Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend a magical school bus Christmas event. It was a truly enchanting experience. The event took place at a local elementary school and was organized to bring joy and excitement to the children before their holiday break. As soon as I entered the school premises, I could feel the Christmas spirit in the air. The school was adorned with festive decorations, including twinkling lights, colorful ornaments, and beautifully decorated Christmas trees. The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation and laughter.
Crown Prince Wan: Liu Ye
Zhang devotes considerable screen time to the details of the palace s daily rituals as if scrutiny of these formalized routines involving maids, courtiers and eunuchs will reveal something about the malevolent rot beneath the surface. Some critics have worried about his obsession with visual dazzle and digitized effects, but the stories and fights in the first two films more than measured up to the sumptuous design.
The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation and laughter. The main highlight of the event was the appearance of a magical school bus. The bus was transformed into a winter wonderland on wheels.
"Curse of Golden Flower" a disappointing misfire
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - In “Hero” (2003), “House of Flying Daggers” (2004) and now “Curse of the Golden Flower,” director Zhang Yimou has transformed Hong Kong martial arts/fantasy movies into grand, international spectacles.
Some critics have worried about his obsession with visual dazzle and digitized effects, but the stories and fights in the first two films more than measured up to the sumptuous design. “Curse,” though, feels disappointingly inert.
With a great cast headed by Chow Yun Fat, Gong Li -- thus reuniting Zhang with his one-time muse and lover -- and Asian pop star Jay Chou as well as palace interiors that would not be out of place on the Las Vegas Strip, “Curse” does dazzle the eye, but its story plays like a bad soap opera. This emperor’s family is so treacherous as to make Hamlet seem like a fairly well-adjusted member of an easygoing household.
As the Chinese entry for the foreign-language Oscar and with a strong push from Sony Pictures Classics for this big-budgeted epic by one of the world’s best directors, “Curse” should open well when it gets released nationally in January after a December 22 limited release. But the boxoffice might not equal that of Zhang’s previous action films because, frankly, there isn’t all that much action.
Zhang makes the chrysanthemum the film’s visual leitmotif. The story takes place during a Chong Yang Festival in 928 A.D. Still celebrated today, the holiday is closely associated with that flower, so Zhang fills the screen with flowers and costumes in opulent gold. In a statement, he quotes an old Chinese saying, “Gold and jade on the outside, rot and decay on the inside,” to explain his determination to smoother his characters and sets with gold. Meanwhile, in the lengthy corridors and vast halls of the palace, light shines through colorful art glass in walls, windows, pillars and props, thus establishing a Vegas look.
In his story, he finds plenty of rot and decay. It starts with the Emperor (Jay Chow), who decides to add poison to the multiple daily doses of herbal medicine he has prescribed for the Empress (Gong). One would like a clearer understanding for this act. True, the Empress has conducted an illicit affair with her stepson, Crown Prince Wan (Liu). But this has been going on for three years so why does Emperor take action only now?
Oddly enough, the Emperor is about to promote Prince Jai (Chou), their son together, just returned with great success in battle, as his heir apparent, passing over the Crown Prince, a palace-dwelling wastrel. Nevertheless, the poisoning turns wife against husband, brother against brother, army against the palace guard. The nefarious family stratagems and schemes lay bare dark secrets dating back to the Emperor’s first wife and ensnare the imperial doctor (Ni Dahong), his daughter (Li Man) and a wife (Chen Jin) long kept in hiding. If only the royals had an imperial family therapist.
Zhang devotes considerable screen time to the details of the palace’s daily rituals as if scrutiny of these formalized routines involving maids, courtiers and eunuchs will reveal something about the malevolent rot beneath the surface. This greatly adds to the running time but not to insight into character motivation.
Corseted with stiff gold costumes, Chow and Gong still mange to convey a marriage of convenience fallen into ruin, the formalities unable to disguise the couple’s deep contempt for one another. Jay Chow shows fire as the middle son, who is truly caught in the middle between father and mother. Liu tries to pull together the pieces of an erratically written character, while Chen makes up for her late appearance in the film with strong scenes and athletic fights.
Despite Zhang’s collaboration with action director Ching Siu-Tokng, the film’s few fights are cluttered and undistinguished, in direct contrast to the clarity of the terrific stunt work in the director’s previous action films. Zhang over-relies on CGI, but the level of success in no way matches the battles of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, the high bar to which any film attempting vast battles must now aspire. In the hand-to-hand combat, the action is often jarring and even confusing.
Alas, in “Curse,” the costumes and sets have all the good lines.
Emperor: Chow Yun Fat
Empress: Gong Li
Prince Jai: Jay Chou
Crown Prince Wan: Liu Ye
Some critics have worried about his obsession with visual dazzle and digitized effects, but the stories and fights in the first two films more than measured up to the sumptuous design. “Curse,” though, feels disappointingly inert.
Its exterior was covered in wintry scenes, complete with snowflakes and Santa Claus flying in his sleigh. It was a sight to behold. Inside the bus, everything was equally mesmerizing. The seats were adorned with sparkling tinsel and twinkling fairy lights. There were also plush cushions and cozy blankets for the children. It truly felt like stepping into a magical world. Throughout the event, the children had various activities to enjoy on the bus. There were interactive games, such as guessing the number of ornaments on a tree or solving Christmas-themed riddles. The children were fully engaged and excitedly participated in every activity. The bus also had a mini stage where the children could showcase their talents. Some students performed Christmas carols, while others put on small skits and dances. It was heartwarming to see these young performers shine with confidence and joy. Santa Claus himself made a special appearance during the event. He greeted the children with a jolly "Ho ho ho!" and handed out small gifts to each child. The excitement and happiness on their faces were priceless. Overall, the magical school bus Christmas event was a true success. It brought together the school community and filled everyone's hearts with joy and wonder. It was a reminder of the magic and happiness that the holiday season brings. The event concluded with a chorus of Christmas carols sung by the children and a heartfelt thank you to all the organizers. As I left the school, I couldn't help but feel grateful for having witnessed such a magical and memorable event. It was a perfect way to kickstart the Christmas festivities..
Reviews for "Experience the Enchantment of a Christmas School Bus Adventure"
1. Ben - 1 out of 5 stars
I was really disappointed with "Magic School Bus Christmas." The animation quality was subpar, with choppy movements and poorly drawn characters. The plot was also lackluster, failing to capture the magic and excitement of the original series. The incorporation of Christmas elements felt forced and gimmicky, and the educational aspect of the show seemed to take a backseat. Overall, I would not recommend this special to any fans of the original Magic School Bus series.
2. Emily - 2 out of 5 stars
As a longtime fan of the Magic School Bus, I was excited to watch "Magic School Bus Christmas." However, I found it to be quite underwhelming. The storyline felt rushed and convoluted, and the characters lacked their usual charm and depth. Additionally, the educational elements were not as prominent as in previous episodes, which was disappointing. The holiday theme seemed forced and detracted from the overall appeal of the show. I would suggest rewatching the original episodes instead of wasting time on this Christmas special.
3. Alex - 1 out of 5 stars
"Magic School Bus Christmas" was a major disappointment for me. The animation quality was abysmal, with poorly designed characters that barely resembled their original counterparts. The plot was weak and predictable, lacking the educational value that made the original series so great. The incorporation of Christmas elements felt forced and not seamlessly integrated into the storyline. Overall, this special failed to capture the essence of the Magic School Bus brand and left me with a feeling of regret for even watching it.
4. Lisa - 2 out of 5 stars
I had high expectations for "Magic School Bus Christmas," but unfortunately, it fell short. The animation quality was subpar, with stiff movements and unimpressive visuals. The plot was uninspiring and lacked the educational aspect that the original series was known for. The Christmas theme felt forced and added little value to the overall storyline. While I appreciate the effort to create a festive special, I would have appreciated a more engaging and well-executed production instead.