THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993)

Just one of many - many -revered animated films I'd not previously seen, The Nightmare Before Christmas is about what happens when the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, seeks to alleviate the boredom of doing the same thing every year - and stumbles into Christmas Town, where the bright colors, happy children, and "Sandy Claws" show him a whole new way of life.  Back home, he's determined to find out the secrets behind Christmas, and turns Halloween Town into a mash-up of the two holidays - a plan that involves kidnapping Sandy Claws and taking his place to deliver presents around the world.  Love the music, the stop-motion animation is brilliant to look at, a budding romance doesn't intrude on the story, the film is very funny, and I have to admit I got hooked on a certain trio of really rotten siblings, alone.  Great film, very sorry it took so long to see it; one of my favorites seen in 2015. (rated PG)  A