Limelight: The best time of the year By Lubna Abdel Aziz This is a time both joyful and tender! As we lapse into a fond reverie of the passing year, we clutch onto happy ideas in a harmony of celebration. Whatever religion, colour or creed, our thirst for amusement and our love for merriment helps us immerge into the splendid trappings of this season of rejoicing. Family and friends plan a variety of activities, parties and outings, in an effort to recapture the warm sentiments battered and bruised throughout the year. There is a mysterious magic in the air, and we stretch our arms to embrace it, through fantasy and make-believe. Some head to the opera, to thrill one more time to Tchaikovsky's popular" Nutcracker Ballet Suite"; others choose to exult in the tale of epiphany of one Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Most of us head to the cinema, with children in tow. Films provide an exhilarating escape for millions of children with parents in tow. The silver screen offers the utmost magic, and this is the year's high season, time to display the best of the best. The allure of film is not simply the visual splendour on the screen, but it is the excitement and expectation to reach another dimension, to share a common memory, in the silent dark. Some of our precious Christmas memories are derived from Christmas movies. It was over half a century ago when the best Christmas movie was produced: "It's A Wonderful Life" (1946). Now, films with a Christmas theme are dwindling in number and substance. Over 20 films have been saved for a Christmas release, some interesting, some boring, none mythic, magnetic or hypnotic. Will the twice Oscar-winner Tom Hanks give us another 'Philadelphia", or "Forest Gump"? His teaming up with mega-star Julia Roberts was a dud. This season he stars with another Oscar-winner, Sandra Bullock in a post 9/11 drama, which follows the journey of a 9-year- old boy, as he attempts to solve a family mystery. "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" was directed by Stephen Daldry. Colin Firth, last year's Oscar winner, heads an impressive ensemble cast in a Cold War thriller about spies. Spy movies are forever intriguing, particularly when they are launched by the British Secret Intelligence Service. Britain is on the track of five spies, with codenames as only M16 can come up with. "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy", was directed by Tomas Alfredson. Another British theme, "The Iron Lady" is an intimate portrait of the only female Prime Minister of the UK, Margaret Thatcher. Superbly acted by Meryl Streep, Oscar is buzzing already. The joy of Christmas may have to wait till "New Year's Eve", director Gary Marshall's (Pretty Woman) contribution to the season. His luminous cast of Halle Berry, Michelle Pfeifer, Hilary Swank, Jessica Biel, Ashton Kutcher, Jon Bon Jovi is a sure winner. Did I fail to mention Robert De Niro? One can hardly wait for New Year's Eve, but there is no guarantee it will become a classic. If you long for the classics, with their dripping sentiment and warm humanity, there is some consolation. Rent those Christmas classics, or find them on TV listings, curl up in your warmest socks and enjoy. You probably have seen them all, and know exactly what happens next. Yet you anticipate the magic moments with joy, therein lies the substance that makes a classic, The theme, the texture, the balance and the universal humanity makes the perfect film experience. Can we ever get enough of the classics? We may have different tastes, different lists, but some are standard favourites, and topping the list is Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life". The story of a small town good guy coping with hard times, strikes a fundamental chord of universal inspiration. It cannot be Christmas without "Miracle on 34th Street", (1947), a charming fantasy that embodies a child's belief in Santa Claus. An adorable Natalie Wood at 9, adds to the perfection of this enduring seasonal favourite. Directed by George Seaton, it remains the perfect holiday classic, despite all the remakes. Among the new classics is "Home Alone" (1990), the fun-filled adventure of a boy left alone during the Christmas holidays. It is every boy' s fantasy to defend himself against robbers, and come out on top. Director Chris Columbus guarantees 103 minutes of continued laughter. Some of the most memorable film moments debuted on TV as cartoons, and have become part of Christmas lore�ê��ê�..among them A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (try the old Boris Karloff version). We kept the best for the last, Charles Dickens' timeless fable, A Christmas Carol. Written in 1843, the story continues to capture the imagination of generations ever since, whether in book form, on stage or on screen. An enchanting screen adaptation ( 1951) stars Alistair Sims, rated the best Scrooge ever. Give a try to the 1984 colour version, with Gerorge C. Scott, who challenges Sim for the paragon of mean. Most of us may never go through the epiphany of Scrooge, but how we love to watch the transformation of a bitter old man, consumed by greed, who becomes warm, generous, loving and giving. It is the ultimate tale of redemption and forgiveness, the decisive triumph of good over evil�ê�. Such are the moments we cherish in childhood, and in the twilight of our years. Happy viewing to all who take time to rejoice! At Christmas play and make good cheer For Christmas comes but once a year -- Thomas Tusser (1524-1580)
