Big Kerry Contributor Takes A Financial Bath On "Polar Express"

Wall Street Journal | 11-15-2004 | Merissa Marr

[nana4bush]

I saw the movie this weekend with my 5 yr old and 10 yr old granddaughters. It was a beautiful movie. The message was wonderful.

I'm glad to see such effort put into a movie such as this.

[Miss Behave]

" Cmon, you're on FR; you're not allowed to see any movie where ANYONE who provided funds for the movie, or worked on the movie, down to 3rd assistant key grip, has ANY political or moral view that differs in ANY way from your own."

I take personal offense to such outlandish, immaturely broad-sweeping hyperbole. Am I "allowed" to say that?

[Kharis13]

SuziQ,

I saw "The Polar Express" a few weeks back during a special screening. My daughters (12 and 8) and I thought it was wonderful. Everything that was in the book is in the film, plus lots of other fun scenes (and a few gratuitous, stretch-it-to-feature-length scenes).

Hope you like it!

Brian

[FreedomCalls]

Wonder who they'll cast as the old woman whispering "hush"?

Susan Sarandon. No kidding.

[nana4bush]

I think it will be a classic too. Finally a Christmas movie without out monster in it. It was really beautiful.

[capebuffalo]

It's time to hit these liberals where it hurts!

Boycott their films, records, etc.

Just maybe they'll get the message.

[MississippiMan]

I saw and thoroughly enjoyed POLAR EXPRESS last night. The animation is utterly beautiful.

MM

[Delbert]

I think the movie looks good, but I agree it was a bad time to release it, especially up against The Incredibles. They should never release a movie with a Christmas theme before Thanksgiving. Too bad, Politics aside, I like Tom Hanks and visually the movie looks great.

[Creightongrad]

It's a great, great movie. A classic. Don't let the money guy's politics influence your decision to view the movie. That's stupid.

[unbalanced but fair]

I've yet to see a completely factual historical "movie." That's why they make documentaries. Of course, many of those aren't very accurate either. A movie is expected to be entertainment, nothing else. "The Patriot" is a "powerful" movie.
As to Free Republic not "allowing" any of us to do, say, or think what we want, do you suspect some sort of hidden mind-control in the postings? All you have to do is read all the replies on this post to realize how wrong you are. Many of the replies say that they saw or will see the movie.

[atomicpossum]

It's a great, great movie. A classic. Don't let the money guy's politics influence your decision to view the movie. That's stupid.

I wasn't aware of anybody's politicsregarding this film. The trailer, each time I see it, though, makes this film look worse and worse to me, leading me to not want to see it. It has nothing to do with politics.

[ctdonath2]

In the animation industry, there is a recognized issue with animated figures that are so close to being lifelike that their minute flaws make them very creepy. I did recognize some of that in Polar Express. I suppose some people are more bothered by it than others; I found the 3D effect more than made up for it.

[Docbarleypop]

hey dont knock "Joe vs The Volcano" it was the last movie that he was good in! once he became a serious actor i stopped caring, cant imagine how the guy from "Bachlor Party" could ever get an Oscar let alone multiple!

[Old Professer]

I once read Johnathan Livingston Seagull in the Von's checkout line in Simi Valley.

[HitmanLV]

Re: Dr Seuss

Don't give too many props to Seuss. When his first wife took seriously ill, he carried on an affair openly with the young wife of a younger couple that Mr & Mrs Seuss (actually Mr. & Mrs. Theodor Geisel) were good friends with.

By some accounts, he made no attempt to hide the affair from his ailing and bed ridden wife, who subsequently committed suicide - probably from a combo of the great pain she was in as well as the emotional pain seeing her hubband and his young girlfriend around the house, etc.

After his first wife killed herself, he married his young girlfriend, and she has been his wife until he passed away.

She is reportedly the main force (on the Seuss estate side of the equasion) to market the Seuss properties in film. A pretty big moneyminded woman.

[MEGoody]

"the Tom Hank's movie "Polar Express" which is turning into a mega bomb"

I wonder what other holiday themed movies have done when they've been released this early. Seems most people don't want to see this stuff until closer to Thanksgiving, or even after.

[codercpc]

This sounds like the first bad movie Hanks has done since, what, Joe and the Volcano, or whatever it was.

I beg to differ, I thought "Castaway" was a major disappointment. Parts were OK but the movie overall lasted about 45 minutes too long.

[montag813]

Brent Bozell says skip "Polar" and see "Incredibles". Awesome film, with not-so-hidden Conservative messages. Great for the kids.

[Edison]

Geez, I hope it does not disappear soon, regardless of anyones polical persuasion. My soon to be 6 year old has planned her B-day at this movie. Not good...better inform my better half to make some backup plans.

[truthandlife]

I found the characters creepy and disturbing.

Sounds like you were influenced by the NY Times review and the Today Show review. Did you really see the movie? I thought it was an all time CLASSIC. Great Movie!! This movie will continue to generate steam as the word of mouth get out about it.