I assume by now that everyone has seen the stop-motion animated classic The Nightmare Before Christmas. And if not, well, maybe it’s time we sit down and have a little chat. I’m not mad, honey. I’m just disappointed.
This move is simply a must-see. Produced by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick (who later went on to direct James and the Giant Peach and Coraline), The Nightmare Before Christmas is a groundbreaking achievement in filmmaking and visual effects. Bear in mind, too, that this movie came out in 1993. NINETEEN NINETY THREE, yo. Do you know what I was doing in 1993? Being amazed at this movie, that’s what. I sure as hell wasn’t amazed at TMNT III.
Though stunningly animated, The Nightmare Before Christmas isn’t all eye candy. The film manages to tell a charming, original story that isn’t just fluff and its full of endearing characters. Not to mention they’re all just so gosh darn cute. There’s a reason why there’s a million different types of The Nightmare Before Christmas merchandise with Jack Skellington’s face plastered all over them.
Not that this has anything to do with anything, but I love that the cover of this DVD is “3D” and features a rather puffy Jack Skellington. Whenever I take this DVD off my shelf, I can’t resist poking and prodding at Jack’s face, squishing it inward and watching it slowly pop back out. I’m easily amused, I know.
I like to watch this movie early in October as a kind of unofficial kick-off to the whole holiday season (yes, I include Halloween in “holiday season”) because I love the idea of a film that blends multiple celebrations, and this one does it successfully. “This is Halloween” might as well be adopted as the official theme song of Halloween (is anyone taking votes on that?) and it has become perfectly acceptable, even encouraged, to festoon your home with The Nightmare Before Christmas-themed decorations this time of year, like this Jack Skellington pumpkin I carved a few Halloweens ago. (Wow, “festoon.” I think that’s the first time I’ve ever used that word!)
Now the real question is this: is The Nightmare Before Christmas officially a Halloween movie or is it a Christmas movie? Discuss.
This is Halloween
This song will now be stuck in your head all day. You’re welcome.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpvdAJYvofI
Spooky Screencaps
What is 31 DVDs of Halloween?
As a special feature for the Halloween Countdown, I’m showcasing 31 Halloween DVDs from my personal collection. I have a lot of Halloween-related and horror DVDs in general, but for this year’s countdown I’m only going to focus on my absolute favorites–the ones I consider 100% essential for my enjoyment of the holiday.
