WHY THE RAMONA AND BEEZUS MOVIE MEANS SO MUCH TO ME

I recently rewatched the movie Ramona and Beezus for about the millionth time, and was reminded of just how much I love it. I think it's one of the most rewatchable movies I've ever seen. 

In case you've never seen it... based on the Beezus and Ramona books by Beverly Cleary, it's about 9-year-old Ramona Quimby, who tries her best to help her family and be herself but always seems to get into trouble. Her older sister Beezus (the nickname accidentally given to Beatrice when Ramona was a baby) doesn't always help much either- of course she and Ramona love each other, but it seems Ramona's always getting on Beezus's nerves.

Even though this movie seems like just a cutesy, feel-good family film... it means so much more than that to me. And today I want to talk about why I love it so much. 

First of all, it's about family. It highlights the cozy, special times that families have together, and takes me back to my childhood. I love being at home, and this movie embodies that safe, beautiful feeling of being in the four walls of your home making memories with people you love. (And the Quimby family is ridiculously likeable- I absolutely love every member, and of course Aunt Bea and Uncle Hobart. You couldn't have asked for a better cast.)

also Ginnifer Goodwin looks sooo pretty in this movie

Have you ever gotten that feeling when something happens that's really simple, but for some reason, so very beautiful and special? And you long to experience it again the next time there's a chance, but there's just no planning these moments. They fall into place and you don't know when they'll come again. Maybe I'm the only one who really takes note of these things... but it's one of my favorite things ever. Like... when it snows and you're watching movies with your sisters and maybe you've done it a million times before, but for whatever reason this time there was just this feeling that you wish you could capture and hold onto forever. I don't know if this makes sense at all, because I can't really put it into words. 

But to me, that's what this whole movie feels like. From Ramona and Howie playing in the hole in her house, to Ramona drawing the biggest picture in the world with her dad while home sick from school, to Ramona and Beezus arguing at home alone until something happens that brings them together and makes them stop fighting. It's just like a chain of those moments that are so bittersweet, you wish you could relive them, because you feel like you might not ever get that feeling again. 

I was a teenager when I first watched it, but after a while I realized just how much I related to Ramona. As the youngest child, I often felt the same way she did. (she does have a baby sister in the movie, but she clearly hasn't been around very long, and Ramona still seems very much the youngest child.) She honestly reminds me so much of how I was when I was a kid.

She has big ideas that don't work out. Her fashion sense is similar to how I would have dressed at that age. (and hers is honestly better- one time my mom let me leave the house in a red turtleneck, a yellow vest, and a black bejewelled sock cap. I still can't get over how horrendous I didn't realize I looked.) She tries to do grown-up things and help out but is stopped by her big sister and others telling her that she can't. 

Honestly? I'm having a hard time putting how much this movie means into words, because I guess it's hard putting your feelings into words. There were a whole lot of times as a kid when I felt lonely and unneeded, just like Ramona did. My siblings were all so much older than me that I had trouble relating to them, and it seemed they never wanted to do the things I wanted to do. I couldn't seem to grow up fast enough, because then maybe I'd be seen and fit in with the rest of my family. 

One scene in particular really hits hard- when Ramona falls through the attic floor and causes a big scene in the middle of her family's open house. Her dad tells her, "It's time to grow up!" and she says, "Can't you see I'm trying?!" To which her dad responds, "You need to try harder!" 

Now, her dad is fantastic and he obviously didn't mean to hurt her. But words like that do hurt. I've been there. My whole life, it seems. Being the youngest, and having most of the important people in your life in different seasons than you, is hard, and I think sometimes people in those situations are treated a little unfairly. 

At the end there's a scene where Ramona decides she's going to run away. (has every kid has this thought at least once in their lives? I know I did, though I never in a million years would have had the guts to do it. xD) Her mom walks in on her packing her suitcase and decides to help her out, then puts a scarf on her, makes her promise to write, and sends her out the door all alone. Ramona then walks down her street crying, a poignant Taylor Swift song starts playing, and my heart breaks for this poor little girl. 

Long story short  (spoiler alert, if you haven't seen it), she ends up at the bus station realizing that her mom packed her suitcase with heavy items so she wouldn't be able to go very far, and her family is right behind her in the car. The following reunion is possibly one of the most heartwarming movie scenes I've ever watched. The family share a hug and Mrs. Quimby says "I'd be just lost without my Ramona." 

And Ramona realizes just how much she's loved and needed by her family. Something every child should be assured of. 

I don't really know what else I can say. But this movie is just SUCH  beautiful, relatable representation of what it's like to be a kid, and be frustrated, and try your hardest only for things to go wrong. It's a soft, homey movie that reminds you how special it is to be little and make carefree memories with your family, and makes you want to go back to those days. It shows that kids can be unhappy even when their life and family seem perfect, and that everyone needs to be reminded that they're loved and given a bit of extra affection now and then. 

I wish I could say exactly how this movie makes me feel, but I suppose that's why it's so special to me- it just strikes something deep within me that I can't explain, and perhaps nobody else feels quite the same way. But this movie will forever be one of my favorite comfort movies- perhaps my favorite, as I've watched it time and time again- and I love it so much. < 3

Don't you just love those movies that give you warm fuzzies and that you could watch once a week and never tire of? This was kind of a different post, but I knew when I rewatched this movie the other day that it was something I wanted to talk about. I hope you guys enjoyed it! < 3

AND hey, a heads up: there won't be a post next week, because... *deep breath* I'LL BE AT REALM MAKERS!! I have NO idea how it's already here, but I'm so excited! (Prayers would be appreciated- particularly for my critique appointment I'm stressing about for no reason.) 

ALSO, even if you're not attending the conference in-person or virtually, the Realm Awards ceremony is being streamed live for the public! So, if you're interested in watching, I believe it'll be available on their Facebook page. (I don't think you would need a Facebook account to watch?) You might catch a glimpse of me in my costume (which has not yet been disclosed to you ;)), or my story "The Hero of Parker City" being read off as a Flash Fiction finalist! (which still hasn't quite sunk in, I don't think? *gulps*)

ANYWAY, I hope you all are having a fantastic July so far, and I can't wait to see some of you at Realm Makers!! *CONFETTI*

What are some of your favorite comfort movies? Have you seen Ramona and Beezus? Is there a movie that you relate to deeply? And if you're a veteran Realmie- any advice for a first-time attendee? 

TEN OF THE SADDEST MOVIE SCENES EVER

Sad movie scenes. We hate them, we love them. They're the parts we dread when we sit down to watch

a movie, yet at the same time we have a morbid desire for a story to make us weep. 

Because apparently I have nothing better to talk about this week than heart-rending movie moments, today I'm sharing some of the scenes that I find the saddest- and maybe even make me cry. Grab your tissues, y'all, because let me tell you I almost teared up just writing parts of this. xD (not to be confused with the times I rewatched some of these scenes on YouTube, wherein I DID cry)

Spoiler alerts! Just in case any of you guys haven't seen the scenes I'll be talking about, here the movies I'm referencing: 

-Cinderella (2015)
-The Amazing Spider-man 2
-Return of the King
-Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
-Black Beauty (1994)
-Tinker Bell and the Legend of the Neverbeast
-The Lion King
-Avengers: Infinity War
-The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
-Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
-Up
-Bridge to Terabithia
-The Hunger Games
-Tangled

(Each movie is listed in bold before every spoiler, so feel free to just skip to the next one. Be warned, though: there are some spoilerish gifs.) 

CINDERELLA (2015) - The branch

This scene just breaks my heart. Ella runs to the door all excited because she thinks she's about to get a letter from her father who's away, but instead... she receives the news that he's died. 

But the part that gets me is when the man delivering the news gives her the gift she requested of her father back when he left- the first branch that brushed his shoulder on his travels. When she asked for this odd gift, she said she wanted it because it would mean that when it came back to her, he would be with it. 

Now, she silently mourns her father while trying to appear strong, while her stepsisters are only mourning the lace and parisols they didn't get, and just like that, her life starts to slowly crumble. 

Excuse me while I weep for Ella because :( The poor precious girl. (Honestly, the first good bit of this movie makes me want to cry because I just feel so bad for her.)

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 - The clocktower

Peter spends this whole movie trying to protect Gwen, trying to keep her out of his superhero endeavors because he doesn't want her hurt. He already feels responsible for her father's death, and he desperately wants to keep the same from happening to Gwen. Before the fight with Harry at the end, he even webs Gwen's hand to a car to keep her from following him. But she ends up following him anyway, and... well, you know what happens next. 

It's so close. It seems like Peter's web catches her just in the nick of time, but... he's a breath too late, and he can't save her. 

This is so heartbreaking to me, because Peter tried SO hard to protect Gwen. I don't recall a moment in this movie where he does anything to put her in danger; usually in a movie I feel the death would somehow have ended up being his fault, even after all his previous efforts to protect her... but he really did do his best. In the end, it was her choice to follow him, but that doesn't keep him from feeling guilty. This scene feels so realistic (other than the whole, you know, superhero thing), which adds to the sadness of it. And Peter's reaction just... *sniffles* SO sad.

RETURN OF THE KING - "...here at the end of all things"

Don't be fooled, there are MANY more than just one moment in this movie that rip my heart out. But this one... oh man. When Frodo and Sam are on the rock in the lava after destroying the Ring, and they start talking about the Shire... oh. my. goodness. I'm literally about to die typing this because IT'S JUST SO SAAAAD. These poor precious little hobbits having just been through SO much, and now they're longing for home, but they know that they won't be returning... *insert ugly cry here* And for some reason, the part that REALLY gets me here is when Sam mentions Rosie and says, "If ever I was to marry someone, it would've been her. It would've been her!"

SAM MY POOR SAD BOY. *CRIES* I LITERALLY CAN'T STAND IT. PLEASE SEND A STRETCHER BECAUSE I AM DEAD. 

SPIRIT: STALLION OF THE CIMARRON - "You Can't Take Me"

I think this was the first movie that ever made me cry. Not the first time I watched it, but now I always tear up during this part, when Spirit is being dragged away from his herd by the cowboys. The music, Spirit's desperation to escape... and then his friend the eagle swoops down looking so sad and concerned and... I just can't. IT'S SO SAD, GUYS. probably gonna go cry myself to sleep now HOW did they make me feel so much emotion over an animated horse??

Honestly, this whole movie makes me want to cry, but it's mostly just nostalgia. xD

BLACK BEAUTY (1994) - Ginger

This is another one that's pretty sad all the way through. Even the non-heartbreaking parts are a bittersweet kind of sad, as you see Black Beauty going from home to home and you just want to see him find a forever family and be happy. The part when Ginger leaves to go to a new home is sad enough.

But then you get to the scene when Black Beauty sees Ginger in the packed city, and she's overworked and sad and mistreated and nothing but a shell of the vibrant friend he used to know. Again, I don't know how they had any business making me feel this way over a horse, but my GOODNESS. Seeing his old friend in her condition, and remembering how she used to be... and then later seeing her body... it's just so awful.

(listen, I was doing okay and then I remembered the part at the end of the movie when Black Beauty is reminiscing, and goes back to the golden days when he and Ginger and Merrylegs were together and happy and life was good... actual tears in my eyes. not okay.)

TINKER BELL AND THE LEGEND OF THE NEVERBEAST - Gruff's goodbye

I never thought I'd put a Tinker Bell movie on a list like this... but the end of this movie, where Fawn and the fairies are getting the Neverbeast ready for his thousand-year sleep... my goodness. I do believe I just about teared up when I watched it. It was so bittersweet, seeing all the fairies tenderly tucking Gruff in, so to speak, knowing that they would never see him again. It honestly felt like saying goodbye to a pet who has died, and since I've been through that multiple times, perhaps that's why it struck my heart so deeply.

THE LION KING - The stampede

Do I even need to explain? 

I'm pretty sure this movie caused trauma in many children's movie-watching experience back the in the day. I couldn't NOT include it on this list. Funnily enough, I don't really cry during THIS scene (though I cry for like half of the rest of the movie xD)... but the rest of the parts that make me emotional are BECAUSE of this scene. When Simba sings "I Just Can't Wait to be King", it saddens me because he doesn't realize what he's saying- to be king he has to lose his father- and because he doesn't realize that he'll be losing his father much sooner than he ever thought he would. 

(This movie is just so beautiful. It literally gets better every time I watch it.)

INFINITY WAR - The dusting

Again... do I really have to explain? 

I could really bunch this scene into the first part of Endgame, because it all just tore me up. When it was revealed that five years had passed... O_O Excuse me, but you are not allowed to play with my heart like this. 

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA- THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER - Coming home

Prince Caspian almost made this list, too. (the song along makes it worthy my goodness) But for me, the ending of Dawn Treader edges out a bit in the way of sadness. Because even though we've already been through it once with Peter and Susan leaving Narnia for good... Lucy and Edmund having to say goodbye is so much worse. The goodbye scene is heartbreaking- leaving Reepicheep, and Caspian, and Aslan. But then when they're back in their room, and the water is all gone, and the painting is still... and you see the sad, sad looks on their faces... *deep breath* It's just... so sad. Seeing Peter and Susan have to leave is terrible (especially knowing what happens with Susan later), but there's just something so wrong about knowing that Lucy can't go back. 

The fact that this was the last movie just makes this worse. Even if they make more movies later, it will just never be the same. (and yes I will forever be bitter about this)

STAR WARS REVENGE OF THE SITH - Order 66

*sniffles*

This whole MOVIE could be on this list. Watching Obi-Wan and Anakin's friendship slowly fall apart- seeing Anakin fall completely apart while Padme helplessly watches- it's just so heartbreaking. But I had to pick one specific moment to go on this list, and I think Order 66 is a big one. When Obi-Wan and Commander Cody are talking like friends, and then Obi-Wan leaves and the Empereror initiates Order 66... and then everything turns. Everything's downhill from there. The clone troopers that were allies literally seconds ago are suddenly enemies, and the Jedi are about to be vanquished. Obi-Wan barely escapes in time, and you know he'll never be the same after that. 

HONORABLE MENTIONS

These honorable mentions aren't necessarily any less sad. But for me, personally, they maybe just didn't have quite the same effect as some of the others on the list, or I haven't seen them as much as others so I haven't had my heart ripped out by them quite as many times. Enjoy. xD

UP - Ellie

No explanation necessary. Every Pixar fan in the world knows how heartbreaking this is. 

BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA - Leslie

I've only seen this movie once, but I remember how truly heartbreaking this death was. The whole movie was so much different from what I expected it to be, and I certainly didn't expect it to end the way it did. 

TANGLED - "You were my new dream"

OKAY TANGLED BEING AN HONORABLE MENTION ON ANY LIST SEEMS WRONG TO ME, I KNOW. BUT I guess simply because we know that Flynn actually survives, this part doesn't hit QUITE as hard as it could have. BUT IT STILL HITS PLENTY HARD, DON'T MISUNDERSTAND ME. The "You were my new dream"?? TEARS. UGH. 

THE HUNGER GAMES - Rue

There are so many deaths in The Hunger Games, and it seems obvious that Rue's would be on a list of sad scenes. I think what makes it so sad is the way it affects Katniss. She knows how awful the Hunger Games are; she knows how tragic it is that twelve-year-old CHILDREN are slaughtered every year for the Capitol's entertainment. But what makes this scene so heartbreaking is that it's like it really hits home for Katniss. She's right there, in the middle of it; she sees an innocent young girl murdered in cold blood right before her eyes. She realizes it could have been her sister. And here she is, out here in the wilderness, trying to protect her family, and she feels so helpless and vulnerable. *hugs my poor Katniss*

RETURN OF THE KING - The Grey Havens

BY NO MEANS. BY NOOO MEANS is this an honorable mention because it's any less sad than literally ANYTHING else on this list. When Frodo leaves the Shire (leaves SAM NOO) to go the Grey Havens... and Into the West starts playing... I... I... I... 

-please hold while emily reloads-

Yeah. This scene is plenty sad enough. I only put it on the honorable mentions for the sake of not having two scenes from the same movie on the official list. xD 

Well, guys, have I got you sufficiently depressed yet? Because I sort of feel that way, after coming up with all these scenes and then writing a post about it. xD Also, the number of times I used the word "heartbreaking" in this post is ridiculous and I'm sorry. Ehehe.

ALSO, you've probably noticed- It's Thursday! I mean, obviously. BUT I'm actually going to be posting on Thursdays from now on, instead of Saturdays. I've been posting on Saturdays for a while now, but I really prefer posting in the morning, and most of the time I end up procrastinating and getting the post up either Saturday evening or Sunday morning. I finally realized, hey, this isn't working, so I'm changing it up. xD (I started out on this blog posting on Thursdays, and honestly it feels a bit like coming home.)

You might also have noticed that my URL changed! Keep an eye for some more changes around here! Nothing huge, but I'm excited about them!

So, which of these scenes do you think was the saddest? What sad movie scenes would you add to the list? (give a spoiler warning in your comment, please xD) 

RAMBLINGS ABOUT DISNEY PRINCESSES AND STRONG FEMALE CHARACTERS

 Hey everyone, and HAPPY OCTOBER!! 

*throws leaves everywhere*

I'm so excited that October is here! I'm readyyy for those cooler temperatures. I would like to wear sweaters every day, please and thank you. in case I've never mentioned it before fall is my favorite season and I like it a little okay a lot

So, today's post is probably going to be somewhat rambly and disjointed... but hey, that's how I roll so we'll go with it. It's sort of less like one post and more like two mini-posts in one, if that makes sense? XD

Basically, I had two ideas but didn't know if I wanted to expand them into two separate posts AND I also wanted to get all these thoughts out before I forgot them. So. Here you have it. xD

get ON with it emily what the heck is this post even about

I mentioned last week that I watched the live-action Aladdin for the first time, and also rewatched Cinderella. I also said I might write posts about them and, well, here you have it. Two posts in one. You're welcome.

When I watched Aladdin, the part that stood out to me the most was "Speechless". 

First of all, the song and scene are just downright awesome. Naomi Scott is a fantastic singer, the scene is visually gorgeous, and the song is so powerful. 

But what spoke to me in particular? 

To state the obvious, it's an inspiring song- whether it challenges you personally to speak out about your faith, or all the things happening in the world, or simply to stand up for yourself in a situation. Whatever it is you're facing, whatever you feel speechless about, the lyrics are an encouragement to find your voice and not be silent when it matters most. 

I won't be silenced

You can't keep me quiet

Won't tremble when you try it

All I know is I won't go speechless

'Cause I'll breathe

When they try to suffocate me

Don't you underestimate me

All I know is I won't go speechless

Your voice is important. Don't just sit back and watch other people do all the work and silently agree with them. You don't have to be loud. You don't even have to take every opportunity to speak. Not everyone is called to use their voice in the same way. But in a world where so many voices scream lies and corruption, I think it's important that we find the way God wants us to add our voice. This song was a fantastic reminder of that.  

But what stood out the most to me about this scene is what happened after the song. 

After such a powerful, triumphant anthem, you would expect something big to happen. Something worthy of fireworks and unfurling flags. But what actually happened was so much  more powerful than any of that would have been.

Jasmine didn't start a revolution. She didn't deliver a rousing freedom speech to a cheering crowd. She didn't even confront the enemy directly. She didn't kick Jafar's tail with her unexpected karate skills. All she did was speak up. To one man. To a friend. She asked her father's soldier to do what was right. 

She didn't singlehandedly take down Jafar. There was no screaming. No demanding. No showdown. Just a girl asking for help. 

*cue the feminists forming an angry mob to take me down* Say what you want, but I think that's incredibly powerful. Everybody wants to see that "strong female character" who don't need no man to save her. She can save herself and the world and look good doing it! But you know what?? Being strong does not mean never asking for help. And asking for help does not mean you're not strong. And I think it's extremely important to realize that, because what happens when the little girls who are looking up to all these "strong female characters", find themselves in a situation where they actually need help? The world and the media has told them that they can do anything, so they definitely shouldn't ask for help, right? I could go off on this for a while, but I won't. At least not today. But I loved that Jasmine's moment of triumph was quiet, subtle- but not any less strong.

And now for the not-so-smooth transition into Cinderella

After watching Aladdin, I watched this fanmade music video (I shared it last week but I'll put it here again in case you missed it):

   

I loved it, and every second was fantastic. But a couple things in particular stood out to me.  

First, during this line of the song: "Let the storm in// I cannot be broken...", we see Ella dancing around her attic in circles. This was such a beautiful moment, one that fills me with admiration and quiet honestly gives me chills. Though Ella was enduring awful circumstances, she still somehow found joy and didn't allow herself to be broken.

 After that, I wanted to see Cinderella again, so I watched it with my sisters. You know how it is when you watch a movie or something and you like it, but it doesn't quite strike a chord with you yet? Don't let me wrong, I always loved the movie. But I remember when it first came out, people talking about what an amazing character Ella was, and how she was unlike other "strong female characters" yet was one of the best. While I found no reason to disagree with these things, I just never found myself stirred in the same way. 

This time hit different, as the cool kids are saying. I was struck with how patient, and kind, and strong Ella was. "Have courage and be kind", indeed. Ella was treated so, so unfairly by her stepfamily, yet she always continued to be kind to them. Not once did she have an ugly attitude or stoop to their level. 

My other favorite part of that video? The ending. When Ella turns around, looks at her stepmother, and says, "I forgive you."

Another quiet moment of triumph and strength. Forgiveness isn't weakness, either. What makes me appreciate this moment so much was a book I read a year or so ago. It was sort of a reimagining/sequel for the Cinderella story, taking place after the traditional fairy tale ends. I liked the book but didn't love it, because I had a really hard time liking the main character Ella. She made it no secret how much she despised her stepfamily, and was pretty hateful to her stepmother in at least one scene. Listen, I get that they were hateful to her. I get that they deserved every bit of hatred she may have had for them. But reading that book, I just kept thinking, The Ella from the movie wouldn't have done that. Clearly this Ella's mother didn't share the "Have courage and be kind" memo with her. 

And so that one simple moment of forgiveness in the movie is so beautiful. The whole movie is so well done, and to be honest I kind of already want to watch it again. 

*takes a deep breath* Okay, so that was super all over the place and rambly. But stories that stir our hearts need to be talked about, right? And I've come forward from watching these movies inspired to use my voice, inspired to be kind and not lose my light in a world of darkness. 

Let's all be challenged to speak truth into a society that will discard us if we don't agree with it. Let's show kindness to those who don't deserve it. Let's use the love and joy that Jesus has given us to shine light when our circumstances suggest that it's impossible. 

Friends, I hope you can find encouragement in these words, too. This world needs people willing to have courage and be kind, and not remain speechless.