Red One (2024)

"Is this something that happens to you a lot?"

"Unexplained piano in the middle of a German highway? No, this is rare."

Santa Claus (Simmons) is kidnapped from the North Pole on Christmas Eve. His security team, led by Callum Drift (Johnson) turn to MORA, Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority, for answers. Director Zoe Harlow (Liu) shares that their location was revealed by Jack O'Malley (Evans). O'Malley is a mercenary who can find anyone for a price. He is also on the naughty list.

O'Malley is hired by MORA to help locate Santa. He is forced to work with Callum, despite their protests. O'Malley is also reluctantly trying to be a good dad to his son Dylan (Kimmel). Can Callum and O'Malley set aside their differences to rescue Santa and save Christmas?

A new Christmas movie that pulls in lots of Christmas folklore and action.

The Good:

The pairing of Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans works well. The action sequences also work well.

The Bad:

Not necessarily bad, but this is a darker take on Christmas. Includes Krampus and Christmas witch Gryla. The snowmen were creepy. I did not love the scene at Krampus' party.

Has too many ideas and not enough time to fully flesh things out. It also drastically changes tone throughout. Maybe if this was a TV miniseries or 2 films it would be better.

Other Comments:

-Based on the trailers, I expected a comedy. However, it is an action movie with some comedic moments. 

-The story is an original concept from co-producer Hiram Garcia. The screenplay was written by Chris Morgan (who wrote many of the Fast and Furious films).

-Not bad, but also not going on my annual Christmas movie watch list. 

Red One (2024) 123 minutes

Rating: PG-13 for action, some violence, and language.

Director: Jake Kasdan

Starring: Dwayne Johnson as Callum Drift

Chris Evans as Jack O'Malley

Lucy Liu as Zoe Harlow

J. K. Simmons as Santa Claus

Bonnie Hunt as Mrs. Claus

Kristofer Hivju as Krampus

Kiernan Shipka as Grýla

Mary Elizabeth Ellis as Olivia

Wesley Kimmel as Dylan

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024)

"That's a pageant I'd like to see!"

The Herdmans are the worst kids in town. They smoke, steal, curse, and ignore authority. No one wants to deal with them, including adults. Imogene (Schneider) is the toughest, Gladys (Heiman) hits everyone, and the boys, Ralph (Nelligan), Ollie (Moore), Claude (Lamb), and Leroy (Wood), beat up anyone that gets in their way.

The town of Emmanuel is known for it's annual Christmas pageant. This year they are celebrating the 75th anniversary and advertising everywhere. The usual director breaks both her legs, so Grace Bradley (Greer) volunteers to take over. She has copious notes and history, but that all goes away when thr Herdman family volunteers for all the lead roles: Imogene as Mary, Ralph as Joseph, Gladys as the angel, and the rest of the boys as wise men.

The Herdmans don't know the story and want to change it to add in violence and vengeance. Grace insists it will be the best pageant ever, but everyone else, including her husband Bob (Holmes) and children Beth (Wright) and Charlie (Billingsley-Rodriguez), think the Herdmans will ruin the pageant. They all want Grace to kick them out of the show, but no one is willing to stand up to them. Will the pageant survive the Herdmans?

Based on the 1972 book "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson. 

The Good:

The story is faithful to the book, while expanding on some elements. Judy Greer is great as Grace. The role of Bob is expanded here and Pete Holmes makes it work. He is funny (he said the quote above) and supportive. The kids are all good as well, with Gladys as a standout, because we all know a kid like Gladys.

It is funny, with heart and a tearful finale.

The Bad:

No real complaints.

Other Comments:

-The story was previously adapted for film in 1983.

-I love the book and the 1983 film (which I try to watch every year), so I was excited about this film. I was not disappointed.  It is funny and serious and moving and the kids are great. I definitely want to see this film again!

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024) 95 minutes 

Director: Dallas Jenkins 

Starring: Judy Greer as Grace Bradley

Pete Holmes as Bob Bradley

Molly Belle Wright as Beth Bradley

Lauren Graham as Narrator

Beatrice Schneider as Imogene Herdman

Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez as Charlie Bradley

Matthew Lamb as Claude Herdman

Essek Moore as Ollie Herdman

Kirk B.R. Woller as Reverend Hopkins

Ewan Wood as Leroy Herdman

Mason D. Nelligan as Ralph Herdman

Kynlee Heiman as Gladys Herdman

The Noel Diary

"You know that saying "Time heals all wounds"?"

"Hmm."

"It doesn't."

Jake Turner (Hartley) is a best selling author. He enjoys the success, but prefers to be alone, with only his dog Ava for company. As he settles in for a quiet Christmas, he learns that his mother died and left him the house.

Jake is reluctant to return to his childhood home and memories. But he is interrupted by Rachel Campbell (Doss) who is looking for information about her mother. Jake and Rachel tackle cleaning out the house and while looking for answers. Can they find the closure they both need and open up to something new?

This is a Netflix Christmas movie, based on the novel "The Noel Diary" by Richard Paul Evans.

The Good:

This is not your typical Christmas film. It isn't afraid to tackle grief and past trauma, while still moving forward the romance and story. The story is not overly predictable, but also gives audiences what they expect. 

The leads are good and have a believable chemistry. 

The Bad:

It drags a bit, but also doesn't feel long enough. 

Other Comments:

-The dog, Ava, is an Australian Shepherd. Ava is my favorite character. 

-Enjoyable, I would watch this again.

The Noel Diary (2022) 100 minutes 

Director: Charles Shyer

Starring: Justin Hartley as Jake Turner

Barrett Doss as Rachel Campbell

Essence Atkins as Noel Ellis

Bonnie Bedelia as Ellie Foster

James Remar as Scott Turner

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

"As I've suspected, you've broken your funny bone!"

Mailman Special Delivery "S.D." Kluger (Astaire) is delivering letters to the North Pole. Many of the letters ask questions about Santa Claus and other Christmas traditions. S.D. tells the story of Santa's origin.

Kris (Rooney) was raised by the Kringle family, who teach him to make toys for children. The Kringle family long to share their toys with children, but cannot cross the mountain and the Winter Warlock (Wynn). As a young man, Kris makes the trip and delivers toys to the children of Sombertown. However, the Burgermeister Meisterburger (Frees) who runs the town has outlawed toys. Can Kris change Meisterburger and Sombertown?

This film is a stop-motion Rankin-Bass Christmas classic. 

The Good:

As usual, the voice cast is excellent. Fred Astaire is a good Narrator and gets to sing the title song. Keenan Wynn is good as Winter Warlock. Rankin-Bass regular Paul Frees gets to ham it up in multiple roles. Mickey Rooney is a decent Santa. He would continue to voice Kris Kringle/Santa Claus in 3 subsequent Rankin-Bass Christmas movies: The Year Without a Santa Claus in 1974, Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July in 1980, and A Miser Brothers' Christmas in 2008.

The Bad:

Some parts and songs did not age well. "Be Prepare to Pay" is cringey, but catchy. And "My World is Beginning Today" is very fated.

Other Comments:

-The best song, outside of the title song, is "Put One Foot in Front of the Other".

-It's good and has become a Christmas classic that plays on TV and streaming services every year.

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town (1970) 51 minutes

Director: Arthur Rankin Jr. & Jules Bass

Starring: Fred Astaire as Special Delivery "S.D." Kluger

Mickey Rooney as Kris Kringle

Keenan Wynn as Winter Warlock

Robie Lester as Miss Jessica

Paul Frees as Burgermeister Meisterburger, Grimsley, Topper, and more

Joan Gardner as Tanta Kringle

The Santa Stakeout

Detectives Tanya Morris (Mowry-Housley) and Ryan Anderson (Campbell) disagree about everything. She is detail oriented and loves the holidays, while he follows gut instincts and avoids the holidays. A string of robberies a week before Christmas forces them to work together on a case. 

Their prime suspect, Francis Miller (Pantoliano), is a popular Santa who was working at all of the robbery locations. They rent the house next door and pose as newlyweds. To get close to Miller, they join his Christmas Committee. As they spend time together and with Miller they start to rethink everything. Could they be wrong about Miller and each other?

This is a Hallmark Christmas movie.

The Good:

The chemistry between Tamera Mowry-Housley and Hallmark regular Paul Campbell is good, as is their banter. Thr acting is good, especially for a Hallmark movie. The story embraces the Christmas spirit with a little mystery thrown in. Joe Pantoliano rides the line between suspicious and kind with ease.

The Bad:

The rest of the Christmas Committee is very one note. It's hard to remember their names and don't have distinct personalities. The story moves slow in places.

Other Comments:

-It's fine, but definitely not the best. A

Mowry-Housley, Campbell, and Pantoliano have all made better films.

The Santa Stakeout (2021) 84 minutes

Director: Peter Benson

Starring: Tamera Mowry-Housley as Detective Tanya Morris

Paul Campbell as Detective Ryan Anderson 

Joe Pantoliano as Francis Miller

Peter Bryant as Captain Fletcher

Frosty the Snowman (1969)

"Now give me that hat or else."

"Or else what?"

"Oh, well, don't bother me with details, give me that hat!"

The first snow of the season falls on Christmas Eve. Karen (Foray) and her friends build a snowman that they name Frosty. When magician Professor Hinkle's (De Wolfe) hat lands on his head, Frosty (Vernon) comes to life.

The kids and Frosty have fun until the temperatures start to rise. Karen decides to take him to the North Pole, the only place where he won't melt. Professor Hinkle wants his hat back and chases after them. Can they find a way to keep Karen warm and Frosty warm, while avoiding Professor Hinkle?

Based on the 1950s song "Frosty the Snowman ", written by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson.

The Good:

The writer, Romeo Muller, adapted and expanded the song to fit into a TV special. Unlike previous Rankin-Bass specials, this embraces traditional 2D animation. They wanted it to look like a Christmas card, which works and brings heart to the story.

The characters are voiced by comedians. Jimmy Durante is a great choice as the Narrator. Jackie Vernon is warm and child-like as Frosty. Billy De Wolfe is ridiculous and pure mustache-twirling villain as Professor Hinkle.

The Bad:

It's a little short, which works for a TV special, but it could be longer. The kids that are not Karen are not necessary. They are cute, but don't have names are any memorable personalities. 

Other Comments:

-This was Durante's final film. It is also an iconic role that introduced his voice to a whole new audience. 

-Frosty was so popular that Rankin-Bass made two subsequent films with Frosty. Frosty's Winter Wonderland, the 1976 sequel brought back Vernon in the title role and Muller as the writer. Vernon again voiced the character in Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July in 1979.

Frosty the Snowman (1969) 25 minutes

Directors: Arthur Rankin Jr and Jules Bass 

Starring: Jimmy Durante as Narrator

Jackie Vernon as Frosty

Billy De Wolfe as Professor Hinkle

June Foray as Karen

Paul Frees as The Traffic Cop, The Ticket Taker, Hocus Pocus, and Santa Claus

Haunted Mansion (2023)

"I'm too old to die!"

Gabbie (Dawson), a former doctor, is looking for a fresh start with her son, Travis (Dillon). She buys an old mansion in New Orleans. She sees potential in the crumbling mansion, until she encounters the ghosts that haunt it.

She turns to Father Kent (Wilson) for an exorcism and former astrophysicist Ben Matthias (Stanfield) for photographic proof. Ben is a skeptic who is deep in grief, and only agrees to help for the paycheck. When they are all haunted and forced to live in the mansion, they bring in medium Harriet (Haddish) and college professor and historian Bruce (DeVito). Can they work together to get rid of the ghosts before anyone else dies in the mansion?

Based on the Disneyland and Disney World Haunted Mansion ride. The ride first premiered at the park in 1969.

The Good:

The people making this film (director Justin Simien, writer Katie Dippold, set design, etc) clearly enjoy the Haunted Mansion ride and made sure that the film included iconic moments.

The story has a darker tone than the other versions, but still tries to inject the story with some humor through Danny DeVito, and sarcasm through Owen Wilson. LaKeith Stanfield is a strong lead and proves that he is a talented actor. The film looks great.

The Bad:

It's too long. Did they need a big name for the Hatbox Ghost? I'm not a fan of Jared Leto, but he feels wasted here. Rosario Dawson doesn't have much to do, she's fine, but not memorable. 

Other Comments:

-Disney made 2 previous films about the ride: The Haunted Mansion in 2003 with Eddie Murphy and Muppets Haunted Mansion in 2021.

-I like Jamie Lee Curtis, but I don't love her as Madame Leota. 

-I enjoyed the film, but have no interest in ever seeing it again. Maybe if it was funnier or had less characters or less plot...

Haunted Mansion (2023) 123 minutes

Rating: PG-13 for some thematic elements and scary action.

Director: Justin Simien

Starring: LaKeith Stanfield as Ben Matthias

Tiffany Haddish as Harriet

Owen Wilson as Father Kent

Danny DeVito as Bruce Davis

Rosario Dawson as Gabbie

Chase W. Dillon as Travis

Jamie Lee Curtis as Madame Leota

Jared Leto as Alistair Crump, The Hatbox Ghost