Top 10 obscure Disney baby names (BOYS)

Well, I guess Matt and Sarah decided not to go for any of my suggestions in naming their daughter.

Whatever. I'm over it.

I'm making a new list, of boy names. Maybe someone else will appreciate my brilliant advice! Actually, I don't know anyone who is having a boy. My sister is preggers, but they're waiting to find out the gender. If it is a boy, I think they have some great options here. Seriously.

1. Ichabod, main character in The Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad
Why it works: Despite what the name might connote (socially awkward guy with a big nose - that's what I think of, at least), Disney's Ichabod Crane was quite the ladies' man. Until he was driven mad by the Headless Hunter, that is.
Suggested nicknames - Ick, Icky, Ickers

2. Mowgli, main character in The Jungle Book
Why it works: Ten bucks your kid will be the only one with this name in his class. Just make sure he wears more than red underwear.
Suggested nicknames - Mo, Mowgs, Glee-meister

3. Basil, main character in The Great Mouse Detective
Why it works: British names are automatically cool. Plus, he'd be named after an herb. Yum.
Suggested nicknames - Baz, Bazzie, Sherlock

4. Phoebus, love interest in The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Why it works: If you give him this name, your son will most likely grow some awesome facial hair one day.
Suggested nicknames - Pheebs, Pheebers, Bus

5. Clayton, villain in Tarzan
Why it works: When he's not busy hunting apes, he'll be playing tennis at the country club and wearing lots of argyle sweaters.
Suggested nicknames: Clay, Clay-boy

6. Kronk, villain's sidekick in Emperor's New Groove
Why it works: Um, because he's AWESOME.
Suggested nicknames: Kronkie, Kronkers, K

7. Milo, main character in Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Why it works: I think this is a legitimately cute name.
Suggested nicknames: Miles, Lo-Lo, Michael J. Fox

8. Koda, younger bear in Brother Bear
Why it works: Doesn't the name just sound cuddly and cute?
Suggested nicknames: Kody, Kodes, Kody-Bear

9. Pascal, chameleon in Tangled
Why it works: Have you seen Tangled?
Suggested nicknames: Pascie, Cal

10. Maximus, horse in Tangled
Why it works: Have you seen Tangled?
Suggested nicknames: Max, horsie

#40: A Spitting (Llama) Image

(c) Disney

The Emperor's New Groove, 2000
watched June 23, 2012

You may be surprised to learn that I don't really care for this movie.

Most people I've talked to who are not Disney fans like I am, tell me that they actually enjoy Emperor's New Groove, that it's one of their favorites. It makes sense. Both self-referential and satirical, the film has a sort of breaking-down-the-fourth-wall tone, not often seen in Disney's work. Thus, those who don't typically like Disney movies will probably enjoy Groove.

One of the primary reasons I'm not a huge fan of the film is its main character, Emperor Kuzco. He's unlike the brave, honest and selfless heroes and heroines typically featured in Disney films. In fact, he's pretty much the opposite. He's so unlikable that it's funny. Well, it's supposed to be.

And I know--that's the point of the whole movie. And for the most part, I do laugh and enjoy myself when I watch it. But I have a really hard time getting behind a main character who thinks the universe revolves around him, that he can do whatever he wants at the expense of other people, that whenever something bad happens it's obviously someone else's fault.

But I also get annoyed with Pacha, the good-natured peasant who goes out of his way to help Kuzco after he's been turned into a llama. I don't understand why he's so determined to find some good in Kuzco, even after he's manipulated and lied to Pacha. There's no good reason why he should do anything for him, especially when returning him to the palace means that Kuzco will move forward with plans to destroy his home.

But here's where I realize the truth about this film. Kuzco is so unlikable because he reminds me of someone I know a little too well.

Me.

Looking at that ugly, whiny, annoying llama is like looking into a mirror. I see a self-centered, uncaring, heartless person who thinks their own problems are the biggest deal ever. I see someone who promises to be better, to help others, to use their power for good, and yet never actually does it. While I may not go around flaunting my fabulousness as Kuzco does, I can be just as prideful.

That's when the film isn't so funny anymore.

When I look at Pacha, whose unrelenting goodness I still can't comprehend, I see someone who is foolishly loyal to one who totally doesn't deserve it. It makes no sense whatsoever.

And then I realize. That's the Gospel. When I see it through this llama-shaped mirror, the ridiculousness of it all becomes apparent. Why would anyone risk their life to save such a pathetic, unlikable, annoying character?

But Someone did do that for me. When I, the unlovable empress of my own world, was lost, alone, and at the edge of the cliff, Someone rescued me and brought me home. Even when I lied to him and gave him empty promises, He loved me. And ultimately, He transformed me back to the person I was created to be. 

Perhaps the Gospel is foolish, ridiculous, and unbelievable. But I'm so thankful it's true.

Otherwise, I'd still be stuck as a llama.

12 Days of Disnerd Christmas - 11th Day

10 films rebirthing
9 princesses dreaming,

8 mice a-mending,

7 dwarfs heigh ho-ing,

 Six Lost Boys playing,
Five fairies' wings...

Four crooning birds,

Three handsome thieves,

Two hunny pots,

and Rafiki in his big tree!

In all my research, there really wasn't exactly 11 of anything. So I had to cheat a little. I would like to note the interesting observation that most villains are depicted with the colors purple or red, and varying shades thereof. Why is that?

Only one more day to go! Wouldn't it be nice if we actually did celebrate Christmas for 12 days?