Holiday Movie Picks
December 12, 2011 § Leave a comment
national lampoon's christmas vacation
With the holidays upon us, I thought it would be nice to list a series of movies you can watch with different types of audiences in mind.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
This 1989 classic is definitely one that is safe for all ages. Sure it has mildly inappropriate humor, but how is that different from what’s on TV these days? The picture here is probably the raciest scene in the film. SEE it’s not that bad right? That aside, Chevy Chase’s humor is something every generation should experience. He’s an onscreen legend whose likability will withstand the test of time. Add it to the queue.
hall pass
Ok, this definitely isn’t a movie to watch with kids BUT it is beyond hilarious. I loled so many times. I would compare it to the laugh level of The Hangover. It’s a lot like a 40-something’s version of The Hangover. A must for your rotation if you need a good laugh, and everyone needs a good laugh right? It stars Owen Wilson, Christina Applegate and Jason Sudeikis. Look for it this month on HBO. And sit around for the credits, there are a few golden nuggets that you won’t want to miss.
the royal tenenbaums
Out of my many many many years watching movies professionally (family video store & film fest organizer), I can say this classic will always occupy a place on my movie top shelf. It’s just a good film that pokes fun at family oddities and drama, the good old fashioned way–by dealing with it! Gene Hackman, who plays the head of the family narrates and stars alongside Angelica Houston, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, Luke & Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, Danny Glover. What better time to watch a familycentric comedy than the holidays?
the dilemma
This comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Kevin James is centered on Vaughn’s character scheming ways to tell his best friend (James) about his cheating wife. During his undercover spying, he runs into a series of fights and makes everyone suspect his strange behavior all while trying to maintain a developing business deal with Queen Latifah’s character, who steals the show. The CoverGirl model could not be funnier. Her performance alone makes this film worth watching, referencing her “girl wood hanging down to here” when being sold on a new car idea. It’s airing on HBO.
Happy holidays. 🙂
The Sasquatch Gang
January 17, 2011 § Leave a comment
the sasquatch gang
Tim Skousen: the Assistant Director of Napoleon Dynamite has written and directed another glorious nerd drama, The Sasquatch Gang, a comedy about somewhat-normal teens in the semi-peaceful suburbs. They share the same nerd glory as Napoleon Dynamite and the film is just as funny, minus the classic “Vote for Pedro” storyline which will remain my favorite film memory for eternity.
During its tour through the film festival circuit, The Sasquatch Gang screened at Slamdance, HBO US Comedy Arts, Waterefront New Zealand, Sidewalk, and Vail Film Festivals winning a number of awards for Best Director and Best Actor to Justin Long.
The nerd pack consists of a few groups of kids that discover what they believe to be Sasquatch footprints and scheme ways to make money off of their discovery throughout the film. My favorite character was Sophie, a teen video store clerk who has her mouth wired shut to lose weight and all the nerd boys love her. Say what you will, there’s comedy in that. I thought it was hilarious.
Are you wondering why you haven’t heard of it? It didn’t get wide theater distribution, probably why I haven’t seen it until recently—it is now airing on Showtime. The trailer (below) doesn’t do it justice, but I highly recommend watching it.
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