Welcome to the 970th Edition of my series. I hope everyone had a good holiday however celebrated. Below, I have a photo for my upcoming show A CHRISTMAS CAROL in Anderson. I don't have much else going on so I will shut up and get on with my selections for the week.
Unbelievable (2019): I start the week off with this mini-series which is based on true events of a serial rapist. Lisa Cholodenko, Michael Dinner, and Susannah Grant directed the episodes of this series. There are usually two stories going on in the series which both come together. Kaitlyn Dever stars as Marie Adler who is trying to report a rape and eventually recants due to trauma and police pressure. Throughout the series, she must deal with the ramifications legally and personally. Merritt Wever and Toni Collette star as detectives Karen Duvall and Grace Rasmussen who work different jurisdictions but come together when they are investigating rape cases that appear very similar and to the one Marie reported. Blake Ellis, Dale Dickey, Liza Lapira, Kai Lennox, Omar Maskati, Austin Hebert, Eric Lange, Scott Lawrence, Danielle MacDonald, Connor Tillman, Elizabeth Marvel, Patricia Fa'asua, Max Arciniega, Jun Hee Lee, Annaleigh Ashford, and many others co-star in this mini-series. I thought this worked on so many levels with the cast, direction, and writing. This can be very hard to watch at times, but it can also be inspiring. We get to see the evolution of the character of Marie throughout the series as she tries to deal with what happened. Also, the hard work from Duvall and Rasmussen to find the rapist. This also shows how sometimes detectives are human and can make mistakes. I thought the last episode was the best part which puts this all together. This is available to watch on Netflix.
The Naked Gun (2025): Akiva Schaffer directed this comedy which continues on from the popular franchise or maybe it's a reboot. Liam Neeson stars as Frank Drebin Jr. who investigates a murder while trying to save his police department from closure. He gets some help from his partner Ed Hocken Jr., played by Paul Walter Hauser, and crime novelist Beth Davenport, played by BAYWATCH babe Pamela Anderson. Danny Huston, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, Michael Beasley, Moses Jones, Chase Steven Anderson, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Busta Rhymes, Eddie DuPriest, Carl Gilliard, Elliott Grey, Wilbur Fitzgerald, and many others co-star in this comedy. I had a lot of fun watching this one and thought Neeson was the perfect person to continue this series with. This was mostly a parody of the violent characters he is known to play. I also thought Anderson did well in her comedic role and glad to see she has had a career resurgence lately. There are some fun references to the original trilogy. This is available to watch on Paramount + and MGM +.
The Chaser (2008): This is my Korean film for the week was directed by Na Hong-Jin. Kim Yoon-Seok stars as ex-cop and current pimp Joong-Ho who runs a prostitution ring. He is in financial troubles due to a couple of his prostitutes going missing. He demands that Mi-Jin, played by Seo Young-hee, services a customer despite her saying she is sick and soon realizes the customer is responsible for the others disappearing. Ha Jung-Woo, Kim Yoo-jung, Jeong In-gi, Choi Jung-woo, Min Kyung-jin, and many others co-star in this action film. This is not an easy watch and not for everyone. This is based on true events regarding Korean serial killer Yoo Young-Chul. This is very violent and holds nothing back. It is a very compelling film if you can get through the gore. This is available to watch on MGM +, Sundance Now, and Kanopy.
The Pilgrim (1923): This is my silent comedy short for the week which was written and directed by Charles Chaplin. Chaplin also stars as the Pilgrim who is an escaped being mistaken as a priest. Edna Purviance, Syd Chaplin, Mai Wells, Dean Riesner, and many others co-star in this comedy short which might have been considered a feature film at this time with it being nearly 40 minutes. This is not Thanksgiving related and I'm not sure where the name came for the title character. Still, has some fun gags and worth a look. This is available to watch on Prime.
From Here to Eternity (1953): This has a Christmas reference but I thought this is a holiday movie in a sense as we approach December 7th which is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Fred Zinneman directed this film which takes place on Pearl Harbor just before their fateful day and is based on the novel by James Jones. Montgomery Clift stars as soldier Robert E. Lee Prewitt who has done some boxing but is trying to escape it. He is brought in with the unit trying to pressure him into boxing again as they go to some very extreme measures. The other main story is with Sergeant Milton Warden, played by Burt Lancaster, who has an affair with his superior's wife Karen Holmes, played by Deborah Kerr. Donna Reed, Frank Sinatra, Philip Ober, Mickey Shaughnessy, Harry Bellaver, Ernest Borgnine, Jack Warden, John Dennis, Merle Travis, Tim Ryan, Barbara Morrison, Claude Akins, and many others co-star in this film. I suppose this is a war film but is really more about life on a military base and with no one foreseeing the events to come. This has multiple stories with the main ones in my opinion being described. It still holds up today and with good stories and performances.
Starting Over (1979): This has a scene involving Thanksgiving dinner. Alan J. Pakula directed this romantic comedy which is based on the novel by Dan Wakefield. Burt Reynolds stars as the recently divorced Phil Potter who finds himself falling in love again with Marilyn Holmberg, played by Jill Clayburgh, but still seems to have feelings for his ex-wife Jessica, played by Candice Bergen. Charles Durning, Frances Sternhagen, Austin Pendleton, Mary Kay Place, Macintyre Dixon, Jay O. Sanders, Charles Kimbrough, Wallace Shawn, Daniel Stern, Kevin Bacon, and many others co-star in this comedy. This has gone under the radar quite a bit through the years. Reynolds was good as the romantic lead and even shaved his trademark mustache from that era. This could be a good date movie for the holiday. This is available to watch on Youtube.
Mad Dog and Glory (1993): John McNaughton directed this comedy. Robert De Niro stars as the shy Chicago detective Wayne "Mad Dog" Dobie who inadvertently saves the life of local gangster Frank Milo, played by Bill Murray. As a reward, Frank gives Wayne the "one week gift" of the bartender Glory, played by Uma Thurman. As time goes on, they begin to fall in love with one another as Wayne looks to get Glory out of Frank's grasp. David Caruso, Mike Starr, Tom Towles, Kathy Baker, Richard Belzer, and many others co-star in this comedy. De Niro is known to play the gangster but decides to go against his type and play Wayne instead of the role of Frank which he was offered. This is right before Thurman became big from PULP FICTION in 1994 and I suppose her characters have very similar situations.
His Girl Friday (1940): Howard Hawks directed this screwball comedy. Cary Grant stars as reporter Walter Burns whose ex-wife Hildy, played by Rosalind Russell, is about to remarry and has announced she is quitting. Walter convinces her to stay by promising her an exclusive with a death row inmate. People can probably guess where this is going. Ralph Bellamy co-stars as Bruce Baldwin who is Hildy's fiancé. Gene Lockhart, Porter Hall, Ernest Truex, Cliff Edwards, Clarence Kolb, Roscoe Karns, Frank Jenks, and many others. This is a remake of the 1931 film THE FRONT PAGE. This has amount of comedy and even a little murder mystery. This is available to watch on MGM +, TUBI, Pluto TV, and a few other things as it is public domain and worth checking out sometime.
Sybil (1976): Daniel Petrie directed this mini-series which is based on the novel by Flora Rheta Schreiber. Sally Field stars as Sybil who suffers from multiple personality disorder. Joanne Woodward co-stars as Dr. Cornelia Wilbur who tries to help Sybil dig deep to figure out what is causing the multiple personalities. Brad Davis, Martine Bartlett, Charles Lane, William Prince, Penelope Allen, Camila Ashland, Harold Pruett, Natasha Ryan, Anne Beesley, and many others co-star in this mini-series. My friend Carrisa was wanting to watch this, and I was able to obtain the DVD at the library. Field does a great job in playing all the personas. Woodward also does a great job as the psychiatrist which she becomes after suffering multiple personality disorder herself in 1957 film THE THREE FACES OF EVE so this could be a good double feature. This is based on true events.
Becoming Chaz (2011): I end the week with this documentary which was directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato. This follows the gender transition from Chaz Bono who is the son of Cher and Sonny Bono. We see interviews from friends and family including reflections on Chaz's time as Chastity Bono. This includes Cher herself and shows how she had a hard time but trying to progress. This is pretty self-explanatory and a good insight into the life of Chaz and the changes that happen.
Well, that is it for this week but I have returned with my segments "Holiday Corner" and "The Bookworm Corner". I guess I like the word corner. Tell me what you like and dislike and will be back in two weeks which so far includes Vera Farmiga, and many others.
HOLIDAY CORNER
I have quite a few selections for this segment. There are all Thanksgiving and Christmas related. Some might center around those holidays, some might just take place on the holidays, and some might just have a scene. I suppose the phrase "holiday movie" is very debatable but this is my blog so I get to decide these things.
Thanksgiving (2023): Eli Roth wrote and directed this slasher. This starts out on a Thanksgiving night in Plymouth, Massachusetts where Black Friday starts on Thanksgiving night. The customers are extremely anxious and things happen that result in death. The next year, a killer dressed as a pilgrim terrorizes Plymouth with a vengeance. Patrick Dempsey, Ty Olsson, Gina Gershon, Lynne Griffin, Karen Cliche, Nell Verlaque, Rick Hoffman, Derek McGrath, Katherine Trowell, Jalen Thomas Brooks, Mika Amonsen, Amanda Barker, Shailyn Griffin, Tim Dillon, Chris Sandiford, Addison Rae, Tomaso Sanelli, Jenna Warren, and many others co-star in this slasher. So we finally get some Thanksgiving horror which centers around the dreaded Black Friday. This is horror, dark comedy, and even satire to holiday greediness. The story is pretty basic but the kills are pretty creative. I didn't know until recently that this was one of the fake trailers in GRINDHOUSE and was finally made into a feature film. This is quite the gorefest and is not for every but could be for those not quite ready for the Christmas films. This is available to watch on Hulu.
The House of Yes (1997): This movie takes place on Thanksgiving with a very dysfunctional family. Mark Waters directed this comedy which is loosely based on Poe's THE FALL ON THE HOUSE OF USHER. Parker Posey stars as Jackie-O who is a mentally unstable young woman that is convinced she is Jackie Kennedy. Josh Hamilton co-stars as her twin brother Marty who brings his fiancé Lesly, played by Tori Spelling, which sets off Jackie-O in a big way. Freddie Prinze Jr., Genevieve Bujold, and Rachael Leigh Cook co-star in this dark comedy. Posey is great in this film and is perfectly cast. This gives a lot of laughs while being very dark. This is available to watch on Pluto TV.
The Oath (2018): This is another dark Thanksgiving comedy taking place in a rather Dystopian world. Ike Barinholtz directed and wrote this political comedy. He also co-stars as Chris who refuses to sign an oath of loyalty for tax incentives along with his wife Kai, played by Tiffany Haddish. They try to get through Thanksgiving in a politically divided world and they next day they are visited by a couple agents. As things escalate, tough decisions must be made. Nora Dunn, Chris Ellis, Jon Barinholtz, Meredith Hagner, Carrie Brownstein, Jay Duplass, Billy Magnussen, John Cho, Priah Ferguson, Henry Kaufman, Max Greenfield, Brian Guest, Kevin Rahm, Josh Meyers, Beth Dover, and many others co-star in this dark comedy. This event of the oath comes from a few precedents of U.S. history. This is pretty funny but is also very eye-opening. This is essentially a Thanksgiving film and for those looking for non-Hallmark oriented movies.
Lymelife (2008): This takes place around Thanksgiving into the holiday season so the references are as far as it gets to being a "holiday movie". I think this is going to start a long-term series of the Culkins so so in this one for Rory and Kieran Culkin who play brothers. Derick Martini directed and co-wrote this movie with his brother Steven Martini. Rory Culkin stars as the 15-year-old Scott Bartlett who is part of a failing family in the '70s. Alec Baldwin and Jill Hennessy co-star as his parents Mickey and Brenda who are going through a divorce and Kieran Culkin co-stars as Scott's older brother Jimmy who is back temporarily from the military and having his own problems. Emma Roberts, Timothy Hutton, Cynthia Nixon, Logan Huffman, Brandon Thane Wilson, Adam Scarimbolo, and many others co-star in this film. This is based on events from the Martinis' own childhood experience. This is available to watch on TUBI, Pluto TV, Plex, The Roku Channel, and Fawesome.
Art School Confidential (2006): This takes place around the Thanksgiving holiday and there are some references to it along with a dinner. Terry Zwigoff directed this film which is based on a comic story by Daniel Clowes. Max Minghella stars as Jerome who enrolls in an art school as the title might indicate. He takes an interest to the artistic model Audrey, played by Sophia Miles. He starts out very idealistic but starts to learn of the real world. Against the backdrop there is a strangler murdering people in the local town. John Malkovich, Jim Broadbent, Matt Keeslar, Ethan Suplee, Joel David Moore, Nick Swardson, Anjelica Huston, Adam Scott, Jack Ong, Scoot McNairy, Jeremy Guskin, and many others co-star in this film. This also goes the very dark route in the way of comedy. It is a cutthroat world out there and Jerome is determined to succeed in it. Lots of interesting twists to go along with this movie. This is available to watch on Prime, MGM+, TUBI, and Pluto TV.
White Palace (1990): This does have a Thanksgiving dinner scene and makes references to Christmas. Luis Mandoki directed this offbeat love story which is based on the novel by Glenn Savan. James Spader stars as the successful 27-year-old ad executive Max Baron and is dealing with the death of his wife. Susan Sarandon stars as 43-year-old waitress Nora Baker and is dealing with the death of her son. They meet and form a very unlikely relationship while struggling to fit into each other's worlds. Jason Alexander, Kathy Bates, Eileen Brennan, Steven Hill, Rachel Chagall, Corey Parker, Jonathan Parker, Mitzi McCall, and many others co-star in this film. This is a lighter than my other selections so far. This is a very compelling story with Spader and Sarandon oozing with the chemistry. This is a very underrated film that deserves to get out there more on the radar.
The Lookout (2007): This does have a family Thanksgiving scene and things like Christmas trees are present. Scott Frank wrote and directed this heist film. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Chris Pratt who seemed to have it all as a high school athlete but a tragic car accident ends all that. This leaves him with a brain injury and has a hard time remembering things for an extended period of time. He is working at a local bank as a janitor and finds himself caught up in a heist. Jeff Daniels, Matthew Goode, Isla Fisher, Carla Gugino, Bruce McGill, Alberta Watson, Alex Borstein, Sergio Di Zio, David Huband, Laura Vandervoort, and many others co-star in this crime film. Daniels was a lot of fun as Chris's blind roommate who also finds himself in the middle of the heist. This is Scott Frank's directorial debut. This does a great job as a heist film along with some good character work. This is available to watch on MGM +.
Bad Teacher (2007): This does have a brief reference to Christmas as part of the movie takes place at that time. Jake Kasdan directed this very raunchy comedy. Cameron Diaz stars as the incompetent middle school teacher Elizabeth Halsey who is trying to make the money that she needs to get breast implants. While there, she goes after the wealthy substitute Scott, played by Justin Timberlake, while the gym teacher Russell, played by Jason Segal, continues to make advances toward her. Lucy Punch co-stars as the teacher Amy who tries to expose Elizabeth's incompetent ways. Phyllis Smith, John Michael Higgins, Dave Allen, Jillian Armenante, Michael J. Evans, Kaitlyn Dever, Kathryn Newton, Igal Ben-Yair, Aja Bair, Andra Nechita, Finneas O'Connell, Daniel Castro, and many others co-star in this comedy. Dever makes his film debut in this one. This one is not for everyone. I suppose teachers may watch this in envy and/or dismay. Diaz is clearly having a lot of fun playing a bad teacher. This is quite ridiculous and even cringe worthy but lots of fun if not taken too seriously.
Tangerine (2015): This movie takes place on Christmas Eve. Sean Baker directed and co-wrote this independent film. Kitana Kiki Rodriguez stars as Sin-Dee who is a hooker and learns her pimp/lover Chester, played by James Ransome, has been cheating on her. She embarks on a journey to locate Chester whatever it takes with the help of her friend Alexandra, played by Mya Taylor, who does what she can to talk Sin-Dee. Karren Karagulian, Mickey O'Hagan, Alla Tumanian, Ian Edwards, Scott Krinsky, Clu Gulager, Ana Foxxx, Chelcie Lynn, Shih-Ching Tsou, Josh Sussman, and many others co-star in this film. I suppose this could be the LBGQT holiday movie. This is a brutally honest character study where we see the flaws of everyone. This was shot on multiple iphones and the low-budget style is very effective. This is available to watch on Peacock, Hulu, Magnolia Selects, TUBI, Pluto TV, and the Roku Channel.
The Ramen Girl (2008): Some of this takes place around Christmas like when Abby tries to decorate the ramen shop with Christmas decorations. Robert Allen Ackerman directed this coming-of-age comedy. Brittany Murphy stars as Abby who is living with Japan boyfriend but is dumped. She realizes it is time to grow up and becomes fascinated by the ramen shop run by the aging Maezumo, played by Tashiyuki Nishida, and his wife Reiko, Kimiko Yo. She asks Maezumo to help train her to cook ramen which he is resistant but Abby is persistent and finally gives in. Soji Arai, Daniel Evans, Renji Ishibashi, Gabriel Mann, Tammy Blanchard, and many others co-star in this film. This is a pretty moving story of a young American girl with limited English trying to make it in Japan while also dealing with the frustration of the teacher. This is available to watch on Pluto TV and the Roku Channel.
Ben is Back (2018): I believe this takes the "holiday movie" to a new level and this does take place on Christmas Eve. Peter Hedges wrote and directed this film. Julia Roberts stars as Holly whose 19-year-old son Ben, played by Lucas Hedges, returns home unexpectedly from drug rehab. Holly is happy about his return but the rest of the family does not share her sentiment. She soon learns that Ben is still in some trouble and does what she can to help him while also keeping the family together. Lucas Hedges is the son of the director and was not originally cast until the insistence of Julia Roberts having seen him in MANCHESTER BY THE SEA. Courtney B. Vance, Kathryn Newton, Rachel Ray Jones, David Zaldivar, Alexandra Park, Michael Esper, Tim Guinee, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Kristin Griffith, Jack Davidson, Mia Fowler, Jakari Fraser, Cameron Scott Richards, and many others co-star in this film. This is not an upbeat film by any means and I suppose it falls into the "character study" category. In the same year, the movie BEAUTIFUL BOY was put out which also deals with a drug addicted teen and both have their qualities. Roberts and Hedges worked very well together as mother and son. This is available to watch on TUBI, Pluto TV, Plex, and the Roku Channel.
The Nice Guys (2016): This takes place around the holiday season with decorations indicating it but limited reference. Shane Black directed and co-wrote this buddy comedy. Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling star as Jackson Healy and Holland March who are very mismatched private investigators team up to investigate the apparent suicide of an actress who does more adult oriented films. Keep in mind, I must be careful on what I say as last time I got a red flag and even banned on Twitter temporarily. Anjourie Rice co-stars as Holland's more level-headed teenage daughter Holly who helps the duo a lot throughout the film. Matt Bomer, Margaret Qualley, Yaya DaCosta, Keith David, Beau Knapp, Lois Smith, Murielle Telio, Gil Gerard, Daisy Tahan, Kim Basinger, Jack Kilmer, Ty Simpkins, and many others co-star in this film. This has a good blend of drama, action, and comedy. This is also a good homage look into 1970s Los Angeles.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973): I just had to include this classic tv special. Bill Melendez and Phil Roman directed this animated special which is based on the characters by Charles M. Schulz. Charlie, voiced by Todd Barbee, is getting ready to go to his Grandparents' home for Thanksgiving. Things get complicated when Peppermint Patty, voiced by Christopher DeFaria, invites herself to Charlie Brown's home for thanksgiving along with Marcy, voiced by Jimmy Ahrens, and Franklin, voiced by Robin Reed. Charlie, Linus, voiced by Stephen Shea, and Snoopy work together to conjure up the best Thanksgiving they can before Chuck has to leave. This is one of the more underrated of the holiday specials. Lucy, voiced by Robin Kohn, has more of a cameo in the beginning which the famous scene with the football but I guess Charlie was a little too upset to have her over. This is available to watch on Apple TV +.
Infamous (2006): This does take place around the holidays and makes reference to Christmas from time to time. Douglas McGrath directed this biopic which is based on the novel TRUMAN CAPOTE: IN WHICH VARIOUS FRIENDS, ENEMIES, ACQUAINTANCES, AND DETRACTORS RECALL HIS TURBULENT CAREER. Now, you might have guessed this movie is about Truman Capote, played by Toby Jones, where he reads an article about a murder and decides to go to the small town where he would write his most famous book IN COLD BLOOD. Sandra Bullock co-stars as Truman's friend Harper Lee as she joins him in his research. Gwyneth Paltrow, Isabella Rossellini, Peter Bogdanovich, Jeff Daniels, Daniel Craig, Juliet Stevenson, Michael Panes, Hope Davis, Frank G. Curcio, John Benjamin Hickey, and many others co-star in this biopic. This was put out a year after the movie CAPOTE where Philip Seymour Hoffman stars as Capote and takes place around the same time. I actually enjoyed this one more and I must take Jones over Hoffman even though he did a good job as well. Also, I'm not asking anyone to change my mind when I say this. It would make for a good double feature where we can analyze the differences.
The King of Staten Island (2020): This has a little reference to Thanksgiving so it qualifies as a "holiday movie" under my rules. Judd Apatow directed and co-wrote this comedy. Pete Davidson stars as Scott Carlin whose firefighter dad died on the job and dating a firefighter named Ray, played by Bill Burr, and finds he must figure out his life. Ricky Velez, Lou Wilson, Moises Arias, Carly Aquilino, Maude Apatow, Angus Costello, Pauline Chalamet, Lynne Koplitz, Joseph Paul Kennedy, Nina Hellman, Kevin Corrigan, Keith Robinson, Steve Buscemi, Colson Baker, Robert Smigel, and many others co-star in this film. This is a really good evolution story of a slacker finally trying to get it together. Davidson also co-wrote this movie and his own father died as a firefighter in the line of duty so this is very personal to him. This is available to watch on Peacock.
THE BOOKWORM CORNER
This is a segment I do from time to time from when I actually read a book. I will likely have a wrestling related book when I have this segment.
The Three Count: My Life in Stripes as a WWE Referee by Jimmy Korderas (2013): Former WWE referee decided to put his life to words and talk about his time as one of the refs in WWE. He talks about his beginnings with Jack Tunney bringing him in for whatever jobs were needed, most notably picking up wrestlers. Then he transitioned into a referee as well as the ring crew. He talks about the ups and downs of his career and the friendships he has formed through the years. He was the referee for the match with Owen Hart on that tragic night of his death. He also has a lot of great stories like being chosen to referee at a WRESTLEMANIA for Edge and the Undertaker. Now you can listen to Jimmy every week on the podcast REFIN' IT UP WITH BRIAN HEBNER which he is a co-host. This show is one of the podcasts that help me through my work week. There is also a segment where Jimmy has a parody of some of the biggest hit songs about refing. This is a great book from a referee's point of view.
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