“What’s This?!” – Our November 2020 Film Club Pick
What a crazy rollercoaster November 2020 has turned into… Given the current state of things (what with the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, and ‘edge-of-your-seat’ results of the 2020 US Presidential Election), and the fact that most everyone is emotionally and mentally exhausted right about now, we have decided that we need a celebratory film to help bridge the gap between Halloween and Christmas. You’ve probably already guessed it, but we are so excited to announce that our November Film Club Pick is Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993, dir. Henry Selick)!
For those of you who don’t already know this cult film (and perhaps have been sleeping under a rock since 1993), The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop-motion animated musical fantasy film about Jack Skellington, the King of ‘Halloween Town,’ who is dissatisfied with life and yearns for something new (a feeling many of us clearly had this past week…). Whilst walking in the woods, Jack stumbles upon an enchanted clearing, with a circle of trees featuring various doors or portals to other worlds, each representing various holidays. Things get swiftly complicated as Jack gets wrapped up in the ‘Christmas Spirit,’ and while we won’t give too much of the storyline away, we do hope that this film will be the perfect distraction for everyone as we gear up for the upcoming holiday season.
What can we say? We are supremely thankful for the creative genius of Tim Burton and musical prowess of Danny Elfman (who provides a fantastic score), whose collaboration resulted in such an uplifting and distraction filled production, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and for all of our friends and family, who we can’t wait to watch this film with (even if that means screening the film whilst social distancing). While The Nightmare Before Christmas is arguably not the most ‘Thanksgiving’ themed film we could have chosen, we think it is the right family-friendly flick for this time of year, and besides, the film has its ‘Thanksgiving’ moments, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled, while watching this movie, for that elusive Thanksgiving turkey.
What do you think of our November Film Club Pick? How many times have you watched The Nightmare Before Christmas? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to plan a ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ themed viewing party for all the loved ones with you in your quarantine bubble.
Copyright © 2020 Sarah Crane
