A Christmas Carol (1938)

This adaptation of the Dicken’s classic is an oldie but not too goodie. I don’t take issue with the artistic liberties of director Edwin Marin (The Invisible Man). Rather, I am disappointed by the lack of charm.

Reginald Owen (Mary Poppins) stars at Ebenezer. The poor man pales in comparison to Alistair Sims and George C. Scott. Gene Lockhart looks strangely familiar but I can’t place him. Overall, the cast is nice bunch of MGM stars.  Ann Rutherford is gorgeous as Ghost of Christmas Past.  Nephew Fred played by Barry Mackay is a real treat.

As I see it, you can’t go wrong with any adaptation of A Christmas Carol. I just prefer my gems to sparkle.  Interesting trivia: Lionel Barrymore was originally tapped to star in this version, but bowed out due to injury.

Bonus Feature: CD

With only one concert left in my 2009 season, this was by far the best of year. Coldplay was an amazing religious experience, but The Killers rocked the house. With infectious enthusiasm, Brandon Flowers and Co. help me relive that February evening at the Opry house with their latest CD/DVD release Live From The Royal Albert Hall.

The Killers tear through classics like Mr. Brightside and Somebody Told Me with raucous energy. But the focus of the 2+ hours is Day and Age. Right off the bat, Brandon knocks out beautiful renditions of Human and This Is Your Life. The acoustic version of Sam’s Town that tears the soul. All These Things That I’ve Done takes on new fresh new emotion.  My favorites Joy Ride and Spaceman incite the crowd to swing and sing along.

With bonus festival performances that include Tranquilize and Smile Like You Mean It, the set is everything a Victim wants. The live CD makes the concert portable and nothing is lost in transference. The Killers continue to show ballsy commitment in their live performances.  The Killers Live From The Royal Albert Hall is a must have. If you buy one CD this year, make it Day & Age.

James and the Giant Peach (1996)

Young orphan James lives with his two wicked aunts, Sponge and Spiker.  A slave to the spinsters, James world is a lonely, miserable place.  His only solice is the memory of his parents.  Enter a spilled bag of crocodile tongues.  Overnight a giant peach grows in the wasteland of the front yard.  Before long, the huge fruit is rolling James and an odd bunch of inhabitants away and towards his dream of New York City.  During the journey, James is kept company by a lady bug, spider, centipede, earthworm, and a grasshopper.

Devilishly engaging and wonderfully macabre, James and the Giant Peach is produced by Tim Burton, directed by Henry Selick and adapted from the Roald Dahl classic.  The film is perfect.  A blend of live action and motion capture, it's equal parts odd and charm.

The cast of characters make the film.  Voices by Richard Dreyfuss, Susan Sarandon, David Thewlis, and Paul Terry warm the heart.  Pete Postlethwaite is delightful in a quaint role.  Aunts Sponge and Spiker are frightening.  The dialogue between James and his creature counterparts is vibrant, filled with humor and emotion.

The story is simple, but multi-faceted and is just as I imagined it.  The production values are left of center, fitting beautifully with my third-grade memories.  From the aunt's creepy old, far from square house to the lucious flesh of the peach, every image jumps from the scene making a vivid fantasy.

As I see it, James and the Giant Peach is a brilliant adaptation of a fine children's book.  Don't miss the perfect storm found herein.

Bonus Feature: CD

With lyrics like 'starting to feel a little abused like a coffee machine in an office' and 'I might steal your clothers and wear them if they fit me', don't look to Shakira's latest for thought-provoking lyricism.  But...  She Wolf explodes with sexuality and tight arrangments.

A range of influences can be found in this 16 track set which includes a few in her native language and live versions of Gypsy and She Wolf.  Each song reflects its producer exactly.  Pherrell Williams from The Neptunes blends his urban heritage with Latino simplicity on six of the tracks.  Long Time is a stunner.

Men in This Town is an ode to Matt Damon--you know, guys in general.  It's the longing in a girl's heart quantified.  Can't wait to hear this one remixed. Party in the USA is so last week! 

Gypsy doesn't try too hard and that aformentioned lyric does irritate my logical nature.  But beneath the amatuerish lyricism is a layered piece that includes sitar if I had to guess.  It's hypnotic and slightly stupid.

Wyclef Jean pops up in what is easily the albums best track.  Spy includes an inspired 'wah' that kills.  It's fun and earworm-worthy.  The track's freshness belies an explosive aggression.

Mon Amour is gorgeous FU that every girl can relate too.  Inspired and empowering.

Current 'it' boys Lil Wayne and Kid Cudi moonlight on a couple of club tracks that dare you not to move.  Simple back beats laid by Timbaland let Wayne flow typical nonsense.  Shakira gets to 'swing her hips like numchucks'--it's eye-rolling nonsense, but it oozes sexy.

Ultimately, She Wolf reflects its author.  Like Shakira, it's an unapologetic, smart, sexy album that revels in the feminine mystique.

The History Channel Presents: Christmas Unwrapped (2005)

The origins of the most celebrated holiday and its greatest traditions are examined in this History Channel special.  It's not all holly jolly; so don't watch if you don't want to know.  Harry Smith narrates.

Rooted in Pagan rituals, Christmas became the commericalized event it is now long after the Puritans banned, the Catholics assumed it, and England reveled in it.  The History Channel--much like this holiday-- is no respecter of religions so those who deem Christmas to be the birth of the Christ child could be dismayed.

Bawdy events of the Norse Winter Solstice would eventually become the first 'Christmas'.  It was a day of debauchery.  When the taverns and pubs couldn't be banned, our religious ancestors chose to 'join' them.  Poinsettias, St. Nick, and the first Christmas trees and cards--courtesy of Prince Albert--are traced through history with often time interesting results.  The history behind Dickens' short story and its effects on the holiday are equally interesting.

Christmas Unwrapped is a historical treat for holiday lovers.  The documentary makes no judgements, but serves to inform.  So whether you worship at the Wal-Mosque or not, the holiday is ultimately what you make it.  Grab your wassail and enjoy!