It has been one full year since we launched our blog and we could not be more excited about seeing what the future holds! It also happens to be the 65th anniversary of the opening of Disneyland, so what better way to celebrate than with lists of things we are grateful for, from our readers to the way Disney has crept into our everyday lives, this past year has been a whirlwind, but there are still many things for us to celebrate.

The Film Rewind by the Numbers… July 17, 2019 – July 17, 2020

Posts We Have Published: 92 (including today!)

Total Site Visitors: 1,211

Countries Reached: 29

States Represented: 42 & the District of Columbia

Most Read Post: “The Columbo Drinking Game”

A Huge Thank You and Shout Out to our Readers!!!

You inspire us and we cannot wait to bring more posts your way!

In reflecting upon the past year, we recognize that so much has changed and 2020 has brought about challenges that we could not fathom at this same time last year… There have been high points and lows, but we will continue to share our love of all things film, TV, and modern culture, everything from Action flicks to Romcoms, from Podcasts to Soundtracks, from Anime to Disney, and all parts in between… Speaking of Disney, we can’t help but celebrate today with a continued discussion of ‘The House of Mouse.’ The company’s far-reaching influence and Walt’s legacy has impacted our lives in so many intriguing and inspiring ways. Here are just some of the many ways that Disney has snuck into our everyday lives…

Film Studies

My love of film studies undoubtedly stems from a childhood full of Disney movies. After many years of growing up with the classic animated and live-action staples, The Lion King was the first film I began to truly "study," particularly its background and production history. It was also my first (and not last) experience with online fandoms and fanfictions, which pretty much changed my life as a film and television viewer forever. Later, anniversary editions of Mary Poppins, my all-time favorite film since birth, brought to light the amount of effort and care that went into a quality Walt Disney production. I began to examine the movie not only by its influence on special effects, character, story, and music, but also in terms of various film theories: through the lenses of feminism, Marxism, etc. In summary, Disney pretty much made me the film geek that I am today, and I am forever grateful. - Bailey

Fashion & Accessories

As I sit and work on writing this post, in my recently purchased “Minnie Mouse” t-shirt, I cannot help but be impressed with the many ways that Disney themed items have found their way into my closet and home. My cell phone has a “Stitch” Popsocket on it, my car has a “Minnie” polka-dot themed sunshade, my cat, Lucyfur (named after “Lucifer” from “Cinderella”), has “Star Wars” themed toy mice, and my favorite denim jacket is currently sporting some “Mary Poppins” Penguin pins on the pocket… Clearly my obsession with all things Disney knows no bounds, and I would not have it any other way! Each of these items bring a smile to my face, each and every day, because of the magic that Walt Disney’s legacy has inspired and brought into my life. I am profoundly grateful for the happiness that this artwork, fandom, music, and filmmaking has brought me. – Sarah

My Umbrella

My fiancé and I have gone to New York to see Broadway shows a few times now, but the first time will always be especially dear. We saw three Disney musicals: Mary Poppins, The Lion King, and Newsies (which also happen to be three of my favorite films). It was amazing to see three movies that were so fundamental to the person I became adapted on stage, and I especially loved the way the “Cherry Tree Lane house” became transformed into a dollhouse of sorts, the frame of which always moved and evolved. My fiancé (I guess I can call him Nick, as I've referenced him quite a bit over the past year) surprised me at intermission with my very own parrot head umbrella, incredibly similar to the one in the Mary Poppins film! I've used that umbrella quite a bit since that day, and I'm not kidding, almost every time I go out with it, I get a compliment from a total stranger about how cool it is. And it is super cool! It's just a treasured item from a wonderful time that forever links me, Nick, and Disney altogether. - Bailey

Makeup

Chances are, there is at least one Disney Tsum Tsum Lip Smacker currently rolling around in the bottom of my purse… What can I say, I am a sucker for cute Disney themed packaging!?! My obsession with Disney themed cosmetics started early, as my first lip gloss and ‘makeup’ set was “Beauty and the Beast” themed (following the release of the film), and came with an adorable set of lip balms and child-friendly accessories, including a handheld, rose covered mirror with a comb hidden in the handle. (I am fairly sure the mirror is still kicking around somewhere in a box of mementos from my childhood…) Over the years, I’ve had my fair share of Disney themed cosmetics, from “Pocahontas,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and “Minnie Mouse” themed nail polish sets to a Lorac “Pirates of the Caribbean” eyeshadow palette (which I found at TJ Maxx for half its original price!), the connection between Disney and the beauty industry appears to be growing stronger every year. From drugstore brands to prestige cosmetic lines, there are so many Disney themed makeup choices nowadays, it is no wonder that Disney has the habit of creeping into my everyday life. – Sarah

Board Games

Nick and I are both big board game fans, and Villainous has become one of my favorite board games to play, both as a couple and with friends and other family members. Each player plays as a different Disney villain and works to achieve their evil objective. The other players attempt to thwart each other with the heroes that each villain would face in their respective Disney movies. I particularly love the character-specific designs (the backs of the cards are especially impressive) and the figurines that represent each villain are quite detailed and well designed. There have been three expansions to the original game (thus far), totaling fifteen villains up for play, and fifteen players that could theoretically play at once. It's an entertaining game, with the only real complication being that each character more or less has their own set of rules that one must follow. I highly recommend it for any Disney/board game enthusiasts out there! Fair warning: it can get a bit cutthroat at times... - Bailey

Quotes (and Memes…)

Do you ever find yourself ‘whistling while you work’ or turning popular Disney quotes, songs, and phrases into mantras to get you through your day? I know that I have from time to time, particularly with phrases such as, “hakuna matata” and “just keep swimming,” which quickly spring to mind… Even when at work, it is easy for Disney nods to sneak into common everyday tasks, like picking up items off the printer (see “printer” meme below). There are so many ways in which Disney movies have wormed their way into everyday tasks, conversations, and thoughts… – Sarah

How has Disney crept into your daily life? What was your favorite post from this past year? What films or TV shows are you looking forward to reading about in future posts? Share your thoughts in the comments below and check back soon for more posts!

The Film Rewind is a blog with a modern twist, which was developed as a traditional, but tech savvy, book or film ‘club.’ Made by film buffs for film and television enthusiasts everywhere. Join us on our journey as we explore cinema’s past, present, and future!

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Jul 17 And the Blog Goes On…

The Film Rewind by the Numbers… July 17, 2019 – July 17, 2020

A Huge Thank You and Shout Out to our Readers!!!