Coming-of-Age at Camp

Little Darlings (1980)
Dir - Ronald F. Maxwell

Wow! I loved this movie.

This is one of those types of movies I see every so often that I'm almost upset I'd never seen it before. It has so many things I love – a coming-of-age tale, takes place at camp, sex comedy moments, shirtless Matt Dillon. Ok, so maybe that last one isn't one of the selling points but he is great in this movie. It's as funny as it is touching and I look forward to re-watching for years to come.

Also, all of the girls are pretty cute in this but the young Cynthia Nixon is just goddamn adorable. I want to scoop her up and put her in my pocket.

She Don't Do Drugs, But She Does the Pill

Young Adult (2011)
Dir - Jason Reitman

Another triumph for Jason Reitman in my book!

Charlize is wonderful, though her fluffy dog steals every scene they share. Love Patton Oswalt's stand-up and this proves that his great performance in Big Fan was no fluke. People give Diablo Cody a bunch of greif but I don't really have a problem. When I saw Juno I loved it right away. Yes, there are some annoying "teenspeak" moments, but it's like that in real life too. Her writing here is definitely a little more grown-up.

One of the greatest things about this film is some of the soundtrack. Lots of great 90s bands and that Teenage Fanclub song "The Concept" is not forever stuck in my head. Love how much play it gets in the film and over the very cool cassette tape opening credits. In fact, I love it so much that I'm going to add it just below this sentence.

I Want to See Her Nipples

Scrooged (1988)
Dir - Richard Donner

And this is my second favorite adaption. Murray is hysterical and it's a really fun take on the same old story.

Bonus tally: Between this two versions of A Christmas Carol I watched an episode of George Burns Comedy Week from the 80s on YouTube that's called Christmas Carol II: The Sequel. This sees Scrooge go too far on the giving side and is once again visited by the three ghosts who show his the error of his new pushover ways. It's pretty great and the cast includes Roddy McDowell, James Whitmore, Samantha Eggar, Ed Bagley Jr and more. The quality is kind of crappy but you can watch the half hour below.

Shitter Was Full

Christmas Vacation (1989)
Dir - Jeremiah S. Chechik

Everyone knows this film, everyone loves this film, and it's completely justified. After dozens and dozens of times seen over the past 22 (!) years I still find myself laughing out loud consistently. Probably the best of the Vacation films, with the original a VERY close second. It was great to see it in 35mm on the big screen again for the first time since its original run.

Mogwai

Gremlins (1984)
Dir - Joe Dante

Another Christmas classic!

Camcorder Christmas

Coopers' Christmas (2008)
Dir - Warren P. Sonoda

Saw this on Netflix Instant an decided to watch because I love Jason Jones and Samantha Bee on The Daily Show. The film isn't too special but there are a few pretty funny moments.

Take it Easy on the Pepsi

Home Alone (1990)
Dir - Chris Columbus

Not much really needs to be said about this film, it's just greatness.

I also picked up my own cheese pizza to each whilst watching. It's the only way.

Wrestling with the Season

Santa's Slay (2005)
Dir - David Steiman

For a movie that stars a wrestler as a killer Santa this kicks some ass! You would think it would be horrible but the end result is a fun ride that plays with the myth of Santa and you get to see Fran Drescher killed. Heh.

Turbo Man

Jingle All the Way (1996)
Dir - Brian Levant

This is only the second time, and second year in a row, that I've seen the film but it will become a regular around the holidays for years to come. No, it's not very good but there's something enjoyable about this quest of the hot gift of the season. How can you really go wrong when the leads are Arnold Schwarzenegger and freaking Sinbad?!

JTT + Santa = Awesome

I'll Be Home for Christmas (1998)
Dir - Arlene Sanford
Xmas Insanity 2011

The last XI film is one from Disney starring the Teen Beat heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas and a young Jessica Biel fresh from the set of 7th Heaven. JTT makes a less impressive Santa than Hulk Hogan did last year in Santa with Muscles, but it's still pretty great. Can't really remember too much that I want to say about this, besides the fact that Gary Cole (!) is in it, but there is a pretty chart topping late 90's soundtrack - complete with Smash Mouth poster! Shudder.

Toothbrush Attack!

B-Robo Kabutack: The Epic Christmas Battle (1997)
Dir - ???
Xmas Insanity 2011

Our first move of XI was an epic kid's show from Japan and their hourlong "holiday themed" episode. I put that in quotes because there's very little to do with Christmas. It kind of seems like an afterthought. The joy of this Power Rangers-esque show is the shark robot named, appropriately enough, Sharkler. His weapon of choice is a giant toothbrush. How cool is that?!

A weird show with crazy Japanese antics you would expect and a female Santa who rides around on a flying surfboard.

I. Must. Find. This series.

It's All Squishy

Super (2010)
Dir - James Gunn

A bit late to the party on this one but at least I enjoyed myself. I can see why some don't like this film but it worked for me. There are some pretty crazy connections to Kick Ass, including the color schemes of the two main characters, but I'll take Gunn at his word that he planned this before ever knowing about that other property. This also reminds me how adorable I find Ellen Page. I would like to keep her on a shelf.

Elf in the City

Elf (2003)
Dir - Jon Favreau

Haven't seen this since its original theatrical release. At the time I didn't really care for it though. The day before I saw another new Xmas movie, Bad Santa, and it was so crazy and hysterical that to me this just paled in comparison.

I'm happy to report that now, eight years later, this is a movie I really enjoy. A great family Christmas comedy with some funny performances by Ferrell and Deschanel (who sings a damn fine version of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" in the shower). Ed Anser makes a rather good Santa and the concept is fun. I would like to see Buddy go up against the boys from Super Troopers in a maple syrup eating contest though.

Cake Baby

Bridesmaids (2011)
Dir - Paul Feig

Just go the Blu and had to watch again. Still great stuff. Not the funniest film I've seen but I really get a kick out of all the main characters. Of course Melissa McCarthy steals the film and I don't think I could ever tire of her performance, especially when on the plane. Some great extras full of funny alternate takes and goofs. Well worth my money.

Life's a Happy Song

The Muppets (2011)
Dir - James Bobin

Jason Segel is a lucky mofo! I know this is something he's worked hard on for a long time. A film with the very puppets he loved, idolized and watched through his entire life. For the first twenty or so minutes of the film I had a huge smile on my face because I was so happy to be seeing a new Muppet movie and for the joy I know was/is in Segel's heart. There are some great inside jokes from the other films and great cameos. Most of the songs are great and I still can't get them out of my head two days later. Not everything is perfect, but overall it still really works for me. I don't know how all kids are reacting and I think it might be more effective for their parents. Never thought a few strums of a banjo would cause my eyes to fill with tears, but they did. I was a child again for 90 minutes and it was great.

Thank you Jason Segel, thank you.

Boner Jams '03

The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Dir - Judd Apatow

This has become a favorite over the years. Not much really needs to be said about it that others haven't already said. Love everyone involved. Hilarious!

High Holiday

A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011)
Dir - Todd Strauss-Schulson

Christmas movies should really only be watched between the window of Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Sometimes I'll make an exception about halfway through the year but it's not common. Luckily there were still a few theaters around showing this in 3D so I could catch it the day after the great turkey gorging. The other two Harold and Kumar movies are great. The second not nearly as good as the first, but it still has plenty of laughs. Yes, they are stupid but I like it and don't care.

This has some great 3D. I mean really, who doesn't like claymation cocks, slow-mo jizz or beer pong balls flying off the screen? There were a couple of inside jokes here in reference to Kal Penn and John Cho's other works that I was the only one laughing at, as well as some grooming habits of a very naughty nurse. I laughed pretty damn hard a lot and I was probably one of the few in the theater not under the influence of any substance. I do think that Wafflebot is one of the greatest fake inventions ever and I will be keeping my fingers crossed until he becomes a reality.

This is now my second fave in the series and I'll definitely be buying the home release and revisiting for years to come.

It's a Metrocity I Tell Ya

Megamind (2010)
Dir - Tom McGrath

Missed this one in theaters along with a few other animated flicks I'm ashamed to have skipped. I'm a bad cartoon lover. :(

The film is fun and I love the performances and look of the characters. Even as a computer animated reporter Tina Fey still manages to be so damn cute. Sigh. Really liked Megamind's fish sidekick and his Robot Monster inspired get-up.

"You're Fucked"

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
Dir - John Hughes

This Hughes classic is a must watch for me every Thanksgiving. Martin and Candy are hysterical and their journey is wonderfully frustrating. The F-word laden exchange between Martin and Edie McClurg is one of the best things ever! I do hate how "real" the film gets in the last few minutes... but only because it gets me every time.

Puppies from Space

Good Boy! (2003)
Dir - John Hoffman

This is a damn cute movie and I don't care what anyone else has to say. First saw this right after it was released, mainly because I love dogs and the fact that one of the main pups is an Italian Greyhound - like my sweet dog. The film is very cute and pretty funny in places. Even though this is at least my third viewing when things begin to go bad I get VERY bummed. (SPOILERS AHEAD) Even though I know things work out overall in the end, when the dogs vanish and you see how upset their owners are I just fall apart. I can't imagine waking up to find that my dog just disappeared and the frantic lost feelings I would have. I'm probably overreacting but t's horrible.