) by Wendy Delsol is temporarily $2.99 in ebook format. This is the first book in the trilogy which draws from The Snow Queen as well as other fairy tales and folklore.

Book description:

Oh baby! A hip heroine discovers that she has the ability to decide who gets pregnant in this witty YA blend of romance and the supernatural. Sixteen-year-old Katla has just moved from Los Angeles to the sticks of Minnesota. As if it weren’t enough that her trendy fashion sense draws stares, she learns to her horror that she’s a member of an ancient order of women who decide to whom certain babies will be born. Add to that Wade, the arrogant football star whom Katla regrettably fooled around with, and Jack, a gorgeous farm boy who initially seems to hate her. Soon Katla is having freaky dreams about a crying infant and learns that, as children, she and Jack shared a near-fatal, possibly mystical experience. Can Katla survive this major life makeover and find a dress for the homecoming dance? Drawing from Norse mythology and inspired by The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, debut author Wendy Delsol conceives an irreverent, highly entertaining novel about embracing change and the (baby) bumps along the way.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

New Book: Flock by Wendy Delsol


 Frost Stork

Yes, those are pictured in reverse order of release since today is the official release date for Wendy Delsol's Flock (Stork Trilogy), the final book in the trilogy. The books draw heavily from Andersen's The Snow Queen as well as other folklore, especially Norse mythology and Icelandic folklore. The third book was originally titled "Tide," but was renamed to flock after some cover changes.

Book description:

After surviving her (shall we say) intense adventure in Iceland, Katla is psyched to be back for a blissfully uneventful senior year of homecoming and fashion explorations. But her hopes of dodging unfinished business are dashed by the arrival of two Icelandic exchange students: Marik, an oddly alluring merman-in-disguise, and Jinky, a tough gypsy girl. It seems Katla not only enraged the Snow Queen by rescuing her boyfriend, Jack, she also was tricked into promising her frail baby sister to the water queen — and Marik has come to collect. What’s worse, Katla doesn’t dare confide in anyone lest she endanger them, so even her soul mate, Jack, is growing suspicious. And now Katla’s stork dreams, her guide for matching babies with mothers, have become strange and menacing as well. Hold on for a thrilling finale as the heroine of Stork and Frost calls on her wits (and her wit) to protect those she loves and face a final mythic disaster.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Brief Sephora Update and Elizabeth Olsen for Bullett Magazine





Elizabeth Olsen is featured in the latest issue of Bullett magazine photographed by Jeff Bark. Hair: Ted Gibson at TedGibsonBeauty.com Makeup: Genevieve at Sally Harlor.
Photo Credit: bullettmedia.com



Well now, I always debate posting the make-up posts on here but my Sephora Cinderella post was the most trafficked all week here on the blog. Briefly, the invitation to the special screening went out in emails this past week and probably only to those living in geographic areas of the screenings--Nashville was on the 20+ city list, so I received one. I had points to burn so I ordered passes to see the film, figuring it was a way to refresh my memory of the film while I rev up for Cinderella month here on the blog in October.



I stumbled across this Elizabeth Olsen for Bullett Magazine spread featured on Tom and Lorenzo's site and thought immediately of The Snow Queen. The fairy tale fashion influence--high fantasy--is prevalent right now. The style of this editorial reminded me of the Sephora Cinderella model images, too. Anyway, here's some pretties to enjoy--the entire spread can be seen at Bullet Magazine.

But, really, don't you see Elizabeth as a modern Gerda here? We're just missing an image of her with a reindeer.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Fairy Tales in Stitches: DMC Fairy Tale Classics Series




Today we have a series of fairy tales kits by DMC with three tales by Hans Christian Andersen. I tried to discover if there were more of these, but three is fun considering we get a Snow Queen and an Emperor's New Clothes along with the ever popular Princess and the Pea. I also like the usage of quotes in the design since words are always important to me. I found most of these on Ebay through international sellers which makes me wonder if they are a European exclusive.



Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Music Month: Myths & Legends by Michele de Wilton



Myths & Legends by Michele de Wilton is a collection of original piano music inspired by, well, myths and legends (yes, I know the title gave that away) as well as a fairy tale. Her Waltz for Gerda & Kay is obviously inspired by The Snow Queen. We also get Cupid & Psyche for Beauty and the Beast fans. The playlist also reveals The Lady of Shalott and The Ice Maiden (not the Snow Queen). Another CD has a song inspired by The Selfish Giant. So if you enjoy piano music, this may be in your taste.

Here is a video of The Ice Maiden:

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Bargain Book: The Snow Queen (Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms) by Mercedes Lackey



The Snow Queen (Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms) by Mercedes Lackey is currently reduced to $3.70 on Amazon in ebook format. Other books in the series are still at least $5.50 or more. I know there are some fans of this series out there, so here's a chance to get one of the titles for cheap in ebook format if you are interested.

Book description:

Aleksia, Queen of the Northern Lights, is mysterious, beautiful and widely known to have a heart of ice. But when she's falsely accused of unleashing evil on nearby villages, she realizes there's an impostor out there far more heartless than she could ever be.

And when a young warrior disappears, Aleksia's powers are needed as never before.

Now, on a journey through a realm of perpetual winter, it will take all her skills, a mother's faith and a little magic to face down an enemy more formidable than any she has ever known....

Monday, January 16, 2012

France Month: La Reine des Glaces illustrated by Miss Clara


 

La Reine des Glaces by Hans Christian Andersen and illustrated by Miss Clara is an extra for today. I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves. And, yes, this is Snow Queen if you were unsure. In the US, Barefoot Books has a Snow Queen title with illustrations by Miss Clara but I am not sure how many of them correspond to the French picture book.

Miss Clara is a French artist with a great following among readers of fairy tales. Her illustrations start with tiny and intricately detailed paper maquettes of princesses, elves, wolves and enchanted scenes which she photographs and completes digitally.








Book description:

Il existe dans une île tout au nord du monde une Sorceresse aux terrifiants pouvoirs. Son palais est un glacier entouré de banquise, elle souffle l'avalanche et la grêle, elle commande au blizzard. On l'appelle La Reine des Glaces...

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

New Book: Magic Beans: A Handful of Fairytales from the Storybag



Magic Beans: A Handful of Fairytales from the Storybag is a recent book released in the UK with many short stories by well-known authors based on fairy tales. I missed this when it was released a few months ago and it is pushed primarily in ebook format here in the US. The ebook is $9.99 which looks like a bargain when one finds that each of the short stories are also available separately for $1.95 each in ebook format.

The best part--besides a stellar author list--is that many of these are lesser used tales for retellings. I'm not sure how much interpretation is in these versions or if they are more straightforward rewritings by the authors, but either way I am sure they are fun reading. I do know enough to recognize they are reprints of dollar books printed by Scholastic with each title. The illustrations appear to be included here, so this is a good way to collect them all if they interest you or a child in your life.

Book description:

Magic beans. Sow them. Plant them. Watch children grow.

'If you are a dreamer, come in. If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar, a hoper, a prayer, a magic-bean-buyer. If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire, for we have some flax-golden tales to spin. Come in! Come in!' - Shel Silverstein, Poet

Each and every one of the stories in this anthology is a magic bean: a wondrous tale that will capture your imagination. Prepare to be dazzled by Rapunzel's golden tresses. Prepare to be moved by the suffering of the Little Mermaid. Prepare to laugh yourself silly as 'Mr Sultana' struggles to get the better of a little red rooster!

Lovingly crafted by the finest authors and illustrators, these 'magic beans' will delight, thrill and thoroughly entertain.

Table of Contents:

Adèle Geras
The Six Swan Brothers

Anne Fine
The Twelve Dancing Princesses

Henrietta Branford
Hansel and Gretel

Jacqueline Wilson
Rapunzel

Malorie Blackman
Aesop’s Fables

Philip Pullman
Mossycoat

Tony Mitton
The Seal Hunter

Alan Garner
Grey Wolf, Prince Jack and the Firebird

Berlie Doherty
The Snow Queen

Gillian Cross
The Goose Girl

Kit Wright
Rumpelstiltskin

Michael Morpurgo
Cockadoodle-doo, Mr Sultana!

Susan Gates
The Three Heads in the Well

Linda Newbery
The Little Mermaid