Every year the PNC Wealth Management group does a cost analysis of the items in the carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” This year the package, top-to-bottom as the song is sung would cost you $87,403 to win your love’s attention.

In looking over each shopping cart items individual cost, it turns out the nine ladies dancing, at $5,473 per performance, is the costliest item and the 12 drummers drumming, $2,475 per performance, is among the least expensive. This prompted me to respond (being a percussionist myself – yes, all puns intended):

“Well, now we know where the biggest bang for your buck lies at least.”

Dear Friend,

I apologize if the content here under are contrary to your moral ethics, but i had to reach you through this medium. As you read this, i do not want you to feel sorry for me, because, i believe everyone will die someday.

My name is Joseph Albass, a merchant from Sukang, in State of Brunei Darussalam Punjala Omumbai.I have been diagnosed with advanced anal cancer. It has defied all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live according to medicinal experts.

I have not particularly live my life so well, as i never really cared for anyone but my business. though i am very rich,i was never generous, until that fateful day of before of which now i will write.

I was sitting on a large pile of gold euro pounds when my tent door ripped open and there before mine eyes was my friend Aspet, who was now a ghost because he had died long ago in a sandstorm. He told me upon me would visit three ghosts, one of my past, one of my present ,and one of my futures. i thought i had gone mad and took a nap as slumber makes eyes shiny.

The morning next to me was a ghost telling me of my past and how i had never kinded to anyone. It was fritening but i understood of the words he spoke. next came a wondrous enchantress who showed me how people thought, of me now and that was eye awakening and ached my heart from the inside. that same very of evenings came a frightening darkhooded ghost who showed me of my future and how no one will come to my funeral once i do succumb to the anal cancers. This was a right fright and i will not soon forget it.

See i was always hostile to people and only focused on my business as that was the only thing i cared for but now i regret all this as i now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world. i have 500 million gold euro pounds in an anonymous bank account in Switzerland that i am in needing of someone to take off my hands and give to charities of their choice and of course themselves. please contact me so i might remove this burden of material wealth from my shoulders and maybe have someone to mourn my passing. i want to believe that you will be capable of handling this task for me. please contact me on abbassj____@gmail.com

Thank you,

Joseph Albass

Early estimates are in, and they show that “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” ($42.5 million) was almost overtaken by holdover “The Blind Side” ($40.1 million) during the holiday weekend. The crazed fans of sparkling vampires made “New Moon” a recording-breaking hit on opening day last weekend, smashing records with $72.7 million on it’s first day in release.

The fan base also proved it was extremely anxious  for the second film, as the sequel broke midnight showings records with $26.3 million. However, just like the sun during a real twilight, the film fizzled out and fell over 40 percent Friday-to-Saturday.

Follow me after the break for the complete breakdown and impressions.

Despite that, the opening day blitz was enough to grab the biggest opening weekend of 2009 ($142.8 million) and third highest-grossing weekend ever (note, that isn’t raw attendance, just money).

Now, the holiday weekend saw an ever larger slide for the vampire romance and “The Blind Side” actually improved in the head-to-head clash on the second try. The first weekend for “Blind Side” saw a respectable $34.1 million cume while it improved nearly 18 percent from weekend-to-weekend and has surpassed the $100 million mark.

Meanwhile, disaster flick “2012″ grabbed $18 million (3rd), “Old Dogs” opened to the tune of $16.8 million (4th), and “Christmas Carol” grabbed $16 million (5th).

Opening weekend for “Ninja Assassin” was not an instant success, but managed $13.1 million in an odd bit of counter-programming during the Thanksgiving weekend. “Fantastic Mr. Fox” grossed $7 million from its expansion Wednesday and “The Road” grabbed $1.5 million after opening Wednesday in limited release.

Impressions

I must say that I am surprised “The Blind Side” did so well. Not that it wasn’t a quality film, as my own viewing experience was quite enjoyable, but the advertisements seemed admittedly hokey. Many critics had said that the film looked like a Hallmark movie and although I did not go into the film making such snide remarks, it seems by and large that even they enjoyed the film, often admitting their mistake.

The film isn’t a must-see, but we haven’t seen a quality sports film in a while and rarely does a true-story provide so much humor and drama in a finely balanced pic. Despite the ending, it is the journey there that remains touching and unpredictable.

With that said, coming within $2.5 million of toppling the box-office beast is quite impressive. That also says something about the Twilight series though. Yes, it is incredibly popular, but it also saw a huge fall despite the holiday weekend.

No long-term projections from me for the franchise, but you would expect something this popular to hold up well after opening weekend. Exit polling during the opening weekend by Summit Entertainment just reinforced the current views: 80 percent female and 50 percent under 21.

According to Box Office Mojo, that is skewed younger and more female than the first.

Also interesting to see “Ninja Assassin” fall so flat. Yes, it is counter programming, but with a name like that, you would expect alot of males to run to fill auditoriums. However, perhaps it will do well next weekend as this is a holiday weekend.

We are also in prime Oscar season now, with “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and “The Road” in theaters and I hope the box office can provide a good run for those. Expect the coming months to showcase quality dramas including my highly anticipated film “Up In The Air”.

Quick Notes

The first film in the vampire franchise (“Twilight”) drew in $192.8 million in its entire domestic box-office run. “New Moon” has already, erm, eclipsed that figure in only its second weekend with an estimated $230.7 million domestic take.

Considering the first film was made with a reported $37 million budget, it was a resounding success. “New Moon” found a higher budget ($50 million) from the success of the previous entry, and looks to remain a huge bread winner for distributor Summit Entertainment.

I LOVE POPCORN!  In the past week I have seen 3 movies at the theater, so lots of popcorn.  :)  I saw 2012, A Christmas Carol in 3-D, and the Blind Side (today).   I will now grade them.

Movie: 2012

Grade:  B-

2012 was an awesome movie.  It was like, *BOOM* and XP.  The effects were really great and looked so real!  To me, I thought it seemed like a really short story line stretched out so it kinda went on and on.  And it was more than 2 hours!   But it did have a lot of action.  I think the theater effect was great, and I don’t think you would really get the effect from a rent.  So if you want to see it, go to the theater!

Movie:  A Christmas Carol in 3-D

Grade: B+

A Christmas Carol was a really cute and a good family movie.  The 3-D really made the movie come to life.  The animations were very realistic also.  The reason for the grade is that some parts it wasn’t quite clear and was confusing.  Also, the end was brought to a startling halt, probably because the movie was already pretty long.  In my opinion, I thought the movie could be a bit better than it had, but it was still good.

Movie: Blind Side

Grade: A+

The Blind Side is a sad, funny, and great movie!  I strongly recomend you to watch this movie.  I don’t want to spoil it, so this is what I will say.  YOU BETTER WATCH IT!  :)

I hope this will help you on deciding a movie for the merry season.  If you want me to do more movie or video game reviews, just comment!  Peace.

-Alienpop

When I was a kid, Christmas music was ALWAYS playing at Christmastime, but the experience of the carols and songs seemed to reside way back in the subconscious.  Until recently when I started to give the seasonal songs serious thought, I was always just vaguely aware of them, enjoying my favorite albums, singing the first couple of lines for each tune and humming the rest as I went about my holiday activities.  

“Good King Wenceslas,” with its hardy beat and medieval flavor, is one of my favorites…But I could never have sung  more than the first verse.  It wasn’t until I spied the carol as an illustrated children’s book, that I really read the words and discovered that the song has a wonderful message for everybody, that the song is actually a mini-play, and that it is a winter song, not just for the holidays.

The first Singable Picture Book that I found for this carol is by Christopher Manson who has become one of my favorite illustrators.  His pictures are  woodcuts handpainted in rich colors and are extensively researched which give the pictures not just beauty but an authenticity that makes the book deeply satisfying.

Completing the experience are paragraphs of historical information about the lyricist John Mason Neale (1818-1866) and Wenceslas, Duke of Bohemia (who lived in the 10th c.) and sheet music.

John Mason Neale, a scholar, writer and clergyman, originally published the words in 1853.  He set the words to an old tune “tempus adest florium,” a  carol of springtime also known as “The Flower Carol.”  This carol (its latin words and music) was originally published in a book of Swedish Carols in 1582, but the tune is probably much older.

“The Flower Carol” has wonderfully expressive words (“Spring has now unwrapped the flowers!”) and would make an excellent subject for an illustrated children’s book.  Just think if the tune you know for “Good King Wenceslas” and SING!

FLOWER CAROL
“Tempus adest floridum”
Spring has now unwrapped the flowers,
Day is fast reviving
Life in all her growing powers
Towards the light is striving:
Gone the iron touch of cold,
Winter time and frost time,
Seedlings, working trough the mould,
Now make up for lost time.

Herb and plant that, winter long,
Slumbered at their leisure,
Now bestirring, green and strong,
Find in their growth a pleasure:
All the world with beauty fills
Gold the green enhancing;
Flowers make glee among the hills,
And set the meadows dancing.

Through each wonder of fair days,
God himself expresses;
Beauty follows all his ways,
As the world he blesses:
So, as he renews the earth,
Artist without rival,
In his grace of glad new birth,
We must seek revival.

Earth puts on her dress of glee;
Flowers and grasses hide her;
We go forth in charity,
Brothers all beside her;
For, as man this glory sees,
In the awakening season,
Reason learns the heart’s decrees,
And hearts are lead by reason.

Praise the Maker, all ye saints;
He with glory girt you,
He who skies and meadows paints,
Fashioned by your virtue;
Praise him, seers, heroes, kings,
Heralds of perfections;
Brothers, praise him, for he brings
All to resurrection!

The multi-talended folk singer Jean Ritchie sings a lovely version of this song on the album “Carols for All Seasons,” track 10. I just love to hear this song with its original words (well, at least in English) accompanied by lap dulcimer, recorder and harpsichord.  And it is enthralling to participate in the ancient folk tradition of repurposing tunes and communicating through song.

Wenceslas was the Duke of Bohemia, now the Czech Republic.  He was a Christian in a time and place that was mostly pagan.  He was known for his generousity to the poor.

The Feast of Stephen is celebrated the day after Christmas.  Stephen is considered the first Deacon of the Catholic Church.  One role for a deacon is to care for the poor, so the purpose of the day is to give food, money and supplies to the needy.  In many parts of the world, it is also called “Boxing Day.” 

The song also mentions “St. Agnes’ Fountain.”  St. Agnes of Bohemia lived in the 13th century.  She was born to royalty, but spent her life not in the luxury of her station, but working to help others.

In the song, when King Wenceslas looks out, he sees someone in need on the Feast of St. Stephen, so he sets out to do what he can to help.

The text of John Mason Neale’s song is a little play.  The parts can actually be played out or sung by different people in a group.  Children love it if grown-ups dress the parts and participate in the action.  The charactors in the carol are the Narrator, Good King Wenceslas, the Page, and the Poor Man.

GOOD KING WENCESLAS
(Narrator)
Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about,
Deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shown the moon that night,
Though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight,
Gathering winter fuel.

(King)
Hither, page, and stand by me.
If thou know it telling:
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?

(Page)
Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain,
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes fountain.

(King)
Bring me flesh, and bring me wine.
Bring me pine logs hither.
Thou and I will see him dine
When we bear them thither.

(Narrator)
Page and monarch, forth they went,
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind’s wild lament
And the bitter weather.

(Page)
Sire, the night is darker now,
And the wind blows stronger.
Fails my heart, I know not how.
I can go no longer.

(King)
Mark my footsteps my good page,
Tread thou in them boldly:
Thou shalt find the winter’s rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.

(Narrator)
In his master’s step he trod,
Where the snow lay dented.
Heat was in the very sod
Which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure,
Wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing.

I like to to point out to the kids that the Poor Man is gathering logs for a fire to keep his home warm, that the King wants to give the Poor Man meat, wine and firewood, and that when the Page is trodding through the snow behind the King, the Page complains of getting so tired and cold.  The King tells the Page that to walks in his footsteps. The Page does so, feels the warmth from the King, and is able to carry on.

For singing along, if you don’t want to sing this one a capella, I suggest track 3 from “Classical Christmas” released by Allegro in 2004.  The key is comforatable for singing.  The pace is a little quick for turning the pages, but it can certainly be done.

A few days ago I was stuck in the car, a prisoner to another mundane and painful holiday road trip.  Listening to local talk radio, I found myself pondering this question: what would be revealed if the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come paid a visit on me?

It was Tuesday, November 24 and the breaking news was that Abe Pollin, Washington Wizards owner and local philanthropist died at the age of 85.  Washington D.C. lost an iconic figure and by all accounts an incredibly caring and generous man, leaving a deep chasm in the city he loved.  As I listened to countless personal tributes from people who had the pleasure of making Mr. Pollin’s acquaintance, I couldn’t help but be moved by the heartfelt stories of his life.

Mr. Pollin gave Washington, D.C. the gift of both an NBA and NHL franchise.  More importantly he singlehandedly revitalized an entire neighborhood of downtown Washington, D.C. when he built the Verizon Center with over $220 million of his own money.  He was adored by the people who worked for him and went out his way to help those in need.  Mr. Pollin spent much of his life donating time and money to causes that support those who are less fortunate.

I find a great deal of  irony in the timing of his death and I am left wondering if this type of generosity and good will is an endangered personal attribute in our overly materialistic and commercialized society.  I am also reminded that Christmas was once so special to me.  It meant so many things – family, peace to all, promise, good will, hope, love, and generosity.  It would seem that like many Americans I had forgotten. 

And so I contend that it is very fitting that Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol has been readapted into a motion picture, staring Jim Carey and released this holiday season.  We all know the story well.  Dickens’s classic tale is an indictment of nineteenth century industrial capitalism and greed.  Ebenezer Scrooge, the coldhearted and miserly money lending banker embodies many of the very attributes that caused the current mortgage and housing crisis and subsequent economic meltdown.  Two centuries later, the lesson remains timeless.

This year it is difficult to ignore the fact that the country is in economic turmoil.  Unemployment rates are high and for too many Americans keeping food in the cupboards is difficult.  This makes it hard to celebrate when Christmas has become an overly commercialized and materialistic holiday

A government report released this week cites that 49 million Americans do not have dependable access to adequate food this holiday season.  Food banks are seeing unprecedented demand with a 50% increase in requests for assistance in 2009.  The lines are growing and now contain more formerly middleclass Americans that until recently didn’t know what a food bank was. 

America’s food banks are in need of a bailout in the form of volunteers and donations this holiday season.  Few of us have the resources of Mr. Pollin, but time is a valuable gift that many of us can give if we make the effort. 

My family is blessed, so in the true spirit of Christmas, I asked my children to make an amendment to their material Christmas lists.  I challenged them to identify and perform one act of kindness and generosity this holiday season.  This can be a small donation of food, money or time, but hopefully it will serve as a life lesson that they personify and eventually pass on to their children.

We can all make a difference with very little time or effort.  The gift of giving to someone less fortunate should inspire us.  The fictional story of Ebenezer Scrooge or the real life generosity of Abe Pollin can serve as a Polaris to navigating through life in a manner that makes the world a better place to live. Make time this holiday season for something that benefits those in need and you may find reward in rediscovering the true meaning of Christmas.

Let me tell you how the schedule works for a tech week – at least here at Metropolis. It’s similar at most theatres.

Last Wednesday we had a spacing rehearsal – first time actors run show on set in the actual theatre.Thursday we had a cue-to-cue rehearsal, where we just run technical cues – lights, sound, fog, haze (there is a difference between fog and haze, I’ve learned). Sunday we had another cue-to-cue all day, and had our first dress rehearsal that night. Another Dress Rehearsal on Monday, Tuesday and Tonight. Tonight, the show’s big sponsor, The Peoples’ Bank of Arlington Heights, are invited to attend. It’s a little behind the scenes look at the show, if you will. Fun for them, good for us to have an audience. We’ll could have as few as 50 and as many as 250. We’ll see.

There’s not a night during tech week when actors left before 11 and the tech and design staff before 1:30 am. So, yeah. There’s that.

Friday is first preview, Saturday second preview, open Sunday at 4. Forgive me if this post is all business. I’ve got a lot on the mind. I’m excited. My front tooth no longer hurts. I’m low on sleep but high on Zicam and Orange flavored Gummy vitamin C bears.I

Had Carls’ Junior for lunchhhhhhhhh yesterday @ Vivo.
(Okay. I didn’t rotate it.)

Went to watch ‘A Christmas Carol’.

Not very nice, I’d say. :/
The story plot is similar to ‘Ghosts of Girlfriends’ Past’.
Having 3 ghosts of past, present and future.
Showing you what had happened / is happening / is going to happen.
And I don’t like the last spirit. It’s effing creepy because it’s a shadow.

——-
I tried watching 2012 online.
But it turned me off w. all the talkings in front.
So yeah. Didn’t finish it.

Me wanna watch ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’!
I saw the trailer and thought it was nice.

PLUS PLUS!
CHIPMUNKS 2 IS OUT SOON!

They have new female chipmunks!
Alvin and the two went, ‘WOW’!
It’s effing cute la!

——-
Enough of movie spam.
Moving on to K.

FT Island! They are freakin’ hilarious la!

Next uppppppppp: Embark Dream Team!
There’s Hyukkkkkie & Minho!
Me can’t wait to watch it.

BYE DARLINGS!

Director Robert Zemeckis after his successful “Polar Express (2004)” and “Beowulf (2006)” has taken his crush with 3D technology to the next level with a neat presentation of what greed can bring to a man in “A Christmas Carol”. The classic novel written by Charles Dickens has been adapted well on screen and this adaptation is quite different from the previous attempts made by our filmmakers. In fact this is a big budget animation tale which utilizes all available technology to the optimum level possible and the final product is a visual treat to watch. Read More

The holiday season is picking up here in South Limburg, even if we haven’t had a single flake of snow. So to get into the spirit ourselves, Dan & I hopped on the train to Valkenburg and followed the Kerstmarkt signs to the Fluweelengrot (Velvet Cave) for their annual underground Christmas market.

The Velvet Cave is one of two marl caverns in Valkenburg dug in the early 11th century to provide stone for the Valkenburg castle which now stands in ruins above the modern town. The network of tunnels were used over the centuries as secret passageways, a hiding place during multiple wars, and a platform for fantastic murals and sculptures carved into the soft stone. Today the cave can be visited on tour (Dutch with an English pamphlet), but once a year this hidden place is transformed into a themed holiday market. This year the theme is “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens and as you walk through the market you will find large-scale dioramas depicting important moments in the story.

A mix of wares hanging on the stone walls.

1902 Royal Family Commissioned Charcoal Mural.

Moody lighting around the Future Tomb of Scrooge.

Ayala Land’s Ayala Triangle Gardens showcases a gamut of Christmas activities in addition with the land’s more than a hundred trees, public art displays and courtyard.

LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW: From November 20 to December 23, Ayala Triangle Gardens will feature a nightly holiday light and sound show by acclaimed theater lighting director, Voltaire de Jesus and multi- awarded sound designer Jethro Joaquin. The show will run Mondays to Fridays for every 30 minutes from 6:00 to 7:30pm.

ART:

Christmas-inspired Sculpture pieces by Ovvian Castrillo-Hill entitled Rebirth, will be shown at the AyalaTriangle Gardens from November 20 to January 15, 2010.

Enjoy the cool Christmas breeze with kinetic Sculptures by Ral Arrogante entitled Christmas Breeze, will be on display at the Ayala Triangle Gardens from November 20 to January 15, 2010.

FILIPINO TRADITIONS:

Expect Courtyard Christmas Carols on November 25, December 2 and 7, and Wednesdays at 5:00pm.

There will be traditional Simbang Gabi on December 15 to 18 and 21 to 23, weekdays at 5:30 pm.

Relax with a cup of coffee or something light to munch on at the Ayala Triangle’s Courtyard Cafe featuring The Big Chill, Delifrance and Amici. Stores will be open on November 20 to December 23, Weekdays from 11:00am to 8:00pm.

STAY CONNECTED!
Ayala Triangle Gardens is a Wi-Fi Hotspot, powered by Globe.

ART FOR SALE:
Globe will provide information via SMS and MMS for the arts displayed in the Gardens through Art Talk. Art pieces are for sale and can be purchased with BPI Credit Cards.

Buy tickets for A Christmas Carol from Nottingham Theatre Royal.

Nottingham Theatre Royal Box Office: 0115 9895555

Information & Photos of Northern Ballet Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol.

Information on further events at the theatre, touch tours, audio described performances and workshops.

A Christmas Carol (Photo: Bill Cooper)

Please note, casts are subject to change without notice.

Tuesday, 17 November

Evening, 7.30pm

• Scrooge: Darren Goldsmith
• Young Scrooge: Christopher Hinton-Lewis
• Belle: Pippa Moore
• Bob Crachit: Hironao Takahashi
• Mrs Crachit: Nathalie Léger
• Ghost of Christmas Past: Julie Charlet
• Ghost of Christmas Present: Tobias Batley
• Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: Michael Berkin
• Nephew: John Hull
• Nephew’s Wife: Georgina May

Wednesday, 18 November

Evening, 7.30pm

• Scrooge: Christopher Hinton-Lewis
• Young Scrooge: Kenneth Tindall
• Belle: Martha Leebolt
• Bob Crachit: Tobias Batley
• Mrs Crachit: Dreda Blow
• Ghost of Christmas Past: Pippa Moore
• Ghost of Christmas Present: Yi Song
• Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: Graham Kotowich
• Nephew: Giuliano Contadini
• Nephew’s Wife: Hannah Bateman

Thursday, 19 November

Matinée, 2.30pm

• Scrooge: Sebastian Loe
• Young Scrooge: Hironao Takahashi
• Belle: Michela Paolacci
• Bob Crachit: Tobias Batley
• Mrs Crachit: Nathalie Léger
• Ghost of Christmas Past: Isabella Gasparini
• Ghost of Christmas Present: David Ward
• Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: Michael Berkin
• Nephew: Yi Song
• Nephew’s Wife: Victoria Sibson

Evening, 7.30pm

• Scrooge: Martin Bell
• Young Scrooge: Hironao Takahashi
• Belle: Michela Paolacci
• Bob Crachit: Kenneth Tindall
• Mrs Crachit: Victoria Sibson
• Ghost of Christmas Past: Ayana Kanda
• Ghost of Christmas Present: Christopher Hinton-Lewis
• Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: Graham Kotowich
• Nephew: Yi Song
• Nephew’s Wife: Martha Leebolt

Friday, 20 November

Evening, 7.30pm

• Scrooge: Sebastian Loe
• Young Scrooge: Hironao Takahashi
• Belle: Michela Paolacci
• Bob Crachit: Tobias Batley
• Mrs Crachit: Nathalie Léger
• Ghost of Christmas Past: Isabella Gasparini
• Ghost of Christmas Present: David Ward
• Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: Michael Berkin
• Nephew: Yi Song
• Nephew’s Wife: Victoria Sibson

Saturday, 21 November

Matinée, 2.30pm

• Scrooge: Christopher Hinton-Lewis
• Young Scrooge: Kenneth Tindall
• Belle: Martha Leebolt
• Bob Crachit: Martin Bell
• Mrs Crachit: Dreda Blow
• Ghost of Christmas Past: Isabella Gasparini
• Ghost of Christmas Present: David Ward
• Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: Michael Berkin
• Nephew: Yi Song
• Nephew’s Wife: Victoria Sibson

Evening, 7.30pm

• Scrooge: Darren Goldsmith
• Young Scrooge: Christopher Hinton-Lewis
• Belle: Pippa Moore
• Bob Crachit: Hironao Takahashi
• Mrs Crachit: Jessica Morgan
• Ghost of Christmas Past: Julie Charlet
• Ghost of Christmas Present: Tobias Batley
• Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: Michael Berkin
• Nephew: Kenneth Tindall
• Nephew’s Wife: Georgina May

Julie Charlet as the Ghost of Christmas Past and Darren Goldsmith as Scrooge in Northern Ballet Theatre's A Christmas Carol (Photo: Bill Cooper)

Buy tickets for A Christmas Carol from Nottingham Theatre Royal.

Nottingham Theatre Royal Box Office: 0115 9895555

Information & Photos of Northern Ballet Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol.

Information on further events at the theatre, touch tours, audio described performances and workshops.

Please note, casts are subject to change without notice.

Filmul asta – inca nu l-am vazut, sper sa am timp in weekend, intruneste trei caracteristici preferate mie: e cu Jim Carrey – comediile lui imi par geniale – e dupa Dickenson – eram mare fan cand eram mai mica – si e despre Craciun – ce frumos …
Revin cu feedback … dar eu il recomand de acum, am un “feeling” pozitiv ). Jim Carrey joaca 4 roluri diferite, iar modul in care sunt create personajele, decorul, scenariul, imi aminteste de Tim Bourton.
P.S.: E animatie!

I spent watching this Christmas movie on the middle of November, I thought it was gonna be fun in part because it was on 3D but at the end of the movie I realized that It was just a waste of money and didn’t get it at all, Maybe it was because I never read the book before, but certainty not gonna read it soon! 3D effects were awesome, that I must admit, I mean for a 36 million movie, that was expected.

I did not get that it was a Christmas movie until they put a subtitle saying “Christmas Day”. The movie was totally confusing, 1 1/2 HR of the movie talks about ghosts and how they torment this old guy. I didn’t understand most of what they were saying because they talked in kinda old English, Definitely Jim Carry was not made for this movie.

Conclusion: Spend $100 bucks on this night out and all I got was boredom and 1 pound more due to popcorn.

Studio Estimates for Nov. 13-15:

1.  2012 – $65 million
2.  A Christmas Carol – $22.3 million
3.  The Men Who Stare At Goats – $6.2 million
4.  Precious – $6.1 million
5.  This Is It – $5.1 million

–

Roland Emmerich has done it again with his recent end-of-the-world, disaster flick ‘2012.’  Over the weekend, the film grossed an estimate of $65 million.  This follows the success of Emmerich’s past disaster films ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ and ‘Independende Day.’ 

Meanwhile, A Christmas Carol grossed $22.3 million during its second weekend.  The Men Who Stare At Goats barely secured the third spot with $6.2 million. 

Securing the fourth spot was Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire.  Expanding from 18 to 174 theaters, the film grossed $6.1 million, which is the second-highest grossing weekend for a movie playing in less than 200 sites (Paranormal Activity is first). 

Rounding out the Top 5 was Michael Jackson’s This Is It grossing $5.1 million.

–

Check back next weekend when three new releases hit the theaters:  the highly anticipated Twilight sequel ‘New Moon’, the animated family film ‘Planet 51′ and the Sandra Bullock sports drama ‘The Blind Side.’

New in at Cinema Books:The Art of Disney’s A Christmas Carol by Diana Landau, $35.00 cloth.  Wonderful new making of book filled with images, sketches, special effects, character development and landscapes from the new retelling of Charles Dickens’ famous tale of Christmas redemption. Treat your favorite artist to this treasure or maybe you just want to know how they did it.

Mark your calendars! Thursday 10 December at 6:30 p.m. Great Ormond Street Hospital will be holding its 10th annual Christmas family carolling concert!
Join us at St. Paul’s Church for beautiful carols sung by the St. Paul’s choir, festive readings from Julian Fellowes and other well-loved stars, and spectacular musical numbers.
Don’t miss your chance to see Faryl Smith, chart topping classical and jazz artist, perform along with the winner of the school choir competition.
After the concert make your way over to the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge for an exclusive champagne and canapé reception. Entertainment for the children will be provided.
For the combined package of the concert and the reception, tickets cost £95 for adults and £40 for children. If you are interested in just going to the concert adult tickets costs only £45 and £20 for children
To purchase your tickets, email The Special Events Team (carol.concert@gosh.org) or call 020 7239 3004.