COURTESY TYLER PERRY COMPANY
DIVERSIONS | film
Farcical, Seasonal Romp by Anita Modak-Truran
H
o, ho, no! She—really he, being it’s Tyler Perry—is back! Festive and smart in pearls and Mrs. Claus gear, Madea dishes out her special Christmas cheer and engages in naughty and nice repartee with Larry the Cable Guy. This film, which marks Perry’s 17th movie, may not be the darling of critic circles (so far scoring 16 percent on the Rotten Tomato meter), but it does what it sets out to do, which is to entertain those who want to be entertained by Perry’s style of Madea humor. One of the things Hollywood used to be good at was producing enjoyable, seemingly effortless screwball comedies such as “Big Momma’s House,” “Tootsie” and “Mrs. Doubtfire.” These movies were factory products and commercial as all get up and go, but took off into their own sphere of men-in-drag. Women trussed up as men, such as Barbra Streisand in “Yentl” or Julie Andrews in “Victor Victoria,” are serious affairs and don’t tweak the same funny bone. Methinks, like Shakespeare, that women and men pre-
tending to be women have much more fun than any version of male. Tyler Perry has capitalized on that, laughing all the way to the bank, ignoring the shards of criticism hurled at his Madea pictures. Headquartered in Atlanta and admirably working with local businesses and talent, Tyler Perry undeniably has created a formidable, super-sized screen persona. I joined the Madea fan club with “Diary of a Mad Black Woman.” Who doesn’t love a matriarch without a verbal filter? She says what we think, and then acts on her impulses. My favorite Madea moment is her Solomon-esque splitting of marital assets with a chainsaw. Madea has never been better than in “Diary of a Mad Black Women,” but she is always watchable. In “Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas” (as if we need reminding that Tyler Perry and Madea are one and the same), Madea takes a holiday job at an upscale department store at the urging of her niece Eileen (Anna Maria Horsford). When Lacey (Tika Sumpter), Eileen’s only child, says she can’t make it home for Christmas, Eileen and Madea hitch a ride with Lacey’s old boyfriend (J.R.
Tyler Perry (right, with Anna Maria Horsford) reprises his cross-dressing role of Madea for a silly seasonal romp in “Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas.”
Lemon) and road trip to the rural Alabama community where Lacey lives. Lacey has dumped city life for teaching in a struggling school. She holes up on a farm and has a good-looking country boy named Connor (Eric Lively)—or, as Madea says, “Coroner”—looking after her “crops.” Connor’s parents (Larry the Cable Guy and Kathy Najimy) arrive shortly after Eileen and Madea take over the house. Family tensions run high, a Christmas pageant is on the brink of ruin and Scrooge is not Madea, but Eileen, who has a hard time reconciling some black and white issues. Larry the Cable Guy and Najimy infuse some “Duck Dynasty”-esque laughs. Tika Sumpter and Eric Lively are bewitch-
ing to the eyes, and you can feel the camaraderie among the cast. What’s good about the Madea character is that it enables Perry to show a purely farcical side of himself, and he has some inspired moments. Madea’s telling of the birthing of Jesus to the little children is gut-wrenchingly funny. And when Madea smiles, Perry is more likeable as a movie star than he has ever been before. That doesn’t take away from the sappy sentimentality flowing through this movie like the sweet sugar high in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Perry’s the Frank Capra of our generation. Let’s hope that we’re not too cynical to want to see good things happen to all people.
Writing to Change Your World, at JFP Classroom (Capitol Towers, 125 S. Congress St., Suite 1324). Enroll in the winter series of Donna Ladd’s creative nonfiction classes. Classes meet Jan. 11, Jan. 18, Feb. 1, Feb. 15 and March 1 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Includes materials, light breakfast and evening wrap-up party. Registration required. $150-$150; call 601-362-6121, ext. 15; email class@writingtochange.com.
Third Thursday Art Reception Dec. 19, 5-8 p.m., at View Gallery (Township at Colony Park, 1107 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 105, Ridgeland). The monthly event features new artwork. Wine and cheese served. Free; call 601-856-2001; viewgalleryart.com.
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Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales Dec. 21, 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., at Mississippi Coliseum (1207 Mississippi St.). The stories of Cinderella, Snow White and Beauty and the Beast come to life in the performance. $15-$45; call 800-745-3000. Sky Shows through Dec. 31, at Russell C. Davis Planetarium (201 E. Pascagoula St.). Options include “George and Oatmeal Save Santa,” “The Planets,” “The Alien Who Stole Christmas,” “Rusty Rocket’s Last Blast” and “Season of Light.” Visit the website for a schedule. $5.50, $4.50 seniors, $3 children (cash or check); call 601-960-1552; thedavisplanetarium.com.
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December 18 - 24, 2013
Synergy Night Second Saturdays, 9 p.m., at Mediterranean Fish and Grill (6550 Old Canton Road) 99.7 FM WJMI DJ Maranda J hosts the open-mic and jazz event featuring live music. $10, $5 open-mic participants; call 956-0082; like Synergy Nights on Facebook.
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,)4%2!29 !.$ 3)'.).'3 Telling Tales Dec. 19, 10 a.m., at Old Capitol Museum (100 S. State St.). Mississippi First Lady Deborah Bryant reads. Free; call 601576-6920; email info@oldcapitolmuseum.com; oldcapitolmuseum.com. Writers Live! Dec. 19, noon, at Eudora Welty Library (300 N. State St.). Belinda Stevens signs and reads from “Just Out of Reach.” Free, books for sale; call 601-968-5807. Lemuria Story Time Saturdays, 11 a.m., at Lemuria Books (4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 202). Children enjoy a story and make a related craft. Call for book titles. Free; call 601-366-7619; email info@lemuriabooks.com; lemuriabooks.com.
#2%!4)6% #,!33%3 Events at Easely Amused (Trace Harbor Village, 7048 Old Canton Road, Suite 1002, Ridgeland). Registration required. Call 601-707-5854; email paint@easelyamused.com; easelyamused.com.
%8()")43 !.$ /0%.).'3 Events at Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.) through Dec. 31. Free; call 601960-1557, ext. 224. • VSA Community Art Group’s “High Time” Art Exhibit. See works from members of the group of adults with disabilities. • LEGO Jackson Exhibit. See Dr. Scott Crawford’s exhibit of Jackson landmarks built from LEGO blocks. • Tommy Reaves Art Exhibit. See the artist’s ceramic and painted works in the Upper Atrium.
American Pink Floyd (formerly Set the Controls) Dec. 20, 9 p.m., at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.). The Pink Floyd cover band has been performing since 2008. $15 in advance, $20 at the door; call 601-292-7999; ardenland.net.
• “Brushing Branches” Painting Class Dec. 21, 2-4 p.m. Make a painting of a Christmas tree with a paisley pattern. $28. • “Funky Christmas” Painting Class Dec. 21, 7-9:30 p.m. Create a holiday painting of ornaments and add glitter. $32.
Make a Joyful Noise 2013 Dec. 21, noon-6 p.m., at Metrocenter Mall (1395 Metrocenter Drive). Enjoy soloists, choirs and performance groups at Center Court. Free; call 601-9697633, ext. 22.
• Museum After Hours Dec. 19, 5 p.m. Enjoy a cash bar at 5 p.m. and exhibition tours at 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Intended for young professionals, but all ages welcome. Admission varies per exhibit.
Bellydancing Sundays, 5:30-6:45 p.m., at Butterfly Yoga (3025 N. State St.). Randi Young-Jerome to learn the basics of the popular dance. $10-$15; call 601-594-2313; butterflyyoga.net.
• Look and Learn with Hoot Dec. 20, 10:30 a.m. This educational opportunity ages 5 and under and their parents features a hands-on art activity and story time. Please dress for mess. Free.
Events at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). Call 601-960-1515; msmuseumart.org.
The Women of Fondren Holiday Art Show through Dec. 20, at The Cedars Historic Home (4145 Old Canton Road). See works from 14 artists including Roz Roy, Elizabeth Robinson and Sandra Murchison. Free; call 601-981-9606; fondren.org. Mississippi Artists’ Guild Fine Arts Exhibition through Dec. 31, at Madison Square Center for the Arts (2103 Main St., Madison). See the latest creations from guild members. Free; call 601-853-0291; mississippiartistsguild.org.
"% 4(% #(!.'% Inspire a Child Campaign through Dec. 31, at Mississippi Children’s Museum (2145 Highland Drive). The MCM seeks donations to continue programs such as lowcost field trips and outreach programs. Donations welcome; call 601-981-5469; mschildrensmuseum.com/supportus. Check jfpevents.com for updates and more listings. To add an event, email all details (phone number, start and end date, time, street address, cost, URL, etc.) to events@jacksonfreepress.com or fax to 601-510-9019. The deadline is noon the Thursday prior to the week of publication. Or add the event online yourself; check out jfpevents.com for instructions.