Mary Poppins Returns

Have a Chim Chiminey Christmas
By Mike Kemble

The countdown is officially on. Christmas is almost upon us and we can start to think about who will be around the table come the twenty-fifth. Planning the days activities is part of the fun and this year why not partake in a family film-day sing-along. It’s all the rage didn’t you know? Cinematic musicals have been thrusted into the lime-light once again through the unbelievable success of The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron.

However, be prepared for an avalanche of light-hearted laughter and tears as a boom in similar musical extravaganzas takes place in 2019.You’ll no longer be able to delight in the peaceful joy of film-going concentration centred on the screen in front of you. Oh no, instead you will be ushered into being an active participant as the audience erupts at every given opportunity to sing to their hearts content. It really isn’t for everyone and special screenings are now in place, though this hasn’t stopped the die-hards from belting out their favourite numbers.
Timing is everything and the biggest musical experience is around the corner as Mary Poppins Returns hits the big screens over the festive period, giving the whole family the opportunity to take a trip out to the multiplex and join-in all the fun. It’s not a cheap day out by any means but the experience of singing and dancing in a packed- out theatre with like-minded people can do wonders for the soul. Better still, why not bring the fun to your own home this year and instead of that boring board game you get out once a year, find yourself a copy of  The Greatest Showman, print-out the lyrics to each song and enjoy with all the family. It’ll liven-up the days proceedings and have you connecting with family and friends like you wouldn’t believe. Give it a go! Get your Christmas jumpers on and have a sing-a-ling-a-ling Christmas to remember.
Films to watch over the coming months…

Prospect (2nd November): Set in the distant future, this sci-fi drama pits a young girl and her father in a fight for survival when they travel to a remote alien moon to source some hidden gems, only to find that others are looking to do the same and will stop at nothing to gain the riches available to them all.

Fantastic Beasts:The Crimes of Grindelwald (16th November):
The second installment from J.K.Rowling post Harry Potter, sees Newt Scamander enlisted again to thwart the evil deeds of the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in what looks to be a riveting action-adventure for all the family.

Creed II (21st November): Sylvester Stallone is back as Rocky Balboa in this boxing melodrama, which sees a fall from grace for the young boxer Adonis Creed, before their true loyalty and friendship propel them to reach for the top again.
Mary Queen of Scots (7th December): Saoirse Ronan (Mary) and Margot Robbie (Elizabeth) star in this bewitching tale of friendship and betrayal as the competing Queens fight for sovereignty over the people of Scotland and England, changing the course of history forever.
Mary Poppins Returns (19th December):
More than 54 years have passed since the original Mary Poppins and some of the previous crew are back along with an assortment of new and colourful characters, with the delightful Emily Blunt taking the reins as the enigmatic nanny Mary Poppins.A sing-along shoo-in for the Christmas number one spot surely.
Have a lovely family Christmas everybody and I’ll see you next time for all the 2019 new releases!
Mike