When we were kids, my brother and I would laugh at our dad. Most evenings, our erudite father took a book from his crowded room of Charles Dickens’s works and read before he retired for the evening. He certainly had the last laugh because we grew up to be great Charles Dickens fans ourselves.
All of the above came to mind when a new movie opened up, “Disney’s A Christmas Carol.” Of course, it’s based on the Charles Dickens tale we are all so familiar with. Simply say “Bah Humbug!”, and we immediately think of Scrooge. The new film is an updated vision of the classic tale in Disney Digital 3D. It does capture its fantastical essence. Actor Jim Carrey, with his rubbery facial features exaggerated and his voice creaky and scary, appears to be in his element. I’ll bet he had a good time playing Ebenezer Scrooge. I had a good time watching him.
The movie is extraordinary visually: the atmosphere, the set design, the lighting and the actor’s appearance. When do you think Dickens wrote “A Christmas Carol?” I had to do some research to get the answer – 1843. It’s one of his most loved works, and has been adapted onto the screen as number of times. I think you’ll find Disney’s version an hour and 36 minutes well spent.
But wait! Be aware that some scenes might be scary for little kids. For the more mature ones, it might be a lesson to see one man get a record chance to get his life right.
In reading Charles Dickens’s biography, I was surprised to learn that although he had 10 – yes, 10 – children, with one wife; he was really in love with her sister. Today’s celebrity-driven television shows and magazines would eat that up. As an aside, and still thinking of my dad whose number one favorite author was Charles Dickens, who would I pick as my top five? Here goes: Edgar Allan Poe, Jane Austin, Mark Twain, William Shakespeare and of course, Dickens. Who would you pick?
There’s currently an overly used word that bugs me. Don’t ask me why. But now I am forced to use it to describe the “awesome” experience I had when I toured the “awesome” (ouch!) U.S.S. New York. Built from seven and one-half tons of steel debris from Ground Zero, it is a new class of warship designed for missions that include special operations against terrorism. The U.S.S. New York will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft. Once more – “awesome.”
Here’s a digression: I finally went to the Random House Thesaurus. Now I can use solemn, inspiring, majestic, magnificent – all those adjectives apply nicely to the U.S.S. New York. As I toured (I’m back on target), I thought: “Parts of devastation are being reused to bring to life something with the hope that it will be used to do good.” It’s a shame that it takes an act of war to create such a beautiful looking thing. On my visit, there was a careful check as we boarded. I felt as if I were getting ready to board an airplane, except I wasn’t asked to take off my sneakers. And it’s a good thing I wore sneakers. There was a lot of walking: simply from parking the car, to following the long line and then to maneuvering several steep ramps inside the vessel. It gave me an excuse to ask a handsome Marine to lend a hand. I even was encouraged to ask for, and I did, receive a photo with him. There were many Marines in full dress regalia explaining and guiding the large crowd – a very well managed and respectful crowd. I’m glad I saw the U.S.S. New York. The ship’s motto is “Never Forget.” My tour will certainly keep me remembering.
Last month, I spent a wonderful weekend in Boston (actually Brookline, Mass.) with my “kiddies” and saw two movies. They had much in common: they both had French subtitles and I think they both would appeal more to women than men.
“Paris” is a multi-character mosaic. I made the mistake of expecting the characters to have interlocking lives. Wrong! They do have parallel lives. Each has life and depth. Their stories never connect. There is one central character, a dancer in his 30s, who is told that he has little time left. He spends hours standing on his balcony observing life in the street (made me think of Jimmy Stewart in Hitchcock’s “Rear Window”). All the individual stories are told against the backdrop of Paris, a city that the writer-director obviously loves with a passion. None of the characters are satisfied. They have love, fear or seek it. As for the film, I didn’t love it, I didn’t fear it and, unless you adore Paris, I suggest that you don’t seek this movie.
“Coco Before Chanel” tells about the early life of the woman who would become a most influential figure in 20th century fashion. The film charts the rise of an ambitious, difficult woman, taking note of the obstacles and opportunities offered by her time, place and circumstances. Her nickname, Coco, comes from a song she sang about a lost dog named, you guessed it, Coco. From the start, we meet a complicated un-charming lady. All the characters live according to the social moves of the era, resulting in a vivid account of the historical past. It chronicles the lives of women in earlier centuries. “Coco Before Chanel” is a costume drama, a visual delight.
I saw “Paris” and the “Coco” film at the West Newton Cinema, a theater that presents independent and foreign films (Frank Theatres, take note please!) The parking is easy, the popcorn is good, but I had to hop a plane to get there.
Are you wondering where you can take the family for an unusual holiday party? Well, here’s a suggestion that nicely covers the winter holidays. This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., everyone can enjoy a hot chocolate and view crafts celebrating Kwanzaa, Chanukah and Christmas. And on Dec. 28 to 31, also from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be fun games and activities for the whole family. Where you ask? Even with unlimited guesses, you wouldn’t be on target.
Ok, I’ll stop playing games. All of this celebrating with fun hands-on activities are taking place in Lower Manhattan at the New York City Police Museum, 100 Old Slip. Yes, Virginia, there is a N.Y.C. Police Museum. It has three floors and each one is worth visiting. The first floor explores the evolution of vehicles used by the NYPD. It also displays vintage communication equipment and vintage NYPD uniforms. The uniforms are funny-looking since they date back to mid 19th century. The second floor has a video presentation, historic photographs and – this one the kids might enjoy – an authentic jail. All are encouraged to experience being “behind bars.” (I hope they never experience it in real life.) There’s also a display of vintage weapons. The third floor explores how the NYPD responded on Sept. 11 (magnificently!)
At the museum, adults will be intrigued, but there’s also a lot of stuff for the kids too. For example, they can test out the sirens used in a NYPD patrol car and, here’s the kicker, they can take their friends “mug shot” in a police line-up. You can see that this museum is interesting enough for all ages. Oh yes, you might be able to solve some of your gift giving problems. There’s a gift shop and even an online store.
The museum is open to the public. For more info, the phone number is (212) 480-3100. Also, visit them on the Web, at www.nycpolicemuseum.org.