The Problem with The Princesses

4 comments October 28th, 2009

As the father of a four-year-old girl, I’ve seen my share of Disney princess movies over the past couple of years (and I know I’ll be seeing many more in the years to come). As anyone who’s sat through multiple viewings of SNOW WHITE, SLEEPING BEAUTY and CINDERELLA can confirm, these are some of the absolute worst role models for girls (of any age) in the history of cinema. (Especially CINDERELLA — don’t get me started on CINDERELLA!)

Now, courtesy of a link at Cinematical, someone has condensed the disturbing side of Disney’s moneymaking ladies in one handy image…

OK, maybe the author/artist is simplifying things a tad, but it’s tough to argue with the basics. Thankfully, recent Disney movies have improved things a bit. POCAHONTAS, while undeniably a Disney babe, stands tough to her beliefs and defies both her dad and the European invaders. MULAN is even better, defying Chinese law and convention to fight for her family’s honor and her country. In neither movie do the beauty of the women drive the plot, as in previous efforts, and marriage is not the goal, thank Walt.

Disney’s upcoming movie, THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, will be its first animated feature to star an African-American character. Let’s hope she’s a step forward in other ways, too.

Adam and …. Adam?

Add comment October 28th, 2009

Have you ever dreamed of seeing Adam Sandler playing both the male and female roles in a romantic comedy?

If so, I’m happy to tell you that your sick, twisted dream is about to come true. From Variety…

Adam Sandler is climbing up the hill for Columbia Pictures. The actor will next star in the romantic comedy JACK AND JILL and produce via his Happy Madison shingle. Sandler will play Jack as well as twin sister Jill.

OK, since the characters Sandler is playing are brother and sister, we can be pretty sure they’re not the romantic couple at the center of the story ( I sure hope not!). But after admiring Sandler’s performance in PUNCH DRUNK LOVE and seeing him stretch a bit as an actor in FUNNY PEOPLE, it’s a disappointment to see him fall back into the same dopey comic ruts he’s been stuck in for years. I mean, surely the guy has enough money by now, right?

Oh well. At least it’s being produced by the same guy who brought us PAUL BLART: MALL COP. That means it has to be good, right? Right?