If you've ever been around kids for an extended period of time, you've probably read them a story or two. Some are completely benign--almost saccharin-sweet--while others are...less so. But only in the realm of children's books can kids (and perhaps their loving adults) face off against the big bad monsters and come out on top. Sometimes the monsters end up befriending the kids, or sometimes they end up magically becoming less-than-troublesome, and spend the rest of their days acting a bit like … [Read more...] about The Intersection of Horror and…Children’s Books?
Movies
Just A Peek, For Fun!
I have kind of a love/hate relationship with movie musicals. Generally, I LOVE them. But if they're done poorly, it's utterly painful to sit through. (Just as an example, you can go back and check out my review of Les Misérables, which I thought was amazing--with one exception.) Next month comes Hollywood's latest offering, Sondheim's Into the Woods. It boasts a HUGE cast of big names, and hopefully all of them will do their roles well. I do tend to judge actors' singing, although they get big … [Read more...] about Just A Peek, For Fun!
“We’re All Storytellers”
Watching the Oscars last night, I found myself really enjoying not only the production but also the commercials. I think the ads this year were far better than the Super Bowl ads that get so much hype every year. But my favorite moment of pretty much the entire evening came from this simple ad for Google. It highlighted a TED Talk from Pixar writer/director/producer Andrew Stanton, which I should have guessed because I actually recognized his voice. Take a look. [youtube … [Read more...] about “We’re All Storytellers”
Is It A Movie, or Is It A Message? Or Is It Both?
It's official. I have given up. I'm over politics and politicians. I'm over Fox News. I'm over stupid people who blather away mindlessly on television with nothing intelligent to say other than to further their own selfish agendas. Okay, I suppose anyone who crafts their own message in any kind of media has their own agenda to move forward. But any more it seems like most of the content that gains any traction in the public eye is "all sizzle, no steak", to coin a phrase. There's no actual … [Read more...] about Is It A Movie, or Is It A Message? Or Is It Both?
Is It Time to Ask for More from Animation?
This afternoon I finally bit the bullet and went out to the theater to see Disney's latest animated film, Frozen. I knew a lot of my friends (many of whom do not have children, it should be pointed out) really loved this movie, and at the time of this writing it has just received a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination. Rumors are swirling that it will be headed to Broadway soon, although that isn't so much a benchmark of a quality film as it is a somewhat expected pattern from Disney. I had seen … [Read more...] about Is It Time to Ask for More from Animation?
Redefining the Idea of Screening
The other day, in my general internet meanderings, I found an article about texting during movies -- examining just how much of a problem it really is, and what should be done about it. Of course, I've been going to the movies for years without the "benefit" of a mobile phone, so the idea of having a text conversation strikes me as completely ridiculous. I love the completely immersive experience of the darkened theater, and even too much whispering near me will distract me from the story and … [Read more...] about Redefining the Idea of Screening