FACT

Under the Hays Code (1930-1968), people kissing in American films could no longer be horizontal; at least one had to be sitting or standing, not lying down. In addition, all on-screen married couples slept in twin beds...and if kissing on one of the beds occurred, at least one of the spouses had to have a foot on the floor.

(http://rainbowbrite2200.xanga.com/712874279/kissing-facts/ and htttp://facts.randomhistory.com/2009/01/22_kissing.html )

Stereotypes in Disney

The first article is one I actually stumbled on over the summer. I watched "Dumbo" with my siblings for old-time sake and found myself thinking, "HOLY CRAP?!"...for lack of a better term. The latter two I found during our "Mickey Mouse Monopoly" unit, before watching the documentary of the same name.

"The Disney Copyright" video is something my friend Rose's dad showed us "for kicks". This was after I wanted to show her the SNL skit, "Alladin and Jasmine's 10th Anniversary."

(Since only the script was a available online, we tried acting it out with the original, "Whole New World" song...Not nearly as authentic. Wish I had a video to share. >.>) Last, I found the end of "Mickey Mouse Monopoly" on YouTube, because I'm that much of a dork and didn't want to wait to watch the end.

-The 9 Most Racist Disney Characters (According to http://www.cracked.com/. I am in agreeance to many of these statements with a few exceptions. Sebastian is actually depicted as loyal, hardworking, and peristant in Disney's "The Little Mermaid." King Louie in "The Jungle Book" was voiced by a popular Italian singer.)

-A Blogged Response - to "The 9 Most Racist Disney Characters" (Raises a few excellent points, mainly the one regarding "The Little Mermaid" and "Jungle Book."

-6 Famous Characters You Didn't Know were Rip-offs (This references, The Lion King, which has many eerie similarities to the Japanese cartoon, "Kimba The White Lion." Too many, in my opinion, to be a coincidence. Further research on my part determined that "The Lion King" was originally a be a remake. My best guess is that when the rights to "Kimba" were lost, Disney was therefore unable to obtain them. Denying all prior knowledge of "Kimba" prevented them from scrapping the project. Claiming full credit for the box office hit was simply an added bonus. On a note completley unrelated to Disney, I feel calling Batman a rip-off of Zorro is a bit of a stretch....)

Ads

Thousands of over stimulating ads clamor for your attention when visiting popular websites. These windows are not limited to pop-ups and side panels, but in recent years have included talking Emoticions and interactive 'games'.

(You have GOT to be kidding me!)

The vast majority of these "free sites" require advertisements to bring a steady income. Ads can be tailored to your age demographic, interests, and hobbies every time you log in.

(Bandwagon approach. When has Marjory steered me wrong?)

(This ad was right on the money, no pun intended. I would love to try this product.)

Yet somehow "miracle" pills, supplements, and new workouts always reign supreme in my right panel.

(Personally, I would miss my chest.)

(I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but that doesn't sound physiologically possible.)

(Realistic American body type, recognizable room for healthy improvements, UNREALISTIC time table.)

All consumers could benefit through repetition of this old cliché: "If it's too good be to true, chances are, it is!" This statement is best applied to America's Weight Loss Industry. It's a proven fact that "diets" (in the traditional sense) do not work. Instead, research a "life style change." Alter your eating and exercises habits in a way that will improve your quality life, and only then will the weight loss stick. A good friend of mine with a weight problem has taken up biking. I enjoy walking for relaxation and transportation. Thought weight loss is neither typical, no guaranteed, myself and many of my friends are vegetarian. I also a know a couple of vegans.

Weight loss products keep the industry, as well as our economy, a float. Without weight or body image problems, America would have no NEED to buy these products. Therefore, one should not expect help from the very companies that rely on obesity. "Weight Watchers", for instance, can teach you the importance of portion control. However, it is dependent on repeat customers- and savy advertising. They market they're own food products at 5 "points" or less to ensure their members will buy them.

Standards of beauty change with the time and culture. Fifty years ago, this sort of ad may have graced our Facebook/Myspace panels.










(Supplied by The-F-Word at: http://the-f-word.org/blog/index.php/2009/04/22/vintage-weight-gain-advertisements/)

Intro

I will keep this blog between the months of September and January (2009-2010) for my Media Literacy course.


My primary objective is to post reflections and dissection of media (for a grade). Additionally, I will add weekly quotes or lyrics. The speakers are what Ms. Faust may refer to as II's. (Interesting Individuals). ^-^ I feel they are best described as celebrities that break the mold- in their own respective ways. These are artists that reshape our ideas about religion, media, feminine beauty, or society as a whole. My title itself is a tribute to Marilyn Manson.

"The burden of originality is one that most people don't want to accept. They'd rather sit in front of the TV and let that tell them what they're supposed to like, what they're supposed to buy, and what they're supposed to laugh at."

(Photo property of http://www.gothmagazine.com/ )