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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 22, 1993)
Burton’s 'Nightmare’ a moviegoer’s dream “The Nightmare Before Christmas” Where “Who Framed Roger Rab bit” revitalized the interest and pro cess in combining live-action artd animation, “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” will revolutionize the concept of stop-motion animation. Slop-motion animation is a special effects technique that has been around since the mid-1930s. It involves an inanimate object or model being pho tographed one frame at a time, with slight movements or changes in be tween frames. When all the frames are run together, the illusion of life is created. Th is technique has been used in movies ranging from the original “King Kong,” made in 1933, to this year’s “Jurassic Park.” No film, however, has had a con tent made up entirely of stop-motion animation. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is 100 percent animation. The story and characters of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” are the brainchild of Tim Burton (“Edward Scissorhands,” “Batman”) who also served as a co-producer of the film. Burton has created Halloweentown, where every day is Halloween, and all the bizarre-look ing residents find extreme pleasure in scaring one another—or anyone else, for that matter. The leader of the town is Jack Skellington, the graceful, pencil-thin “pumpkin king.” Decked out in a tux, he yearns for something beyond the everyday scares of Halloweentown. Jack accidentally stumbles into the entrance to Christmastown, and he is amazed with the concepts of gifts, Christmas trees and snow. i oourresy oi loucnsione Pictures Jack delivers his “new and improved” version of Christmas to a surprised young boy in the Real World who, has been eagerly waiting for Santa to arrive. He travels back to Hallowcentown and attempts to describe Christmas to his fellow residents, but it is to no avail. Jack eventually decides Christmas needs to be changed—to be given the slant that only the residents of Halloweentown can give it. Sally, a rebellious, resourceful cre ation of the local mad scientist, is entranced by Jack but senses danger in Jack’s plans. Jack sends three of his cohorts — Lock, Shock, and Barrel—to kidnap Santa Claus from Christmastown so that he can replace the jolly elf. Bizarre, darkly humorous, and en trancing, the film is unmistakably from the mind of Tim Burton, and fans of his will not be disappointed. The film is fabulous — both visu ally and conceptually—from begin ning toend. Directed by Henry Sclick, in his feature-film directing debut, he flings the moviegoer into a world of fantasy, where the only rule is that there arc no rules. An impressive cast for the voices of the Hallowcentown characters was assembled for “The Nightmare Be fore Christmas,” including Chris Sarandon (“The Princess Bride”) as the speaking voice of Jack Skellington, and Catherine O’Hara (the “Home Alone” films) as the lovable Sally. Danny Elfman, who provided the powerful scores for both “Batman” movies, was a busy man wilh “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Not only was he responsible for both the wonderful songs and powerful score for the film, but he provided the mag nificent singing voice for Jack Skellington as well. Incredible animation, terrific mu sic, great story. “The Nightmare Be fore Christmas” is a DEFINITE must see. — Gerry Beltz 1 From Etfiiopa BAARO Members of Ziggy Marley's backup band Dallol have formed "Barro." While touring with Marley, the band members appeared on the David Letterman Show, Arsenio Hall, Soul Train, NAAC Image Awards, and other television shows. They call their music "the natural evolution of African, reggae and world beat music • Sat, Oct 23—ft30-close 200 BAR 136 No. 14th THE WHY HOME £&/ • Beads - a lot! • Bulk incense - 32 kinds • Psychic Abilities Lecture $6 Com* ••• psychic Janie* Hayes Saturday 7-9 p.m. 3231 S. 13th In the Indian Village Shopping Center 421-1701 Hours M-l;:IO-7 Sal: 10-6 Sun:12-5 "SINCE 1986 YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR INTERESTING MUSIC <G ROOKS" ‘Rudy’ bound to warm hearts “Rudy” From the writing-directing team that brought “Hoosiers” to the screen in 1986 comes “Rudy,” the feel-good movie of the season, maybe the whole year. Based on the true story of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, who also served as the film’s consultant, it is the classic story of a kid striving to dodge a destiny no one bel ieves he can escape. “Rudy” opens in Joliet, 111., where Rudy is part of a working class family that revels in watching the football games of the Fighting Irish. He declares at a young age that he will go to Notre Dame and play football, but these ideas are put down by his father (Ned Beatty) and older brother Frank (Scott Benjaminson) as being unrealistic and unattainable. Still, Rudy (Sean Astin, “Toy Soldiers”) persists. He plays foot ball in high school, where his only athletic ability is that he tries really hard. Healsodocsn’tdo well in his classes—he later finds out that he is slightly dyslexic. After he graduates from high school, Rudy succumbs to “desti ny" and goes to work in the steel mill with his father and brothers. just as he is supposed to do. One day Rudy watches his best friend get killed in an accident at the plant. The sight snaps him back into action to fulfill nis lifelong dream — to achieve what his fam ily, friends, teachers and fiancee all said was unachievable. This is the second feature film for the team of director David Anspaugh and screenwriter Angelo Pizzo, who also served as co-pro ducer for “Rudy.” The heartwarm ing chemistry they made in “Hoo siers" is at work here as well, and it works perfectly. Classic underdog stuff, “Rudy” is definitely worth a look. Run to it if you get the chance. — Gerry Beltz October 21-30 (closed Mon., Oct.25) Dark 'til 11:00 p.m. ■ Acreage Deli Open! THE RIDE OF TERROR IS HERE! The Haunted Forest at the Acreage 260! Saltillo Road For group Reservations (10 or more) or Information, call 489-2973 Sponsored by The Sertovna Club of Lincoln $2.50 per person Under 5 years of age free at parent's discretion. Houses Continued from Page 9 One trip on the Ride of Terror costs $2.50. The rides run Oct. 21-24 and Oct. 26-30, from 7:30 to 10:45 p.m. Reservations can be made for parties of 10 or more. Rosenberg said the ride was not intended to “turn anybody’s hair white." ‘‘Well, you might run into a large spider, or you could be accosted by Dr. Sicko,” he said. “We just stage people in the forest for fun.” “We want to make people go ‘eck’,” he said. Rosenberg said the Ride of Terror had attracted a wide range of people, including students. “We get a lot of college students,” Rosenberg said. “They hoot and holler and everybody has a good time.” Rosenberg said the ride was for “children of all ages, from 6 to 76.” “It’s just having a little fbn and bringing out the child in you,” he said.