Green Phoenix - Let's Talk...Lifetime/Hallmark Christmas Movie Tropes

Merry Christmas everybody!

This time of year is the time for Christmas specials and holiday movies and, as is my custom, my annual Christmas special editorial. Last year, I wrote about the Rankin Bass Christmas Film Cinematic Universe, showing all the claymation films connected to each other by their shared mythologies and characters. It was a hell of a good time and far more immersive and substantial than I had initially anticipated. It was a ton of fun to write and motivated me to take a closer look at and discuss another aspect of the holiday season that I'm sure everyone is at least tangentially familiar with, for good or ill.

So this year, I will be discussing the tropes and common narrative elements behind the Lifetime/Hallmark Christmas movies. These films have a not undeserved reputation for their repetitive natures, common story beats and almost disgustingly predictable plot lines. With such a reputation, how could I not end a year that has been filled with so many moments of transformation for myself than by discussing a psuedo-genre of films which are nearly identical?

It's only logical really.

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My Top 5 Yellow Ranger Zords

 

Continuing on the Zord countdowns, allow me to list some Yellow power. Not too much to say on this one, there weren't many Yellow Rangers that stand out highly in my nostalgic mind. Not one of my favorite colors. Regardless, as an adult I have come to appreciate them more. As for the Zords, there are plenty to choose from this time so click "read more" and let's get this countdown started. Remember, one rule is no 6th or Extra Rangers. (Not that any have ever been yellow.)

South Park Chef's Luv Shack (Sega Dreamcast) - Review

 

The existence of this game is kind of shocking. Matt Stone and Trey Parker have stated that they hated the South Park games prior to The Stick of Truth and this game is a good example as to why. I am reviewing the Sega Dreamcast version simply because that is the version I happen to own. Click "read more" and let's take a look at this mess.

Ghost Ranger - My Top 5 White Ranger Zords

Well, this list is a tricky situation. My rules for these countdowns have been only 1 Zord per Ranger and no Extra or 6th Rangers. However, if you don't count Extra or 6th Rangers than there has only been 3 White Rangers so, following those rules would be impossible without limiting this list to 3. So, just this once I am going to have to break a rule, I will allow Extra Rangers but no 6th, which still barely puts us at 5 Rangers. So, click "read more" and let us see what is left.

My Top 5 Blue Ranger Zords

Continuing the Zord countdowns, we are feeling blue today. It is honestly hard to choose out of the blue Zords because they rarely get spotlight episodes outside of their introductions. So, we are going to have to depend a lot on design for these choices, among other lists. Click "read more" to see my list.

Green Phoenix - 8 Incredible Quirks in My Hero Academia

 

I have spoken on the world of My Hero Academia in previous articles before, both with what I find enjoyable and frustrating about this superhero franchise. Of all the elements that I enjoy from it, I think the sheer variety and uniqueness of the superpowers presented in universe, known as Quirks, is definitely the highlight.

Superpowers have long been a staple of media, as the thought of possessing an ability which would allow you to have a greater degree of influence or power over the world is exceptionally enticing to most people. Ever since Superman first arrived on comic pages in 1938, debates have raged about the best superpowers and why.

Super strength, flight, super intelligence, laser vision, telepathy, etc.

The debates have raged and the reasonings that have accompanied those debates have ranged from the asinine to the scientific, and everything in-between. I've always personally found the superheroes without superpowers to be far more interesting, though the inherent connections between white privilege, super wealth, and non-powered superheroes has made me more thematically aware of the impacts of such heroes on society as a whole. Despite this position on superpowers, I have decided to throw my hat into the ring by exploring my favorite superpowers in the world of My Hero Academia.

Why My Hero Academia I here you ask? Why not select Marvel or DC? The reason is two-fold. First, My Hero Academia is a widely popular manga and anime and I want to utilize that popularity for more views of this article (Bwahahaha!); and secondly, I think that the sheer variety and number of Quirks presented in universe is utterly fascinating and much more unique than the usual suspects seen in most Western superhero comics.

Some of the Quirks seen in this franchise are just insane when one takes the time to look closely. I will not be taking the character who possesses the Quirk into account, so hero, villain, popular or not; only the power will matter. Starting next week, I will be going on my December Holiday Break so I can prepare for TrotCon 2021 and the Christmas season, so I hope you all enjoy this light-hearted and easy-going countdown.

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My Top 5 Sixth Ranger Zords

 

I already counted down my favorite rangers of each color, now it is time to do the same thing with their zords. The 6th Rangers get their own separate list because their zords are supposed to stand out from the core rangers so it is unfair to put them in the same lists as their corresponding colors. So, let's begin with my favorite Zords that are under the control of rangers meant to standout.