The Rolling Stones – The Lantern

The fact that the state government closes down today in honor of Veteran’s day provides me with the excuse of going out to see a movie on a school night. Last evening’s showcase was a preview screening of Wes Anderson’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Perhaps what struck me is that this screening of a film that is both animated (in glorious old-school stop-motion fashion) and only rated “PG” was attended by no children whatsoever. It was all adults going to see this adaptation of a kid’s story. And while this film is certainly appropriate for children, particularly in terms of content and plot, this room full of adults was fully entertained and amazed at the beautiful scenery, and idiosyncratic dialogue. While most “kids movies” I can certainly tolerate for 90 minutes, this one had me (and the rest of the audience) laughing out loud.

In fact, this whole event reminded me of the fact that  just a few weeks ago, another film, Spike Jonze’s new adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are was released. Again, based on a kid’s book, again merely rated PG. And again, when I went to see it, I found myself in a theatre full of adults who, aside from being dumbfounded at how 10 sentences of text could be expanded into 2 hours of film, wondered at the escape back into the world of Max and his Wild Things. And again, while certainly containing nothing inappropriate for children, this was a film that finally was able to re-tell a great story, with deep characters in a meaningful way to adults.

What’s my hope? My hope is that these two recent films are merely the beginning of a renewed movement toward retelling some classics in a non-trite, meaningful way to all of today’s audiences. Far too often, kids movies are simply escapism, but every so often, one sticks with you (even with Pixar’s last two ventures, Wall-E, and Up).

Here are a few suggestions of future filmic adaptations I’d love to see!

• P.T. Anderson – Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
• Martin Scorsese – The Snowy Day
• Joel and Ethan Coen – Millions of Cats
• Terence Malick – The Story of Ping
• Quentin Tarantino – The Story of Ferdinand
• Tim Burton – The Missing Piece
• Charlie Kaufman  – Corduroy

Got more suggestions? Post them here!

Belle & Sebastian – Wrapped Up in Books

Just about the only silver lining to the dark cloud of air travel is the fact that hours and hours in airports and airplanes provides one with a chance to catch up on reading, something that I don’t get to do as often as I’d like to during the school year.

Deciding not to lug my halfway finished hardcover copy of War and Peace (weighing approximately 6 lbs.) to Costa Rica proved a wise move, and gave me a chance to enjoy two shorter books that were honestly some great reads!

The first was recommended to me by a colleague toward the end of the school year and is entitled The Blind Side, which simultaneously chronicles the evolutions of both the unique importance of the “left tackle” position in football as well as the person of Michael Oher, an individual seemingly destined for greatness in that particular role. This true story was moving, poignant, and spoke to the power of perseverance, generosity, and hope even in the midst of terrible circumstances. Apparently, some folks are in the midst of turning this real-life drama into a film, however doubtful it may be that such a film will come remotely close to the magnificence of this book.

The second book I started (and finished) the day I returned to the States was Freakonomics, which despite the unfortunate title, was a marvelously entertaining read in which two economists apply economic principles to real-life situations. I know, I know,….that summary sound ridiculously boring, but trust me, it grabs your attention when the authors delve into the honesty of real estate agents, the economics of naming your children, and answering questions like “why do drug dealers live with their moms?” Certainly none of their analysis is sufficient to get the country out of this recession, but it’s certainly an enjoyable diversion in the meantime!

And now with essentially three non-work days of summer left (yep, I go back into school on Monday), I’m finding myself with the need to pack in the fun this weekend! Fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun……