Into the Woods, Into rethinking fairy tales

The new Disney film Into the Woods delves into fairy tales by looking at them through a psychological lens. Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine also wanted to ask the question "What happens after fairy tales end?" when they produced the musical on Broadway.

Should fairy tales be re-told and re-imagined? As I explained in this article on the ISU Media Relations site, "Into the Woods fractured fairy tales right on track," people are constantly looking at fairy tales as a kind of mirror to understanding contemporary times. Fairy tales, which were once mainly told to adults around fire on cold winter nights, are now routinely seen as children's literature. Yet, they are still scary, still intended to teach about harsh reality, and are riveting entertainment. For further thoughts, check out the article.

Thanks to Rachel Hatch for interviewing me for the ISU Media Relations article.

Richard Linklater's film Boyhood an interesting study in kids growing up

The compelling acting in Richard Linklater's, Boyhood, which follows a family over an arc of 12 years, is what isEllar Coltrane as he ages in Boyhood kept my son and I rivted during the three-hour film. The film is as much about parenting as it is about a boy growing up. All four main actors -- Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, Lorelei Linklater, and Ellar Coltrane -- bring a poignancy and intelligence to their characters. The film follows Patricia Arquette and her two children as she is estranged from her husband (Hawke) although they are both intent on raising the kids. 

The storyline seems to be somewhat autobiographical for Linklater. It ends, coincidentally, just where Dazed and Confused might begin.

The interested buzz on the film is coming from my teenage son, Linklater fans, people aware of indie films, and even family members over 80 who occassionaly see films. What does that say? To me it's that this film is going to be around for awhile, maybe into Oscar season. I would like to see it again before that.

Read the review on RogerEbert.com for a more thorough analysis.

Disney chat on WJBC

Today I am talking on WJBC radio about Walt Disney, the film Saving Mr. Banks, the exhibit Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives, presented by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, the Museum of Science and IndustryWalt Disney's boyhood home in Chicago (MSI) in Chicago, and Disney's connections to Chicago.  

Here are a few links that might be helpful:

• Information about the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives
• A timeline about the Disney company, from the MSI
• Chicago Tribune article about Disney's childhood home in Chicago

Also, a money saving tip for visiting museums is to support a local museum that has reciprocal exchanges with other museums.  If you are a member of either the Children's Discovery Museum in Normal and the Peoria Riverfront Museum, you can enter the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago for free.  You just pay for tickets for special exhibits.

Walt Disney's office recreated at the Disney Archives exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.

Walt Disney and posters from his film studio

 Annette Funicello's Mickey Mouse Club uniform

A costume that Julie Andrews wore in the Mary Poppins films 

On The Wizard of Oz, films new and old and the books

James Franco as The WizardIs James Franco right for the Wizard in Disney's new film Oz: The Great and Powerful -- that's a question Laura Kennedy asks when she interviews me in a podcast about The Wizard of Oz films and books.  Here's a link to the podcast on WGLT (our local NPR station), which aired Friday, March 8.  You can hear my answer as well as information about the film of the new Oz and my thoughts on political allegories in the original books.

I also chatted about The Wizard of Oz with Jim Fitzpatrick on WJBC, the Voice of McLean County, two weeks ago.  Jan Susina with The Wizard of Oz bok

The media interest reflects, I think, that there's a genuine excitement about a new film based on The Wizard of Oz books. So far, the film is getting mixed reviews -- see reviews by Richard Roeper in The Sun-Times (reviewing instead of Roger Ebert) or Mahnola Dargis in The New York Times.  Yet, as Laura Kennedy points out in the podcast, the original MGM film was also somewhat panned by the critics.  But it gained a following through its own technological twist, aired repeatedly at Easter time on TV networks, that Baum would have appreciated.  Those annual telecasts insured that the film was cemented in children's imaginations and subconsciousness.  So whatever the critics think, our family is still going to see the film and be captivated.

And, I'm looking forward to teaching The Wizard of Oz in my children's literature class this spring.

File under O-Z.

"9 to 5," the Musical, opens at IWU

Music by Dolly Parton in this hilarious, slightly risque musical based on the film that's being staged in a great production at Illinois Wesleyan this week. Jacob plays the teen son. We've seen the rehearsals and it's fun! Scott Susong is doing an amazing job directing. If you remember what it was like to be a working girl or guy in the late 70s (or wonder how things have changed), you'll particularly find this funny. Nov. 13-17 (Tues- Sat) at 8 pm and Nov. 18 (Sunday) at 2 pm. Tickets: $12 Tue - Thurs. $14 on weekend.

Here's an opening preview from the local theatre blog A Follow Spot.

Just so you know, it's rated PG-13.  Jacob's role as teen son is a guy who gives his mom something (in a role originated by Lily Tomlin in the film version) that gets the story moving in an interesting direction, let's just say.  Jacob has explained that he's "playing against type."