As we get closer to Christmas, and kids are out of school and adults are taking vacation – let’s look at some things happening this weekend, whether they’re holiday related or not.
Three movies with big stars are opening. First, there’s QUEER with Daniel Craig as the exact opposite of James Bond. He’s getting Oscar buzz for going against type as a creeper trying to seduce every man he meets. This is a William S. Burrough’s book about a gay man living in Mexico. Jason Schwartzman wears a fat suit and beard, and makes you wonder why they didn’t just cast Jonah Hill. It’s boring, it meanders, and the characters are all uninteresting and rather annoying. My wife and I hated it. 1 star out of 5.
Jude Law is in THE ORDER, as an FBI agent hunting down a white supremacist group led by Nicholas Hoult (that “About A Boy” boy has been in a lot lately, now that he’s all grown up). The movie is getting some awards buzz, but aside from the good performances, there’s not much here you haven’t seen before, and Jude Law is overacting. The movie just didn’t hold our interest. 2 stars out of 5, although I should’ve given it another half a star for Law’s mustache.
The best movie of the bunch comes from former Scripps Ranch resident and Saturday Night Live cast member Kyle Mooney. He wrote an amazing film years ago called Brigsby Bear, and he co-wrote, directed, and stars in Y2K – one of those stoner comedies about a bunch of kids partying right before the new year in 1999. In this fictional story, all the computers and electronics do mess up, but in a big (and deadly) way. It reminded me of those funny party films that actually work (Super Bad, Project X, This is the End, etc.). It might be the one movie Rachel Zegler has been in that she doesn’t bad mouth! My wife and I were thrilled to see Julian Dennison (who was so great in “Hunt for the Wilderpeople”). He seemed to be channeling Jonah Hill. It also has a cameo that actually turns into more than just one or two scenes – and it’s hysterical (I never spoil who the cameos are from). 3 ½ stars out of 5.
And for those of you Netflix and chillin’ – and you didn’t get your fill with the Wicked musical – Netflix has an original musical you can see starting this weekend. It’s A NONSENSE CHRISTMAS with Sabrina Carpenter. This musical variety show will have her performing songs from her new Christmas album, as well as the standard Christmas tunes, plus lots of big name guests, including Shania Twain, Chappell Roan, Tyla, and again – Kyle Mooney. And I’m sure there will be a cameo from Mr. Claus.
Speaking of Santa, arguably the biggest Christmas event in San Diego starts FRIDAY at Balboa Park – DECEMBER NIGHTS. There’s a Family Zone, photos with Santa, light displays, musical performances, food, and more. If you don’t mind traffic and parking issues – this is the place to be.
Lights and lasers, with a lot less traffic, will be happening Saturday night. Artist Ben Guerrette works with visual and digital stuff, and he’s created six zones – reactive video, lasers, LED sculptures, and projection mapping. All of them deal with city life, and you can interact with the pieces. There’s also going to be a sound performance which will be creatively choreographed. That’s at THE QUARTYARD on Market Street in the EAST VILLAGE.
All weekend in the evening, in OCEANSIDE…it’s SnowSide: A FAMILY FRIENDLY WINTER FESTIVAL. There will be real snow, which means snowmen and sledding. And of course, Santa will be making an appearance. Lots of entertainment going on there.
With all the magic in the air, start the weekend with actual magicians – PENN & TELLER, who we’ve all seen in either Vegas, on Broadway, or on TV, will be bringing their show to HARRAH’S RESORT on FRIDAY night. Keep in mind, this is 18 and up, so you can’t bring the kiddos.
The kids also can’t see TONY HINCHCLIFFE, the Texas comedian and podcaster, who will be at PECHANGA RESORT & CASINO on FRIDAY night.
If you want to scare the kids, FRIDAY night you can go to the GASLAMP MUSEUM AT THE DAVIS HORTON HOUSE in downtown, for the GHOSTS OF THE GASLAMP tour. If you didn’t get enough scares for Halloween, historian and resident ghost hunter Sandee Wilhoit does the tour, taking you all around the Historic Gaslamp Quarter.
Speaking of scary, we were all creeped out by Stephen King’s MISERY (either the book or movie). Well, the Backyard Renaissance will be putting on the play “Misery.” Nothing like watching an actress on stage smash an author's feet so he can’t leave her. That’s at the TENTH AVENUE ARTS CENTER in the East Village all weekend long.
For music on stage, SUNDAY, you can see a tribute act I’ve seen a few times and loved, the Billy Joel tribute band BILLY NATION will be doing a “Christmas with the Piano Man” at the GRAND RITZ THEATER in Escondido. I wonder if he’ll sing: Honesty, is such a lonely word/When kids ask if Santa Claus is true…
If Billy Joel rattles that list in We Didn’t Start the Fire, just a little too fast for ya, we can slow things down with a few spoken word events. Local legendary author RICHARD LEDERER is doing an AMERICAN HISTORY FOR EVERYONE at the Hillcrest Library SATURDAY AFTERNOON. He’s written many interesting books and used to host “A Way With Words” – and I had a blast at a party at his house once, but I digress (fun fact: his kids are two of the best poker players in the world).
Bizarre filmmaker JOHN WATERS usually comes to town for his Christmas shows in December. Last year it was at the Casbah. This SUNDAY, it’s at LOU LOU’S JUNGLE ROOM at the LaFayette Hotel in NORTH PARK. Tickets are a bit pricey ($60 and $100), and if you’re not familiar with his shows or type of humor, find out first before you go. It’s not for the faint of heart.
You can end your weekend back in the Christmas spirit, with the LA JOLLA CHRISTMAS PARADE & HOLIDAY FESTIVAL. You’ll hear marching bands, see floats, classic cars, horses, Santa, and lots of other folks. There will be arts-and-crafts, face painting, games, lots of music and entertainment for the whole family.
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