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Many of us were absolutely RAISED on Disney when we were kids. We grew up with the incredible cinema releases of The Lion King, Aladdin, Cinderella, Mulan and The Little Mermaid, and it changed our lives forever.

The Disney princess role has changed as the generations got older (and more feminist), bringing more progressive films with 3D female characters such as Brave, Frozen, Moana, The Princess and the Frog and Tangled.

Kiera Knightly recently spoke out against the films, saying that her three-year-old daughter is banned from watching them in her home.

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When asked why, she said to "rescue yourself!" from the prince is a far better message to send to young women; "Cinderella waits around for a rich guy to rescue her. Don’t." Right on, gal, right on. Fight the power.

However, when we were watching the classic princess films as children, I highly doubt we realised at the time just how YOUNG they all are, which arguably makes the movies seem a tad creepy.

It's basically teens getting sexualised and sent off to live with a man who has privilege over them forever.

For decades, young girls have been seeing these characters as role models; they're compassionate, fierce, caring, brave and highly intelligent.

Many of the gals are preparing for marriage, but they're in their mid-teens. Seems a little weird, considering the men they're marrying are often at least ten years older.

For example. Pocahontas' age in the film was never confirmed, but in real life she actually met John Smith when she was just a 10 year old girl. Ew.

First up: Princess Jasmine. Aladdin's bae was only 15-years-old in the film, as a recent The Mary Sue article pointed out. So when she's dressed in red and is seducing Jafar (a creepy old man), she's officially underage…

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A key portion of the film revolves around the fact that she's obliged to marry a prince before her sixteenth birthday, which is three days away.

The Mary Sue also noted that Jasmine is a highly sexualised character, with Jafar commanding the genie to force her to love him. Alright…we're officially disturbed.

Plus, that waist-line is a fantasy; she'd fit maybe half an organ in there if she's lucky.

HuffPost has previously pointed out that none of the 'official' Disney princesses are older than 19, even though most of them are wed or engaged by the end of each of their respective movies.

Ariel is a sixteen-year-old who claims to be an adult, while Eric is the ripe old age of 18. So in today's day-and-age, it would be illegal for them to marry.

Granted, these films are purely fantasy, but it's pretty strange how they design the princesses as sexualised teenagers who always end up with an older man.

If this next one doesn't shock you, we don't know what will. Snow White is just 14 YEARS OLD when she meets her prince, and escapes from a cruel queen who tries to cut out her heart out of vanity.

The prince also kisses her while she's KO'd; problematic as f*ck.

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Kristen Bell has also pointed out issues with Snow White as a film, which was the first colour Disney animation and was released back in 1938.

“Don’t you think that it’s weird that the prince kisses Snow White without her permission?” Bell says she asked her daughters. “Because you can not kiss someone if they’re sleeping!” Hello, consent?

Fairy tales don’t have a stable form, and every era rewrites centuries old fairy tales to fit it's specific agenda or zeitgeist. Many Disney princesses were based on the 1812 Brothers Grimm tales.

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They changed their book of stories to adapt to 19th-century German bourgeois family values, so why can't we update them in 2019?

Cinderella was transformed into a live-action remake recently, but ZERO alterations were made. 

Our Chinese hero warrior Mulan, famous for it's WHOPPER tunes like I'll Make a Man Out of You: she's also sixteen. Yet she has to nurture a fragile toxic male ego, and marries him in the end.

Ok, then, it took a woman to fix a man's dodgy job and her reward is a lifetime of obedience. Sleeping Beauty's Aurora was also 16-years-old, and we've got another classic case of non-consent.

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While Disney has 100 percent made improvements for it's female characters, like Frozen's Queen Elsa and Princess Anna especially, and Brave's Merida (also 16); it's important to be aware of the classic films and their morals.

The live-action Aladdin doesn't arrive for another few months (May 24 to be exact), we have no idea if Jasmine will be a more marriage-appropriate age. The actress cast to play her is 25-years-old, at least.

Naomi Scott isn't a teenager, so let's hope her character isn't either.  Scott told Entertainment Weekly that her character’s goal is “really to protect her people, to do right by them," in December, so we have high hopes.

The eye-wateringly hot Marwan Kenzari has been cast as Jafar in the live-action flick, and he looks FAR younger than the animated character. He's a certified thirst trap.

We're relieved they're moving away from the creepy-old-man game, thank God. The movie looks intriguing, if just for a blue Will Smith as the genie. (Check out those memes about him, they're amazing)

Bring on the badass empowered female princesses, like Meghan Markle and the Thai princess Ubolratana who recently attempted to run for Prime Minister. Get it, gurls.

Feature image: knowyourmeme.com

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Another year, another Academy Award's series of snubs. It wouldn't be the Oscars unless some fandoms were left devastated on behalf of their favourite actor or actress, would it?

The 2019 awards are seeing some record breakers, first-time achievements and MAJOR actors left out of the nominations, much to the upset of Twitter.

So who are the biggest history makers and snubbed heartbreakers?

1. Timothée Chalamet, Beautiful Boy

Our favourite human ever (protect him at all costs) failed to garner an Oscar nod for his protrayal of a crystal meth addict son of Steve Carrell (also snubbed), and people are ChalaMAD about it. 

He was ROBBED.

We won't forget this, Academy. You've made an enemy.

2. Bradley Cooper for Best Director, A Star Is Born. Okay, but women get snubbed in this category every year, so let's not cry too hard.

We're super shook by this one, Lady Gaga must be upset on his behalf since she's been endorsing him for the entire of awards season ("There could be 99 in a room but all it takes is just one to believe in you")

Classic Guardians of the Galaxy reference, we had to laugh at this one.

3. Crazy Rich Asians for…ANY category. Any. 

Michelle Yeoh deserved recognition for her outstanding take in the all-star Asian cast, she slayed that screen. She even owns that iconic emerald ring featured in the film, if that's not commitment I don't know what is.

It's offeNSIVE god damn it.

Looks like a riot is about to happen… 

4. Emily Blunt for EITHER Mary Poppins Returns or A Quiet Place

HOW.

She's so versatile, so dedicated, so classy. We can feel her hubby John Krasinski's blood boil.

Processing this snub is a hard pill to swallow right now.

Rest in pieces.

5. A FEMALE DIRECTOR. AGAIN.

We cannot believe this…it's 2019 and still only five women have EVER been nominated, and only one woman has ever won the gong (Kathryn Bigelow).

Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never Really Here, and Debra Granik’s Leave No Trace, despite being recognised on the film circuit by Sundance and Cannes, received no nominations.

Ramsay and BlacKkKlansman director Spike Lee, who has earned his first Academy Award nomination, are the most laureled filmmakers on the critics’ awards circuit after Alfonso Cuarón for Roma.

Other women who were ignored were Marielle Heller for Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Chloe Zhao for The Rider, Tamara Jenkins (Private Life), Karyn Kusama (Destroyer), Mimi Leder  for On the Basis of Sex and Josie Rourke for the incredible Mary Queen of Scots.

The NECK.

At least Canadian artist Domee Shi is being celebrated as the first female director to be nominated for Best Short Film, after helming Pixar's adorable Bao.

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“I really love that I grew up in such a nature based way. My mother has such a great imagination, we would go for a walk in the woods and she’d be like ‘let’s go look for fairies.’”

Julia Harley Francisco-Simoes, a stop motion animator from Boston, has some rather unique artistic influences.

“I like my art to be weird-fantasy. I’m definitely influenced by Wicca.”

As well as being a full-time art and design student, she is also a practising witch. No, I don't mean the Harry Potter kind. She's a Wiccan, a modern form of spirituality rooted in pagan beliefs. 

Julia, who was born in Portugal and moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, grew up surrounded by magic with a Wiccan mother. 

 

XD rawr

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“It was quite cool and secretive; she would go with her girlfriends to take part in rituals. She would always be burning sage around the house," Julia recalled. 

“We would go to celebrations like May Day, and dance around the Maypole. I was never made read the Bible or anything like that. We always had spell books around the house.  I suppose that’s something that I’ve carried forward with myself into my own life.”

Founded in the 1940’s the practise of Wicca centres around traditional Pagan beliefs and the worship of a variety of deities. The Wiccan Rede constitutes as a guide for practising Wiccans, with the mantra “harm none and do what will.”

“Many of the books I’d go to about Wicca are by authors with  names like Wolfstein, Silver Wolf, or other funny and gothic names. It’s sometimes like living in a Twilight novel,” she laughs.

Most Wiccans believe in the Horned god and the Moon Goddess, who can encompass hundreds of deities across a range of cultural backgrounds, from Greek and Roman, to Hindu and Egyptian, to African and Celtic.

“Which tradition you follow largely depends on where you’re from,” Julia explains. “Since we’re from Portugal I would follow the European traditions. Like warding off the evil eye.”

Many Wiccans pick a deity to follow in their everyday life, however this is not always the case.

“I don’t follow any particular deity, but when you do you try to emulate their values and what they stand for in your own life.”

When one says that they are practising witch, it can be all too easy to picture broomsticks and cauldrons. However this is not the only misconceptions Wiccan’s like Julia face.

“Most people associate Wicca with Satanism, when really they’re completely different.  It’s because of the pentangle. The inverted pentangle is a symbol of Satanism but in Wicca the regular pentangle represents the five elements- air, earth, fire, water, and ether [spirit].”

 

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Spells are less “bubble, double, toil and trouble” and more along the lines of positive thinking and picturing, or manifesting, things you want to happen.

“Spells are a form of self-divination. You picture something you really want in your head and drive all your motivation into that. It’s trying to manipulate your auras and the universe to help your purpose.”

“Each time it’s worked I’ve been a bit shook, to be honest. There are spells for ill-will and blessing spells. Most of them do come back. That’s why I only do positive ones.”

“I must sound crazy,” she laughs again. “Some of them are really bizarre. Like there was one love potion that asked you to lick a spoon and sleep with it under your pillow.”

Many Wiccans employ the help of herbs or crystals, Julia herself recommends placing clear quartz stone on the forehead to help with migraines. 

Fancy a little bit of magic in your life? Julia has shared two of her favourite potions that can be made at home, black cat not needed. 

"Love Tea: Drink this tea from a pink cup before a date, or if you are just casting a love spell- You can also use this to soothe a broken heart.

Steep 2 tsp of the blend in 8Fl. oz. (250 ml) of hot water for 5 minutes. Use 2 tbsp crushed rose petals, 2 tbsp dried lavender buds, seeds of Vanilla pod or 1/2 tsp of pure vanilla extract.

"Relaxation Oil: Can be burnt in an aromatherapy lamp, or applied to the forehead or in a bath:  

"1 fl oz. (30 ml) almond or jojoba oil, 3 drops of lemon balm, 3 drops of lavender oil, 3 drops of passionflower oil and one drop of rose or rosewood oil." 

However, Julia won't be making any big batches of spells any time soon. She's far too busy working on fantastic album covers, sculpture, commissioned illustrations and music video- which you can check out here.  

Fancy trying out a bit of witchery for yourself? Julia recommends stocking up on reading material such as The Witch's Journal

While you may never have gotten that Hogwarts letter, that doesn't mean that you can't embrace a bit of magic.  

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Ireland's film and television industry has received a major boost this weekend after it emerged that two Irish films have automatically qualified for Oscar nominations following wins at the Galway Film Fleadh.

Now in its 29th year, the Galway Film Fleadh is a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards and after scooping prizes for Best Animation and Best Short Drama, An Island and Wave are one step closer to the coveted gold statue.

An Island, is an animated film about a solitary man who makes it his mission to conquer an isolated island, while Wave tells the story of a man who wakes from a coma with the ability to speak a fully-formed but unrecognisable language.

An Island 

Wave

When it come to short film and animations, Irish production companies have a strong track record at the Oscars.

There were nominations for The Secret of Kells in 2010 and Song of The Sea in 2015, as well as a win for Benjamin Cleary's short film, Stutterer in 2016.

Here's hoping the films get a chance to compete for the top prize.

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There is something incredibly, gloriously satisfying about watching Randy Cando's creations – not least during at time of year when we're vegging out on the couch and need weird and wonderful amusement. 

The artist, who is pretty much entirely self-taught, has an Instagram account with 200K followers, also attracting mega-attention from a load of influential industry insiders from the advertising and film worlds.

Still just 28, he's furthermore worked with the likes of Netflix, TNT, and Nike.

Randy says his creations take anything from two hours to two weeks to make. 

Here's a selection from his Instagram account that we LOVE:

 

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Martin's Life first caught our attention last year with a hilarious video about the horrific awkwardness of watching TV with your parents in the room.

Now the cartoon series has hit the nail on the head again with a brilliant video about the joys of trying to explain online dating to your mam and dad. As for trying to justify why skinny jeans are MEANT to look "too small," don't even get us started.

This will definitely brighten up your morning!

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Former animator with Disney Studios, Glen Keane, has created this beautiful animation called The Duet that will, quite simply, blow you away.

The animation depicts the power of love between two people, from cells to babies and then adults.

Keane is famous for his animation work on classic Disney movies such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and lots more of our favourites.

This amazing short film is worth every second of it’s three minutes.

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The trailer for upcoming 3D animation movie The Book of Life looks pretty magical!

The adorable movie stars the voices of Channing Tatum, Zoe Saldana, Christina Applegate and Diego Lua, and is due to be released this Halloween.

The movie tells the journey of Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart.

Before choosing which path to follow, he embarks on an incredible adventure that spans three fantastical worlds, where he must face his greatest fears.

Sounds fantastic!

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Watch these guys battle it out in a chalk war.

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