I want to share something with you which is seemingly unrelated to the main point – but bear with me here. I want to talk about the film An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. It's a short film – just about twenty minutes – and you can see the whole thing online by clicking on the link provided. It was made in 1962 and it's based on short story written by Ambrose Bierce in 1891. It is about a soldier in the Civil War who is to be hanged – but when he is dropped, the rope snaps and he falls into the river and makes a daring escape, pursued by his would-be executioners. It is renowned for its twist ending, which is so bizarre that the film was adapted in its entirety as a ready-made episode of The Twilight Zone. It is a strange and beautiful film, an interesting meditation on the nature of life and death.

On to the main point: today, Cinemark Tinseltown presents two screenings of what 90% of Americans call “the best Christmas movie ever made.” We are, of course, talking about It's a Wonderful Life, which I personally feel works as much more than merely a Christmas movie. Jimmy Stewart stars as George Bailey, a good man who has made a lot of sacrifices in his life – and ends up miserable. As he is about to kill himself he is intervened by the angel Clarence (Henry Travers), who shows him a vision of what the world would be like without George Bailey, thus showing him his importance.

So, what's the connection between the two films discussed? See if you can figure it out. Apply the principles of the first to the second. See how it changes your interpretation. See if it's still the happy and hopeful film you've always thought it to be...

Merry Christmas!

It's a Wonderful Life will screen at Tinseltown today, Wednesday, at 2:00 and 7:00. Tinseltown is located at 4400 Towne Center Drive. Further theater information can be found at the Tinseltown website.

Image: Internet Movie Database