Movie Review: Ernest Saves Christmas

Ernest Saves Christmas

Touchstone Pictures, Silver Screen Partners III, Emshell Producers, USA, 1988.

Santa Claus (Douglas Seale) is thinking about retirement and is searching for a successor. Children's TV show host Joseph Carruthers (Oliver Clark) is the candidate. Goofy taxi-driver Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney) gives Santa a ride, but Santa's bag is left in the taxi. Meanwhile Santa's reindeer gets stuck in the customs, much bedazzling storage workers Chuck (Gailard Sartain) and Bobby (Bill Byrge). Ernest and runaway teen girl Harmony (Noelle Parker) decide to return the sack to the rightful owner.

Ernest

Santa

Harmony

Joe's agent Marty (Robert Lesser) gets Joseph a role in a movie, and arranges Santa's arrest. However the role is in a horror movie that is not something Joe is comfortable with. If Joe doesn't become the next Santa, it could be the last Christmas ever! And can Ernest get the Santa's sleigh from the custom warehouse in time?

Elves

Christmas fish

Chuck and Bobby

Ernest-comedies are nowadays quite rare but the folks who were kids in 1980s-90s remember these. Before Jim Carrey took the career as America's rubber face, it was Jim Varney whose slapstick hijinks's entertained the audiences and annoyed the critics. So Ernest-movies were stupid but benevolent, and so Ernest's Christmas adventure is a feel-good Season movie with good laughs utilizing Jim Varney's skills. Ernest masquerades himself as a slick bureaucrat, old granny and hillbilly. Ernest visits his never seen onscreen pal Vern, and for some reason starts ripping electric lines from the walls. "Miracle on the 34th Street" variation has Santa bringing Christmas spirit to unbelievers, and returning runaway shoplifter Melody to the right path. Recommended as a bit different family cult Christmas comedy.

Starring: Jim Varney, Douglas Seale, Oliver Clark, Noelle Parker, Gailard Sartain, Billie Bird, Bill Byrge, Robert Lesser, Key Howard, Jack Swanson, Buddy Douglas, Patty Maloney, Beecher Martin, Barry Brazell, George Kaplan, Bill Welter, Joe Candelora, Danny Dillon, Lindsey Alley, Phran Gauci, Bill Cordell, Larry Francer, Jackie Welch, Daniel Butler, Antonio Fabrizio, Bob Norris, Carmen J. Alexander, Miriam P. Saunders, Cyndi Vicino, Tom Nowicki, Michael O. Smith, Jesse Stone, Angelique Walker, Zachary Bowden, Donna Phillip Miller, Paul Darby, Cynthia Ergenbright, Bob Barnes, Mike Hutchinson, Douglas Brush, D. Christian Gottshall, Ray Russell, Brett Cipes, Jon Freda, Cindy Haroutunian, Rosa Nevin, Jennifer Peña

Director: John R. Cherry III

Movie Review: Barbie A Perfect Christmas

Barbie A Perfect Christmas 

Barbie Entertainment, Technicolor, USA, 2011. 

Christmas is coming and Barbie, Skipper, Stacie and Chelsea are going to a rock concert in New York. In the spirit of modern times Skipper is a blogger. She also composes songs and wants that some band would play them but she will not let Barbie help. Stormy weather causes trouble and their flight has to land at Rochester. They have continue the trip by car. They get lost and end up in small Tannenbaum Inn. Perky Inn keeper Christie Clauson welcomes them to Christmas party. 

Skipper & Barbie

Going to Tannenbaum Inn

Christie Clauson

There are also elves, well not actually. There are just neighbours named the Elifs. They are strangely lot interested in wrapping gifts though. The girls play with dogs, play snow games and arrange a concert. 

Awww

This is not going to end well

Barbie tries to be optimistic but can she promise a perfect Christmas to her sisters if they can't get to New York? There is also rivalry between the sisters, as Skipper wants to be as perfect as Barbie and Chelsea is being overlooked by Stacie. 

It is a cutesy Christmas movie. Cheesy too, but that comes with the premise. This Barbie-story comes with a message about being together with close ones on Christmas. Extra cuteness points are given to doggies with antlers! And... A SQUIRREL! It's fun for kids probably, cute and nice Christmas entertainment for them. But for an older viewer the story is too mild to rise above an average Barbie film.

There is also a short film "Barbie: A Camping We Will Go." Barbie and her sisters go to forest and their dog Taffy makes friends with a skunk.

But where is Ken? He wasn't mentioned in either of Barbie's Christmas movies.

Rating: Average

Voice actors: Diana Kaarina, Jennifer Waris, Rachel Harrison, Nevada Brandt, Lauren Lavoie, Danielle Bessler, Ashlyn Drummond, Lucia Vecchio, Maryke Hendrikse, Allie Feder, Aidan Drummond, Alistair Abell, Patricia Drake, Chiara Zanni

Movie Review: Barbie in A Christmas Carol

Barbie in A Christmas Carol a.k.a Barbie: A Christmas Carol
Mattel Entertainment, Rainmaker Entertainment, USA, Canada, 2008. 

Free adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. 

Barbie and her little sister Shelly are going to charity dance ball but Shelly (Kelly in American version) doesn't want to go. Barbie tells a story about selfish singer Eden Starling who lived in the Victorian Era England. She had a goofy cat Chuzzlewit. Barbie performs the role of Eden, which is a bit more unusual role as usually her characters are nicer. Eden is a pompous diva who mistreats her best friend Catherine (played by Barbie's friend Nikki) and cancels her staff's Christmas vacation. At night his ghost aunt Marie appears and proclaims that she should learn to be unselfish or else. 

Barbie and Shelly

Eden Starling

Catherine Beadnell

Spirit Of Christmas Past shows that Eden had a harsh childhood. Spirit Of Christmas Present shows what her workers think about her and Spirit Of Christmas Future shows what will happen if Eden continues with her selfish ways.

Christmas is canceled

Chuzzlewit

The ever so cheery Spirit Of Christmas Past made Eden show a Meh face:

Here I am again outside of the main target audience, reviewing a movie for little girls. But why not. "A Christmas Carol" is an often filmed classic story, the 1936 version is reviewed here, the modern version with Bill Murray here and the Muppets version here. The character played by Barbie is edgier than usually, so the character gains a bit more dimension. It is also explored why she became like the way she is. Some darker parts of the original story have been softened and some comedy has been added. The cat has funny scenes and Eden's workers and Christmas Spirits are quite fun too. The songs have some prettily sung carols. Barbie's version retains the original heart-warming message although some details are changed and there are some adorable orphans too. For the target audience it is a nice first introduction to Dickens' classic tale.

Adorable orphans

Friends again

Rating: Good

Voice actors: Kelly Sheridan, Morwenna Banks, Melissa Lyons, Prudence Edwards, Leanne Araya, Kandyse McClure, Shauntia Fleming, Kathleen Barr, Pam Hyatt, abitha St. Germain, Lisa Roth, Gwynyth Walsh, Kelly Bixby, Amelia Henderson, Michael Ann Angone, Fabrice Grover, Tim Fett, Shannon Chan-Kent, Luke Smith, Anthony Fett, Melissa Lloyd, Morgan Roff, Terry Klassen, Chicago Children's Choir
Director: William Lau

Movie Review: Stalking Santa

Stalking Santa 

Ka Bang Entertainment, Cosmic Pictures, USA, 2006.

For thousands of years people have asked: Is Santa Claus real? Santologist Lloyd Darrow, Ph.D. (Chris Clark) has dedicated his life to prove that Santa really exists. His research does not make much money so his faithful wife Barbara (Lisa Clark) has to work for the two of them. Is he a dedicated scientists or a weirdo who stalks department store Santas and people who look like elves? 

Barbara and Lloyd

Clarence

Evidence from ancient Egypt

Many are skeptical about Lloyd's research but is there a conspiracy to hide the truth? Lloyd and his intern Clarence (Daryn Tufts) are mocked but they are determined to find the truth. The crucial experiment on Christmas Eve will reveal if their hard work has been fruitful or not.

This is fairly unknown indie comedy that I found from video rental store surplus shelf I was not expecting much but the film was a very positive surprise. It is a fun mockumentary that parodies the conspiracy theories and UFO-documentaries. It is smarter and funnier than many big budget comedies in these days. Funny dialogue and dry humour is in the style of combining "The X-Files" with "Office" series. Narration by William Shatner gives an authoritative edge. However it could have improved as a bit shorter film. It is a recommended Christmas comedy to watch if you can find it.

The truth is out there and hey, let's be careful out there!

Rating: Very good

Starring: Chris Clark, Daryn Tufts, Lisa Clark, William Shatner, Simon Taylor, Sierra Squires, Ed Mangum, Jed Knudsen, Hans Kelling, Marion Bentley, Timothy Lineback, Travis Eberhard, Marty Patch, Jake Suazo, Bern Kubiak, Phil Shepherd, Matt Mattson, Brett Merritt, Carolyn Smith, Tony Larimer, Mary C. Larimer, Miles Valentine Clark, Yim Su, Ricardo L. Perez, Alex Krova, Jonathan Baty, Hannah McFarland, Joel Bishop, Thomas A. Louisiana, Chris Kendrick, Gavin Bentley, Jennifer Erekson, Kristen Erekson, Mark Hatch, Lita L. Giddins, Rob McFarland, Jeffrey Blake, Marc Raymond, Darryl Woodward, Nancy Woodward, DeLoy Herzog, Jimmy Chunga, Casey Scott, Kay Trujillo, Draker T. Anderson, D. Jay Cook, Ron Bird, Debbie Worthen, Dan Rascon, Bryson Webb 

Director: Greg Kiefer

Movie Review: Krampus (2015)

Krampus (2015)

Legendary Pictures, Zam Pictures, Universal Pictures, USA, 2015.

Enough for now for the peaceful Christmas movies. Bring on Krampus!

A jaded family prepares for Christmas. They barely survived the Christmas-rush, but then tiresome relatives come to visit. Survival-nut Howard (David Koechner), bossy Linda (Allison Tolman), their tomboy daughters and always grumpy Aunt Dorothy (Conchata Ferrell) get into mother Sarah's (Toni Collette) nerves. Redneck Howard scorns wimpy father Tom (Adam Scott). Likewise fed up is little Max (Emjay Anthony). After his cousins ruin his letter to Santa, he rips the letter. Blizzard surrounds the house and people start to die or vanish. 

Max

Sarah and Tom

Aunt Dorothy and Linda

German-born Grandma Omi (Krista Stadler) knows that when the spirit of Christmas is lost, Christmas demon  Krampus comes to punish everyone. Krampus (Luke Hawker) and his evil elves bring killer toys to naughty children. The strifing families try to fight back but it is not so easy against a supernatural foe.

Howard

Elves

Omi and Krampus

Horror-comedy starts quite dark and has "Gremlins"-style creepy fun, it is bit darker though but avoids the gore as the age rating in the USA was PG-13. The funniest dialogue comes from always drinking Aunt Dorothy. The story looks like the heir of Joe Dante's horror comedies and Grandma Omi's flashback is presented with Burtonesque animation.  Evil gingerbread men, teddy bears and Jack-in-the-box attack the unlucky folks. Pleasant amount of the monster effects are made using traditional masks or puppets, with occasional use of CGI. As an alternative Christmas movie it is not a long shot from Santa Claus-horror in "Rare Exports (2010)."

Rating: Good

Starring: Emjay Anthony, Adam Scott, Toni Collette, Stefania LaVie Owen, Krista Stadler, Conchata Ferrell, Allison Tolman, David Koechner, Maverick Flack, Queenie Samuel, Lolo Owen, Sage Hunefeld, Leith Towers, Curtis Vowell, Luke Hawker, Seth Green, Breehn Burns, Justin Roiland, Brett Beattie, Mark Atkin, Amy Brighton, Trevor Bau, Ravi Narayan, Felicity Hamill, Sophie Gannon, Kelly Lily Marie, Clare Odell, Gareth Ruck, Ivy George, Teddy Klaue, Tik Tok, Collin Dean, Pascal Ackerman, Skye Broberg, Jessie Carson, Thor, Adam McArthur, Jon Bailey, David W. Collins, Gideon Emery, Chi Jiajia Lim, Eric Lopez, Alexander Polinsky 

Director: Michael Dougherty 

Movie Review: A Magic Christmas (2014)

A Magic Christmas (2014)
SP Distribution, Steven Paul Production, Magic Christmas Productions, USA, 2014.

Carter-family struggles always with money. Jack (C. Thomas Howell) and Holly (Lisa Sheridan) run a bakery. Jack wanted to be a writer but he never had time for that. Teen kids Sienna (Sadie Stahura) and Kyle (Dashiell Howell) are social media enthusiastics so the family is becoming disconnected. 

Holly and Jack

Holiday resort Farthering Pines is closing down, so Jack decides to take his family while there is still a chance to go there. Whole Christmas without Internet, isn't it fun kids?

Sienna & Kyle

Enthusiasm is written all over their face. 

Jack's old friend Robert Jones (Jonathan Silverman) visits the cabin with his wife Eva (Maeve Quinlan) and son Tommy (Darien Willardson). Robert is competitive and annoyingly successful in his life. They drive with snowmobiles and play Pictionary. But Jack suffers a writer's block because of his inferiority complex. But although the Joneses are rich money doesn't bring happiness. The Carters and Joneses challenge themselves to challenge: who will find the Magic Christmas tree?

Eva & Robert

Pictionary!

With her looks, Lisa Sheridan could be mistaken as Mary Steenburgen's daughter:

Somehow there comes a slight feeling of Griswold-family's Vacation films, only the jokes and hijinks are replaced with drama. Family's dog Buster thinks with the voice of Burt Reynolds. It is light and harmless Christmas-entertainment, something that can be watched while waiting for Santa. The story is traditional but generally it is a nice little film with Christmas spirit.

Buster

Rating: Good

Starring: C. Thomas Howell, Jonathan Silverman, Burt Reynolds, Lisa Sheridan, Maeve Quinlan, Dashiell Howell, Sadie Stahura, Darien Willardson, Clara Susan Morey II, Bessie Thornton, Jamee Natella, Samuel Mason Paul
Director: R. Michael Givens