What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
#26
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
The visual style, the plot, the songs, none of it appealed to me.
#27
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
UAIOE maybe you should see it again, you might like it atleast like it a little more. Or not, but that's fine. I think the film appeals to specific tastes and yours may not be one of them.
#28
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Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
I gotta agree. Goth kids took this and made it their own thing, which ruined its original appeal, IMO. I'm a huge Disney buff, and it bothers me to no end that they re-do the Haunted Mansion every year to be Nightmare-themed. The endless merchandise doesn't help either. Honestly, the film seems to annoy me more than anything. When a film or TV show gets too saturated, I step back for a while, wait for it to dissipate and then I can enjoy it again. But this thing never goes away, so I still can't bring myself to watch it again.
#29
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
Why is it so hard for some of you to separate the film from it's fans or the culture around it? It seems in every case really easy to avoid. At most in the real world, you'll see people wearing a hoodie or shirt, but that's it. People aren't going out of their way to sing the songs anywhere in public and get in other's people way. And internet sites are even easier to ignore. And still none of this stuff is in the actual film, or has any bearing on what Selick or Burton made.
I just never got this idea that fandom or awful sequels effect how one views a film. The brilliance is still there and nothing should change that. When I watch I a great film I forget all about anything that it's spawned and just enjoy what I'm watching. If it's that good of film that is what it should do.
I just never got this idea that fandom or awful sequels effect how one views a film. The brilliance is still there and nothing should change that. When I watch I a great film I forget all about anything that it's spawned and just enjoy what I'm watching. If it's that good of film that is what it should do.
#30
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
But I'll also agree that it probably doesn't appeal to my tastes. That is probably the only reason I can think of why I was totally underwhelmed with the movie.
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Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
Because it's everywhere, and it annoys me. Maybe if I didn't go to Disneyland all the time I wouldn't see it so much, but I do and it's so commercialized and merchandized and cutesy that I just get irritated. I know that I probably love a thousand other things that could fit into that category, but for some reason this irks me more than anything else.
#32
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Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
Still one of my favorite films. I even have some of the merchandise and I have never smeared white paint on my face and drawn on a frown with black lipstick. I also like Scarface and don't let the fact that a bunch of wanna be gangsta rappers love it ruin it for me.
#33
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Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
I can't stand Tim Burton, I can't stand goth/emo/death-related stuff, and I can't stand themes in which something is labeled as "dark for the sake of being dark".
So I just blind-bought the blu-ray of Nightmare Before Christmas the other day for 12 bucks, and this is one of the best blind buys I have ever done. I had never seen the film in 1993 nor did I ever want to rent it for the above reasons, but this movie is phenomenal! A totally excellent film with great character, story, animation, and especially the music!
I probably liked it too because it didn't have Johnny Depp or Helen Bonham Carter doing the voices. I totally forgot about how in the old days (pre-1995) that animated films actually used real voice actors and not movie actors as they do now.
So I just blind-bought the blu-ray of Nightmare Before Christmas the other day for 12 bucks, and this is one of the best blind buys I have ever done. I had never seen the film in 1993 nor did I ever want to rent it for the above reasons, but this movie is phenomenal! A totally excellent film with great character, story, animation, and especially the music!
I probably liked it too because it didn't have Johnny Depp or Helen Bonham Carter doing the voices. I totally forgot about how in the old days (pre-1995) that animated films actually used real voice actors and not movie actors as they do now.
#34
Moderator
Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
If you ever grow up a bit I suggest you at least give the movie a try, perhaps it won't be to your tastes -- but at least you'll have an informed option.
#35
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
I can't stand Tim Burton, I can't stand goth/emo/death-related stuff, and I can't stand themes in which something is labeled as "dark for the sake of being dark".
So I just blind-bought the blu-ray of Nightmare Before Christmas the other day for 12 bucks, and this is one of the best blind buys I have ever done. I had never seen the film in 1993 nor did I ever want to rent it for the above reasons, but this movie is phenomenal! A totally excellent film with great character, story, animation, and especially the music!
I probably liked it too because it didn't have Johnny Depp or Helen Bonham Carter doing the voices. I totally forgot about how in the old days (pre-1995) that animated films actually used real voice actors and not movie actors as they do now.
So I just blind-bought the blu-ray of Nightmare Before Christmas the other day for 12 bucks, and this is one of the best blind buys I have ever done. I had never seen the film in 1993 nor did I ever want to rent it for the above reasons, but this movie is phenomenal! A totally excellent film with great character, story, animation, and especially the music!
I probably liked it too because it didn't have Johnny Depp or Helen Bonham Carter doing the voices. I totally forgot about how in the old days (pre-1995) that animated films actually used real voice actors and not movie actors as they do now.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. I still think it’s a phenomenal movie even though with merchandising it’s been a little over saturated. As far as voice acting goes, Danny Elfman was the singing voice of Jack Skelington.
#36
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Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
I don't know about that. Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Paul Reubens, Glen Shadix (though he later transitioned to voice work) were all definite movie actors. It didn't have the star power of modern animated films, but I wouldn't call them voice actors.
#37
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
It's one of my favorite movies... maybe because it's original. Traditionally I watch it twice a year. Halloween and then around Christmas.
#38
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Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
It's a great film, but I too am bugged how Henry Sellick gets the shaft. His genius is only further proven when you see the stop motion film that Burton did direct (Corpse Bride) and it's a pale shaddow of Nightmare.
It has also always anoyed me how Disney clearly didn't like the film upon initial release, tagging it with "Touchstone Pictures" and giving it comparitively little publicity. 8 to 10 years latter when it snowballed into a huge hit suddenly they love it, with annual revivals and re-releases, tons of merchendising, rides at the theme parks, etc. If they'd lavished that attention on the film when it was new it would have been a much bigger hit. Their reversal just shows such hypocrisy. They don't really want to foster anything new.
It has also always anoyed me how Disney clearly didn't like the film upon initial release, tagging it with "Touchstone Pictures" and giving it comparitively little publicity. 8 to 10 years latter when it snowballed into a huge hit suddenly they love it, with annual revivals and re-releases, tons of merchendising, rides at the theme parks, etc. If they'd lavished that attention on the film when it was new it would have been a much bigger hit. Their reversal just shows such hypocrisy. They don't really want to foster anything new.
#39
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Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
I don't know about that. Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Paul Reubens, Glen Shadix (though he later transitioned to voice work) were all definite movie actors. It didn't have the star power of modern animated films, but I wouldn't call them voice actors.
Spoiler:
#40
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Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
"Coraline" is as good as it is because of the source material. Henry Selick is skilled at animation but he needs someone creative guiding him and that's what Burton did on "TNBC". Burton was essentially the creative director and Selick was the technical director and if anything Burton is the one who has suffered by constantly having "TNBC" excluded by obsessive nerds who give too much weight to an official credit. I'm sure this is why he actually took the co-director credit on "The Corpse Bride" when there was a very similar arrangement with the animation director.
Take Neil Gaiman, Tim Burton or Wes Anderson out of the equation and Selick gives you "Monkeybone". I mean, the guy is good at what he does but what he does is bring the vision of others to life.
Take Neil Gaiman, Tim Burton or Wes Anderson out of the equation and Selick gives you "Monkeybone". I mean, the guy is good at what he does but what he does is bring the vision of others to life.
#42
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#43
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
Right on, bro; I feel your pain. And I've seen the film twice in theaters, and several "at home" viewings. Why so many times, you say, if I didn't like it the first time? Well, try being married to a goth/pagan chick, and her two bratty kids love the flick, too.
So, yes, I've seen it many times, and I never liked it any better than the first time I saw it...
So, yes, I've seen it many times, and I never liked it any better than the first time I saw it...
I'd still pass on "Nightmare"...."Batman Returns" as well.
#45
Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
----------------
Now Caroline that was a cute movie.
#46
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
Why is it so hard for some of you to separate the film from it's fans or the culture around it?..................
... The brilliance is still there and nothing should change that. When I watch a great film I forget all about anything that it's spawned and just enjoy what I'm watching. If it's that good of film that is what it should do.
... The brilliance is still there and nothing should change that. When I watch a great film I forget all about anything that it's spawned and just enjoy what I'm watching. If it's that good of film that is what it should do.
Because it's everywhere, and it annoys me. Maybe if I didn't go to Disneyland all the time I wouldn't see it so much, but I do and it's so commercialized and merchandized and cutesy that I just get irritated. I know that I probably love a thousand other things that could fit into that category, but for some reason this irks me more than anything else.
#47
DVD Talk Legend
Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
From wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightma...istmas#Release
Walt Disney Pictures decided to release the film under their Touchstone Pictures banner because they thought Nightmare would be "too dark and scary for kids". Selick remembered...
...Around the release of the film, Touchstone president David Hoberman quoted, "I hope Nightmare goes out and makes a fortune. If it does, great. If it doesn't, that doesn't negate the validity of the process."
...Around the release of the film, Touchstone president David Hoberman quoted, "I hope Nightmare goes out and makes a fortune. If it does, great. If it doesn't, that doesn't negate the validity of the process."
Besides, I'd rather have a movie studio "hypocritically" celebrating a film later on when it's a success than sticking to its guns and ignoring it forever. Should we be mad that The Princess Bride didn't break the box-office when it was first released, or happy that it's now considered a classic?
"Coraline" is as good as it is because of the source material. Henry Selick is skilled at animation but he needs someone creative guiding him and that's what Burton did on "TNBC". Burton was essentially the creative director and Selick was the technical director and if anything Burton is the one who has suffered by constantly having "TNBC" excluded by obsessive nerds who give too much weight to an official credit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightma...mas#Production
On the direction of the film, Selick reflected, "It's as though he [Burton] laid the egg, and I sat on it and hatched it. He wasn't involved in a hands-on way, but his hand is in it. It was my job to make it look like "a Tim Burton film", which is not so different from my own films." When asked on Burton's involvement, Selick claimed, "I don't want to take away from Tim, but he was not in San Francisco when we made it. He came up five times over two years, and spent no more than eight or ten days in total." ..Burton found production somewhat difficult because he was directing Batman Returns and in pre-production of Ed Wood.
You do realize that Monkeybone is an adaptation as well, right? And you forgot about Roald Dahl.
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Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
Disney financed it as part of a multi-picture contract they had with Burton that also included Cabin Boy, Ed Wood, and James and the Giant Peach. When a studio enters into a first look production contract with a producer/director of the level of Burton they throw away their ability to say no. They can pass, but they can't pass too many times. Disney wanted to get into the "Burton business", so they were obliged to finance what he brought them. Later they dump the product with minimal marketing when they decided they didn't want to put good money after bad. It happens all the time. In the case of Burton's Disney deal they dumped all the films he developed there, even though two of the four are arguably his masterpieces (Wood and Nightmare).
#49
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Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
Disney financed it as part of a multi-picture contract they had with Burton that also included Cabin Boy, Ed Wood, and James and the Giant Peach. When a studio enters into a first look production contract with a producer/director of the level of Burton they throw away their ability to say no. They can pass, but they can't pass too many times.
#50
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Re: What's the deal with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas?'
In theory the studio can pass all you want. But the filmmaker can then take the project somewhere else. If the studio passes too much they simply run the risk of pissing off the filmmaker and souring the relationship.
The following is all my conjecture: In the case of TNBC, think about 1992. For animation, Disney was the only game in town. Fox, Dreamworks, and Warner would all jump into the animation game later in the decade, but in 1992 Disney was the only place to take an animated project. Burton pitches these two pojects (Nightmare and James) and Disney picks them up because a) they "know" animation and b) even if they dump the poject and lose money on it they control the rights and they'd rather control the rights to any and all animation properties than let another studio get the jump on R&D. If another studio took nightmare and made it a big hit right out of the gate, that would extinguish Disney's flame as the "kings of animation" just a little bit. This is effectivly what happened when Dreamworks began having hit animated features in the late '90s.
The following is all my conjecture: In the case of TNBC, think about 1992. For animation, Disney was the only game in town. Fox, Dreamworks, and Warner would all jump into the animation game later in the decade, but in 1992 Disney was the only place to take an animated project. Burton pitches these two pojects (Nightmare and James) and Disney picks them up because a) they "know" animation and b) even if they dump the poject and lose money on it they control the rights and they'd rather control the rights to any and all animation properties than let another studio get the jump on R&D. If another studio took nightmare and made it a big hit right out of the gate, that would extinguish Disney's flame as the "kings of animation" just a little bit. This is effectivly what happened when Dreamworks began having hit animated features in the late '90s.