Goosebumps

In the mid 1990s, I was about ten years old and read nearly every Goosebumps book R.L. Stine wrote. I was a kid obsessed with creepy ventriloquist dummies, monster blood, haunted masks and ghosts next door. Most of my old Goosebumps books are still on my bookshelves, waiting for my kid to be ready to read them. If he dares!

The 2015 Film starring Jack Black as R.L. Stine is a wonderful orignal story tying itself to the most memorable books of the series. It starts off like a Goosebumps story would, a boy, Zach (Dylan Minnette) and his mom (Amy Ryan) move to a new town. He meets the nice girl next door, Hannah (Odeya Rush). Then he meets her creepy father (Black) who warns him to stay away. When Zach worries that something happened to Hannah, he investigates and accidentally unleashes the monsters from Stine’s books on the town. Then the real fun begins!

Goosebumps is a good mix of creepy fun, action and adventure perfect for older kids. The CGI monsters are not gruesome or gory and this isn’t a slasher kind of scary movie. Unless your littlest ones scare easily, this is a good one to share in the Halloween season. My three year old loves it (yet he is terrified by the tv show from the late 90s, double check what you’re watching.)

However, my kid cannot appreciate it like his old ‘90’s child mama. So many of the books I read as a kid were suddenly brought to life at once. Monsters I hadn’t thought about in twenty years crept back in my memory, brought me a great sense of happy nostalgia and reminded me why I first began to write. Best of all, writing becomes an act of heroics that helps save the day. What nerd wouldn’t eat that up?

While Goosebumps is aimed at kids and tweens, older millennials who grew up waiting for Stine’s next book to be released will be just as pleased. It’s not Oscar material and I doubt it will be a classic, but it’s great spooky fun and Jack Black is perfectly kooky. Check it out if you want a wonderful Halloween treat complete with some Stine-styled twists.

“You forgot about me!”

The Lion King

As the lights went dark in the theater last weekend, I watched my son’s face in anticipation. I’ll always remember how I felt at the start of The Lion King. The singing call and the sun rising startled and shook me inside. I remember being amazed, mystified and engrossed in the film, especially in that stunning beginning. I think The Lion King pushed me from a kid who liked movies to a young film fan. I was eight then, my son is only three now. As the opening number slammed shut with the title in red on the screen, my son asked in his movie-theater whisper, “Can I hold the drink?” I sighed with nostalgic tears in my eyes and handed over the drink. I hope one day he finds a movie the defines his childhood like The Lion King defined mine.

The Lion King is more grand than your average animated film. The story isn’t a fairy tale, but a story of power, family and destiny set within the animal kingdom on the African savanna. Simba (voiced by 90s teen star Jonathan Taylor Thomas and 80s teen star Matthew Broderick) is a young prince excited about his future as king. His wise father, Mufasa (voiced by the even more iconic James Earl Jones), tries to teach Simba what it means to be king while his uncle, Scar (voiced by Jeremy Irons), plots to worm his way onto the throne. After Scar murders Mufasa, in one of the most devastating scenes known to Disney, he convinces young Simba the death was his fault. Afraid, Simba leaves the Pride Lands and Scar rules with his band of hyenas. After years of Hakuna Matata, Simba learns that his kingdom is in ruins and he must face his uncle to reclaim it and fulfill his destiny. The story is basically Hamlet with animals, but most American 90s kids didn’t realize it.

Everyone loves the music from The Lion King.  Many kids grow up knowing all the songs by heart. And rightfully so, even the bouncy I Just Can’t Wait to be King has aged wonderfully. Three of the songs, Circle of Life, Can You Feel the Love Tonight and Hakuna Matata were Oscar nominated, with Can You Feel  the Love Tonight winning.

The score is also Oscar winning and perfectly reflects the movie. It’s heavy, yet whimsical, can be very serious and solemn and rooted in its African themes. I can easily listen to The Lion King’s score for hours. It’s such a beautiful soundtrack to envelop an equally visually beautiful film. The styles compliment each other perfectly and it feels like a beautiful celebration of life.

I personally believe The Lion King defines the height of the Disney Renaissance. Never before had Disney animation been so crisp, flawless and intense. And the level of storytelling was raised to a level that could fulfill the hearts and souls of all. I feel very lucky to have been at the perfect age to see this film in its original release and to grow up on its ideas of owning your past, fulfilling your destiny and stepping up to take charge of your own life. Now, sharing this film with my child is an amazing treat, and give the circle of life greater meaning. 

“You see? He lives in you.”

Hocus Pocus

Whether they love it or loath it, every 90s kid knows Hocus Pocus.  My uncle took my sister and I along with his children to see it in theaters.  This was back in 1993, when I was nearly eight years old, a good age for this movie.  Nowadays, I’m surprised at the nostalgic joy I feel whenever I come across Hocus Pocus.  For those who just don’t get it, maybe this drinking game will help you get into the spirit.

Hocus Pocus begins with a quick look back in time at the legend of the Sanderson sisters.  In 1693 Salem, the trio of witches capture a girl and suck the life force out of her, restoring their youth before her brother, Thackery Binx (Sean Murray) could rescue her.  The witches curse young Binx to roam the world as a black cat and they are hanged by angry villagers.  However, right before their hanging, the witches plant a curse that could bring them back to feed off the lives of children again.  All they need is a virgin to light the black flame candle on a Halloween night.

In 1993 Salem, Max (Omri Katz) is a teenager who has just moved in from California.  He scoffs at all of these witchy stories that the town seems to thrive on, but that pretty girl in class, Allison (Vinessa Shaw), is smart and supportive of Salem’s haunted culture.  While Max is unhappily taking little sister, Dani (Thora Birch), out trick-or-treating, they run into Allison.  When she offers to take Max and Dani to see the old Sanderson sisters’ house, Max sees his chance to impress this girl and lights the black flame candle, sure that nothing would happen.  So much if Max was going to deny his virginity, cause the witches are back and looking for children.

I laugh more and more every time I see Hocus Pocus.  Some of these jokes I have always laughed at, like Mary (Kathy Najimy) riding a vacuum cleaner when they can’t find enough brooms.  Or the other moments where twentieth century technology scares the witches.  Then there are some sexual jokes I grew into that flew over my head in the theater.  Today, some of my favorite parts are the laughable way that witchy Sarah Jessica Parker hits on everything that moves and the absurdly 90s moments.  Anyone would be ashamed of any evidence that they once shaving “ICE” into the back of their head.

Though Hocus Pocus is one of those loud comedies for kids and adults that Disney made too many of in the 90s, I’ve always liked how this one holds up.  The story is partially character driven, giving Max the opportunity to prove that he is not really a selfish non-believer  but a brave boy and a good big brother.  While most Halloween nights, the parents would have to step in at some point, that is taken care of with a spell, cleverly disguised as a catchy tune at the town party.  Even Binx, from the very beginning, is part of the story as a helpful talking cat, but not used as a prop.  The only thing that has ever really bugged me is when Winnie (Bette Midler) lands in the cemetery towards the end.  Didn’t Binx say that witches cannot set foot on that hallowed ground?

I don’t expect my future children, or today’s kids, to love Hocus Pocus the way I do.  There is a silly nostalgia in it for me, it was a part of my childhood.  Regardless, it’s still great Halloween fun that kids and adults can enjoy without risking any nightmares.

“Aren’t you broads a little old to be trick or treating?”

The Pixar Princess

I believe Merida has modified her dress so that she can move freely. Function trumps fashion.

After the successful opening weekend of their latest film, Brave, Pixar Animation Studios can give themselves a big pat on the back.  They have made the best movie about a princess, better than Disney ever did on their own.

You see, I grew up through an evolution of Disney princesses.  Very young, I knew Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella and thought they were all worthless panty waists.  Then came Ariel, who gave up her greatest talent for a guy she barely knew.  I threw her out like old tuna.  Belle grew on me a bit, we were both seen as odd and loved to read, but she was still too girly and falling in love with the hairiest thing around was a little unsettling.  Jasmine was completely incompetent outside the palace, don’t get me started on her.

Some of their poses make no sense…and shouldn’t Ariel be gasping for air?

In the mid 1990s, when I was about ten years old, Disney started an odd shift in their princesses.  Pocahontas was an odd twist playing fast and loose with a small piece of history and turning it into a love story celebrating nature and promoting cross-cultural peace.  However, I knew too much history to be tricked.  Mulan (not technically a princess) was a step in the right direction, with her warrior status and ability to keep up with the men, but there was still an element of romance that I felt was forced on her.  Same basic issue with The Princess and the Frog, but I liked how Tiana works hard for all she has.  Then Tangled, seemed to revert back into fairy tale mode.

Now, it seems that Pixar has taken up the torch and finally given this tomboy a princess she can identify with.  Merida is a wild child, with amazing hair to match, who would rather run free in the forest, shooting arrows into the sunset, than get married.  Thank God!  It gets better: she doesn’t like fancy dresses, walks with a rugged swagger, is very resourceful in the wild, can best the boys at their own games and voices her (often smart-ellic) opinions.  I’m sure I’m not the only girl who’s waited her whole life for Merida.

Finally, a princess that doesn’t want her hair brushed all day.

Not only does Merida show a personality I can love, but she has issues I can understand.  At some point, I think most tomboys and their mothers find a rift between them.  As dear mom tries to teach us how to be a lady, we resent every notion of it when we’re young.  I remember dresses and bows in my hair feeling like torture forced upon directly by my mom.  My smelly sneakers, backward baseball caps and love of monster movies were small acts of rebellion.  But as we grow older, we understand that it was all out of love and take some lessons to heart, and in turn, she loves how we are never fully outgrow our tomboyishness.

I love what Pixar has done with a very Disney story, but I hope (and worry) that they don’t get complacent.  What I, and many others, have always loved about Pixar is that they do not crank out Disney style films.  Their stories have always been fresh, fun, creative and unexpected.  Though I am thankful for their contribution, there are more than enough princesses in the world and not nearly enough Carl Fredricksens.