Saturday Evening Movie Thread [moviegique]: Klaus (2019)

This holiday season has offered a really limited slate of films, for reasons I don't quite understand. It might be that the third Avatar movie was enough to scare off other films, or it might be that having given up on Christmas years ago (the surviving market being relegated to Hallmark and the lot) and giving up on understanding human behavior, Hollywood's contented to just...give up. And we've basically lost all our Korean exhibitors, so the "seeing a Korean movie on Christmas Eve" tradition died before its tenth year.

Looking through the revivals, I saw two interesting possibilities. One was John Woo's "Bullet in the Head" (35th anniversary). Tempting, but somewhat awkward to get to. The other, in a more accessible theater, was the 2019 movie Klaus—which I was shocked to see ranked #159 on IMDB's top 250.

I have more than 250 issues with this list, but that aside—and very cautiously setting aside the Netflix brand name—I was surprised to see this relatively obscure film from Sergio Pablos' Animagic Studios (best known for Despicable Me, which Pablos created) on it. So off we went.

Christmas in Los Angeles.

Well.

This is a very good movie. Would we put it in the top 250? No. Would we recommend it? Yes, absolutely. It is strongly reminiscent of the old Rankin-Bass TV specials (especially "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town") by way of Tarkovsky/McCracken. It also has no small measure of Miracle on 34th Street and Doc Hollywood.

The trailers leading up to this were just a barrage of truly awful-looking and identical-seeming animated features. This has to be partly due to the way these things are cut, because Goat, which is Stephen Curry's allegorical film about a tiny goat wanting to play in the big leagues, looked better in this trailer. I had to look up that it was a Sony picture, though, otherwise I wouldn't have known.

The once mighty Pixar has ripped off Avatar to make a beaver picture called Hoppers. I only remember this because it looked like every other flick and had the Pixar name on it. Klaus visually towers over every single one of these bland products.

Klaus is beautiful. This hits you before the tone of the film, and the tone of the movie hits hard and fast, as we see the Post Office Training Grounds where mail carriers endure a high-intensity boot camp designed to keep them in shape for delivery.

"Be a (post) man!"

Jesper, our hero, is currently slacking on his PT. He's the son of the Postmaster General and this is his last chance to straighten up and fly right. He figures he'll blow it and go back to a life of luxury. Instead, he's sent to Smeerensburg, a remote island village at the most desolate northern* end of the country.

This is the Doc Hollywood plot. (Or, if you like, you can trace it back to movies like F.W. Murnau's City Girl, Preston Sturges' Remember the Night, and many others.) He's given the task of getting 6,000 mails postmarked in a year. If he doesn't, he's cut off.

The opening narration, voiced by Jason Schwartzman as Jesper, gives us a whole "You know how Santa Claus works, but do you know how it all got started." A la the Rankin-Bass specials.

The town of Smeerensburg is largely divided into two families: The Krums and the Ellingboes, who are at constant war with each other. Also, they're illiterate. Jesper's in a tight spot until he accidentally stumbles across the old toy maker, who (essentially) forces him to deliver a toy to one of the town's children—said child being locked up in her house away from other children because of the feud.

This ominous image of Smeerensburg is transmuted through the rest of the movie, but I have a suspicion it's pretty accurate.

So we touch on various aspects of the mythology: Why toys, how delivery, why reindeer, why flying, why coal, etc. etc. etc. This is all played across the backdrop of this family feud, itself an unending stream of sight gags. (The sight gags reminded me a lot of Tarkovsky/McCracken "Dexter's Laboratory"/"Powerpuff Girls" stuff.)

Said backdrop, I can't state enough, being absolutely gorgeous. Pablo Sergio had apparently been pondering "What if 3D animation had never been invented?" And then he applied all kinds of modern animation techniques to a traditional 2D film. The film does such a good job of showing the transformation of Smeerensburg from a haunted village to a happy place, just in the visuals.

Jesper's love interest, Alva (Rashida Jones) came to Smeerensburg to teach, but has been stymied by the villagers worried that their children will end up consorting with children of the other family. When the children learn they can get toys by writing to Santa, they defy their parents and pursue education. As the children start behaving better, and start switching from pranks to being helpful—to the family they were previously tormenting—this creates an indebtedness that leads to a competitive kindness as fierce as their former feud was.

This is all done without any sly winking at the camera, without a bunch of adult references, and with only a handful of short pop-music interludes.

I presume you're sitting down, but if not you might want to now: All of the characters in the movie are white. The black-haired Krums vs the red-haired Ellingboes and, out on the tundra separate from everyone else and only speaking Saami, the blonde Lapps. The only sexuality on display is the sort of bog-standard heterosexuality of traditional children's movies, where a boy and a girl get married and are shown in distant years with children.

Saami clothing stands out beautifully against the less colorful Smeerensburg fare.

I hate that I even have to notice these things. But it's extraordinary today (and was in 2019). And, according to Pablos, Netflix only gave suggestions, not requirements.

It cost a mere $40M to make—did I mention it was beautiful?—and apparently got streamed over 30 million times in the first month.

Is it perfect? No. A very minor issue is that some of the jokes don't land. The movie actually handles humor well by not trying to hammer in a joke or add a big take so you have plenty of time to appreciate that joke you didn't like the first time. It typically just goes on to the next joke. A lot of Jesper's humor is in a kind of modern, sarcastic, talk-a-lot style, which is a bit weak and way overdone these days.

The weakest part of the movie is the Doc Hollywood plot, in particular the second act low point, where Jesper's treachery is revealed. The thing is, he really wasn't very treacherous. He didn't lie or even exaggerate much. Except for Alva and Klaus and the little Lapp girl, he doesn't really form a lot of deep bonds. And even with Alva, the bond is mostly our presumption that this is the sort of movie where Alva and Jesper end up together.

But you know what? The movie kinda blows that off, too. Like "OK, here's the downbeat we're all expecting. No need to drag it out. Let's get back to the jokes."

We liked it a lot. I daresay more than we expected. I can easily see it fitting into the annual Christmas canon.

And to all a good night.

Little bit of an "Up" crib here, too, come to think of it.

*Or possibly southern end. The country is never named and I initially thought of Tierra del Fuego, but there was an actual Smeerensburg in Norway.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 07:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 This site doesn't seem to like emoji musical notes. But that's what's there in the o/~Be a man!~\o caption.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 07:29 PM (lpWi1)

2
Before I read the post...

Spielberg has a new space alien movie coming out this Summer. It looks like Close Encounters meets Signs meets DEI.

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 07:30 PM (ZbPLM)

3 Howdy y'all! I'm going to see "Song Sung Blue" this week. I hope it's good.

Posted by: Moonbeam at December 27, 2025 07:32 PM (rbKZ6)

4 "Hunting Season" (2025)

No Sir, I don't like it.
youtube.com/watch?v=cDGlN6mluGA

Posted by: Mister Horse at December 27, 2025 07:36 PM (GHIyr)

5 1 This site doesn't seem to like emoji musical notes. But that's what's there in the o/~Be a man!~\o caption.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 07:29 PM (lpWi1)

♪ ♫
🎶
🎵
🎼

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 07:36 PM (ynpvh)

6 Good evening everyone

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 07:37 PM (Ia/+0)

7 ♪ ♫
🎶
🎵
🎼

What manner of deviltry is this?!

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 07:38 PM (lpWi1)

8 🎶 🎵

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 27, 2025 07:44 PM (kpS4V)

9 I don't ever intend to watch another animated film, as long as I live.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 07:46 PM (kYF0p)

10 Saw the Royal Ballet's Nutcracker a couple days before Christmas. Lovely. It only showed for two days so I'm glad I checked the listings.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 27, 2025 07:46 PM (kpS4V)

11
Quick Movie Trivia while we get rolling:

Who played the character nicknamed "Dish" in the M*A*S*H movie?

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 07:47 PM (ZbPLM)

12 Saw the Royal Ballet's Nutcracker a couple days before Christmas. Lovely. It only showed for two days so I'm glad I checked the listings.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes

So did I. Took my grandson. He really enjoyed it as did I.

Posted by: Tuna at December 27, 2025 07:48 PM (lJ0H4)

13
What manner of deviltry is this?!

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 07:38 PM (lpWi1)

Copy/Paste...except for the first two (ASCII 13 and 14)

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 07:48 PM (ynpvh)

14 9 I don't ever intend to watch another animated film, as long as I live.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 07:46 PM (kYF0p)

That's why we made the live versions...

Posted by: Disney at December 27, 2025 07:50 PM (ynpvh)

15 The town of Smeerensburg is largely divided into two families: The Krums and the Ellingboes, who are at constant war with each other.

---------

A devious play on the Guelphs and the Ghibillines of 12th century Italy, I'm sure.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at December 27, 2025 07:50 PM (+HNx/)

16 Binging up some Saami women pics....

Yup, very colorful.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at December 27, 2025 07:51 PM (/lPRQ)

Posted by:
at December 27, 2025 07:52 PM (329GV)

18 That's why we made the live versions...
Posted by: Disney at December 27, 2025 07:50 PM (ynpvh)

People who grew up with those cartoons, don't want to see the live versions of them... unless you're going to do X-rated versions.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 07:52 PM (kYF0p)

19 Invisible Girl played Lt. Dish.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 07:52 PM (lpWi1)

20 ... And definitely the model for Santa's elves. Right down to the pointy shoes.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at December 27, 2025 07:53 PM (/lPRQ)

21
Trivia #2

Anne Baxter (1923-1985) actress who died while starring in Hotel TV series, had a famous grandfather. Who is he?

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 07:53 PM (ZbPLM)

22 Anne Baxter (1923-1985) actress who died while starring in Hotel TV series, had a famous grandfather. Who is he?
Posted by: Soothsayer

I know this one! A man whose homes all had roofs that leaked!

Frank Lloyd Wright

Posted by: Tonypete at December 27, 2025 07:55 PM (cYBz/)

23 I don't ever intend to watch another animated film, as long as I live.
Posted by: BurtTC

That's why we made the live versions...
Posted by: Disney

People who grew up with those cartoons, don't want to see the live versions of them... unless you're going to do X-rated versions.
Posted by: BurtTC

Something something Pinocchio's nose.

Posted by: probably not Disney at December 27, 2025 07:55 PM (nhCoE)

24 16 Binging up some Saami women pics....

Yup, very colorful.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at December 27, 2025 07:51 PM (/lPRQ)

Doesn't make good camo...

Posted by: Disney at December 27, 2025 07:56 PM (ynpvh)

25 Before I read the post...
Spielberg has a new space alien movie coming out this Summer. It looks like Close Encounters meets Signs
Posted by: Soothsayer

Sounds interesting.

meets DEI.
Posted by: Soothsayer

Or, eff that with a rusty keyhole saw.

Posted by: mikeski at December 27, 2025 07:58 PM (nhCoE)

26 Or, eff that with a rusty keyhole saw.

Posted by: mikeski at December 27, 2025 07:58 PM (nhCoE)

I think there's a whole movie series about that...

Posted by: Disney at December 27, 2025 07:59 PM (ynpvh)

27 People who grew up with those cartoons, don't want to see the live versions of them... unless you're going to do X-rated versions.
Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 07:52 PM (kYF0p
----

Burt, are you open to a live version of "Fritz the Cat"?

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 27, 2025 07:59 PM (kpS4V)

28 Binging up some Saami women pics....
Yup, very colorful.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher

Doesn't make good camo...
Posted by: Disney

It's modern urban camo. Almost invisible against modern-art murals, graffiti tagging, and pride-flag crosswalks.

Posted by: mikeski at December 27, 2025 08:00 PM (nhCoE)

29 Hesvy metal was decidedly not kids fare

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 27, 2025 08:00 PM (bXbFr)

30 I don't ever intend to watch another animated film, as long as I live.

Promethius?

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at December 27, 2025 08:01 PM (Kt19C)

31 I don't mind animated movies

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 08:01 PM (Ia/+0)

32
I love cartoons.

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 08:01 PM (ZbPLM)

33 People who grew up with those cartoons, don't want to see the live versions of them... unless you're going to do X-rated versions.
Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 07:52 PM (kYF0p
----

Burt, are you open to a live version of "Fritz the Cat"?
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 27, 2025 07:59 PM (kpS4V)

I didn't mean me.

No, what the world yearns for is the $250 million budget "adult" versions of the Dinsey princesses.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 08:02 PM (e+Yrg)

34 30 I don't ever intend to watch another animated film, as long as I live.

Promethius?

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at December 27, 2025 08:01 PM (Kt19C)

Promethium, a movie about the discovery of that radioactive element...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 08:02 PM (ynpvh)

35 I saw Uncle Buck scroll by as the Wife ran thru the Guide looking for yet another Hallmark Christmas movie. The most enticing movie I was interested in was "Santa's Slay", but I was Vetoed by the Family. .

Posted by: TXMarko at December 27, 2025 08:03 PM (7flhA)

36 Said no one evarr

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 27, 2025 08:03 PM (bXbFr)

37 To cold to go out to the theater, Netflix is meh, and TCM hasn't had anything I want to see right now.

Did catch a few minutes of "Ben Hur", and that seen where boyhood friends Ben Hur and Masala meet again did feel a little...intimate. I bet Gore Vidal was snickering into his martini.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 27, 2025 08:03 PM (kpS4V)

38 33 People who grew up with those cartoons, don't want to see the live versions of them... unless you're going to do X-rated versions.
Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 07:52 PM (kYF0p
----

Burt, are you open to a live version of "Fritz the Cat"?
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 27, 2025 07:59 PM (kpS4V)

I didn't mean me.

No, what the world yearns for is the $250 million budget "adult" versions of the Dinsey princesses.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 08:02 PM (e+Yrg)

And Caribbean pirates?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 08:03 PM (ynpvh)

39 Promethium, a movie about the discovery of that radioactive element...
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia)

Guaranteed to get glowing reviews!

Posted by: mikeski at December 27, 2025 08:03 PM (nhCoE)

40 Svengoolie just referred to humans who didn't like androids as "racist."

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 27, 2025 08:04 PM (pkeXY)

41 35 I saw Uncle Buck scroll by as the Wife ran thru the Guide looking for yet another Hallmark Christmas movie. The most enticing movie I was interested in was "Santa's Slay", but I was Vetoed by the Family. .

Posted by: TXMarko at December 27, 2025 08:03 PM (7flhA)

Krampus...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 08:04 PM (ynpvh)

42 Thx movigique. Interesting post.
Lt Dish was played by Jo Ann Pflug in the movie. Beautiful lady

Posted by: Smell the Glove at December 27, 2025 08:04 PM (2vrAX)

43 1
Quick Movie Trivia while we get rolling:

Who played the character nicknamed "Dish" in the M*A*S*H movie?
Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 07:47 PM (ZbPLM)
Don't know about Mash, but Dish Boggett was played by DB Sweeney in Lonesome Dove. Good job too.

Posted by: Eromero at December 27, 2025 08:05 PM (LHPAg)

44 39 Promethium, a movie about the discovery of that radioactive element...
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia)

Guaranteed to get glowing reviews!

Posted by: mikeski at December 27, 2025 08:03 PM (nhCoE)

And certainly a hot topic.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 08:05 PM (ynpvh)

45 Well the pirates series has grown on me, originally i only liked the score

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 27, 2025 08:05 PM (bXbFr)

46 And Caribbean pirates?
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 08:03 PM (ynpvh)

For the gay men, sure.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 08:06 PM (e+Yrg)

47 M*A*S*H is full of "introducings". Pflug worked before on the Fantastic 4 (hence my "Invisible Girl" remark) but if memory serves, Renee Auburjonois (Father Mulcahey), John Schuck, of course Gary Burghoff...

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 08:06 PM (lpWi1)

48 Anyone watch The Family Man as a Christmas tradition?

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 27, 2025 08:08 PM (KDPiq)

49 I did not know that (about aubergenois)

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 27, 2025 08:08 PM (bXbFr)

50 Anyone watch The Family Man as a Christmas tradition?
Posted by: Opinion fact at December 27, 2025 08:08 PM (KDPiq)

Do you mean Die Hard?

Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 08:11 PM (e+Yrg)

51 Don't know about Mash, but Dish Boggett was played by DB Sweeney in Lonesome Dove. Good job too.
Posted by: Eromero at December 27, 2025 08:05 PM (LHPAg

Reminded me that the Cutting Edge had at least 20 minutes of Christmas in it including gift exchanges. Would that make it a Christmas movie?

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 27, 2025 08:11 PM (KDPiq)

52 We watched Klaus last Christmas, and it was a very sweet, enjoyable movie. So actually was Arthur Christmas - another sweet and seasonable family flick.

Posted by: Sgt. Mom at December 27, 2025 08:12 PM (Ew3fm)

53 51 Don't know about Mash, but Dish Boggett was played by DB Sweeney in Lonesome Dove. Good job too.
Posted by: Eromero at December 27, 2025 08:05 PM (LHPAg

Reminded me that the Cutting Edge had at least 20 minutes of Christmas in it including gift exchanges. Would that make it a Christmas movie?

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 27, 2025 08:11 PM (KDPiq)

Home Alone

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 08:12 PM (ynpvh)

54 Or lethal weapon

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 27, 2025 08:13 PM (bXbFr)

55 I've said a snafu with my new HDTV I can't watch TMC anymore and that was my most watch channel as movies are my primary view

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 08:13 PM (Ia/+0)

56 The only film I ever watched at the theater on Christmas night was Amadeus. Part of this was because I hung out with the son of Saul Zaentz, in Yellowstone, when I worked there in 1984. It was a weird, wild moment in time. he was cool as hell. He gathered a bunch of us and we smoked a bowl at the observation point of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone, at midnight.

My brush with greatness.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, First of his name at December 27, 2025 08:13 PM (0aYVJ)

57 I don't mind animated movies
Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 08:01 PM (Ia/+0)

Bolt is my favorite.

And Bob's Burgers is my favorite TV show right now. The movie didn't disappoint.

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 27, 2025 08:14 PM (KDPiq)

58 I liked the newer Ben Hur ending. It didn't follow the book, but it had a more Christian forgiveness theme.

Posted by: no one at December 27, 2025 08:16 PM (qFwJc)

59 Posted by: Pug Mahon, First of his name at December 27, 2025 08:13 PM (0aYVJ)

You smoked a bowl so are you sure you're remembering right?

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 27, 2025 08:16 PM (KDPiq)

60 Klaus is great!

We watched a really weird Santa Claus anime called Sanda.

"In future Japan, children have higher social status than adults due to declining birth rates; here, Santa Claus has been sealed by a curse, leaving Christmas a legend until Sanda Kazushige realizes he has a connection to the mythical Santa."

Basically it's hogwarts, meets children of men, meets big. Children are scarce and precious, so they've all been herded into this boarding school to "protect them." And one of the kids finds out he can magically transform into a grown up, jacked up Santa Claus.

It was really weird, but oddly engrossing. But there were sketch lesbo scenes we had to skip past for our youngest, intense action, murder, and emotional abuse/indoctrination of kids to be well behaved serfs. Definitely not for little kids!

Posted by: LizLem at December 27, 2025 08:16 PM (gWBY1)

61 Peak Tea Leoni.

Posted by: no one at December 27, 2025 08:17 PM (qFwJc)

62 I am weird about animated movies. Dunno why. But I really have to prep my head to watch one.

Also, some of them suck balls.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, First of his name at December 27, 2025 08:17 PM (0aYVJ)

63 There is a owl right outside my window

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 08:19 PM (Ia/+0)

64 If memory serves, Lt Dish was played by JoAnn Pflug. What ever happened to her, anyway?

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 27, 2025 08:19 PM (q3u5l)

65 Yeah that one sounds creepy

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 27, 2025 08:20 PM (bXbFr)

66 Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 27, 2025 08:19 PM (q3u5l)

She's in her 80's now.

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 27, 2025 08:21 PM (KDPiq)

67 It was really weird, but oddly engrossing. But there were sketch lesbo scenes we had to skip past for our youngest, intense action, murder, and emotional abuse/indoctrination of kids to be well behaved serfs. Definitely not for little kids!
Posted by: LizLem at December 27, 2025 08:16 PM (gWBY1)

Is there a big fight between the kid and Col. Sanders?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 08:21 PM (uQesX)

68 Also, I have not watched "the blue carbuncle" yet for the holidays, and I need to. Really fun Sherlock Holmes at Christmas mystery.

Apparently Tolkien invented a Christmas story for his kids, with Christmas elves with their own language, separate from elvish. Because of course he did. What?! Why has no one optioned the rights to this? It can't be worse than the Amazon lord of the rings show. And it's got the Tolkien cachet but could be a new property.

Posted by: LizLem at December 27, 2025 08:21 PM (gWBY1)

69 Posted by: Pug Mahon, First of his name at December 27, 2025 08:13 PM (0aYVJ)

You smoked a bowl so are you sure you're remembering right?
Posted by: Opinion fact at December 27, 2025 08:16 PM (KDPiq)

ah, but yes. I did not partake. I do not smoke the reefer. It was just a really fun evening with a group of really cool people.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, First of his name at December 27, 2025 08:21 PM (0aYVJ)

70 Father Odo

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 27, 2025 08:22 PM (pkeXY)

71 For some reason, did not watch a single Christmas movie this time around. Not It's a Wonderful Life, not the Alistair Sim Scrooge, not The Muppet Christmas Carol, and (I shudder to confess it) not even Die Hard.

So what did I treat myself to for Christmas evening viewing?

John Frankenheimer's Seconds. Now that's a flick to leave you full of Christmas cheer. Why that one? I dunno. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Go figure.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 27, 2025 08:23 PM (q3u5l)

72 The owls are not what they seem.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, First of his name at December 27, 2025 08:23 PM (0aYVJ)

73 >>> Is there a big fight between the kid and Col. Sanders? Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 08:21 PM (uQesX)

Sadly no! And sadly lacking in cute pokemon style side characters. It needs like one deer chibi.

Posted by: LizLem at December 27, 2025 08:23 PM (gWBY1)

74 ah, but yes. I did not partake. I do not smoke the reefer. It was just a really fun evening with a group of really cool people.
Posted by: Pug Mahon, First of his name at December 27, 2025 08:21 PM (0aYVJ)

You sound like me and my friends. I was the designated non toker .

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 27, 2025 08:23 PM (KDPiq)

75 It was really weird, but oddly engrossing. But there were sketch lesbo scenes we had to skip past for our youngest, intense action, murder, and emotional abuse/indoctrination of kids to be well behaved serfs. Definitely not for little kids!
Posted by: LizLem

That was definitely anime.

Posted by: mikeski at December 27, 2025 08:24 PM (nhCoE)

76 There is a owl right outside my window
Posted by: Skip

* pushes chair against the wall *

Posted by: mikeski at December 27, 2025 08:24 PM (nhCoE)

77 50 Anyone watch The Family Man as a Christmas tradition?
Posted by: Opinion fact at December 27, 2025 08:08 PM (KDPiq)

Do you mean Die Hard?
Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 08:11 PM
---

The Fatman's got his eye on you!

Posted by: M. Gibson at December 27, 2025 08:28 PM (XXNBa)

78 I watched "The Substance" on cable last night. Holy schnikes. Spent a lot of time with my mouth open.

They are going for a thing and they acheive it.

Posted by: connected and litigious at December 27, 2025 08:29 PM (cS1cw)

79 John Frankenheimer's Seconds. Now that's a flick to leave you full of Christmas cheer. Why that one? I dunno. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Go figure.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 27, 2025 08:23 PM (q3u5l)

I watched Guy Ritchie's "Wrath Of Man," where Jason Stratham is a guy who goes on a rampage, to revenge for bad guys doing bad things.

In other words, every Jason Stratham movie ever made.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 08:29 PM (8sydA)

80 Apparently Tolkien invented a Christmas story for his kids, with Christmas elves with their own language, separate from elvish. Because of course he did. What?! Why has no one optioned the rights to this? It can't be worse than the Amazon lord of the rings show. And it's got the Tolkien cachet but could be a new property.
Posted by: LizLem at December 27, 2025 08:21 PM (gWBY1)
--
Tolkien's Father Christmas Letters is a hoot. He really went to town inventing another whole mythology surrounding Santa Claus and his helpers.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 27, 2025 08:29 PM (ESVrU)

81 76 There is a owl right outside my window
Posted by: Skip

* pushes chair against the wall *

Posted by: mikeski at December 27, 2025 08:24 PM (nhCoE)

He should be worried if it comes back six nights in a row

Posted by: Michael Martin Murphey at December 27, 2025 08:30 PM (ynpvh)

82 Posted by: Opinion fact at December 27, 2025 08:23 PM (KDPiq)

Yeah, never got the weed thing. just made me paranoid.

It's a thing.

I prefer a mellow beer buzz.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, First of his name at December 27, 2025 08:30 PM (0aYVJ)

83 For some reason, did not watch a single Christmas movie this time around.

Go figure.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 27, 2025 08:23 PM (q3u5l)

Oh man. And Emmett Otter is available on You Tube!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 08:31 PM (uQesX)

84 The Fatman's got his eye on you!
Posted by: M. Gibson at December 27, 2025 08:28 PM (XXNBa)

Such a disappointing flick.

I think they intentionally cast a black woman to be his wife, as some sort of penance for his "sins."

Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 08:31 PM (8sydA)

85 84 The Fatman's got his eye on you!
Posted by: M. Gibson at December 27, 2025 08:28 PM (XXNBa)

Such a disappointing flick.

I think they intentionally cast a black woman to be his wife, as some sort of penance for his "sins."

Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 08:31 PM (8sydA)

Saami Davis Jr's sister?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 08:32 PM (ynpvh)

86 Really liked Klaus when we saw it.

This week, it was "show the kids Christmas movies they hadn't seen", so it was Home Alone and Gremlins.

Home Alone holds up. It's still amazingly funny and heartwarming with a real story and not just the antics. On my top 10 for Christmas and my top 100 ever (if you hold up, you hold up).

Then, we watched Gremlins. Hilarious horror comedy, but damn Spielberg, let us know how much you hate Christmas some other time (I had forgotten that part). That, and his 100s of product and movie placements, b/c a running joke, which made it even more fun a watch (that, and man, about the strongest female action hero ever day - yeah, mom, you know how to protect the house!).

Posted by: Nova Local at December 27, 2025 08:32 PM (tOcjL)

87 63 There is a owl right outside my window
Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 08:19 PM

Wildfire! Has it been there for six nights in a row?

Posted by: Moonbeam at December 27, 2025 08:33 PM (rbKZ6)

88 Its a pretty good one, even though stathams sketchier thsn every film except snatch

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 27, 2025 08:33 PM (bXbFr)

89 b/c = became (fingers faster than brain)

Posted by: Nova Local at December 27, 2025 08:33 PM (tOcjL)

90 The Fatman's got his eye on you!
Posted by: M. Gibson at December 27, 2025 08:28 PM (XXNBa)

Don't worry, everything's Jake.

Posted by: The Fatman at December 27, 2025 08:33 PM (uQesX)

91 ...every Jason Statham movie ever made.

He does seem to have found his niche, doesn't he? (Does The Meg fit there? I saw the flick but can't remember a freakin' thing about it except: Statham - check; big shark - check)

But, hey, it's a living.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 27, 2025 08:34 PM (q3u5l)

92 GuardiansOftheGalaxy XMAS special -- full movie hidden gem. Drax dancing is for people who are pathetic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E1ULv6LcOk

...Santa is a furry freak with epic super powers he flies to every human home in under fourteen hours. He's a master burglar a pro at picking locks. if you don't leave milk and cookies out, e will put dung in your socks
...
If you act nicely through the night and don't jump on your bed Santa comes with sugar plums and hurls them at your head. But if you're on his naughty list, he shoots missiles at your toes...

forWAR'd !!!

Posted by: MANFRED the Heat Seeking OBOE at December 27, 2025 08:34 PM (0LV5y)

93 For some reason, did not watch a single Christmas movie this time around.

Go figure.
Posted by: Just Some Guy

First year I didn't watch the Alistair Sim Christmas Carol in a long time. Did watch Holiday Inn and Remember the Night though.

Posted by: Tuna at December 27, 2025 08:34 PM (lJ0H4)

94 Hiya Pug!
Did you and your lovely bride make it to the Oregon coast?

I don’t partake of the ganja anymore either. All good. I’d rather get pleasantly mellow on bourbon. Pot is too strong for me these days.

Posted by: nurse ratched at December 27, 2025 08:34 PM (IhIKR)

95 Yeah and you kind of feel for the shark

The author of the series steven alten is a crazy man

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 27, 2025 08:36 PM (bXbFr)

96 > The once mighty Pixar

I think the same thing there that happened to Apple -- the employees just started to coast after Jobs died.

Both still (relatively) respected brand names. Both still raking in tons-o-cash. But no real innovation, certainaly not like their heyday.

Say what you will, living in sheer terror of your boss can be a strong motivation to excel.

Heh... I just thought of a quote from an Apple employee. "You hear people saying "(such-and-such) would never have happened if Steve were still alive". Then you hear other people saying "That's crap. Steve wasn't magical."

"The second group just doesn't get it. It's not that Steve was magical, it's that he was fucking terrifying."

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at December 27, 2025 08:36 PM (IG3/x)

97 Well it has kevin bacon in it

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 27, 2025 08:37 PM (bXbFr)

98 He does seem to have found his niche, doesn't he? (Does The Meg fit there? I saw the flick but can't remember a freakin' thing about it except: Statham - check; big shark - check)

But, hey, it's a living.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 27, 2025 08:34 PM (q3u5l)

You gotta give him credit. He's keeping himself in decent shape, so his action scenes look more or less reasonable.

In a way, he's followed in the Aaaahnold mold. Especially being a foreign guy who couldn't do an American accent to save his life, who happens to seem to work for American entities, and we're all just supposed to go "Yeah, sure."

Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 08:37 PM (8sydA)

99 Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 27, 2025 08:34 PM (q3u5l)

The movie I liked him in the best was Spy.

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 27, 2025 08:37 PM (KDPiq)

100 Saami Davis Jr's sister?
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 08:32 PM (ynpvh)

She is not a handsome woman. I saw her in a flick when she was younger... she wasn't handsome then either.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 08:38 PM (8sydA)

101 I have a copy of Klaus somewhere. I should probably watch it.

I wasn't thinking and watched "Haxan" on Christmas night. Guess I'm going to Hell now.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at December 27, 2025 08:38 PM (CHHv1)

102 "Say what you will, living in sheer terror of your boss can be a strong motivation to excel."

And speaking of Christmas spirit in the movies, Michael Caine in Muppet Christmas Carol -- "And how would the bookkeepers like to find themselves UNEMPLOYED!!!" (A Scrooge high point in the flick.)

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 27, 2025 08:39 PM (q3u5l)

103 Yeah he was a parody of himself (well more than usual)

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 27, 2025 08:40 PM (bXbFr)

104 I don't indulge in the devil's lettuce these days either, and haven't for decades.

The shit is just too strong nowadays, plus I really just kinda stopped enjoying it.

Yeah, call me a lightweight wuss, but when I go out drinking, I drink beer, not straight shots of grain alcohol.

Same thing.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at December 27, 2025 08:40 PM (IG3/x)

105 Did you and your lovely bride make it to the Oregon coast?

Posted by: nurse ratched at December 27, 2025 08:34 PM (IhIKR)

No. I chickened out. Dammit. Turns out it would have been fine.

How many times did we drive up to Montana for Thanksgiving with the folks? And now I puss out? I feel shame.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, First of his name at December 27, 2025 08:40 PM (0aYVJ)

106 84 The Fatman's got his eye on you!
Posted by: M. Gibson at December 27, 2025 08:28 PM

Such a disappointing flick.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 08:32 PM

+++
I actually kinda liked it.
If I recall, it was several years ago and I was reading ON THIS VERY BLOG somebody named Jack, or Queen, or King, or maybe Ace said something to the effect of:

"... just go see it. Don't read anything about it. DON'T watch the trailer. Just go see it. But going in, realize the entire plot line is preposterous, so just set that aside. Just go see it."

So I did. Yeah, I put aside the whole black wife thing.
And I rather enjoyed it.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at December 27, 2025 08:41 PM (XXNBa)

107 The fatman?

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 27, 2025 08:42 PM (bXbFr)

108 So I did. Yeah, I put aside the whole black wife thing.
And I rather enjoyed it.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at December 27, 2025 08:41 PM (XXNBa)

I'm not sure this is one of those movies where you have to go in blind.

Mel Gibson is Santa. Walton Goggins is a bad guy. It's violent.

What else do you need to know?

Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 08:44 PM (AtFJ+)

109 Yes. The Fatman.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at December 27, 2025 08:44 PM (XXNBa)

110 100 Saami Davis Jr's sister?
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 08:32 PM (ynpvh)

She is not a handsome woman. I saw her in a flick when she was younger... she wasn't handsome then either.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 08:38 PM (8sydA)

...it was a play on words...Saami, as in the people in the movie "Klaus" of this movie thread?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 08:45 PM (ynpvh)

111 Haven't seen a lot of Statham's stuff, but Blitz (I think from a Ken Bruen novel), Parker, and Wild Card were kinda fun. I don't think Statham was particularly great casting for Westlake's Parker or William Goldman's Nick Escalante characters, but a Statham is a bit like a Chuck Norris. You have a pretty good idea what to expect going in, and Statham delivers it in good measure.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 27, 2025 08:45 PM (q3u5l)

112 Speaking of Mel Gibson I need to watch Blood Father again. That's one of my favorite Gibson movies along with Get the Gringo.

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 27, 2025 08:46 PM (KDPiq)

113 63 There is a owl right outside my window
Posted by: Skip

Better than a Raven.

Posted by: Edgar Allan Poe at December 27, 2025 08:48 PM (v9vY1)

114 You mean I should go to an actual theater?

That's just crazy talk.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 27, 2025 08:48 PM (A0sqA)

115 ...it was a play on words...Saami, as in the people in the movie "Klaus" of this movie thread?
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 08:45 PM (ynpvh)

Heh, yeah. I got that.

Just saying... she's not a HOT black woman, but somehow has a career.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 08:49 PM (KwCuT)

116 Chasing down "City Girl" ran into 'Interference' - first full length talkie by Pararmount. Interesting thing
YouTooob says 'full movie' at 1:23:27 and the Archive has it at 1:32. So, are they running it at different speed or is one of them mistaken?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 27, 2025 08:49 PM (2oHWb)

117 Spy is one of my most unexpected really good comedy movies.

Melissa McCarthy was really good and Statham was hilarious.

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 27, 2025 08:50 PM (KDPiq)

118 113 63 There is a owl right outside my window
Posted by: Skip

Better than a Raven.
Posted by: Edgar Allan Poe at December 27, 2025 08:48 PM

They can all be trouble.

Posted by: A. Hitchcock at December 27, 2025 08:50 PM (XXNBa)

119 There were a couple of others that were good it was casino related with an american lead

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 27, 2025 08:51 PM (bXbFr)

120 Just saying... she's not a HOT black woman, but somehow has a career.
Posted by: BurtTC at December 27, 2025 08:49 PM

Wait, wut?

Posted by: Old Lady Emhoff at December 27, 2025 08:52 PM (XXNBa)

121 91 ...every Jason Statham movie ever made.

He does seem to have found his niche, doesn't he? (Does The Meg fit there? I saw the flick but can't remember a freakin' thing about it except: Statham - check; big shark - check)

But, hey, it's a living.
Posted by: Just Some Guy

The Bank Job is a surprisingly good Jason Statham film. It's probably the least Statham-ish film he's ever done. I liked it.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 27, 2025 08:52 PM (v9vY1)

122 109 Yes. The Fatman.

Fatman's Elf: dismantling the bomb -- Epic.
Definitely not Will Ferrell's elf scene.

Posted by: MANFRED the Heat Seeking OBOE at December 27, 2025 08:53 PM (0l6FT)

123 So you have no grandchildren that want to see Stranger Things?

Posted by: JackWayne at December 27, 2025 08:54 PM (PcEmA)

124 "Out of Lapland", an "Out of Africa" parody.

Karen Blitzen, a reindeer from a noble family, is cheated on, and infected with syphilis by, her cad of a husband Prancer (who is walking both sides of the street, IYKWIM).

She takes up with a wild caribou named Dasher, and they live semi-happily ever after, or at least as happy as people are allowed to be in Scandi stories, which isn't very.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at December 27, 2025 08:55 PM (IG3/x)

125 They can all be trouble.
Posted by: A. Hitchcock at December 27, 2025 08:50 PM (XXNBa)
====

Seeing Suzanne Pleshett's eyes plucked out could be reported as an Adverse Childhood Experience.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 27, 2025 08:57 PM (A0sqA)

126 Braenyard --

So "City Girl" has a silent version and less-silent version, but the less-silent version is lost.

The time differential might simply be different front/back matter. "Presented by...", etc.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 08:58 PM (lpWi1)

127 Revolver with ray liotta (a decidedly non ststhamist ending

The mechanic, transporter

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at December 27, 2025 08:59 PM (bXbFr)

128 Fatman is empty calories. I'd never watch it again.

Posted by: Fat is as Fat Does at December 27, 2025 09:03 PM (Ek7bz)

129 Then, we watched Gremlins. Hilarious horror comedy, but damn Spielberg, let us know how much you hate Christmas some other time
---
Absolutely the best part of the movie and the best monologue Phoebe Cates has ever delivered.

And I'm pretty sure it wasn't Spielberg but Joe Dante who wrote that, Chris Columbus be damned.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 09:03 PM (lpWi1)

130 As bad-santa movies go, I liked Violent Night

Posted by: gKWVE at December 27, 2025 09:03 PM (3yrQB)

131 Fat is flavor.

First, get a stick of butter...

Posted by: Paula Deen at December 27, 2025 09:06 PM (XXNBa)

132 Only reason to watch Gremlins is to set up the joaks for the sequel

Posted by: gKWVE at December 27, 2025 09:06 PM (3yrQB)

133 As bad-santa movies go, I liked Violent Night
Posted by: gKWVE at December 27, 2025 09:03 PM (3yrQ

Ironically Bad Santa was good.

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 27, 2025 09:06 PM (KDPiq)

134 Saw DIE HARD on Christmas.

The mind boggles on what a great three movie run John McTiernan had.

Posted by: Cow Demon at December 27, 2025 09:06 PM (KNKj1)

135 So "connected" watched "Seconds" for Christmas and Just Some Guy watched "The Substance".

You guys know how to party!

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 09:06 PM (lpWi1)

136 129 Then, we watched Gremlins. Hilarious horror comedy, but damn Spielberg, let us know how much you hate Christmas some other time
---
Absolutely the best part of the movie and the best monologue Phoebe Cates has ever delivered.

And I'm pretty sure it wasn't Spielberg but Joe Dante who wrote that, Chris Columbus be damned.
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 09:03 PM (lpWi1)

Spielberg was the director, so he had final call on the Christmas hate...

The monologue times two - 1st, some folks commit suicide and then dad dad trying to be Santa - like one monlogue wasn't enough?
Then, you had to finish the job by arresting Santa

It was hilarious in its absolute out of nowhereness...it felt like the 80s afterschool movie specials...

And asking for a PG - I can imagine many families left theaters and had a coronary after that movie, while all the teens were giggling...

Posted by: Nova Local at December 27, 2025 09:06 PM (tOcjL)

137 dad died, not dad dad - that's two typos...shouldn't be distracted by kid's Baltimore game...

Posted by: Nova Local at December 27, 2025 09:07 PM (tOcjL)

138 25 Before I read the post...
Spielberg has a new space alien movie coming out this Summer. It looks like Close Encounters meets Signs
Posted by: Soothsayer

Sounds interesting.

meets DEI.
Posted by: Soothsayer

Or, eff that with a rusty keyhole saw.
Posted by: mikeski at December 27, 2025 07:58 PM (nhCoE)

It looks like Spielberg is upset that Close Encounters is trapped in 1977 and decided to try and update it.

Pass.

Posted by: Cow Demon at December 27, 2025 09:08 PM (KNKj1)

139 My dad hated Gremlins as he should have.

Posted by: gKWVE at December 27, 2025 09:08 PM (3yrQB)

140 132 Only reason to watch Gremlins is to set up the joaks for the sequel
Posted by: gKWVE at December 27, 2025 09:06 PM (3yrQB)

Nah, mom taking back the house like knife-wielding Rambo is awesome...before kid screws it up and lets the Gremlin get wet and makes all mom's effort for nothing...

Posted by: Nova Local at December 27, 2025 09:09 PM (tOcjL)

141 I watched Violent Night twice this year, thought it was goid

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 09:10 PM (Ia/+0)

142 So you have no grandchildren that want to see Stranger Things?
Posted by: JackWayne

That sure turned into a total shitshow.
Took them a couple of years producing the latest season to do it too.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at December 27, 2025 09:11 PM (/lPRQ)

143 Spielberg was the director, so he had final call on the Christmas hate...
----
Spielberg was the producer. Joe Dante was the director. Spielberg MIGHT still have had final call, technically, but if you are familiar with Dante (The Howling, Pirahna, Innerspace, Matinee), you recognize his sense of humor.

---
And asking for a PG - I can imagine many families left theaters and had a coronary after that movie, while all the teens were giggling...
---
It was one of the first PG-13, maybe the first to hit a theater. But it was largely silly puppet mayhem. Much like "Temple of Doom" I regard adults who take it overseriously with an arched eyebrow.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 09:11 PM (lpWi1)

144 135 --

Just backwards, Moviegique. I watched Seconds, and connected watched The Substance. But yeah, quite a party.

And no horrifying clean-up job after.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 27, 2025 09:12 PM (q3u5l)

145 And asking for a PG - I can imagine many families left theaters and had a coronary after that movie, while all the teens were giggling...
---
It was one of the first PG-13, maybe the first to hit a theater. But it was largely silly puppet mayhem. Much like "Temple of Doom" I regard adults who take it overseriously with an arched eyebrow.
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 09:11 PM (lpWi1)

It was not - it was officially PG and it and Temple of Doom were the reasons for PG 13. In fact, we learned that last night b/c kids were flabbergasted that movie was PG and not R.

The coronary would have been for ruining all Christmas mythology without apology. You're sold a movie with a cute toy in stores and some funny lizard looking things and you get that...

Again, I call it a horror comedy, almost in the realm of Scream, since it does show all the movies it's ripping off and parodying, too...but Scream is R...

Posted by: Nova Local at December 27, 2025 09:14 PM (tOcjL)

146 Gremlins are ugly cars.

Posted by: Obligatory AoS Reference at December 27, 2025 09:22 PM (Q+gd/)

147 It was never produced, and IIRC Harlan Ellison walked off the 1985 Twilight Zone after the segment was scrubbed, but they'd intended to do an adaptation of Donald Westlake's Christmas horror short story "Nackles." Believe an account of the fiasco can be found in some editions of Ellison's short story collection Slippage. Might have been fun.

But the 85 TZ did a nice job on their initial Christmas week broadcast with a segment based on Arthur C. Clarke's short story "The Star." Not a Christmas cheer fest for the kiddies, though.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 27, 2025 09:23 PM (q3u5l)

148 142 So you have no grandchildren that want to see Stranger Things?
Posted by: JackWayne

That sure turned into a total shitshow.
Took them a couple of years producing the latest season to do it too.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at December 27, 2025 09:11 PM (/lPRQ)

Yep. It started off taut, smart, and very well-written. Now it's both rambling and rushed at the same time with super extra unnecessary grrrrl and ghey power. Absolutely does nothing to contribute to the story or advance any important plot points. I'm still going to see how they finish it just because but they've really cratered. I guess nobody learned anything from how TWD went to shit.

Posted by: Netflix can't stop gheyifying everything at December 27, 2025 09:26 PM (TbWk/)

149 146 Gremlins are ugly cars.
Posted by: Obligatory AoS Reference at December 27, 2025 09:22 PM (Q+gd/)

And if it RAINS? Nightmare.

Posted by: Romeo13 at December 27, 2025 09:26 PM (mP0Kj)

150 146 Gremlins are ugly cars.
Posted by: Obligatory AoS Reference at December 27, 2025 09:22 PM (Q+gd/)

It's what happens if you feed a Pacer after midnight.

Posted by: Or get it wet at December 27, 2025 09:26 PM (TbWk/)

151 It was not - it was officially PG and it and Temple of Doom were the reasons for PG 13.
---
Ah, right. I knew it was connected.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 09:27 PM (lpWi1)

152 In fact, we learned that last night b/c kids were flabbergasted that movie was PG and not R.
---
I've tried listing PG movies of my youth but I keep getting tagged as spam.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 09:30 PM (lpWi1)

153 Barbarella was PG. People remember the opening credit strip tease and forget about the orgasmatron.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 09:31 PM (lpWi1)

154 I’ve never watched Klaus, based on this I’ll have to look for it.

But since it’s an origin story it still needed a Heat Miser.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 27, 2025 09:31 PM (8kBBB)

155 Gremlin cars? I remember one TV series, where they needed to show that a character was a broke single mom by showing what a crappy car she was driving. Now, they didn't dare show a crappy car from a current manufacturer, for fear of offending a potential advertiser.

So they had her drive a beat up Gremlin.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at December 27, 2025 09:32 PM (0vB2I)

156 Mother, Jugs and Speed.

Bll Cosby was Mother. Racqui Welch was Jugs. Harvey Keitel was Speed. Keitel turns out not to be a good guy. Ahem.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 09:34 PM (lpWi1)

157 Gremlins is not a good movie.

It's a mogwai toy commercial.

Posted by: gozmo is as dumb as yoda at December 27, 2025 09:34 PM (XbOl0)

158 Yep. It started off taut, smart, and very well-written. Now it's both rambling and rushed at the same time with super extra unnecessary grrrrl and ghey power.

+++++

The fat kid they introduced was entertaining though
Not enough to save it though.

Not sure if the ghey shit of magic grrrl who can make people see shit is worse subplot.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at December 27, 2025 09:36 PM (/lPRQ)

159 Barbarella was PG. People remember the opening credit strip tease and forget about the orgasmatron.
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 09:31 PM (lpWi1)

Thought it was Sleeper. Was it in other movies?

BTW, do you know who this Chato fella is on YT?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 09:36 PM (uQesX)

160 Actually the Fat Man is William Conrad.

Posted by: Wesley Crusher at December 27, 2025 09:42 PM (A0sqA)

161 Jeez, I haven't seen Mother, Jugs & Speed since it was in the theaters.

If memory serves, Allen Garfield had a delightful turn as the ambulance company's super-sleaze boss.

Cosby & Welch were both pretty good in it as I recall.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 27, 2025 09:42 PM (q3u5l)

162 Oh, right, there IS an orgasmatron in "Sleeper," also rated PG.

"Planet of the Apes"? With its psychosurgery, furry-speedoed Charlton Heston, and human hunting, was rated G.

Orgasmatron in Barbarella:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owueFHTFN8Y

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 09:42 PM (lpWi1)

163 Klaus is one of my favorite Christmas movies - the family and I see it every year, as we decorate the tree.

If this review didn't sell you on watching the movie, there's this: Norm MacDonald has a small - but pivotal - part in the movie, as the Ferryman. He's very funny, as you'd expect.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at December 27, 2025 09:44 PM (0CU3H)

164 As you probably know, William Conrad was the voice of Matt Dillon on the radio version of "Gunsmoke." For some reason, they didn't cast him for the part in the TV series.

Imagine if they had. It would have been... different.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at December 27, 2025 09:44 PM (0vB2I)

165 I don't remember if our family got mad about Temple like they got.mad about Gremlins. I liked Temple. Although I see why it could be intense for PG but.... so.was Raiders.

Posted by: gKWVE at December 27, 2025 09:46 PM (Qkvji)

166 Oh, and no, I don't from YT people. Chato or otherwise.

---
161 Jeez, I haven't seen Mother, Jugs & Speed since it was in the theaters.
---

Me, neither. But I remember a lot of crappy PG movies from the '70s. In "Swashbuckler", Genevieve Bujold (besides swimming naked) threatens to cut a guy's balls off (by holding a knife to his crotch).

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 09:47 PM (lpWi1)

167 I think that Sleeper has been very prescient of our future reality. It got Biden right for sure.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 27, 2025 09:47 PM (9ipOP)

168 As you probably know, William Conrad was the voice of Matt Dillon on the radio version of "Gunsmoke." For some reason, they didn't cast him for the part in the TV series.
Imagine if they had. It would have been... different.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at December 27, 2025 09:44 PM (0vB2I)

For one thing the shitter would have been unusable for a few hours after his fat ass got out of it. Whew! Light a match for crying out loud!

Posted by: Festus at December 27, 2025 09:49 PM (R/m4+)

169 Clash Of The Titans was PG and it was a titfest. If you liked hairy man torso then you got that too

Posted by: gKWVE at December 27, 2025 09:51 PM (Qkvji)

170 Ratings systems are dumb and difficult to defend. I have noticed that if a horror movie is effective, the knives come out.

"Frankenstein" took a lot of heat. "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "John Carpenter's The Thing."

There's a movie, "This Film Is Not Yet Rated," which is interesting, but ultmately comes down to "The MPAA's standards are dumb and arbitrary! Our standards, which are equally dumb and arbitrary should be used instead!"

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 09:52 PM (lpWi1)

171 157 Gremlins is not a good movie.

It's a mogwai toy commercial.
Posted by: gozmo is as dumb as yoda at December 27, 2025 09:34 PM (XbOl0)

From the sig line, another amusing thing was how Gizmo saw it all coming, and just was shaking his head "uh oh"...

Posted by: Nova Local at December 27, 2025 09:53 PM (tOcjL)

172 Genevieve Bujold (besides swimming naked)

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 09:47 PM (lpWi1)

I am confused by the "besides" part. Is there anything bad about this?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 27, 2025 09:55 PM (n9ltV)

173 Our standards, which are equally dumb and arbitrary should be used instead!"
Posted by: moviegique

The conservative is enamored of preexistent evils, opposed to the liberal who desires to replace them with others. Ambrose Bierce

Posted by: gKWVE at December 27, 2025 09:58 PM (Qkvji)

174 169 Clash Of The Titans was PG and it was a titfest. If you liked hairy man torso then you got that too
Posted by: gKWVE at December 27, 2025 09:51 PM (Qkvji)

Another great movie. It came out over 40 years ago, and the special effects are dated - you can tell from the very beginning of the movie. The thing is, the cast is fanastic, and so is the story. You don't even notice the effects - and you don't even mind the 8th century BC R2D2 ripoff in that mechanical owl. The scene with the Gorgon is a classic. A great movie.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at December 27, 2025 09:58 PM (0CU3H)

175 There's a movie, "This Film Is Not Yet Rated," which is interesting, but ultmately comes down to "The MPAA's standards are dumb and arbitrary! Our standards, which are equally dumb and arbitrary should be used instead!"
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 09:52 PM (lpWi1)

Shoulda kept GMRX!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 09:58 PM (uQesX)

176 I am confused by the "besides" part. Is there anything bad about this?
----
I don't remember being traumatized by it. Just pointing out it was PG.

The American cut of Godzilla ('57) which is chock full of violence including radiation burns, I think. Not even PG back then.

Anyway, the one thing I'm sure of is "Gremlins" was the dumbest script I had seen at the time.

"Here are the three plot points—I mean, rules."

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 09:58 PM (lpWi1)

177 Thanks for coming by, guys!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Jolly Kwanzaa for the lurking white affluent liberals.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at December 27, 2025 10:00 PM (lpWi1)

178 Also, the feeding after midnight thing makes no sense. Midnight in the central time zone? It's always after midnight somewhere.

Posted by: gozmo is as dumb as yoda at December 27, 2025 10:00 PM (XbOl0)

179 I saw Clash of the Titans at a drive-in in the Catskills but I didn't see the movie.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 27, 2025 10:00 PM (A0sqA)

180 Thanks for the thread, moviegique.

Have a good one, gang.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 27, 2025 10:01 PM (q3u5l)

181 "It's always after midnight somewhere.
Posted by: gozmo "

I only do shots after midnight...

Posted by: Kamala! at December 27, 2025 10:02 PM (Qkvji)

182 9 I don't ever intend to watch another animated film, as long as I live.
___________________

If I thought that way I'd not only have missed "Klaus," but "Leap," "Nimona," "Emperor's New Groove," everything from Studio Ghibli, and many others including the entire stop-motion catalog of Laika Studios.

Posted by: MartynWW at December 27, 2025 11:11 PM (M9zxq)

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