Keeping It Reel

A Christmas Story

I had never gotten around to watching this movie until just now.  There's really no excuse for it either.  Especially when TBS has made it a tradition to have "A Christmas Story" marathon for 24 hours straight starting on Christmas Eve. It's another film where I had seen bits and pieces but never the entire thing.

For anyone else who's been putting it off as well, the story is about 9-year-old Ralphie Parker who only wants one thing for Christmas:  an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model BB rifle with a compass in the stock.  He becomes obsessed with it.  Nevermind the fact that everyone reminds him he'll shoot his eye out.  It doesn't sway his determination one bit.

This was made in 1983 but is set in the 1940s.  This would have been back in the days when America was supposedly a more wholesome place.  That's why when Ralphie unintentionally drops an F-bomb, everyone acts as though he's just committed blasphemy.  True, no 9- year-old should be talking like that anyway but the overreaction it gets from these characters is priceless.

At one point, Ralphie blames one of his friends for his foul language, saying he heard it from him.  In fact, he heard it from his father.  Even the mom knows he heard it from that source because they have both heard him around the house cursing up in storm.  Since she's in denial, she calls up the mother of Ralphie's friend.  You can hear her beating her child senseless over the phone.  That would have been acceptable in the 40s and even in the 80s when this was made.  Nowadays, they'd call that child abuse.  Too bad because that type of discipline is exactly what's missing today which explains why we have so many children growing up with no respect for authority.

It turns out Ralphie does get the BB gun afterall so there is a happy ending.  Well almost.  He does nearly shoot his eye out after the several warnings that he had dismissed.  That was really his parents fault though.  Why would you shoot at a target with an aluminum sign behind it?  He should have went ahead and aimed at birds and animals like I did with my BB gun I had when I as a preteen.

I had already completed my top 12 list of Christmas movies before watching this one.  I honestly didn't think it would be good enough to make the list and it turns out I was mistaken.  "A Christmas Story" probably should supplant "The Preacher's Wife" in its #12 spot.  Not quite good enough that it should be shown ALL day during Christmas, but I will cave and say it deserves to be a Christmas classic.

My rating:  B+

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Before we move right to the anti-climatic number one Christmas movie of all-time, let us review the top 12:

• 12 - The Preacher's Wife
• 11 - The Family Man
• 10 - Scrooged
• 9 - How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• 8 - Elf
• 7 - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• 6 - It's a Wonderful Life
• 5 - Friday After Next
• 4 - Santa Claus is Coming to Town
• 3 - Bad(der) Santa
• 2 - A Charlie Brown Christmas

And #1 of all- time...

1 - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

There may have been other Christmas catastrophe movies before this, but none of them were near as good.  As far as I'm concerned "Christmas Vacation" set the standard for all the other movies that would come along later and try to recreate what happens when everything goes wrong during the most wonderful time of the year.

"Christmas Vacation" was the second in a series of "Vacation" movies.  After the first one became an instant classic, I was skeptical that they could make another one just as funny.  They were able to pull it off, even though it definitely should have stopped with this one. Ironically, this may have been the last good movie Chevy Chase ever made.

We find food-additive genius Clark Griswold trying to entertain a house full of family to celebrate Christmas.  As if it wasn't bad enough that the folks AND the in-laws are all crammed under the same roof, crazy cousin Eddie shows up uninvited with his whole clan.  It still cracks me up to see Eddie walking around in the thin, skin-tight sweater with a black dickie underneath.

I also like it how they switched the kids out with every "Vacation" movie.  They didn't even try to make them look remotely similar.  Not only that, they had no regards for age either.  The Russell in "Christmas Vacation" was clearly younger than Anthony Michael Hall's version of him in the original.  It was the little things like that will keep you laughing.

For anyone that enjoys a good Christmas movie as well as a good comedy, "Christmas Vacation" fulfills both of those needs.  It's one of the rare Christmas movies that can be enjoyed all year round. 

Bad(der) Santa

Entering the Christmas trifecta...

3 - Bad(der) Santa

Without any doubt, this has got to be the one film that couldn't be any further away from a traditional Christmas movie.  Ironically enough, it may be that very reason why it's one of the better films of the season.  Sometimes folks have to take risks when it comes to making comedies and this one definitely pays off.

I seriously doubt there could have been anyone better suited to play the role of a foul-mouthed, sex-crazed, drunken Santa Willie than Billy Bob  Thornton.  So far, there hasn't been one movie he's been in that I haven't liked.  This one proved that even has it in him to make a  classic comedy as well.

My favorite scene in here is the interaction between the characters played by Bernie Mac, Tony Cox and Thornton.  Mac discovers that Cox and Thornton are con men and wants in on the action.  That negotiation scene is priceless.  It's what isn't said that makes is to so good and that's the expressions on Thornton's face throughout the whole scene.

The best part about "Bad(der) Santa" is the kid played by Brett Kelly.  No matter how much Thornton goes off on him, curses and belittles him, he still maintains the same stoic look and pleasant demeanor all throughout the flick.  I still wonder how that kid was able to keep a straight face playing opposite Thornton.  Eventually, he wears down  Willie and gives him something worth fighting for.

Sadly, this would also be the legendary John Ritter's final acting appearance and they rightfully dedicated the film to his memory. No matter what, he'll always be Jack Tripper but his role as the mall manager made "Bad(der) Santa" that much better.

Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

We have a tendency to marry our jobs.  For better or worse, many of us spend more time with our occupations than we do with the ones we truly love.  If that is the case, you have to be cautious of the type of relationship you enter into.  You never know what type of person it may turn you into.

In "The Devil Wears Prada", Meryl Streep is the presumed devil as the editor-in-chief of the fictitious prestigious fashion magazine Runway.  Anne Hathaway is a budding journalist who sees working as a peon assistant one way to get her foot in the door.  She knows she may be in over her head but has no idea how far until its too late.

It was just a matter of time before Hathaway's character, Andrea, tries to do what she can to fit in.  She starts off by just dressing like her co-workers but eventually it leads to more.  The appearance   permeates her being and she unconsciously moves toward the dark side.  She never gets full circle to the point where she loses her soul though.  There is even that Vader/Luke moment where you see Andrea make that pivotal choice as to which path she must take.

Streep's role here as Miranda Priestly is unlike any I have ever seen her in.  Many of her characters will always have that familiar trait of brimming confidence.  However, they were never quite the ice queen she gives us here.  The great thing about it is even with that cold facade, we get glimpses that she is human.  Miranda herself can see it although she refuses to let her guard completely down.  There is still that image that must be maintained.

I thought had predicted the ending at a certain point until they flipped the script on me.  The overall spirit of the movie didn't change though.  We still get the distinct impression that Miranda's obsession to influence the lives of others both directly and indirectly doesn't appear to fade with her age.

Even though it's a comedy, "The Devil Wears Prada" bears some dramatic elements that everyone in the corporate workplace can relate to.  This takes place in the fast-paced world of fashion yet the stress factors are similar.  To some extent, many people make sacrifices to succeed in their careers.  The question is how much are they willing to pay and how much will it cost?   

My rating:  B-

 

Friday After Next

Finally entering our Christmas top five...

5- Friday After Next

Whether stuffy movie critcs want to admit it or not, the very first "Friday" was an instant classic.  It was so good that even when it's played on regular cable where they have to censor some parts, it still holds up.  The Hollywood laws dicated that meant there had to be a sequel or to.  I was one of the first people to say that they should have drawn the line with the second one yet they still kept going.  Thank goodness they did.

The very first time Diah saw "Friday After Next", she raved about how much she liked it and how funny it was.  I figured she didn't know what she was talking about, even though I hadn't even seen it.  I waited until it hit video before I finally had my chance.  Quite frankly, I didn't see what all the fuss was about. 

There are some movies that may take a time or two to view before they really grow on you.  "Friday After Next" was definitely one of those.  Each time I saw it, it got better and better.  The few moments that I thought where funny the first time I saw it like Money Mike and Damon just got funnier with each passing viewing.  Plus, I was digging other moments that for some reason, I had missed previously.

Ice Cube was smart enough to realize that he has very little, if any, comedic talent.  He had Mike Epps in his prime and newcomers Terry Crews and Katt Williams to do that for him.  As a matter of fact, after "Friday After Next", Katt had made his mark as a bonafide scene stealer in everything else he would later appear in.

This is almost as far off as you can get from your traditional Christmas movie.  I say almost because the furthest away you can get is actually coming up in a future review.  At any rate, "Friday After Next" did center around Christmas time so for better or worse, it still qualifies.  No disrespect to the original, but it's quietly rivalling its predecessor as the best movie in the series.

Super Split Personalities

Most superheroes have to live with the fact that they will have to live a double life.  Stay with me for a minute here and assume that we're speaking surreally (yes, I made up another word).  They have their very public persona of their own superhero image and then they have the secret identity they have to maintain.  With that being the case, doesn't it stand to reason that after a while, the internal conflict may drive someone a little crazy?

"My Super Ex-Girlfriend" is Uma Thurman playing G-Girl who gets involved with a regular schmo, played by Owen Wilson.  At the time they meet, it's obvious that she's already neurotic and having issues that have gotten to the brink of getting out of control.  When he ultimately has enough and breaks up with her, that pushes her over  the edge and she loses any semblance of sanity she once had.

One thing I had always wondered was if everything about Superman was really super, how would he be able to be intimate?  Of course they wouldn't address something like that in "Superman Returns".  In this film, they don't shy away from it at all.  That was probably one of the funnier moments in "Ex-Girlfriend".

I was really hoping they would find a way to avoid showing Uma's feet again.  That was probably a bit much to ask.  Even though it was only a brief scene, it was more than enough.  Whoever has got her convinced that her feet are so attractive that she should find a way to show them off in every movie needs to be fired.

If you've seen the trailers for the movie, you have probably already seen the funniest parts.  Fortunately, there were a few more sprinkled here and there.  Then there are also the little things like the overall ADD-like behavior of Uma's character that are fun to watch.  Though it may not have been a super comedy, it was still amusing to watch.

My rating:  B

Scrooged

And the Christmas list goes on...

10 - Scrooged

The story has been told so many times that I don't think anyone could accurately keep track.  "A Christmas Carol" has been interpreted in animation, claymation, various sitcoms and even by the Muppets.  Yet this comedic modernized version starring Bill Murray ranks among the best interpretations known to man.

Most classic movies are successful because of it's more than just a strong lead drawing you to it.  There's usually a supporting cast that accentuates that actor's talents accordingly.  "Scrooged" is no different.  One of the best here is Carol Kane as the Ghost of Chirstmas Present.  The chemistry between her and Murray's character Frank Cross comes across perfect as she tries to show him the error of his ways.

I love it when the crabby Ghost of Christmas past visits Cross.  The scenes with the golf ball oozing out of his rotting flesh and Murray's subsequent reactions to such is priceless.  If there is one thing Murray can nail it's his expressions.

As hard as it may be to believe, prior to seeing this, I had never seen any other version of "A Christmas Carol".  If I'm not mistaken, I had never even read the actual story.  As far as I'm concerned, this version did a more than sufficient job of serving as my introduction to the classic.  Of course the tale has continually been re-imagined several more times since the release of "Scrooged" in 1988 but to this date, none quite as good.

Santa Baby

"Santa Baby" is the story of Jenny McCarthy as the only-child of Santa Claus.  Naturally, she's changed her last name to "Class" to avoid confusion in her corporate environment.  Furthermore, she has been consumed with her marketing environment thinking she can always make things more efficient.  Therein lies the clash when she wants to change Santa's traditions to streamline his work and he has to teach her the old theory of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

I liked how they made Santa appear a little physically flawed than we've ever seen then.  They mention that he's immortal yet that doesn't mean he's incapable of getting sick.  Seeing him with a walker after suffering from a heart attack was an interesting twist.  Even seeing George Wendt playing Santa was a little different. 

The elves in this were a little more incompetent than I would have liked.  When I think about it, just about every Christmas movie depicts Santa's elves as being imperfect.  Still, in "Santa Baby", they almost portrayed them as bumbling fools.  Even though there hearts seemed to be in the right place, they couldn't seem to do much of anything right.

I won't go into detail about Jenny McCarthy's performance.  She gets a little props for trying to get away from her sex-kitten image.  Then again, judging from how she looks in this movie, she doesn't have much of a choice as the looks are starting to be smothered in tons of make-up.  On the other hand, I liked how they subtly gave her character the name Mary.

I'm surprised someone didn't think up this concept sooner.  Or maybe they did and I just missed that movie.  If there's supposed to be a Santa Claus and a Mrs. Claus, then why wouldn't they eventually have a child or two?  If they did, how would the offspring of Santa Claus end up when they grow up in today's society?

Not one of the worst Christmas movies I've ever seen but a far cry from the best.

My rating:  D+ 

Black's Revenge

One of the talk-shows I listen to on a semi-regular basis around here is Steve Deace in the afternoons.  He used to be focused on local sports (primarily Iowa State) but he'll often dabble into political discussions and even entertainment.  He'll have some guy who's name I can't remember come on the show every week and give his weekly review of movies.  There are often movies that he doesn't think too much of but last week, I had never heard him go off on a movie like he did on "Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny".  He went so far as to call it the worst movie he had seen in at least the last ten years.

On the other hand, my normally reliable partner in crime E had also seen it.  He disclosed that although it was a horrible movie as far as the content and appropriateness, it was actually very funny.  I hold his opinion in higher regards that Deace's flunkie so that meant I had to check it out.

I didn't even realize until recently that there was once a short-lived series on HBO that first introduced the world to Tenacious D.  This film dealt primarily with how they came to be (a fictitious depiction of the origin of a fictitious group, of course) and how they would   evolve into greatness, in their own minds.

There's no denying that you truly have to be a Jack Black fan to enjoy any of this movie at all.  From E's description, I was expecting something along the lines of "Clerks II" where there would be a no-holds barred presentation of humor with nothing being off limits.  Although "Pick of Destiny" was not that, it really is Black in rare form and a stark contrast to a watered down version he's been giving us in some of his recent roles.

There were some very funny moments throughout the film.  Especially Dave Grohl's depiction of Satan and a cameo from Amy Pohler.  Probably the best scenes were the actual songs from Tenacious D.  As always, they often made very little sense yet were still highly entertaining.

I'm still not too sure about what to think about this movie.  I went in with some pretty high expectations thanks to E's recommendation.  As far as cohesiveness goes, there wasn't much of that.  Nevertheless, it was Jack Black doing what he does best: making little sense and making you laugh.  Not the funniest movie I've seen in the last ten years but a far cry from the worst one.

My rating:  B 

Mucho Hilarante

It's so refreshing to finally see a movie that has an original idea just when you thought Hollywood had ran out of those.  It doesn't get more original than the premise of a cook in a Mexican monastery who becomes a professional wrestler at night to have enough money to get fresh ingredients for the orphans he feeds?

Enter "Nacho Libre".  I should have seen this ages ago but finally got around to watching it thanks to E's urging.  It reinforced my belief that Jack Black truly can do no wrong.  Every movie he's been in no matter how big or little his part has become that much better thanks to his presence.

There aren't that many actors/comedians out there that can carry a movie by themselves and be successful at it.  Most of the time, there has to be a fairly good supporting actor/actress here or there in the film to help it a bit.  Maybe even a cameo or two.  "Nacho Libre" has absolutely NO other known stars in it and for any Jack Black fan, that was a HUGE plus.

Black plays Ignacio with a horrible, HORRIBLE Spanish accent.  That's part of what made the movie so hilarious.  Some of the best moments were when he lost his accent altogether and you just know it was done intentionally to add to the moment.  You add those with the slapstick humor of the wrestling scenes and this flick is priceless.

E compared this one to "Napoleon Dynamite" in that you would need to see it a couple of times to fully enjoy it's humor.  I would venture to say one trip is all it takes.  Black knocked one out of the park with "Nacho Libre".  Even though it's not necessary to see it a second time to appreciate it, I will be seeing it again.

My rating:  A-