A salute to small pleasures

So much about Christmas is about rituals, you almost hardly notice when new holiday habits take hold. By now, Christmas Eve, I have so overdosed on holiday themed music that Elvis, The Ronettes and Bing Crosby practically hurt my ears. Rankin-Bass DVDs rarely are unloaded from the living room player in December, and tears well in my eyes watching mere minutes of Alistair Sim or Jimmy Stewart as they suffer for my sins, year after year.

Speaking of Stewart, few performers hold a candle to his best work today. Except one, that is. Of course I’m referring to Tom Hanks.

Mr. Hanks can make even the most turgid script, The DaVinci Code for example, into very watchable entertainment.

Tom Hanks’ formidable talents are on display on our newest Christmas favourite, Robert Zemeckis‘ adaptation of The Polar Express. Few digitally animated films get as much of an emotional response from me.
The fantastical story urges its main character to BELIEVE. In an age where cynicism reigns, and commentators view the glass as perpetually Half Full, this simple and sweet sentiment replenishes the soul.
Merry Christmas, everyone.