Jump Into A Book

Fantastic Mr. Fox

I have never moved anywhere on the planet without my copy of Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl. I didn't go to the theater to see my all time favorite book made into a movie. I just couldn't be disappointed. How could it ever live up? I just knew it couldn't!

 Boy was I wrong. What broke me? If you've been reading my blog "A Place Like This", you know that we have a family of fox living in our yard. Everyone has caught fox fever, which does have us reading nature manuals, and watching any movie with a fox in it, i.e. Robin Hood, Fox and Hound, and of course the new DVD release of Fantastic Mr. Fox.

It's time for a confession.....I love this movie. It carries the spirit of my favorite book where the fox changes his ways,doesn't hunt chickens and other small prey, becomes a journalist, hunts small prey again, farmers attack, fox family must fight for survival and in the end out fox the three wicked farmers.

The movie has so many elements that are different from the book but help to make the movie an entity of it's own, just not some movie based on a book. I knew the minute I heard the first four notes of the opening title theme that it was the tune of Davy Crockett. Interlaced throughout the movie are little snippets of soundtracks we all know and love like Robin Hood and other great faves.  

The incredible and minute detail that went into making this movie is mind boggling. Wes Anderson did stop motion photography. Every little piece of scenery had to be made by hand and then to find the most talented of puppeteers to make the characters move as if the camera never stopped.

 

Wes added characters and it only added to the story. He really had the different personalities and nature of each animal character pegged.

The dialog is very witty and I just love the fact that they are dressed like humans, for the most part act like humans, and then there are these incidents where they act like the wild animals. It's so funny.

Another clever idea that Wes had was instead of using swear words for impact, he actually used the word "cuss". This just had me howling. It sounds so funny and is definitely poking fun at the usage of bad language.

I was so sad to see this movie end and I'm so glad we own it on DVD. We will be watching this movie again and again. That being said I also have to plug the book. I've read this book to many children and highly recommend it for an early chapter book. It's a fantastic story and sure to become a family favorite.

A Christmas Carol

I have endeavored in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humor with themselves, with each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it.

Their faithful Friend and Servant, C.D.

December, 1843.

 

And so it begins....our annual encounter with one of the most famous Christmas books of all times.

Last weekend I went to see the new Disney Animation version of this classic tale. It is brilliantly done, especically the 3-D version. I chose to go alone and check out the movie before I took my youngest and his friends. That it turned out, was a very wise choice. I might just be really whimpy, but there were moments when I was really scared in a ghostly sort of way.

One moment that stood out for me and had me hiding behind my coat, was when the door knocker was the scary floating ghost of Marley. AHhhhhhhh

Jim Carrey does a brilliant job portraying all of the characters. I love all of the flying one gets to do with spirits. We travel all through London in old times, present times, and present times looking at the future. It really feels like you're flying. It was so much fun.

The makers of this film really stuck true to the story which allowed those of us who know the story to get involved as a participant in the film as opposed to criticizing it. Another element which draws the viewer in , is the use of very familiar christmas carols. At the viewing I was at, people were singing loudly. It really added to the experience. It is because this movie is an experience that I caution taking young children to it or very imaginative children to it.

At dinner that night I had a wonderful conversation with the kids about this story and Charles Dickens. We've decided to listen to it and audible has made it easy. They are offering a rendering being read by Tim Curry for free. One can also find sites on-line that offer the book free of charge in its entirety.

Enjoy!

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Movie Day

Well I avoided this movie so much. I just adore the book and we read it often. There was no way , in my mind, that they could make a movie that was better than the book. After putting off going to the movie for so long, it finally rained, and then I had no more excuses or choices. Into the car we hurdled,bought our popcorn and drinks, found cuddly seats, and we were off to the movies.

Boy was I wrong. The movie totally captived me in it's own movie like way. We felt connected to the characters. My favorite was the dad and his doubting ways. In the end he too is a believer, in his son and in this movie. This is not to be missed, so go find your favorite kid or your favorite kid at heart and spend an hour and 20 minutes with food weather.

Here's a sneak peak to entice you..........

Magical Maurice

       

As a child, Maurice Sendak loved to have his father read to him before bed. Likewise, I have loved his book "Where the Wild Things Are" for my entire life. This book was a bedtime favorite for me when I was a child. I've read it to countless children and have bought it for many a gift. The story of a young boy who is sent to his room and his make believe world unfolds onto the pages.Who couldn't love the imaginings of a boy named Max?  Who wouldn't want to be welcomed into his world? Director Spike Jonze has made this longtime classic into a movie, to be released on October 16th 

  

         

          

          

promotional film photos by Legendary Films and Warner Bros.