Kris Rasmussen: December 2008 Archives

Yes, there have been a thousand parodies of "A Christmas Carol," but one I had never heard of was a movie that came out last fall for about a nanosecond, the gentle satire "An American Carol." From the director of lampoons such as "Naked Gun: The Final Insult" this movie humorously , though not always brilliantly, blends Hollywood, politiics , terrorists, and a certain brand of patriotism, which makes it my must-see DVD pick of the week.

"An American Carol" is also my vote for one of the most overlooked movies of the year. I believe there aren't enough movies that parody Michael Moore as a film director/ Scrooge who realizes the error of his point of view and saves the world from terrorists while attending a Trace Adkins concert. (If that last sentence didn't make you grin just a smidge, then you should just rent "When Harry Met Sally" for New Year's instead.)

"Slumdog Millionaire" has certainly made it to many end-of-the-year top 10 movie lists and even here at Idol Chatter there has been heaps of praise for its inspirational storyline. 

So, when I finally braved yet another snowstorm to go see it, I was not only disappointed in the film, but I also realized I was now going to seem like a heartless Scrooge for criticizing thie numerous flaws of this movie.  While the premise is somewhat clever, the story is not entirely successful as a romantic drama, a social commentary, or even a root-for-the-underdog melodrama.

Initially I went to see the family comedy "Marley & Me" for a rather unusual reason. My physical therapist's Florida home was featured in the movie. (Hey, where I'm from, that's almost front page news.) I hadn't read the book and I own three cats, so a story about an unruly golden retriever and his owners, as they navigate life's milestones, wasn't my first choice for a holiday film.

I went to the movie on Christmas evening and I took my mother who has had a rough year, to say the least. As I looked around me, I noticed how many others my age had brought young and old friends and family members with them to watch the movie. I heard murmurs, laughters, and emotional sniffles in the crowd, The murmurs and laughters were about the times their own pets did something just as crazy while the sniffles were about the similar moments of joy and sadness families had shared together.

December 23 was the imaginary holiday, Festivus, created on that infamous "Seinfield" episode where Frank Costanza invents the annual ceremony of telling your loved ones how they have disappointed you in the previous months. 

Alan Sepinwall over at the Star-Ledger has listed his own pop cullture grievances as he looks back over the 2008 television season. His list includes some excellent choices such as Shonda Rhimes and her ridiculous Izzy-ghost storyline along with the tragedy of former "Gilmore Girls" creator Amy Sherman-Palladino's latest pilot, "Jezebel James." Although I really don't want to be a "Debbie Downer" so close to the new year, I do feel a catharsis coming on as I add a few of my own TV grievances to the Festivus celebration.

The cancellation of "Pushing Daisies": I was surprised but pleased at the outpouring of sadness from Idol Chatter readers who also feel the loss of this quirky dramedy with one of the most talented casts on TV. (Somehow, ABC is convinced that they should keep new epiosdes of "According to Jim" on the air....)

While wracking my brain for an unusual but exceptional DVD choice this week for those of you about ready to head into Christmas vacation, I stumbled across Slate's list of overlooked holiday movies and was delighted to find one of my favorite indie movies of all time. I can't imagine how I had forgotten that the high society coming of age drama "Metropolitan" took place over Christmas vacation, making it the perfect choice for an unlikely bit of holiday cheer.

We all know Britney is popular and Miley Mania is everywhere, but British children are most impressed with snide "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell than they are with the Queen of England or God, according to an annual survey of...

It only takes one line, one look, or one moment to make an ordinary holiday movie an instant classic (think Chevy Chase trying to light up the house in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"). On the other hand, some Christmas movies...

There was a time when a playwright like the acclaimed John Patrick Shanley would not have considered an interview with Christians worth his time-- even to promote a movie, even one with an overtly religious nature like his latest effort,...

As Movie Mom has already pointed out, critics and major media outlets are posting their year-end lists of the best movies of 2008. Roger Ebert has published his, as has the prestigious National Board of Review and the Los Angeles...

Once again artists are taking their message to the web to reach their fans first. Those socially conscious rockers U2 have released a new Christmas tune, "I Believe in Father Christmas" over at (Red) Wire, along with several other top...

As part of a well-calculated comeback, Britney Spears is finally opening up--a little bit anyway--about her wild antics and failed marriage in an MTV documentary that aired last Sunday and will be available on demand at MTVs website starting today....

The timing of the release of a movie that centers around a woman who is perpetually upbeat, no matter the circumstances, is pretty intriguing to me to say the least. Just as I thought the eccentric but heartwarming "Lars and...