Marty scams his way through ”Supreme”

Before this past weekend, the last time I stepped into a movie theater was October 23, 2025. Between surgery, recovery, physical therapy, and wound care, going to a movie would have been a whole production. Things aren't back to normal yet, but they are a heck of a lot easier.

"Marty Supreme" follows. Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet). He is a gifted table tennis player who hustles just about everyone in his life.

Chalamet is incredible, which is not a surprise. He brings a lot of charm and charisma to a character who is an absolute scumbag. The only thing Marty cares about is ping pong, and everything he does is in furtherance of his goal to prove his superior skills. Whether he is hustling college students out of money or pitching a business idea to his friend's father, the end goal is the same: get money to play ping pong. He is so single-minded in this pursuit that he treats everyone in his life as an impediment to his success. If they can help Marty, they are useful, but the second they stop, he is quick to kick them to the curb.

I wanted to love this movie, but ultimately didn't because Marty is so unlikable. I am all for antiheroes, but you need to be given a reason to root for them. Han Solo is a smuggler with no qualms about killing anyone who gets in his way. He is selfish and only helps Luke rescue Leia for the money. Yet, at the end of "A New Hope," he comes back and takes out Vader's Tie Fighter so Luke can blow up the Death Star. We see him grow and change over the course of the movie, and he earns his moment at the end of the movie. I cannot say the same of Marty. He is the same person until the last few scenes in the movie. It is not earned, nor is it an ending the movie was leaning towards. Marty is not a character who grows and changes in the course of the film, despite what the movie wants you to think.

"Marty Supreme" is a movie with a weak story, elevated by strong performances. It wants Marty to be the hero, but he is, ultimately, the villain. In the days since I saw the movie, I have liked it less and less. I don't hate it; in fact, I enjoyed it. It just thinks Marty is someone he isn't.

7/10

Rated R for language throughout, sexual content, some violent content/bloody images and nudity.

2h 29m

“The Rip” is not your typical Netflix movie

Before I get to this review, I need to restate what I said a few weeks ago, 99% of the movies Netflix releases are garbage. Every now and then, there is a gem like “Rebel Ridge.” “The Rip” falls somewhere in the middle: neither masterpiece nor trash. It is one of those movies that we don't see much anymore, a mid-budget movie for adults with a few stars.

"The Rip" follows a group of cops who find a drug stash house with millions ofdollars.

I recently rewatched Kevin Smith's “Dogma,” which has Ben Affleck and Matt Damon playing fallen angels trying to get back into heaven. It was the first time that Damon and Affleck had worked together since writing “Good Will Hunting.” “The Rip” marks their third collaboration. As Lt. Dumars (Damon) and Detective Sargent Byrne (Affleck) play off one another perfectly. Bryne wants to do this by the book, and Dumars doesn't. This leads Byrne to suspect Dumars' motives. He's not openly doing anything shady, but he's leaning heavily toward it.

The tension between Byrne and Dumars perfectly encapsulates the movie's vibe. Here are five law enforcement members with over 20 million that no one else knows about. It becomes really easy to suspect any of them of being a dirty cop. Everyone has moments where they could end up being the main antagonist. Not knowing who to trust or understanding everyone's motives is half the fun of watching “The Rip.” Sure, there are twists that I saw coming, but that did not take away from my enjoyment of the movie. It's a twisty, fun movie.

"The Rip" is an all-too-rare example of a good Netflix movie. It manages to be anintriguing story with great actors. Many Netflix movies fail because they think that all you need is a lot of money and some big-name stars, and forget that the story comes first.

“The Rip” is on Netflix

8/10

Rated R for violence and pervasive language

1h 53m

These two Peacock shows are worth a look

The Copenhagen Test

It is a crime that Marvel has only released one Shang-Chi movie, because Simu Liu should be in more. That movie was fun and a highlight of the MCV. His highest-profile role has been as one of the other Kens in "Barbie! Until such time as he is given the recognition he rightly deserves, I guess I have to settle for "The Copenhagen Test."

Alexander Hale (Liu) is an analyst at a covert agency called The Orphanage. He and the agency discover that his eyes and ears have been hacked, and they decide to use him to expose the people behind the hack.

Liu is great at balancing the action/spy stuff with the more subtle aspects of the role, like figuring out how to leave a message for someone without his bosses or the enemy knowing. With everything he sees and hears being monitored, he is forced to live. a lie all the time. The only time he can let his guard down is when something is blocking the signal.

"The Copenhagen Test" is a pretty good spy thriller with a light touch of sci-fi. Nanites were put into Alexander's system, which allowed a shady someone, or group of someones, to hack his sight and hearing. That is as deep as the sci-fi goes; the rest of the show stays grounded. The mystery of who did this and why is pretty compelling. There are some good twists that are just the thing you want from a spy show. There are a few that made me grow, and one that did not feel earned at all: more hits than misses.  "The Copenhagen Test was pretty good. Mydad and I got through all eight episodes in a few nights- and he stayed awake through most of it. That's about as strong a recommendation as you can get.

“The Copenhagen Test” is on Peacock.

All Her Fault

I had a show I watched with my dad, so it was only fair that there was one I watched with my mom. As luck would have it, there was one, also on Peacock, that I had planned on watching that I thought she might like. That show was “All Her Fault.” It had the twists and surprises like “The Copenhagen Test,” but no action scenes, so it was more her speed.

When her child goes missing, Marissa Irvine (Sarah Snook) and her family struggle to find answers. As the case unfolds, family secrets get revealed, and the kidnapping opens old wounds for all involved.

Overall, I really enjoyed “All Her Fault,” so let's get the negatives out of the way first. It ended with too many twists and “surprises.” The kidnapping is resolved early in the last episode, and the rest of the runtime is spent tying up loose ends. My issue with that is that it takes too long to get to those answers within the episode. It was in this episode that I realized how many sideplots there were and how little I cared about them. The kidnapping plot was engaging enough, and we didn’t need most of the side stuff. It just made the finale drag on for way too long and took away from what I thought was a satisfying resolution to the kidnapping plot.

The show is at its best when it is focused on that story. We find out within the first few episodes who did the kidnapping, but the big question is why they did it. That turns out to be the most interesting question posed by the show. What connection do the Irvines have to this person, and why would they take their son? The entire seventh episode is dedicated to answering those questions and deepening the mystery around the kidnapping. The first seven episodes fly by rather quickly as the case unfolds and secrets get exposed. It makes the show well worth your time.

“All Her Fault” is on Peacock

2025 Superlatives

Biggest Disappointment: Mickey 17

This was Bong Joon Ho's follow-up to the Oscar-winning "Parasite," and it was not good. Its only saving grace was Robert Patterson. His portrayal of Mickey and his clones is one of the best performances of 2025. The rest of the movie is a giant mess. There are a ton of interesting sci-fi ideas in the movie, but none of them get explored with any satisfaction. With the talent in the cast and director, this could have been one of the best movies of the year.

Biggest Surprise: Drop

I did not see this in the Theater. I saw it months later on Peacock and was surprised at how much I loved it. A woman goes on a date and gets a text from an unknown number telling her to kill her date. It has to be someone in the restaurant, since they keep air-dropping pictures and stuff. If she can't figure out who it is or kill her date, her young son will die. It is a very Hitchcockian thriller and a ton of fun. Now that I am thinking about it, this should have been my number 10. If you want to watch a solid thriller that is just over 90 minutes, this is the movie for you.

Best TV show (that is not Andor): The Pitt

"Andor" was the best thing I watched this year, but I have gushed enough about it, so I had to take it out of contention."The Pitt" is easily the second-best TV show I watched. It is an incredible throwback to how we used to watch TV: 15 episodes (not 8-10), coming out every year (not every 2- 3), and it is a solid medical drama. Season two just started airing last week, and + has already been renewed for a season three. It was a massive hit for HBO and was a cultural moment. The frenetic pace, interesting cases, and complex characters made this the best show of 2025, not called "Andor."

Best Book: Shift

I did not read as much as I would have liked in 202.. With all I had going on, I was more in the mood to rewatch stuff than sit and read. Before my life became a mix of doctor's appointments and naps, I started the second book in the Silo Trilogy. I finished it by listening to the audiobook. The first book, "Wool," was great and focused on events in 5:10 17, a place where humanity went to survive a global disaster. "Shift" looks at the world before and the history of Silo 1, leading up to the rebellion in Silo 17. It's a sequel that serves as a prequel. It deepens the love of the world by showing what happened hundreds of years ago, how and why humanity survived, and introduces some important characters who will help bring the story to an end in "Dust! (which I also read). The trilogy is worth reading, and the series' final season will air on Apple TV this year. Both are worth your time.

2026 Movie Preview

Janurary

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

"28 Years Later" was an incredible entry into the franchise. "Bone Temple" will be the first real sequel. It will feature Ralph Finnes' character from "28 Years Later" and expand on that story. He was not in a lot of "28 Years Later,” but he is fascinating. This should be a very interesting movie.

The Wrecking Crew

I know almost nothing about this movie. All I needed to get excited was that it stars Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa. These two are great action stars, very funny, and not afraid to be silly. I have not seen a trailer or read a synopsis, but this will either be a massive disappointment or one of my favorite movies of 2026.

Feburary

Scream 7

I am a massive fan of the "Scream" franchise. It is one of those movie series that, much like many a killer in a horror movie, just won't die. 2026 will mark 30 years since the first one was released. "Scream 7" puts Neve Campbell's Sidney back as the star of the movie after contract disputes sidelined her for the last movie. I am bummed that we are not following the newer characters from the recent movies, but we are getting more "Scream,” so I'll take what I can get.

March

Project Hail Mary

This being from the writer of "The Martian” and starring Ryan Gosling are two reasons why I am looking forward to this one. I'm not watching trailers because they, apparently, spoil a huge twist in the book. I will be listening to the audiobook before seeing this.

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

I have been waiting for this since seeing the original in 2019. It was such a fun and original horror movie, and it ended so brilliantly that I needed more. This is going to pick up right where the first ended, which is perfect. Grace, Samara Weaving, is going to have a lot to explain to the cops. Weaving is the green of slasher flicks, and Ready or Not" is one of her best, so I'm ready for more from this world.

April

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Despite not liking the casting of Chris Pratt as Mario, I love "The Super Mario Bro. Movie” It was a lot of fun and had some genuinely brilliant moments. As long as this manages to clear that bar, this will be another good movie. Plus its going to make a bazillion dollars.

May

The Devil Wears Prada 2

Back in the day, before I adopted a "give every movie a chance" ethos, I would avoid noncoms or anything I deemed to be "girly! What can I say? I was an idiot. Once I realized I was an idiot, I expanded my movie viewing to everything. I watched "The Devil Wears Prada" and loved it. With Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep coming back for this, expect great things.

The Mandalorian and Grogu

This is going to be a real test for the Star Wars brand. It will be the first movie with no connection to the original trilogy. It is a continuation of the hugely popular "The Mandalorian" Disney+ series, but that has been off the air since April of 2023. I hope that they can recapture the magic of the series

June

Disclosure Day

Here is all I know about this: it is directed by Steven Spielberg and Stars Emily Blunt. It might have something to do with aliens, something Spielberg has a lot of experience making movies about. But even after watching the trailer, I am not sure. Spielberg doesn't make a ton of movies, so anytime he makes one, it's appointment viewing.

Supergirl

"Superman" was my favorite movie of 2025, and I loved the glimpse we got of Milly Alcock's Supergirl. I have read the comic the movie is based on, "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow," and it is one of the best things I've ever read. This looks like it is going to be an absolute blast, plus Jason Momoa as Lobo is perfect casting.

July

The Odyssey

After Christopher Nolan made "Oppenheimer," he could have done whatever he wanted. He decided to adapt "The Odyssey. " Nolan is one of the few directors who can get a film made based on his name alone. As a fan of Greek myths/tales, I am excited to see this on the big screen. It has an incredibly stacked cast full of A-list actors, and the first full trailer looks spectacular.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

This is one of two Marvel movies coming out this year: we will get to the second one in a bit. I have done my best to avoid all the speculative articles about who is playing which character in this. I don't want to know. Is Sadie Sink in it? Great. I don't care if you think she is playing Mary Jane Watson on The Black Cat, Jean Grey or some other Marvel character. No one making the movie is going to care who you think she is playing. Anyway, rant aside, this should be good-

August

Cayote Us. ACME

Do yourself a favor and look up the history of this movie if you weren't following the drama. Trust me, it's worth it. The fact that this has a theatrical release date is nothing short of a miracle. The premise is simple, but genius: Wile E. Coyote is suing the Acme company for all the faulty products he has bought. This truly might be my most anticipated movie of 2026

September

Clayface

The fact that this Batman villain is getting a solo movie is crazy. Clayface is an actor who, traditionally, after using toxic makeup, becomes a giant, clay monster who can morph into anyone/anything he wants. The script was written by Mike Flannigan, and studio head James Gunn loved it and greenlit it. We don't know much, but this is, easily, the most interesting movie this year.

October

The Social Reckoning

This is essentially a sequel to "The Social Network! It will focus on an engineer at Facebook who works with a reporter to expose the shadier practices the company has engaged in. It is once again written by Aaron Sorkin, who also takes over directing from David Fincher. If it is half as compelling as the first, it will be an incredible movie.

November

Madden

As I was going through the movie calendar, I set out to find one or two movies from each month that I was most excited about. November was tough. Nothing on the list stuck out. Madden is on here because I want to see Nicholas Cage as John Madden.

December

Avengers: Doomsday/Dune 3

Barbenheimer was a fantastic movie-going experience, so getting a chance to repeat it is very exciting. Avengers: Doomsday" and "Dune 3" come out on the same day: Avengers: Dunesday should be incredible. I have watched exactly zero of the three "Doomsday" teasers. I am going to see the movie, I'd rather not risk any spoilers. As for “Dune 3,” the first two are masterpieces, and Dennis Villeneuve is back as director, so it should follow suit.

Top 10 Movies of 2025

This has been an absolutely terrible year for me. Multiple hospital stays, surgeries, weeks and weeks of chemo on top of that, and you have a recipe for a pretty awful 2025. One side effect of all that I just mentioned was that my movie-going was way down. I missed the first month of the summer movie season because I felt like crap; I was able to catch up on some of those on streaming. I missed the last few months of movies because I am still recovering from my last surgery, so everything new I watched was on some streaming service or another. This was a year when I was looking for an escape whenever I watched a movie. You won’t find any heavy, difficult movies on this list, because that's not what I sought out.

10)

Ballerina: This is the spot I reserve for a movie that I think deserves more attention. There were movies that were better than "Ballerina,” but I had a blast watching this. Marketed as "from the world of John Wick," this follows Anna de Armas' Eve, an assassin looking to avenge her father's murder. Keanu Reeves' Wick does make an appearance and gets into a fight scene with Eve. This was the make-or-break scene for this movie. Could Eve believably hold her own against John Wick? It is a great scene and should prove that Eve could lead her own series and that Ana de Armas has the action chops to be the one to explore these other aspects of the Wick universe. Unfortunately, the movie didn't do well, so I doubt that will happen. If you have seen and enjoyed the John Wick movies, then this is worth your time.

9)

Thunderbolts: Were it not for the movie at the top of my list, this would have been my favorite superhero movie of the year. I said in my initial review that I just wanted this to be fun, and it was. The characters are anti-heroes. They have all done very bad things in their past. This is a group of people used to working alone who are brought together by happenstance. What surprised me was how emotional it was. Yelena (Florence Pugh) in particular goes through a lot. She is an assassin who is struggling to find purpose in life. She finds it with this team. The movie feels more standalone than most of the recent Marvel movies. These characters have made other appearances, but there is enough backstory that the character arcs are satisfying.

8)

The Life of Chuck: Mike Flannigan has created some of my favorite TV shows of the last 10 years and thus has my undying loyalty. The movie is both very simple and complex at the same time. It is about the life of one man and all that makes up that life. In my original review, I praised Mark Hammill, who is Oscar-worthy, but Tom Hiddleston also deserves a mention. He is asked to show Chuck during the best moment of his life and also as he is declining. It’s a powerful thing to see this man go from dancing and loving life to dying in a hospital bed. The movie’s reverse act structure was a compelling and effective way to tell this story and show that we "contain multitudes."

7)

Jay Kelly: I didn't review this for time reasons, but I should have. It is fantastic. George Clooney stars as Jay Kelly, an aging movie star forced to reckon with the true price of his fame. Clooney is great, which is not a surprise. He has such charm and charisma off-screen that it only gets amplified when he plays a role. I really liked the metanarrative: Clooney is just playing himself. Earlier this year, I watched "Happy Gilmore 2." The movie was terrible, and Adam Sandler was just sleepwalking through that part. "Jay Kelly" proves that Sandler is a very good actor when he puts in the effort. He plays Ron, Jay's manager. He is forced to balance a very demanding job with being there for his family. Jay takes up so much of his time that he has almost no time for his wife and kids. Sandler does a great job of showing a man torn between his loyalty to Jay and the pain of not being a better father.

6)

Frankenstein: This is a movie that Guillermo del Toro has wanted to make for a very long time. The man even has a Frankenstein room in his house full of memorabilia, so he is clearly the only man for the job. Del Toro is well known for his gothic style, and it was made for this story. From the design of Frankenstion's lab to the look of The Creature, the del Toro aesthetic is all over this movie. One performance I did not mention was Mia Goth. She plays two roles: Victor's mother, and then she plays his sister-in-law. When Elizabeth sees the creature chained in the basement, she feels pity for him. She shows him kindness that he has not experienced from Victor. Goth has made her name in horror movies over the past few years and has been crushing it. Elizabeth is not some damsel, she can match wits with Victor and is not taken in by his brilliance. She does get a little short-changed, but when the focus is on the Creature and its creator, she isn't needed for much, but she makes the most of her time.

5)

Weapons: This was a very good year for horror. Between "Weapons" and the movie at number three, there were some incredible films that delivered memorable scares. This was the year of Josh Brolin. He was in three movies and was the voice of George Washington in Ken Burns' "The American Revolution." In " Weapons," he plays the father of one of the children who disappeared. The cops have all but given up finding the kids, but he is determined to figure out what happened. He is convinced that the teacher, Miss Gandy (Julia Gardner), knows something and is leading the change that gets the town to turn against her. This movie is split into sections with a different character being the focal point. When Brolin's Archer gets his chapter, he begins to figure out that there is more going on than it seems. Archer goes from an outraged father to a man dealing with forces he cannot begin to understand.

4)

Wake Up, Dead Man: If Daniel Craig and Rian Johnson only made Benoit Blanc movies, I wouldn't complain. Every outing thus far has been a blast to watch. The combination of a star-studded cast and Craig's performance as Benoit Blanc makes these some of the most enjoyable movies. I should have talked about Glenn Close in my initial review. She plays Martha Delacroix, a devout follower of Monsignor Wicks and his right-hand woman. She buys into his brand of Catholicism. Close perfectly portrays someone with blind faith who refuses to listen to any alternative point of view. She was never going to accept Father Jud's compassionate view of faith. One complaint, and it is very minor, is that some characters drew the short straw in terms of development or importance to the story. Callie Spaney and Andrew Scott in particular. Both are great actors, but don't get that much to do beyond being followers of Wicks.

3)

Sinners: There have been dozens of articles written about this movie. It was a huge hit and one of the main reasons Warner Bros had such a good year at the box office. It was a cultural phenomenon that captured the public's attention for weeks. All of the praise and love are well deserved. Michael B. Jordan cements himself as a generational talent. Now, though, I'd like to talk about Hallie Steinfeld, wife to one Joshua Patrick Allen. She is also incredible in "Sinners.”  Mary grew up with Smoke and Stack and used to date Stack before they went to Chicago. She is a white woman in the South who is not afraid to be seen with black people. Unlike many white people during this time, the color of someone's skin was not an issue for her. She embraces the culture and is the only white person at Smoke and Stack's club opening. This is one I wish I had rewatched before making this list, though I will be watching it again soon. It was such an impressively made film with award-worthy performances and incredible music. Plus, it has vampires.

2)

One Battle After Another: I have never loved a Paul Thomas Anderson movie. I like "There Will Be Blood," but do not feel that strongly about it. That goes for the other films of his that I have seen. I love "One Battle After Another." In any other year, it would have been No. 1. It is a long movie, but it does not feel like it. Every performance is incredible and worthy of a mention. The movie is shockingly funny. A lot of that comes from Leonardo DiCaprio, which helps balance out the serious aspects of the plot. Between shady groups dedicated to racial purity, called The Christmas Adventurers Club, to sexual assault, to kidnapping, there are so many heavy scenes. It makes the humor all the more stark. There were not many movies this past year that I had this much fun with. From Leo's drug-addled brain trying to remember code words to Benicio del Toro's little dance as he is about to get arrested, this movie is full of darkly funny moments.

1)

Superman: As I said, I had a very shitty year. It is because of that that "Superman" resonated so deeply with me. The character of Superman is the eternal optimist. I needed this movie this year; I needed its positivity, its message, and its imagery. This movie marks the beginning of the DC movie universe under James Gunn, and a return to form for the Last Son of Krypton. As his cousin Kara says in the “Supergirl” trailer, "He sees the good in everyone.” There is a scene from the end of the movie that I think about all the time. Superman (David Correnswest) is confronting Lex Luthor (Nichols, Holt) about why Lex is wrong about him. Superman says, "I wake up every morning, and despite not knowing what to do, I put one foot in front of the other, and I try to make the best choices I can". He wants Lex to know that he is not perfect and that Lex's jealousy is unwarranted. Even after all Lex has done, even though Lex has this deep-seated hatred of him, Superman still tries to reason with him. It is that message of hope that we all need right about now.

12 Days of Christmas Movies: Day 12: It’s A Wonderful Life

Day 12 brings one of the most essential Christmas movies: “It’s A Wonderful Life.” I’m a little embarrassed to admit I only watched it for the first time a few years ago, though I already knew much of the plot. Its cultural impact is so great that most people are familiar with George Bailey’s story.

One thing about the holiday season is that it is a time of giving, and no one embodies that more than George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart). He makes all sorts of sacrifices for those around him, making the town of Bedford Falls better for it. He gives up his dreams and college tuition so that his father’s company can stay open after his death. He sacrifices the money for his honeymoon to ensure the town's residents have money and his company stays afloat during a bank run. This makes it all the more powerful when the town comes together to save him in the end.

Potter might be the archetype of what a villain in a Christmas movie looks like. He is greedy, ruthless, conniving, and grumpy. The delivery of the line, “Why George, you’re worth more dead than alive,” is so devilishly cold that it got him to No. 6 on AFI’s 50 Greatest Villains. He is so obsessed with destroying George that when he ends up with the money Uncle Billy was supposed to deposit, he keeps it because he would rather see George jailed than have to deal with him anymore.

“It’s A Wonderful Life” was a fitting way to end my 12 Days of Christmas Movies.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

12 Days of Christmas Movies: Day 11: White Christmas

There has been a debate for ages that I no longer engage in about whether “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie. I could argue the same for “White Christmas.” It has about as much to do with the holiday as “Die Hard,” but I am not here to give my opinions on that. This was one of those I had never seen, despite my best efforts to brush up on classic cinema for a while now.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie. It takes a while to get to the heart of the movie: two former army buddies put on a show to honor their commanding General. I get setting up everything, but when it comes down to it, the subplot of the Haynes SIsters (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) having to escape a shitty landlord was pointless. It would have been better to have them be a part of Wallace & Davis’ act and ditch the love story. That is where the movie is weakest. It didn’t need the forced love story between Clooney and Bing Crosby. It’s a tried-and-true Hollywood subplot; these two don’t like each other, stuff happens, and they end up falling in love.

You put Bing Crosby in a movie, and of course, you have him sing. “White Christmas” (the song) is why I believe this is not debated as a Christmas movie. That song is such a classic and is one of those you hear all the time on Christmas music stations, which, more than anything, cemented the movie as a Christmas movie.

12 Days of Christmas Movies: Day 10: The Muppet Christmas Carol

Among the many adaptations of “A Christmas Carol,” “The Muppet Christmas Carol” stands out as a beloved favorite. Watching it again after so many years was genuinely delightful and highlighted how much of the Muppet filmography I still have left to explore.

One of the best things about this movie is Michael Caine as Scrooge. He is an extremely talented actor, and to see him opposite the Muppets is weird. He told director Brian Henson that he would play this role completely straight, as if he weren’t working with puppets. This was something that Jim Henson loved. And it works. He is taking this so seriously, and yet he is talking to a frog. He’s also not phoning in the performance; he is acting his ass off, delivering such disgust when asked to donate to charity or give his workers more coal for the fire. And that makes his transformation over the three visits all the more stark.

Yesterday, my main issue with “Scrooged” was the “Ghost of Christmas Future” sequence, and “The Muppet Christmas Carol” shows what I want from the third ghost’s visit. Scrooge hears that someone has died, and it has brought joy to many in the town. Eventually, he learns that the people were celebrating his death. He sees his nephew and how he is really viewed; he sees Bob Cratchitt (Kermit the Frog) and his family dealing with the loss of Tiny Tim. Overcome with sadness and despair, he vows to change and make sure this future doesn’t come to pass.

If you are going to watch this with your kids on Disney+, which I highly recommend, make sure you get the director's cut, which can be accessed under the extras tab. There is a song that was cut from the original cut of the movie.

12 Days of Christmas Movies: Day 9: Scrooged

Have you ever taken the time to see how many adaptations of "A Christmas Carol" there are? I looked it up, and the answer is a lot: one of which I will get to eventually. There are movies, TV shows, comic books, and even operas adapting the classic work. I thought "Scrooged" was one of them, but according to Wikipedia, it is a "derivative work." That just means that it's based on Dickens' work, but not a 'direct adaptation.

Bill Murray is a national treasure. He has been in some of the best comedies of all time. It just seems right, given some of the cantankerous characters he has played, that he'd be great as a Scrooge analog. There is a little bit of “Ghostbusters’ “Peter Venkman if he didn’t have a moral compass. He plays such a jerk, but not an irredeemable one. It is satisfying to watch him realize he needs to change his ways.

If I have one gripe, it is that the "Ghost of Christmas Future" segment is not what I hoped. It is quick and really boils down to Frank realizing he will die, so he decides to change. If there had been more reflection on the effect he has on others (we do see some of that), then it would have hit harder. You want that moment when he realizes he made the world a worse place, that the people around him are worse off because of him, and that he pushed everyone else away.

Benoit Blanc returns to solve "an impossibe crime”

"Knives Out" is one of my favorite movies. I remember sitting in the theater and being blown away by Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc, the star-studded cast, and the twisty mystery. As a huge fan of writer/director Rian Johnson, I was thrilled to see him have such a big box-office hit. The movie was so much fun that I could not wait to see more.

When Monsenior Wicks (Josh Brolin) mysteriously dies during Mass, the only suspect is Father Jud (Josh O’Connor). The cops call in Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) to help them solve this impossible crime.

This movie has a lot to say about Catholicism. Modern Catholicism falls into two categories: fire and brimstone, and compassion and forgiveness. Monsenior Wicks represents the former, and Father Jud the latter. Wicks preaches retribution from the pulpit; sinners should be cast out, and only the nightors are worthy. Jud, on the other hand, offers empathy to everyone. Even as he is trying to prove his innocence, he takes the time to offer a listening ear and a prayer for someone in need.

One of the best things about these movies is that Benoit Blanc isn't the lead. He pops in to support one of the other characters: Anna de Armas in "Knives Out," Janelle Monáe in "Glass Onion," and now Josh O' Conner. He is a great actor, so it's no surprise he holds his own in scenes opposite the likes of Brolin or Glenn Close. Jud used to be a boxer, but after one fateful fight, he quit and entered the priesthood. He knows what it feels like to need forgiveness. His willingness to show mercy puts him at odds with Wilks and his congregation.

This is the third "Knives Out Mystery." Side note: the fact that Netflix insists on "A Knives Out Mystery" and not "A Benoit Blanc Mystery" is very dumb. No matter what they subtitle these, I hope they keep getting made forever. Rian Johnson knows how to craft an intriguing mystery, and Daniel Craig is clearly having a blast as Blanc.

9/10

PG-13 for violent content, bloody images, strong language, some crude sexual material, and smoking.

2h 24m

12 Days of Christmas Movies: Day 8: A Boy Called Christmas

They say never judge a book by its cover, and I guess you could also say never judge a movie by its poster. I have seen the “A Boy Named Christmas” poster on Netflix for years and assumed it was animated. Just look at the poster; a cursory glance makes it look like it is. Yet when I fired up the movie, the first thing I saw was Maggie Smith. When she started telling a story, I assumed it would be the animated part of the movie. Nope. The whole movie was live action. I don’t think I have ever been so wrong about a movie before.

I had heard this movie was good, but with “The Christmas Chronicles” and “Klaus” being on Netflix, I never gave “A Boy Named Christmas” a chance. I didn’t know what I was in for, given that I didn’t even know it wasn’t animated, but I was pleasantly surprised. I liked the idea of a grandmother telling her grandchildren the story of the first Christmas. It was full of hope, magic, and goodwill towards others.

I enjoyed it, but I don’t think it’s going to make its way into my Christmas movie rotation. As much as I like Sally Hawkins, her being the “villain” didn’t work because her motives were very broad and, to be honest, very right-wing: the only way to keep elves safe is to keep everyone else out. I get that this is targeted towards kids, and thin characters are typical of those movies. If anything, kids' movies can be more complex. The best kids' movies are the ones that have something for the adults to enjoy, too.

12 Days of Christmas Movies: Day 7: The Nightmare Before Christmas

I am not going to engage in the “Is ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie?” debate. The answer is pretty clear; it's both. You can pop it on during your Halloween party just as easily as you can during your Christmas party. Whether you watch it in October or December, it is still a great movie with iconic songs and impressive stop-motion animation.

I love me some stop-motion animation. It is an art form that deserves respect. The amount of time it takes to make anything, let alone a movie, is insane. Each movement must be meticulously filmed bit by bit. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” was one of the movies that made me fall in love with stop-motion. One of my favorite sequences in “Nightmare” is when Jack fights Oogie Boogie. The fight ends when the sack that makes up Oggie Boogie’s body is torn off, and we see he is made of bugs. To see individual bugs moving is incredible, and you watch it knowing that the quick shot of Oggie’s bug body took days and days to make.

Apparently, I have never looked at the cast list of this movie. Jack is voiced by Chris Sarandon, with Danny Elfman (who also wrote the music and lyrics) as Jack’s singing voice. The great Catherine O’Hara is the voice of Sally. Not knowing this before today is a massive regret I have. Sarandon is probably best known as Prince Humperdinck from “The Princess Bride,” and O’Hara has been one of the funniest people in movies and TV for decades; just watch her in “Schitt’s Creek.” This just makes me love this movie more. Not only is it a great movie, but it also features an incredible voice cast.

12 Days of Christmas Movies: Day 6: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

I have never seen the original "National Lampoon's Vacation." It is one of those that has never been a priority. The only movie in the series I have seen was "Vegas Vacation," so this seemed like the perfect time to watch "Christmas Vacation." I do intend to get to the other "Vacation" movies at some point.

"Christmas Vacation" is the story of a man slowly going insane over the holidays. All Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to have his family over and give them a nice Christmas, but it is that family that is slowly driving him crazy. Watching Clark's slow descent into madness is half the fun of this movie, which all culminates in his rant about his Christmas “bonus.”

My other favorite part of "Christmas Vacation" is the unknow war Clark is fighting with his neighbors. This is set up when the neighbors (Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Nicholas Guest) see Clark starting to set his Christmas lights. They comment about how they aren’t lucky enough for him to die falling off the ladder. It’s not really set up why they hate him so much (unless it’s in one of the other movies). Thus, the war begins-and it’s really one-sided. When Clark finally gets the Christmas lights on his house to come on, they are so bright that they illuminate their dark bedroom, blinding them.

12 Days of Christmas Movies: Day 5: The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

I said I wasn’t going to write a plot synopsis for these. When it comes to “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special,” I have to, because it will seem like gobbledygook to anyone not familiar with the MCU. Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) go to Earth to get  Kevin Bacon as a present for Peter Quill (Chris Pratt).

I picked this one even though it’s technically not a movie. At 45 minutes, it’s more of a TV special, but since the last time I did this, I included things like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas Special,” this fits my 12 days just fine.

The reason I picked this is that it is a ton of fun. Drax and Mantis are two characters who don’t get a lot of focus in the Guardians movies. They have such an amazing dynamic that it is great to see them get the spotlight. Both are socially unaware, which leads to some incredible interactions between them. Neither of them sees anything wrong with kidnapping Kevin Bacon; they see it only as the best way to give Quill a good Christmas.

I also loved this because it showed what a badass Mantis can be. She had a sheltered upbringing (to say the least) and is dismissed as helpless most of the time. She really gets to show off her fighting ability as well as her telepathy/empathy powers. As they chase Kevin Bacon, they run into the police. She and Drax fight them off with Mantis using her powers to put them to sleep.

This is not one to watch if you haven’t seen any of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies or have no interest in the MCU. It was made purely for fans and not intended to be anyone’s entry point. One thing I would recommend is listening to the song “I Don’t Know What Christmas Is (But Christmas Time is Here). It boils down to an alien has written a song about Christmas based solely on what they have heard from others.

12 Days of Christmas Movies: Day 4: Jingle All The Way

“Jingle All the Way” is a movie of its time. 1996 was smack dab in the middle of peak Arnold Schwarzenegger, where he was putting out multiple movies a year. The film also features Sinbad, SNL great Phil Hartman, and a pre-”Star Wars” Jake Lloyd. It came out the same year as the Tickle Me Elmo craze, something the movie satirizes perfectly.

I love these types of Schwarzenegger movies. He is a great action star, but his comedies are just as great. Part of that is because he’s not the greatest actor to begin with, and his thick accent is what makes it so funny. Look at this, or “Kindergarten Cop” was proof that the man can be funny without even trying.

Through much of the movie, the battle between Sinbad and Schwarzenegger trying to get a Turbo Man doll is mostly harmless. Then we get to the end, and I would argue that Sinbad becomes the villain of the movie. He chases and threatens Jake Lloyd (a child!) to get the Turbo Man doll. It’s at that point that it goes from a man trying to get his son a toy to a man trying to harm a child. That’s villain behavior.

I wasn’t sure that this movie would hold up after all these years. It’s an easy movie for a kid to love; it’s silly, the violence is very slapstick, and no one really gets hurt. Minus some of the creepy undertones from Phil Hartman’s character, the movie is as enjoyable today as when I was a kid.

12 Days of Christmas Movies: Day 3: Home Alone

I love happy accidents. Yesterday, I wrote about the 1994 remake of "Miracle on 34th Street," written by John Hughes. Coincidentally, today I watched "Home Alone," another Hughes script I had forgotten. Unless he wrote something else still on my list, this is his last appearance.

This is one of those movies I watched as a kid that actually holds up. In fact, given all the crazy fan theories and analyses I have seen in the intervening years, I might enjoy it more. My favorite fan theory is that Kevin’s dad works for the mob. One thing that gets pointed out is that the house is massive, and the only way he could afford it is if he were doing something illegal.

One thing about the movie I have heard a lot and agree with is that Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is a sociopath. When he figures out that the Wet Bandits are going to rob his house, he doesn’t call the cops. Instead, he sets up deadly traps (let’s face it, Harry and Marv are dead multiple times over) to stop them. He does it so distrubingly quick that it all seems premeditated.

I really appreciated Joe Pesci in this. Looking at his IMDb, he played serious characters in dramas until “Home Alone.” He allowed himself to look foolish and be the butt of the joke as Harry. Once they get to the break-in, Pesci does so much physical/slapstick comedy. This comes from a man whose most famous role was in “Goodfellas.”

12 Days of Christmas Movies: Day 2: Miracle on 34th Street

The last time I did this, I watched the original “Miracle on 34th Street” from 1947. I had never seen it, and I loved it. It only seemed fitting, since I hadn’t seen it either, that I watch the 1994 remake. As a “Jurassic Park” fan, I jumped at the chance to see Richard Attenborough’s take on Santa Claus, as well as to see how the story translated to a more modern time period.

With Edmund Gwenn delivering an iconic performance, it was going to be tough for anyone not to face comparisons to that performance. Attenborough manages to channel Gwenn without feeling like he is just copying Gwenn from 1947. He is charming and kind and has just a little bit of the joy of John Hammond from “Jurassic Park,’ showing off his dinosaurs. I don’t remember Gwenn showing anger like Attenborough does here. That is justified by his feelings when he gets committed, he tells Dylan McDermott that by acting in anger, he has betrayed what Santa stands for.

What I did not know was that John Hughes wrote this movie. The master of 80s teen movies like “The Breakfast Club,” “Pretty In Pink,” and “Sixteen Candles,” was behind the script for this movie. It’s not his best work, but when you have Hughes’ résumé, you are allowed to have a few scripts that don’t become iconic.

With how much I liked the original, I was worried this was going to be a massive disappointment. I found myself really enjoying it, and a lot of that has to do with Attenborough’s Kris Kringle. The movie is a serviceable and enjoyable remake. It was never going to match the original, but you could do a lot worse than this version of “Miracle on 34th Street.”

12 Days of Christmas Movies: Day One: The Santa Clause

I haven't watched this in years. After finding "The Santa Clauses" on Disney+ disappointing, I should have reconsidered putting “The Santa Clause” on my list.

None of these will have a plot synopsis; I dislike writing them, and doing 12 in 12 days sounds exhausting.

This is one of those movies from my childhood that doesn’t really hold up. It comes down to the plot. It’s simple enough to understand (Scott Calvin ((Tim Allen))becomes Santa), but the movie chooses to do the most boring things with that idea. His kid is seen as having delusions when he says his dad is Santa, and it complicates the relationship with his ex-wife. The only real tension comes when Calvin loses his visitation rights, but it is wrapped up five minutes later when everyone believes he is Santa.

We don’t even get to see Calvin come to accept the fact that he is Santa. He spends most of the movie ignoring it, even when his body starts to change. He keeps shaving his beard, doesn’t know what to do with the Naughty/Nice List, etc. Then all of a sudden, he’s accepted it and is getting ready to deliver presents.

"The Santa Clause" was best as a childhood memory. I enjoyed some moments. Bernard the Elf (David Krumholtz) is still my favorite, his grumpy attitude a welcome contrast to the cheery elves. I laughed a few times, but most jokes now fall flat.

“The Santa Clause” is on Disney+

Two Lead Performances Anchor “Frankenstein”

Guillermo del Toro is a director whose work I love. If he is attached to a project, I will see it. When I heard that he was going to be writing and directing an adaptation of Frankenstein, my first thought was, "Of course, he is." It is a subject matter that is right up his alley. "Frankenstein" is a movie he has been wanting to make for years, and Netflix ponied up the dough to give him the chance. 

Do you need me to explain the plot of this?

I have never been a fan of Jacob Elordi. He's been in a ton of things, and people seem to love him, but I find him one of the most boring actors to watch. His performance as The Creature is incredible. The movie is split into two parts: Victor's Story and The Creature's Story, and when The Creature gets to tell his story, it becomes Elordi's best performance. Elordi plays The Creature with a pathos that blew me away. The Creature is supposed to be sympathetic (that's kinda the point), but to Elordi's credit, he makes us feel more than just sorry for The Creature. You find yourself actively rooting for him.

I have always been a fan of Oscar Isaac, and he does a good job in his role as Victor Frankenstein. Victor tells his story in the first half of this movie, and Isaac shows the obsession that consumes him. Victor is a man who accomplishes his life's work and still isn't satisfied. He treats The Creature like a monster by chaining it up in the cellar and getting furious when it can only say the word "Victor."

I think the second half of "Frankenstein" is better than the first. There is some excellent stuff in Victor's Story (his plea to a room full of professors is a particular highlight), but the movie really comes into its own when The Creature tells his story. I understand why the movie is told this way, and it mostly works, but the second half is easily the movie's stronger part. 

"Frankenstein" is available on Netflix

8/10

Rated R for bloody violence and grisly images.

2h 29m