Here Comes Santa Claus...

...and in that spirit, here are a few of my favorite Christmas movies! Some classic, some not so classic. They're all wonderfully jolly.

1. A Christmas Story (1983)
This one undoubtedly falls into the 'classic' category...
It's a definite favorite though, and here's why:

Ok, ok...here goes; AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

2. The Christmas Toy (1986)

 This one was made for television, and until this year, was nearly impossible to find without scouring the internet. It is now available on Walmart shelves everywhere, sold in a two-pack with Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas. 

Anyway, this film has been one of my favorites since the age of five or so. I actually wore out the Blockbuster tape. It teaches a nice lesson about jealousy...

Here's a clip:

 

More next week! 

Images via dirtyharrysplace.com and wordpress.com

 

Fantastic Mr. Fox is...Fantastic.

Wes Anderson has done it again.

During my Thanksgiving break, I went to the movies to check out Fantastic Mr. Fox. The result: I was blown away.

This movie was incredible. Adapted from Ronald Dahl's children's book of the same title, this film manages to be wildly original, emotional in that Wes Anderson kind of way, and visually stunning all at the same time.

The soundtrack, as in every Anderson film, ties it all together with songs by the Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, Burl Ives, and several others.

My favorite part? The entire film is done in stop-motion! The textures are real; everything from Mr. Fox's fur to his corduroy suits! (Which, by the way, are said to be inspired by Anderson's own wardrobe.)

It also seems worth mentioning that despite the use of puppets, these characters seem as real as Steve Zissou, Max Fischer, or any of Anderson's other film characters. 

Check out the trailer:



Flawless.

Image via mutineermagazine.com

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

No criticism this week. (Other than that Charlie Brown movies make holidays cozier...)


Happy Thanksgiving!

New Moon

This week, I finally give this whole Twilight thing a chance. I watched a preview for New Moon, and I must say, I am perplexed. I can't understand the appeal. The whole concept seems melodramatic and soap opera-ish to me. In that minute and a half trailer, the character Bella sobbed, curled into the fetal position on a forest floor, needed rescuing, accidentally cut herself, fell to the ground, and needed rescuing again, only this time by a clearly animated werewolf.

Chill Bella, computer wolves can only do so much harm.

Then there's Edward...
He seems pretty girlish...and sad. The quotes that stuck out to me were a very distraught sounding, "This is the last time you'll ever see me," and my personal favorite, "You're my only reason to stay...alive...if that's what I am."

Then there's Taylor Lautner, who I suppose is there to get the teen girl hormone levels rising...

Mine just rose 14%!

All jokes aside, I don't mean to offend any Twilight fans. I suppose I just missed the boat on this one...




Images via cdn.buzznet.com, coolchaser.com, and wordpress.com

reason #42 to be afraid of cats...

So, this movie looks both creepy and strange.

Hausu (1977)



It's a Japanese horror film by director Nobuhiko Obayashi, and a new poster, designed for Nashville theater The Belcourt's showing, has been drawing quite a bit of attention.The poster was designed by local musician and Criterion Collection enthusiast Sam Smith. It gives me shivers. (I love it!)

See and read about the poster here.

Up DVD Release

Pixar's 2009 film Up is set to be released on DVD Nov. 10. (and it's about time!)
If any of you have yet to see this film, now is the time!

Unfortunately released to theaters as a 3-D film, viewers will now be able to experience the movie without risking headaches and blurred vision. 




In this video, host Grace Randolph takes a close look at the film, and asks viewers to rate it.

I'd give it a ten. Seeing this movie reminded me of being six years old, and going to see Toy Story. Thank you for that, Pixar.

Fright Night #4

Halloween is finally upon us, and in that spirit, here is one of the scariest movies I have ever seen. Ever.

Paranormal Activity (2007)

This Oren Peli film, made with a minuscule budget, is absolutely terrifying. Suspense builds up to an ending that will keep viewers awake for nights on end. Originally opened in only 13 theaters, the film has been demanded by audiences to be released nationwide.



Watch it...but don't expect to sleep for a few nights.

Fright Night #3

As it gets closer to Halloween, it only seems appropriate to bulk up on some more horror flicks...so here are some more of the best:

The Shining (1980)

Another classic, this film is most accurately classified as...eerie. With unsettling cinematography, an isolated location, and of course, Jack Nicholson, mastermind director Stanley Kubrick captivates and chills the spines of viewers everywhere. One of my personal favorites. Here's one of the creepier scenes:




Now, enough with all of these old films -even though they are some of the best-
Time for something a little more recent...

Coraline (2009)

This one, based on a novel by Neil Gaiman, is undoubtedly a visual masterpiece. Directed by Henry Selick, who helped bring you this lovely gem, Coraline is as creepy as it is aesthetically stunning. Check out the trailer!

Fright Night #2 (Hold on to your brain!)

Alright, time for another scare. Last night, I watched another first:

Return of the Living Dead (1985)

Ok, this Dan O'Bannon film isn't exactly horrifying...but it's creepy, quirky, and laugh-inducing. Everything in it reeks of the 80s, from the gang of teenage punk rockers, to the cheese-tastic, tension-building music. (Delightful? Yes.) Here's a trailer...

Come on guys, I just want to party!

Image via lostzombies.com

Fright Night #1

October! Yes, the month for late night horrorfests is upon us, and in that spirit, I will be mentioning a few of my spine-tingling faves. Right up until Halloween! (Not neccessarily all new films, but hey, I make the rules here.) How about a starter to get the skin crawling?

Poltergiest (1982)
I just finished watching this classic Steven Spielberg flick for the first time, and must say, I am terrified. Check out the trailer below...



Disclaimer: Not for people who fear clowns.
(I only wish I had known...)


Interested? Already seen it? Tell me what you think!
Check back for horror film updates all month!

HELP!

Perhaps recent moviegoers have been too caught up in the misdoings of filmmakers Rob Zombie and Michael Bay, (or maybe the recession?) to waste any thought on little ol' Robert Zemeckis.

As it turns out, while left unattended, he managed to get his paws on the rights to 1968 Beatles-inspired film, Yellow Submarine. That's right. In 2010, the man responsible for Beowulf and House of Wax will bring to you the

remake of one of the biggest cult

classics of the 1960s...in 3-D.

Mr. Zemeckis, I applaud your endless origniality.

But wait! Zemeckis isn't the only one in on this project! No, Disney is in on it too, of course. As it turns out, all that Marvel money just wasn't enough.

My reaction to this news was not the only negative one. A quick Twitter search clears that right up.

"Horror of horrors: Robert Zemeckis remaking Yellow Submarine. I miss you, George," tweeted Chris Walla, of the band Death Cab For Cutie.

"NOOOOOOOOO!!!! They're going to remake the Yellow Submarine movie! IS NOTHING SACRED?" tweeted BlueSilverStars.

"Apparently Disney is producing a computer animated remake of Yellow Submarine. God help us all. Whatever happened to originality, again?" tweeted jesushlincoln.

The criticisms go on and on. One can only hope Zemeckis will take the hint. (Most likely, he will take the paycheck instead.)
This article is where I first read of the upcoming film.
What do you think about this remake?

Chief Meanie from Yellow Submarine
warns Zemeckis to stay away!

[Images via Photobucket]