a peek inside the fishbowl

A couple of weeks ago my family received an invitation to attend a special screening of Walt Disney Pictures’ “Tangled.”

Before I go much further I’d like to make two observations: all screenings, even special screenings at 10:00 a.m. in the morning, need to have popcorn available to the people who attend said screenings. I didn’t realize how deeply entrenched my need for popcorn is until I realized there was none to be had. Also, the Coliseum needs to hire some nicer people to collect tickets at the theatre doors. Having a staff member play the tough and vaguely threaten your family with instant expulsion for using a cellphone (not that we would do that) doesn’t make for a very pleasant experience. I get it, ok?  And no, I’m not carrying a videocamera. I AM A MOM, and besides, I really don’t think that videocameras have the ability to RECORD 3D MOVIES.

ANYWAY.

Tangle is Disney’s 50th full-length animated feature. I was eager to go. I am a fan of Disney. I think it’s easy for a person like me to be cynical about Disney as a mega marketing machine, sucking young children into its shiny vortex, but I’ve thought long and hard about it and I’ve decided that Disney is ok. I can choose not to allow the Disney Princesses figure prominently in my children’s lives. I can say no to all of that, but the undeniable truth is that Disney loves kids and they do it right. They hire the smartest and most talented people for whatever Disney undertakes; whether they’re making a movie, building a theme park, or hiring staff to populate those theme parks. Disney knows kids, and kids love Disney.

Tangled is a modernized version of Rapunzel. Rapunzel, if you recall, is a story about a girl with long hair who is trapped in a tower by an evil witch. It is one of many old stories that was collected and adapted by the Brothers Grimm. And like many of those stories, it’s a little bit scary. Their version includes unusual pregnancy-related food cravings, blindness, possibly sex, and other dark things that are difficult to explain to The Very Young. (Read a great synopsis of Rapunzel at Wikipedia.)

I know a lot of people have issues with Disney taking stories and making them their own. I don’t have a problem with this. I think it’s up to the parents to decide which stories to read to their children.

The Disney version goes something like this: When the kingdom’s most wanted (and very charming) bandit Flynn Rider (voice of Zachary Levi) is forced to hide out in a mysterious tower, he’s taken hostage by Rapunzel (voice of Mandy Moore), a teenager with 70-feet of magical, gorgeous golden hair. (There’s a great backstory about the hair, which includes – as you may have guessed – an evil witch.) As it turns out Flynn and Rapunzel strike a deal they set off on an adventure together. There’s a horse. And a chameleon. And some unexpected twists in the story.

Aaaannnnd that’s all I’m sayin’.

It’s a story with broad appeal. You don’t have to worry that little boys won’t enjoy this film. It’s not just a princess movie. (Although there’s no denying that Toys R Us are eagerly stocking plenty o’ Rapunzel dolls – with brushes, combs and hair accessories! – just in time for Christmas.) There is plenty of adventure here, some fighting, a few thugs (a few of whom turn out to be good guys) and lots of fun and good humour for the whole family. And a horse. OMG, the horse was probably my favourite part of this movie. I would go see it again, just to watch the horse.

Mark didn’t think he’d like the movie – in fact, he came close to begging off – but he liked it too.

Here’s the trailer:

A couple of thoughts and questions:

• I liked Rapunzel as a character. She’s young, she’s brave, she’s curious and intelligent. And she knows how to use a frying pan (and it’s not in the way that you think.) But here’s a question, why do princess eyes have to be drawn so unnaturally large all the time, whereas prince eyes are fairly normal sized??
• The witchy character in Rapunzel looks mildly middle-eastern (at least this was Mark’s observation). Look at this picture. (Those big eyes again!) I’m not sure I’d go so far, but she certainly was darker than our blond and fair heroine. I wish Disney could break out of this stereotype.
• The film really tapped in to a couple of deeper issues, especially around mothers and daughters. Should Rapunzel question authority and listen to her (adopted and witchy) mother, why or why not? I’m trying not to overthink this part too much. Gah!
• The animation is spectacular. What they do with her hair for example, is simply amazing. We saw the 3D version, and although some people criticize 3D I think it was put to really good use. It wasn’t overwhelming or overdone … i.e. 3D for the sake of 3D. It just added a remarkable depth to the film that made the whole experience that much better. 
• Let’s talk music. There’s almost always a soundtrack in a Disney animation. Sometimes it’s overdone (I’m thinking about Tarzan here. PHIL COLLINS. No!) and other times it just fits. I think this one falls in the latter. (Mark disagrees. But I like the music! Don’t you?)
• I cried. There I said it. I CRIED THREE TIMES. The mark of a good movie is to make you laugh and cry. Or both. This did both for me.  

Anyway, thank you Disney for the tickets!

I do recommend seeing Rapunzel while it’s at the theatre. So go!

My post today over at UsedEverywhere today is about gifts. For birds. Please click over and leave me a comment! Thank you!

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So, big news! My family is going to be on a segment on CBC’s The National (!) about what Canadian families are eating. The producers are looking for three other families to participate. This could be you!

FYI, Dr. Yoni Freedhoff is posting about this today too, so most of the following info is filched from him.

Here’s what I know:

• You need to be a family of four with tweenage kids
• They are looking for (1) “a family who due to their lifestyles or preferences tend to value convenience in their meals …” and (2) a family who is trying to retain their own ethnic cuisine despite living in Canada.
• I’ve been assured that there’ll be no ugliness or finger pointing (this is THE NATIONAL after all – they’re classy.) The goal here is to educate. Kindly. 
• In terms of time committment, you will be tracking your food (and your family’s food) for a week, and you will have to spend some time being interviewed for the segment too. Lights! Camera! Action!
• Your reward will include some free groceries and a digital food scale.
• Filming will take place in your home during the first week of December.
• I’m not even going to think about how many people watch THE NATIONAL. So you shouldn’t either.
• The piece will air sometime in the New Year.
• I’m secretly hoping Wendy Mesley will be the one who comes on site to interview our family about our eating habits. But then again, I’m not sure if I have time to do a kitchen reno before then. Maybe I could lay down a new floor. Or paint?** (Or – OMG – what it if turns out to be PETER. IN MY KITCHEN. Gah! (Sidebar: remember THIS post. It’s almost coming true! Almost! *whimper*)

Ok. If you’re interested and think you might fit the bill, please contact me via this form and I’ll put you in touch with the right people. Thank you!

** ETA: Mark has clearly stated that I am not to paint the kitchen. But he HASN’T said that I can’t hire someone else to do it. Ha!

I’d like to take a moment to welcome the latest Fishbowl patron: 4Cats Arts Studio. I am really thrilled that 4Cats has come on board.

4Cats is an art studio for kids located in the neighbourhood of Hintonburg – just slightly east of where I am in Westboro. They’re all about (1) fun art instruction and (2) really awesome birthday parties.

Here is a peek at some of the student art inside:

I’ve been to 4Cats before. I wrote a piece about them for SavvyMom some time ago, and I was able to sit down with the owner, Emaly, for a good while and learn about her philosophy on kids and art and the joy of creating things of our very own.

Regular readers will already know how excited about I am about this kind of thing. Art is important. Getting kids creating things is good for their brains and their development in so many ways… and we don’t even know the half of it.

To summarize: Art is good.

I was invited to attend a special momblogger night at 4Cats on Friday night, the goal of which was to introduce a bunch of us to the studio and the beauty that is Splattering Things With Paint.

Oh my. It is fun. There’s a special room that is set aside just for splatter painting. You mix your paints, grab some brushes, and let loose. Scrap paper hangs on the wall, and once you feel like you have a good handle on things you proceed to decorating your canvas.

There’s even a safety zone, so parents can watch their kids go at it – and not get splashed – :

I haven’t even mentioned the balloon splattering part, or the syringe-full-of-paint part. It is super. You will have to take my word for it.

Can you imagine doing this for a birthday party? The birthday boy or girl get a huge canvas that everyone works on co-operatively à la Jackson Pollock (hopefully without the alcohol and cigarettes) and the attendees get smaller ones to bring home. WOW.

One of the most interesting things on Friday was seeing what the other ladies created. What colours did they choose? Did they use a lot of paint or just a little? Was their fear in their hearts or did they just give ‘er?

I’m sure Emaly has seen it all and has drawn her own conclusions about our various foibles.

I’ve thought about it a lot since Friday, and you know what, never before have I had the opportunity to splatter paint around like that, so so so, MESSILY. It felt great to be able to let go of what is “right,” of what is “pretty,” of what is “tidy,” of what is “art.”

Emaly is a real find. It’s clear she’s passionate about kids and art. She’s extremely knowledgeable and smiles a twinkly smile when describing her many different classes, workshops, and teaching art to kids as young as two. TWO! Somehow the 4Cats concept makes art – which can be so snobby and stuffy and unapproachable – into something that is totally accessible, delightful, and confidence-building… for people of all ages. And that’s not an easy task.

I recommend looking into the upcoming December workshops. They’re priced just right, and perfect for dropping your kids off to do something creative (or make something for grandma and grandpa!) while you skip away for a quiet coffee and a shop in the ‘hood.

Thanks again to Emaly and 4Cats, for bringing colour into our lives!

ETA: 4Cats has a great coupon on LivingSocial today. I bought a voucher for a 90-minute art class for $9. It’s a 55% savings. This offer is only available TODAY. Not only is it a great deal (!) but if three of my friends buy today’s deal by clicking this link, I get mine for free.