Welcome to the 913th Edition of my series. I hope everyone is having a good holiday season however celebrated. I don't have much going on right now so I will just shut up and get to my selections.
A Christmas Tale (2008): I start the week with this French film which was directed and co-written by Arnaud Desplechin. Catherine Deneuve stars as Junon who is the matriarch of the dysfunctional Vuillard family. She also learn that she needs a bone marrow transplant to live beyond a few months which finally brings the family together. They all still have their own issues and they are not in for a happy family Christmas. Jean-Paul Roussillon, Mathieu Amalric, Anne Consigny, Chiara Mastroianni, Melvil Poupaud, Emmanuelle Devos, Hippolyte Girardot, Laurent Capelluto, and many others co-star in this French holiday film. Deneuve shows that she still has it playing the matriarch of the family. If looking for a holiday watch that is not sappy, this could be one to consider.
A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993): Henry Selick directed this classic animated film that was co-written by Tim Burton. Chris Sarandon stars as the voice of Jack Skellington, singing voice by Danny Elfman, who is the king of Halloween Town and is getting bored doing the same things year after year. One night he stumbles upon Christmas Town and takes a big interest in it so he kidnaps Santa Claus to become Santa himself. Things go very awry and Jack must look to correct his mistakes. Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens, Ken Page, and many others co-star in this film. This is a very timeless classic that goes well with any generation. This is possibly the best stop-motion animated film of all time. This has many memorable characters and musical numbers. This is something that is good for Halloween and Christmas though some have criticized that aspect. This is available to watch on Disney Plus.
My Southern Family Christmas (2022): This is my Hallmark selection for the week which was directed and co-written by Emily Moss Wilson. Jaicy Elliott stars as Campbell Wallace who has grown up with her adoptive parents and made the decision to not contact her father Everett Bergeron, played by Bruce Campbell. Things change with Everett's wife Jennifer, played by Moira Kelly, manages to track her down and lets her know she has a couple sisters. Campbell makes the decision to go from Dallas to Louisiana where her biological father lives. As a reporter and journalist, she maintains that she is working on an article as she gets to know her family. Ryan Rottman, Anniston Almond, Katie Hughey, Gralen Bryant Banks, Brian McNamara, Bri Collins, Wes Brown, and many others co-star in this Hallmark movie. I actually thought this was one of the better Hallmark movies that I have seen. I mean Bruce Campbell is in it so there is that and I feel this deviates a bit from other Hallmark movies.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965): This is my short film for the week though technically it is a TV special. Bill Melendez directed this timeless holiday classic which was written by Charles Schultz. Charlie Brown, voiced by Peter Robbins, gets tired of the commercialism of Christmas that he sees around him. He gets appointed director of the school Christmas pageant where he tries to bring meaning but no one makes it easy for him and we all know the tree that Charlie got. Christopher Shea, Tracy Stratford, and many others provide their voice for this holiday treat. This is the first animated special for Peanuts and from my understanding the first time children were cast in an animated special instead of adult imitating them. I don't really need to explain much as just about everyone has seen this. It is a timeless classic with many memorable scenes and the great Christmas song CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE. This is available to watch on Apple TV +.
Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938): George Seitz directed this installment of the popular series from this era which is the fourth of sixteen movies. Mickey Rooney reprises his role of Andy Hardy who gets himself into some situations that start with his girlfriend Polly, played by Ann Rutherford, leaving for the holidays to visit her family which complicates his plans for the country-club Christmas party he planned to take with him. His friend Beezy, played by George Breakston, is also leaving for the holidays and asks Andy to pretend to be the boyfriend of his own girlfriend Cynthia, played by Lana Turner, for a fee but she soon becomes infatuated with Andy. Andy's next-door neighbor Betsy, played by Judy Garland, tries to help him through his troubles but she has her own crush on Andy even though she is a bit younger. Lewis Stone, Cecilia Parker, Fay Holden, Mary Howard, Gene Reynolds, Don Castle, Betty Ross Clarke, Marie Blake, and many others co-star in this comedy. Stone reprises his role as Andy's father Judge Hardy who is the most fair judge of all time. Andy Hardy did get to be quite the Ladies' Man in this series and hooked up with much of Hollywood's finest from this era and this one is no different. Rooney is a lot of fun as Andy and has some Christmas elements for a holiday watch.
The Lemon Drop Kid (1951): Sidney Lanfield and Frank Tashlin directed this crime comedy that takes place around the holidays and is based on a story by Damon Runyon. Bob Hope stars as New York City swindler Sidney Milburn who goes by the Lemon Drop Kid. He gets in trouble at the horse races and owes gangster Moose Moran, played by Fred Clark, and has until Christmas to come up with $10000. This puts him into full con mode trying to get that money. Marilyn Maxwell, Lloyd Nolan, Jane Darwell, Andrea King, Fred Clark, Jay C. Flippen, William Frawley, Harry Bellaver, Sid Melton, Ben Weldon, Ida Moore, and many others co-star in this comedy. I have started to have a place in my heart for Damon Runyon whose story is based on the musical GUYS AND DOLLS that I got to play Harry the Horse. I was also in a radio play that he wrote called PRINCESS O'HARA where I reprised the role. Hope was fun as usual as the Lemon Drop Kid trying to deal with all his mishaps. This also introduced the Christmas carol SILVER BELLS into the world. This is good for those looking for a comedy that takes place around Christmas.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992): Brian Henson directed this version of the Dickens classic. Charles Dickens, played by Gonzo and voiced by Dave Goelz, and his buddy Rizzo the Rat, voiced by Steve Whitmire, narrates this story of the miser Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Michael Caine in human form. Scrooge may be the most iconic Christmas figure besides Jesus Christ and Santa Claus. As the story goes, he gets visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley but in this one there is a ghost Robert Marley, played by Statler and Waldorf. They warn of the three ghosts coming to see him who try to help see Christmas in a better way. Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, David Rudman, Karen Prell, Jessica Fox, Steven Mackintosh, Raymond Coulthard, and many others co-star in this film. Where can we go wrong with some Muppets and they found it was time to tackle this literary classic. There is a really good soundtrack that was written by Paul Williams to enhance this version. Caine actively sought out there role and was right to seek it out. Gonzo might have been the best portrayal of Dickens of all time. This is available to watch on Disney Plus.
The Curse of the Cat People (1944): Gunther von Fritsch and Robert Wise directed this horror film that takes place during the holidays. Ann Carter stars as the imaginative Amy Reed who has trouble telling from reality and fantasy much to the dismay of her parents Oliver and Alice, played by Kent Smith and Jane Randolph. This also keeps her from having friends her own age and makes an imaginary friend through her father's first wife Irena, played by Simone Simon. Eve March, Julia Dean, Elizabeth Russell, Edford Gage, Sir Lancelot, and many others co-star in this film. This is technically a sequel to CAT PEOPLE but does not relate though might be good to watch the predecessor in order to get to know Irena. This is not really horror despite being billed that way and is more of a fantasy movie. This movie is personal to Val Lewton saying that he had an imagination like Amy. This is a pretty compelling film and is worth a look.
The Apartment (1960): Billy Wilder directed and co-wrote this romantic comedy that takes place around the holidays. Jack Lemmon star as Manhatton insurance clerk C.C. Baxter whose higher-ups use him for his apartment for extracurricular activities. He starts to tire of them doing that and starts falling in love with his own co-workers in Fran, played by Shirley MacLaine. Fred MacMurray, Ray Walston, Jack Kruschen, David Lewis, Hope Holiday, Joan Shawlee, Naomi Stevens, and many others co-star in this comedy. This is a pretty funny movie but does deal with some serious subjects. This is a romantic comedy but a very complex one with Lemmon and MacLaine at their finest.
In Bruges (2008): Martin McDonagh wrote and directed this action film that takes place around the holidays though they don't really celebrate the holiday. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson star as hitmen partners Ray and Ken who are stying in Bruges, Belgium while waiting their next assignment. When the assignment goes wrong, their ruthless boss Harry, played by Ralph Fiennes, charges Ken with killing Ray which becomes very hard for him. Elizabeth Berrington, Eric Godon, Zeljko Ivanek, Anna Madeley, Clemence Poesy, Jordan Prentice, Cirian Hinds, and many others co-star in this film. This is a pretty moving film with some comedic moments leading into a very intense action climax. Farrell and Gleeson work very well together as partners but more importantly friends and bring us with them through the film. Depending on your definition of "holiday movie", this may not be to some but for those looking for something different this might be a good selection for the holidays.
Well, that is it for this week but read on for my "Holiday Corner" segment. Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for two weeks which so far includes Paul Giamatti, Clint Eastwood, and many others.
HOLIDAY CORNER
Christmas at Pee-Wee's Playhouse (1988): Wayne Orr and Paul Reubens directed this Christmas special of his popular TV series PEE-WEE'S PLAYHOUSE. Reubens stars as Pee-Wee in this special where he has Christmas at the playhouse that include his usual friends and welcomes a few celebrities. Kevin Carlson, Lawrence Fishburne, Suzanne Kent, William Marshall, George McGrath, S. Epetha Merkerson, John Paragon, Lynne Marie Stewart, and Wayne White round out the actual cast. Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Charo, Whoopi Goldberg, Magic Johnson, Grace Jones, K.D. Lang, Little Richard, Joan Rivers, Dinah Shore, Opra Winfrey, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Cher make some cameos as themselves. I revisited this series for the first time as an adult in October during the Madness when Paul Reubens was a wild card for our vampire theme. I got started on this series and it brings back a lot of fun memories. This is on the Blu-Ray set for seasons 3, 4, and 5 of the TV series.
Silent Night (2023): Now I bring some holiday action from the movie theaters. John Woo directed this action film of a grieving father looking to get some revenge on a ruthless gang. Joel Kinnaman stars as Brian Godlock whose son dies in a drive-by shooting and he is also shot in the throat and can no longer speak. Brian starts to prepare himself and plans to take his revenge on Christmas Eve. Catalina Sandino Moreno, Kid Cudi, Harold Torres, Yoko Hamamura, Vinny O'Brien, Anthony Giulietti, and many others co-star in this holiday action film. This is Woo's first movie to direct since the 2003 film PAYCHECK. This one is not for everyone partly due to the violence. Another thing is that there is very little dialogue as Brian cannot speak and has a little dialogue when necessary. I thought Kinnaman still did a good job in his performance in conveying his emotions. It does have some good action to go along with this violent holiday film.
Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special (2017): Scott Aukerman and Akiva Schaffer directed this comedy special. Some might ask why I'm including something like this during Valentine's Day so I will explain. This does take place on Valentine's Day but Santa Claus, played by Jimmy Graham, needs Michael's help and knows Valentine's Day is the best time to ask. The elves made why too many toys but don't have enough children so he needs Michael to put on a telethon in order to get more children conceived. Sarah Shahi, Adam Scott, Matthew Kimbrough, Grey Griffin, Brooke Shields, Janeane Garofalo, Louie Anderson, Sinbad, Bob Saget, Sarah Silverman, Randall Park, Andy Samberg, Kenny G, Fred Armison, Colton Dunn, Jorma Taccone, Michael Sheen, Chris Parnell, Maya Rudolph, Will Forte, Eric Andre, and many others make appearances. For years, I just hated Michael Bolton but since joining the Lonely Island I find myself quite the fan. Bolton does a great job of parodying himself and sings much of his hit songs. He also has a great rendition of the song JACK SPARROW. There are some other comedic songs in this special. I feel this is kind of like NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS where it can be watched and enjoyed in two holidays. I intend to watch this again around Valentine's Day. This is available to watch on Netflix.
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