It is a faintly surreal experience shopping and going about town the day before a major holiday. I would have expected the Borders at South Park to be packed, or at least busy at 7 PM tonight. Instead, the place was nearly empty. The clerk who rang me up said that they called this day “White Wednesday”–the calm before the retail onslaught of “Black Friday.”

Similarly, when we arrived at the movie theater, there were only a half dozen other people there to see The Fountain.

I highly recommend seeing this film soon, because the visuals are stunning and I doubt it will stay on the big screen long. In fact, Blake and I were both amazed that this movie got made at all, much less with a major theatrical release and the actor who played Wolverine in the leading role! Director Aronofosky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream) takes the kind of risks with chronology and plot that most big Hollywood films avoid at all costs. Interweaving multiple genres and story lines for the two lead actors, The Fountain creates a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. You may find the film melodramatic, murky, or just plain silly in places, but I give it points for ambition. The closest analogy I can give is an inward-looking 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Tonight we were fortunate enough to get free passes to see Nightmare Before Christmas In 3d. Before I discuss it let me first talk about my feelings toward the original film. I had always been a Tim Burton fan so when I heard he was making a new stop motion (my favorite form of animation) film I was overjoyed. I began seeing promotions for the new film and even though Henry Selick would direct it, I couldn’t wait. When opening night soon arrived I sat in the theatre and was literally spellbound. I loved every minute of this movie. The movement of the characters and their designs were uniquely Burton. I was hooked. I would go on to see the film nine more times on the big screen. I bought the toys. The Art Book. The childrens book. The soundtrack. I even bought a complete set of the trading cards. Years later when Disney realized they could still make money on a film they did so little to promote, they released a limited edition snow globe. Yes, I was first in line to buy that as well. Am I a dork? Yes…yes I am. So, to say I was apprehensive when I heard that they were making Nightmare in 3d would be an understatement. I thought surely this was a marketing ploy. What can I say? A free movie ticket is a free movie ticket.

As we sat there and the film started all my fears were gone. This was the beautiful film I fell in love with in my early twenties. Being able to sit there and watch it with my wife (who has never seen it on the big screen) was a bonus. This isn’t your novelty Friday the 13th or Jaws 3D. This film works. When Sally flings herself out of the window it’s like you’re right there next to her. The scene towards the end of Jack in the graveyard after he’s been blown out of the sky is just a wonder to watch. The grand finale in Oogy Boogy’s lair is so much fun. Let me say….This film is AWESOME!!!!! Go see it. You won’t be disappointed.

Peace,
Herc

Little Miss Sunshine is a movie you must see. The movie has laughs, drama, but most of all it has heart. The husband and wife directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris along with writer Michael Arndt weave a seamless tale of losing but winning at the same time.
The top notch cast of Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, and the brilliant newcomer Abigail Breslin make acting look easy.
I’m not one to give everything away in a movie review so I’ll provide a brief overview.
Little Miss Sunshine is a road movie starring lovable losers trapped in an ailing VW bus traveling 900 miles in two days so Olive Hoover (Abigail Breslin) can compete in the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant. The family has many misadventures on what seems like a simple task. This film really exemplifies the feeling that it’s not the destination that’s so important but rather the journey.
Paul Dano’s character Dwayne the odd teenager evolves before our eyes. Alan Arkin’s twisted grandpa character manages to bring laughter, disgust, sorrow, and love in a short time. Greg Kinnear as the father who tries desperately to provide for his family as a want-to-be motivational speaker shows us winning is not always winning. Toni Collette is the hard working mom trying to keep tabs on everyone including Steve Carell as the tortured brother. Abigail Breslin’s Olive is the “glue” that holds the family together although no one realizes it.
This movie takes a close look at what defines family these days and what it’s like to win and lose in American society.
The thing that makes this film work is that it’s real. It’s not a perfect much like the family isn’t perfect. The other remarkable feat is the movie shows that sometimes losing at some of life’s various challenges doesn’t mean you’re not a winner.
Go see Little Miss Sunshine. You will laugh out loud and leave the movie theater thinking. I even laughed days afterwards thinking about things off camera.

Check out: http://www2.foxsearchlight.com/littlemisssunshine/