The cost of the curse of Sleeping Beauty is a subject that has been widely discussed and debated over the years. This classic fairy tale, popularized by the Brothers Grimm, tells the story of a young princess who is cursed to sleep for a hundred years until she is awakened by a true love's kiss. While the story is often seen as a romantic and magical tale, it also raises questions about the consequences and costs associated with the curse. One of the main costs of the curse is the toll it takes on Sleeping Beauty herself. Sleeping for a hundred years means that she misses out on her youth, her family, and the world around her. This extended sleep can be seen as a form of punishment, isolating her from everything and everyone she knows and loves.
Magic on the Map: Let’s Moooove! by Courtney Sheinmel and Bianca Turetsky, illustrated by Stevie Lewis
The sibling’s parents buy a camper that turns out to be magical and transports them to locations around the United States where the two experience the local culture with adventures and excitement. In this first book, Finn and Molly go to Colorado. Yes, it sounds like the Magic Tree House books but with a camper and in the present day. However, it makes up for that with its settings that will build a child’s knowledge of U.S. geography and culture.
Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve 2 , Summer of the Sea Serpent 3 , Winter of the Ice Wizard 4 , Carnival at Candlelight 5 , Season of the Sandstorm 6 , Night of the New Magicians 7 , Blizzard of the Blue Moon 8 , Dragon of the Red Dawn 9 , Monday with a Mad Genius 10 , Dark Day in the Deep Sea 11 , Eve of the Emperor Penguin 12 , Moonlight on the Magic Flute 13 , A Good Night for Ghosts 14 , Leprechaun in Late Winter 15 , A Ghost Tale for Christmas 16 , A Crazy Day with Cobras 17 , Dogs in the Dead of Night 18 , Abe Lincoln at Last 19 , A Perfect Time for Pandas 20 , Stallion by Starlight 21 , Hurry Up, Houdini. But try telling that to Lal, the humble Bangladeshi gardener living in a house commandeered by an invading army in this short story titled Blossoms in Blood.
This extended sleep can be seen as a form of punishment, isolating her from everything and everyone she knows and loves. Furthermore, Sleeping Beauty must also come to terms with the fact that she has been asleep for so long, which can lead to feelings of confusion, disorientation, and even a sense of loss. Another cost of the curse is the impact it has on the people around Sleeping Beauty.
Five Thoughts on Just Beyond’s “The Treehouse”
Sam ends up in an alternate reality that allows him to say goodbye to his father who recently passed away. It’s a strong ending to the season, and while plays with wonky sci-fi ideas, works the best on an emotional level.
Some Spoilers Ahead
1. Flipped Out
Still dealing with the death of his father, Sam and his best friend Mason buy a key issue of his dad’s favorite comic, Commander Canada. When a bully all but ruins that comic Sam heads home broken-hearted. After an uncomfortable talk with his mom about being home more often and dad’s death, Sam goes up to his treehouse to read comics. A lightning storm hits and throws him into an alternate dimension where he has new, rich parents, is a bully to his best friend, and nothing is right. The world around him keeps glitching like channels flipping, and it doesn’t just change between similar, but different worlds, but we see what looks like a sort of post-apocalyptic wasteland version of his town. The static-y, wobbly channel flipping effect works, but doesn’t feel like it should be part of Sam’s story. His relationship to comic books could have made for a panel jumping, page flipping effect to be used instead.
2. Father & Son Redux
A truly heart-breaking watch. Sam, played with heart by Cedric Joe must come face to face with an alternate universe version of his father. Seeing Sam interact with his dad who he is simultaneously grieving, and striking up this new relationship with is really something to behold. It is equally sad, and bizarre. It doesn’t all work, but the actors do their best to make it the best they can. Malcolm Barrett does an incredible job having to tackle a guy who has to be told and accept that a son from another universe, which he does not have in this one, is standing in front of him asking him to build a treehouse so he can get back to his own universe. It’s absolutely insane, but the acting from both performers keeps it moving along in a way that with just some suspension of disbelief makes the episode a worthy watch, and a bit of a tearjerker.
3. An Understated, But Powerful Mom
Christine Adams is a genre pro and always brings some powerful acting chops along for the ride. Typically in stoic or serious roles, having her just be a mom in this almost had me unsure of where I had seen her before. Also, seeing her with long hair, instead of her usual tight haircut really threw me. As with Andy, we get to see two versions of her character, Jenny, in this story. Because this universe isn’t all that different from Sam’s home world, the major difference we get from both Jennys is how she acts with and without Andy in her life. Sam’s Jenny is sad, quiet, but not closed off. She is actively trying to reach out to Sam, and break through the shell that is really still forming around him in the wake of Andy’s death.
In the other world, we see a Jenny who is just living life with her beloved husband. They have no kids, so Adams really plays it in a more friendly neighbor mode, rather than an instinctual maternal way. And while this version of Jenny and Andy are the same age as Sam’s versions, there is a youthful bounce to both of them. We don’t see what Sam’s Andy is like, but from all accounts he was a great dad and husband, so maybe this side of their personalities was present there as well. For just a few short scenes, we get another great look at just how good Adams is. An actress who is strong no matter what kind of role she is tackling, she pulls of the overwhelming task of playing two different versions of the same person in a single episode. We completely get that this is the same person, just set on a different path so their personality it simply tweaked rather than overhauled. It’s a tough feat pulled off in a way that makes it feel so simple and lowkey.
4. From Bullied To Bully
One detail I didn’t much care for in this episode was that by giving Sam a different set of parents who are wealthy, thus putting Sam into a different mix of kids at school, he goes from being bullied to being best friends with his bully. It was a little too on the nose, and our Sam is so kind, and these parents seem nice enough, it simply doesn’t make much sense that he’d become an actual mean kid. It could have been left out altogether, but I guess they just wanted to show that this was very much, an alternate reality.
5. How Could You Choose?
This episode puts Sam in a crazy situation with a choice to be made, and it’s a devastating one. However, there is a detail woven into the story that forces him to choose in the expected manner, making him go back home where he truly belongs. His one choice is to stay in this other universe with two living parents, but who aren’t his parents here because we meet another set of parents who somehow have the same genetic code to make an identical kid that Andy and Jenny would make. The other choice is to build the treehouse with Andy so he can use it again as a portal back home, otherwise, allowing his real mom to believe he died in the storm that sent him to the other world in the first place, effectively causing this woman even more heartache, and we can only assume would just send her to her own death. It’s an insane choice and one that I don’t think Sam could easily make without the various factors thrown at him in this episode. But again, this is a kids’s show so some punches need to be pulled. It gives him time to bond with his ‘dad’ one last time, and puts him back home. It’s cute, it’s sweet, it’s a real heart-string tugger, and it worked for me.
//TAGS | Just Beyond
Share on
Christopher EganChris lives in New Jersey with his wife, daughter, two cats, and ever-growing comic book and film collection. He is an occasional guest on various podcasts, writes movie reviews on his own time, and enjoys trying new foods. He can be found on Instagram. if you want to see pictures of all that and more!
Five Thoughts on Just Beyond’s “Standing Up For Yourself”
The perfect small town has one major defect – a horrible bully named Trevor Larkin.Some Spoilers Ahead1. The American NightmareOn the surface, Larkinville is the idyllic Small Town America setting, but we know that something will be off about it – aside from the dangerous level of 1950s nostalgia built into it. From jump, as […]
Five Thoughts on Just Beyond’s “We’ve Got Spirits, Yes We Do”
A depressed teenage girl is locked in an old haunted theater over night where she learns some key lessons from some actors who never left.Some Spoilers Ahead1. Unable To Come Out Of Your ShellLexi Underwood plays Elle, a self-made introvert whose old lost friendship has made her disappear into herself. She’s given up on everything […]
Five Thoughts on Just Beyond’s “Unfiltered”
What happens when the smartest girl in school picks a new face and personality over grades and the good life she is already leading?Some Spoilers Ahead1. Love Yourself – AgainLike the previous episode, “Which Witch?”, “Unfiltered” is all about accepting and loving yourself as you are and teaching a lesson that just because you can […]
A depressed teenage girl is locked in an old haunted theater over night where she learns some key lessons from some actors who never left.Some Spoilers Ahead1. Unable To Come Out Of Your ShellLexi Underwood plays Elle, a self-made introvert whose old lost friendship has made her disappear into herself. She’s given up on everything […]
Her family and friends must continue to live their lives while she remains in an enchanted slumber, creating a sense of sadness and longing. Additionally, the kingdom in which Sleeping Beauty resides also suffers as a result of the curse. Trade and commerce may decline, and the overall morale of the kingdom could be affected by the absence of their beloved princess. There is also a moral cost associated with the curse. The curse highlights the potential consequences of making impulsive choices without considering the long-term effects. For example, in the original story, the curse is cast as a result of the king and queen's failure to invite an evil fairy to their daughter's christening. This act of exclusion leads to a vengeful curse that affects not only the princess but also the entire kingdom. This serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of inclusivity and the potential cost of excluding others. In conclusion, the cost of the curse of Sleeping Beauty extends beyond just the princess herself. It affects her personally, as well as her family, friends, and the kingdom as a whole. Furthermore, it serves as a reminder of the consequences that can arise from impulsive decisions and the importance of considering the potential costs before acting. The curse of Sleeping Beauty is not simply a romantic fairy tale; it raises important questions about the price we are willing to pay for our choices and actions..
Reviews for "A Curse with a Price: Sleeping Beauty's Financial Struggles"
1. John - 2/5
I found "Curse of the Sleeping Beauty" to be quite disappointing. The story lacked originality and was filled with predictable plot twists. The characters were poorly developed and their motives seemed unclear throughout the film. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and artificial. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and would not recommend this movie to others.
2. Sarah - 1/5
"Curse of the Sleeping Beauty" was a complete waste of time. The acting was subpar, with the actors showing little emotion or depth in their performances. The visual effects were poorly executed and the editing was choppy. The story was confusing and failed to provide any satisfying resolution. I regret watching this film and would advise others to steer clear of it.
3. Amanda - 2/5
I was highly disappointed with "Curse of the Sleeping Beauty." The concept had potential, but the execution fell flat. The pacing was off, with the movie dragging in some parts and rushing through others. The scares were predictable and lacked any real depth or impact. The ending felt rushed and left me unsatisfied. Overall, I found this film to be lackluster and not worth the time or money.