December 15, 2011
The Berkshire Beacon
The Muppets are back and they still warm the soul
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Girl-2-Girl Treasure Life
Bera Dunau Beacon Staff Writer
The Muppets is nothing short of a triumph. Few movies succeed as completely as the new Muppets movie does. Animated by a tightly plotted, well written story, excellent songs, and the brilliant humor one would expect from the Muppets franchise, The Muppets is filled with content that both stands on its own, and richly benefits from the glow of nostalgia. One of The Muppets’ greatest strengths is how skillfully it appeals to the different sections of its audience. The Muppets, which have been around for over forty years and have enjoyed numerous TV and movie appearances, are beloved American cultural icons. But, like any cultural icons, The Muppets have different significance sfor different groups of people. Some fans of the Muppets grew up on the original Muppet Show in the 1970’s, while others were introduced to the characters through the Muppets feature films, and still others only know the Muppets from their appearances on Sesame Street. As such, while some Muppets fans have an encyclopedic knowledge of the characters, others have only a few fond memories from seeing a couple of their movies when they were younger. The people behind The Muppets had to create a new film that was able to satisfy this wide spectrum of Muppets aficionados, while still entertaining those being introduced to the Muppets for the first time. Fortunately, The Muppets has the perfect entry point for both first and long time viewers. That entry point is the new character of Walter, who along with his brother Gary; played by Jason Segel, who also co-wrote the script, is a resident of the town of Smalltown. Walter is a Muppet, while Gary is a human, but this doesn’t cause anyone in the film to so much as bat an eye, setting the tone for the rest of the film. Growing up, the Muppets and their show were an inspiration to Walter that, along with the sup-
Janel Harrison Beacon Staff
Credit / Walt Disney Pictures
Jason Segal joins the Muppets crew for this latest children’s classic, in theaters now. port of his brother, helped him to get through the difficult times in his life. One of the other greatest things about The Muppets is that it is filled with little details. What each of the Muppets have been up to since the group disbanded, the subtle call backs to previous films, the graying of Fozzie bear’s eyebrows, all conspire to draw the audience deeper into the narrative. The Muppets also happens to have one of the finest collections of cameos ever assembled. From Mickey Rooney and Dave Grohl to Sarah Silverman and Whoopi Goldberg, to Jack Black, Neil Patrick Harris and Selena Gomez, even the briefest of cameos in the Muppet movie are entertaining and memorable. It also helps, that everyone in the The Muppets seems nothing short of thrilled to be in this film. The craftsmanship of The Muppets is also fantastic. While the focus of the movie is on the Muppets and their efforts to get their theater back, the movie never forgets about Walter, Gary and Mary. Their story is essential to the arc of the film, and is given ample screen time to develop, while not taking too much of the limelight away from the Muppets
themselves. Were this balance tipped more either way, the result would have made the film significantly weaker, but The Muppets strikes it perfectly, and it is all the better for it. Fundamentally, however, what makes The Muppets work is its heart. The Muppets have always based their humor off of joy and an appreciation for life, in all its absurdity and all its craziness, and even though they are made of cloth, the Muppets highlight what is best in humanity. The Muppets shows that this is still very much the case, and that the Muppets are going to be around to bring happiness to yet another generation, while still continuing to entertain those who grew up with them. The new movie is also a testament to the luminous spirit of the Muppets late creator, Jim Henson, who truly brought something beautiful into this world all those years ago. So, whether you are a long time Muppets fan, or have never seen them in your life, I would highly recommend that you see The Muppets. It is the epitome of fun and is guaranteed to leave you with a smile.
George Bailey, one of my favorite characters in Frank Capra’s heartwarming classic It’s a Wonderful Life gazed down upon the dark, icy waters of Bedford Falls envisioning ending his life, when Clarence, a sweet, heavenly angel jumps in and saves him. As I sit here and write to you today, I am full of heartbreak for the loss of my friend… Where was his angel? For he has left a line of people in the shadows of darkness to mourn for him, and not just mourn, but he has left those closest to him “shattered” into a million shards of cutting glass cloaked in a black dress. So I ask myself the question why? Why does a person take his own life? Doesn’t he know how much the people that love him will hurt in his wake? Does he know that when he’s gone he will be missed beyond words? Does he know his loved ones will wholly fall apart and drift into unknown places, the darkness ensues, dangling on a thread over a vast emptiness, we are lost, and find nothing but oblivion? Does he know that sleep will be a stranger and that food a sword to the tongue, that breathing is a chore, and smiles only a memory? And if he knew of the immense pain he would cause, things surely would be different? This man, my friend with a playful, loving spirit, full of life and charm, and a great concern for others would never do such a thing! I could not have guessed him to be in so much pain, or to commit such a selfish act, but if all of us had been aware, it wouldn’t come to this right? “If I had only done this…” “What could I have done to stop it?” “If he truly loved me, how could he leave me alone?” “It’s my fault, I should have been this.” “If only time could be rewound I could fix this!” “How could he be so damn
selfish!” The tragic feelings of anger, guilt and longing inevitably tear us apart. I wish in my heart that my friend has found peace, that the light awaits him, his mom is extending her hand. I picture it… he’s smiling again? I hope. I started to think about how he filled his days, and what was in his heart? I pictured him alone in the night, problems of everyday finding him, confusing him, threatening him. He’s driving on a cold, snow fallen road below a dark, bleak sky. Depression can make us feel hopeless. Please for any so saddened and numb, if you are reading this, know that nothing could be so bad as to take your own life. Please seek professional help to guide you through more self discovery, that there is still so much love in the world, people who want to reach out to heal your wounds, that if you look to God in your sorrow, he will help you to rise above, enable you to breathe again, exist again, but mostly to find love, laughter and peace. Ok, we know there’s a lot of sadness and tragedy on this earth of ours, and sometimes when we are depressed it may seem like a way out, BUT IT’S NOT! It is only a way to drastically BREAK all those who love you, all those who have crossed your path. You are cheating yourself of heartfelt memories with friends and family, a magnificent sunset, a sparking rainbow. I find a lot of good in this world, sometimes I have to look for it, but it’s always there shining its light. My mom always told me life is a gift, like anything it may not be wrapped perfectly? To my special friend left in the dark, I wish you all the love and peace, but most of all, I wish you the faith in your heart and in God to find them. Frank Capra wrote it well, “It’s a wonderful life.” Now go live it… - Ciao Bell