Frightful Friday Movie Review - Sleepy Hollow

First off, I would like to wish everykitty an ABSOLUTELY PAWSOME Halloween, filled with treats and toys and spooky fun!

For our last Frightful Friday movie review, I am reviewing another personal favorite: Sleepy Hollow.

Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Directed By: Tim Burton
Written By: Washington Irving (story)
Kevin Yagher (screen story)
Andrew Kevin Walker (screen story and screenplay)

I am sure that most, if not all of us, are familiar with Washington Irving's story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." If you aren't, kitties, I'm sure your beans can tell it to you. It is a wonderfully spooky story set in the early days of our nation. . . in a quiet and "sleepy" village in New York.

This movie is a new take on that story.

In the film, Johnny Depp stars as Ichabod Crane. Now, for most of us who are familiar with Irving's description of good ol' Ichabod, and with the Disney version as well, this casting may come as a shock. Ichabod, handsome? Ichabod, desirable? Ichabod . . . JOHNNY DEPP?

Like I said, it is a new take on the story. And Johnny Depp does an amazing job as Ichabod.

Ichabod Crane is an up and coming young policeman in New York City, who gets on the nerves of his fellow officers and the judges because of his zealous pursuit of justice, and his newfangled scientific way of solving murders. In order to prove that his methods work and are worthwhile, he is sent to investigate a series of grisly murders in the small town of Sleepy Hollow. The locals, it seems, blame an apparition known as the Headless Horseman, as all of the victims have been decapitated. Ichabod discounts their tale as mere superstition, and vows to find the true all-too human murderer.



Ichabod boards with the Van Tassels, who are prominent members of the village. It is, if not love, then definitely attraction at first sight for both Ichabod and Van Tassel's lovely daughter, Katrina (played by Christina Ricci). Awkward in social situations, and especially with ladies, Ichabod struggles against his feelings for Katrina while suffering from the jealous mockery of her long-time suitor, Brom Bones.


All clues soon lead to a mysteriously dead and twisted tree deep in the woods . . . and to the Headless Horseman himself. Are the deaths really the result of a supernatural curse, or is there a human agent involved? Can Ichabod trust the Van Tassels? Is Katrina part of the plot? Ichabod must find the murderer - before it is too late.


Kitties, I cannot write enough good things about this movie. Not only is this fresh take on a familair story interesting, it also keeps you guessing as to what is really happening. The special effects are amazing, and I can't even begin to describe how exciting it is to see the Headless Horseman everytime he appears on screen!

That being said, this movie is definitely creepy. It has a lot of humor, most of it dark, and there is a lot of gruesome things in it, including a scene where Ichabod exhumes and examines a dead woman's body. This isn't even going into a few slightly spicy scenes, and the totally pawsome (if freaky) end of the mystery. If you can't handle a little ick in your movies, or you don't understand dark humor, then you probably won't enjoy this movie. However, if you are in the mood for something spooky and funny, with a good mystery thrown in (and lots of Johnny Depp!), then this movie is for you. I give "Sleepy Hollow" two paws up and a tail poof!

I would like to end this special movie review with the song "The Headless Horseman" from Disney's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," which the great Bing Crosby narrated and sang. (Mommy sings this to me a lot this time of year.)

When the spooks have a midnight Jamboree
They break it up with fiendish glee
Ghosts are bad, but the one that's cursed
Is the Headless Horseman, he's the worst

That's right, he's a fright, on Halloween night

But when he goes a-joggin' 'cross the land
Holdin' his noggin in his hand
Demons take one look and groan
And hit the road for parts unknown

Beware, take care, he rides alone

And there's no spook, like a spook who's spurned
They don't like him, and he's really burned
He swears to the longest day he's dead
He'll show them that he can get a head

They say he's tired of his flamin' top
He's got a yen to make a swap
So he rides one night each year
To find a head in the hollow here

Now he likes them little, he likes them big
Part in the middle, or a wig
Black or white or even red
The Headless Horseman needs a head

With a hip-hip and a clippity-clop
He's out lookin' for a top to chop
So don't stop to figure out a plan
You can't reason with a headless man

Now if you doubt this tale is so
I met that spook just a year ago
No, I didn't stop for a second look
I made for the bridge that spans the brook
For once you cross that bridge, my friends
The ghost is through, his power ends

So when you're riding home tonight
Make for the bridge with all your might
He'll be down in the hollow there
He needs your head, look out, beware

With a hip-hip and a clippity-clop
He's out looking for a head to swap
So don't try to figure out a plan
You can't reason with a headless man

(Click here to watch the clip!)

BOO!

Thankful Thursday Meme

I'm thankful for plastic bags. They certainly are pawsome to nap on!

The Furry Kids tagged me for a meme. Here goes . . .

The Rules Are:

1. Be honest!
2. Have fun!

1. How many calenders are in your home?
Mommy has one with kittens on it in the kitchen that the ex-Almost Dad gave her for Christmas last year. Those kittens are very cute, and mommy gets kitten fever when she looks at it.

2. What is your fave season?
Autumn for all of us, I think . . . but especially Holly. We love how frisky the cooler weather makes us!

3. What is your lucky number?
I think my lucky number is 5, because I was adopted by Mommy in May (the fifth month) and there are 5 of us furry babies.

4. What is your fave month?
October, because it is so funny to see Holly get excited about her broom rides. (Although I still don't believe she has actually had one.) Plus I get to give candy out to trick-or-treaters, and we furry babies always get presents.

5. Which do you like best, Planting seeds, Climbing trees, Jumping into a pile of leafs, or, building igloos?
I've never been allowed outside, but I think jumping into a pile of leaves sounds totally pawsome!

6. Now tag some people!
I tag the Purrageous Pirates!

Wordless Wednesday - Holiday Togetherness

Tortie Tuesday - I'm excited!

Hi kitties! Holly here, and I can tell you that FINALLY my mommy has gotten her rear in gear and gotten into the holiday spirit. She had me worried for a while . . . the only decoration she had out was her broom on the front door, which is very important, don't get me wrong, but there was NOTHING else out. I was frightened that I wasn't going to get my broom ride with her this year, but I just know I am now because our house is finally FESTIVE!

Look! Mommy even got a new broom! It says "Witch Parking, All Others Will Be Toad."

And we got a new tablecloth for our kitchen table, which Ivy decided matched her furs quite nicely.

There are jack o'lanterns on our coffee table.

And the top of our entertainment center has been decorated quite nicely. Even "Grandmama" (what mommy and Grandmama call the fiber optic witch skull) has been brought out.

Oh, kitties, I can't WAIT until Friday!!!!!!

Mancat Monday - Grandpapa's Spooky Office

Every year Grandpapa's company has a door decorating contest for Halloween. On Sunday, instead of spending time cuddling with me, my mommy went with Grandmama and Grandpapa to his office and decorated his door. If he wins, I think his department gets to have something fun called a Pizza Party. The other time Mommy and Grandmama decorated his door for him, he won. I have my paws crossed that they win again this year!

Mommy forgot her camera (again) so she took pictures with her camera phone, which isn't all that great. I hope you can still see all the spooky stuff they did.

Here is Grandpapa's haunted office window.


And here is Grandpapa's spooky office wall and door.

I think mommy and Grandmama should be professional spooks.

Frightful Friday Movie Review - The Halloween Tree

This week I am reviewing a movie that is well-written, educational, spooky, and a lot of fun. It is "The Halloween Tree," and is one of my personal Halloween favorites.

The Halloween Tree (1993)
Directed By: Mario Piluso
Written By: Ray Bradubury

"The Halloween Tree" is based on a book written by the great science fiction and fantasy author, Ray Bradbury. He even narrates the film, using his own wonderfully descriptive phrasing. Leonard Nimoy is also featured as the voice of Mr.Moundshroud.

It is Halloween night, and four children are dressed and ready to trick or treat with their best friend, Pip. Tom is dressed as a skeleton, Jenny is dressed as a witch, Ralph is dressed as a mummy, and Wally is dressed as a monster. All are excited on this the most favorite of their holidays, Halloween. However, when they get to their meeting spot, Pip is not there. At first they think he is playing a trick on them, but when they get to his house they see an ambulance pull away and no Pip in sight.

Still half-believing it all has to be some sort of joke, the four call for their friend, and soon believe they see him running through the ravine. Following him, they come upon a large and spooky house, where they meet Mr. Moundshroud, a mysterious and frightening figure. As the sun fades and night falls, the large tree next to the house begins lighting up . . . with jack o'lanterns! Each one has a different face, and one looks exactly like Pip! Not only that, but it seems a ghostly Pip is reaching for the pumpkin. This upsets Mr. Moundshroud, who attempts to stop Pip, but to no avail, and soon both Pip and the pumpkin disappear. In order to follow Pip, the children all make a deal with Moundshroud to go with him and help him find Pip, still not understanding the connection Pip has with Moundshroud or what the importance of the pumpkin is. Along their adventures through Halloweens past, Moundshroud teaches them the meaning behind the holiday as well as the reason behind their costumes: skeleton, witch, mummy, and monster.


I give "The Halloween Tree" two paws up and a chirp, for being well-written, amusing, colorful, and for sharing the true meanings behind the Halloween season . . . meanings that are often overlooked. This is a definite must-see for beans and furries of every age.

Thankful Thursday - Spooktacular Pictures!

I am very thankful to have such wonderful and thoughtful friends!

Thanks goes to Zoolatry for this wonderful Halloweeny picture of my handsome self.


And thanks goes to Diamond Emerald-Eyes for this pawsomely spooky picture, also of my handsome self!