Thursday, September 19, 2013

Top Six Best Hero Songs

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And here we are, with the converse of my last post;  the Top Six Best Hero Songs!
While Villain Songs are usually my favorites, there are some pretty great hero songs as well.  The following is a list of my favorite hero songs from various musicals and movies.  

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#1:  Out There
Movie:  The Hunchack of Notre Dame
Hero:  Quasimodo

Notes:  I love the chord progressions in this song.  Not to mention it's in my range for the most part, so I can sing right along with Quasi and Frollo. (Well, an octave above Frollo, technically.)


#2:  Lothlorien
Musical:  The Lord of the Rings
Character:  Legolas/Galadriel

Notes:  I don't know how many of you LOTR junkies know that there was actually a musical made for The Lord of the Rings, but there was.  Now before you think, Oh no!  Just what we needed- dancing orcs!, let me say that it actually seems pretty good.  Very different from the movies, but good.  It has three parts, one part for each book.  This is my favorite song from it- unfortunately I could not get the full version.  Thus the Lothlorien you see is the abridges song.




#3:  Let My People Go
Movie:  The Prince of Egypt
Character(s):  Moses/Rameses

Notes:  This is a unique combination of a Hero/Villain song.  It's pretty epic.  And it's a Bible Story.  XD




#4:  All I Ever Wanted
Movie:  Prince of Egypt
Hero:  Moses



#5:  The Wizard and I
Musical:  Wicked
Hero:  Elphaba

Notes:  It's not often that a character sings both the Hero Songs and the Villain Song.  But Elphaba pulls it off!  :)




#6:  Little Town
Movie:  Beauty and the Beast
Heroine: Belle

Notes:  Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney movie, with The Hunchback being a close second.  Belle reminds me of myself a lot.  :)


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-Rayne Speryll

(Disclaimer:   I do not own the material in these videos.  All credit goes to the copyright owners.)

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Top Six Favorite Villain Songs

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I love the part in the movie/musical when the story moves away from the heroes for a moment.... and we descend into the depths of the Antagonist's lair.  Here, they are either revealing their plan to their minions, or hatching some devious new plot.  Or perhaps they are engaged in a reflective monologue, looking into the depths of their own soul.  Maybe they're just rejoicing in how evil they are.
Whatever their doing, the Villain gets their one moment of being the star as they break out in a wonderfully devious song, showing the audience just what they're capable of.

I love it.  

If I ever played a villain, I'd want a villain song.  XD

And so, without further delay, I give you my list of favorite villain songs.  Enjoy!

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#1: Hellfire
Movie:  The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Villain:  Claude Frollo

Comments:  Claude Frollo is like the Pharisees from Jesus's day.... only he's in Fifteenth Century France.  (I think that's the right time period... if it's not, correct me, please. ;)
Not only that, but he's completely delusional, and apparently suffers from severe paranoia, hallucinations, and xenophobia.  This song is where it all comes to light.



#2:  No Good Deed
Musical:  Wicked
Character:  Elphaba

Notes:  Elphaba isn't really a villain at this point, but this is where she makes the decision to become one.  It's heartbreaking, really.  Seeing the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West makes you see The Wizard of Oz in a whole new light.
(I apologize that I could not use footage from the actual musical, but all of those were of very poor quality.)




#3:  Brand New Day
Movie:  Doctor Horrible's Sing Along Blog
Villain:  Doctor Horrible

Notes:  I did not use the original video of this song;  instead I have opted to use a version in which Dr. Horrible is replaced by Amon, from Legend of Korra.   Partly because I like Amon as a villain, and partly because some of the things from the musical Dr. Horrible are not so great.  Thus you will hear the song as sung by the infamous Amon, leader of the Equalists.   :)



#4:  MINE
Movie:  Elmo in Grouchland
Villain:  Huxley

Notes:  Despite the fact that it was meant for little kids, this movie actually had a really good villain, played by Mandy Patinken (otherwise known as Inigo Montoya).  And he has one of the best songs.  ;D



#5:  Mother Knows Best
Movie:  Tangled
Villain:  Mother Gothel

Notes:  Catchiest song... ever.  



#6:  How Could I Refuse?
Movie:  Barbie in The Princess and the Pauper
Villain:  Preminger

Notes:  Barbie movies are usually all the same, but I really did like this song, and this villain.  Especially when I was a kid.  :)
(Once again, I couldn't find actual footage of the movie that was good quality.  So I included a picture of Preminger to go with the video.)

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Well, I hope you've enjoyed these villain songs.  If you know any other good ones, be sure to tell me about them!

-Rayne Speryll

(Disclaimer:  I own none of these songs, nor the videos that go with them.  All credit goes to their respective owners.)

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

More Character Portraits; James and Corynn Booker

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As mentioned in the title, I have more character portraits, this time for my friend Hunter.  These characters, a brother and sister team by the names of James and Corynn Booker, come from the same roleplay battle as Akim Kyradul.
Thank you to Hunter for giving me fun new characters to draw. I hope you like them!

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I wish I could have made the image bigger and more clear, but the photo editing program on my computer is very poor.  Thus, I must apologize for the poor quality of the image once again.  Someday, I'll find a way to upload better images.  :)

Rayne Speryll

Monday, September 2, 2013

Character Portrait: Akim Kyradul

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Hello, readers.  :)  Just a short post today, as I am pressed for time.  This is a portrait of a character who does not belong to me, but to a friend of mine, Jliessa44.  I first encountered Akim in a roleplay battle, and when I read about him, he was the kind of character who just kind of jumped out at me; I knew that I had to draw him.  So thank you for such an enjoyable character, Jliessa!  I had fun drawing him.  I hope you don't mind.  ;)

(It's also another anime experiment for me.  I think it turned out rather well.  :)

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This picture of Akim is not entirely accurate; I left out a few details.  His cloak, for one, and his golden pocket watch for another.  Oh well.  :)

Rayne Speryll