LadyGypsy.net – the blog of Kimberly Dowd of New Jersey

I had today off from work (supposedly to Christmas shop but I’m braindead and have no idea what to get anyone) so WM and I went to see The Princess and the Frog.

We got our tickets, got our popcorn and headed toward theater 9. One of the trailers featured a guy (Gerard Butler, my love) in prison, eating his last meal. It seemed a bit dark and long for a trailer. Then the cast started dropping the F-bomb. We then realized (after far too long) that we were actually in theater 8, watching Law Abiding Citizen.

Ooops.

Anyway, here is everything I knew about the movie going in: First Black Princess, 2D animation, New Orleans/Katrina, Oprah.

I really hope EVERYONE can get past all of that (some well-deserved, some a bit over the top) hype and see the movie for what it is: a BEAUTIFUL, FUN, FUNNY and POIGNANT story of Tiana, a hard-working girl from New Orleans who wants to make her own dream come true. Wishing on a star comes secondary.

The movie’s opening card is a Steamboat Willie animation with the “Walt Disney Animation” title. Very nice, since this is Disney’s first classic 2D animated feature since 2004′s Home on the Range. Remember that one? No? That’s okay. I didn’t either.

The music was catchy New Orleans-style jazz. I admit to doing a bit of dancing in my seat the whole way through. I wasn’t the only one.

Looking for a message in this Disney Classic? There are quite a few:

• Working hard vs. partying
• Haves vs. have nots
• Being boy crazy vs. keeping a level head
• Good magic vs. bad magic
• Working for your dreams vs. wishing for your dreams
• What you WANT vs. what you NEED

But funny enough, I never felt beaten over the head with any of these themes. For example, when Tiana and her mother left Big Daddy’s house via streetcar, you see a change from the mansions to the smaller working-class housing. You immediately know Tiana’s family doesn’t have as much as Big Daddy and Lottie. But Tiana’s family doesn’t whine about being poorer or having to work harder. They just are and do.

And yes, Virginia, there is a happy ending.

But I need to tell you something every review I’ve read failed to mention: there will be tears. Serious sad tears. At one point, everyone in our theater was sniffling or crying. I cried, WM cried, kids cried. If your youngling can’t bounce back quickly from a very sad moment to a very happy one, then I’d actually suggest you want a bit until they can.

I loved this movie. I will buy it when it comes out on DVD and own it forever.

Dreams: 1) I am good friends with my favorite New Kid on the Block. We sit, drinking wine and chatting about healthcare.

2) I’m ice skating and there are obstacles everywhere. This dream is a direct response to playing Professor Layton & The Diabolical Box, where I had to navigate the little Professor character through 3 different maps. Neat!

Plans:
Heading to a Farmer’s Market with Mom. They’ve advertised with us online for years and after years of doing those ads, I want to see the little farm in person. I will be purchasing at least one apple cider donut while there.

Tonight, WM and I are going to see 9. “A post-apocalyptic nightmare in which all of humanity is threatened.” Should be… fun.

Rabbit rabbit!

Mondays suck after great weekends. Here are the highlights:

• WM and I went to see Wolverine on Saturday night. This is a BIG deal for me as I really don’t like sitting through movies much. It was pretty good. I don’t have an “X-Men” comic background so I entered with no predispositons for/against the characters. Because of that, I like the Victor (Sabretooth?) character more than the Logan (Wolverine) one. This girl ain’t right. After the movie we went to the Cheesecake Factory for dessert. Mmmm…
• I discovered the glory of the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. WM had used it before, but I wanted to try it on the grubby marks that are always on the refrigerator door handle. And it worked! Then I tried it on the cabinet corners (my kitchen and bathroom are all white) and it worked! Light switches! Dishwasher handle! I had no idea how dirty things were until Mr. Clean opened my eyes. Now, actually, I’m somewhat depressed.
• Mom wanted me to make a necklace for one of her friends. I always enjoy that kind of thing. I’m very pleased with how it came out. I have pictures which I’ll post after the recipient receives the necklace. I had a dream the other night that I started a blog just to chronicle my beading/jewelry making adventures and it managed to make a few dollars, too. I also had a dream I had a pair of cute brown flats to wear to work today, so I’m not too sure of putting stock in what I dream.

The only lowlight is I *think* I *may* be coming down with a cold, which is par for the course for me. I always get a cold in June. But I’m not doing the Vicks Vapo-Rub gimmick this time. Nosiree. I’m doing the Zicam nose swab gimmick instead. The runny nose I had this morning stopped, so we’ll see.

Anyone know when I can take the swab OUT of my nose?