Trial By Stone

As a younger person in the age of the crystal shards, Fizzgigg, Kira and Jen, I was less about the fantasies and more about the comedies. I'd sit and watch The Jerk or Airplane! over and over but only just tolerate movies like The NeverEnding Story and The Dark Crystal when there was a day-camp screening or slumber party. As an adult, however, friends dutifully directed me back to childhood flicks with promises of David Bowie, creepy villains and fuzzy little sidekicks. I watched Labyrinth, rewatched Legend and The Dark Crystal and realized fantasy quests weren't just for daydreaming kids. I ran with Jen and Kira, the Gelfling's only hope of overthrowing the controlling Skeksis rule, and fretted when I thought the über-powerful crystal shard might be lost down a chasm or into the wrong hands. I laughed at Fizzgigg and wanted my own Landstrider (though in my adult mind, it would be to beat Dallas traffic). I was easily confused by a story intended for kids--the sign of a really good kids' story. And I'd totally go on the voyage to save the planet Thra all over again. Rediscover your own childhood fantasies as the Gelflings battle the Skeksis for The Dark Crystal midnight Friday and Saturday at Landmark's Inwood Theatre, 5458 W. Lovers Lane. Visit landmarktheatres.com.
Fri., Aug. 8; Sat., Aug. 9, 2008