Thursday, April 29, 2010
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Movie Review: The Princess and the Frog
I will admit that I am difficult and extra - particularly when it comes to the things my children will view. I am quick to find something - anything wrong with children's movies and especially TV programming (which is not to say that my children don't watch TV, but I digress).
I have historically not been a fan of the Disney princesses, they seemed to me a relatively weak bunch - who haven't always made good decisions. And how come most of them don't have momma's? Because momma's would have put a stop to so much of the foolishness before it EVER happened - that's why and there would be no plot, ergo no movie...but I digress again.
With that backdrop, I took the children to see the Princess and the Frog last week. I had alternately eagerly and skeptically been waiting for the movie. After all, it did have the first Black princess and really it's about damn time! However, I was already geared up to be furiuos if she was lame in any way.
I have to say, we all enjoyed the movie; and by all I mean my 9-year old son, 5-year old daughter and me. Unbelievable I know! Disney managed to make a movie that worked for my 5-year old who just wanted to see a story about a princess; my 9-year old who absolutely did not want to see a mushy story about a princess; and me - who just didn't want to see any tomfoolery or buffonery.
The movie is set in New Orleans - maybe 1930's? The main character "Tiana" is a smart, hard working girl (voiced by Anika Noni Rose), trying to save up enough money to have her own restaurant - AND she had a momma. Not just any momma, but a good momma dishing out good advice (voiced by Oprah).
The prince is the flighty unresponsible one (you know - so much like real life men). He gets turned into a frog due to his own foolishness and finds himself at a party that Tiana is catering. One thing leads to another and she makes the clear mistake of kissing the talking frog (never a good idea) and is turned into one herself. This is what made the movie enjoyable for my son - it was really about frogs - and how great is that for a nine year old boy?
I liked it because of the underlying themes of hard work, and keeping your priorities straight - goes right along with what I'm trying to instill everyday. Add to it the good music and we were all happy.
Conclusion: Disney - you did good.
I have historically not been a fan of the Disney princesses, they seemed to me a relatively weak bunch - who haven't always made good decisions. And how come most of them don't have momma's? Because momma's would have put a stop to so much of the foolishness before it EVER happened - that's why and there would be no plot, ergo no movie...but I digress again.
With that backdrop, I took the children to see the Princess and the Frog last week. I had alternately eagerly and skeptically been waiting for the movie. After all, it did have the first Black princess and really it's about damn time! However, I was already geared up to be furiuos if she was lame in any way.
I have to say, we all enjoyed the movie; and by all I mean my 9-year old son, 5-year old daughter and me. Unbelievable I know! Disney managed to make a movie that worked for my 5-year old who just wanted to see a story about a princess; my 9-year old who absolutely did not want to see a mushy story about a princess; and me - who just didn't want to see any tomfoolery or buffonery.
The movie is set in New Orleans - maybe 1930's? The main character "Tiana" is a smart, hard working girl (voiced by Anika Noni Rose), trying to save up enough money to have her own restaurant - AND she had a momma. Not just any momma, but a good momma dishing out good advice (voiced by Oprah).
The prince is the flighty unresponsible one (you know - so much like real life men). He gets turned into a frog due to his own foolishness and finds himself at a party that Tiana is catering. One thing leads to another and she makes the clear mistake of kissing the talking frog (never a good idea) and is turned into one herself. This is what made the movie enjoyable for my son - it was really about frogs - and how great is that for a nine year old boy?
I liked it because of the underlying themes of hard work, and keeping your priorities straight - goes right along with what I'm trying to instill everyday. Add to it the good music and we were all happy.
Conclusion: Disney - you did good.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Funny Foolishness
Question of the day from my son:
"Why are they called Harold angels? Are all angels named Harold?"
"Why are they called Harold angels? Are all angels named Harold?"
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)