Songs I Love by Non-American Artists

So...it's the Fourth of July. Today is the day when I should be decked in red, white, and blue, screaming "Party in the USA" at the top of my lungs, and celebrating America and everything it stands for. But truth be told, I don't think I've ever been more disappointed in my country. Of course, the biggest factor in this disappointment is due to the police brutality and racism flooding through America, but there's also the stupidity of many Americans regarding the pandemic we're in. Idiots have made wearing a mask into a political debate and refused to wear them, meaning that the number of COVID cases has skyrocketed. The number of new COVID cases is going down in just about every other country, but not in the US because people are stupid and careless. Frankly, with everything that's going on, I'm infuriated with my country and I'm really not in the mood to celebrate its "greatness." Instead, I've compiled a playlist of songs by artists I love who aren't from America. No limitations regarding genre or anything, although I kept it at one song per artist for diversity's sake. I do kind of feel bad that most of these artists are from the same few countries, but the point is that they're not from the US. 

THE AMERICAS/OCEANIA

Exactly what it sounds like: these artists are from North, Central, or South America. Just not the USA. However, I did have a few songs by artists from Australia and New Zealand that I wanted to highlight, but they didn't really fit into the other two sections. So here they are!

1. "Estoy Aquí" by Shakira

Colombian singer Shakira is one of the most famous singers in the world. She and Jennifer Lopez performed the halftime show at the Super Bowl this year, and according to the Los Angeles Times' Agustin Gurza, she was "the first artist of the rock en español generation to become a star in the U.S." I specifically chose "Estoy Aquí" (meaning "I'm Here" in English) because I had to listen to it a lot in my sophomore year Spanish class. We translated the lyrics and were amused to learn that despite the fact that it sounds very upbeat and happy, the lyrics are actually quite sad. In this song, Shakira's not over her ex and it's driving her crazy. I love songs where the musical tone contrasts with the lyrics. I also really like the "fotos y cuadernos" part where she sings really fast. 

2. "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee (and not Justin Bieber)

I'm kind of disappointed that I only have two Latin songs here, considering how much Latin music has taken over. I should probably listen to more Latin music. Oh well. At this rate, "Despacito" is one of the most famous songs of all time, with the music video coming close to 7 billion views. Both Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee are from Puerto Rico, and "Despacito" musically reflects that heritage, featuring the Puerto Rican national instrument, the cuatro, in its intro. The song broke barriers, becoming inescapable the world over and allowing for other Spanish-language songs to become world-famous. I mostly like it because of how catchy and summery it is, and also because the "This Is So Sad Alexa Play Despacito" meme will forever make me laugh. Also, I guess I could put the Justin Bieber remix here, since he is Canadian, but I don't like his parts of it. 

3. "In Your Eyes" by The Weeknd

I've been a casual fan of the Canadian R&B singer The Weeknd, but even with that, the songs from his latest album After Hours have blown me away. "Blinding Lights" is probably my favorite song of the year so far, and "In Your Eyes" is on par with it. It has more of the 80s disco elements that made "Blinding Lights" so irresistible for me, but it differs itself from "Blinding Lights" by having a saxophone solo in the outro. More songs need sax solos. Guitar solos are cool, but sax solos are more unique, so I prefer them. I would love this song on its own, but the sax solo puts it over the top.

4. "Want You in My Room" by Carly Rae Jepsen

Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen is best known for the world-conquering "Call Me Maybe." While she hasn't had anything as popular as that song since, she's only gotten stronger as an artist. Carly doesn't try to do anything crazy or experimental, she's just committed to making pop music, and making it right. "Want You in My Room" is pretty sexual lyrically, but sonically, it's a euphoric, 80s-influenced piece of bubblegum pop. Carly sounds adorable, especially when she says "baby, don't you want me too?" and her enthusiasm is contagious. The song was co-written and produced by Jack Antonoff, formerly of the band fun. The song features some fun little vocoder interjections from him, as well as a great sax solo at the end. 

5. "Find Your Love" by Drake

Drake is probably the single most successful artist of the past decade, for better or for worse. Drake's biggest problem is that he favors quantity over quality. He frequently releases overlong albums/mixtapes/playlists/whatever he calls them, and they're very mediocre. He knows that whatever he releases will rocket to the top of the charts, so he cares more about charting records than actually making good music. However, when he actually feels like trying, he can make a really great song. My two favorite Drake songs are "Hold On, We're Going Home" and "Nice For What," but I've already talked about those a lot, so I chose "Find Your Love" instead. My favorite Drake songs are usually the ones when he sings and focuses less on trying to be a tough, macho badass, because I think those songs tend to fit him more. (He is, after all, a Jewish kid from the suburbs of Toronto who first got famous on Degrassi. Not the first thing I think of when I hear the word "intimidating." "Find Your Love" is sort of the precursor to "Hold On, We're Going Home," and although I prefer the latter due to its more polished production, I still enjoy "Find Your Love." Drake sounds really smooth and it's just a nice song to listen to. 

6. "In My Blood" by Shawn Mendes

I feel like at first, Shawn Mendes was supposed to be, like, the new Justin Bieber. They're both Canadian and they both got discovered on social media at a young age. However, Shawn has definitely broken out from that mold. "In My Blood," the lead single for his 2018 self-titled album, is a pop-rock song that is reminiscent of the band Kings of Leon. This song means a lot to me since it's specifically about Shawn's struggles with anxiety. In 2018, right around the time this song came out, I was having really bad anxiety, so I related to it. I really connected to the lyrics and to the desperation in Shawn's voice, especially when he sings "I need somebody now." I don't love every Shawn Mendes song, but this one will always have a place in my heart. 

7. "Desperado" by Rihanna

Honestly, what is there to say about Rihanna that hasn't already been said? Originally hailing from Barbados, this multi-hyphenate has 14 number one singles, nine Grammys, and an estimated net worth of $600 million to her name. Since she's been busy with non-musical endeavors (most notably her hugely successful Fenty Beauty cosmetics line), she hasn't released new music since 2016. However, her 2016 album Anti featured some of her best work to date. "Desperado" has a brooding, almost old Western vibe to it that is unlike anything Rihanna's ever done. It's smoky, dark, and all-around satisfying for me. 

8. "No Shame" by 5 Seconds of Summer

Now we get to the Australian side of things with 5 Seconds of Summer. I've really loved what 5 Seconds of Summer have been doing lately. I used to hate them since I thought they tried too hard to be "punk," but lately it seems like they've embraced their pop sides. I know selling out is usually looked down upon, but I actually think the poppier songs work really well for the band. "No Shame" isn't total bubblegum, but it's really catchy. My favorite part is the prechorus, the "go on and light me like a cigarette" section. 

9. "Ribs" by Lorde

Lorde's 2013 breakout single, "Royals" was a shock to the system of pop music, as suddenly this teenager from New Zealand was the biggest, most influential name in music. After this song, we saw a lot more minimal, moodier songs topping the charts. The thing about Lorde is that when "Royals" first came out, my mom hated it and would always complain about how much she hated it. As a result, I sort of felt like I had to hate it too, and I had always harbored a weird bias against Lorde that I never really got over. It was stupid and petty and wrong. But then I heard "Ribs" in a random TikTok, liked what I had heard, decided to check out the whole song, and I can now say that I'm completely, 100% over my stupid bias. This is probably the most relatable song I've ever heard, and also one of the best. Considering that it's about Lorde's fear of getting older, it's definitely a song I need in my life at this point in time. I've just graduated high school and am getting ready to go to college, so Lorde's lyrics, specifically "I've never felt more alone, it feels so scary, getting old" really resonate with me. "Ribs" is poignant, nostalgic, and extremely relatable. I can tell it will resonate with me for a long time. 

10. "Riptide" by Vance Joy

This song, by Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy, is one of those songs that will never get old for me. I don't listen to it every day, but whenever I hear it, it's a treat. I've always wanted to learn to play the ukulele (it's like a guitar, but smaller and cuter!) and this song is almost entirely the reason why. It's just so laid-back and has always screamed "lazy summer day" to me. I also really love the lyrics. They're kind of a random mishmash of words, but it works for me, especially the opening lyrics of "I was scared of dentists and the dark/I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations." It's such an interesting way to start the song. 

EUROPE:

Most of these songs are from British artists, which I knew would be the case. We cannot possibly overstate the invaluable contributions to music given to us by the Brits. Some of the most iconic bands of all time, such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Queen, and the goddamn Beatles all hailed from the UK. However, my selections are all going to be pretty modern. There's nothing wrong with those classic rock bands, I'm just not as familiar with them as I should be. 

11. "Touch" by Little Mix

Little Mix haven't really broken through into the US, but they're still the biggest girl group in the world (excluding kpop). They formed on the UK's version of The X Factor and were the first group to win. Although their songs can be hit or miss, I do really like these girls. All four of them are amazing singers and they harmonize so well. "Touch" is one of my favorite songs by them because it's just a really solid pop track. It has a great chorus and the girls' vocals and harmonies are spot-on. It doesn't try to be anything more than an excellent pop song, and sometimes, that's all I need. 

12. "Love Again" by Dua Lipa

British pop star Dua Lipa has had a great year so far. Her song "Don't Start Now" was released at the tail end of 2019 and became her biggest hit in early 2020. She also released her second album Future Nostalgia this March, which was a commercial and critical success. Just like the title implies, the songs from the album are a great blend of older disco elements with more modern pop. The album's three singles, "Don't Start Now," "Physical," and "Break My Heart" were all great, but I'd love to see the album track "Love Again" become a single at some point. The song is built around a trumpet motif from the song "Your Woman" by White Town, which is a really catchy hook. I also adore the disco-style strings and the theme of how a new significant other can make you believe in love again. 

13. "Ride It" by Regard

"Ride It" was originally a song by the British singer Jay Sean, best known for the 2009 song "Down." It was originally released in 2008, but then the Kosovan DJ Regard remixed it in 2019. The remix then blew up on TikTok. The original song is very of-its-time 2000s R&B, but the remix turns it into a house song. I definitely prefer the remix, as it's faster and more upbeat. It's another one of those songs that I can just imagine listening to as I drive through a big city at night. I also think it's interesting how instead of pitching the vocals up, they're lowered. I almost always hate chipmunk vocals, but funnily enough, I don't mind deepened vocals at all. I actually think TikTok has been really beneficial for popular music, as it's made songs like "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X, "The Box" by Roddy Ricch, and "Savage" by Megan Thee Stallion become number one hits, and it's helped me discover songs like "Ride It" and the aforementioned "Ribs." 

14. "Desire" by Years & Years ft. Tove Lo

This one's another remix. The original song is just by the English synthpop band Years & Years, but the remix features the Swedish singer Tove Lo. Years & Years are known for mixing R&B with 90s house music, and this song is a great example of that. It sounds like something you'd hear in a dark, underground club in some indie movie. I really like the remix featuring Tove Lo. I think she has a really underrated, unique voice, and she elevates the track to the next level. Her interplay with the band's singer Olly Alexander is fantastic. 

15. "Watermelon Sugar" by Harry Styles

I don't really avidly listen to any male solo artists, but if I were to pick a favorite, it would probably be Harry Styles. I've only heard a handful of songs from him, but every single one of them has been fantastic. "Watermelon Sugar" is his current single, and it's probably my personal song of the summer, even though it came out last November. His music is more influenced by classic rock than many of his peers, which is great, since his naturally raspy voice is perfect for rock. This song also has some great horns that add to its vibrance. The only thing I have to say is, geez, what is it with Harry Styles and fruit? "Watermelon Sugar" mentions both watermelons (obviously) and strawberries, "Adore You" mentions strawberries and lemons, his self-titled album had a song called "Kiwi," and his most recent album, Fine Line, had a song called "Cherry." Does this man have some kind of fruit fetish?

16. "Robbers" by The 1975

The British band The 1975 is one of my favorite bands, even if I've only heard their first two albums. Their 80s-esque, groovy synth-pop-rock style just works for me. "Robbers" from their self-titled debut album has always been my favorite song of theirs, and it always will be an all-time favorite. The song tells a Bonnie and Clyde-esque story, criminals who are also lovers. The thing that makes this song stand out is the emotion in singer Matty Healy's voice. My favorite part is when he sings "Now everybody's dead, and they're driving past my old school." He more-or-less screams it and the imperfections in his voice make the song feel raw and personal. The lyrics also add to the beautifully tragic nature of the song. I love many other songs by this band, especially "Somebody Else," "Chocolate," and "The Sound," but "Robbers" has always been my favorite. 

17. "Magic" by Coldplay

Coldplay are probably the closest thing I have to a "favorite band." While I won't claim to be an obsessive fan, I will say that I like pretty much everything I've heard from them. I'd easily consider songs like "Viva la Vida," "Clocks," and especially "Fix You" to be some of my favorite songs of all time. "Magic" came out in 2014, but I'm just now starting to get into it. The thing I really like about Coldplay is how ethereal their music sounds, and that's certainly the case for "Magic." I'm not the biggest fan of the verses, mainly because I think the way Chris Martin sings "you" in this song is weird and I can't explain why. I mostly like this song for the way it sounds. It's more spare and minimalist than a lot of Coldplay's most famous songs, but it's still pretty, and the way the song flourishes at the bridge is stunning. 

18. "Castle On The Hill" by Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran is one of the biggest musicians in the world, especially at home in the UK. He's had some of the biggest hits of the decade, like "Shape of You," "Thinking Out Loud," and "Perfect." "Castle on the Hill" is probably my favorite song by him to date. This song is about Ed reminiscing about his youth and it has some fantastic storytelling lyrics. I listen to it and I'm transported to the places Ed talks about, singing off-key with my friends as we race down the country roads. The song reminds me of U2 sonically, especially "Where The Streets Have No Name," a song that I've grown up listening to. This more pop rock style is a great fit for Ed's soaring vocals, and I'd love if he made more songs like it in the future. 

19. "Do I Wanna Know" by Arctic Monkeys

The Arctic Monkeys were one of the first bands to come to prominence via the Internet, and they're one of the most successful British bands of the 21st century. I always known of this song, but I never really listened to it until about a month ago. To me, it's one of those songs that wasn't a chart-topping hit, but still lingers in the public consciousness. I think the entire reason for that is because of the guitar riff, which is just awesome. The song has a very psychedelic style to it that isn't like anything I normally listen to, but I like it. It makes me feel more edgy and alternative than I actually am.

20. "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol

"Chasing Cars" is the most famous song by the Scottish-Northern Irish alternative band Snow Patrol. According to the music licensing body PPL in 2019, the song was the most played song on UK radios in the 21st century. Here in the US, it's mostly famous for appearing in the show Grey's Anatomy. I've never watched Grey's, but it's one of my mom's favorite shows, so I know a lot of the music from it, and "Chasing Cars" is my favorite. It's magical. The production of this song is so serene and transcendent, and the lyrics are very sweet. This is the couple in the story I've been writing's "song." It just makes me want to fall in love. 

ASIA:

All of my songs from Asian artists are going to be kpop, and there's nothing you can do about it! What can I say, I'm on a major kpop kick. However, for the sake of variety, I'm not allowing myself to choose any song I have already talked about. That means I won't talk about any songs from Kpop Crash Course or my Twice album reviews, all of which can be found under the "kpop" tag! 

21. "Knock Knock" by Twice

Twice are my favorite kpop group, and it's not a contest. These nine girls are adorable and their songs are like a sugar rush. I've said before that I definitely prefer their later, more mature singles over their cutesy early work, but I still like a lot of their cutesy songs. "Knock Knock" is one of my favorites in this category. The funny thing is that I didn't necessarily love this song until really recently, when, oddly enough, I had it in my head the entire time I was watching the Avatar: The Last Airbender finale. I'm not sure why I had a cutesy bubblegum kpop song in my head as I watched something so intense, but I've grown to appreciate it because of that. "Knock Knock" is really cute and catchy, and the way Sana says the title of the song is adorable. 

22. "Playing With Fire" by Blackpink

This is my favorite Blackpink song, and it has been since I first heard it. It just has a different feeling from their other songs. It has the confidence and attitude of Blackpink's other songs, like "Ddu-du Ddu-du" and "Kill This Love," but it's not as hip-hop inspired as those two. It's more electropop-leaning, but it's not straight bubblegum either. The production is great (gotta love the piano in the intro!) and I feel like this sound works really well for the girls. Rosé sounds particularly good here, as this song makes an excellent use of her unique vocal tone. I also really love Lisa's rap verse. Her raps always seem to be my favorite part of every Blackpink song. 

23. "Not Today" by BTS

"Blood Sweat & Tears" is still my favorite BTS song, but "Not Today" is a very, very close second. Many of BTS's songs have a larger-than-life, explosive feeling to them, and that's absolutely the case for "Not Today." I can't even describe it, this song just feels massive. The lyrics are about persevering through whatever life throws at you. Combined with the larger-than-life production, I see this song as a call to arms for all the underdogs to rise up against hardships. When I hear this song, I envision them riding in on military tanks, ready to destroy everything in their path. I was a little disappointed that the music video didn't feature any tanks, but it was still a really good video. Even if you don't like their music, you have to admit that BTS videos always have exquisite cinematography and production values. 

24. "Shoot Me" by Day6

I first listened to Day6 for my Kpop Crash Course series. I loved their song "I Wait," and since they seemed like the Korean version of Fall Out Boy to me (that is not a dig at them, I love Fall Out Boy), I decided to check out some of their other work. I also really like "Days Gone By" for its The 1975-esque guitars, but "Shoot Me" is the one I've come back to the most. "Shoot Me" has a bombastic pop punk energy that I love, and the hooks are the best I've heard from the band. The "bang bang" in the chorus is so memorable and gets stuck in my head all the time. Day6 are great and I can't wait to listen to more of their work. 

25. "Automatic" by Red Velvet

Red Velvet continue to impress me with every song I hear from them, and this might be my favorite I've heard. It's a tough call, I really like all of the songs I've listened to from them. Red Velvet is known for their dual concept, with the "Red" half of their name representing more upbeat pop and the "Velvet" half representing more sophisticated R&B-influenced songs. This song is clearly part of the "Velvet" concept, being very sophisticated and sensual. Their vocals are very tightly harmonized, and the production is very minimal, yet does a good job at setting a seductive tone. 

26. "View" by SHINee

My favorite boy group I discovered from Kpop Crash Course was definitely SHINee. I only heard three songs from them, but I liked all of them, so I decided to listen to more of their songs. "View" was released in 2015, making it one of their more recent songs. The song was produced by LDN Noise, who also produced "4 Walls" by f(x), as well as the group's late vocalist Jonghyun. The production of this song is definitely similar to that of "4 Walls." They both have an upbeat deep house vibe and are great summer jams. 

27. "Move" by Taemin

It's pretty common for kpop group members to release music on their own. This doesn't mean they've permanently left the group. Sometimes, they just like to explore new sounds on their own. One example of this is with SHINee's Taemin, who started releasing solo music in 2016. I actually first heard his song "Move" when I saw Momo, Mina, Dahyun, and Chaeyoung from Twice cover it. Despite the fact that Twice are known for the whole cutesy thing, I think they pull off this dark, sensual concept really well, and I'd love to hear more songs like this from Twice, even if it's just a b-side. "Move" is a really slinky dance jam that I love no matter who's performing it. Taemin has also said that with this single, he wanted to break gender norms and find a middle ground between masculine and feminine choreography for the song. I think that's awesome. 

28. "Power" by EXO

When I counted down my favorite songs from Kpop Crash Course, EXO took the top spot with their song "Call Me Baby." While I don't think I'll ever hear a song from them I like more than that, I still really enjoy much of what I've heard from them. "Power" is one of my favorites. The song is an EDM banger, with some of the synthesizers reminding me of video games. All the other EXO songs I've heard have been very smooth and mature, but "Power" shows off a playful, bombastic side to them. I also like the lyrical theme of how the power of music brings us all together. This song has a contagious energy and it's a fun track for EXO. 

29. "Black Pearl" by Sunmi

I like watching a bunch of random kpop-related videos on YouTube, mainly as a way to find new kpop songs. One of them was "Kpop B-Sides That Are Better Than the Title Track" (I can't find the specific video, though). Sunmi's "Siren" was the title track in question, and it's fine. The chorus is nice, but I didn't like the rap breakdown at all, and I'm not huge on some of the synths either. "Black Pearl" is much better. It really reminds me of the Calvin Harris remix of SZA's "The Weekend," a song I've been in love with for the past few months. It has a great groove and some fun instrumental sections, specifically a saxophone! I also like the jazzy guitar part towards the end of the track. Sunmi was formerly a member of the kpop group The Wonder Girls, and funnily enough, I think I like "Black Pearl" more than any song I've heard from her old group. 

30. "Décalcomanie" by Mamamoo

As is the case for many of these groups, I discovered Mamamoo when I listened to them for my Kpop Crash Course. I liked "You're The Best," but nearly every other song I've heard from them has been even better. I also love their song "HIP" for its attitude and confidence, but in the end, I chose "Décalcomanie" because I think it's the best portrait of who these girls are. It has the retro elements that define Mamamoo's sound and the girls' vocals are really powerful and strong. I love the contrast between the seductive, sultry verses and the more explosive chorus. I think my favorite part of the song is the jazzy breakdown, featuring a rap by the group's Moonbyul. I haven't heard that many songs from them, but Mamamoo are quickly becoming one of my favorite girl groups, and they're a great note to end this playlist on. 

Next week, I'm planning to count down my favorite High School Musical songs because I saw High School Musical 2 the other day and thought it would be a fun thing to write about. See you next week. 

Stellar

Top 10 Favorite Movies (The Addendum)

I've spoken about how I originally wrote on a blog with my friends called The Brick Wall, and one of the posts I made in January 2015 was My Top Ten Favorite Movies By: not_luna_lovegood. After two years, I regretted the post for a myriad of reasons. First of all, a lot of the opinions I expressed just weren't the same after two years. But more importantly, I regretted how I expressed those opinions. Instead of talking about what the movies meant to me personally, it was very fill-in-the-blank. Every entry was like, "The acting is (insert synonym for 'good' here). The plot is (insert another synonym for 'good' here). The conflict is (insert a third synonym for 'good' here)." Due to my irrational anger for my original "Favorite Movies" list, I was inspired to make a new blog solely for the purpose of rewriting a new "Favorite Movies" list.  That blog is, of course, the one you are reading at this very moment. The first post I made on Stellar in Neverland was this brief introduction to myself, then a list of my favorite movies, link here. Other than a few scant lines, I'm still pretty proud of that post. But I did write it three years ago, so my opinions have changed quite a bit. Because of this, I wanted to make a sequel to that list. First, I'm going to respond to each opinion from the 2017 list. There, I'll reflect on what I think of the movie now and say if it would be on my list now, along with mentioning any lines I regret. Then, I'll go over some movies that weren't on the list originally, but would stand a fair chance now. After that's all done, I'll list my current, definitive favorite movies! 

10. The Outsiders (1983)

This would absolutely not be in my top ten if I made it now. It's still a very good movie and a very faithful adaptation of my all-time favorite book, but I've only seen it once. My favorite movies are the ones I can watch countless times, the ones I know like the back of my hand. That's not the case with this movie. 

9. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

I feel like this is at a good place. Not towards the top of the list, but still on it. I go back and forth on whether I prefer this or The Little Mermaid, but they're both Disney classics. Although, if I were to ever make a "Least Favorite Movies" list, I would put the Beauty and the Beast 2017 live-action remake on it. It doesn't exist for any reason other than "Let's cash in on nostalgia." The things they add to the story are all superfluous. I will probably write a rant about it at some point. (Side note: I'm not sure if I ever will write a "Least Favorite Movies" list, but just know that if I do, The Last Airbender will 100% be number one. Even if I see anything worse than it from an objective standpoint, no movie will ever personally anger me as much as this brutal massacre of the best show I have ever watched.)

8. High School Musical 2 (2007)

This should have been an honorable mention and nothing more. It does bring me a lot of nostalgia, and I love singing "Bet On It" at the top of my lungs, but my appreciation for it doesn't go beyond that. I'm still planning to make a Top 10 Favorite High School Musical Songs in a few weeks, though.

7. The Princess Bride (1987)

This should have been higher. The Princess Bride is a complete and total joy. Everything about it is so clever, witty, and overall memorable. There are so many iconic lines, from the famous "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die," to "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means," to "Anybody want a peanut?" to the simple, classic "As you wish." My dad can probably quote the entire thing. That's a sign of a good movie. 

6. Big Hero 6 (2014)

I'm not sure about this one. I still love it and think Baymax is one of the cutest cartoon characters of all time, but it might get nudged off the list by the many movies I have either seen for the first time since 2017, or the movies I've grown to love even more. I do regret the line "The last fifteen minutes or so are proof of this" in reference to Hiro and Baymax's bond. It rubbed me the wrong way for the longest time, and I was never sure why. I always thought it was just really nondescript, but I finally realized why it irks me: it's in passive voice when it doesn't need to be! I don't think I really knew what passive voice was when I wrote the original post, but now that I've learned what it is, I try to avoid it as much as possible. There's such an easy fix to that line: "The last fifteen minutes or so prove this." That still seems a little nondescript, so how about "In the last fifteen minutes, Hiro and Baymax's bond is put to the test in one of the film's most heartbreaking moments"? Perfect. Or at the very least, better. 

5. Pitch Perfect/ Pitch Perfect 2 (2012/2015)

I'm not sure about this one either. I still love watching them and have many good memories of watching them with my mom, but I've seen better. They hold a sentimental place in my heart, so I would still mention them somewhere. I did, however, say that "If Pitch Perfect 3 ends up being like its predecessors, you can expect it added to the tie." Having seen Pitch Perfect 3, I can now say that it would absolutely not be added to the tie. I wouldn't say it's the worst movie I've ever seen. Again, The Last Airbender is damn near unbeatable in its atrocity. But it still is pretty bad. 

4. Finding Nemo (2003)

Finding Nemo will always have a special place in my heart and a high spot on my "Favorite Movies" list. The animation and bright colors are absolutely stunning, and the storyline is fun, relatable, and tugs at your heartstrings. The sequel, Finding Dory, is also pretty good, although I will always prefer the original. I also just realized that both movies were accompanied by my two favorite Pixar shorts. Nemo was released with Knick Knack, the one with the snowman trying to break out of the snowglobe, and Dory was released with Piper, which is adorable and has some of the most breathtakingly life-like animation I've ever seen. 

3. Inside Out (2015)

I already had Inside Out pretty high on my list, but my appreciation for this movie has only blossomed since I took AP Psychology in my junior year. The world of Riley's brain is filled with so many ingenious references to actual psychological concepts. I also really appreciate the message of how sometimes, you just need to cry it out. I especially love how Riley's parents act when she has her cathartic release. They don't belittle her or punish her for acting out. They just give her as much comfort as they can. That message is something that is relevant no matter who you are. Strong emotional releases are inevitable, and that's okay. 

2. Lemonade Mouth (2011)

I don't know if I'd put this movie at number two now, but it would still be in my top 5. Lemonade Mouth brings me more joy than just about anything else. I can't even describe it, it just fills me with such a fervent feeling of happiness. Also, I often think about the girls from this movie and what they've accomplished since. Hayley Kiyoko is a lesbian pop icon for this generation (I really love her songs "Curious" and "Cliffs Edge") and Naomi Scott played Princess Jasmine in the Aladdin remake. But what has Bridgit Mendler really done since Disney Channel?

1. Tangled (2010)

For the time being, this will always be my number one. The characters are absolutely fantastic. Rapunzel is the most likable, adorable Disney Princess, Flynn Rider is my favorite Disney prince by a long shot, and Mother Gothel is such an underrated villain. She's so subtly terrifying, with the facade of a nurturing, motherly demeanor masking a truly abusive, psychopathic soul. Tangled has everything I could ever want from a Disney movie: a fun story, interesting characters, a well-developed romance, gorgeous animation, humor, and a killer soundtrack. "I See The Light" will be played at my future wedding. If it's not, I will rage. I love everything about this movie so much. The only thing I really regret from this section is the sentence "plus he's the hottest animated character ever in my opinion" in reference to Flynn Rider. I don't necessarily disagree with what I was trying to say, as he's always been one of my biggest fictional crushes. (I'll probably make a post about fictional crushes at some point, and it will be embarrassing.) Just the phrasing of that line rubs me the wrong way and I can't really explain why. 

Honorable Mentions: 

-The Little Mermaid (1989)

Ah, the movie that saved Disney. The 1980s were not a good decade for Disney's animated movies, as they lacked any world-conquering successes. The Little Mermaid, released at the tail end of 1989, was a critical and commercial success that kickstarted a period of total Disney dominance, known as the Disney Renaissance. I think a large part of that success is due to the amazing songs courtesy of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, which are, to this day, some of the best Disney songs ever created. Although people like to debate over the toxic morals of Ariel's actions i.e. completely changing who you are for a man, but everything else about this movie is so good that I don't really care. I go back and forth on whether I prefer it or Beauty and the Beast.

-The Sandlot (1993)

This wouldn't be on my list at all now. It's still enjoyable, but I'm just not a huge sports movie person. I would replace it with Remember the Titans, which is my favorite sports movie. Its message of black and white people putting their differences aside to accomplish a common goal is more relevant now than ever before. I love how the movie uses classic 1960s songs to establish its setting in that decade. Plus, I never really cared that much about Ryan Gosling, but I find him absolutely adorable in this movie. 

-Moana (2016)

I'd keep this as an honorable mention. The two big things I loved about it are the animation, which is unbelievably gorgeous, and Maui, played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. I love The Rock and Maui, a shapeshifting, muscular Polynesian demigod, is the role he was born to play. "You're Welcome" is such a fun song. I also really like Auliʻi Cravalho's performance as Moana and I want her to play Katara in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Netflix series. I feel like she'd be absolutely perfect for that. 

-The Fault In Our Stars (2014)

I haven't seen this movie in five years or so, and as I said with The Outsiders, my favorite movies are the ones I've seen countless times. It's not bad, I just wouldn't put it on my all-time favorites list. 

-Thunderstruck (2012)

This movie is absolutely terrible, I mostly just mentioned it because I watched it in my fifth grade class and had a great time doing so. If I'm going to honorably mention any movie that is pretty terrible, but makes me nostalgic for school related reasons, I'm going to mention August Rush. It's about this kid named August who is a musical prodigy, but even by the standards of the most amazing musical prodigies, he's really unrealistic. The dude literally learns to read a basic C scale, then immediately writes a symphony afterward. It's really dumb. But we watched it a lot in seventh grade band, so I have something of a soft spot for it. My friends and I liked to joke about how our director always started the movie from the same point; right after August's parents had a one-night stand. I don't get it either. 

-Mulan (1998)

This absolutely should have been on the list proper. Mulan isn't just my favorite Disney Princess (if we can even call her that) or my favorite Disney character. She's a contender for my favorite fictional character, period. I love how she doesn't depend solely on raw, brute force to take down her enemies; she instead uses cleverness and strategical genius. I also think that, in many cases, when people write badass female characters, they focus so much on her badassery that they forget to give her a personality other than "stoic, heartless badass." Mulan doesn't have that problem, as her entire motivation for her actions is a desire to protect her father. Pretty much all of Disney's recent heroines have been admirable role models for young girls, but none have destroyed the patriarchy as much as Mulan has. Mulan herself is the main reason why I love this movie so much, although "I'll Make A Man Out Of You" is still my favorite Disney song. I do regret saying that it's quote-unquote "sexist" in my original Favorite Movies list, though. I suppose the song could be interpreted that way just on its own, but combined with the visuals, I think the titular line is supposed to be ironic. We see Mulan overcoming the physical disadvantages that come with being a woman and outperforming all of the men. Awesome. 

-Shrek (2001)

Shrek is a movie I grow to love more and more as I get older. DreamWorks movies are pretty hit-or-miss generally, but Shrek is iconic. It cleverly subverts all the famous Disney tropes, and it has a fair share of jokes that go completely over the heads of younger viewers. For example, in the scene where the Magic Mirror is telling Lord Farquaad about the princesses he can save, he says that Fiona likes "piña coladas and getting caught in the rain." I didn't notice that until really recently, but I laughed my ass off when I did. I don't know if Shrek would be in my top 10, but if it wasn't, it would be a very high honorable mention. 

-The Lego Movie (2014)

At first I thought The Lego Movie was just going to be a dumb cash-in on the popularity of the Lego toys, but I think it really shows the possibilities of animation. Animation is one of the best mediums for storytelling, as anything is possible with a little creativity. The whole appeal of Legos is that you can build anything you want with them. The limitless potential of animation makes it a perfect medium to tell the story this film presents. This movie is also pretty clever! 

-Monsters Inc. (2001)

It's good, it'll always have a place in my heart, but I don't know if I'd mention it at all now. There are just other Pixar movies I like more. Still, the ending is one of the most emotional Pixar moments for me. Just incredibly well-done and touching.

Now I'm going to list a few movies that I would mention as some of my favorites. Not all of these would be in my top ten, but these are movies I've either seen for the first time since I wrote the original Favorite Movies list, or movies I've started to appreciate more. 

-The Iron Giant (1999)

This movie was directed by Brad Bird, who would go on to direct Pixar classics like The Incredibles and Ratatouille. Despite the fact that well-known actors like Jennifer Aniston and Vin Diesel had voice roles, The Iron Giant was something of a box-office bomb. However, it has since garnered a cult following and a reputation as a modern animated classic. It's about a boy named Hogarth who finds and befriends a giant alien robot during the 1950s. The relationship between Hogarth and the Iron Giant is really moving. I'm always a big fan of the Gentle Giant trope, and I love how the Iron Giant must choose between the life of destruction he was intended for and a desire to help people and be a source of good in the world. The ending of this movie makes me really emotional, and I love the quote "You are who you choose to be." That's a quote everyone should live by. 

-Coco (2017)

Coco is one of Pixar's more recent movies, and I adore it. It's about the Mexican holiday of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, and it portrays Mexican culture in an authentic, meaningful way. You can tell that the filmmakers took special care to shine a positive, respectful light on the culture. The animation has so many vibrant colors, and the themes of family, culture, life, and death are expressed wonderfully throughout the story. Coco is also the first movie with a nine-figure budget with a principal cast entirely of actors of Latin American descent. So this movie isn't just enjoyable, it's also groundbreaking. What's not to like?

-Mean Girls (2004)

On the other hand, Mean Girls is the chick flick to end all chick flicks. I actually didn't see this movie until this March, when I watched it in my sociology class. (Yes.) I had wanted to see it for a long time because I had heard so much about it, and it was kind of everything I wanted it to be. The best thing about Mean Girls, for me, is its utterly quotable screenplay, written by Tina Fey. There are so many iconic lines in this movie that I could make a top 30 list of my favorites. (I probably will do that when I have nothing better to post.) I also like the commentary this movie provides. The Plastics are intentionally portrayed as brain-dead and vapid. The whole point of the movie is to show that the vapid popular cliques aren't all they're cracked up to be, and I really like that. 

-Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

This is in my top 10. I wrote an entire post specifically detailing my love for this movie. I haven't seen that many John Hughes movies, but I would still consider him one of, if not my favorite, directors. The 80s are probably my favorite decade in movies, and Hughes' coming-of-age films are one of the first things I think of when I think of 80s movies. Ferris Bueller's Day Off is my personal favorite. After quarantine is over, I hope to go to Chicago and relive all my favorite scenes. 

-The Breakfast Club (1985)

This wouldn't make my top 10, since I like Ferris Bueller better, but it's still really good. It shows adolescence in such a realistic way. I love that although the characters all seem to have their own cliques and niches, they really have a lot in common. 

-Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

I've still only seen this movie once since I wrote my MOVIE TALK on it, so I wouldn't put it on the actual list, but it's still good enough for a mention. Even if everything else about this movie was terrible, I'd still mention it just for how incredible the animation is. It has such a distinctive, comic book-inspired look that is gorgeously appealing. Luckily, everything else is fantastic. It says a lot that even as somebody with little knowledge on Spider-Man, I was still able to really enjoy Into the Spider-Verse. It has so much heart to it. 

-Enchanted (2007)

Frankly, I'm pretty outraged at myself for not mentioning this movie at all in the original post. This movie is so clever and has such a creative premise. Amy Adams is so perfectly perky as Giselle, and Patrick Dempsey's character, Robert, is the perfect compliment to her. Giselle and Robert are probably one of my favorite fictional couples because of how they make each other better. Not only does Robert make Giselle more grounded and realistic, but Giselle teaches him to be more optimistic and free-spirited. The songs, written by the legendary Alan Menken, are also fantastic. They balance being very tongue-in-cheek parodies of your standard Disney songs, but they're also able to stand on their own as fun musical numbers. 

-The Greatest Showman (2017)

This movie is a biopic of P.T. Barnum, the man behind the famous Barnum and Bailey Circus. It's also a musical. The fact that somebody thought it would be a good idea to make a movie musical about P.T. Barnum is just bizarre. It's one of the greatest examples of a movie where the critics were pretty mixed on it, but any criticisms were rendered obsolete by just how much the movie resonated with fans. I won't deny that The Greatest Showman is pretty flawed in a lot of aspects. For example, the real P.T. Barnum was not the champion of diversity that the film paints him to be, as he notoriously exploited his circus acts. The plot is pretty busy, and the film is also pretty cheesy. However, it's still a favorite. The songs were written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (best known for La La Land and Dear Evan Hansen), and they're easily the film's highlight. My personal favorite is "Never Enough." I also love how you can tell just how much heart was put into the making of this movie. Hugh Jackman in particular just radiates charisma and passion as P.T. Barnum. The movie also has Zac Efron and Zendaya, two of my favorite celebrities, as a couple. Yay!

To end this, here's the new, current list of my favorite movies of all time. I'm not going to explain my reasoning, since that's what the rest of this post has been for.

10. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

9. The Iron Giant (1999)

8. Shrek (2001)

7. Mulan (1998)

6. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

5. Lemonade Mouth (2011)

4. Finding Nemo (2003)

3. The Princess Bride (1987)

2. Inside Out (2015)

1. Tangled (2010)

And now, here's a smattering of honorable mentions in no particular order!

-The Little Mermaid (1989)

-High School Musical 2 (2007)

-Big Hero 6 (2014)

-Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2 (2012/2015)

-Moana (2016)

-Remember the Titans (2000)

-Coco (2017)

-The Breakfast Club (1985)

-Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

-Enchanted (2007)

-The Greatest Showman (2017)

-Mean Girls (2004)

-August Rush (2007) (My token "This Movie is Really Bad, But It's Sort of an Inside Joke Amongst My Friends and I" mention.)

Next Saturday is the Fourth of July, and since I'm American, I probably should make something in celebration of it. But due to everything going on in the world, it just doesn't feel right to celebrate America when this country is so flawed. So no, next week's post is not going to be a Top 10 Patriotic Songs list. In fact, I'm planning to do almost the exact opposite of that. See you next week. 

Stellar

Top 10 Avatar: The Last Airbender Animals

Hello, Stellar here. Avatar: The Last Airbender is the best TV show in history. Change my mind.

I watched Avatar reruns a lot as a kid, and I thought it was great, but it wasn't until I watched the full series as an adult that I realized just how absolutely perfect it is. I'm honestly just flabbergasted at how this show even exists. It is an epic, anime-inspired fantasy series with a linear story, impeccably developed characters, and themes of war, genocide, parental abuse, imperialism, oppression, and fate. And it was aired on Nickelodeon. It was targeted towards children. And those children loved it. An average of 3.1 million viewers watched every new episode, and the series took home the Favorite Cartoon award at Nickelodeon's own Kids' Choice Awards in 2008. Of course, it also won five Annie Awards, an Emmy Award, and a Peabody Award and it has been named one of the best animated series in history by TVGuide, Vanity Fair, and IndieWire. Considering that most popular kids' shows are lowest-common-denominator and filled with nothing but slapstick comedy and fart jokes, Avatar's success is shocking, but utterly satisfying. Kids are worthy of mature, sophisticated entertainment, and they're willing to watch shows with serious, important themes. I've seen so many people state that watching Avatar at a young age has taught them important life lessons and changed how they see the world. Avatar is more than just a kiddie cartoon. It is a show that changes people's lives. It's on Netflix now. If you've never seen it, you have no excuse. I guarantee you will find something about it to love. 

Due to how much I fully adore everything about this show, and how I've literally thought about nothing else since I finished it this Tuesday, I knew I had to write this week's blog post about it. But what part of it should I talk about? I toyed around with many ideas, ranging from a discussion of how great the character development is, a follow-up to my Last Airbender Movie Talk where I go even more in-depth on how epically the live-action adaptation failed, or a 60-page thesis on why Prince Zuko is beautiful and I love him. But everyone else talks about those things, so I want to discuss one of the more underrated aspects of the series. (Don't worry. I'll eventually write that Zuko thesis. Someday...)

Avatar is known for its incredible worldbuilding. The series is set in a world divided into four nations: Water, Earth, Fire, and Air. (Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony...) Certain inhabitants of each nation possess the ability to "bend," or manipulate their element through martial arts-like techniques. The Avatar is the only one who can master all four elements and is responsible for bringing peace and balance to the world. In the series, the Avatar is a twelve-year-old boy named Aang, who must travel across the world, learning to bend each element. Throughout Aang’s journey, we get to see all four nations, with each one having its own distinct culture and traditions. The creators and producers really went out of their way to develop these nations, and they're so fleshed out that they feel real. And a part of that worldbuilding includes developing unique fauna for the Avatar World. Most of the creatures in the series are hybrids of two or more different animals, resulting in cool, clever, cute, and creative animals. Today, I'm counting down my ten favorites! 

Side note: All of these are from Avatar: The Last Airbender, none from The Legend of Korra. The reason why is simply because I haven't seen Korra. It's on my bucket list, though! Also, there will be minor spoilers, so if you haven't watched the series, but would like to go into it without being spoiled, proceed with caution. 

10. Purple pentapus

The purple pentapus only appears in one episode, Season 2's "Return to Omashu." I still had to put it on the list because I find it adorable. In real life, octopuses, squids, and other tentacled animals like them are pretty scary. However, the purple pentapus, which only has five tentacles, has a very minimalist design that's cute in its simplicity. There's almost an innocence to this creature that I really love. In the episode, the pentapuses leave suction cup markings on the skin. Katara and Sokka invent a disease called "pentapox," with the symptoms being the spots from the pentapuses and a purposely zombie-like behavior. They tell the city of Omashu's guards that there is a pentapox outbreak, so the prisoners of the city must be let out. It's one of the more clever escape plans our heroes come up with. 

9. Otter penguin

Otter penguins are native to the frigid Southern Water Tribe, which makes sense, since they are based off of penguins. Early in the series, we see Aang sledding on the backs of these creatures. In fact, when Katara and Sokka break him out of the iceberg where he has been trapped for a hundred years, the first thing Aang does is ask Katara to go penguin sledding with him. Penguin sledding looks pretty fun. If I was in the Avatar World, it would probably be the first thing I'd want to do. Separately, I think otters and penguins are both some of the cutest animals on Earth. Combine them together and you get a really cute creature. 

8. Badgermoles

Toph Beifong is certainly the most badass character on Avatar: The Last Airbender, and quite possibly the most badass character in all of fiction. I mean, when we first meet her, she is destroying fully grown men in earthbending tournaments. She holds up a sinking library with her two bare hands. She invented metalbending, for Christ's sake. All of these accomplishments would be plenty impressive for anyone, but Toph is a twelve-year old girl who also happens to be blind. Of course, she couldn't have just learned how to earthbend by herself. The badgermoles were the original earthbenders, and they were the ones who taught Toph everything she knows. Because the badgermoles were blind like her, she was able to understand how they used earthbending as a means of interacting with their environment and she copied their movements. Honestly, the fact that they helped Toph become the absolute badass she is is enough to put them on this list. They're also kind of cute in a way!

7. Toucan Puffins

I have something of a passing interest in birds. Not really songbirds, but all the other kinds are interesting to me. I like toucans because of how colorful their beaks are, and I like puffins because of how quirky-cute they are. The toucan puffin is such a seamless hybrid of the two, it looks like it could fit into our world. I find these birds to be pretty cute, and the scene in which they appear is pretty funny. Team Avatar is on an island in the Fire Nation, and Sokka remarks that they need to be quiet because "We're in enemy territory! Those are enemy birds!" One of the birds then adorably perches itself on his head. 

6. Dragons

Much like the badgermoles were the original earthbenders, dragons were the first firebenders. In general, dragons are my favorite fantasy creatures because of how powerful yet ornately beautiful they are. The dragons in Avatar are a perfect blend of the typical Asian dragon design combined with the wings that are more characteristic of European dragons. The dragons in this picture are named Ran and Shaw, although they don't specify which is which, and they are the original firebenders. I think their designs are super cool. They kind of remind me of the Pokémon Gyarados. I mean, these dragons are blue and red, and Gyarados is normally blue, but red in its rare shiny form.

5. Lion Turtle

Speaking of Avatar creatures that remind me of Pokémon, this is the Lion Turtle. It is the largest animal in the Avatar World and it served as a protector of mankind. It's so large that at first, you think you're on an island, but really, you're on the back of a lion turtle. It was clearly inspired by the World Turtle of various cultural mythologies, a giant turtle capable of supporting the world on the back of its shell. It instantly reminded me of the Pokémon Torterra, which was also inspired by the World Turtle. Torterra is one of my favorite Pokémon, so it makes sense that I love the Lion Turtle, since they share origins. 

4. Momo

Momo is a winged lemur and one of the two creatures that regularly accompany Aang on his journey. We spend a lot of time with him as a result, and we really get to know him. Despite the fact that Momo isn't human, he still has a lot of character and personality. He's curious and playful, and he is usually found eating anything in sight. I'd say the number one thing that makes Avatar such a great series is its fantastic character development. The fact that the non-speaking, non-human Momo has more character development than some protagonists is a testament to that. Momo's design is also pretty cute. The giant ears are adorable. 

3. Foo Foo Cuddlypoops

Sokka is one of my favorite characters from this show, and Season 2's "Bitter Work" is one of his funniest episodes. In this episode, Sokka goes hunting for food and gets himself trapped in a fissure. He meets a young sabertoothed moose-lion, which he calls Foo Foo Cuddlypoops. He initially planned to hunt and kill the cub, but grew to befriend it while he was in the fissure. His banter with the cub is hilarious, especially when he says "You're awfully cute, but unfortunately for you, you're made of meat." The cub is mostly on the list because I agree with Sokka that it's incredibly adorable. I also think the name of Foo Foo Cuddlypoops is hilarious and so unabashedly Sokka. Sokka is the comic relief of Team Avatar, and part of his humor is saying whatever comes to his mind, no matter how random it is. He did want to call the assassin the group meets in Season 3 "Sparky Sparky Boom Man," after all. 

2. Turtle Ducks

Turtle ducks are so cute, man. Turtles are my favorite animals because of how cute and quirky they are. I like how they can just hide in their shells when they're not having a good time. Ducks are also pretty cute, especially baby ducks. Combine them together and you get one of the cutest creatures in the Avatar World. We see them a lot in the Fire Nation, since there is a turtle-duck pond on the Fire Nation Royal Palace's grounds. We specifically see Zuko feeding them a lot, which is cute. Zuko's defining character trait is that he feels a lot of complex, passionate emotions, so it's nice to see a gentle, chill side of him.

1. Appa

If you're familiar with the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, then you could have seen my number one coming from a mile away. But it is number one for a reason. Appa is a flying bison who serves as the main transportation for Team Avatar. Much like the badgermoles were the first earthbenders and the dragons were the first firebenders, flying bison were the first airbenders. This might explain why Appa's able to fly so well, even though he weighs ten tons. My absolute favorite character trope is the Gentle Giant, a massive, intimidating-looking brute who, under that fearsome facade, is actually the nicest character you will ever meet. That's Appa's entire appeal. He's absolutely massive, but he's unbelievably loyal and he has a close relationship with Aang. Midway through Season 2, Appa gets separated from Aang, and you can tell how much it kills both of them to be apart. Appa's design is also intensely lovable, taking inspiration from both bison and manatees, as well as being incredibly soft. Although he's absolutely massive, Appa is certainly the Avatar animal I'd most want to have a pet. Appa, yip yip!

Now, time for a few honorable mentions:

-Buzzard wasps

One thing you should know about me is that I'm a sucker for a good pun. The buzzard wasps are terrifying, but I'm just giving them a mention because I love puns too much. I mean, it's a cross between a wasp and a vulture, otherwise known as a buzzard. It's a literal buzzard. Amazing. 

-Cat owl

At least in A:TLA, the cat owl doesn't really have any role in the story, but I just had to mention it. I love owls, and although I'm more of a dog person, I like cats, too. This would be a great Halloween pet. 
-Bosco the bear

Bosco is the pet bear of the Earth King. He's pretty cute in his own right, but he's mostly just getting a mention for how utterly shocked everyone is to see a normal bear. Not a platypus-bear, not a skunk-bear, just a normal, 100% bear. 
-Tui and La

These two are the Moon Spirit and the Ocean Spirit, respectively. They're koi fish, which I've always loved. I always say that if I ever get rich, the first thing I'm buying is a koi pond. I also love how well the yin and yang sign is interpreted in their designs. They also play a big role in Avatar's Season 1 finale, which is one of my favorite/most heartbreaking episodes. 
-Serpent

Avatar has two sea serpent-like creatures. There's the unagi from "The Warriors of Kyoshi," and there's the serpent from "The Serpent's Pass" and "The Awakening." I think sea serpents are pretty cool, so I wasn't sure which one to pick, but in the end, I chose the serpent since it is more colorful. It's also responsible for one of Sokka's funniest quotes. When Team Avatar is in the Serpent's Pass, they're being chased by Fire Nation ships, and Sokka says "Things couldn't get much worse." Immediately after he says that, the serpent starts chasing them again, and he says "The universe just loves proving me wrong, doesn't it?" However, in a twist of events, the serpent starts chasing the Fire Nation ship and Sokka says, "Thank you, the universe!" 
-Badgerfrog

This one gets a mention mostly for the scene in which it appears. In "The Western Air Temple," Zuko is practicing how he will re-introduce himself to Team Avatar. He's being painfully awkward and failing at his introduction. He's practicing in front of the frog, who is unimpressed. This entire scene is an example of one of my favorite tropes, where we see a character practice a speech alone and just absolutely fail. I think it's the Trick Dialogue trope. Geez, one of these days, I'm gonna have to make a list of my favorite tropes.

Next week, I have a few ideas for what I want to post, but I'm not going to say anything definitively because I'm sure I'll change my mind a few times. I'll see you then.

Stellar

REVIEW: More & More by Twice

Once upon a time, about a few years ago, I was afraid of getting into kpop for one reason only: I was intimidated by the diehard fans, colloquially known as "stans." I recognized that kpop was full of talented performers (known as idols) who released catchy songs with amazing visuals, but I was also aware of how utterly insane the stan culture was. Kpop stans have a reputation for shoving their favorite groups and idols down your throat. If you don't like those groups or idols, they will send you death threats, and if their idol is accused of doing something wrong, they will act like this person they have never met is a god and incapable of any wrongdoing. However, after the events of the past few weeks, I am never talking smack about kpop stans ever again. 

Due to the Black Lives Matter movement and the protests it inspired, police departments all over the country have set up apps for people to submit videos of people protesting. Supposedly, the police would use the apps to find protestors to arrest. That's not what happened, though, as kpop stans downloaded the apps, spammed them with fancams (video closeups of their favorite idols during a performance), and temporarily shut down the apps. They also hijacked racist hashtags, like #WhiteLivesMatter and #BlueLivesMatter, spamming their fancams. Both of these instances are examples of grade-A trolling, made even better by the fact that they are trolling racist assholes who 100% deserve to be trolled. But for my money, the best thing kpop stans have done for the Black Lives Matter movement has to do with BTS. BTS are the bestselling Korean act of all time and their fanbase, known as the ARMY, is widespread. When BTS and their label, BigHit Entertainment, donated a million dollars to Black Lives Matter, their ARMY started trending the hashtag #MatchAMillion to encourage the fanbase to donate to an important cause. Collectively, BTS stans "matched the million" donated by their idols in less than 24 hours. I never thought I would be saying this, but I mean this without a shred of irony: kpop stans have done more for Black Lives Matter than the President of the United States. Yet another one of the countless bizarre twists 2020 has thrown at us, but it's certainly a pleasant surprise to see the ever-present, ever-vocal kpop stans use their ubiquity to support such an important issue. 

Due to my newfound appreciation for kpop fans, as well as the fact that my favorite kpop group recently released an EP/mini-album, I thought it would be fitting to review said mini-album. I've already talked a lot about Twice on this blog, with the first thing I posted after a year-long break being a review of their last mini-album, Feel Special. (Link here!) I also took it upon myself to review 100 iconic kpop songs in my Kpop Crash Course series, and in that series, I mentioned Twice no less than 60 times. (I specifically talked about their songs in Part Three and Part Four.) Typically when I review an album, I go in-depth giving background information on the artist and my opinions on them, but I honestly feel like I have covered them so thoroughly that you can just look back at the linked posts for information about them. Long story short: Twice consists of nine girls (five are Korean, three are Japanese, one is Taiwanese) who started out making cutesy songs, but have been gradually shifting towards making more mature (and for my money, better) music. Now with all that stalling out of the way, let's look at their More & More mini-album/EP/I'm using these two terms interchangeably FYI.

I think this picture of the cover art seems blurry and it makes me sad but I couldn't find a higher-res picture. Anyways, I really love their different hair colors! I especially like Jihyo's rosy pink, Tzuyu's crimson-red, and Sana's bright orange-red. 

1. "More & More"

The title track is the only one of these songs I've listened to prior to writing this, as I watched the video the day it premiered. It's fine enough, but if I were to rank every Twice single, it would probably go towards the bottom. Compared to their singles from last year, "Fancy" and "Feel Special," it seems a lot more generic. In fact, whenever I think of it, it ends up turning into "La Vie en Rose" by IZ*ONE, which I like more. The repetition of "more" in the chorus is also a little too reminiscent of Fifth Harmony's "Work From Home" for my tastes. However, "More & More" does have a nice, relaxed summer vibe, making it feel like an updated version of their 2018 single "Dance The Night Away." I really like the instrumental section (especially in the video, where Momo, my bias of the group, leads the girls in a dance break), followed by Dahyun and Chaeyoung's rap. I liked the video a lot more than the song, as I loved the bright, summery colors and jungle animals, like the jaguars during Tzuyu's section and the colorful tarantulas during Chaeyoung's section. I also really loved their boho dresses and rainbow hair! 7.5/10

2. "Oxygen"

My best friend who got me into Twice (I refer to her as Nike because she wrote this post with me and used that pseudonym) agrees with me that "More & More" isn't one of Twice's more impressive singles, but she's told me that the b-sides are all fantastic. "Oxygen" is the first b-side, and honestly, I think this was the song that most intrigued me just from looking at the tracklist. I wasn't sure what to expect, but listening to it, I really like this! The production is uptempo and danceable, but it's not aggressive. It has a lot of twists and turns to make it enjoyable. The synth-bassline in the chorus is very bouncy, and I especially liked the guitar that comes in during Chaeyoung's rap verse. I also thought the members sounded really good. In the second verse, Mina uses the same light, gentle singing style she did on the bridge of "Fancy," which I loved. I think my favorite part of the song is the way they sing "I really really really really want" so quickly in the chorus. I always love when songs feature rapidly sung, almost tongue-twister lyrics. This is a low-key bop. 9/10

3. "Firework"

This is not a Katy Perry cover, for better or for worse. Eh, I definitely think it's for the better, as this is easily my favorite of the three songs so far. The Latin guitars are new for Twice, and I definitely like this experimentation in their sound. The chorus on this song is pretty killer, with Nayeon, Jeongyeon, and Jihyo (the band's three lead vocalists) delivering knockout vocals. Jihyo in particular absolutely nails it on the bridge. Speaking of the bridge, I love the way the chords shifted during that section. I also love the way Sana says "so let me hear it" before the second chorus. I love when singers do weird vocal inflections like that. I really appreciate how, much like the Feel Special mini-album, this project has been very cohesive. All of the songs sound similar, but not the point where it's boring. Granted, I'm only three songs in, but it's still worth praising. 10/10

4. "Make Me Go"

Five of the seven tracks from Feel Special had writing credits from the members of the group, which was great, since all of those songs were amazing. Which is why I was disappointed that only two of the seven songs from More & More saw the girls writing. "Make Me Go" is the first of the two, as Nayeon wrote the lyrics for it. And what can I say, this song slaps. The production of this song reminds me a lot of Dua Lipa's recent output, specifically "Break My Heart." That bassline is simply incredible, unlike anything I've heard from Twice. I also love the sax and the cowbell. The chorus is weird, but also really addictive. It's not sung, I guess I would say it's rapped, and I can see why somebody would hate it, I personally think it's really quirky and catchy. This song's throwback energy is different from the other three songs, but it still manages to fit in nicely here. It also would fit in among the b-sides from Fancy You and Feel Special. This song is a delight, one that I'll have on repeat over and over again. 10/10

5. "Shadow"

After that quick 70s detour, we're back to the modern tropical stylings of the other three songs. I could definitely see this song fitting in with modern Western pop songs. It's another low-key banger. However, it doesn't really seem as special as the others to me. I think I'm just burnt out from how much I loved "Make Me Go" that everything after it just seems disappointing. Maybe it'll grow on me. The only thing that really stands out to me on this song is how effortlessly high Nayeon and Jihyo sing in the chorus. Their higher notes sound really good. 7/10

6. "Don't Call Me Again"

Brass, hell yeah...or so I thought. This song is just disappointing to me. The melody the horns are playing is really catchy, but the horns themselves sound really muffled and fake. It also feels like there's too much going on in the production, with the girls singing and the horns playing at the same volume. The marching band percussion is also really overbearing. In fact, my favorite parts of the song are the quieter sections without the horns. This song had so much potential to be a great, sassy kiss-off anthem, but the production is really bad. If the producers were to replace the fake horns with real, actual trumpets, raise the volume of the girls and lower the volume of the instrumentals, and get rid of that weird theremin-sounding synth in the chorus, the song would be much better. 4/10

7. "Sweet Summer Day"

The final track, "Sweet Summer Day," sees Jeongyeon and Chaeyoung writing lyrics. I was honestly expecting a more laid-back, tropical style, maybe something slower than the other songs. So imagine my sheer delight when, about ten seconds in, I realized Twice were doing a new jack swing song. New jack swing is a fusion genre of hip-hop, R&B, and dance-pop that was popular in the late 80s and early 90s, spearheaded by artists like Boyz II Men and Michael and Janet Jackson. For a more recent example, think of "Finesse" by Bruno Mars. Considering that one of my favorite kpop songs is "Call Me Baby" by EXO, another new jack swing-influenced kpop song, I was thrilled to hear Twice taking inspiration from the same source. "Sweet Summer Day" has such a fantastic, bouncy energy that put a giant smile on my face. And just when I thought the song couldn't get any better, Momo started rapping! Momo is my favorite member of the group mostly because I like her dancing and personality, but I also think her sort of wonky, nasally voice works really well for rapping. She doesn't usually get to rap in Twice songs, as they usually give the rap verses to Dahyun and Chaeyoung (who are also great, don't get me wrong), but I know I'm not the only Once who wishes Momo would rap more. I love her rapping here. The fact that Twice were basically doing their own version of "Call Me Baby" basically guaranteed that this song would get a 10/10, but it just kept getting more and more enjoyable as I got into it. I would love for Twice's next comeback to sound like this. 

Well, after listening to Twice's More & More, I'm even firmer in my stance that JYP needs to let the girls write (excuse my pun) more & more. My two favorite songs on here are the only two with writing credits from the girls. Feel Special had five songs written by the girls, and all of them were fantastic. The members of Twice are much better writers than you might expect, and it would be a shame if JYP just ignored the potential they have as writers. 

Favorite: I think "Make Me Go" is ultimately my favorite. I know I wrote a lot more for "Sweet Summer Day," but I've had Mina and Chaeyoung rapping  "love me love me now, love me love me good" in my head nonstop since I first heard the song on Thursday. 

Least Favorite: "Don't Call Me Again"

Next week, I think I'll do another "current favorite songs" thing. I might change my mind, but that's my plan for now. I'll see you then.

Stellar

Black Lives Matter.

In case you were somehow unaware:

On May 25, 2020, a 46-year-old Black man named George Floyd died in Minneapolis, Minnesota after a white cop named Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck, choking him for almost nine minutes. Videos of the incident, as well as Floyd's final cries of "I can't breathe" went viral and sparked outrage from millions of people worldwide. However, Floyd's murder is far from the only instance of white police officers misusing their power and killing innocent Black people. 

As horrible as it is, racism has been a part of the United States for its entire history. Up until the Civil War, many Americans owned slaves, and although Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation outlawed slavery, it did not end racism altogether. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X, among many others, also worked towards civil rights in the 1960s. Although they did help to end segregation, racism was still prevalent throughout the United States. In 1919, a 17-year-old Black boy named Eugene Williams was stoned to death by white people after he swam in the "wrong part of Lake Michigan." In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till was lynched after a white woman accused him of offending her in her family's grocery store. The political system of the United States is inherently biased and racist towards African Americans, and racism has always been a part of this country. As much as many Americans like to pretend America is the "land of freedom," the actions from the higher-ups of this country have deemed this notion as a lie. We are not the "land of the free" unless every single person who lives here can live without having to worry about their safety.

On February 26, 2012 in Sanford, Florida, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was fatally shot by George Zimmerman after Zimmerman reported him as "suspicious." Martin's murder was a shock to the system, with many accusing Zimmerman of racial profiling. After Zimmerman was acquitted of the murder in 2013, the phrase #BlackLivesMatter began trending. The movement gained even more recognition after the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in New York City, both in 2014 at the hands of police officers. We have seen countless instances of the police being violent towards Black people since then. Only a few weeks before Floyd's death, a video of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery being murdered by police in Glynn County, Georgia went viral. However, Floyd's death was the tipping point where people realized just how terribly common police brutality was. 

People in all fifty states, as well as in other countries around the world, have taken to the streets to fight for justice for Floyd, Arbery, and every other victim of police brutality. Many of the protests have been peaceful, but there are also instances of "looting": stealing and destroying property. Despite being only a small percentage of the protestors, the looters are the ones to get all of the publicity, so much that Donald Trump has ordered the armed military to go to the protests in case things get "too crazy," and he's even said, and I quote, "When the looting starts, the shooting starts." He's also described ANTIFA, the left-wing political movement that fights against fascists, racists, and the far-right, as a "terrorist organization." Yeah, thank God I'm eighteen, so I can do everything I can to vote this orange dumbass out of office.

I tried my best to explain what's going on, but there are far better sources of information out there. This site has many good resources to help explain the problem, and why you should care. I will, however, share some little things I have done to help fight against the systemic racism of our society. You don't have to go out and protest (although you should if you are able to). Even the smallest action goes a long way.

1. Acknowledge your white privilege.

The first step of helping to end racism, at least, if you're white, is to acknowledge the privileges you have. White privilege is, according to Francis E. Kendall, author of Diversity in the Classroom and Understanding White Privilege: Creating Pathways to Authentic Relationships Across Race: 

“having greater access to power and resources than people of color [in the same situation] do.”

It means that I can do everyday things without having to fear for my life. I really like this op-ed from DemCast and I would recommend you read it. But just because you acknowledge the fact that you have it easier than Black people, that doesn't mean you can just sit around and do nothing while they suffer. Use your white privilege wisely by speaking to your family and friends about the issue and sharing and supporting stories from Black creators and activists.

2. Educate yourself.

On Tuesday, I watched 13th on Netflix. It is a documentary directed by Ava DuVernay (the director of the film Selma) that details the United States' history of systemic racism. It covers a lot of ground, from how the War on Drugs led to a disproportionate amount of Black people getting arrested to the police brutality that plagues our nation. I hope that the people who watch it feel the same desire to fight against racism that I did. That link from before also has a lot of good resources for education on police brutality and systemic racism.

3. Sign petitions.

There are many petitions going around related to the cause. These petitions fight for the countless Black people who have faced injustice from this country. Here is a compilation of petitions. I encourage every single one of you who reads this to sign at least a few. Just don't sign any for the White House, as they don't do much of anything.

4. Donate!

This Black Lives Matter Carrd has been going around the Internet for about two weeks now, and with good reason. I've already linked a few pages from it myself. It has so many resources for us to use. Here is their donations list, which has many links for you to donate towards. Donate to the victims and their families, the bail funds of protestors, Black-owned businesses, organizations, and other places. If you don't have money to directly fund (which is probably the case for a lot of us, given that we're also in a global pandemic), I highly recommend this playlist. It has many YouTube videos, all of which have many ads. The creators of the videos have vowed to donate all of their ad revenue to #BlackLivesMatter-related causes. Keep the playlist on a loop on another device and don't skip the ads. 

5. Don't say "All Lives Matter." 

As a response to Black Lives Matter, many people (most of them are probably white) like to say "All Lives Matter." Although at first glance, this seems true enough, it's actually deeply problematic. People need to understand that "Black Lives Matter" does not mean "Black people are the only ones who are important and everyone else is terrible." To quote this Time article: 

"But nobody said those other lives don’t matter; no one even said that black lives matter a tiny bit more. Pretending that the choice is binary—and then acting as if it’s the other side that framed it that way—is a handy dodge but a dishonest one. If I say 'Save the whales,' it does not mean, 'Screw the eagles.'"

I've also seen the metaphor of a burning house. If somebody's house was on fire, you wouldn't say, "All Houses Matter!" and refuse to help. No, you would do your best to put out the fire. The fact that one house is on fire doesn't mean that the other houses are any less important. It just means that the burning house needs our help right now, so we need to help them. Police brutality and systemic racism is the burning house, and we need to do whatever we can to help the Black communities affected by them. If you say "All Lives Matter," I'm just going to tell you to get over yourselves.

This isn't what like what I normally post on here, but when innocent Black people are dying so needlessly, it doesn't make sense to write about the frivolous things I normally write about. I want to show my solidarity with those who are fighting, and I say this from the bottom of my heart:

I will never fully understand what you are going through, but I stand with you. Black Lives Matter.

Stellar