Get wild with 'Jungle Book'
Were you raised by wolves? For most kids (and many adults), the answer might be, "I wish" - especially if they've read The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling's stories of the fantastic adventures of Mowgli, a child abandoned in the woods. Nurtured and taught by wild animals, in
Were you raised by wolves?
For most kids (and many adults), the answer might be, "I wish" - especially if they've read The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling's stories of the fantastic adventures of Mowgli, a child abandoned in the woods. Nurtured and taught by wild animals, including those wolves, Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther, Kaa the snake, and a gang of monkeys - all the while dodging the tiger Shere Khan - Mowgli learns valuable life lessons that can apply in any jungle. (A playground, say. Or an office.)
The Arden's fine adaptation, by Greg Banks, with five actors playing the roles, finishes up.
Big guy
One of the great animated films of our time, The Iron Giant, sets Ted Hughes' story of a massive alien robot fallen to earth in Maine during the Cold War. The metal man, who forgets his original martial purpose, is found by a young boy who hides the creature and teaches him a moral code from superhero comics. When the army attacks, will the machine's defensive programming overcome the human connection? (Hint: He is now a hero, "not a gun.") The 1999 classic screens at the Roxy.
Sweet cause
Let us consider a true-life hero: Alexandra Scott, a.k.a. Alex, who battled pediatric cancer for almost all of her 8 years. Starting in her home state of Connecticut when she was 4 and continuing after she moved to Wynnewood with her family, she ran Alex's Lemonade Stand to raise money for research to help other children. By the time she died in 2004, she had raised $1 million and started a movement that continues, with more than $100 million raised.
How can you be a part of it? This weekend is the nationwide Alex's Lemonade Days. Look around for a place near you to raise a glass in Alex's memory, or go to the website to donate.