Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

Just in time for the holidays, Pacific Cinémathèque is pleased to present Tim Burton’s modern classic The Nightmare Before Christmas. Henry Selick (James and the Giant Peach) gets the actual directing credit but Burton, who created the story and characters, gets the branding in this fanciful tale of Jack Skellington, “Pumpkin King” of Halloween Town, who is bored with trying to find new and creative ways to scare people every year. One day, Jack discovers something truly new and exciting — Christmas!  Re-energized, Jack decides to replace “Mr. Sandy Claws” and put his own ghoulish creative twist on everyone’s favourite holiday.  An Oscar nominee for Best Visual Effects, Burton’s animation extravaganza is a refreshingly original and spooky holiday treat. The film features the voice talents of Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, Ken Page, and Paul Reubens, along with sinister and entertaining music from Danny Elfman. “Dazzlingly brilliant” (Washington Post). “A major step forward for both stop-motion animation, which is stunningly well used, and for Mr. Burton himself. He now moves from the level of extremely talented eccentric to that of Disney-style household word” (New York Times). Colour, DVD, 76 mins.