Do What Makes You Happy

Dearest Reader,

As more and more individuals either boycott, complain, or overall provide their takes on the movie. I still see many overcome with disappointment that Nani left Lilo for the mainland and college. I feel like this dissatisfaction should be a bit more nuanced though as to where the unhappiness lies with how that the story framed the ending.

The beauty I remarked on and the reason I liked the the end is because though not legally done through the state I was raised in a hanai household. The individual who raised me became my family automatically. There is a difference between hanai and adoption, hanai refers to something deeper something that connects individuals together with no familial ties your family’s become entwined.

Nani did not leave Lilo with unknown people. I would argue that Tutu even became not just a parental figure for Lilo but also Nani who will be able to rely upon her hanai family not just for Lilo, but for herself as well.

The beast starts to rise up when we take the concept of hanai and make it a pro American government occupation and intervention film.

Hello Dearest Reader,

Having just watched the new Lilo and Stitch movie, and grown up on the original movie/ the subsequent spinoffs, and being born and raised in Hawaii I have a few thoughts.

Going into this movie there was already a lot stacked up against it in my book. From the actress, Sydney Agudong playing Nani and the controversy with her having a darker skin tone and portraying a Kanaka Maoli character to the “ambiguous” island setting, which if you are curious is not Kaua’i but is in fact on the island of O’ahu which is the most populace island with the largest city of Honolulu.

Of course there was the Pleakly conversation, which weighed heavy on me, but beyond that I also had reservations with the context of a few jokes specifically the one pictured below with the live action equivalent. One of the complexities of the original Lilo and Stitch is the discreet commentary on the tourism industry pushing out locals. While, in the live action there were many tourists from the wedding that Stitch crashes, to the tour bus that Stitch runs into. Ultimately the original messaging of the film emphasized found family, in a changing society that may not welcome the difference due to white western standards.

Though I held hope when I heard that one of the writers on the new adaptation was the son of the choral instructor of the children who were apart of singing Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride in the original film. I also heard the live action adaptation “had a lot of love/heart” put into making it. So, I was the tiniest bit hopeful that the execution of the project would be good.

As the day drew nearer to see the film I heard talk that Gantu would not be in the film, and yet again that creeping sense that this film would disappoint snuck in. Gantu while not a pivotal plot point made it exceptionally important for the found family aspect and coming as you in the audience accepting of Jumba and Pleakly so without Gantu there would need to be another, I just at the time didn’t know who.

While, watching the adaptation all of the issues I stated above still stand and were evident in the film as issues especially the jarring one where they are on O’ahu which does have Waikiki and the city of Honolulu, yet not once did we see Ala Moana Shopping Center. So, the film was already hard to watch, but I pushed passed these issues and tried to take the piece in further.

Though I lost it at one certain point with the blatant propaganda within the new adaptation that made me smile, and fist my fingers together wanting to scream at the theater screen and get pulled out. It was near the end of the film CIA Agent Cobra having captured an “alien life form” aka Pleakly he was going to head out ( in this adaptation the government does not know about aliens and did not make the mosquito propaganda) when Nani and the hanai crew aka Tutu and David crowd around Cobra’s car and tell him he can’t leave because he basically has a duty to protect them too, referring to the racial and socioeconomic differences from the tourists and mainlanders Cobra is used to.

Nani and the crew tell Cobra basically “we are also American” which is completely just a huge pro American occupation of Hawaii move to do like that inclusion of that line cements the ideology that Hawaii is just apart of America, when there is a complexity regarding the relationship of identity for those born in Hawaii and being considered American. I refer you all to this song.

Beyond that there were moments in the film that I did enjoy the flushing out of Nani’s character the inclusion of granny aka Tutu and the complex relationship of family and goals. With the revamped statements regarding ohana. I have been seeing people dislike the fact that Nani decided to go to college and leave Lilo with Tutu and David. I actually think this is one of the better decisions the live action decided to make as adding this includes the complexity of family and the beauty in hanai, while I wish it wasn’t portrayed through such a legal standpoint through the social work character, but like discussed already with the American standpoint the film had to make sure to be pro government. Though I felt it didn’t need to be that blown up as Tutu was already caring for Lilo I mean she was the one who let her adopt Stitch.

Because while I love that Nani gave up her surfing career in the original film to care for her sister as a child it never sat right with me that she herself didn’t get to continue or do something she herself loves just as her sister’s wish to be seen and have a friend. I felt the inclusion of Nani’s dream and Lilo knowing it shows the complexity of the sister relationship and the beauty of having ohana around.

I did not like how Jumba became an antagonist based on resistance to change and adaptation and felt Gantu still could have remained a character and offered commentary on possible toxic masculinity as well as resistance to change and being rigid with in society. Gantu could have legitimately could have been a warden character of some sort.

While many complaints were given about the film, there was love woven in. Though just as weave this stitch of love is just interwoven in between a cash grab of a film. Those who have an intimate relationship with Hawaii will have mixed feelings as seeing the local beauty with some local Easter eggs is fun, there is still so much off with the film that it makes me wince.

I have seen many talk about the significance of the time period for the new movie Sinners and the racial history of the 1930s Mississippi. I have seen many great videos talking on the movie I aim to add more historical context to enrichen the conversations we are having about this film.

It is mentioned throughout that the SmokeStake Twins got “Irish Whisky, and Italian Wine” during their time up in Chicago is key and why alcohol is mentioned in such a manner is we are right in the middle of a historically low point for America with the Prohibition Act of 1920-1933, which outlawed the selling, manufacturing, and distribution of liquor.

As from this young scholars understanding occurred for a handful of reasons like an uptick in drinking after World War 1, higher rates of unemployment, and mostly a temperance movement brought on by conservatism and the SINS/ vices that drinking would bring forth disturbing the peace.

So there is already this conversation happening within the film about temperance, which is usually a word used to describe self-control especially over drink but can apply to cases of emotion, and essentially finding a balance or rather a harmony with various aspects of life.

Which on its own is not a detriment, just as in theory when Remmick says “ we want to be all equals etc etc” when he first arrives at the Juke Joint is the very same argument that Western Liberalism uses to control the dominant narrative of peoples’ stories co-opting, erasing, or utilizing culturally significant traditions,stories, and ways of being for own personal gain in the guise of community and fellowship.

While fellowship was on full display within the movie we as an audience had to remember the time period this movie takes place it is still 1932 with all of the segregation, lynching, and racial divide that has been discussed by others. I want to draw our attention a bit further and note that it was also nearing the height of the Great Depression which occurred in 1933. In 1932 the country was experiencing a starvation due to the market crashing in prior years from over drafting on goods and material objects that showed opulence and wealth due to the era of the Roaring 20s.

This is another reason the Juke Joint was such a surreal moment, because while drinking during the prohibition era was common enough practice, “having fun after a long weeks work” was not and that also adds to the anticipation of this film. That people have been working or barely making ends meet and are coming together during all this sadness and depression and celebrate with the ancestors past and future, together. Even if it was just for one night.

Having spent the greater part of my day rewatching Season 1 of the “Last of Us” and subsequently finishing the first episode of Season 2, my heart feels fuller with emotion having gone through the turmoil of the characters and the plot, though as much as it is about survival what really makes a good apocalypse show is the multi layered ability to create a story about human connection, repercussions of actions, and ultimately just as “White Lotus”explores intimate relationships and the intersectional play that occurs with other topics like most recently religion.

Don’t ever let anyone squash who you are.

Listen to yourself, your body, your senses.

Know you are cherished no matter what may have happened to you.

Don’t let the ringing and the dark spots in your vision stop you. They will cease once you’re able to free your hands and claw your way out of the passenger door.

You are an endless well of strength. I know it and they know it.

Dearest Readers,

*If you have read the books, not so much, but still.

Be forewarned*

*

Dearest reader,

On my millionth re-watch of Season 3 part 1. I watched the sneak peak once more.

A thought had occurred to me to pause the preview at a vary crucial point. When Penelope is writing as Lady W. When I tell you they are sticking with the plot from the book that Cressida will claim to be Lady W. and Pen will write on it, because she will not allow Cressida Cowper to take ownership over the work that Penelope has created and worked sooo hard to achieve.

Within this oh so precise pause. One can read a lot from the passage.

“In case this author has not said it plainly enough; read this clearly now, Cressida Cowper is a liar. A Fraud. A Charlatan…”

The Lady W. column clearly continues with calling out and racking Cressida for her lies.

This author would like to speculate that while who is Lady W. will be a large plot point I think the significance as in the books will be that Colin does not want Penelope to publish this said denouncement.

As readers of the book know Colin got incredibly upset when this issue of Whistledown had arrived.

I leave you all with my findings.

There were many a moment from this episode that one could discuss dearest reader.

Though this author would like to point to Violet Bridgerton, who was ready to welcome Penelope to her family that evening, at the Innovations Ball.

Violet can be spotted watching the entire time as Colin moved to have a moment with Penelope. She did not take her eyes off her son the entire time.

This author does hope for more Penelope and Violet interactions in part 2 as they are very similar.

(I can’t find the exact moment but the Market scene from S3E2 of Bridgerton will be my reference point.)

Dearest Readers,

It may be this author’s twisted mind, but Colin Bridgerton may be a bit more flavorful in bed than his other siblings, meaning he may be apart of the BDSM community. In Colin’s desire for a relationship that makes him feel it would makes sense he would explore alternate forms besides the normative form of romance. One could look at the threesomes he has partaken in, however I offer other evidence.

Starting off with the aforementioned ^ scene at the market. Penelope is worried she is a lost cause and Colin does not wish to continue her lesson. The use of the term lesson is interesting as its usages declares there is something to be taught (this case male interest). Though why not refer to what they are doing as courses, or even better instructions. Lessons have a connotation of stricter teachings.

The verbiage here is riddled with se*ual themes. As the conversation continues with Penelope thinking herself unteachable. This type of strict play is not just in this scene, nor is it the most blaring.

Later on during the Lunar Ball, Colin and Pen are talking and Pen wishes to read Colin’s work further.

His response though a tease is on the same lines as that of using the term lesson. He wants Penelope to complete an objective for him to consider her reading his journals, providing Pen praise for the good work she’s done thus far.

Tell me dearest reader your heart did not skip a beat at the ultimatum. At the mere consideration of reading, IF Pen talked to a single lord.

Another feather in the cap goes to how well Colin was able to imagine a ballroom scene for him and Pen to role play in to practice courting.

Please know dearest readers that I do not raise this flag lightly. However, I do believe Colin dabbles in the BDSM realm, with his interests lying in the realm of praising through his use of imagination, rhetoric, and behavior.

I would like to talk about ^ this scene.

I have seen many talk about how cute it was, and it surly was. HOWEVER, I have to add to how perfect they are for each other.

My dearest readers, the world has disappeared around them, and they literally brighten each others day. The background has no one, absolutely no one, which is not the case in actuality, as a few seconds prior there were ladies  promenading and the sky was darker slightly.

Once the two go under the tree the world disappears it is literally just the two of them in the bustle of the afternoon park.