Once a year pleasures

I know it's not an official date on the calendar, but December 1 is that date when you have "permission" to start watching Christmas movies again. (And also singing Christmas carols...) Miracle on 34th Street, The Santa Clause, While You Were Sleeping, and yes, Die Hard, are just a few of the Christmas movies that have made it onto my list in previous years.

A walk around the neighborhood shows me that I'm not the only one. What Christmas movies have you watched so far this month?

School's out

Schools are out here in Downey. That means it's time to find things to do for the next few months. For the younger children, that means parents must find activities for them. For the older ones, it means finding something that you can do with your friends and not need parental supervision. The movies at the Cinemark theater are the perfect answer for both groups.

Sounds of America

Last Wednesday evening the City of Downey put on a rooftop event on the top level of the parking structure behind the Krikorian Theater. It was the first in the rooftop concert series. The Swing Kings Band played music from the 40s. After the performance, a special screening of the movie Grease was shown.

I thought it was a great venue. You get to enjoy an evening above the town, watching the sun set, listening to music....does it get much better than this? Go to the city link to find out information about the next rooftop concert.

And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares that infest the day
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs
And as silently steal away.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Day Is Done

Imagine, dream, believe

Today the feature performers from the soon-to-be released 3D movie "Cirque du soleil, worlds away" appeared at Stonewood Center. They rode their "Vessel of Dreams" as they drew in the crowd, hoping to pique everyone's interest in going to see the movie when it comes out.

I had come to the mall to try to catch any of the sales that lasted past "Black Friday" so I could finish up my Christmas shopping. Luckily, cell phones have cameras (even if they aren't the greatest.). It was fun to take a quick break and watch the performers navigate their umbrellas (their "vessels of dreams") which slid across the floor without any apparent effort.  To see the trailer for the movie click here.

Anything good out?

I just recently went to the movies and really enjoyed it. I saw Battleship, which I thought would be just another gory guy film with guns, but turned out to be an exciting, lifelike take on the game "Battleship" that I used to play when I was little.

I can't remember the last movie I saw in the theater before this though. What was the last one you saw? Anything good coming soon to a theater near you?