TresSugar

Smokestacks Meet Thumper: Disney and the Environment

CitizenSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:56:50 PDT

Chim chiminey, Chim chiminey, Chim chim cher-oo! Disney may have made the life of a chimney sweep seem like dancing on the rooftops, but some decades later we've learned smudgy, sooty coal is a filthy form of energy. Which is why the news that much of Europe may be returning to their old coal ways requires a huge spoonful of sugar.

Italy is poised to increase its reliance on coal to 33 percent from 14 percent over the next five years. Total power generated from coal will billow to 50 percent. Don't just blame the Italians, countries all over Europe are expected to put into operation about 50 coal-fired plants over the next five years - plants and gunk that we will be able to enjoy for the next five decades. Germany in particular has 60 new coal-fired power stations planned. To see how Disney fits into the modern eco-picture,

read more. An animator who worked on Disney's Bambi went the way of Bambi's mom last week and requested in lieu of flowers, donations to the Natural Resources Defense Council. His request underscores a Disney obsession with the pastoral, evidenced in films from Bambi, to Pocohontas, to Finding Nemo. Some say these films inspire tiny environmentalists, like this researcher at Cambridge University.

These films have taught us variously about having a fundamental respect for nature. Some of them, such as Bambi, inspired conservation awareness and laid the emotional groundwork for environmental activism.

In a step to take the eco-activism from figurative to literal, Disney is launching new film production unit called Disneynature. They're gearing up to make feature-length documentaries about animals and the environment, similar to the wildly popular March of the Penguins. The first US movie to be released, is dubbed Earth is set to open April 22, 2009 - Earth Day a year from now. Are we at a crossroad in terms of environmental decision making, where we need to choose between the black-lunged Dick Van Dyke chimney sweep of coal, and the blissful Disney forests? Are you surprised that countries are returning to coal? Was Disney a true trailblazer in the environmental movement? Does entertainment have a place in driving environmental policy? Do you love that part in Bambi where the skunk says, "he can call me Flower if he wants to?" Source

Buzz News Roundup, 12/5

BuzzSugar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:33:06 PST

The Hollywood Reporter has news that Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, and James Franco have joined Sean Penn for the Harvey Milk biopic, Milk.
The stage musical version of Mary Poppins will begin its U.S. tour in Chicago during the spring of 2009, writes Variety.
Michael Urie of Ugly Betty will host a Miss America special on TLC starting in January; details are at The Futon Critic.
E! Online has news about the tour John C. Reilly will do to promote his mock musical biopic Walk Hard.
Randy Jackson is auditioning hip-hop crews for an upcoming MTV show, TV Guide reports.
According to Variety, Edward Norton will star in the comedic thriller Leaves of Grass.
Dancing With the Stars professional champion Julianne Hough is launching a singing career, Billboard reports.
Old episodes of Pop-Up Video will start airing online via VH1 Classic, Broadcasting & Cable reports.

Source

Scary Poppins

GiggleSugar — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 07:00:00 PDT

We posted this a loooong time ago, but Audreystar reminded us (just in time for Halloween) that with a little creative editing and scary music, even Mary Poppins can scare the bejeezus out of you.

Mary Poppins: The Dark Side

GiggleSugar — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 11:55:00 PST

I always knew there was something a little "off" about Mary Poppins. Now I know why...

Lil Gift Guide: 5 Gorgeous Gifts Worthy of Your Indispensable Nanny

Natasha Dantzig — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:11:07 PST

Thank goodness for the modern Mary Poppins! A full-time nanny is an essential, treasured member of the family. She functions as mama's surrogate, tending to scraped knees and celebrating successes at school, so her gift will reflect her valued place within the family. Money may be standard holiday operating procedure for many families (one to two weeks of salary seems to be standard), but others try to bestow a gift on their caretaker. Keep reading for a selection of holiday goodies that will warm your nanny's heart.

Rachel Bilson Mixes Up Her Look and Talks Homebody Habits For Nylon

Lauren Turner — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:34:09 PDT

Rachel Bilson layered up for the cover of Nylon's November America issue. Rachel is known as well for her style as she is for her acting work, and the actress opened up about her fashion sense - and even shared the contents of her Chloe purse! - in the magazine. Rachel's currently starring in the CW series Hart of Dixie, but when she's not working, she admits to being quite the homebody. Here's more from Rachel Bilson in Nylon:

On the contents of her huge Chloe bag: "I feel like Mary Poppins! Look at this, I have a bra in here! All right, let's see what else is here: makeup remover, Advil, nail accessories. . . . Oh! I have socks and a pen in here, too! My wallet, sunglasses, my call sheet, checkbook. . . . I have some Mexican jumping beans! You never know when you may need them!"
On being a homebody: "I'm all about Netflix and ordering Teen Mom on iTunes. I go to bed at nine! I'm not as interested in going out and partying at night anymore; I'm more set in my ways. I know I sound like an 80-year-old."
On her fashion sense as a child: "I always had to dress myself, which is very interesting when you're two. My poor mom. There was this one dress, it was my favorite - it was really colorful and big and ridiculous. I wore it until it fell apart. I was a very bossy fashionista when I was three. I feel like if I ever have a daughter, there is going to be some sweet revenge placed on me because of how I was as a kid."

This Is Jane. She Wears Cute Clothes.

OnSugar — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 03:04:34 PDT

We're suckers for literary references, particularly when it involves iconic childrens' books. Case in point: this adorable post from OnSugar blogger Miss Poppins' Purse!

The "Dick and Jane" books of the 1950s will always hold a spot in my heart, as well as a place on my bookshelf. The one-sentence adventures of these two children helped American children learn to read such useful sentences as "They love each other," and "See the bunny!" Okay, so perhaps I don't integrate these sentences into my everyday dialogue, but wouldn't life be easier if we all spoke in this direct, matter-of-fact way? Maybe only five-year-olds get that privilege. Although I do not often employ Jane's dialogue, I see her style in my wardrobe. Her gingham dresses, peter-pan collared dresses and shirts, as well as her adorable Mary Jane shoes, are essential for every girl, no matter the age!

For more, follow Miss Poppins' Purse, or start your own OnSugar blog, and we might just feature you on FabSugar!