Entertainment

Games Santa can count on to please the “E” crowd

Since mid October, video games for all platforms have been launching faster than a yellow angry bird (aka “missile bird”) can cut through wooden blocks to destroy egg-stealing pigs. Word is even Santa and his elves are having difficulty keeping up with the barrage of releases this holiday season.

To assist Santas everywhere, we’ve organized new releases by gaming platform, rating and price. If you’ve got a gamer on your Christmas list, take note on the latest and greatest.

First time in Southeast Texas

Need that one more perfect gift to finish out your holiday shopping? The Lutcher Theater in Orange has just what you have been looking for this season. On Thursday, Dec. 29, you and your guests can see and hear the world famous Mannheim Steamroller at either the 4 or 7:30 p.m. performance. America’s favorite Christmas music artists, with their spectacular and beloved holiday show, will take the Lutcher stage and own the evening with their electrifying presentations.

Be resolute in your refusal to see ‘NYE’

Oh, where to begin? Using the same formula as he did in “Valentine’s Day,” director Garry Marshall tries to recreate the same zeitgeist with another holiday. Let’s hope he skips the rest of them and moves on to another theme because I can tell you now there is no way I’m paying money to see “Labor Day.”

Casual Entrees: Home-style southern cooking at breakfast, lunch and dinner

Only one place in town serves fried chicken at 6 a.m. It’s Casual Entrees, a southern-style diner that is simply delicious.

Too soon to talk Oscars? Never!

It’s too premature to pick Oscar winners, with most of the major contenders just now reaching theaters. But the list is beginning to take shape and already there are frontrunners in the major categories. Two words: “The Artist.” But I’ll get to that later.