Hail to the King! Hail to the Queen! Hail to the Princess Aurora!

Today's movie selection was Disney's Sleeping Beauty. This movie came out the year my mom was born, 1959. I own the 2003 Special Edition on DVD, but it is still the same old story of love conquering all. I love the older Disney films that start with the storybook and then go into the film. They should bring that back.

The story of this movie is so well known I almost thought about skipping the blog post. Then I thought of all of you, my public. I know you have been quite tired of reading about my adventures and want to get back to the movie project. Well friends, here we are, my observations. 

Do any of you feel like Merriweather is a bit bullied? I might be reading too much into it, but I think because she is short and plumper than Flora and Fauna they are not nice to her. As you look closer maybe Merriweather just has a cloudy disposition even though she saved the day with her gift to baby Aurora. She is even more grumpy as the movie goes on and the fairies are making a dress and cake for Briar Rose. If Flora was not so bossy and Merriweather was not so grumpy that mean spirited crow would not have found the woodcutter cottage. 

To use this movie as a program, RAs have some options. They could stay within the traditional route and stay on the good vs. evil path. The Shield of Destiny and Sword of Truth could play a role in the program, using those items to describe the tools necessary for a good roommate relationship. Truth is important in any roomie pair and when it is used properly it can stab evil in the heart, ending its terrible reign. An RA could also take this film and discuss its plot from a feminist slant. There are lots of articles out there about Disney and how it perpetuates some of the oppressive attitudes that our society has about women. Especially movies made back in the 50s and 60s. There is a lot in this film to pull from, the emphasis on Aurora's beauty, the role of the Queen, the fact Aurora is sixteen, the King's plotting her future, etc. 

There are lots of goodies in a film like this, and ways for students to think about it in a different way. I am sure many students will have seen this film before coming to College, so you have to keep it interesting.