TUCKER'S WORLD 2.0: 12/07/2003

"The Other X-mas Flicks"

Well we all know the stock Christmas films such as It’s a Wonderful Life (I will blog about later hopefully) A Christmas Story, and National Lampoon’s Christmas as standard holiday viewing. However many other films out there use the holiday season as a backdrop to telling their story. I have always been a firm believer that certain films benefit from viewing during certain times of the year I don’t always have the time to watch them anymore. Since I am total movie nerd (and know some of my friends certainly are) I watched various movies numerous times and try to get something out of it each time. This is pretty long so if you want to read some and come back that’s cool. I worked pretty hard on this.

Batman Returns (1992)

Dir. Tim Burton Cast: Michael Keaton, Danny Devito, Christopher Walken, and Michelle Peiffer.

Tim Burton was criticized by some for making the Batman (1989) too dark a telling for the Caped Crusader. However Burton instead of following it the film up with a lighter tone he dove deeper into the dark side of humanity.

The biggest liberty Burton took was transforming the Penguin from a goofy looking gangster type into a mildly deformed man who was tossed in the river by his rich unforgiving parents as an infant He was than raised under the sewer by penguins. Burton also brings in Walken playing Max Shreck a corrupt CEO who is beloved by the city. When his personal assistant discovers his shady doings she is pushed to her death, and given a rebirth by cats, enter catwomen. She transforms from a soft spoken woman to one who is hell bend on revenge making up for all the times she let herself get pushed around.

During the entire film the holiday season is descending upon the Gothom City and one key scene includes a Christmas Tree Lighting gone horrible wrong. The holiday season can be a lonely one for those without anyone significant in their lives. So the brooding tale of Batman and the concept of taking stock in ones place in life that goes along with the holiday season make for a nice blend.

Bruce Wayne may realize that perhaps the Batcave doesn’t have to be as cold and isolated as it is. He realizes the more that Cat Woman differ in terms of dealing with villains the more they are the same underneath. This revelation comes during a holiday dance when both counterparts connect their alto-egos with their crime fighting identities.

Burton uses the holiday element to counter balance the ultra dark plot that also involves the Penguins deceptive rise to power. The glitz of the holiday party, the brightness of the Christmas lights and the frequently falling snow make for an almost hypnotic viewing experience and is quite possibly visually the best comic book movie adaptation. The film puts a thin line between good and evil and viewers aren’t exactly sure if they should be rooting for Catwoman through out the picture or not. Certainly during the rooftop sequence when she is slugging it out with Batman which is an example of the sexuality that subtly seeps through the picture.

The films theme is seemingly people pretending to be something they are not. Walken’s character isn’t what he seems to the town who admires him, the Penguin has an evil plan hidden in his bizarre run for mayor of the town, and Batman at one point is framed making him appear as dark and malicious as those he hates.

The film reaches its darkest when the Penguin plots to abduct the first born child of every family in the city fueled by revenge. He his crew is made up of circus freak rejects. A dark film about twisted souls and certainly isn’t exactly children friendly. The holiday backdrop serves as a glimmer of hope in the film.

The movie concludes with one of my favorite final moments in movies. It is a quiet moment. After all the violence that took place in the climax of the film it is a nice touch. Alfred and Bruce are driving home when Bruce finds a stray cat in the cold winter air. He scopes him up and brings him inside his limo. We learn the final fate of Catwoman, but the movie doesn’t imply that Bruce knows. However given Keaton’s delivering of the final line of film you get the impression that he does.

Gremlins (1984) Dir: Joe Dante
Cast:

Nothing says Christmas like a movie ending in bloodshed at the hands of mischievous little creatures. Any movie that reminds the viewers that the holiday season is when the suicide rate is at its highest doesn’t have its head screwed on just right. Not to mention the scene featuring the town Santa Clause pleading for his life, with vicious Gremlins comically chewing on his flesh while the Chief of police doesn’t lift a finger.

I honestly don’t know why this film is not more regarded by films buffs and historians. On the surface it’s a monster movie, but underneath the surface it’s a creative dark comedy. Perhaps a pessimistic man’s ET. The film paints the rich with a broad stroke making them seem petty and greedy. Most of the likeable characters are the middle class people of the town. Perhaps the film was a perfect fit for the 80s the decade of greed.

The film starts out with whacky inventor (played wonderfully play the late Hoyt Axton who was a country singer and sang the theme to MITCHELL!) shopping for a Christmas present for his early 20 something kid who still lives at home. The family is just barely getting by and the son is almost supporting the family since his father’s whacky inventions are rarely usable or practical (which results in running gags for the film). So the father wants a good deal on gift for his son. He goes to Chinatown and purchases an animal known as a MOGWAI. He is given a list of warnings such as not feeding after midnight (they turn into Gremlins who are mean-spirited unlike MOGWAIS) don’t get them wet (the produce multiple offspring in mere minutes) and don’t get them near light (sunlight kills them).

We are introduced to the people of the town in the opening credits when Christmas music plays and the town is seemingly getting to into the spirit. The father decides not to wait until Christmas and gives his son Billy (Zach Galligan) his gift early. Billy is happy to get him, but he is having problems of his own, he gets nervous around a co-worker he wants to ask out (Phoebe Cates), their rich neighbor wants to murder his dog, and he is being constantly being harassed by a co-worker ( Judge Reinhold) who has his eyes on the same girl and aspires to run the bank in a few years. The plot line involved Billy and Reinhold’s character should go on a list of subplots that are randomly dropped before the movie ends. Two scenes between the two setting up a rivalry you would think the viewer would know what happens to Reinhold’s character or at least get to marvel in his demise, but he just vanishes. I know the DVD has a delete scene on it though which I still haven’t seen.

Anyway the quirky town members like the drunken War veteran (played by character actor Dick Miller), the obligatory kid (played by a young Corey Feldman), the rich bitch after Billy’s dog, the drunken boorish police chief, and local radio personality although all colorfully cast take a back seat to the Germlins who wreak havoc on the town on Christmas eve.

While the father is out of the town the MOGWAIS change into Gremlins with the exception of GIZMO the one originally given to Billy. Billy and his love interest set out to stop them from over but the Gremlins comically (in a dark way) trash the small fictional North Jersey town. Maybe a society that has people trampling over other shoppers at Wal-Mart deserves to have Gremlins show them things are out of whack.

The Christmas theme makes the film seem all the more ironic. It also allows us to whiteness perhaps the only time a Christmas tree attacks someone in movie history when the leader of the Gremlins MOWHAWK lunges at Billy’s mother. So many wonderfully memorable scenes that make you realize how unnecessary CGI is from the classic show down in the kitchen with a Gremlin meeting the reaper via a blender and another exploding in a microwave. Not to mention the classic bar scene when the Gremlins personalities are revealed to be nothing more than creatures intend on murder and breaking stuff. The scene involves various pop culture references reminded us that we aren’t supposed to be taking the film to seriously.

This film makes the Griswold’s Holiday season seem mild and one should thing twice about buying furry creatures for their children! The film is viewed better around this time of year since it is filled with Christmas songs (including the opening sequence), snow, and even a group of Gremlins Christmas caroling. The films is Dante’s finest which isn’t saying a lot but this kind of movie could have ended up a giant Turkey kudos to writer Chris Columbus (Harry Potter director). The wonderful music score, talented cast of character actors, and of course the cute Gizmo and evil Gremlins make for a fun ride. Worth a revisit for anyone who hasn’t watched since they were young and a must see for anyone that missed this under appreciated 80’s flick.

“If You Don’t Have Dreams You Only Have Nightmares”
Diner

The film takes place between Christmas and New Years of 1959 in Baltimore. Directed by Barry Levingston the film boasts a cast of actors that went on to become heavy Hollywood hitters at least for a while anyway. The film’s basic premise is a group of guys trying to hang on to their last shred of youth before the group of friends go their separate ways and live their separate lives. The main narrative that propels the film is Guttenberg’s story who insists his wife to be passes a football trivia challenge in order for the wedding to take place.

One guy is just about to wed( Steve Guttenberg), anther has knocked up his on again off again and is in no position to raise a kid(Tim Daly), the married one of the group if wondering if he was too young to marry (Daniel Stern), another is gleefully wasting his potential while boozing in engaging in destructive behavior (Kevin Bacon), another is piling up gambling debts with angry mobsters( Rourke), and the another shows up briefly and offers dry comic wit(Paul Reiser).

The films main strength is the characters who caught up with each other at the local diner (hence the name) every one of the scenes in the Diner is improvised by the cast which makes the dialogue seem like exchanges between real friends. The director wisely shot these scenes after the rest of the film after the young cast had bonded and reportedly had many late nights similar to the characters did during the filming. If you get your hands on the DVD make sure you watch the documentary when all the actors (except Rourke for some reason) talk about the making of the film and their adventurous off the set.

I guess this is a guys version of a chick flick and the film shows the strength of the bond that guys have among the close friends. Apparently at the core guys haven’t changed much. The guys in Diner all remind me of some of my friends certainly back in the days when we all hung out on a regular basis. The guys shoot pool, analyze the motives of women, discuss movies and music, exaggerate sexual advances, exaggerate details of past adventurers, and sometimes for no reason at all refuse to call it a night until the sun starts to rise. The guys constantly rag one another, and during the one week peak into the lives of these men we learn many of them are on the verge of the next stage in their life and use the Diner as an oasis of something that is sacred. Like said several times in the movie, you always have the guys at the diner.

The film holds up pretty well since Levinson put forward a great effort to make it feel like 1959. The guys all wear ties out to the diner, the cars are authentic, some great classic songs from the time that blend perfectly with the film. Some of the plotlines work better than others and most people that I have recommended this film to tend to disagree with which ones pale in comparison. The comedy is mostly conversational (sort of like early Seinfeld) however various memorable sequences such as the movie theater scene, the Christmas decorations scene, Stern and his wife’s ridiculous argument, and Boogie’s (Rourke) immature approach to women. Each of these works on the entertainment value but never goes to far for laughs so you actually believe its something that could happen to real people and not just comic set ups.

The weather was apparently cold the week between Christmas and New Years and the film almost plays out like a documentary following a group of friends around for a week. The characters reference and laugh about events prior to the films start which makes the film seem less like a stagy story and more like a time capsule or message to guys in their late teens and early 20s to enjoy it while it lasts. Because although many of tried its impossible to hang on to the carefree time you have as a young man to spend countless nights with your friends downing greasy fries and plotting the rest of your life out. The final shot ( the films most famous shot)of the film pretty much says it all if you read into it.

You would like to think everything worked out for the “crew” and they made all the right decisions and perhaps once in awhile their elder counter parts leave their families at home and meet up. However maybe its best they stay frozen in time the week between Christmas and New Years in the 1959 Baltimore.

Ghostbusters II (1989)
Dir- Ivan Reitman Cast: Too Obvious to List

Okay lots of people thought this one didn’t leave up to its predicator. I agree the first film is better but this is certainly a worthy sequel. Luckily the entire creative team and cast returned for this film which was essential for it work.

The film is 5 years after the original and the Ghostbusters have split up and hit some hard times. Apparently saving the world wasn’t good enough and they ended up being sued by various levels of Government and the business went under. However evidence of slime under the city being linked to New Yorkers turning into assholes might be also linked into an evil sick-o returning to New York City to become the ruler of the world. This can’t be achieved without a few possessions and getting rid of the pesky Ghostbusters.

The characters were known inside and out by the fans by the time this film was released since there was a long running Saturday morning cartoon and nerds like me that have seen the original literally 100s of times. This allowed the film to hit the ground running, but not without catching up in the boys.

The films climax takes place on New Years Eve 1989 and a running theme is redemption. Peter (Bill Murray) trying to win back a girl he tossed aside, the Ghostbusters trying to gain back their creditability and getting a fresh start. Mostly though the film is about having a good time and it provides many laughs and like the first one has a pretty solid plot blending the creepiness with the comedy.

The movie tries to top the first film with having Lady Liberty walking down the streets of Manhattan. The film may have for some taken on a mildly different feel-post 9/11. The film obviously loves to show off New York City’s culture and basically says although New Yorkers have a bad reputation when push comes to shove they are basically good hearted people under the hard exterior and come together when need be.

Of course the filmmakers weren’t trying to touch peoples hearts when making this movie. They set out to make a great popcorn flick with the loveable underdog almost anti-hero Ghostbusters running through the streets of the big apple catching ghosts. The chemistry is still there between all the key players and many of the actors were still in their prime and hamming it up for this film. The writers make you mentally root for the Ghostbusters against the pending evil.

For the holiday viewing value you do get see the Ghostbusters in Santa hats and finale in the form of a giant party in the streets of New York. Watching the movie now you realize that the finals scenes are the curtain call for the franchise and I always wished there was a third part because the characters were so fun to watch. Now too many years of have passed without making the sequel just look like a sad attempt to live in the past. Perhaps its best the story ended there with the Ghostbusters celebrating the New Year’s and their latest victory and having the fans wanting more.

Only You
Dir: Betty Thomas

The film is as soft and fluffy as an early winter snow. The film isn’t setting out to turn the industry it’s ear, offend anyone or win any awards.

The plot isn’t exactly one you will need to think about or even wonder how it will end. The movie is simply a harmless romantic comedy that goes doesn’t try to be over cinematic either. In fact the films small budget is rather skimpy on glamorous scenery shots but that is just movie nerd nitpick.

The film opens in New York with a Christmas party for a doll house designing company. Andrew McCarthy (right before he fell off into obscurity) plays the lead and is aggravated when he learns not only doesn’t his girlfriend want to be with him anymore she doesn’t want to go on a trip he booked awhile back to a remote island that is non-refundable.

Against his best friend’s advice McCarthy’s character spends Christmas eve alone in a bar getting tanked. While there drinking like a loser he bumps into a blonde bimbo who just got kicked to the curb by her boyfriend. After quite a few shots they decide to make use of his tickets to paradise. They wake up in the warm islands and she has trouble remembering who he is or how they got there. While he thinks it’s the start of something new she seems to think it’s a free trip to have fun. He decides if he impresses her and kisses her butt enough she will come around and he will be in a relationship with a hottie.

Preston blows off McCarthy to meet new friends and have fun in the sun. McCarthy kills time till she gets back to the hotel by going on his own comedic misadventures such as scuba diving and bumming on the beach. Incidentally he bumps into his travel agent ( played by a big household name Helen Hunt) who wants to use him to model for a brochure. Since he is bored he accepts the offer. He isn’t exactly her ideal candidate for a model but he is a good sport about it and the two who had gotten off on the wrong foot develop a witty rapport. He starts to notice that she is liking him but he choices to go back to the blonde in attempts to get the relationship off the ground.

The basic plot is that guys sometimes have to choose between partying and random sex with no stability and some one willing to admit that there are actually soul mates out there. Preston is blonde and curvy and outspoken, Hunt is dressed down and honest but timid. All there key players are keenly aware of the cameras and exaggerate their roles in typical romantic comedy fashion. McCarthy smirks for the camera and does his trademark eye bulge when needed and engages in several sequences of physical comedy. Preston hams up the spoiled bitch shtick and before her hairstyle dated it was understandable why the viewer might want McCarthy to chase after her like a puppy dog. Hunt is tries to cover up any element she has sex appeal with loose clothes and brown hair. She basically knows McCarthy is making an ass out of himself trying to make a tramp play house with him and quietly hopes he looks at himself in the mirror.

His trip is up right after the big New Years party. A time for new beginnings a time for new relationships? Will McCarthy choice stability or adventure with a chance of ending badly. Perhaps he will screw up too many times and lose them both before he boards his plane back to New York forcing him to jump in front of City Cabs.

Certainly the lightest of my recommendations don’t grill me for this one guys an innocent humorous 90 minute diversion.

The Hudsucker Proxy (1993)

One of the least popular Cohen Brothers movie but I like this one a lot . Tim Robbins plays the idealist college graduate who comes to the big city ( 1940’s New York) with no experience he is down on his luck and virtually pennyless. He luckily lands a job at Hudsucker however that same week the company CEO apparently not happy despite his wealth jumps out the window of the city sky rise and plummets to his death.

The CEO want to be (a gruff Paul Newman) sees this as an chance to take the company in the wrong direction. He wants to run the company into the ground so him and his cronies can buy the stock real cheap fix the problems and get rich. Robbins is the prefect rube.

Robbins comically has never been better he brings to the table a endless bag of comedic facial expressions that will make Jim Carrey envious. He is perfectly cast as the well intending out of towner who wants to make an impact in the big city. He is more naïve than as dumb as he appears to be or is made out by the company.

When Robbins invents the hula-hoop it at first looks like a huge plunder that will deflate the stock worth, however with a stroke of luck it catches on. The whole bizarre rise to power sparks the interest of the city paper so they send an uncover reporter in to get the inside scoop. Leigh (an often ridiculed decision) plays the reporter and obvious homage to actress of back in the day, and I can understand how she comes across as grating to some viewers (Liza made me shut this film off because of her) and I admit the novelty wears thin when she gets expanded screen time in the mid-section of the picture. However the glorious set (it is just amazing) and the almost flawlessly visual of the film more than make up for it. The film almost plays out like stage plays with characters have winks to the audience and staging entrances and exists. The music plays wonderfully many of the music sequences without out dialogue are the best moments cinematically of the film. It is about as close to perfection as that concept can get.

The film is also in ways a nod to the director Frank Kapra style films. The films second act is much darker than the jubilant more comic first act. Robbins still oblivious to being a puppet gets corrupted by the power and loses his innocence. Eventually hitting rock bottom and realizing he has nothing of his success is what is seems he seems at his wits end and contemplates ending it all. Once you are dead you stay, dead Newman tells him.

The Cohen brothers than manipulate time and shake the fourth wall almost to the point of crumbling completely. The film more a New Years film than a Christmas movie since the narrative starts and ends on that particular holiday. Plus the film has that what does it all mean feel by the end of the 2nd act since you know from the opening words of the film that the stories key point will be basically at the stroke of midnight the film like the point of the holiday is quietly ticking down to that moment.

Lethal Weapon (1987)
Dir. Richard Donner Cast: Mel Gibson , Danny Glover, Gary Busey

Jingle Bell Rock opens the film and I will be home for Christmas ends the film. The directors cut a few years ago is worth the rental for fans (I own it) it adds to the main characters. Anyone who only saw the later sequels may not have realized that the first film was more of a character study than its sequels (I don’t have a problem with direction the series eventually went in although 4 was pushing it but was basically just a farewell to the franchise. ).

Of course it has been ripped off many times. Two cops who are polar opposites in a way team up to shake down some shady drug dealers. This film has the two characters needed each other more than they get on each others nerves. Gibson is on the verge of killing himself and actually at one point comes close to blowing his brains out. Glover needs a reason not to retire and keeping Gibson in check is a perfect reason. Gibson is so reckless that he could care less if he gets killed in action. He was a young sniper in the Veitnam war and admits the only thing he was ever good at is killing people. However since his wife was killed in a car accident he pretty much flew off the deep end. Gibson is brought into the Glover’s family for dinner and he sees the family he will never have.

The two cops have to bring down a drug ring and manage to have various shoot outs close calls, and explosions around them through out the course of the film. Will they make it one piece for Christmas dinner?

This was a different kind of action movie than the sequels more serious in tone, before the two cops randomly shot and killed bad guys with out any consequences. They actually followed procedure to a certain extent.

Richard Donner directs this film who is known for making respectable popcorn type movies. The action scenes are cool and Gibson kicks ass and takes name in this flick. Easily my favorite action movie series.

TUCKER'S WORLD 2.0

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