Down Time

Article courtesy of Michelle Freneaux.

A troubling statement I’ve heard for many years is, “There’s nothing to do in Central.” Now, as the article 7 Simple Ways to Stay Involved in Central has pointed out, there is plenty to do, especially for the community-minded individual. But what does that hard-working volunteer do in his (or her) free time? I’ve decided to share a few of my own ideas and recommendations.

Go to the movies. I know the movies can be expensive, so I recommend seeing a matinee. One of the big shows currently out is Alice in Wonderland (though it won’t be out much longer!). If you haven’t seen it yet, you may want to read on before you make a decision.

Alice in Wonderland, directed by Tim Burton, is a quirky, dark take on the classics Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. There are some elements of this movie that are unfamiliar to the people who grew up with the Disney version, because they include the latter book. But don’t worry; the movie does well in combining the two stories into one without confusion.

Visually, the movie is enchanting. I chose (and will probably always choose) not to see it in 3D, both to save money and because movies in 3D have the likelihood of making an audience member a touch seasick. Still, I was enthralled by the dark detail of the entire show. Even the palace of the White Queen (the good guy) was a little dark and odd, something we’ve come to expect from Tim Burton.

The storyline was interesting enough, with compelling characters. The movie fell a few inches short of hitting the “classic” level, focusing a bit too much on appearances and not quite enough on character interaction. Still, there were some absolutely charming moments between Alice and the Mad Hatter and between some of the more minor characters, as well. It was obvious that each actor had truly committed to his role, and enjoyed playing it.

But is it family-friendly? It can be. Do not take a young child to see this movie. It is, after all, rated PG. There are monsters, a moat full of bodies (not gory, just creepy), and some intense chase scenes. This combined with the dark visual effects is, in my opinion, too much for a little kid. However a 10- or 11-year-old may really enjoy the movie. The scary parts are few and far between, and the movie does address some life issues. If you feel your child is aware enough to keep the dark fantasy of the movie separate from reality, go ahead and bring them. You may find something you enjoy, as well.

I truly recommend this movie for anyone who is a fan of the Tim Burton – Helena Bonham Carter – Johnny Depp trio, and for anyone who has always wanted to see that dark, brooding side of Alice in Wonderland. This movie is made for the high school – college age groups, but that doesn’t mean a mom or dad won’t enjoy it.

Rent a movie. It’s far cheaper than an outing to the movies, and there are video rental stores easily accessible in Central, meaning you save the gas money you would have spent driving to O’Neal or the Mall of Louisiana. You can also make it a night for family or friends by cooking dinner or having a potluck-style evening. The point of a night in is to save money, so don’t go broke putting this on.

Family Night. If by some crazy circumstance you haven’t seen it yet, rent Up. I say “crazy circumstance” because I would call this movie the best result of a Disney-Pixar production I have ever seen. And I’ve seen almost all of them. Chances are, if you have a young child, you’ve seen it, and probably own it. If you haven’t seen it, go out right now and rent it! Up won 2 Oscars in 2009: Best Animated Film and Best Original Score. This movie is a perfect combination of real-life issues and fantasy. Everyone will get something out of it. Little kids go on and on about the talking dogs, and even proud grandparents who would really sit through anything their grandchildren pick out can be entertained by this one (mine loved it!). It is rated PG “for some peril and action.” The characters do get into some pretty intense situations, but the “bad guys” are an elderly man and some very entertaining dogs. I would say many younger kids could enjoy this, as long as the parent agrees. The movie is uplifting, full of adventure, and just fantastic enough to keep everyone engaged the entire time.

Date Night. So you want to do something with your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/person you’re really interested in but there’s nothing “official” yet, but you know Sammy’s is packed and you really can’t afford the gas to go out to Baton Rouge to see a movie. Order takeout or a pizza, or, if you’re really adventurous, cook dinner, and rent a movie. My date-night recommendation this week is Once. Let me start this by saying the movie is rated R “for language,” and rightfully so. If you have a problem with language used in movies, do not rent this one. If you can get past the language, Once is a charming movie about love and music. The movie is independent, mostly filmed on a little handheld camera, but you get none of the amateurish shaky hand you see in many other indie movies. The whole thing is realistic and overall uplifting. It takes place in Dublin, Ireland, and the actors all have pretty thick accents. I’m a little embarrassed to say that I had to watch it with the subtitles on, but not so embarrassed that I won’t suggest you do it, too. The show is full of music and won an Oscar for Best Song in 2008. If you like music or romance in any of your movies, I recommend Once.