A Dallas Cowboys Christmas

The Star in Frisco scores a touchdown with jolly holiday happenings

For diehard football fans — and for those who can never get enough Christmas spirit — this is truly the most wonderful time of year. And right now, it’s prime time at The Star District in Frisco.

The corporate headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys has also decked the halls (and the end zones) with some serious holiday star power.

Here’s how to get in the game and experience all the cheer of Christmas at The Star:

Make the holidays lit
The Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza, powered by Reliant, is the touchdown of the festive season. Held on Tostitos Championship Plaza, the electrifying, 20-minute show ignites The Star with game-day-worthy thrills and Christmas dazzle — and it all kicks off with a performance by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

The lighting of the 67-foot LED Christmas tree is a fan favorite; the towering, illuminated stunner is synched with original music and pyrotechnics. Also on the roster are appearances by Cowboys football legends along with a lineup of performers, including the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue, Cowboys Rookie Squad, Rowdy, and a special appearance by Santa Claus.

It all goes down on Fridays and Saturdays from December 2-17.

Go behind the field
After the Christmas Extravaganza, reserve an exclusive guided Christmas Tour of The Star, presented by SeatGeek, and experience the place where the Cowboys train and work 355 days of the year.

In addition to all the behind-the-scenes action, the holiday edition of these tours comes with additional sweet perks like Christmas cookies and limited-edition Cowboys ornaments. Tours will be held on December 2, 9, 16, and 17 at 6:30 p.m.

Pay a visit to Old Saint Nick
Cowboys fans with little ones in tow need look no further than this Santa photo opp at The Star. The jolly chap will be ensconced at his Cowboys-themed cottage, presented by Monument Realty, through Friday, December 24.

Spike your holiday shopping
Seasonal flavors — and lots of amazing shopping — await at the Christmas Sip & Stroll on Thursday, December 15, where many of The Star’s restaurants and shops will fill your glass while you browse.

Plus, look for complimentary gift customization opportunities and exclusive offers, carolers and Christmas music, photo moments, and more.

When you check in, you’ll get a stroll map, tasting glass, and a holiday shopping tote so you’re well-prepared for three hours of shopping and socializing with a twist.

Make your list, check it twice, and book a staycay
Multitask in the best way possible with holiday dining and shopping in The Star District. But first, do yourself a favor and book a room at the Omni Frisco Hotel, where they’re offering holiday specials all season long.

From there, you’ll be mere steps away from all the places to get your holiday shopping handled — especially with the brand-new stores J. Hilburn and Monkee’s along with fan faves like Lucchese, Flea Style, and Luxe Eyewear.

Then, step into The Gents Place, Hiatus Spa, Tangerine Salon, or Cherry Blow Dry to give the gift of self-care to yourself and grab a few gift cards for friends.

Dine and be merry
The Star also has no shortage of places to feast and fest. On Fridays in December, grab a special holiday lunch at Dee Lincoln Prime, complete with a Prime rib bar.

Over at Lombardi Cucina Italiana, don’t miss cheer-laden events like their Tinsels, Tinis, and Toddies Brunch on December 11 and Holiday Truffle Dinner on December 13.

For brand-new scene-stealers, The Glen and its exclusive scotch bar The Monarch Stag were made for that holiday vibe with a mystically unique atmosphere, lush florals, provocative lighting, and incredible food and drink. Snowbird Cocktail Lounge & Kitchen is another sleek newbie that’s not to be missed.

And of course, seasoned faves like Cane Rosso, City Works, Mi Cocina, Wahlburgers, and more are tried-and-true for day and night.

Explore all the ways to make your holiday merry and bright at The Star here

Photo courtesy of The Star

The lighting of the 67-foot LED Christmas tree is a fan favorite.

holidays shopping dinner sports promoted

Movie Review

Andrew Garfield leads peasant rebellion in medieval film The Uprising

Photo by Betina La Plante/Focus Features

Andrew Garfield in The Uprising.

Writer/director Paul Greengrass made his name with a cinéma vérité style of filmmaking that brought immediacy and depth to three Jason Bourne films, United 93, Captain Phillips, and more. In The Uprising, he uses those skills to tell the story of the so-called Peasants’ Revolt in 14th century England.

Greengrass wastes no time starting the main plot as Ploughman (Andrew Garfield) and his fellow villagers object to onerous taxes put on them by the country’s nobility, led by the young King Richard II (Woody Norman), to fund an ongoing war. Ploughman initiates a violent response over the tone-deaf — and unseemly — way the king’s guard go about their business, and the rebellion soon starts to spread across the countryside, with the citizens looking for a degree of autonomy.

The ever-expanding group makes their way toward London to try to make their case to the king himself. Meanwhile, the king’s top advisors, including Archbishop Sudbury (Stephen Dillane) and Treasurer Hales (Tom Hollander), try to usurp power from the inexperienced monarch even as the king’s mother (Katherine Waterston) tries to get him to be more assertive.

The history of the English monarchy is long and lurid, as Shakespeare detailed in multiple plays, including Richard II. Though the events in the film took place almost 650 years ago, it’s easy to see parallels between what the peasants were fighting for and modern-day politics. Greengrass’ storytelling intent is solid, and the righteous anger the citizens feel is initially relatable and palpable.

But the populism theme of the story soon gets bogged down in drudgery and minutiae that is difficult to understand, especially when the details are lost in the thick regional English accents. The leaders of the rebels — including John Ball (Jamie Bell), Wat Tyler (Cosmo Jarvis), and Alyce (Thomasin McKenzie) — are shown doing a lot of planning, but the strong feelings they have about their quest don’t come across well, leaving the audience as passive observers.

When there is action, Greengrass and his team employ a frenetic style that is not great for comprehension. While the gist of what is happening and what side is winning is legible, individual moments go by so quickly so as to be nearly meaningless. Save for Ploughman, any connection that has been made with various characters proves futile, as Greengrass doesn’t seem to have any time for emotion. Scenes that should feel thrilling or heartbreaking instead come off as empty.

Garfield is a two-time Oscar nominee who has done great work across multiple genres. He’s fine in this role, but whether it’s the story, the filmmaking, or something else, he’s not as captivating as usual. The same goes for other strong actors like Bell, McKenzie, Dillane, Hollander, and Waterston, who each seem to be giving their all to their performances but are somehow muted in the process.

Done right, The Uprising could have been a rip-roaring account of people standing up against their oppressors. What Greengrass has made, though, is a film that can’t translate its medieval story for a modern audience and concentrates too much on unexciting elements and too little on thrilling ones.

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The Uprising is now playing in theaters.

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