‘TIS THE SEASON
The holidays are here and there’s one tradition that continues to endure and delight year after year. It’s “The Nutcracker,” and from Malibu to the Music Center the Christmas magic can be seen all over town. The Malibu Civic Ballet returns to the Smothers Theater at Pepperdine on Dec. 9, 10 and 11. The production features a full cast of local dancers in all their finery and supports the Malibu arts community.
The Los Angeles Ballet will be on their toes at UCLA’s Royce Hall on Dec. 17 and 18, while the famed Joffrey Ballet puts on its own glittering performance at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The Joffrey will hold six performances Dec 1 through 4. It’s part of the Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center’s 2011-2012 season and will feature music by the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra.
But no matter where you go to catch a show, it’s guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit.
HOLIDAY FLICKS
The holiday movie season is in full swing and you’ll find a whole lot of locals coming to a theater near you. Leonardo Di Caprio kicked things off a few weeks back with the critically acclaimed “J. Edgar.” It offers a fascinating look at the man who ran the FBI for nearly five decades. Di Caprio and director Clint Eastwood are already generating a big Oscar buzz.
Next Friday look for Bruce Willis in “Catch 44.” Naturally, it’s an action flick, which has become the “Die Hard” star’s specialty. Bruce plays opposite Forest Whitaker. Jeremy Piven has a drama of his own. “I Melt With You” tells the story of a group of college friends who meet up for an annual get-together, but the weekend spirals out of control.
Malibu beauty Halle Berry will grace the screen in “New Year’s Eve” along with a knockout ensemble cast including Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sara Jessica Parker, Katherine Heigl, Zac Efron, Jon Lithgow and Hilary Swank, to name a few. With a director like Garry Marshall, how can you go wrong?
Three period films are on tap. “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” brings the TV miniseries and John le Carre novel to the big screen and stars Colin Firth. History buffs will be lining up for “W.E.,” the story of King Edward VIII, who abdicated in order to marry a twice-divorced American named Wallis Simpson. The film is directed by Madonna. Meryl Streep meantime, is sure to put in a command performance when she portrays Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady.”
Robert Downey Jr. is back as sleuth Sherlock Holmes in “A Game of Shadows.”
On Dec. 21 Steven Spielberg brings us “The Adventures of Tintin.” The American version of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” is also out. It’s based on the blockbuster novel and stars Daniel Craig. On Christmas day, Stephen Spielberg has a second holiday film called “War Horse” and Tom Hanks will be starring in “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.” It all wraps up on Dec. 30 with locals Jeremy Piven and Mira Sorvino, who appear in “Angels Crest.” See you at the movies!