A&E CHRISTMAS SWEEPER
Top Staff Picks: Holiday Apps
This festive Christmas knock-off version of candy crush is just as addictive as the real thing.
NORAD SANTA TRACKER The military run Santa tracker includes Santa’s location, countdown, games, music and more.
ELF YOURSELF Place a face onto the bodies of elves and watch them dance in this hilarious app.
Frozen 2 Melts Hearts Again After six years, Disney delivered an early Christmas present. BY CALLIE CAMERON A&E EDITOR
The charming musical Disney sequel “Frozen 2” engages viewers of all ages. Released Nov. 22, this is a holiday movie everyone must see. After two weekends in theaters, “Frozen 2” is already breaking box office records with a total of $738.6 million. Directed and written by Jennifer Lee, one hour and 43 minutes of this magical sequel is well worth the cost of a movie ticket. The plot contains multiple character arcs, special effects, flashbacks and more to keep everyone 4 out of 5 stars entertained. But with so much going on, it might be hard for a preschooler to follow. The storyline is complex and darker than Disney’s usual happy go lucky experience. When the four elements threaten their kingdom with mysterious natural disasters, Elsa (Idina Menzel), Anna (Kristen Bell), Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), Sven and Olaf (Josh Gad) embark on a journey beyond Arendelle to discover the origin of Elsa’s magical powers to save their kingdom. In “Frozen,” Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. In “Frozen 2,”
PG
she must hope they are enough. With humor and musical ballets to compensate for deeper scenes, this movie is perfectly balanced. Secondary character sidekicks like Olaf and Kristoff add comical relief. Olaf matures enough to have a hilarious existential crisis that leads into, “When I’m Older.” Kristoff comically struggles to propose to Anna and finally gets his big solo, “Lost in the Woods,” which is presented in the style of an ‘80s power ballad music video and elicits more than a few laughs from Gen X and older parents. This movie’s soundtrack full of catchy new songs will please young Elsa and Anna fans. The music, co-composed again by spouses Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, doesn’t quite reach the success of “Let It Go,” but “Into the Unknown” features the same emotional crescendo hit. The contemporary take on female empowerment and character development is a drastic change from Disney’s usual damsel in distress movie. The concepts of family, perseverance and love stand as strong as Elsa’s magic. The animation realistically captures each scene with cool special effects, making it feel more like a real place than a Disney world. “Frozen 2” is a heartwarming tribute to Elsa and Anna’s promise to protect and defend each other and their kingdom.
DO YOU WANNA BUILD A SNOWMAN? Pictured above, Anna and Elsa approach the enchanted forest. Left, Anna and Olaf ride a waterfall. (Photos used with permission from EPK.tv)
Friendly Neighborhood Australian Bakery Expands Australian dive cafe, Banksia, in downtown KC is expanding to South Plaza. BY CALLIE CAMERON A&E EDITOR
Banksia, a cute hole in the wall Australian restaurant and cafe in downtown Kansas City, is a must try. A five minute drive from the Sprint Center, the cozy restaurant serves both breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m.- 3 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. on Sunday. Named after the Australian flower, they incorporate their roots into not only their dishes, but also their colorful local art and photography from Australia. The vibe corresponds with a laid-back, cheerful neighborhood bakery. Young adults in the area often frequent the cafe, working diligently on their computer or chatting away with a group of friends. Biting into a freshly baked warm cinnamon banana muffin is a $4 delightful treat for a quick on
the go breakfast choice. Also on the breakfast menu is mini quiches for $6.50, sausage rolls $7.50, avocado toast with sunny side eggs $12, fruit tarts with just the right amount of tart and sweet for $4.50. While it is fairly expensive, it’s worth every bite. Expect a 10-15 minute wait for all menu items besides coffee. Currently at 105 W 9th St, Kansas City, MO 64105, Banksia is opening a second location on the Plaza near the Kansas City Public Library. According to the manager, they are unsure of the exact date, but they expect to be open within the next couple months. In the new location, Banksia will be serving a new dinner menu focusing on shared plates and tapas style dining. Their new mouth watering menu items are shared plates for two, featuring “lazy sushi,” $18 and pizza, $7. They will also serve a range of entrees from grilled Australian lamb cutlets marinated in Greek herbs served on tzatziki for $13-16, to gnocchi for $11, to
Australian pawns for $13-15 to Asian cucumber salads for $7. Overall, make sure to visit either location. The food is worth the drive.
AUSSIE FAVORITES Pictured above is a mini ham and cheese quiche (top) for $6.50. The delightful caramel slices with shortcake crust (bottom) are $4.
ONE KC STREET CAR TRIP AWAY Banksia’s store in downtown is accessible with the KC street car at the central business stop. (Photos by Callie Cameron)
DECEMBER 2019
25
