Singing Cinderella themed movies (Chapter Three)

"A dream is a wish your heart makes" ~Cinderella

A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song: Katie doesn't want to lose the money her father left her. She's going to use that money to better her life and chase her dreams of becoming a singer. She does what her stepmother wants so that her stepmother will not use her money. Katie doesn't plan on falling in love, but she does and he helps her achieve her dreams. What makes this movie different than all the rest, to me, is the fact that Katie has a very young stepbrother who has never been shown love until Katie. He tries to make her life hard, but she loves him through all of that. This movie teaches us that no matter how bad our situation we can help someone else in need!

Another Cinderella Story: Mary wants to be a dancer like her mother. Her mother is dead and the lady her mother use to work for takes her in. Of course with this being Cinderella, Mary is mistreated by her stepmother and two stepsisters. Mary still goes after her dreams. Her stepmother tries to put a stop to Mary's dreams, but thanks to her best friend and her new love interest, she overcomes her hardships and gets to go after her dreams. This movie teaches us that God will bring someone to walk along side you through the hard times in the perfect time. (Selena Gomez is in this movie and she is a big supporter of Uheros who work to put a stop to human trafficking).

Elle: A Modern Day Cinderella Tale: Elle grew up with "Country Roots". She wants to be a singer/songwriter, but puts her dreams on hold because of guilt over the fact that her parents died in a car crash on the way to see her perform. She moves in with her adoptive uncle and works at his record label. Meeting a talented singer named Ty Parker helps her overcome her guilt and follow her dreams. This movie is different because it shows "Cinderella" with guilt and facing other problems in life than finding ways to follow her dreams.

Cinderella themed movies: Chapter Two

"Even miracles take a little time." ~Fairy Godmother

So here is chapter two of the See you soon Cinderella series. There are so many lessons to learn from the different adaptions of the Cinderella fairy tale. I really enjoy re-watching these movies and finding the treasures of the bigger picture in each one. I hope you enjoy it too.

Ella Enchanted: I love this movie because of the twist on the Cinderella tale. Ella doesn't go looking for a guy, once Cinderella doesn't ether. Ella doesn't want to get dressed up and go to a ball. Ella wants her freedom back. She sets out to find her Fairy Godmother so she can undo a gift she gave Ella. Ella has dreams she wants to achieve and she doesn't even like Prince Charles when she meets him! Charles just pushes his way in and stays with her. They grow to like each other and they each fight for the other. I feel this movie teaches a person about chasing their dreams and stumbling into love, the way God means for it to be!

A Cinderella Story: I can relate to this movie a lot. Samantha is focusing on her writing and getting into her dream college. Yes, she is talking to a guy on the internet, but she isn't "chasing" him. When she finds out that she is talking to Adam, the most popular guy at school, she tries to cut all ties with him. This is when his character really grows and becomes the prince every girl deserves. He finally makes the choice of who he is going to be and what is really important to him. I love the lesson that "class" and "status" doesn't matter and that you can do what you set your mind to. (Side note: Hilary Duff is a big supporter in helping put a stop to human trafficking).

After the Ball: Kate wants to be a fashion designer but no one will hire her. She goes home to stay with her godmother and work for her father and stepmother in the "family" fashion business. The problem is that Kate and her father have grown apart and he doesn't believe her when her stepsisters get her fired for leaking information. So Kate disguises herself and goes back into the company. She uncovers a secret about her stepmother and finally shows her dad what she can do. Plus she falls for the handsome shoe designer as a bonus. I like how this movie turned "Cinderella" into the princess, instead of there being a prince to rescue her, and showed the important relationship between father and daughter.

Ever After: I love this movie! Danielle is "Cinderella" and Henry is the Prince. Danielle is a different "Cinderella" because she is not the damsel in distress. She is smart and she tricks her master into freeing her just seconds before the prince shows up to rescue her. She also speaks her mind even though she knows she may be punished. She also looks out for other people that are in her house. For example, she goes to buy back a family servant instead of leaving her stepmother and sisters. The same lessons can be learned from this movie as in other movies. That being kind to the people that hurt you is what God wants. For example, Danielle tells her stepmother and stepsister she forgives them even when they do not ask for it and speaks up to save them. Another lesson that can be learned form this movie comes from one of the stepsisters. She shows Danielle kindness in privet but does not stand up for Danielle in front of her mother and sister. I think the lesson to be learned is to not judge people because of who they hang out with. I think the reason this stepsister did not stand up fr Danielle in public was because she feared her family. But in the end she was rewarded for her kindness when Danielle asked her to be her lady-in-waiting.
Sorry for the delay on this post. I was in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday and Friday. I needed my computer to finish doing the research for this post and didn't have my computer. So I had to finish the research on Saturday. That's why the post is coming to you on Sunday.

See you soon Cinderella (Chapter One)

 "She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come."
        ~Proverbs 31:25 

                                  

Cinderella is one of the most popular Disney Princesses there has been. The story of Cinderella was taken from Charles Perrault and his story Cendrillon (1697). But, Cinderella has been around longer than that. The first written record of Cinderella was in 7 BC! Cinderella has also been in Pentamerone (1634), Grimms' Fairy Tales (1812), and many others. Cinderella is also known in many different countries. She may have a different name in these countries, but her story is the same.
The first Disney movie of Cinderella came out on March 4th, 1950. After Cinderella two more movies followed. Cinderella II: Dreams Come True came out on February 26th, 2002 and Cinderella III: A Twist in Time came out on February 14th, 2008. These are not the only Cinderella movies however. thirty-seven movies have been released with the Cinderella theme, but there are countless movies that might not follow a girl loosing her shoe, but does follow a girl who patiently waits for her freedom to come. The most recent Cinderella movie is Disney's new live-action movie Cinderella (2015).
Plus, let's not forget the Broadway show of Cinderella. Then there are hundreds of books based on Cinderella and her story! I'm reading The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson right now and it is a great book. Then there is the dating book that has started all of my Cinderella research, The Cinderella Rule: A Young Woman's Guide To Happily Ever After by Bethany Jett.
So why am I bringing all of this up again? Because I have realized that my Cinderella posts are going to take longer than I thought. Why have I named this post "See you soon Cinderella"? Because I am going to be writing about a handful of the Cinderella themed movies, The Disney Cinderella movies themselves, and the two books I have listed in this post. All of this started out as a simple idea to share about a Christian dating book and one of the most loving Disney Princesses. But it has turned into a series based on Cinderella and each post is like a chapter in a book that has the best ending. In the ending we will finally get to meet Cinderella.
So before I end this post, here are some fun facts about Cinderella and Disney amusement parks. Cinderella's castle is the main castle at Magic Kingdom and opened on October 1st, 1971 (just 21 years after the movie). Cinderella's castle is the main castle at Tokyo Disneyland and opened on April 15th, 1983 (just 33 years after the movie). Disneyland Paris has a restaurant based off of Cinderella and it is called L'Auberge de Cendrillon. It opened on April 12th, 1992 (42 years after the movie). Magic Kingdom opened a ride on October 1st, 1971 that is Cinderella and Prince Charming's Carrousel. Tokyo Disneyland opened the same ride on April 15h, 1983. Finally, Hon Kong Disneyland opened the same ride on September 12th, 2005.

Things to come, (Proverbs 31, dating, Cinderella, & more)

          

Okay a new month is getting ready to start and I'm very excited about the two months of writing plans I have come up with!

First, I am going to be focusing on Disney's Cinderella. I have a book called The Cinderella Rule: A Young Woman's Guide to Happily Ever After by Bethany Jett. I have been reading this book and I want to share with you what I have learned from reading it. The post about what I have read will be up on June 13th and June 27th.

I will be writing about the Disney Cinderella movies, just like I have done with Frozen and Sleeping Beauty. I also suggest reading Courage & Kindness (The New Cinderella Movie). The first Cinderella movie post will be up on July 18th.

Secondly, I will be continuing my Proverbs 31 Women of the Bible and Other Women of the Bible posts. Three of these posts will be up on June 6th, July 11th, and July 25th.

Finally, on June 20th I will be posting a personal post about my life. Then on July 4th I will have a 4th of July post up. I hope you all enjoy these eight posts that I will be working on and bringing to you! Be sure to check out my Facebook page for updates on the Proverbs 31 women and just everyday life things. And remember, God is so good and He loves you! See all of you next Saturday!

Courage & Kindness (the new Cinderella movie)

    

    "Always be courageous and kind." ~mother to Ella.

   "I forgive you." ~Cinderella to her step-mother.

So, yesterday my friend and I went to see the new Disney Cinderella movie. I'll admit I was a little worried I wouldn't like it. I was't a big fan of Maleficent because I felt it changed to much and I was afraid this movie would do the same.

I was wrong. The movie was VERY close to the original Cinderella movie and it was just wonderful. But that's not what I want to write about. I want to write about Cinderella and the step-mother (I'm not going to use the word evil here even though she did do some pretty nasty things.)

Cinderella was the girl all of us grew up with and loved. Kind and compassionate, and being the perfect example of a gentile spirit. The step-mother was just like we remembered, only a little more determined. So why do I want to write about these two characters and not the love between Cinderella and the prince? Simple. Cinderella and the step-mother are two perfect examples of how people choose to act in tough circumstances.

Let's start with the step-mother. In the movie she tells Cinderella she fell madly in love with her first husband and had two beautiful girls. Then her husband died and she was devastated. She married a second time, Cinderella's father, for the well being of her girls but that husband died too. So now she was left alone, having to provide for her two girls on her own, and she would never get a happily ever after. The step-mother can represent someone who has some major storms in her life and instead of turning to God for help, she becomes a bitter person to the very end.

Now let's discuss Cinderella. She's a young girl who's happy and life is good. Then tragedy strikes and she losses her mother. Instead of becoming bitter she continues to be kind. Her step-sisters talk bad about her but she still shows them compassion, her father dies and her step-mother makes her a servant girl in her own house! I don't know about you, but by this point I would be a very bitter and mean person. Cinderella is still kind, and let's be honest, it takes her great courage to get up every morning and be kind with all that has happened to her. Cinderella can represent someone who has major storms in her life, but she clings to God and still shines for Him!

The one thing that I think really got me in this movie was when Cinderella looks at her step-mother and tells her she forgave her. The step-mother didn't ask for it, Cinderella just gave it freely. Now I'm not saying Cinderella is Jesus, but how many times a day does Jesus look at us and says "I forgive you." when we don't ask for it? 

I believe this movie is amazing and has many lessons that everyone can learn. I love the classic Cinderella, but this one really makes you see why the storms of life can't take your light for God away and how they can't last forever because God won't let them. You need to only cling to Him!

The Sleeping Beauty

Recently I watched a friend in a dance production of a Biblical telling of Sleeping Beauty. The scene that moved me the most was when Aurora was going to marry the prince and the song "Wedding Day" by Casting Crowns played. So I was wondering what I would find if I watched Sleeping Beauty. This is what I found:
The Three Good Fairies would represent Angels looking out for people.
The King and Queen represent Christians who are going through a hard time, but trusting in God.
Fona is the person who tries to see good in everyone.
Meriweather is the person who was the rebel but has found grace.
Flora is the person who is still trying to learn to rely on God and sometimes tries to make everything better by herself.
Maleficent represents the sin that can come into our lives.
The fact that the King and Queen threw a party for Aurora's birth is a reminder to us that we are God's joy and He celebrates us everyday!
The gift of beauty could be seen as the inner beauty we get as we grow closer to God and the gift of song can be seen as worshiping God.
Maleficent's "gift" can be seen as a beautiful person in God, who loves, but has fallen to sin. The gift of sleep until true loves kiss can be seen as staying pure and waiting for the one God has planned for you.
When Aurora is picking berries in the movie and singing about love, it can be seen as what every girl has done. Doubt God's plan for her love story. When Aurora runs from Prince Phillip, that can be seen as running from temptation and letting things play out the way God wants it to.
When the kings are planning their kids futures and Phillip says he doesn't want to go along with the plan, one of the king's starts to worry.  If he would have just stood back and watched he would have seen God's plan for love was happening and God's plan is so much better than man's plan!
Aurora falling under the spell and touching the spindle can be seen as doubting God's plan, because she was so heart broken over finding out she could never see the guy she met, and letting sin slowly slip into your life.
Finally, through it all Prince Phillip really did use the shield of virtue and sword of truth by not giving up on true love and the two of them sharing true loves first kiss!
There are the pure, true love facts I found in the movie Sleeping Beauty.