Once again to Witch Mountain

Today I was alerted to the fact that Walt Disney Pictures is remaking one of my favorite movies from childhood: Escape from Witch Mountain. The movie was based on a book, and one of the many that I religiously checked out of Dearborn Public Library. It was followed by the just-as-good-if-my-memory-serves-me sequel, Return from Witch Mountain.

I was on the phone with Laura when she described the billboard and said the name of the film. My heart jumped at the name and memory and then sunk upon realizing the inevitable: a remake. "The Rock is in it," Laura said. Oh no, I thought. "Are their two kids in it?" I asked, hesitantly. "Yes," came her reply. "Around thirteen or so?" I was thinking of Tia, the older sister, and my hero - an orphan with ultrasonic speech detectible only to the fellow orphaned, telekinetic brother she protects. "Maybe like eleven." "What else is on the poster?" I asked. There was a pause and then: "A taxi, a helicopter and a spaceship." Yep, that's the one.

The studio gave it a new title, Race to Witch Mountain, and added what they must have considered the crucial ingredient of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. I am very disheartened by this. I'm curious to see the movie, but don't want to interfere with my mind's idealized version of the original. I can still perfectly picture the de-saturated colors and 1970s outfits (it was made in 1975) and the clunky visual effects that will (sadly) no doubt be replaced by the technical wizardry of today. What I most remember about the films (besides the amazing scene where they get dropped off in the Rose Bowl by a spaceship early on in the sequel) is the intelligence, spunk, freedom and paranormal powers that the kids possessed - pure fantasy for a kid.

To illustrate the assumed difference in artistic merit between these two films I present the poster of the original and the upcoming remake.

Free Sundance shorts

The Sundance Film Festival and iTunes are offering 10 free shorts from now until January 25. I haven't watched any of them yet, so I don't have any reviews, but This Way Up was nominated for an Oscar today in the category of Animated Short Film. James looked interesting, and I remember it getting a fairly good review from friends Erica and Alex who saw it at Sundance. I've also read something about Acting for the Camera, but only remember it sounding interesting and kind of weird. This is all very vague, so I would advise finding out for yourself...and if you watch any really good ones, let me know.

To check them out, click here.

The New Year

I am back in Omaha after a trip to Park City/Deer Valley, Utah and I am trying to stay inspired and productive. The Utah weekend was much fun as usual; it never fails to disappoint and to revive the senses. I forgot how numbing and LONG the harsh Midwestern winters can be, and although I was still surrounded by snow it was a much needed break from my surroundings and routine.

I've never been much into resolutions, but I feel committed to a number of things this year including pushing myself creatively and having more discipline with my creative endeavors so that I get more done. I am going to hold myself to starting and eventually finishing a short fiction film and a short documentary. I tend to get sidetracked with all of the other stuff I'm doing (most of which I love): teaching, writing, reading, watching TV and films, passing time, hanging out, going to concerts, etc. but I realized that I really want to make films and have to really dedicate myself to that task. I also plan to volunteer somewhere on a regular basis, something I have thought about for awhile now. Maybe it's the combination of the surge of hope, change and optimism of Obama, or rather more specifically the hope and optimism that comes from the still startling fact that our country elected Obama and I feel supportive of our government and a proud citizen, and the fact that I turned 28 this year. Yikes.

To steer away from some of the seriousness and just discuss a few things I have been enjoying lately, how about this great time of television? I am on the season finale of Season 2 of Mad Men (so wonderful!), caught the season premiere of Friday Night Lights (so glad it's back), and am gearing up for the season premiere of Lost tonight. Not to mention the shows that I continue to follow or have recently watched in their entirety: 30 Rock, The Office, 24, Gossip Girl, Weeds, The L Word and Brothers and Sisters. I've been meaning to re-start The Wire, but when will I have time? I can barely keep up with all of these shows.

I caught some films at Sundance and I can't wait for Humpday to be released theatrically because I saw it and loved it. So funny and realistic. Skiing was primarily on the agenda in Utah (my first time ever...I'm still in one piece), but I also saw one of the fiction shorts programs and the doc shorts. There were some good ones and some not good ones, as is often the case with short programs. Watching the shorts did contribute to re-igniting the spark of really wanting to make a short film soon.,

Thanksgiving

2008.

Movies: 2008

So I attempted to write down my top ten movies of 2008. Here is my attempt:

1. Billy the Kid
2. Rachel Getting Married
3. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
4. The Flight of the Red Balloon
5. Reprise
6. Ballast
7. Trouble the Water
8. American Teen
9. The Pleasure of Being Robbed
10. Happy-Go-Lucky

There are a whole bunch of other films of 2008 that could possibly make the list once I see them. These include but are not limited to: Wendy and Lucy, Revolutionary Road, Tell No One, I've Loved You So Long, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, The Edge of Heaven, Synecdoche, New York, The Last Mistress, A Christmas Tale, Frozen River, Man on Wire, The Visitor, The Wrestler and Milk.

Thoughts? Issues? Suggestions?

I made this shoe with my sister

We also made another one that looks just like it. Look at that stitching. I love them.

Technically I should say we stitched these shoes and laced them, but I am still really proud of our accomplishment.

Thanks Jamie for your help!