Letterboxd — Your life in film

Fonzie makes everything better!

Watch this one for Jennifer Garner and a multitude of cameos (including Queen Rita Moreno), otherwise I’ve just never been the biggest Ed Helms fan & McG’s direction is fairly ho-hum…

While this one kinda pigeonholed the whole “Christmas” aspect of the story (frankly it could have very easily been converted to a non-holiday movie), I will always have a soft spot for family body swap comedies (with this one having a delightful new spin with the dog/baby and a befuddled Matthias Schweighöfer in tow)

If I’m being honest, not sure how “good” this is…but it is entertaining/has its fun moments  and I’ve always been a fan of Åkerman, Smart & Hansen

So it’s tough to put it on the 2.5/less level of the (relative) Hallmark Holiday scale…so 3* & a qualified endorsement (but only if you’re in the mood for some mindless holiday silliness) 🤷‍♂️

While a fun holiday diversion (led by an engaging lead performance from Ella Hunt & some humorous song/dance numbers), your enjoyment is probably contingent upon your tolerance for a the wild tonal shifts your going to get from a horror comedy/musical/Christmas mash-up.

Entertaining little slice of violent Christmas action with David Harbour admirably filling the role of a (disgruntled) Kris Kringle pressed into action to save an (unlikable) family & Christmas from a band of terrorists, led by an unhinged John Leguizamo.  

Basically a more violent HOME ALONE, with plenty of naughty words…

The Criterion Challenge 2023
34/52
Alicia Malone Closet Picks
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Iconic pairing of Grant/Russell in Hawks’ insightful genre bending dramedy about journalism & a wrongly accused convict facing the death penalty.

The Criterion Challenge 2023
33/52
Random Number Generator
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What a fascinating little slice of a French gangster/crime film that I lucked into from the “random number generator” category (Spine #172)

Especially enjoyed the depiction of “the Casbah” as a character in the film. 

And kudos for an ending that doesn’t pull punches!

While it does not break any new ground (with an easily predicted "twist"), when grading on the relative Hallmark/Christmas movie scale, their were enough hijinks and holiday cheer to make this an entertaining diversion, with a fun premise and likable cast.

Don Siegel's film is one of my favorite discoveries from previous Noirvembers & I cannot recommend it enough for its performances (Eli Wallach is particularly chilling), thrilling sequences/stunts, San Francisco locations and an engaging premise/procedural involving a smuggling scheme...

Criminally (pun intended!) underseen/undervalued, I've caught it on TCM previously and noticed it is on TUBI (but leaving soon!), so it would be a great way for noir fans to close out Noirvember.

How Fincher & Flynn handle the mid-(book/movie) twist, is still something to be lauded

And a casting Director Laray Mayfield deserves praise for a nearly perfect cast (I mean Affleck was obvious, but otherwise, there are some pretty inspired choices here...)

Continues the evolution of the Martin & Lewis partnership and their first, truly entertaining outing...

Once you can get by the laughable farce of Martin & Lewis as high school seniors/college freshman, this is a pretty fun, genial college/football comedy which coasts on Martin's charm and Lewis' zany hijinks...