POP CULTURE NEWS NINETY-NINE: DISNEY THINGS + ZACHARY LEVI
Hey, there, Friday! We’re back welcoming the unofficial but so close start to our weekend by looking back on this week’s trending stories. pop culture news ninety-nine
DISCUSSION | OPINION: ‘BARBIE’ ISN’T AS BAD (OR AS GOOD) AS SOCIAL MEDIA TELLS US
✨POP CULTURE NEWS NINETY-NINE: DISNEY THINGS + ZACHARY LEVI✨ Talking the roundup of the week. #Disney #ZacharyLevi #SweetMagnolias #BritneySpears Share on XLet’s just go right into what those are, and see what reactions we may have to them.
POP CULTURE NEWS NINETY-NINE
DISNEY PRINCESS CRITISICM
Much like their last live-action re-make, the upcoming 2024 release of Snow White from Disney is getting much backlash. This time because of comments it titular star made during a D23 event. When talking about the film, comments about it having a modern edge were made, Rachel Zegler went on to say, “I just mean that it’s no longer 1937. We absolutely wrote a ‘Snow White’ that — she’s not going to be saved by the prince, and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love. She’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be and the leader that her late father told her that she could be if she was fearless, fair, brave and true.”
During another interview at the same event, she also says about the film, “We have a different approach to what I’m sure a lot of people will assume is a love story just because we cast a guy in the movie,” she said, adding, “It’s one of those things that I think everyone’s going to have their assumptions about what it’s actually going to be, but it’s really not about the love story at all, which is really, really wonderful.”
She joked that all the scenes featuring Prince Charming “could get cut.” Adding “Who knows? It’s Hollywood, baby.”
Some reactions to this from social media included:
“Rachel Zegler admitting she didn’t like Snow White growing up, saying she had only watched it ONCE before getting the role is so sad to me. Out of MILLIONS of women who loved the character, care about the story and yet this is who we get,” read a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
“Criticizing Disney princesses is not feminist. Not every woman is a leader. [Or] wants to be a leader. Not every woman wants or craves power,” someone said in a TikTok video with 10 million views. “And that’s OK.”
“What doesn’t fit into my brain is why does a woman need to somehow be proactive, extraordinary, have this incredible successful career in order to be appreciated and in order to be considered a protagonist?” another TikToker asked in a video.
“I thought Rachel zegler ran over somebody grandma or sumn….. imagine my surprise,” from an X post
“Rachel Zegler did nothing wrong and all of you who bullied her off of social media are disgusting,” read another X post.
Here’s my opinion. Filmmakers do often put a “modern” spin on a timeless tale and I’ll be honest, it’s a toss up. Sometimes I like it and other times I don’t. However, the one thing I do think the writers are missing is that the love story doesn’t have to be a weakness. The actress is right, this is a different time. The best writer can write a strong female lead and still work in a story that compliments her strengths with a prince who also, will compliment her and we can see them work as a team. Just like I said in a write up recently, just because the accepted cultural “rule” is that men have “ruled” for too long and now it’s women’s turn doesn’t mean that the solution is the opposite gender taking on the role. Partnership in a story or love story can be beautiful.
NEW PERIOD DRAMA ALERT (!!!)
If you remember from several weekly editions ago, we shared that Apple TV+ would be releasing a re-make of the period drama The Buccaneers. Based on the Edith Wharton novel, the story follows four girls on their journey into society. Already produced back in the 90s by BBC, this version will feature Christina Hendricks, and a host of newer talent, I’m curious. Though I will admit while I liked the BBC version, I have a feeling this one will really play (in a more graphic way) into the themes of the novel, molding them to be more “shocking” in the way production companies do just because they can and don’t have restrictions. The series will begin on November 8.
LAST THINGS
TV star (NBC’s Chuck) Zachary Levi is, apparently, annoying social media (again) following his strike comments. At a recent Chicago expo event, Levi said “the amount of content that comes out of Hollywood that is garbage — they don’t care enough to actually make it great for you. How many times do you watch a trailer and go, ‘… this looks so cool!’ Then you go to the movie and it’s like, ‘This was what I get?’ They know that once you’ve already bought the ticket and you’re in the seat, they’ve got your money. And the only way for us to change any of it is to not go to the garbage. […] It’ll help a lot.” I don’t have an opinion about some of what he says, but I do agree filmmakers don’t make really good movies anymore. Do most entertain? Sure. But the ones that stay with us aren’t there.
Sweet Magnolias is topping the streaming charts right now but is waiting on word if it will see a fourth season. What team are you on for the Netflix charmer? Team renewal or team go-away?
Sam Asghari filed for divorce from Britney Spears, his wife for barely a year now. There are all kinds of thoughts about this and most say it’s “big” pop culture news because of Britney Spears. Honestly, I don’t really care about it other than it being sad to see a marriage end. But beyond this, I’ve never been a Spears fan and don’t have the mental energy to go down that social media rabbit hole.
If you’re obsessing, but somehow missed it, Taylor Swift is selling an exclusive vinyl edition of her 1989 album. But the time is ticking away since it’s limited edition.
How many of these did you see this week? Any that you followed or bookmarked? Which ones did we woefully neglect? Which ones did you not see before now? Let’s talk in the comments.
Thank you for visiting; please come back soon
