tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post218629545135999682..comments2023-10-31T05:03:38.910-07:00Comments on Letters from a broad...: Morals for children in Cars and Happy FeetC. L. Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698855413639518095noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-53366990250262260302007-08-14T02:59:00.000-07:002007-08-14T02:59:00.000-07:00Hey Tommy!!!Dang there are a lot of uber-cool folk...Hey Tommy!!!<BR/><BR/>Dang there are a lot of uber-cool folks out there in cyberspace... ;-)C. L. Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12698855413639518095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-23830958563382748682007-08-10T11:51:00.000-07:002007-08-10T11:51:00.000-07:00Haha nice post about those movies, thanks. and sin...Haha nice post about those movies, thanks. and since were keeping count, I'm also left handed, atheist and gay :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-56743882864572143032007-08-06T08:59:00.000-07:002007-08-06T08:59:00.000-07:00Hey Anonymous!!!Hehe, I hadn't heard about that be...Hey Anonymous!!!<BR/><BR/>Hehe, I hadn't heard about that behavoir in the Adelie Penguins, but it would have been interesting to try to work that into the story...C. L. Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12698855413639518095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-2637547676398392352007-08-06T08:20:00.000-07:002007-08-06T08:20:00.000-07:00Funny how Happy Feet showed the Adelie Penguins wi...Funny how Happy Feet showed the Adelie Penguins with their rockpile nests, but didn't mention the fact that sometimes the females will prostitute themselves in return for rocks from other males' nests (I can't find the article at the moment, otherwise I'd link to it).<BR/><BR/>But anyway, I agree with your assessment of both Cars and Happy Feet. I only just recently watched Happy Feet and I was astonished by the message--that may be a first for a children's film, and a rarity for any film!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-14409713296430454602007-08-02T11:53:00.000-07:002007-08-02T11:53:00.000-07:00Hey Ben!!!True, interpreting it in a racial contex...Hey Ben!!!<BR/><BR/>True, interpreting it in a racial context gives some insights as well. Still the fact that he had to deal with being different (in a supposedly wrong/sinful way) from his own family creates an experience that strongly points at homosexuality.C. L. Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12698855413639518095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-21267231172982084522007-07-31T22:04:00.000-07:002007-07-31T22:04:00.000-07:00CL,Don't feel too bad about having Focus on the Fa...CL,<BR/>Don't feel too bad about having Focus on the Family beat you to the punch on figuring out that there might be homosexual undertones in "Happy Feet."<BR/><BR/>This was the same bunch that figured out that SpongeBob SquarePants might be <A HREF="http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/20/politics/20sponge.html?ex=1263877200&en=a1bb427c064b38bd&ei=5088" REL="nofollow">pushing</A> the acceptance of *gasp* homosexuals. (I’m sure <A HREF="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/276677.stm" REL="nofollow">Jerry Falwell</A> would have weighted in if he wasn’t looking down (up?) at us right now.)<BR/><BR/>They see gays everywhere.<BR/><BR/>OTOH, if you interpret Happy Feet not in a sexual orientation but a racial context - the "dancing" thing makes even more sense - in a racist sort of way of course. You just have to think like a southerner.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-21356091793876470862007-07-29T21:56:00.000-07:002007-07-29T21:56:00.000-07:00Thanks INTJ Mom!!!That's funny -- I hadn't heard a...Thanks INTJ Mom!!!<BR/><BR/>That's funny -- I hadn't heard about people getting upset about <I>The Little Mermaid</I> for encouraging kids to disobey, but it's true that's in there. A lot of bad stuff happens to her for rebelling too, though.C. L. Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12698855413639518095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-67478060578214525282007-07-29T14:38:00.000-07:002007-07-29T14:38:00.000-07:00I found your site off of Trapped by The Mormons. ...I found your site off of Trapped by The Mormons. I'm glad I found it, it's great to read your thoughts.<BR/><BR/>I liked the Happy Feet and Cars messages as well. I still remember people complaining about Disney's Little Mermaid when it first came out back in 1989. How they thought the story was encouraging kids to defy their parents and do whatever they wanted and things would work out ok.<BR/><BR/>My older kids were 2 & 3 back then, and they loved the show. The 3 yr old even had the entire film memorized at one point and could speak every line of dialogue. However, the supposed "moral" seemed to go right over both their heads. They were never rebellious children at all growing up. We're pretty liberal free thinkers though too, never had a ton of rules, just rules that cover basic common sense, good citizenship, and good manners.<BR/><BR/>Now they are adults and when the DVD was released last year, they were all excited to watch it with their then 3 yr old brother/my son. They commented that watching it as adults they thought Ariel was a kind of naughty, reckless, and dumb girl, but that as children that whole aspect of the story never occurred to them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-47430031657852237182007-07-29T00:32:00.000-07:002007-07-29T00:32:00.000-07:00Hey Aerin!!!I think "Focus on the Family" is looki...Hey Aerin!!!<BR/><BR/>I think "Focus on the Family" is looking to impose their views on as many people as possible -- not just children.<BR/><BR/>Hey Celerman!!!<BR/><BR/>That's a common misconception, isn't it? But that's one of the reasons to be here on the Internet -- to show what kinds of people atheists really are.<BR/><BR/>Hey Holly!!!<BR/><BR/>No prob. :DC. L. Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12698855413639518095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-82780235671727606312007-07-28T07:28:00.000-07:002007-07-28T07:28:00.000-07:00I'm a fan of animated films, but hadn't gotten aro...I'm a fan of animated films, but hadn't gotten around to seeing "Happy Feet." This is the writeup that made me add it to my netflix queue. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-16511158826248309442007-07-28T06:26:00.000-07:002007-07-28T06:26:00.000-07:00I think the coolest thing is not being atheist and...I think the coolest thing is not being atheist and gay, but being atheist and having morals. For a very long time I was taught that a moral atheist was an oxymoron. Or even just a moron.celermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13318389966462633350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-61498280651034864622007-07-27T09:04:00.000-07:002007-07-27T09:04:00.000-07:00My two currently enjoy watching Curious George, wh...My two currently enjoy watching Curious George, which doesn't appear to have any sort of moral message that I can find. Except that some people are just naturally curious and it leads them into trouble but everything turns out in the end. I think it's because the monkey (George) doesn't talk at all throughout the film, and they can identify. My son loves saying "no, monkey, no no!" when George is doing something he's not supposed to.<BR/><BR/>I was also impressed with Cars and Happy Feet. (Impressed even though they were very predictable). <BR/><BR/>And as far as focus on the family - they are clearly searching for something in children's film and tv to criticize. It saddens me for many reasons.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-64745618639843814702007-07-27T00:14:00.000-07:002007-07-27T00:14:00.000-07:00Hey Hm-Uk!!!Wow, you are uber-cool!!! There are l...Hey Hm-Uk!!!<BR/><BR/>Wow, you are uber-cool!!! There are lots of other qualities that might make someone cool, but already that's pretty good... ;^)<BR/><BR/>Hey Ben!!!<BR/><BR/>That's wild that "Focus on the Family" condemned the pro-gay subtext in "Happy Feet." And there I thought I was outing the film... ;^)<BR/><BR/>To all you heathen parents out there: groups like that are why it's easy for Christian parents to find stuff like "Veggie Tales" but we of the reality-based community are hard pressed to find any quality fare for our kids that reflects our values. This is a clever and entertaining film, so let's step up to the plate and demonstrate that we're a "market". If you have kids, get them the DVD of "Happy Feet" (if you haven't already), and when religious friends and relatives give your kids "Veggie Tales" (or equivalent), be sure to send their kids a copy of this film as a return gift...<BR/><BR/>Hey Sam!!!<BR/><BR/>I've never seen "Flushed Away" -- I take it it's good?<BR/><BR/>Hey Lynet!!!<BR/><BR/>Well, you're one up on me -- I'm hopelessly in the mundane category in terms of handedness...C. L. Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12698855413639518095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-30338028078862190782007-07-26T21:34:00.000-07:002007-07-26T21:34:00.000-07:00Left-handed and an atheist -- but I've never falle...Left-handed and an atheist -- but I've never fallen in love with a girl. Ah, well. Two outta three.Lynethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06357023675142716573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-16316336711507415992007-07-26T16:38:00.000-07:002007-07-26T16:38:00.000-07:00I keep begging my youngest to pick Flushed Away in...I keep begging my youngest to pick Flushed Away instead of Thomas and the Magic Railroad, which I "watched" at least 500 times with my middle child. What does that say about me?<BR/><BR/>It's your standard bumbling hero saves the town, gets the girl and finds a family -- except of course the girl doesn't need rescuing.<BR/><BR/>But I really just want to see Le Frog and his mime again.AnnMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08504450005600933157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-31838294603235812432007-07-26T14:36:00.000-07:002007-07-26T14:36:00.000-07:00You're absolutely right, ben. I guess what I real...You're absolutely right, ben. I guess what I really meant was the delivery of the morals in the Disney movies has changed -- from a Brothers Grimm approach to more of a Teletubbies approach. By the way, I had a look at your blog - brilliant site.hm-ukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15123301692688850355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-53355862041722794942007-07-26T01:21:00.000-07:002007-07-26T01:21:00.000-07:00Actually, I can't remember any Disney film that di...Actually, I can't remember any Disney film that didn't have a moral message. From Sleeping Beauty to Dumbo to Ariel and Hercules - all Disneys push the correct American, family/moral standards.<BR/><BR/>Pixar is a slightly different case. It used to be a completely different company until last year. Disney only bought the distribution rights. I've always thought Pixar was more about good movies than good morals.<BR/><BR/>As far as Cars goes, the first time I watched the film, I got flashbacks to the Michael J. Fox movie <A HREF="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101745/" REL="nofollow"><I>Doc Hollywood</I></A>. I thought the small town message was more powerful than the 'sports' message. Being a good winner/loser is a metaphor for the rich successful life; you give that up for friendship and family. The sports part is only for the smaller kids. (Sorry CL ;-)<BR/><BR/>I am a devoted Car's fan. The visuals! Like the "car plateaus" surrounding the town, great! My absolute favorite scene is the "race" up the canyon where Lightning sees the waterfall for the first time. <BR/><BR/>I haven't seen <I>Happy Feet</I>. But yes, all the previews I saw indicated it was a blatently transparent metaphor for the religion and gay conflict. <BR/><BR/>Which is also why Focus on the Family <A HREF="http://mediamatters.org/items/200612150002" REL="nofollow">condemned</A> the film. *sigh* When is one of that group going to be found out to be gay? After all they are located in Colorado Springs - home of Ted Haggard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-20620955890140125042007-07-25T11:37:00.000-07:002007-07-25T11:37:00.000-07:00Let's hear it for uber-coolness, then! I have the...Let's hear it for uber-coolness, then! I have the tell-tale smudges on the side of my left hand from smearing the ink across the page when I write. What other criteria might propel me upward into the realm of outer-coolness?hm-ukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15123301692688850355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-53266873649610509092007-07-25T06:50:00.000-07:002007-07-25T06:50:00.000-07:00Hey Hm-Uk!!!Being gay and atheist make you pretty ...Hey Hm-Uk!!!<BR/><BR/>Being gay and atheist make you pretty cool, but to be uber-cool, you actually need to be left-handed as well...<BR/><BR/><I>Happy Feet</I> isn't Disney/Pixar, <I>Cars</I> is the Disney/Pixar one. <I>Happy Feet</I> is by some other producer, I don't recall which.C. L. Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12698855413639518095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053670.post-8319514172145345862007-07-25T01:56:00.000-07:002007-07-25T01:56:00.000-07:00What degree of cool am I for being both atheist AN...What degree of cool am I for being both atheist AND gay? Actually, I'm probably not since I have to ask, eh? <BR/><BR/>It's interesting that Disney/Pixar is into doling out morals in their movies these days. I don't remember any morals being dispensed in any of the animation features I watched as a kid - oh, maybe 'It isn't good to be a wicked old witch/stepmother because you'll end up falling over a cliff/being eaten alive...' Perhaps, the writers of those films had some serious misogynistic bones in their bodies...I say, bring on the gay writers!hm-ukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15123301692688850355noreply@blogger.com