Welcome to the 971st edition of my series. I hope everyone has survived this crazy weather. This week is A CHRISTMAS CAROL in Anderson at the Central Christian Church, and the poster is at the bottom. I don't have a lot more going on so I will just get on with my selections.
When They See Us (2019): I start the week out with this mini-series which was directed and created by Ava DuVernay. This based on true events where in 1989, five teens in Harlem are accused of a brutal assault and rape of a jogger in New York's Central Park. They all confessed under very questionable circumstances by the police and were convicted. Asante Blackk, Caleel Harris, Ethan Herisse, Marquis Rodriguez, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Kylie Bunbury, John Leguizamo, Niecy Nash, Suzzanne Douglas, Michael Kenneth Williams, Jharrel Jerome, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Vera Farmiga, Felicity Huffman, Len Cariou, William Sadler, Adepero Oduye, Alexandra Templer, Chris Jackson, Joshua Jackson, Freddy Miyares, Dascha Polanco, Aurora Perrineau, Blair Underwood, Famke Janssen, Storm Reid, Jayce Bartok, Drena De Niro, and many others co-star in this series. I know I was a bit vague on the plot but I feel that is all that needs to be said. This was an extreme injustice where they all did between seven to thirteen years before either being released or released after they were exonerated. This is a four-episode series with each episode being between 60-90 minutes long. This is available to watch on Netflix.
Heaven Knows What (2014): Benny and Josh Safdie directed this film which is based on an unpublished book called MAD LOVE by Arielle Holmes which was encouraged by Benny, more on that later. Holmes also stars as the substance-dependent Harley who is homeless and always looking for her fix. Caleb Landry Jones co-stars as Ilya who is Harley's abusive boyfriend and has a lot of problems of his own. Buddy Duress, Necro, Eleonore Hendricks, and many others co-star in this film. Holmes wrote this book based on her own heroin addiction and was discovered by Joshua Safdie while she was still having the addiction. When filming started, she got clean and remained that way throughout the filming. This is a brutally honest look at a group of drug addicted homeless people trying to make the most of things. This is available to watch on Plex.
Scarface (1983): Brian De Palma directed this film which was written by Oliver Stone. Al Pacino stars as one of his most iconic characters in Tony Montana. Tony and his friend Manny, played by Steven Bauer, look to rise up in the drug world of Miami. While they rise, Tony's own drug addiction and irrational ways threaten to undo all of his accomplishments. Michelle Pfeiffer, Mary Elizabeth Mastantonio, Robert Loggia, Miriam Colon, F. Murray Abraham, Paul Shenar, Harris Yulin, Angel Salazar, Pepe Serna, Al Israel, Mark Margolis, Richard Belzer, and many others co-star in this film. This movie is as violent as it gets and has a lot of F bombs. This a remake of the 1932 film which is a very thinly veiled look at Al Capone. Obviously, a big change into the type of person being portrayed. Pacino is clearly very into his role and has been very iconic through the years. Lots of imitated quotes and scenes come from this movie. I find this to be a great look at one man's descent into darkness. This is available to watch on Netflix.
Rudoph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1948): This is my animated short for the week which was directed by Max Fleischer. This takes place in the world of Reindeer who were the children in this situation. As the story goes, Santa is trying to get his deliveries done on Christmas Eve but must deal with a lot of fog. When he comes across Rudolph and his red nose, he enlists Rudolph to lead the sleigh. After all the making fun of Rudolph, he finally gets hailed as a hero for saving Christmas. This is the first version to feature Rudolph and there would later be that popular tv special in 1964.
Holiday (1930): This takes place around the holidays but is more of a romantic comedy than anything. Edward H. Griffith directed this film which is based on the play by Philip Barry. Robert Ames stars as Johnny Case who is a more free-thinking man and engaged to socialite, played by Mary Astor. Julia is from a very wealthy family and Johnny must make decide if he can adjust to their ways. Ann Harding co-stars as Julia's sister Linda who is more like Johnny, and I suppose the black sheep of her family. Hallam Cooley, Creighton Hale, Edward Everett Horton, Hedda Hopper, Mabel Forrest, Monroe Owsley, and many others co-star in this pre-code film. This was remade in 1938 with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn so this is a lesser-known cast by today's standards. This is still a very well-done production of the differences in class. This is available to watch on TUBI.
Silent Night, Bloody Night (1972): Theodore Gershuny directed this holiday horror film. Patrick O'Neal stars as attorney John Carter who is charged of selling a home that has a very haunted history as it was once a mental home. He manages to sell the house to a group of people at a bargain price where strange things start to happen. James Patterson, Mary Woronov, Astrid Heeren, John Carradine, Walter Abel, Philip Bruns, Ondine, Candy Darling, and many others co-star in this horror movie. It is really hard to describe it beyond what I already did. It is essentially folk horror and one that might need multiple watches. This is a good low-budget holiday horror and worth a look. This is available to watch on Prime, TUBI, Plex, and the Roku Channel.
Small Things Like These (2024): This is one that takes place around the holidays. Tim Mielants directed this Irish film which is based on the novel by Claire Keegan. Cillian Murphy stars as the devoted working-class father Bill Furlong. He has always been part of the Catholic world but discovers disturbing secrets that makes him question everything. Eileen Walsh, Emily Watson, Patrick Ryan, Peter Claffey, Ian O'Reilley, Sarah Morris, Cillian O'Gairbhi, Liadan Dunlea, Giulia Doherty, Aoife Gaffney, Agnes O'Casey, Louis Kirwan, and many others co-star in this film. This was a bit of a passion project for Murphy as he is a fan of the author and pitched the idea to Matt Damon during OPPENHEIMER filming. Damon and Ben Affleck used their studio Artists Equity to have this produced. This was not easy to watch but was a very compelling film with Murphy in a great performance where as usual, he was able to get a lot across without having to say much. This is avaialble to watch on Hulu.
A Christmas Carol (1951): Brian Desmond Hurst directed this adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens novel. Alistair Sim stars as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge who hates the Christmas time of season and is not very charitable as successful as he is in business. We all know the story, Scrooge's late partner Jacob Marley, played by Michael Hordern, shows up as a ghost in chains to tell him he will be visited by three ghosts. Jack Warner, Kathleen Harrison, Mervyn Johns, Hermione Baddeley, George Cole, Francis De Wolff, Rona Anderson, Brian Worth, Miles Malleson, Ernest Thesiger, Roddy Hughes, Patrick Macnee, and many others co-star in this adaptation. This might be the most iconic adaptation of the novel. Sim possibly has the best transition from when he starts to when he sees the error of his ways. I also liked how Scrooge saw Marley on his deathbed during the past. which is something that is not used very often. There is so much to be said about this holiday classic and is a great one for the family. This is available to watch on TUBI, Plex, and Dove Channel which requires a Prime subscription.
Rocky II (1979): This is a holiday movie, it may not be a Christmas movie but the day after Christmas is Boxing Day. Yes, that day is about boxing, don't let anyone convince you otherwise. Sylvester Stallone directed and wrote this sequel to the 1976 classic. Stallone reprises his role of Rocky Balboa where he is coming off his fight with Apollo Creed, played by Carl Weathers. Rocky is trying to adjust to a normal life and retire from boxing which he finds to be very difficult. Apollo may have won the fight but is dealing with the aftermath of many saying that Rocky should have won and that does not sit well with him. He in turn tries to get Rocky to agree to a rematch. Talia Shire, Burt Young, Burgess Meredith, Tony Burton, Joe Spinell, Frank McRae, Al Silvani, John Pleshette, Frank Stallone, and many others co-star in this sequel. This is a very good sequel which went the distance as they say. This had that iconic scene of Rocky running and being followed by many people. This is available to watch on Peacock
Saved! (2004): This does have some reference to Christmas. This is also part two of my Culkin series which features Macauley and it is part one of a Jena Malone trilogy. Brian Dannelly directed and co-wrote this film along with Michael Urban. This centers around a Christian school where Jena Malone stars as Mary who becomes pregnant which results in a lot of backlash. Mandy Moore co-stars as Hilary Faye who is very devout to Christianity but is very hypocritical in how she goes about it. Macauley Culkin, Patrick Fugit, Heather Matarazzo, Eva Amurri, Chad Faust, Elizabeth Thai, Martin Donovan, Mary-Louise Parker, Birkett Turton, and many others star in this film. This is really a satire on the hypocrisy on Christianity and how heavy-handed it can get sometimes. This shows how the "outcasts" are far more understanding and relatable. This is available to watch on Prime, TUBI, and Pluto TV.
Well, that is it for this week but continue on for my segment "Holiday Corner. Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for the next weeks which so far includes Kevin Costner, Paul Giamatti, Katherine Hepburn, and many others.
HOLIDAY CORNER
Most of my selections were Christmas related but I have a couple selections that deal with AIDS as December is Aids Awareness Month.
Wind Chill (2007): I bring some holiday horror of some a couple college students just trying to get home before Christmas Eve. Gregory Jacobs directed this film which was written by Joe Gangemi and Steven Katz. Emily Blunt and Ashton Holmes star as these college students who are credited and "girl" and "boy". They soon find themselves in a supernatural bubble from 1953 which is doomed to repeat itself. Martin Donovan, Ned Bellamy, Donny Lucas, Chelan Simmons, Darren Moore, Linden Banks, and Caz Odin Darko co-star in this supernatural horror movie. This is a pretty disturbing tale with Blunt and Holmes able to really carry the load. This is a good one for holiday horror lovers. This is available to watch on Netflix, TUBI, and the Roku Channel.
Love Actually (2003): Richard Curtis wrote and directed this ensemble romantic comedy for the holidays. This has multiple stories that take place in London about a month before Christmas that all come together in the end. I think my favorite part is with Liam Neeson who is now widowed leaving him a single stepfather with his adolescent stepson Sam. He tries to help Sam to talk to his crush and going to extremes to connect with his stepson. Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Bill Nighy, Gregor Fisher, Colin Firth, Sienna Guillory, Emma Thompson, Kris Marshall, Heike Makatsch, Martin Freeman, Joanna Page, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Andrew Lincoln, Keira Knightley, Nina Sosanya, Laura Linney, Alan Rickman, Billy Bob Thornton, Rowan Atkinson, January Jones, Elisha Cuthbert, Claudia Schiffer, Shannon Elizabeth, Denise Richards, and many others co-star in this romantic comedy. This is very adult oriented but does not go extreme in the way of raunch. This has always been a guilty pleasure for me to watch and is very enjoyable in my opinion. This could be a good date movie for the holidays. This should put you in the holiday spirit. This is available to watch on Prime and Peacock.
Boys on the Side (1995): This has nothing to do with Christmas or Hannukah but this movie does dal some with AIDS so it qualifies under my rules for this segment. Herbert Ross directed road trip comedy which was written by Don Roos. Whoopi Goldberg, Mary-Louise Parker, and Drew Barrymore star as Jane, Robin, and Holly who all come together for a road trip from New York to Los Angeles. Each of them have their own unique issue to deal with as they try to help each other through them. Matthew McConaughey, James Remar, Billy Wirth, Anita Gillette, Dennis Boutsikaris, Estelle Parsons, Amy Aquino, Stan Egi, Stephen Gevedon, Estelle Parsons, Jude Ciccolella, Gedde Watanabe, Jon Seda, and many others co-star in this film. This has a very good blend of comedy and drama and is a pretty dark comedy. It is also a really good look at a friendship with three very different people. This could be a good double feature to go along with THELMA AND LOUISE.
Pride (2014): This is another selection that deals some with AIDS so I get to put it in this segment. Matthew Warchus directed this film which was written by Stephen Beresford. This is based on true events where mining workers in the U.K. are on strike in 1984. A group of gay activists look to help them in their long strike. This was in a time where it was very wrong to be gay and many of the miners have to rethink their views as they are being helped. Bill Nighy, Emelda Staunton, Dominic West, Ben Schnetzer, George MacKay, Monica Dolan, Matthew Flynn, Andrew Scott, Joe Gilgun, Fay Marsay, Freddie Fox, Jordan Metcalfe, Chris Overton, and many others co-star in this film. This was a great look at the gay community in the '80s and the good they would try to do and come together with a much different world. This is available to watch on Pluto TV.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992): Brian Henson directed this very popular adaptation of the timeless classic by Charles Dickens, played by Gonzo in this movie. Dickens and Rizzo the Rat narrate this story of the miser Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Michael Caine. Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy play Bob and Mrs. Cratchit and have frog sons and pig daughters, one of which is Tiny Tim. We all know the story where Scrooge is visited by Marley, this time two Marleys played by Statler and Waldorf, who inform him he will be visited by three ghosts. Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, David Rudman, Karen Prell, Jessica Fox, Steven Mackintosh, Robin Weaver, Raymond Coulthard, and many others co-star and provide their voices. Paul Williams writes a great soundtrack to go along with this story. Brian Henson makes a great directorial debut with this film and is the first major Muppet production after Brian's father Jim Henson's death. This is all kinds of fun and some probably like the limited number of humans and celebrities in this movie. This is available to watch on Disney Plus.
Terrifier 3 (2024): Yes, this gorefest is set along Christmas so it stands alone on the first two in that regard. Damien Leone directed this horror sequel. Art the Clown, played by David Howard Thornton, is back and finding more gruesome ways to kill. It is up to the surviving siblings Sienna and Jonathan, played by Lauren LaVera and Elliott Fullam, to save their town. Samantha Scaffidi, Margaret Anne Florence, Bryce Johnson, Alexa Blair Robertson, Mason Mecartea, Krsy Fox, Luciana VanDette, Clint Howard, Bradley Stryker, Daniel Roebuck, Chris Jericho, Tom Savini, Jason Patric, Alex Ross, Jon Abrahams, and many others costar in this movie. This is not for everyone by any means and I admit I turned my head at times.. Art continues to find different ways to kill people so there is that. Apparently, we have a part four coming out next year sometime. It is a different kind of horror movie and is availble to watch on Peacock.
Sleeping With Other People (2015): This does reference Christmas a little bit, so it belongs on this segment. Leslye Headland wrote and directed this romantic comedy. Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie star as Jake and Lainey meet each other at a college dorm party and continue to see each other through the years. They eventually become best friends and confide in each other about other relationships while it is obvious who they really like. Margarita Levieva, Adam Brody, Jason Mantzoukas, Amanda Peet, Adam Scott, Natasha Lyonne, Andrea Savage, Anna Margaret Hollyman, Margaret Odette, Marc Blucas, and many others co-star in this romantic comedy. This is a bit raunchy as expected and is quite a bit of fun. The leads work great together in this well-written script. This is avaialble to watch on Hulu, AMC +, Sundance Now, Pluto TV, and Plex.
A Shoe Addict's Christmas (2018): I know there are some looking for their Hallmark selection so here's my Hallmark selection. Michael Robison directed this Hallmark holiday movie which is based on the novel by Beth Harbison. FULL HOUSE alum Candace Cameron Bure stars as Noelle whose boyfriend dumped her three years ago on Christmas Eve and she is not the same. She becomes the typical single woman whose life is revolving around her job. Things change with a handsome fireman named Jake, played by Luke Macfarlane, moves in and is also visited by a guardian angel named Charlie, played by Jean Smart, who shows her what can happen if she makes the right decision. Tenika Davis, Vanessa Matsui, Kristian Bruun, Dan Willmott, Maria Ricossa, Adam Hurtig, Jan Skene, Michael Barbuto, and many others co-star in this holiday movie. I suppose we could call this "Hallmark meets a Christmas Carol". It does have the usual Hallmark formula but has a little fantasy element to add on to it. This knows its audience and is available to watch on Hallmark Plus.
Dorian Blues (2004): This takes place around the holidays. Tennyson Bardwell wrote and directed this coming out film. Michael McMillan stars as Dorian Lagatos who is a high school senior and determines that he is gay, even to the point of being "stereotypically gay". When announcing this to his conservative father, he is thrown out of the house and is out to discover a new world. Lea Coco, Mo Quigley, Austin Basis, Leslie Elliard, Jeff Paul, Sian Heder, Ryan Garrett, and many others co-star in this coming-of-age film. This is a good look at a young man's realization. McMillan makes his feature film debut in this and does really good. The cast may not be a very known cast but they do a great job with the script at their hands.
The Mighty (1998): This takes place around Christmas Eve so I can put it on here. This is also part three of my Culkin series which includes Kieran and yes part two is in the main section. Peter Chelsom directed this film which is based on the novel FREAK THE MIGHTY by Rodman Philbrick. Kieran Culkin stars as Kevin Dillon who suffers from Morquio's Syndrome and has just moved to town with his mother Gwen, played by Sharon Stone. Elden Henson stars as Maxwell Kane who has his own learning disabilities and is befriended by his new neighbor Kevin and they form an unusual friendship. Harry Dean Stanton, Gena Rowlands, Joe Perrino, John Bourgeois, Bruce Tubbe, Gillian Anderson, Meat Loaf, James Gandolfini, and many others co-star in this film. I was pleasantly surprised by this movie, not knowing what to expect. While this is funny, it got pretty intense at times. I think this is my favorite performance from Gillian Anderson. This was one that got me in many ways and for the good.
