Tales and Movies

The last few days we have watched some interesting movies. Each, in their own way, lead to reading and books and book/author discussions.

We rented the DVD of The Snow Queen - one of those Hallmark productions. Just recently, on the Hallmark Channel, we had watched an interveiw with one of the producers of these Hallmark mini-series. He talked about storytelling, and television as a means of storytelling. he also mentioned that he was able to have well known actors perform in his productions for less money, simply because of the ability to extend the story beyond the time frame of the usual cinema movie. Interesting.

Watching The Snow Queen took us on a trail of fairy tales. A did a search - he searched for our copy of Hans Christian Anderson tales. We compared the story and the movie. We discussed several of Anderson's tales - was there a theme of the importance of childhood? What was Anderson's childhood like?

This inspired us to rent another Hallmark production - Alice in Wonderland. Again, with an all star cast. And, again, we talked about the difference between this version, the book by Lewis Carroll and the Disney version.

I found our copy for Anny. We relished the language - "Curiouser and curiouser."

As we discussed Lewis Carroll, I shared my knowledge of the author. G (dh) and I and J and all said that found the book 'weird" to read. And we wondered - why is it a classic?

I found this summary, analysis and some information on Carroll - from MonkeyNotes http://pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmAlice06.asp

I found the comment about the readers of the novel to be thought provoking. These notes suggest that, though the book was written for children, the novel has an appeal to adults. It appeals to the child in all of us. We remember the many paradoxes if life that we saw as a child.

Hmm, I am off to share this information with my sons.