ann hale completes the 12 slays series with a classic…
Merry Christmas, everyone! To anyone that offends, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or X-Mas to those who don’t like the first part of the holiday word. No matter what you call it, today is the day we spend with our families and/or loved ones, enjoy a little nog, perhaps some turkey and get absolutely smashed while wearing that hideously awesome sweater your grandmother knitted you yet again. As many of us will be spending [insert holiday name here] with children.
I decided that tonight’s film will be child friendly. Now, before you get to groaning and complaining, this film has a massive cult following in the horror community and just happens to be my all-time favorite movie as it celebrates my two favorite holidays: Halloween and Christmas. That’s right, go ahead and take a moment to regret that groan you threw my way and prepare to enjoy The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Straight from the brain of Tim Burton and visually imagined by Henry Selick, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a fully claymation film about Jack Skellington, the skeletal Pumpkin King of Halloweentown who has grown quite bored of scaring people year after year. In his quest to think of something new to do, Jack stumbles upon a circle of trees in the forest with different holiday doors on them. The beauty of the Christmas door catches his eye [socket?] so he opens it up. Inside he finds more than he ever expected. In Christmastown, the ground is covered in snow; children sleep soundly unafraid of what is under their beds, people are laughing and singing and, most interesting of all, there is Santa Claus.
Jack immediately returns to Halloweentown to share his findings and to convince the town to celebrate Christmas this year instead of Halloween. The town is fully on board but they cannot get out of the mindset of Halloween and scares. Santa is kidnapped and taken to Oogie Boogie, the bug filled sack of nasty that is nothing but bad and the townsfolk get to making evil toys for the girls and boys. What they don’t understand is that Christmas is about happiness, not scares. Jack is about to find that out.
This is technically a Disney film, so do not be surprised by the fact that they sing. On the bright side, the songs are very catchy. Plus, the voice actors are big names such as Chris Sarandon (Fright Night), Catherine O’Hara (Beetlejuice) and Paul Reubens (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). You might better know Paul Reubens as Pee Wee Herman.
The movie is dark but very light hearted and the characters are very lovable down to the melty face guy. I think you will find that this film satisfies both your Christmas and horror needs all while entertaining your little ones. You might just find that your sweet little girl wants her room decked out in Jack Skellington memorabilia, giving you a moment of horror loving pride.
Make your kids and yourself happy this Christmas with Jack and the crew. I promise you will love it!
