#also its like watching an R rated movie w/ your parents honestly

[risetherivermoon]

i had a dream that my father told me he listens to story break and he was thinking about listening to dndads but he wanted to know abt dnd beforehand- so he came to me abt it, and it was the weirdest conversation ever

[sanniee]

Kdramas to know me better

I’ve wanted to do this for a very long time and as you all might know (or not) I am a sucker for movies and tv series and stuff so here we are: SOME KOREAN DRAMAS TO KNOW ME BETTER 

Strangers from hell 10/10

We will start with the last kdrama I finished. I couldn’t find anything even closer to this in quality or, at least, themes. It is one of the best I’ve ever saw. The story is fascinating, the acting was... I don’t even know how to describe it in words. I got very attached to it as the first work I’ve read from Kafka was The metamorphosis. I was immersed in the MC’s transformation. I loved the fact that there are no bad nor good characters, but all of them are gray, I loved how not the psycho’s made him go crazy, but his closest frieds. An amazing drama. I could rand about it for hours

One Spring Night 9.7/10

I want to start by saying that I DO NOT WATCH ROMANCE and I hate slowburnt ones when they happen, but this made my heart beat.It is perhaps the most realistic romance out there, it is about two humans, selfish, spiteful, rebel, but jolly, loving, with such pretty souls, just like humans actually are. It is not only a great story about how harsh we judge other people without thinking much, but also a beautiful way of showing that there is someone good for each and every one of us. It is incredbly filmed and every frame is sooo aesthetically pleasing. The dialogue is also great, one of my favorite quotes is from here: 

her: I don't like taking pills

him: I don't like reading either.

her: You must lack in culture

him: You must ne nutrient deficient. (i will always remeber this)

also, ji ho is like the only man i will ever trust. 

My mister 9.5/10 

this, right here, sir, is what made me feel stuff i havent felt in a very long time. Nostalgia, compassion, pity, a way too deep love for a fictional character. I realised that some people’s lives are just like that. And I pass by them on the streets, I may look up to them because they seem so put together, I might look down on them because they look so petty, but you can never know. I love this kdrama from the bottom of my heart, I made me feel so lucky thinking about the life I have. It made me love humans more.The cast was amazing but I dont think I can rewatch it after that one scene in Parasite. Dong Hoonnie hands have been places. (its a joke, take it with a grain of salt) Another one of my favorite quotes is from here:” Live a happy life, that’s how you can repay the people in your life.”

SKY Castle 9.5/10 

Honestly, a masterpiece. Such a mindblowing show. I wanted to write a full review about this but I procrastinated so much, I’d have to rewatch it for me to write it properly because I don’t want to miss a thing. It is very long, longer than most kdramas, but I understood how it broke the ratings. If you loved Bong Joon Ho’s political satires, you should watch this. I couldn’t pick a favorite character, all of them were so amazingly built. I loved how they made it clear that power comes from education AND I COULDNT AGREE TO SOMETHING MORE. They showed how parents mentally abuse their children in order to make them study and loved that they all had different methods. Again, a drama without good or bad characters. All of them are just gray. OH, AND THE OST!! MY GOSH WE ALL LIE IS A GEM!! 

The guest 9.3/10 

My gulty pleasure, hot exorcist priests. Kidding. This is one I’ve finished quite a long time ago and it stuck to me. I used to hate that trope where some kids go through something traumatising and they meet again as adult to overcome it together. But for some reason, I really loved every second of this drama and I’ve been looking for something similar ever since. I think I wrote something about this kdrama before, but I cant say much about it now. It is great if you love a good horror with an actual plot and ZERO ROMANCE. 

ALSO ANOTHER KDRAMA WITH AN OST THATS A W O N D E R. 

Honourable mentions:

Mad Dog 6/10

 School 2013 7/10

 Criminal Minds 7.4/10

[moogiwarah]

🐓

Hi! I want to have comprehensive list of the BL manga/manhwa etc. that I’ve read because I want to spread the love for this genre 💜.  This post is a list of works that I’ve read which is not in this page yet + my comments on each work. I hope some people will find something that they like here ^__^

🐣 All BL recs from me 

manhwa  🐓

💜 Never Understand

Yuri, one of the school's most handsome guys,and Jaerim, one of the school's ugliest, collide!...or don't they? Can't understand what's going on between these two! It's Out of Control! 

shounen-ai, completed, 87 chapters

THE STORY IS SOOOO GOOD. The art also improved by a lot upon reaching the later chapters. Jae-rim is dubbed as “ugly” (he’s a whole cutie tho) and I’m glad to see a non conventional character design for an MC! I highly recommend reading this!!  👌💯

Incorrigible 

A sequel to “Never Understand” which is focused on Cho Ayeon’s story after being free from Soyeon’s control.

yaoi, completed, 8 chapters

This has few chapters so maybe that explains the fast pacing. Nonetheless, it was a nice read, I have a really soft spot for Jae-rim so seeing his r-18 experiences with Yuri really got me ahkdjashdkajshd ;W;

💜 Dirty Vibrations

Best friends Yeong and Nohae thought it was a joke when they downloaded the infamous “cursed” app. It’s said to command the user to perform…sexual acts and punishes those who disobey or delete it. It started with making them kiss. When they disobeyed its order…the punishment was anything but a joke. 

yaoi, ongoing

This one is from Fujoking (author of Youjin)! In all honesty, I love this for its sex scenes. They are so well made, the art, the dialogue, the expressions, and just *chef’s kiss* 👌. When it comes to expressing sexual scenes in BL, my top authors would have to be Fujoking for manhwa and Zaria for manga.

💜 Paid

Executive director Heejae is nicknamed "Chaebol Prince" by the public. But his life is turned upside down when documents linking him to an embezzlement scheme are unexpectedly found by an accounting collegian Taekyung! So he pretends to have a crush on him, but.. Taekyung wants more than just flirting! 

yaoi, ongoing

This is another one from Fujoking! This has a heavier plot as compared to Dirty Vibrations, so you get amazing smut AND an engaging story! 

💜 On or Off

Yiyoung is building a startup with his college friends. They get a chance to present their proposal to SJ Corporation, one of the leading companies in the country. But in the meeting room he sees Kang Daehyung, the extremely handsome company big shot that's so very much his type, and Yiyoung's heart starts to race...! Can pretty-faced Yiyoung win both in love and his career? 

yaoi, ongoing

Okay this! It’s really funny and the pacing is nice and the characters are nice and the art is nice and the perfect mix of romance comedy and slice of life i just HUHDADKAJDHJK it’s rly a feel good read and both MCs are SO ATTRACTIVE.

Penthouse XXX

Siyeon, a contract killer, has declared a boycott on men after being screwed over by his ex. That is, until he moves into a penthouse owned by Taekyung, a rich heir with killer looks.

yaoi, completed, 49 chapters

It has meme worthy illustrations xD. The graphics are nice but I found Taekyung (one of the MCs) to be a little toxic. Also, some parts of the story were not wrapped up/discussed enough imo. But overall, it was a pleasant read.

Home Sweet Home

The last thing Jungyeon expected was for his mom to ask if she could remarry. The new man was kind, considerate, a perfect match for his mother but there’s a catch: he has a younger son. Sunwoo is an introvert. He’s shy and has trouble opening up to others, until he meets Jungyeon and finds himself opening up for the first time. As their parents get closer to marrying, they become close, too close, and that’s when Sunwoo learns Jungyeon is already seeing another man.

yaoi, completed, 57 chapters

I honestly don’t know why this has quite a low rating on mangago because I found it to be a good read! It’s like sitting through a romance-drama movie. I liked the ending and the relationship between the main couple.

K’s Secret

Employee Kim Doyoon has been working for 5 years. He has one secret that he can't tell anyone else - the fact that he's a half-vampire born between a human and a vampire.

yaoi, ongoing

The art is so good in the recent chapters ugh. Also the sex scenes are well made. The plot is a little unclear though, and I feel like the relationship of the two MCs are kinda forced and unnatural hahaskdhakjdh. Still reading it tho since it’s ongoing.

💜 I have a Boyfriend

Kang Hyeon Ho, who belongs in the university soccer team goes into a breadth class and encounters the person he went to middle school together with and was his first love, Han Gyeol. 

yaoi, completed, 44 chapters

THIS IS BASICALLY COLLEGE AU ROM COM ADDITIONAL TAG: FIRST LOVE AND IT’S AMAZING. Just a really well rounded story with the right amount of drama to bring out its slice of life  😭💘 Also, this is tagged as yaoi but the sex scenes were few and not that explicit.

💜 Voice of Love

After experiencing a traumatic incident involving a previous lover, Jiho is too afraid to tell his classmate Soohan that he likes him. Thankfully, Soohan can hear otherpeople's thoughts and asks him out first. But, as we all know, love isn't always that easy. Will Jiho and Soohan really get their happily ever after?

shounen-ai, completed, 37 chapters

Just a really cute story about mind reading and high school boys being in love. Ah, youth. This will make you feel good like ,,, awww young love :( <3

Base to Base

The elite Sung Moon High is fields one the country's top 5 high school baseball teams. Kim Soohyun was the ace pitcher of his middle school now started his first year at Moon high baseball team...since his beloved sunbae Choi Woojin(captain/catcher) is there....Kim Soohyun is an cutie puppy with stalker tendency exclusive for his beloved sunbae. 

shounen-ai, completed, 28 chapters

Sports manga/anime always had a little (or lots) of gay, well this one made it officially gay! A cute rom-com bUT I feel like the ending was rushed. I would have loved it if there was more, but nonetheless, a good read! :)

manga  🐓

💜 I Seriously Can’t Believe You  

"I don't think you've realized your true nature yet." That's what Kon tells Iida, the hottest guy at school, wondering how anyone could be so proper. As popular as he is, Iida doesn't seem interested in any of the girls who come after him. Kon and his buddies try to look into the matter by flipping a coin and having Kon approach him with his confession of love, just to see if he's really interested in guys. "I've... never looked at guys like that..." says Iida, falling for Kon's ruse. Kon takes him home, hoping to straighten out the misunderstanding, when Iida suddenly grabs him by the shoulder, and... A story about a mysterious hottie at school and a prince of a certain kind. 

yaoi, completed, 5 chapters

THIS IS FUNNY AND CUTE AND HOT AND SHORT BUT REALLY GOOD JUST READ IT YOU WONT REGRET IT!

💜 Yoru to Asa no Uta 

(Chapter 0) ; (Sequel)

Asaichi can't play any instruments, his voice is average, and he's only in the band for the girls and the sex. Plus, he's homophobic. For some reason, the new bassist is infatuated with him despite the treatment Asaichi gives him.

yaoi, completed, 1 + 8 + 8  = 16 chapters

It’s by Harada (author of ‘Yatamomo’ and ‘Color Recipe’) so expect dark themes. Trigger warning for rape. I suggest you skip the rape if you can’t handle it because this manga is so good. Its art and story (much like Harada’s other works) will really suck you in. This left a deep impression on me because the characters felt so alive. I respect Harada so much for that ability.

💜 Eigyou Nika!

Sakisaka, stationed in the second Sales Division, has an unrequited love for Toujou, his directing senpai. He had no intention of confessing his feelings. However, Toujou has been awfully touchy-feely lately… Is there a glimmer of hope? Please don’t let it be a misunderstanding! Which path will these vexing feelings flow down to?

yaoi, completed, 10 chapters

I had fun reading this because it’s so fluffy!! aaaAAAA I love friends to lovers and cuddling and the sweetness that comes from a relationship that is a more than friendship but less than lovers. A lighthearted read <3

💜 Mou Ichido, Nando Demo

On his way home from picking up a rings for himself and his lover, Fuji Takahiro is hit by a car. His resulting amnesia degrades his live-in lover Kotou Tarou to a mere flatmate, and a series of misunderstandings threatens to tear the couple apart. Tossed around by desperation and confusion, can Tarou and Takahiro rebuild their once blissful relationship? 

yaoi, completed, 11 chapters

This is like watching a really good mature drama. The characters feel real and the situations presented in the manga were also something one can easily imagine themselves being put into. A short and good read.

💜Ookami-kun wa Kowakunai

The world is filled with animals that can evolve into beastmen. There is a young and earnest wolf who was always mistaken for a showy person because of his flashy looks. The easily mistaken wolf has fallen for an attractive looking rabbit named Usami, who is cautious of carnivores.

yaoi, completed, 6 chapters

I mEAN,,, LOOK AT THEM!!! This is wholesome and very fluffy huhuhuhu no more words needed. A short and cute read! <3

💜Ookami He No Yomeiri

Kaede is a rabbit person chosen to be the 'bride' of a distinguished wolf family. Although he does not wish to marry a wolf, his family pleads for him to go so that they can have enough supplies to last for the next two years. However, how will his new husband act towards a little bunny rabbit stuck in the wolf's den?

yaoi, completed, 8 chapters

The art is good and the story is cute :((( They’re so cute aaaa I’m a sucker for grumpy looking x ray of sunshine it’s just uGH the contrast never gets old.

💜 Encirclement Love

Ryou had a sleepover and saw his friends - Issei and Tadahiro - kissing while they thought he was asleep. He asks them about it and feels betrayed as a childhood friend when they pretend nothing happened. Determined to catch them red-handed, Ryou ends up inside a closet with Issei's little brother - Yuusei -, who has a unexpected reaction to the situation.

yaoi, completed, 6 chapters

It’s basically four high school boys being horny. All four of them are friends and I find their dynamics really funny. Also, they’re all hOT 🥵 I had lots of fun reading this!

Mother’s Spirit

University employee Ryouichirou is ordered by the Chairman to take in an exchange student. That exchange student, Qaltaqa, is a native from a developing country who can't understand Japanese!! Though he is a warrior of his tribe and a man of great beauty, seeing him afraid of the phone and the TV, and even the toilet, Ryouichirou gets fed up… But while being called "Ryouichirou" in such a clumsy manner, he has a change of heart!?

yaoi, completed, 13 chapters

This is funny and interesting! A short read to boost your mood and get your yaoi fix ;D

Dakaretai Otoko Ichii Ni Odosarete Imasu 

Saijou Takato's 5 year reign as the "Most Huggable No. 1" has been snatched. Stealing his thunder is the newbie actor with a 3-year debut, Azumaya! Towards the stuffy hostile Takato, Azumaya's sincere sparkling smile starts to become effective. Even as Takato sets his alert level on MAX, Azumaya catches Takato in his shameful drunken state and uses it to blackmail him! In exchange for Azumaya's silence, Azumaya states, "Please let me hold you"'?! "Embrace me, who was the Most Huggable No.1? What the heck is he saying!" 

yaoi, ongoing

I remember dropping this because MC was obviously raped, but upon watching the first episode of the anime adaptation, they made the sex consensual (thank God) and the story is not so bad after all. I suggest skipping the first chapter altogether and just start off at episode 1 in the anime, then you can pick it up in the manga to see the explicit scenes xD

That’s it for now! Will continue updating in this tumblr acc. as I continue on reading more BL ehe. Hmu on my twt if u wanna talk about BL and/or anime and manga in general hehe. Love lots~ 💜🐓

[gyeommine]

MONSTA X as Roommates

wow sorry this has been a LONG absence. i am swimming in school work and deadlines atm so bear w me. my final exams are this year so i am trying my best love u all <3

(all gif creds to the original owners)

Shownu:

( AN ACTUAL ANGEL )

okay so he’s a typical male but he tries really really hard okay?

he’ll say he will do his chores, make his bed or do his laundry

but he’s a busy sweetie

so he’ll fall asleep in a crumpled duvet

and it melts your heart so you have to do it

and he’ll always thank you super sincerely where his eyes disappear into his face and honestly ur roommate is the most adorable human alive.

u always catch him being an actual dad

he’ll be in his favourite sofa crevice, scratching his chin w his arm up in that position the bois make fun of him for.

and you have to try with all your might to not burst out laughing

instead you send a picture to the mx groupchat.

it’s called tender blackmail.

he also falls asleep on the sofa a lot but u can’t move him so

another dad thing he does is that he’s lowkey super protective

he’s not often an emotional person so it’s quite well hidden

but he does worry if you’re home later than him and will probably call u.

and will let out a prominent sigh of relief when you respond

lets you wear the baggy shirts he doesn’t wear anymore or so he claims

it just makes him chuckle when his shirts completely drown you

you also get to see a v sincere side to shownu

you can clearly see how his performing on top of variety shows exhausts him (esp when he claims variety is not his thing)

but he’ll never snap at you when he’s like that

because he’s so sincerely appreciative of having you around

but doesn’t disguise his dumbness

you guys can’t have many expensive ornaments

bc he’ll go to thoughtfully polish it to cheer you up

and end up breaking it

he’s a literal sweetheart that tries so hard, love him please

Wonho:

(wOW i would protecc this man w all my heart. purest)

he would be the sweetest roommate in th world

even tho he’s busy 24/7

he’ll sometimes randomly buy you your usual coffee

or he’ll see you’re almost out of milk or something

where he’ll promptly restock so you don’t have to

he’s incredibly thoughtful

it makes you a lil sad sometimes when he’s particularly busy

bc you miss him like crazy

but when he gets the chance, he makes sure he hangs out w you and dedicate some set time to his best friend

bc he really appreciates you

you’re both each other’s main support

he knows that when he walks in through the door after a shit day

you’ll be sat on the sofa ready to hear him out

it leads to way too many profound chats till like 3 in the morning

he’s a lil’ bit protective

on the rare occasion he’s not working and you’re not home

he’ll be snapchatting you, texting you

‘wonho i was just at the gym?’ ‘can i come too??!!”

and then suddenly you’re hanging out as per

living w wonho is the chillest thing

except when he neglects to wear a shirt when he’s having a lazy day

and you’re red in the face, throwing fabrics at him to cover him damn self.

friends or not it’s illegal for wonho to walk around like that

you both gel without arguments

you like the same films, music and even like to eat at similar places

never any arguments over takeout lol

you even end up giving each other skin care tips 

which makes for a pretty blissful living arrangement if you ask me.

Minhyuk:

(a visual??????)

okay you two are the ultimate best friends.

you have a long list of movies and tv series/anime that you two have to watch together

primarily because you know how whiny and salty he will be if u break it 

you’re both pretty relaxed roommates

like the dishes don’t need to be done right this second

magically chores still get done

thankfully, minhyuk isn’t the typical gross male

but he will probably shamelessly steal food that you have labelled

which is probably the only source of any conflict in your house.

when you’re both at home

you better believe this loud ass will wake you up super early to go do something together

“time to bond (y/n)!!!!” “what r u, 5?”

but you’re lowkey kinda grateful that he wants to do stuff with you

since you’re always afraid you’ll lose him to his schedule

you’re still super super close

you guys create your own dance routines and memorise current choreos that are trending 

you prank each other, which may involve you printing pre-debut pictures of minhyuk and plastering them everywhere

you have you’re own handshake that may or may not last for like 5 minutes

and if either of you forget it oH THE b e t r a y a l

did i mention that minhyuk is a massive drama queen?

but in a funny way (unlike a certain member who’s about to follow)

you will have named your shared apartment, no doubt

and will reference its name in the invites of the house parties you guys host

you basically act like siblings when their parents go out for the evening... 24/7...

Kihyun:

(his smile could sAVE lives. it’s so bright)

the ‘drama queen’ i previously mentioned

if u wanted a relaxed roommate, dude look elsewhere

i reckon yoo kihyun is a clean freak

he is mad about a rota of chores, to ensure it’s equal

but i can imagine him redoing them anyway if they weren’t done exactly how he normally does it.

this causes some some minor bickering

it’s always resolved when you ask what you’re doing for dinner that night

you guys have this insane ability to just drop arguments in a flash

which is why the intense cleaning regime never bothers you

plus, it contents your parents that you don’t live in a pig sty

(and silently wish that they could hire kihyun to clean on the side)

but beneath the bitterness, he can be super thoughtful

he’ll remember a food you were craving that one time

and suddenly you’ll find it in the cupboards

when you ask, he’ll shrug it off 

but he lowkey loves to cook for you.

you guys will love to buy furniture together

prepare yourself for many trips to look at random decorations or house plants to liven up your two dead souls

relishing the simple joys like buying new plates or cutlery like the secretly middle aged people you are.

surprisingly, yall have a v similar ideal

i can just picture this modern (not to mention spotless), monochromatic apartment in seoul

mx and your friends will be so jealous of how well you run your appartment together

although they quietly question your friendship, yall get it each other

your closeness is measured in bitterness and insults

and you don’t really need anyone to understand your friendship

bc it works

Hyungwon:

(ONE OF THE BEST LOOKING PPL IN KPOP HANDS DOWN hOLD me)

this living arrangement will be the exact opposite to living w kihyun

“organised mess”

it’s just you guys are always so busy with your careers and lives

so tidiness happens to be the bottom of the priority list

except when parents come over

then you’re doing hurdles over each other to tidy up

trying to find as many convenient dark spots in the place to hide unwashed laundry

when you are both at home

it’s a quiet contentedness in each other's company

you’ll most likely message each other instead of yell

but when you do call out to him, it usually takes 3-6 times before you receive at least a mumble in response

you’ll probably text each other when you’re right next to each other

well, if hyungwon’s even awake

you will definitely leave passive aggressive notes to each other

‘close the cupboard u moron - love (y/n) xoxo’

and hyungwon will reply on the same cupboard door

‘even ur writing is loud omg - hyungwon’

and the door will be wide ajar

and you’re genuinely not sure whether he hasn’t noticed the actual issue or is blatantly ignoring it

nevertheless, it’s your guys’ sense of humour

you guys probably stay up a lot together when you’re both free and not feeling up to doing much

a few beers while watching some b-rate movie to laugh at

but the film will soon be forgotten and you’ll be talking about anything from love to what vegetable you identify with

and end up falling asleep on the sofa next to each other at 6 am

and the cycle starts all over again

Jooheon:

(one of the sweetest dimpled people alive)

a golden, pure apartment

you guys are inseparable and the cutest friends alive

yall really take care of each other, even if its a little out yours’ way

you both can immediately sense when something is wrong

when you drag your feet into the flat, your face completely drained

jooheon is alert and ready to let you rant about your day

and he’ll offer to pay for food that night or cook something

likewise with him. you just sense when he needs a cry or a moan.

you guys are also super goofy

jumping around like 10 year olds to your favourite playlists

having your own lip sync battles and completely slaying the raps

i can also imagine you two having a redecorating day together

you playfully bickering over a shade of blue for the living room

idk it just seems like something you guys would do together

you also leave sweet notes for each other

especially if you don’t see each other at home for a while

you’ll wake up to a lil’ sticky note wishing you a pleasant day

it’s honestly sickly sweet

you’ll prank and tease the other members when they come over

because you guys are an unstoppable, mischievous duo

unfortunately shownu doesn’t really scare like jooheon does

so the tables over turn :/

jooheon has also put a ban on horror movies 

because he’s so jumpy and he knows he’ll never live it down

you guys will also share a bed in a completely platonic way

like you have just missed your best friend

so you have a sleepover... in the flat you share... as adults

everybody just assumes you’re dating and mx think you should

esp when jooheon gets lowkey jealous when you go on dates, since he’s so openly protective of you

but you guys know where you’re at

and you’re happy as best friends

I.M:

(i love this gif of changkyun. look at his cheeks ahhhh)

you guys are long-term childhood friends so the apartment vibe is chill

you have been friends so damn long, you know exactly how each other click so there are rarely any problems

if there is, you threaten to blackmail w the thousands of ugly photos you have of him.

then you remember he has an equal amount as you, and the actual issues is dropped within seconds

because you guys are still goofy through it al

like i said, it’s a v chill household

chores get magically done, eventually, but there’s no real rush

but you are both rarely there to have to thrive in it

it does make kihyun want to die a little when he visits

changkyun is often at his own studio

and you’ll receive calls asking you to listen to something he’s produced and see what you think of it

it means you guys end up spending more time at his studio than the apartment you both pay for lmao

but it doesn’t bother either of you

sometimes, it does take some prompting from you to stop him from overworking himself

what you guys love to do is go out on drives

just drive somewhere completely random, sit and watch the night creep in

you guys can pretty much talk for hours and hours

be it reminiscing, talking about the future or about the new music that you have been listening to

this does mean changkyun always has headphones in

so you’ll have to call his name repeatedly to get his attention 

your apartment will also always smell good

you both end up buying heaps and heaps of incense and candles

careful in not making the landlord believe you guys are doing drugs lmao

but it just creates such a relaxed atmosphere

and you don’t have to think too hard when buying each other presents

sorry if the lengths aren’t v well balanced. i had LOADS of ideas for some members and fewer for others. curse of writer’s brain grrrr. some of these were so cute, and i would so room w changkyun tbh

[alexsprincessparty]

Sleeping Beauty: Slept On!

Another week, another princess adventure. This one I spent with a particular friend...

That's right, I watched Sleeping Beauty this week. This image does not in any way reflect how I felt about the film, but it has been crazy at work so I did conk out for a while before starting it.

Sleeping Beauty is an anomaly of a Princess film, in the way that its villain is vastly more popular than its title princess. I guess it makes sense since Aurora has a personality befitting a discarded Amazon box. Literally, there aren't a lot of character traits about Aurora that aren't shared by the princesses who came before her. She's...kind. Pretty. Fairly submissive. Oh, yeah, and white. Still, Aurora is beloved as an original Disney Princess, just like Snow White and Cinderella before her. And still arguably one of the most beautiful. Okay, that was just me talking, I think.

So now we can finally actually talk about Sleeping Beauty.

Sleeping Beauty is based on the classic fairytale of a princess (in this adaptation, called Aurora), cursed at birth to a deathlike slumber by a wicked fairy (in this adaptation, called Maleficent). She lives in the forest as Briar Rose with three fairy godmothers--Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather--who raise her until her sixteenth birthday. The curse is said to prick her finger on a spinning wheel's needle on the day of her sixteenth birthday, but while Maleficent ordered her to die from it, Merryweather comes in clutch and adjusts the curse (when will your fae?) so that she merely falls asleep, to be awakened by True Love's Kiss (sounds familiar). She's saved by a prince, there's a dragon, yadda yadda yadda, make it pink, make it blue, happily ever after.

This film also borrows its score from that of the Sleeping Beauty ballet by Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky, which means it automatically wins. Menken and Giacchino, I still love you.

The good:

-Aurora still manages to be just a bit rebellious despite being one of the early ones. She, like Ariel thirty years later, hopes to marry this man she just met in the woods, and gushes to her fairy godmothers about him, none of them knowing he is Prince Philip, the one set up in this fancy arranged marriage their parents set up for them. This is about to get awkward. Still, Aurora knows what she wants, and no arrange marriage is gonna stop that, until she realizes she's being arranged to marry the guy she wanted to anyway. Life comes at you fast.

-The humor in this film is actually the best of the classic era. The Skumps scene with Philip and Aurora's fathers is pure debauchery, but it's the bard who steals the show by slipping their alcohol into his lyre and just getting hilariously drunk...and staying that way throughout the film. He gives a new meaning to the phrase "drinking under the table." The fairies also are a comedy show in themselves, as they're all just plain dumb without magic.

-Speaking of fairies, can we just put a good thought in for Merryweather? She has to adjust the Awesome Gift she has for baby Aurora because Maleficent just ordered to have her killed. Hatchimals will just have to wait until next year. Not only that, but she always has to be the one to remind her sisters to not use magic, should Aurora find out what her godmothers are. And then she is the one whose bright idea it is to make Aurora's dress blue, but she is far more recognized in her pink dress. Long story short, Merryweather has been through it. (By the way, the fairies are the ONLY reason this film passes the Bechdel test, though it is not the first Princess film to do so--Cinderella holds that honor.)

-Prince Philip so far rules the Most Useful Prince title, for slaying a dragon and awakening Aurora with the good old TLK. Great job, Philip, for being a standard prince.

-M A L E F I C E N T. Let's be real, Maleficent stole the ENTIRE show. The very definition of petty with a face beat for the gods, and, oh, I don't know, All The Powers of Hell! No other Disney villain can claim a pact with Satan! When will Ursula ever? There is a good reason why she is synonymous with Disney villains, and so far, the only villain with a solo film to her name. Iconic doesn't even begin to describe. (Also, that monologue she gives to captive Prince Philip is purely sinister. I love a wicked woman.) Maleficent is also the only example of woman hating other women, and being hated by other women. To be fair...she is despicable. Yet, still, I love her...

And then there's the not-so-good.

-You know that trope you hate about princesses where they're all damsels in distress and have to be rescued by a prince? This is that movie. This is that trope. Aurora is the damsel, put to sleep by a wicked curse, and Philip--Mr. Right Place Right Time--breaks it, slays the dragon, marries the princess, happily ever after. All this time you have been blaming every princess for this trope when, in reality, it's only a few, with this one being one of the worst offenders.

-Are arranged marriages still a thing? I think they are. Kill them with the rage of a burning black hell dragon. It slides in this era because era but the fact that it still happens in other countries to this day is just unbelievable, honestly.

-How did Disney get away with such heavy alcohol consumption in a kids' movie? Not that I care that much, personally, I'm just wondering.

-On one hand, the dress could have stayed blue, because gendered coloring blah blah, but I think they started using Aurora's pink dress when the Princess franchise came into being in the 90s, to differentiate Aurora from Cinderella (EVEN THOUGH HER DRESS IS SILVER). And I guess Tiana later on, even though her green lilypad dress seems to be her signature look. I don't know, I guess it was either her or Ariel. I really just wanted Merryweather to have SOMETHING in the end.

-A lot of emphasis on beauty in this film as well as the ones before it, but you can tell that the company is v e r y s l o w l y moving away from this concept.

Final thoughts: Sleeping Beauty is just a few steps backward, but you know how it is with things like this. Baby steps and all. This film practically patented the damsel-in-distress trope, and perfected it to a science. Tchaikovsky, a horned witch, and some rabble-rousing fairies could not save this film from that, but oh, do they make it enjoyable. Out of the classic era, this one truly shines, and is severely underrated. There isn't a lot else to be gleaned from it, other than to be careful around needles. (Fun fact: I didn't watch this movie until I was 20, because I never watched it as a kid. My mother didn't want me to develop a fear of pricking my finger. Now, at age 27, I still have no piercings or tattoos for that very reason, so suck it, Mom.)

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 drunk bards

Thanks for joining me for this installment of the Princess Party. In my next installment, I will have to painfully criticize my favorite film of all time--1989's The Little Mermaid. Join me as I resist progressiveness in the name of defending my problematic fave! Until then, Dream Big, Princess!