DVDizzy Forum

I'm obviously not a native English speaker, but I never would have guessed English wasn't your first language. You seem to have a great command of it and always write very eloquently. Reading what you wrote about the school system, I really think it has a lot to do with individual teachers as well: some are just not good at what they teach or approach it in a way that doesn't get students interested in learning. I had four years of French in high school and two years of German. The French teacher was somewhat old-school, used outdated materials and was mostly focused on grammar. It was all very dry and boring. The German teacher did teach grammar as well, but almost immediately started showing videos in her class, encouraged us to speak German among ourselves in class, and made us play games about grammar and vocabulary, which all made it very fun. It was no wonder I learned more of German than French.

(This is all so very off-topic, so apologies to other forum members.)

Mooky wrote:I'm obviously not a native English speaker, but I never would have guessed English wasn't your first language.

Really? So English is not your first language?? I never would've guessed. And take it as a compliment.

Thanks for your kind words, Mooky! It means a lot coming from you, because, like DisneyFan09 said, you really do speak like a native English speaker. I usually don't remember you aren't one. I wish I was half as fluent and articulate as you are. I'm quite surprised actually to receive this kind of compliments, because I hesitate a lot when I write, especially about the order of the words in sentences, given that it's different in Spanish. And many times I'm not sure if I'm using the words right, if they are too formal/informal, etc. On top of that, as I explained on one occasion, I don't find it easy to express myself. Not even in my own language. But it's true that I try to make an effort, and I'm glad to hear you think I'm doing it well.

I completely agree with what you said about teachers. When I was studying, my grades depended a lot on the teacher I had. I’ve had really good grades and really bad ones in the same subject depending on the teacher I had at the moment. I hate maths, but once I had a math teacher that was so passionate about his subject and made problems seem like an adventure. He managed to make me a bit interested in maths, which is no small feat. So, yes, I think teachers have a big influence in your learning process.

Sorry to everybody too for being off-topic.

You're welcome! And thank you both D82 and DisneyFan09!

I understand where you're coming from D82 and your everyday issues with language, but your writing honestly seems perfect to me. You're not doing it just well, you're doing it great! I guess I was lucky enough to have good English teachers throughout my education. Also, TV shows and movies are not dubbed in my country so that made it easier to pick up grammar rules, slang and the American accent. I too still struggle with grammar when I speak (I tend to ask things like "Did they got home safely?" or "Have you did it?"), but I try to correct myself immediately. When I'm writing, I often consult Google on the right form of a verb or an idiom or sentence construction -- there's a neat trick I learned where you use quotation marks to search for a specific phrase, it really helps narrow down the correct form. Learning a new language is truly a continuous process.

To get this thread back on topic (well, somewhat) -- I'd be interested in knowing why people dislike other Disney films as well. Levels of antipathy towards some of them really puzzle me, like Brother Bear, The Aristocats or Atlantis.

You're welcome, Mooky. I happen to not being a Native English speaker myself, actually.

Thanks again, Mooky! Regarding learning English, as I told you, I didn’t have good teachers at school, but later, I took English classes as an adult and they were much better. That’s when I discovered I actually liked learning the language. I finished the basic level, but then I was many years without studying it, until recently that I’ve taken it up again. As I said on another occasion, the Internet and this forum in particular helped me a lot to maintain and improve my English during those years I wasn't studying it, and of course, it still helps me greatly now.

Mooky wrote:Also, TV shows and movies are not dubbed in my country so that made it easier to pick up grammar rules, slang and the American accent.

That’s a great advantage for learning, in Spain everything's dubbed. And though, of course, nowadays there are a lot of options for listening to things in English like Blu-rays, the Internet, etc; it's not the same as that.

Mooky wrote:I too still struggle with grammar when I speak (I tend to ask things like "Did they got home safely?" or "Have you did it?"), but I try to correct myself immediately.

Those are some of my most frequent mistakes too.

Mooky wrote:When I'm writing, I often consult Google on the right form of a verb or an idiom or sentence construction -- there's a neat trick I learned where you use quotation marks to search for a specific phrase, it really helps narrow down the correct form.

I use that trick too! It’s very helpful. I also use online dictionaries and a Spanish website called “Reverso Context” to translate expressions and things like that. However, even with all these resources, there are still some things whose English equivalents are difficult to find.

Mooky wrote:Learning a new language is truly a continuous process.

It’s true. It’s curious, but the more English I learn, the more I realize how much there is that I still don’t know. Although I know I’m progressing little by little.

Mooky wrote:To get this thread back on topic (well, somewhat) -- I'd be interested in knowing why people dislike other Disney films as well. Levels of antipathy towards some of them really puzzle me, like Brother Bear, The Aristocats or Atlantis.

I don’t hate any of the films you mentioned, though none of them is among my favorites.

The Aristocats is the one I like the most of the three. In my opinion it's an entertaining film and I like the characters and the setting. The music is not bad either. Some people say it’s a combination of 101 Dalmatians and Lady and the Tramp. It has, of course, things in common with both of these movies, but I think the concept is still original and it doesn't feel like a copy of them. Some also say that O’Malley is a lot like Baloo (they are even voiced by the same actor), and that’s true. But, as I love Baloo, I have no complains about that.

Unlike with The Aristocats, I didn't grow up with Atlantis and Brother Bear (I was already an adult when they were released), so it's possible that that's part of why I more critical with them even though they're maybe about the same quality.

My problem with Atlantis is, firstly, that I find it a bit too adult for what I expect from a Disney film (it's the same problem I also have with Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame). Secondly, I relate a bit to Milo, but not much to the rest of the characters, like the rest of the members of the expedition. Especially after it is revealed that all were taking part in the plot to sack the city. Of course, all change their minds and end up helping Milo, but I can’t forgive them so easily after that. Also, it doesn’t help that I personally find the underwater city of Atlantis quite claustrophobic.

As for Brother Bear, I really like the songs. Maybe more than the ones from Tarzan, though I think the latter ones are actually better. I also like the character of Koda and I actually enjoy the film every time I watch it, but I don't find it too memorable. It's also a bit too reminiscent of The Emperor’s New Groove, which was released not too long before it: another movie about a human that is transformed into an animal to learn a lesson.

D82 wrote:I also like the character of Koda

Could you explain why? I find Koda one of the most grating characters in any Disney movie. I'd like to find some appeal in him.

Nandor wrote:

D82 wrote:I also like the character of Koda

Could you explain why? I find Koda one of the most grating characters in any Disney movie. I'd like to find some appeal in him.

I'm also a Koda fan. I think his design is adorable, for one. But there's more than that. He lost his mom, and he is beyond excited to get a "brother;" he was going to try to find his mom anyway, but you know he was scared, rightfully so, and just knowing he had someone to go on the journey with- I just sympathize with him, and he has somewhat of an emotional arch, you know?

Nandor wrote:

D82 wrote:I also like the character of Koda

Could you explain why? I find Koda one of the most grating characters in any Disney movie. I'd like to find some appeal in him.

I don't know, I just find him really likeable, and like blackcauldron85 said, the fact that he lost his mother and sees Kenai as an older brother makes me immediately sympathise with him too. But I can understand why some can find him annoying, especially given that he never stops talking. I think the creators copied a bit the dynamic between Shrek and Donkey, as several studios did during those years after the success of Shrek: a sidekick that's very talkative and wants to go with the main character on his journey and a protagonist that is annoyed by that character and wants to get rid of him at first. They even copied the gag with Kenai covering Koda's mouth while he continues talking.