Podcast appearances and mentions of edward bloom

Today is a bit of a surprise entry in the list of Beeper Bob Classics as it's not a movie the boys thought would resonate with the man. Big Fish starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Helena Bonham Carter, Danny DeVito, and many more. Big Fish follows the many craftfully told stories of Edward Bloom and how they affected the lives of those who knew him. A heartfelt movie about the many dynamics of a relationship between a man and his father, Big Fish certainly has earned itself a reputation on the streets, but can it get a good score in the Where To Stick It arena?Support the showCatch new episodes of the Where to Stick It Podcast every Tuesday and Thursday. If you like the show, please consider supporting us on Patreon where we upload exclusive content each month for only $3 a month.

Join hosts Steve Selnick and Charlie Peppers, along with special guest Justin Ivey, as they embark on an emotional journey through Tim Burton's 'Big Fish.' This episode of 'Charlie and Steve Watch Stuff' takes a deep dive into the film's father-son dynamics, fantastical storytelling, and Southern Gothic charm. They explore key scenes, including Edward Bloom's adventurous past, his encounters with mythical characters, and his touching reconciliation with his son, Will. Interwoven with personal anecdotes and nostalgic memories, the discussion reveals the film's deeper themes of love, redemption, and the power of storytelling. Don't miss this heartfelt conversation that blends movie analysis, pop culture references, and personal reflections.00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Introduction05:23 Big Fish Movie Discussion11:15 Edward's Adventures and Tall Tales39:19 The Final Story and Reconciliation43:08 Funeral and Reflections49:33 Final Ratings and Reflections

IN THIS EPISODE: “The Billiard Ball” is a science fiction murder mystery short story by author Isaac Asimov, written in September 1966 and first published in the March 1967 issue of “If”. The story is based on a journalist's tale on the events that occurred when an antigravity device was discovered. The story describes the relationship between the creator of the device, billionaire inventor Edward Bloom, and his old college friend James Priss, a Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist who discovered the theory on which Bloom's invention is based. Both also happen to be very good pool players.SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE…“The Billiard Ball” by Isaac Asimov: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4a7a9m9aWeird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library. = = = = =(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2024, Weird Darkness.= = = = =Originally aired: July, 2021CUSTOM LANDING PAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/the-billiard-ball-isaac-asimov

Dad Month keeps going strong with Troy's pick of Big Fish.  Edward Bloom may be a more controversial character than we anticipated, but will it bring down the movie?  Tune in and find out!!!!

Description Returning guest Rachel Armstrong joins Joe to discuss the 2003 film Big Fish. Directed by Tim Burton, the film tells the story of an estranged father and son reconciling before the father passes on. Support Patreon Show Notes Big … Continue reading →

Peoria Players brings the acclaimed novel and film, Big Fish, to the stage from May 3-5 and May 9-12. Greg and Dan talk to Director Chip Joyce for a preview of the popular show and what to expect from the Peoria Players' production. Big Fish tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman that lives life to the fullest, and his epic tales fascinate everyone. Over time, his son Will sets out to discover the truth of his father's stories. Visit peoriaplayers.org for tickets and more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first woman of color owned venture capital firm, Fearless Fund, is stepping into Miami Federal Appeals Court Wednesday. Their mission? To challenge a court order stopping them from giving grants exclusively to women of color. This legal tussle pits Fearless Fund against the American Alliance for Equal Rights, an organization led by far-right activist Edward Bloom. Arian Simone, the co-founder and CEO of Fearless Fund, says they aren't backing down. In August of 2022, Bloom sued Fearless Fund over their grant program, saying that they were practicing reverse discrimination by excluding non-Black applicants. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta responded by hitting pause on the program until the lawsuit's conclusion. But this isn't just about this program. Many Black business leaders are worried that these legal challenges could roll back years of efforts to level the playing field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julen närmar sig med stormsteg och vi repriserar därför vårt avsnitt från 2022 om traditioner. Traditioner knyter oss samman med generationer framför och bakom oss och ger livet mening. Och det är bara två av anledningarna till varför vi om några dagar kommer dansa runt ett träd inomhus, äta en halv grisrumpa och trofast titta på möss som syr en klänning. Lina och Björn går igenom varför vi människor gillar traditioner och vilka syften de fyller.Klipp och musikMary PoppinsSvensson SvenssonEdward Bloom i P1Astrid Lindgren - Madicken på JunibackenJohan Glans om påskenJul med ErnstNAS - Carry On Traditionmail: dummamanniskor@gmail.comredigering: Peter Malmqvist Vill du slippa reklamen? Prenumerera på Dumma Människor för 19 kr/månaden (ink moms). https://plus.acast.com/s/dummamanniskor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Check out the other podcasts I host at https://weirddarkness.com/links. PLEASE SHARE THIS EPISODE in your social media so others who loves strange and macabre stories can listen too!IN THIS EPISODE: “The Billiard Ball” is a science fiction murder mystery short story by author Isaac Asimov, written in September 1966 and first published in the March 1967 issue of “If”. The story is based on a journalist's tale on the events that occurred when an antigravity device was discovered. The story describes the relationship between the creator of the device, billionaire inventor Edward Bloom, and his old college friend James Priss, a Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist who discovered the theory on which Bloom's invention is based. Both also happen to be very good pool players.SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE…“The Billiard Ball” by Isaac Asimov: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4a7a9m9a Join the Weird Darkness Syndicate: https://weirddarkness.com//syndicate Advertise in the Weird Darkness podcast or syndicated radio show: https://weirddarkness.com/advertise= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library. Background music provided by Alibi Music Library, EpidemicSound and/or StoryBlocks with paid license. Music from Shadows Symphony (https://tinyurl.com/yyrv987t), Midnight Syndicate (http://amzn.to/2BYCoXZ) Kevin MacLeod (https://tinyurl.com/y2v7fgbu), Tony Longworth (https://tinyurl.com/y2nhnbt7), and Nicolas Gasparini (https://tinyurl.com/lnqpfs8) is used with permission of the artists.= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =OTHER PODCASTS I HOST…Paranormality Magazine: (COMING SOON!) https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/paranormalitymagMicro Terrors: Scary Stories for Kids: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/microterrorsRetro Radio – Old Time Radio In The Dark: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/retroradioChurch of the Undead: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/churchoftheundead= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2023, Weird Darkness.= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =TRANSCRIPT: https://weirddarkness.com/archives/16188This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3655291/advertisement

Directed by Tim Burton and released in 2003, Big Fish tells the many tales of Edward Bloom. Edward Bloom is a man who has many stories to tell as he's lived a full and adventurous life. It's a story as much about Edward's life as it is about the reconciliation between father and son. Told by a master of the fantastical Big Fish is an entertaining feast for the senses and one with a lot to offer.

We'll be the first to admit that the Southern US is not our primary field of expertise, and to point out that TTRPG books—especially some of the 90s White Wolf ones—are not the greatest resource for learning more. That being said, the Kingdom of Willows supplement on the Kithain realm of the same name, covering that part of the world, is one of the more robust entries in the canon. It has its curiosities, and it has its cringes, but few Changeling books can match it for density. This week, we're talking about its usefulness for running games set in that part of the world and its approach to detailing the setting, as well as its crucial role in advancing the metaplot for 2nd edition. (We also fly through the seventy pages or so of NPC biographies at breakneck speed, because those things were lengthy.) The book is available on the Storytellers Vault at: https://www.storytellersvault.com/product/173?affiliate_id=3063731 As per usual, reach out and touch Glamour at: Discord: https://discord.me/ctp Email: podcast@changelingthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082973960699 Mastodon: https://dice.camp/@ChangelingPod Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/changelingthepodcast And we also threw references to a couple STV supplements, plus a bonus item from the outro: Ian Lemke's Awakenings, set in Baltimore: https://www.storytellersvault.com/product/261757?affiliate_id=3063731 Andrew Goodman's Kithbook: Dullahan, featuring expanded rules for faerie steeds: https://www.storytellersvault.com/product/412514?affiliate_id=3063731 An example of the intriguing things one turns up on Atlas Obscura: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/land-of-oz-theme-park your hosts Josh Hillerup (any pronoun) is moss-covered, moonlit, and eerie as the Devil waiting by a crossroads at midnight. Pooka G (any pronoun/they) is sweat-soaked, magnolia-scented, and peculiar as that swarm of bees in the wisteria. "I agreed to spend the afternoon, if only to understand the mystery of how a place could feel so strange, and yet so familiar." —Edward Bloom, Big Fish

Traditioner knyter oss samman med generationer framför och bakom oss och ger livet mening. Och det är bara två av anledningarna till varför vi om några dagar kommer dansa runt ett träd inomhus, äta en halv grisrumpa och trofast titta på möss som syr en klänning. Lina och Björn går igenom varför vi människor gillar traditioner och vilka syften de fyller.Klipp och musikMary PoppinsSvensson SvenssonEdward Bloom i P1Astrid Lindgren - Madicken på JunibackenJohan Glans om påskenJul med ErnstNAS - Carry On Traditionmail: dummamanniskor@gmail.comredigering: Peter Malmqvistproducent: Clara Wallin Stötta oss och lyssna reklamfritt via https://plus.acast.com/s/dummamanniskor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DFT Info: http://deerfieldtheater.com Performances: Fridays, November 11 (sold out) & 18, 7:30 pm Saturdays, November 12 & 19, 7:30 pm Sundays, November 13 & 20, 2:00 pm Purchase Tickets: https://bit.ly/3othZ4Q Message us: https://anchor.fm/dft

Actor-singer-dancer-educator, Billy Hartung, has over 1000 performances on the Broadway stage to his credit. Billy's been featured in three Broadway shows, Side Show, Footloose, and Minnelli on Minnelli. He can also be seen singing and dancing in the Academy Award winning movie musical “Chicago.” You can hear Billy singing on the original soundtrack recordings of all four of the aforementioned shows.He was invited to perform in the 75th Annual Academy Awards. He also performed in the 25th Anniversary of the Kennedy Center Honors, in featured tributes to Chita Rivera & Elizabeth Taylor. A Pittsburgh native, Billy has performed with the Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, City Theater, The Pittsburgh Playhouse, The Pittsburgh Symphony and Front Porch Theatricals, where he was last seen in the local premiere of the musical, Big Fish, playing the lead role of patriarch, Edward Bloom, a role that made him runner-up for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Performer of the Year.Billy is currently the Executive Director of the Center for Theater Arts, which offers an award-winning professional curriculum of more than 80 classes in the performing arts, including singing, dancing, acting and more. 

Forrest Gump vs. Edward Bloom. Who had the more extravagant life?....and the better movie? Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @drivemoviespod and follow and like our Facebook page Drive-in Movies with Hogan and Rudy @HoganAndRudy for all the updates on when new episodes are available. Love the Podcast? Let us know what movies you'd love to see us cover! Reach out to us on social media or you can even send us an email at driveinmovieshr@gmail.com Enjoy the show!

The Limelighters: Oregon City Schools is building a $1.5 Million Dollar Performance Studio, that will help prepare students for a career in the performing arts. Thom and Macy came on to explain what exactly is happening out in Oregon Ohio. Oh, and they're doing Big Fish! Stage Door on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071808249771 Stage Door on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stagedoorpodcast/?hl=en Big Fish the Musical Clay High School Limelighters will present the delightful hit musical, BIG FISH April 1, & 2 at 7:00 PM, and April 3 at 3:00 PM. Adapted from the celebrated 1998 novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, BIG FISH the musical celebrates the extraordinary in everyday life. BIG FISH tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest…and then some! Edward's incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him—most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, doesn't think there's any truth to the extravagant tales of his father meeting witches, kissing mermaids or joining the circus. When Edward's health begins to decline, Will must decide whether to accept his father's wild stories as truth or risk losing what he is searching for. Overflowing with heart and humor, BIG FISH is an endearing, heart-touching musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre—for an experience that's richer, funnier and bigger than life itself. Reserved seating tickets are available at claylimelighters.org. Adults $12, Seniors and Students $10. Only General Admission tickets will be available at the door.

Where does this fit on the Tim Burton spectrum? How much did they spend on daffodils? Will the real Edward Bloom please stand up? This week, we use our best rings for bait and unblur the line between fantasy and reality with the generational relationship drama, Big Fish! This week's panel: Defense: Will Paulson (@tabascoandwhiskey) Roasters: Kwesi Phillips (@akayaday) & Robert Speewack (@rob_speewack) Keep up with 24 Flames Per Second & Partyfish Media: Join our Patreon here: www.patreon.com/24flamespod Email: 24flamespod@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/24flamespod Instagram: www.instagram.com/24flamespod Partyfish Insta: instagram.com/partyfishmedia A big thank you to our Patrons that keep our roasters toasting: Ian Coleman, Kevin Conner, Sammi Firman, Kwesi Phillips, Rob Joynes, Kacie Rahm, & Brian Toews. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/24flamespod/support

Phillip Lowe studied at WAAPA. Theatre credits include: Crazy For You, Showboat, Cabaret, The Producers, Legends, The Sunshine Club, Eurobeat, Dusty, No Way To Treat A Lady, Mary Poppins, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Bloody Brothers and High Society. In 2017, Phillip was nominated for a Sydney Theatre Award for this portrayal of Edward Bloom in Big Fish. Phillip played Keith Potger in Georgy Girl – The Seekers Musical, earned a Green Room Award nomination for playing Harry Bright in Mamma Mia and played Tyler Nelson in the world-first live streamed musical Who's Your Baghdaddy? Television credits include McLeod's Daughters, All Saints, Home & Away, Blonde, Crownies, Anzac Girls and Australia: The Story of Us. Film credits include Thank God He Met Lizzie, Black and White and The Honourable Wally Norman. Phillip is currently starring in Come From Away as Nick & Others!

Today’s guest is Mark Neufang. Originally a native of upstate New York, Mark has 20 years experience working as an actor and director in Milwaukee and Waukesha area theaters. He earned a Bachelor's degree in in art and theater at Carroll University and began his community theater endeavors on WCT's stage in 2000 when he was cast as Freddy Eynsford-Hill in "My Fair Lady". Since then, he has participated in over 50 productions on both non-professional and semi-professional stages. He made his directorial debut at WCT with "Crimes of the Heart" in 2010, and last fall, directed a highly successful production of Edward Albee's classic "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" with Milwaukee Entertainment Group at the Brumder Mansion. As an actor, he has far too many favorite roles over 20 years to mention, but his most recent - Edward Bloom in "Big Fish" at WCT this past spring - is definitely right up there on his list. When he's not onstage, he works as Culinary Assistant for Taste of Home magazine, and is an avid reader and baker, baking up beautiful, photo-worthy desserts in his kitchen for his Neufangled Desserts followers on Instagram and Facebook. He lives in Milwaukee with his partner Jake and two crazy cats, Maggie and Digby. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/backstage-tour/support

Budhole Movie - Big FishSynopsis:This picture follows the incredible life of Edward Bloom, through a series of flashbacks that begin when his son Will visits him for the last time. Edward is dying of cancer, and Will hasn't spoken to him for years because he believes him to be a liar that never really cared for his family. As Edward's story unfolds once again, Will tries to finally understand the truth about who his father really was...Next Movie: Inception ( Amazon Prime Video )Bit talkers:Madden coming out TuesdayBudhole 5: top 10 highest grossing actors all timeCheck us out on teespring: https://teespring.com/stores/budholeCheck out our Website: Officialbudhole.comCheck us out on facebook: BudHoleCheck us out on Twitter: @BudholeofficialCheck us out on Instagram: @officialbudholeCheck us out on TikTok: @officialbudholeQuestions or comments email us @ Officialbudhole@gmail.comLeave a rating on Apple Podcasts whichever as well as make sure to hit that subscribe button so we can continue to bring you this content as well as make it even better for the future. We love every one of you. Peace out!

This week we review the story of Edward Bloom and his extraordinary life told in flashbacks as his son tries to find out the truth about his father. Is the movie as fantastical as it wants to be? Or did Tim Burton turn out a whopper of a missed opportunity. Find out with our hosts as we look back at Big Fish.

Peixe Grande e Suas Histórias Maravilhosas (2003), de Tim Burton, acompanha a vida de Edward Bloom, um aventureiro e contador de histórias, e sua relação com seu filho enquanto está doente. Uma história muito pessoal, divertida e emocionante. Vem ouvir nossa discussão sobre o filme! Não esquece de nos seguir nas redes sociais: @vissebr no Twitter e Instagram, e de entrar no nosso grupo do Telegram (também @vissebr)! A equipe: Aninha: Instagram @_aninhaguimaraes e Twitter @marvelousmsana Matheus: Instagram e Twitter @matheusbc23 Leo: Instagram e Twitter @leoaalbuquerque Lembrando que é recomendado assistir ao filme antes de escutar o podcast pois terá spoilers, o filme atualmente está disponível na Netflix.

Today we have the world's newest Edward Bloom, Ben Dow. Here promoting IU Mainstage's second show of the season, Big Fish, Ben and I get to chat about everything under the sun. If you like big band music, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Sondheim, you'll love this episode.

En este episodio discutimos una joya muy poco conocida del gran Tim Burton: Big Fish. La vida de Edward Bloom y todas sus aventuras fantásticas posiblemente tengan un significado y enseñanza profunda para nuestras vidas. ¿Qué es el gran pez? ¿Acaso todos estamos buscando uno? Acompáñennos a discutir estas y otras interrogantes. Música: - Night Drive - Quincas Moreira https://youtu.be/DNvnF5y1SjE - Waterfall - Aakash Gandhi https://youtu.be/KDpUe_T1988

8.6 out of 10 - A GREAT SHOW!!!! June 29 - July 29, 2018 www.latheatrebites.com Correction:  Misspelled Name : Rachel Oliveros Catalano Adapted from Daniel Wallace's novel and Tim Burton's acclaimed film, and featuring spine-tinglingly beautiful music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family and The Wild Party), Big Fish is a fantastical musical that illustrates the larger-than-life anecdotes of Edward Bloom, a man nearing the end of his life. This fact has compelled his grown son Will to embark on an adventure of his own — to unravel his real dad from the myths of his tall tales. Filled with magic, love, luck, and crazy coincidences, this rollicking fantasy set in the American South is a tribute to the power of dreaming big.

Multi-media! Puppets! A giant on stilts! Written by Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family), Big Fish is a Broadway musical with great heart and humor -- guaranteed fun for the whole family. In this upcoming BPA production, which will run May 12 -28 (with a pay-what-you-can preview on Thursday, May 11th) Jason Gingold stars as Edward Bloom, the bigger than life father whose fantastic tales amuse everyone except his son, who searches for the truth in his father's tales and life. Listen here as Jason and Big Fish musical director Aimee Hong describe the show's touching plot and beautiful music, and share what they find to be challenging, rewarding and inspiring about this show and its story.  It seems clear from their discussion that audiences will leave the theatre humming the beautiful musical themes and reflecting thoughtfully on their own relationships with parents and children. For more information and tickets for this heartwarming new BPA production, visit  bainbridgeperformingarts.org. Credits: BCB host: Channie Peters; BCB audio editor and social media publisher: Diane Walker.

Tim Burton's 2003 fantasy drama, "Big Fish," took an interesting novel, shredded it into a bunch of disjointed pieces and removed all its compelling aspects. The story of a son working to overcome the deep-rooted distance between himself and his terminally ill father is drowned out completely by naked werewolves, guys dying while jerking off on the toilet and weird sex cult towns. Ewan McGregor plays young Edward Bloom, an ambitious Alabamian anecdotalist who goes on one adventure after another. The audience is supposed to think young Edward is such a good dude as he alienates his son, delivers a simple-minded "friend" with gigantism to a flimflam circus man to be exploited as part of a "freak show," steals a guy's fiancé, and carries on an emotional affair. Albert Finney plays old Edward Bloom, the most boisterous stage 4 cancer patient you've ever seen. He spends his declining years recounting braggadocious stories all about his wild and heroic exploits. Billy Crudup turns in the worst performance of his career as Will Bloom, a petulant young man who can't let go of his resentment for his dying dad even though the movie gives him no reason to feel bitter in the first place. Jessica Lange plays Sandra Bloom, a Manic Pixie Dream Wife whose purposes in life are to fawn over her husband, Edward, and to serve as his trophy. Also, fair warning, Keating sings Toad the Wet Sprocket's "All I Want." Tell us what you think by chatting with us (@filmsnuff) on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, or by shooting us an email over at mailbag@filmsnuff.com. This episode is sponsored by Ignorance Stone. Visit our website at https://www.filmsnuff.com.

For this episode we went fishing into all of Tim Burton's films and pulled out one Big Fish. William Bloom: You know about icebergs, Dad? Edward Bloom (senior): Do I? I saw an iceberg once. They were haulin' down it down to Texas for drinkin' water. They didn't count on there bein' a elephant frozen inside. The wooly kind. A mammoth. William Bloom: Dad! Edward Bloom (senior): What? William Bloom: I'm tryin' to make a metaphor here. Edward Bloom (senior): Well, you shouldn't have started with a question, because most people wanna answer questions. You should've started with "the thing about iceberg is" You ever had one of those friends who is a one upper? Always telling fantastical stories that you know can't be true? Even in a moment that is meant to be your own? Well that was William Bloom's whole life. His dad always told these fantastic stories but he never really felt like he knew who his dad was. After 3 years(a significant time in this story) of not talking to his dad William goes on a journey through time, imagination, and old fashioned looking through papers in the garage to figure out who his dad was before his dad's time is up.  It is a real feel good movie that left us thinking of our friend Jeff and how he left more smiles then tears in the end. This episode contains spoilers to this film and possible other movies. www.undergroundinc.info www.facebook.com/undergroundinc3 www.twitter.com/UndergroundInc3 www.thepodcastarcade.com

This week on StoryWeb: Tim Burton’s film Big Fish.   A witch. A giant. A werewolf. Conjoined twins. Daring feats of strength. A magical town.   Tim Burton’s 2003 film, Big Fish, has it all.   Based on Daniel Wallace’s 1998 novel of the same name, the film stars Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, Steve Buscemi, Danny DeVito, Jessica Lange, and a large cast of other actors. It is a delightful, fantastic, over-the-top spectacle of a small Southern traveling circus, complete with “freaks,” as they are often known. It also tells the story of Spectre, a fairy-tale, utopian version of a small town in Alabama.   Big Fish is also a tale within a tale, the story of a young man, Will Bloom, saying goodbye to his elderly, dying father, Edward. When Will was a boy, Edward regaled him with one fantastic story after another – and he continues the outlandish tall tales on his deathbed. Will, who had been caught in the tales as a child, eventually came to believe his father was a liar, that he’d spun crazy yarns to make himself look larger than life and perhaps to hide the secrets of his real life.   Most of the film is the reconstructed telling of Edward’s fantastic, dreamlike world, the stuff of myth and legend. Swept along with the story, the viewer – as Will had as a boy – wants to believe, but it all just seems so far-fetched. Is it real? Is it make-believe? Or is it something in between? You’ll have to watch the film – all the way through to the end – and then decide for yourself.   In the meantime, I will say that – true or not – Big Fish is a marvelous, wonderful tale of an unlikely cast of characters you won’t soon forget. It’s also a beautiful, if emotionally challenging exploration of a father-son relationship. Will Edward and Will come to an understanding of each other in time? Will Will forgive his father’s tall tales, his penchant for what can only be called Southern gothic storytelling?   StoryWeb, of course, celebrates all things storytelling – and Edward Bloom is a storyteller par excellence. His tales raise the age-old question: Is the story true – or is it “just” a story? By film’s end, you may be inclined to believe, as Edward clearly does, that truth and imagination, story and fact are inextricably tied up together. As Will says, “In telling the story of my father’s life, it’s impossible to separate the fact from the fiction, the man from the myth. It doesn’t always make sense, but that’s the kind of story this is.”   The film is available on DVD, and the entire script is online. You might find it fun to explore the locations used in the filming of Big Fish. And of course, you’ll want to stop by Tim Burton’s official website. (Be forewarned: it’s tricky to navigate this one-of-a-kind website!)   As Edward tells Will, “Most men will tell you a story straight through. It won’t be complicated, but it won’t be interesting either.” Big Fish is delightfully complicated and very, very interesting. Watch it – you won’t be disappointed!   Visit the storyweb.com/burton for links to all these resources and to watch the trailer for Big Fish. It will give you a taste of the fantastical yarns Edward Bloom spins.

Some stage musicals are lighter than air, soothing as water, sounding good and feeling delightful as long as they last, then evaporating on the wind, fading fast into the folds of our cerebral cortex, almost immediately after the show is over. Big Fish, the new production offered by Gene Abravaya and Spreckels Theater Company, is that kind of show. Light and fluffy, with pleasant but strikingly unmemorable songs, tinged with a touch of serious human drama, but mostly just a good old-fashioned American musical. But, as written by John August, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, this adaptation of the Daniel Wallace novel and the Tim Burton movie it inspired is so sweet-natured and so crammed with positivity and eye-popping pleasures, one can’t help but walk away feeling good. The stage version deviates wildly from the movie, which deviated wildly from the book. In many ways, the stage play is even more grounded and clear than the others, which tended to obfuscate the line between reality and fantasy. In the version now playing at Spreckels, playwright John August only occasionally muddies the line between what’s really happening and what is only happening in one of the many tall tales of master storyteller Edward Bloom. A travelling salesman with a knack for telling outrageous stories in which he’s always the hero, Bloom is played by Darryl Strohl-DeHerrera, who joyously protrays a variety of ages from teenage to old age. Bloom has spent his life gleefully fabricating encounters with mermaids and giants, werewolves and witches, but why? And why are there parts of his life he seems unwilling to even make up a story about? That what Edward’s adult son Will decides to find out. A recently married investigative reporter Will has always resented his father’s tendency to make things up. When Edward is diagnosed with a terminal illness, Will sets out to discover the real Edward Bloom, one way or another. Will’s mother Sandra—played nicely by Heather Buck, also portraying numerous ages — is clearly the love of Edward Bloom’s life, and in his stories, she’s the primary “plot motivation” for his various adventures and exploits, from his colorful love-at-first-sight encounter under a circus big top, to his unorthodox method of travelling to see her once he finds out who his heartthrob actually is. The script by John August drops some of the book and movies more outrageous images, so don’t go in expecting Siamese twins or magical glass eyeballs. The mysterious town of Specter, where no one where’s shoes and everyone seems to be under a magical spell? That’s gone too, which means August has to do a little fancy storytelling footwork to make the remaining pieces fit together. The cast is energetic and clearly having a great time playing so many colorful characters in gloriously offbeat costumes by Pam Enz. The songs by Andrew Lipa feature genuinely clever lyrics, though somewhat hampered by repetitive, oddly monotone and melody-restricted music. Most of the time, it’s all singing and no song. Abravaya’s staging makes ingenious use of Spreckel’s acclaimed projection system, which provides much of the ever-shifting scenery, along with a number of clever visual effects, including a man being shot from a cannon. Of course, the best part of a story is the ending, and ultimately, this ambitious and mostly satisfying production delivers a climax that is both impactful and surprising. It might even inspire you to call up your own parents or children, to tell them you love them—and perhaps to share a story or two. ‘Big Fish’ runs through August 28 at Spreckels Performing Arts Center, rpcity.org.

"You know about icebergs, Dad?" "Do I? I saw an iceberg once. They were hauling it down to Texas for drinking water. They didn't count on there being an elephant frozen inside. The wooly kind. A mammoth!" The only thing better than a great story is a great storyteller, and Edward Bloom certainly fits the bill. Not a moment goes by in Tim Burton's 2003 film "Big Fish" when young Edward, played by Ewan McGregor, isn't living one of his fantastical stories or old Edward, played by Albert Finney, isn't spinning one of his wild yarns, and that's the hook that pulls us so readily into the film. Join us—Pete Wright and Andy Nelson—this week on Rash Pixel's "Movies We Like" as we dive into this quirky and personal story by Burton, the next in our Richard D. Zanuck series. We talk through things that work for us and things that don't within the film. We discuss screenwriter John August's role in bringing the film to light, latching onto it before Daniel Wallace's original novel that it's based on was even published, as well as what we think of August in general. We talk about Burton and his crazy, auteur style. We discuss the great performances in the film—McGregor and Finney certainly, but also Jessica Lange, Alison Lohman, Robert Guillaume, the late Matthew McGrory, Steve Buscemi... the list goes on and on. We chat about Danny Elfman's music for the film and his connection with Burton. And we also talk about Zanuck and how he came to the film with Burton after they worked on "Planet of the Apes" together. It's a touching film dealing with the relationship between parents and their children, and certainly a movie we like. Listen in!

"You know about icebergs, Dad?" "Do I? I saw an iceberg once. They were hauling it down to Texas for drinking water. They didn't count on there being an elephant frozen inside. The wooly kind. A mammoth!" The only thing better than a great story is a great storyteller, and Edward Bloom certainly fits the bill. Not a moment goes by in Tim Burton's 2003 film "Big Fish" when young Edward, played by Ewan McGregor, isn't living one of his fantastical stories or old Edward, played by Albert Finney, isn't spinning one of his wild yarns, and that's the hook that pulls us so readily into the film. Join us—Pete Wright and Andy Nelson—this week on Rash Pixel's "Movies We Like" as we dive into this quirky and personal story by Burton, the next in our Richard D. Zanuck series. We talk through things that work for us and things that don't within the film. We discuss screenwriter John August's role in bringing the film to light, latching onto it before Daniel Wallace's original novel that it's based on was even published, as well as what we think of August in general. We talk about Burton and his crazy, auteur style. We discuss the great performances in the film—McGregor and Finney certainly, but also Jessica Lange, Alison Lohman, Robert Guillaume, the late Matthew McGrory, Steve Buscemi... the list goes on and on. We chat about Danny Elfman's music for the film and his connection with Burton. And we also talk about Zanuck and how he came to the film with Burton after they worked on "Planet of the Apes" together. It's a touching film dealing with the relationship between parents and their children, and certainly a movie we like. Listen in!

The only thing better than a great story is a great storyteller, and Edward Bloom certainly fits the bill. Not a moment goes by in Tim Burton's 2003 film "Big Fish" when young Edward, played by Ewan McGregor, isn't living one of his fantastical stories or old Edward, played by Albert Finney, isn't spinning one of his wild yarns, and that's the hook that pulls us so readily into the film.

The only thing better than a great story is a great storyteller, and Edward Bloom certainly fits the bill. Not a moment goes by in Tim Burton's 2003 film "Big Fish" when young Edward, played by Ewan McGregor, isn't living one of his fantastical stories or old Edward, played by Albert Finney, isn't spinning one of his wild yarns, and that's the hook that pulls us so readily into the film.