The NSSDMD: Outside The Box Office

 Maybel, the wizened, discerning, year-and-seven-month-old she is (and I'm serious), has already landed on some repetitive films in her short time. Wallace and Grommit Curse of the Wererabbit was first. Then it was Hotel Transylvania and Tangled alternated at regular intervals. How to Train Your Dragon made the rounds. The Fantastic Mr. Fox is her current du jour, following a stint of The Croods. Big sis Logan paved the way with these, and at the same age, had her own crop of repeats. The love of a good movie is in their DNA, no secret there. Dabbling so frequently in this arena, I realized recently that one of the perks to being a parent these days is to have such an awesome array to choose from. Not every one is a gem, but those that shine are sunglasses worthy. They stand on their own as great films, not just for a certain type, age or mentality. The lackluster pillars of cutesy, clichéd "kid" shows have crumbled, and standing in their place are some of the most original, touching, and well executed stories being told. Stories that by being told in their unique way, send a message of uniqueness being a good thing.

That being said, the kid demographic has the majority of the credit for those risks being taken I'd suspect. Little ones dwell in full magical imagination while forming opinions, with a complete suspension of disbelief. No skepticism or cynicism in their way. What's so cool is that you in adult form get sucked into that world for a brief time with them, remembering what that feels like, if you let yourself. The kiddos appreciate those kinds of interactions too, how rare they can be.

Watching the flawless end results-often with new nuance found each time-it's easy to forget what it takes to get to that end. The technical genius-be it computer, stop-motion or old fashioned paper and pencil-rarely receives adequate recognition. It takes years of daily minutia from start to finish, and only a select few in the team of thousands bringing them to life ever get the high fives their live action counterparts do, if at all. They toil away to present these vivid dreamscapes with fresh takes on relevant real-life lessons. Far more than before, I'd say. The actors bringing unfettered flair armed with just a microphone, have freedom to bring the character to life with equally dazzling vividness, with no physical limitation. That in itself is pretty rad. It's art come to life simplistically, because it's allowed to be by everyone involved. The industry could apply such tactics across the board and build a sturdier foundation to launch from. Maybe even earn back a little credibility with which to earn a buck.

All technical reverence aside, the real value is how they are personally bonded to you/your family. It's honestly why I got into this crazy entertainment racket myself. Some of the happier memories of childhood are of the whole family watching a movie as a unit when the moments before and after, we were anything but. We'd take a journey, have fun and forget all else for a while. Everyone deserves as much.

I'm a big fan of quiet time, reading time, no technology time and being outside time, for sure. We are equally happy doing all. When it is time to bust out though, I'm pleased with the substance offered and retained. To know that it's enriching, not just vacant space. That we share quotes, inside references and the knowledge that we have a rekindling of those things, whenever we want. Even at a raucous daily rate.   

To be bestowed such gifts, it seems like there ought to be a better shorthand way (too late) of conveying thanks. I do know that with all flowing, passionate pursuits, the work is it's own reward. Any child can show you by how they are. Those contrasting colors will be vibrant, knocking down any four walled stumbling blocks in their way, living on. I'll take that ticket every time.