DVD review - The Princess and the Frog

 

At least once a week, I'll be reviewing brand new family orientated DVDs and posting them up here.the first of the mark is The Princess and the Frog - which opened in the cinemas in January herein Australia - but is only *just* available on DVD this month.

The Princess and the Frog is Disneys latest feature; but one which has swerved from the current trends and has purposely sidestepped the race in realistic animation and scripted irreverent wisecracks to go back to their foundations in both design and messages. Traditionalists will be pleased to see a return to hand drawn animation and children of all ages delighted with this charming retelling of a favoured fairytale. Most importantly, are the many positive messages deeply embedded throughout the film; not least of all the power of dreams.  

The Princess and the Frog warm and witty narrative, inspired by a well known fairy tale, wrapped generously around song and dance numbers sprinkled with plenty of talking animals and neatly twisting modern messages into a fantasy setting in 1920s New Orleans. Its a nostalgic return to the classics Disney is well known for, but with a modern feeling that stops this being a rehash. 

What was important of a number of levels was that the main character, Tiana, was not only black, but flawed and the scriptwriters at Disney worked extremely hard to ensure there were no racist overtones; allowing messages of the power of dreams to fuel the plot. The Prince within this story is not a two dimensional lacklustre prop; but rather another flawed character who grows and learns throughout the movie. Tiana joins the long line of Disney Princesses with a new mature outlook, driven by career rather than the long established dreams of finding a husband. She is brash and judgmental and despite her workaholic ethics, she is full of grace and beauty deserving a place amongst Disney's Pantheon. She is a sign that Disney's writers have moved with the modern times; allowing their heros to have depth.  

Unlike some of the previous Disney storylines, the characters have more depth and backstory. Tianas journey forces her to understand that there is more to life than just hard work, while Prince Naveen learns to value more than money and leisure. Both main characters and supporting characters are forced to revisit their dreams, ensuring that these are their driving passions, rather than pursuing what is expected of them.  

This is a sincere fairy tale full of passion and heart but never wanders into the naive or dull. As would be expected from Disney, the film brims with wholesome lessons which will strengthen the next generation of children. One of the main themes throughout the film surrounds the power of dreams and of keeping ones word and integrity. Although the film is aimed for children between 4 and 10; its themes, music and upbeat messages are suitable for all ages.  

Despite critics negative feedback on the inclusion of voodoo and black magic, the story doesn't dwell on these ceremonies or specifics; but rather the outcomes being pursued. Just in any good fairytale, this is a battle of good over evil and even the youngest child could identify between them. In saying this, some scenes may be scary for very young or sensitive children; particularly when Dr Facilier is dragged into the graveyard by the evil spirits.  

Disney works hard at recreating its artwork with one foot in realism and the other in fantasy. The animation is gorgeous, dialogue amusing and witty and defiantly suitable for the whole family. The Princess and the Frog is an elegant and touching story filled with New Orlean jazz music, vibrant colours and strong characters. Its particularly refreshing for those who are weary of the cynicism and perfection of the new wave of digital cartoons.  

Morgan and Lilly of course ADORED the film... and now we have to watch it at least three times a week.

Crazy Us

What happens when you get into a photo booth and the camera just starts shooting?  You start with a semi normal one and then one of you acts up and forces( !!) the other to do a bunch of dumb poses... well here are ours...

Long Overdue Update

Its been a very long time since I updated my family blog - so thanks to those readers who made the effort to give me a kick and ask what on earth we have been up to..

I think the biggest change to my blogging has been the introduction of our iphones.  As it has a camera inbuilt and the ability to load directly onto facebook, I’ve been recording family moments immediately - tagging the photo with a few notes and posting them directly, always of course meaning to come back to Hamish -  my mac and write about it -but never actually doing so. So apologies…..

I also realise that I have missed my weekly blog posts and updates as it used to be one of my cornerstones of writing - and now I don’t do it - things sort of fall in a heap

I also have to admit that I have not learnt all I can about my mac and am still fumbling round with the photo program - preferring to go back to my old laptop for that… and of course all that takes time… a commodity I seem to have less and less of.

So - with no more pomp and ceremony - heres what has been happening in the last month...

Morgan and Lilly birthdays  - After long deliberations it was decided that the party was to be held the RSL - and unlikely venue I had to admit - but we were so impressed by the set up vibrancy and excitement it had for kids parties - I thought how could you NOT go?  We had discussed a small party at home, pizza parties at Pizza hut, the awful Maccas or Burger King options, interesting bowling parties or swimming parties... but.. this won hands down

Basically they have a kids disco on Sundays for a few hours. A proper DJ, dance floor lights and games. The kids drink and eat as much as they can, have balloons, lollies, cake and icecream. What a hoot!  It reminded me that I love to dance and should go out and do it more.. I need to get onto my other computer to drag photos off and post up of this - so will do so maybe tomorrow….

I guess the biggest news over April and March has been that I decided to go back to work as a teacher. I’ve had steady work now since I started. Some great schools and kids which are local and I’ve found my groove - after being very nervous realising I’d not been in front of a class for nearly 15 years.. eeekk.  I have been very fortunate the last two weeks as I have had a contract at the school Morgan and Lilly go to - though in a different section.  Don;t laugh  but I’ve been a science and maths teacher for two weeks.  I’ve loved the science experiments and procedures we’ve done.  The kids at the school are so great - which has shocked me. My first lesson I was prepared for what I had expected the usual backchat, noise and disinterest and nearly fell over with the silence, the hard work and passion the kids displayed.  Yes I nearly went broke giving out prizes ( icypoles to start with) but how could I not when the behaviour was so exemplary?  ( I am a sucker I know...)

The first few weeks of temp teaching was a bit of a shock - I’d forgotten what it was like - waking up to a phone call asking you to get somewhere quick smart.

Those who know me - know I don’t like to get out of bed and to be taking calls at 7 am was inhuman!! but I’m now sorted, going to bed at midnight so I can at least be aware when the phone goes off. 

It is very different now too - with kids. I’ve always been one to organise their bags and lunches the night before - mainly as I don’t function at all in the mornings - so in the past have just gotten out of bed and taken them to school before I think about starting my day.  But in the past when I have “gotten’ the call - I’ve only hd to worry about myself getting out the door.  Now I have whiny kids who take 45 mins to eat cereal and don’t want to get dressed or find their shoes. Its a painful experience some mornings and I wonder why I bother.

Generally I need to  be out the door by 7.50am. I only teach at school which are 15 mins or so away from home. any of them start classes at 8.30.  I drop my kids at school by 8 and can then shoot off to the school I am teaching at on that day. .  Its a bit of a shuffle at the end of the day - but thankfully many of the schools finishes at 2.30 or 2.45.  My kids drag their feet anyway to get to the pick up zone - so know just to wait for me there.  I’ve got a phone to give to Morgan so I can get a message to him in case I am held up but thankfully haven’t had to use it yet.

Its been great to work and a blessing as Morgans teeth was an unexpected ( huge) bill - but with this - I’ve been able to pay it off.  As much as I am enjoying it - I am not sure if I am ready or willing to go back into teaching full time.  I have come to realsie i am 20 years behind the eightball and teaching, the resources and technology is way ahead of me… Its a sobering thought.

My aim is to have two days a week teaching work - and with this I’d love to use the money for a holiday for our family over Xmas.  We will see how I go…

On the upside, we have decided to get a cleaner in one day a week to help me out with keeping the place tidy and clean.  She’s been wonderful and am glad to have swallowed pride and accepted help.

I really do promise to keep this updated more often - back to weekly.

Just in case you see some photos pop up which are out of date order over the next week or so, I am going to download my photos and pick through them and upload a definitive one for each week I have missed a blog post.

Off to Mum and Dads for Anzac day now….