Search Results for: blog are you my neighbor 1995

The Net (1995)

“The Net” is a suspense thriller about what can happen when you get a little too close to the Internet. Sandra Bullock stars as Angela Bennett, a computer software analyst whose life revolves around her computer. She tests software all day, her friends are people she meets in chat rooms, and she even orders her dinner, pizza, online. She doesn’t know very many “real” people, even her neighbors – her entire life is wrapped up in her computer. She’s decided to break out of her mold and take a vacation in Mexico. She’s earned it. Just before she leaves, a … Continue reading →

Rack, Shack, and Benny (1995)

In this VeggieTales adaptation of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo, we find that Nebby K. Nezzar, (read it quickly to translate as Nebuchadnezzar) the owner of a chocolate factory, has hired Rack, Shack and Benny (also known as Bob, Larry, and Junior) to work for him. He is so impressed with their performance that he promotes them to junior executives. Then he lets them in on a little secret: the next morning, he’s going to make a rule that everyone who works in the factory has to bow down to a giant statue of a chocolate bunny and … Continue reading →

Are You My Neighbor? (1995)

The next installment in the VeggieTales series is called “Are You My Neighbor?” and teaches children (and their parents) that even if someone is different from you, you still have the duty and privilege of watching out for them and being their friend. The first story is called “Tale of Two Cities.” Once upon a time, there were two cities that faced each other, and they spent all their time flinging stuff over their city walls. You see, in one city, they wore shoes on their heads, and in the other city, they wore pots on their heads. Neither city … Continue reading →

Designing a Denizen of the Deep Costume

Last year, my daughter took a huge chomp out of Halloween dressed as a kid-eating shark. The getup was purchased from Old Navy and elicited more than just a few oohs, aahs and smiles from neighbors. The rest asked me how much the shark costume set me back. Like most store-bought Halloween costumes, the plush denizen of the deep getup cost a pretty penny. Whereas I could have waited until mid-October when Old Navy discounts its Halloween costumes by 40 to 50 percent, I knew there was no way I would be able to find my daughter’s size if I … Continue reading →

Miyazaki: Master of Animation, Pt. 2

“Each cell of (Miyazaki’s) movies is a painting you’d want to hang on the wall.” –Kathleen Kennedy, Executive Producer, “Ponyo” English language version Today I’ll conclude my look at Miyazaki’s films, and consider what makes him such a great animator. Whisper of the Heart (1995; adapted by Miyazaki). Based on a comic by Aoi Hiragi, “Whisper of the Heart” is unique for Miyazaki in that it’s set in modern-day Tokyo and is not a fantasy. This is another coming of age story with some Germanic influences and a gorgeous violin soundtrack. It follows teens Shizuku and Seiji as they determine … Continue reading →

New York Restoration Project’s Hulaween Fundraiser

It is time again for the tenth annual Hulaween Ball to benefit the New York Restoration Project. In case you haven’t heard of this event, it is one of my favorite occurrences – when pop culture, green, and Halloween collide! The New York Restoration Project (NYRP) was founded back in 1995 when entertainer Bette Midler organized volunteers to clean up the Fort Washington and Fort Tryon Parks in NYC. Since then, it has been Bette’s goal to work towards a cleaner, greener city. NYRP often tries to focus on uncared for parks that are in low-income neighborhoods. To raise money … Continue reading →

Mansfield Park (1999)

Jane Austen’s books are primarily romances between persons of a genteel class, and the movies that are made from the books contain emotional drama. But “Mansfield Park” takes us on a different journey, as we touch on slave trading in England during Victorian times. Fanny Price is a poor girl who has many brothers and sisters. Her mother, desperate for a way to feed all of her children, sends Fanny to live with a relation, who is the housekeeper at a grand house called Mansfield Park. The master of Mansfield, Sir Bertram, agrees to let Fanny live in the main … Continue reading →

Author Interview: Steven Reilly, After the Championship

Today we are joined once again by Steven Reilly, assistant coach and author of the book “The Fat Lady Never Sings.” If you missed part one, click here. Steven, when we left off yesterday, you were telling us what happened to some of the key players after they won the championship. What about you? What did you do? After the 1995 season, I decided to move on and assisted at Emmett O’Brien Regional Technical High School in neighboring Ansonia. In 1997, I went to Seymour High to be an assistant coach with Bob Kelo where I continued to coach the … Continue reading →

The Neverending Story (1984)

You have not seen a children’s fantasy film until you have seen “The Neverending Story.” And, after you’ve seen it, you’ll agree right along with me that all the other films pale in comparison and should probably just go home. Bastian’s mother has been dead for a while, and he has buried his sorrows in the reading of fantasy books. His father (Gerald McRaney) is deeply concerned about his son, but doesn’t know how to express it, and so he tells him to keep his feet on the ground, anxious for Bastian to move forward with his life. Bastian (Barret … Continue reading →

Esther (2000)

With the addition of “Esther” to the VeggieTales movie lineup, we see these ordinarily cheerful vegetables take on a story that’s a little hard to recount. How would you tell the story of Esther in a way that children could relate to without getting nightmares? First, you would take a cute scallion and ask her to play Esther. Then you’d cast Pa Grape in the role of Mordecai (although how we’re supposed to believe that a grape could be a scallion’s cousin, I don’t know.) A twist here, a plot change there, and you’re good to go. The king awakens … Continue reading →