Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a holiday that seems to confuse the hell out of most Americans I know.  It is only celebrated in Commonwealth countries and basically is a good excuse for an extra day off to recover from Christmas.

In Australia, Boxing Day is a huge day for those interested in sports with the Boxing Day Cricket Test Match being held and the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.  For those whose interests are more retail orientated, today is the start of the huge Boxing Day sales where all major stores offer their post Christmas stock at ridiculously low prices.

However, for a lesbian geek, today is extremely important as it is the day when the holiday blockbusters premiere.  In previous years, we have had Lord of the Rings and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.  This year, we have The Golden Compass and I will be heading off tonight to see it.   To say I am excited is an understatement.  I have been eagerly awaiting this film since it went into production.  Lelak and my fellow 30 something lesbian geek friends Veronica and Fiona will be joining me for a night of popcorn and a fantasy film – it is almost like a yearly tradition.  I also really want to see Enchanted (yes, I know it is a kid’s film), because the trailer always has me in fits of laughter.  Also on our list of must see films is No Country for Old Men.   It is going to be a movie going week this week.

The Golden Compass

The Golden Compass or Northern Lights, as the book was titled in the UK and Australia, is the first book of Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series. It has now been made into a film, which opens in Australia on Boxing Day. I have seen the original trailer and thought it looked fairly impressive, but that was nothing compared to the final trailer that has now been released that features the daemons!

I am having a total geek out moment here. Wow, just wow!

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The Ice Bear fight

and Iorek explaining the bear’s armour

I am just so impressed with the standard of the CGI in these clips.

I am a little disappointed to hear that they have watered down the religious elements to this film and am wondering how the plot is going to hold together with those being removed. The Religious Right are already protesting about this film – I wonder how upset they would have been if the book’s plot and themes were accurately reflected in the film. Still it is going to get kids interested in reading the books, so all is not lost.
BTW, the film and books are not anti-religion, they are anti-dogma and anti-religious power wielding maniacs – positions of thought that I subscribe to.

Anyway, this is not a post about a religion, this a post about what looks to be an incredible film that everyone should drag as many members of their family and social circle to see.