Brave: A Review

I have just one thing to say:
Scotland!!!
Okay, now that that's done, on with the review.

Brave
Rated PG for some scary action and rude humor.

The first thing to recommend Brave is its setting. I loved the accents (Merida's, in particular, was a joy to listen to) and I loved the music and the rugged Scottish setting. The animation was just gorgeous.
Speaking of the music, I have loved Julie Fowlis's music for years, and hearing her nightingale-like voice sing in the movie was amazing. Of course, I'm so used to hearing her sing in Scottish Gaelic that the fact she was singing in English gave me quite a start!
It's also an extremely funny movie, and mostly where the mischievous triplets were concerned. As well as Merida's father, the lovable warrior King Fergus.

The story, however, was not perfect. Admittedly, I was expecting something more along the lines of the epic How to Train Your Dragon.
Brave is a different kettle of fish, and is more like a fairy tale than an epic battle between good and evil. And that's not a bad thing. I liked how they set up the fact that Merida and her "mum" were close, and how they don't hate each other--they just don't agree.
Some things, though, could have used a bit more setting up. I don't understand the witch (who, by the way, isn't evil, but simply scatter-brained and therefore dangerous) or the connection with the old legend. My family and I agreed that the way the curse was fixed could have used a bit more explaining.
Also, the way it was fixed was too easy.
And that was my only qualm with it.

Brave is an excellent, though not perfect movie, and I'd definitely recommend seeing it on the big screen.

Favorite Line: The whole "Pretend I'm Merida" bit.


Verdict: Go see it.
Grey Travel Rating: 4/5
Animation: 5/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Acting: 5/5
Objectionable Content: Men's bare buttocks are shown, mostly as humor, and a woman hides a key in her bosom.

Americans for Foreigners

by Norman Rockwell

Alright, so maybe I'm a little prejudiced. I am, after all, American. But I felt a need to explain. It's all fun and games to read the stereotypes of different countries. Until it's you.
I was flipping through "The Xenophobe's Guide to Americans"--just for fun--and I couldn't help but feel a little...insulted.

And I thought I'd better bust some myths about us.
(Note: This is just me. I can't vouch for every American.)


1. "Americans are loud, brash, and juvenile"

Not all Americans are alike. I'm sorry to say, but we're not. We have a national identity, of course--Land of the Free, Home of the Brave. But some of us are quiet and reserved while some of us are outgoing. We're all from different walks of life. Someone who lives in New York is vastly different from someone who lives in Arizona, and they're both vastly different from someone who lives in Minnesota. And yet we're all linked by the freedoms we have.
As for "loud and brash and juvenile"--yes, some of us are. Of course, the book also claimed that all Americans say they're different/better than the others, so maybe foreigners wouldn't believe me if I told them that I know lots of brash and materialistic Americans, but I also know many intelligent Americans who think before they speak.
What others call being loud and informal we call being friendly and outgoing. And though some of us form quick attachments to other people, a lot of us are more cautious in making friends. It takes time to really know someone.

2. "Americans are sloppy"

What foreigners call "sloppy" we call "comfortable". We don't go for stuffy and stiff. We didn't have five-hundred years of aristocracy to give us that. We wear what's comfortable, though I would like to point out that we dress up for important events like graduations and job interviews.
 And, no, we're not all fat. Some of us only eat out at restaurants five times a year, believe it or not. And yes, impolite people are looked down upon. It's very important to be polite in America. Although we couldn't care less which way to position the spoon on the plate after we're done with it. That's just not important. As long as you chew with your mouth closed, and don't interrupt someone, and be kind, you're polite.

3. "Americans don't travel much"

I know many people who travel to different countries. But the thing is, our own country is so varied and big that we travel here as well. And we love foreign travelers, and we love to talk to them about the world outside. Unfortunately, I know some Americans who, when traveling abroad, mistakenly think that everyone should speak English too. But they are not the rule.
Also, when we say "I'm Polish" or "I'm Italian", even though we never visited the country or spoken the language, we are simply describing our heritage. There is no need to explain that we are not literally Polish. That is quite obvious.

Beautiful Heartbreak

Watch this video.
It will change your life.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Quotes II

Picture by Courtney Godbey
"So young," he said finally, "to be fighting so many."

"We're not leaving," said Harry. "We need to get into Hogwarts."
"Don't be stupid, boy," said Aberforth.
"We've got to," said Harry.
"What you've got to do," said Aberforth, leaning forward, "is to get as far from here as you can."

"Why didn't he tell him to hide, then?" shot back Aberforth. "Why didn't he say to him, 'Take care of yourself, here's how to survive'?"
"Because," said Harry before Hermione could answer, "sometimes you've got to think about more than your own safety! Sometimes you've got to think about the greater good. This is war!"

"I don't know how to thank you. You've saved our lives twice."
"Look after 'em, then," said Aberforth gruffly. "I might not be able to save 'em a third time."

"We don't even know what we're looking for, we need them." And when Harry looked unconvinced, "You don't have to do everything alone, Harry."

"He can punish them. Couple of kids more or less, what's the difference?"
"Only the difference between truth and lies, courage and cowardice," said Professor McGonagall, who had turned pale, "a difference, in short, which you and your sister seem unable to appreciate."

"Not exac'ly what I mean, bu'--where's Ron and Hermione?"
"That," said Harry, "is a really good question."

"I can't pretend anymore. You've chosen your way, I've chosen mine."

"You cannot despise me more than I despise myself."
"But I don't despise you--"
"Then you should," said Dumbledore.

"Tell me one last thing," said Harry. "Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"
Dumbledore beamed at him, and his voice sounded loud and strong in Harry's ears even though the bright mist was descending again, obscuring his figure.
"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?"

"If you're not in Gryffindor, we'll disinherit you," said Ron, "but no pressure."

Books That Everyone Must Read

(Not necessarily in that order.)

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

The Bible

The Book of Mormon

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

The Little Prince by Antoine Saint-Exupéry

The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Songs That Everyone Must Hear

And the best news is, they're all clean!
(I wanted to mention Beethoven, or Tim McGraw, but it was difficult to chose just one of thier songs. So I reccomend all that they have.)

Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
The best song ever written. That is all.

Forbidden Friendship by John Powell
Undoubtedly the best song to be written for a soundtrack.

Life Left to Go by Safetysuit
Atmostpheric and beautiful.

Love is Here by Tenth Avenue North

Dare to Believe by Boyce Avenue

Requiem for a Dream (Remix) by Clint Mansell
Epic.

You and Me by Lifehouse

Adiemus by Carl Jenkins

What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

You are Loved by Josh Groban

Love Like Crazy by Lee Brice
Go to work,
do your best,
don't outsmart your common sense...

World Spins Madly On by The Weepies

Other Ways by Trevor Hall
One of those songs that make you feel like everything's gonna be fine.

The Blood of Cu Cuchlain by Mychael and Jeff Danna

Minstrel's Prayr by Cartel

Sumiregusa by Enya

Caliope Meets Frank by Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas

I Am His Daughter by Nicole Sheahan
He loves me the way I am,
he's my strength when I stand.
He is my king and my father,
I am his daughter. 

Don't Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin

Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros
Every time I listen to this the world suddenly looks beautiful...

Baba Yetu by Unknown (all I know is that it's not the Christopher Tin version)
The Lord's Prayer in Swahili. Have a link.

Eagle Eye End Title by Brian Tyler

Pana Po by Hans Zimmer and John Powell

Reverie by Ludovico Einaudi
Gorgeous and relaxing.