Disney’s Latest Chapter in Expanding on Diversity
In Disney’s newest modernization of their classic princess genre, Emmy-winning actor Billy Porter is set to play the Fairy Godmother in the live-action adaptation of Cinderella. It is apparent that the latest installments of Disney films, simply consisting of them taking their old source material and developing them as live action films, are at the core, not original. These adaptations allow a new era of classic Disney to be ushered in with multifaceted representation. Whether this be in the form of fans seeing the first LGBTQ Disney character, LeFou, in 2017 Beauty and the Beast (2017) or African-American actress Halle Bailey being cast as Ariel for the future live-action The Little Mermaid, Disney’s controversial princess genre is being redeemed by taking a seemingly progressive step toward the 21st century in terms of who they cast and how characters are portrayed. Porter offers exceptional singing bravado as a Broadway veteran and certified award worthy performances. Porter, as a gay African-American male, offers a nuanced portrayal with great significance and exposure to children of non-heteronormative ideals and a larger scope of inclusivity.
Everything You Need to Know About the Newest Online Streaming Service: Apple TV Plus
The rise of online streaming has introduced various platforms and the most recent being from the technological giant itself, Apple. Apple Plus TV will launch on November 1, 2019 for €4.99 a month in Ireland- making it a much cheaper option to possibly its most notable competitor, Netflix. Similar to Netflix, it will feature ad-free viewing, the ability to download programs but also, the ability to stream shows on 6 different devices at once. Apple TV Plus has shelled out large sums of money to gather Hollywood’s most coveted stars and creators to develop new shows and films. Some notable contributors are Aaron Paul, M. Night Shyamalan and even Oprah and Prince Harry himself are receiving their own joint featurette on the new streaming service. Whether Apple will be able to deliver on their promise of original content with their streaming platform is left up to speculation until November 1st.
Danielle DerGarabedian – Film & TV Writer
