December 05, 2010
Inception
The summer’s trippy blockbuster is finally flying into stores this Tuesday on DVD. Those who spent more time ogling the wardrobes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Joseph Gordon-Levitt than following the dream sequences and twisted plot can rewind and rewatch to their heart’s content. Once again, Christopher Nolan proved he’s head and shoulders above other contemporary directors. Aside from raking in nearly $300 million at the box office, the mindbender also wooed the majority of critics. Throw in the expected Oscar noms, and you”ve got the film of the year.
A Charlie Brown Christmas, ABC, December 7, 8pm
It’s hard to believe it’s the 45th year on air for Charlie, the Peanuts gang, and Snoopy. Nevertheless, they”re returning this week, dragging that shaggy Christmas tree behind them. The story resonates even more with time: Charlie’s fed up with the tree-trimming, lavish gifts, and the spectacle of the holidays. He wants to do something capital-m Meaningful. As he tries to discover what the holiday is really about, there’s the obligatory reading from the Gospel of Luke, caroling, decorating the scrawny tree, and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Ah, it’s finally beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.
Aziz Ansari Live!, Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino, Las Vegas, December 11
After a lengthy tour last year, Aziz Ansari, the funnyman who plays Tom Haverford on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, is heading out for four stand-up shows in Las Vegas, New York, Connecticut, and Atlantic City. If his hilarious Twitter is any indication, the show is a must for comedy fans. His stand-up touches on everything from clubbing with Kanye West to high thread count sheets. In addition to playing the witty straight man on Amy Poehler’s show, he’s also starred in Funny People, I Love You, Man, and Observe and Report. Anyone not able to head to Vegas on a moment’s notice can pick up his stand-up DVD Aziz Ansari: Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening
Standing on Ceremony, Largo at the Coronet, Los Angeles, December 5 & Monday nights in January
The Prop. 8 battle is still playing out daily on cable news shows despite the vote two years ago which struck down recognizing gay marriage in California. Who’s for and against? What are the biggest arguments? Anyone left to come out in favor of it? Now the fight is getting its time in the cultural spotlight in the coming months. The gay-themed short play collection “Standing on Ceremony” is returning to an intimate theater in Los Angeles with shorts by Neil LaBute, Doug Wright, Kathy Najimy, and more. There’s a dose of star power to go with the powerful message: Jason Ritter, Hamish Linklater, Camryn Manheim, Jean Smart, and more will star this week. And even better, profits from ticket sales go to the American Foundation for Equal Rights and Equality California. Fight on.
The Fighter
After a few career missteps (see: The Lovely Bones, The Other Guys) Mark Wahlberg is back with a boxing movie whose quality is more on par with The Departed than the box-office bomb Max Payne. He stars with an emaciated Christian Bale and Amy Adams in the drama based on the real life of boxer “Irish” Micky Ward. It’s gunning for noms come awards season and Wahlberg’s boy-makes-good boxer is the inspirational stuff Oscar voters eat up. Bale is astounding as his crack-addicted half-brother Dicky, who doubles as his inefficient trainer. Marky Mark also produced the film, Three Kings” David O. Russell directs.
