This will be my last post until 2008. Next Sunday I have a family-filled day and the Sunday after that I will be flying home from Chicago (weather permitting). To celebrate the coming weeks of family, food, and presents, I have four (that's right - I needed to make sure you all had plenty to occupy your time for awhile) final Christmas picks for you all to enjoy. For those of you I'll see in the coming weeks, have a safe trip to PA! For those of you I won't, have a season filled with cheer, peace, and love.
Film: It's a Wonderful Life
Frank Capra, Jimmy Stewart, and Donna Reed at their best, folks. What more can I say? Yes, I know this is one of those sappy, post-WWII films that preached a family-oriented ideology, but I don't care. Imagine being able to see what the world would be like if you were never born. Spend a few moments this holiday season to think about the people you've touched. Every year I watch this film and it makes me smile. I do believe that every time a bell rings an angel gets his (or her) wings.
Television: A Charlie Brown Christmas
It's not Christmas until I've heard the angelic voices of the Peanuts gang singing, "New born king!" While the whole show is excellent, I personally love the illustrated dancing. How can you not get up and do a little side-to-side head bob or a mummy-like walk?
Honorable Mention 1: Emett Otter's Jug-band Christmas
Instead of literature this week I've decided to add a couple more holiday-themed works that I think everyone should make part of their holiday tradition. Emett Otter was released in 1977 by Jim Henson and, in my humble opinion, became an instant classic for Generation X. Although most youngins today won't know of it, they should. The story is pure Christmas cheer, but more important than that, the Riverbottom Gang ROCKS! I have fond memories of watching this as a child and even fonder ones of watching it in college. (Anyone out there remember a certain beer- and Dorito-imbibing evening with a collapsed beer pong table?)
Honorable Mention 2: A Nightmare Before Christmas
Tim Burton and Christmas, who would have thought this pairing would make for an instant classic? There is something about Jack the Pumpkin King, Oogie Boogie, and Santa that really brings out the best in people. Ha! The music is excellent in this film and so is the animation. The settings, though, may be my favorite part of the whole experience. Although it may seem better placed in a Halloween-themed blog, I think it fits better here.
Well folks, I'm off to see I Am Legend. If it's any good, you'll see my recommendation here in a few weeks.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
This Week's Been a Good One!
Since last I wrote I have enjoyed a couple of excellent pop culture moments. They are my film and television picks this week. I have also enjoyed a few inches of snow and Christmas shopping. What can I say, it's been a good week!
Film: The Golden Compass
I saw this film last night and am still thinking about it. It's not that the story is overly exciting. (From what I understand, much of the complicated novel storyline was pared down, as is normal with adaptations. The books are now part of my "must read" list.) But the acting and effects are phenomenal. There is an amazing bear fight that is entirely animated but you don't feel like it is; I was literally on the edge of my seat. Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman, and Sam Elliott are all excellent in their roles. I will warn you, though, the film will leave you hanging. Much like LoTR, this film is one in a series. (There are three books so I assume there will be three films.) Don't expect a tidy little bow on this one. But go just the same, especially if - like me - your home theater leaves much to be desired. This is one film you need to experience on a big screen with surround sound. Incidentally, had the Catholic League not condemned this film, no one would ever have known the story is anti-religion. Although the Magisterium is vaguely Vatican-like, it's pretty subtle and most viewers wouldn't have picked up on it.
Television: The Tin Man
If you missed this Sci-Fi miniseries earlier this week, don't worry as I'm sure they'll show it again and again. It's a three-part retelling of The Wizard of Oz. I was amazed! Again, the effects were great. I really liked the pairing of 40s-era cars with futuristic inventions. The old elements that you know and love - tornadoes, flying monkeys, and scarecrows to name a few - are still there but in a new and original form. Having never read Frank Baum's books, I'm not sure if Sci-Fi's adaptation is closer to his original idea or not. I can say, however, that there are gold slippers, not ruby, which I believe was in the original books. The change to red was made due to technicolor's brightness. Anyway, if you're a fan of the Judy Garland movie you will still love this retelling. If you could care less about the Yellow Brick Road, you may still like this miniseries.
Literature: Twas the Night Before Christmas
I want to sprinkle in a few Christmas texts between now and the 25th. This is one such text. It's always a good idea to read this story out loud at least once before Christmas, even if it's just to an empty room. There is something about the way the familiar words roll off the tongue that makes the story a feel-good tale of Christmas cheer.
Film: The Golden Compass
I saw this film last night and am still thinking about it. It's not that the story is overly exciting. (From what I understand, much of the complicated novel storyline was pared down, as is normal with adaptations. The books are now part of my "must read" list.) But the acting and effects are phenomenal. There is an amazing bear fight that is entirely animated but you don't feel like it is; I was literally on the edge of my seat. Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman, and Sam Elliott are all excellent in their roles. I will warn you, though, the film will leave you hanging. Much like LoTR, this film is one in a series. (There are three books so I assume there will be three films.) Don't expect a tidy little bow on this one. But go just the same, especially if - like me - your home theater leaves much to be desired. This is one film you need to experience on a big screen with surround sound. Incidentally, had the Catholic League not condemned this film, no one would ever have known the story is anti-religion. Although the Magisterium is vaguely Vatican-like, it's pretty subtle and most viewers wouldn't have picked up on it.
Television: The Tin Man
If you missed this Sci-Fi miniseries earlier this week, don't worry as I'm sure they'll show it again and again. It's a three-part retelling of The Wizard of Oz. I was amazed! Again, the effects were great. I really liked the pairing of 40s-era cars with futuristic inventions. The old elements that you know and love - tornadoes, flying monkeys, and scarecrows to name a few - are still there but in a new and original form. Having never read Frank Baum's books, I'm not sure if Sci-Fi's adaptation is closer to his original idea or not. I can say, however, that there are gold slippers, not ruby, which I believe was in the original books. The change to red was made due to technicolor's brightness. Anyway, if you're a fan of the Judy Garland movie you will still love this retelling. If you could care less about the Yellow Brick Road, you may still like this miniseries.
Literature: Twas the Night Before Christmas
I want to sprinkle in a few Christmas texts between now and the 25th. This is one such text. It's always a good idea to read this story out loud at least once before Christmas, even if it's just to an empty room. There is something about the way the familiar words roll off the tongue that makes the story a feel-good tale of Christmas cheer.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
The Christmas Countdown
Relax, I'm not going to take you through four weeks of Christmas stuff. It's just that I went to the Christmas symphony concert last night and I'm feeling full of Christmas cheer, despite the rain. This week's post will be Christmas-themed, but then I'll just a pepper a few items here and there for the rest of the month.
Film: White Christmas
Yes, yes, I have no doubt most of you want me to put either A Christmas Story or National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation in here. Well, tough! Neither are my favorite. I prefer to go old school with a little Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney. If you don't like, start your own pop culture blog. This movie is a yearly event for me. If it's on tv, I'm glued to the set. I love the songs, the dance, and the actors. Although this isn't Bing's premier of the song "White Christmas" - that happened 12 years earlier in Holiday Inn - it's my favorite. I don't even mind the cheesy sound-stage ending. This film just puts me in a holiday spirit I can't deny. Plus, the film will leave you humming "Sisters" for the next few days.
Television: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
No, I do not mean that live-action thing with Jim Carey. Go to the original in this case, people! It's not Christmas until I've seen the Ginch on television. Bonus: Boris Karloff is the narrator (although he does not sing "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.") Remember, Christmas can come without boxes and bows.
Story: The Gift of the Magi
O. Henry's short story is sappy and wonderful, just like the entire Christmas season. Despite how heartbreaking this story is - and I will not write more because I can't give plot without giving away the ending - I still read it every year. (And I happily ignore the fact that O. Henry inspired a treacly-sweet episdoe of Seventh Heaven.)
Film: White Christmas
Yes, yes, I have no doubt most of you want me to put either A Christmas Story or National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation in here. Well, tough! Neither are my favorite. I prefer to go old school with a little Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney. If you don't like, start your own pop culture blog. This movie is a yearly event for me. If it's on tv, I'm glued to the set. I love the songs, the dance, and the actors. Although this isn't Bing's premier of the song "White Christmas" - that happened 12 years earlier in Holiday Inn - it's my favorite. I don't even mind the cheesy sound-stage ending. This film just puts me in a holiday spirit I can't deny. Plus, the film will leave you humming "Sisters" for the next few days.
Television: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
No, I do not mean that live-action thing with Jim Carey. Go to the original in this case, people! It's not Christmas until I've seen the Ginch on television. Bonus: Boris Karloff is the narrator (although he does not sing "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.") Remember, Christmas can come without boxes and bows.
Story: The Gift of the Magi
O. Henry's short story is sappy and wonderful, just like the entire Christmas season. Despite how heartbreaking this story is - and I will not write more because I can't give plot without giving away the ending - I still read it every year. (And I happily ignore the fact that O. Henry inspired a treacly-sweet episdoe of Seventh Heaven.)
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