Hodgepodge

I have wanted to see this ever since we saw the train in Chicago that Disney sent around the country to promote the film. I was not disappointed.

I have seen many adaptations of this film over the years and while many were quite good, none capture the sheer terror, darkness and joy of redemption that this film does. The ghost of Christmas future sequence is the scariest thing I have seen in a long time and had my heart pounding. Then the metamorphosis that Scrooge undertakes as he realizes he is still alive and it is Christmas Day is so joyous that I was in tears. Yes - it is that powerful.

Jim Carrey is spectacular as Scrooge and all three ghosts. He should be nominated for an Oscar as well as the film itself. The performance capture technology has advanced considerably since Polar Express (also written and directed by Robert Zemeckis) and the detail in the visuals is stunning. I was especially blown away by the subtlety of the facial movements including the eyes.

The dark nature and scariness of the film would, IMHO, not make it a good choice for very small children so be advised.

I especially recommend seeing it in 3D if you can as it adds a depth to the film that is breathtaking.

Go see this movie!

Janice and I went to see this film yesterday and we were both blown away by it.

Even if you have seen the BBC/Discovery series “Planet Earth” on TV (which most of the footage for this film comes from) you need to see it on a theater screen along with the sound and ambiance to fully enjoy it.

I also loved James Earl Jones doing the narration for the film version. The film presents the struggles and joys of nature in a realistic, up close way and while it doesn’t show actual gore and eating of animals by other animals, it is implied so the kids don’t get freaked out.

Oceans is planned for release Earth Day 2010 and I am sure that more will be released as well as possibly some new adventures by Disney if this and subsequent films are successful.

Enjoy!

Most of you know jgaleckas and I are unabashed Disney fans. We go to the parks about once a year and we suck up movies and other stuff like a sponge. Bolt has been on our list for a while and yesterday Janice's daughter suggested we see it. The local Kerasotes does not do the new digital 3D but we found that the Lake theater in Oak Park does.

We schlepped off to see the noon show and were blown away by the film. The visuals were great, the story was very good and the music top-notch. Disney always manages to get the music right. John Travolta was excellent as Bolt and the hamster was a great character. The end was more emotional than I expected. The 3D was done tastefully, adding depth and realism without the "sticking objects in your face" shtick that many 3D films use. I don;t normally care for 3D but since so many films are now using the digital 3D We thought this was a good time to try it. Worth the extra $2 IMHO.

The Lake has been renovated since we last went and the seating was plush, the picture A1 and the sound system clear without being overpowering - added a lot to the overall experience. What is cool is that the renovation kept the art deco flavor of the original design.

I see more 3D films at the Lake in the future.