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THURSDAY

A Muppet Christmas Carol may not be the definitive adaptation of Charles Dickens’ heartwarming tale of spiritual awakening and redemption, but at least its cuddlier version of the Ghost of Christmas Future isn’t likely to have your children pissing their pants on Christmas Eve. Directed by Brian Henson (who assumed control of the Muppet kingdom after his father, Jim Henson, died of pneumonia in 1991, just before an attempted sale of the company to Disney), A Muppet Christmas Carol stars Michael Caine as the crotchety penny pincher Ebenezer Scrooge, with the rest of the cast rounded out by all of your favorite felt friends of childhood past—including lovable, furry old Grover as narrator. The film is part of the American Film Institute’s “Holiday Classics” film series, which also includes Bob Clark’s 1983 yuletide comedy A Christmas Story and Frank Capra’s 1946 heartstring-yanker It’s a Wonderful Life. (See Showtimes for a weekly schedule.) It screens at 4:50 p.m. at the AFI’s Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. $8.50. (301) 495-6700.