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Andy K (10823 KP) rated Poltergeist (1982) in Movies
Oct 25, 2019
The TV People!
When the Freeling family moved into their suburban California home, little did they know what they were getting themselves into! Minor oddities began showing themselves like chairs stacking in the kitchen lights flashing or even being pulled across the kitchen floor. It felt like a "tickle". The situation quickly grows more severe as a tree outside the children's room plunges inside and tries to ingest son, Robbie. Simultaneously, a gateway of sorts opens in the children's room eventually pulling the entire contents into its closet vortex including youngest daughter, Carol Anne.
Parents Steve and Diane have little option but to accept "professional" help. The Ghostbusters were not available since that film was not released until 2 years later. Instead, they convince a doctor and paranormal scientists to enter there home to record some of these events and provide some answers if they can. Eventually, the Dr. summons a spiritual medium who says someone must enter the void and rescue Carol Anne from the evil which surrounds her. After apparent success, the house is considered "clean".
I wonder if it will stay that way?
Over the years lots of interesting facts about the film and production have emerged including the Poltergeist "curse" since a prominent cast member passed away after each film was completed. Tragically, oldest daughter, Dana, played by actress Dominique Dunne, was strangled by her boyfriend and pronounced brain dead a few days later.
Spielberg was hot off Raiders of the Lost Ark at the time so was busy with one production after another. Immediately following the wrap of filming of Poltergeist he filmed E. T. The Extra Terrestrial, but was still heavily involved in post production. It has been widely speculated Spielberg even directed some of Poltergieist due to having control issues or maybe not liking what credited director Tobe Hooper was doing.
Drew Barrymore auditioned for Carol Ann, but didn't get the role. Obviously, she was remembered and given her breakout role in E.T. when it was also released in 1982.
So much of the movie is still remembered including the menacing tree, the clown scene with Robbie and a rich, interesting screenplay Spielberg himself wrote. The line "They're Here" is listed on the AFI's 100 YEARS...100 MOVIE QUOTES list at #69. As with a lot of Spielberg's early work, the affect of slowing building tension and the starting out "normal" and moving toward higher tension gradually is a staple and works amazingly well here.
I will admit some of the optical effects used now look a bit dated by today's standards of film perfection; however, does not diminish the scares, creeps or overall feel of this horror classic one bit. The score by Jerry Goldsmith is haunting, foreboding and captures the magic of the Freeling household perfectly.
I love the production design in the house especially the children's bedroom. There must have been some inside joke between Spielberg and George Lucas who had just collaborated on Raiders of the Lost Ark as their room is filled with Star Wars licensing of every type (so was mine as a kid) including action figures, bedding, movie posters and even clothing. I do draw the line at the Alien poster on the wall, through, as I don't think a 5 and 8 year old would have seen that film so young.
One other funny thing which us older folk take for granted is a network actually going off the air and showing just snow. This fact happened every day before the days of the 24 television cycle and would be completely foreign to the younger generation. Oh how things have changed.
I revisit this film often and is one of my Halloween traditions every few years. I should probably upgrade my 20 years old DVD copy for a fresh Blu Ray. Add it to the list! đ
Parents Steve and Diane have little option but to accept "professional" help. The Ghostbusters were not available since that film was not released until 2 years later. Instead, they convince a doctor and paranormal scientists to enter there home to record some of these events and provide some answers if they can. Eventually, the Dr. summons a spiritual medium who says someone must enter the void and rescue Carol Anne from the evil which surrounds her. After apparent success, the house is considered "clean".
I wonder if it will stay that way?
Over the years lots of interesting facts about the film and production have emerged including the Poltergeist "curse" since a prominent cast member passed away after each film was completed. Tragically, oldest daughter, Dana, played by actress Dominique Dunne, was strangled by her boyfriend and pronounced brain dead a few days later.
Spielberg was hot off Raiders of the Lost Ark at the time so was busy with one production after another. Immediately following the wrap of filming of Poltergeist he filmed E. T. The Extra Terrestrial, but was still heavily involved in post production. It has been widely speculated Spielberg even directed some of Poltergieist due to having control issues or maybe not liking what credited director Tobe Hooper was doing.
Drew Barrymore auditioned for Carol Ann, but didn't get the role. Obviously, she was remembered and given her breakout role in E.T. when it was also released in 1982.
So much of the movie is still remembered including the menacing tree, the clown scene with Robbie and a rich, interesting screenplay Spielberg himself wrote. The line "They're Here" is listed on the AFI's 100 YEARS...100 MOVIE QUOTES list at #69. As with a lot of Spielberg's early work, the affect of slowing building tension and the starting out "normal" and moving toward higher tension gradually is a staple and works amazingly well here.
I will admit some of the optical effects used now look a bit dated by today's standards of film perfection; however, does not diminish the scares, creeps or overall feel of this horror classic one bit. The score by Jerry Goldsmith is haunting, foreboding and captures the magic of the Freeling household perfectly.
I love the production design in the house especially the children's bedroom. There must have been some inside joke between Spielberg and George Lucas who had just collaborated on Raiders of the Lost Ark as their room is filled with Star Wars licensing of every type (so was mine as a kid) including action figures, bedding, movie posters and even clothing. I do draw the line at the Alien poster on the wall, through, as I don't think a 5 and 8 year old would have seen that film so young.
One other funny thing which us older folk take for granted is a network actually going off the air and showing just snow. This fact happened every day before the days of the 24 television cycle and would be completely foreign to the younger generation. Oh how things have changed.
I revisit this film often and is one of my Halloween traditions every few years. I should probably upgrade my 20 years old DVD copy for a fresh Blu Ray. Add it to the list! đ
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From well-loved womenâs fiction writer Kristyn Kusek Lewis comes a breakout novel about a woman...
Debbiereadsbook (1570 KP) rated Christa's Obsession (Obsession #3) in Books
Feb 5, 2025
I really loved watching Wanda give herself to Christa, emotionally more than physically, to be honest.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 3 in the Obsessions series, and there is some overlap between this and the previous two books. I think you *SHOULD* read them before this one. Silas is Wanda's brother and it will give you a better picture of the dryad/tree relationship. Wanda's is quite different.
After being kidnapped by demons and rescued, Wanda wants nothing to do with the entire demonkind. But her brother is mated to one, and Dakata saved her life, along with a couple of others. But why, at the back of her mind, is Christa lurking? She is Dakata's sister but Wnada cannot remember her being at her rescue. And then, they touch, and both ladies know the other is their Blissful One. But Wanda hates demons? How can she be mated to one??
Ms Sayle writes MM books, has done for a while and I have followed her from the beginning. THIS is her first foray into FF books, and I was mighty, MIGHTY curious about Wanda and her trees in both previous books, so pairing those two things together, made me fully immerse myself into this book.
I was NOT disappointed! I loved how it all played out between Christa and Wanda, I really did!
Oh, and the trees?? All FEMALE trees, which I don't believe was mentioned in earlier books. And those trees know just how to please their dryad, and her demon mate! I will never look at a peach in the same way :-) Steamy and smexy, that's what these two ladies are, along with the peach trees and I really thought Sayle nailed those scenes.
This book is mostly about Wanda letting go of her fears and fully committing to Christa. The visit from the Demon King, Asmodeus, helps a great deal, and the family dinner with Christa's siblings does too. I really loved watching Wanda give herself to Christa, emotionally more than physically, to be honest.
Given the epilogue, and what I've seen about the next two books, they all overlap somewhat. I actually liked that. It's a bit different, is all, and gives spoilers for future books.
I absolutely cannot fault this, I really can't!
5 full and shiny stars!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 3 in the Obsessions series, and there is some overlap between this and the previous two books. I think you *SHOULD* read them before this one. Silas is Wanda's brother and it will give you a better picture of the dryad/tree relationship. Wanda's is quite different.
After being kidnapped by demons and rescued, Wanda wants nothing to do with the entire demonkind. But her brother is mated to one, and Dakata saved her life, along with a couple of others. But why, at the back of her mind, is Christa lurking? She is Dakata's sister but Wnada cannot remember her being at her rescue. And then, they touch, and both ladies know the other is their Blissful One. But Wanda hates demons? How can she be mated to one??
Ms Sayle writes MM books, has done for a while and I have followed her from the beginning. THIS is her first foray into FF books, and I was mighty, MIGHTY curious about Wanda and her trees in both previous books, so pairing those two things together, made me fully immerse myself into this book.
I was NOT disappointed! I loved how it all played out between Christa and Wanda, I really did!
Oh, and the trees?? All FEMALE trees, which I don't believe was mentioned in earlier books. And those trees know just how to please their dryad, and her demon mate! I will never look at a peach in the same way :-) Steamy and smexy, that's what these two ladies are, along with the peach trees and I really thought Sayle nailed those scenes.
This book is mostly about Wanda letting go of her fears and fully committing to Christa. The visit from the Demon King, Asmodeus, helps a great deal, and the family dinner with Christa's siblings does too. I really loved watching Wanda give herself to Christa, emotionally more than physically, to be honest.
Given the epilogue, and what I've seen about the next two books, they all overlap somewhat. I actually liked that. It's a bit different, is all, and gives spoilers for future books.
I absolutely cannot fault this, I really can't!
5 full and shiny stars!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Saving Ruby King in Books
Jun 18, 2020
Ruby King is twenty-four-years-old when her mother, Alice, is found murdered in the home she shared with Ruby and Ruby's father, Lebanon. The police show little interest in--to them--another death in the King's black neighborhood, but Alice's death unhinges Ruby and leaves her alone with her violent, abusive father. Her only confidante is her best friend, Layla, who knows how long Alice and Ruby have suffered under Lebanon's wrath. But Layla is angry that Ruby won't do more to get away from Lebanon and she's even angrier at her father, a pastor, who has been close to Lebanon all these years, and yet never did anything to free Alice or Ruby from his abuse. Layla is determined to save Ruby, but as she works to rescue her friend, she starts to uncover a world of secrets and lies flowing back generations.
"I'm stitched together by the lies I tell myself and the lies people want to believe about me." ~Alice
I found this excellent and timely book to be incredibly well-written, with a power and tenderness to it that goes far behind your typical debut novel (I had to double check that this was actually West's first novel, I was so impressed).
West tells her story from a variety of points of view--Ruby; her late mother, Alice; her father, Lebanon; her best friend, Layla; Layla's father, a pastor; and more. We even hear from a central figure in all of these characters' lives--their church, via its omnipresent voice. The plot spans generations, with West giving a nuanced look at each of her complex characters. She does an amazing job of showing the power of family, for both good and bad. How choices can affect generations: one person's bad decisions can pass poison on, with children reliving dysfunction and sins.
"How can there be a me without her?" ~Ruby
No one is simply good or bad here, though Lebanon is not an easy-to-like man. Abused and neglected by his own parent, Sara, we see how Sara's neglect has turned Lebanon hard. But West is such a good writer that Lebanon is not a one-dimensional bad guy, as much as you want to hate him. I was incredibly impressed at how she could create sympathy for so many of her players, even when they did despicable things.
"Without Sara, who do I blame for...being me? Are children supposed to forgive their parents for the horrible things they've done?" ~Lebanon
This novel does an impressive job at delving into racism, domestic abuse, and sexual assault and trauma. The city of Chicago appears as its own character, springing to life via West's lovely prose. She expertly shows the difficulties black people face on the south side (and in general). I read this book during George Floyd's murder and found myself highlighting passages about police brutality that just hit me right in the gut. It's very powerful.
West's book features a variety of characters--they can be hard to keep track of at first, and I was glad to have the family tree in the beginning of the book. A few times the plot felt repetitious and the middle dragged a bit, but it picked up in the second half. There's a surprising amount of twists and turns. Overall, this is a realistic look at racism and domestic violence, but also friendship. It's quite well-written and layered with a twinge of hope throughout. I can't wait to see what West writes next. 4+ stars.
"I'm stitched together by the lies I tell myself and the lies people want to believe about me." ~Alice
I found this excellent and timely book to be incredibly well-written, with a power and tenderness to it that goes far behind your typical debut novel (I had to double check that this was actually West's first novel, I was so impressed).
West tells her story from a variety of points of view--Ruby; her late mother, Alice; her father, Lebanon; her best friend, Layla; Layla's father, a pastor; and more. We even hear from a central figure in all of these characters' lives--their church, via its omnipresent voice. The plot spans generations, with West giving a nuanced look at each of her complex characters. She does an amazing job of showing the power of family, for both good and bad. How choices can affect generations: one person's bad decisions can pass poison on, with children reliving dysfunction and sins.
"How can there be a me without her?" ~Ruby
No one is simply good or bad here, though Lebanon is not an easy-to-like man. Abused and neglected by his own parent, Sara, we see how Sara's neglect has turned Lebanon hard. But West is such a good writer that Lebanon is not a one-dimensional bad guy, as much as you want to hate him. I was incredibly impressed at how she could create sympathy for so many of her players, even when they did despicable things.
"Without Sara, who do I blame for...being me? Are children supposed to forgive their parents for the horrible things they've done?" ~Lebanon
This novel does an impressive job at delving into racism, domestic abuse, and sexual assault and trauma. The city of Chicago appears as its own character, springing to life via West's lovely prose. She expertly shows the difficulties black people face on the south side (and in general). I read this book during George Floyd's murder and found myself highlighting passages about police brutality that just hit me right in the gut. It's very powerful.
West's book features a variety of characters--they can be hard to keep track of at first, and I was glad to have the family tree in the beginning of the book. A few times the plot felt repetitious and the middle dragged a bit, but it picked up in the second half. There's a surprising amount of twists and turns. Overall, this is a realistic look at racism and domestic violence, but also friendship. It's quite well-written and layered with a twinge of hope throughout. I can't wait to see what West writes next. 4+ stars.
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated Warriors with Holy Hands in Books
Nov 4, 2019
Warriors With Holy Hands is the story of a young woman who finds herself lost in time and whose life over a period of three years is spiraling downward. Ruth Falk is stricken with an inexplicable illness and then orphaned. With only a distant relative in her life now, Ruth faces a life of debilitating pain and infirmity. She determines to look to the past for answers she believes her bloodline may reveal.
Searching through diaries and records, Ruth discovers blood relatives and others who lived far away over the course of a century. We follow their lives across three generations culminating in the revelation of indisputable connections that are createdÂwords and actions with lasting results.
Ruth learns that a curse spoken by one ancestor may have had a devastating domino effect, one whose beginning also engaged her prayer-warrior grandmother in a pitched spiritual battle to break. A challenged believer herself, Ruth grows in the faith of her predecessors who faced ominous situations.
The rich symbolism of Judaism provides a backdrop for the saga with traditions and meaning sprinkled throughout the story.
When she faces increasing paralysis, Ruth and a birth friend in the faith journey to the Southern Highlands of Tennessee where it all began. Here in the span of seven daysÂover ten monthsÂall that has unraveled in recent years comes together. Life as she knows it will never be the same.
God reveals himself to Ruth and others in remarkable ways along a tortuous path that comes full circle.
Warriors is a mystery that is finally, stunningly, revealed as serendipitous fruit from the branches of a family tree. It is a story of encouragement and life that empowers those who seek God and believe.
My Thoughts: This is a story about Ruth, a woman who is injured while deployed. As she recovers from her injuries, including PTSD and other physical injuries, she learns about her past through journals that her aunt gave to her. The author has done a skillful job of intertwining the history from the journals to the present time to Ruth. The author Peter Toeg, presents us with a good picture of how we can be affected by our past relatives whether it's good or bad.
I love history and journals. We cal learn so much through our past. This is a story about healing, both physically and of course, spiritually. The author has done a brilliant job with this storyline and I believe that others will enjoy this book also.
Searching through diaries and records, Ruth discovers blood relatives and others who lived far away over the course of a century. We follow their lives across three generations culminating in the revelation of indisputable connections that are createdÂwords and actions with lasting results.
Ruth learns that a curse spoken by one ancestor may have had a devastating domino effect, one whose beginning also engaged her prayer-warrior grandmother in a pitched spiritual battle to break. A challenged believer herself, Ruth grows in the faith of her predecessors who faced ominous situations.
The rich symbolism of Judaism provides a backdrop for the saga with traditions and meaning sprinkled throughout the story.
When she faces increasing paralysis, Ruth and a birth friend in the faith journey to the Southern Highlands of Tennessee where it all began. Here in the span of seven daysÂover ten monthsÂall that has unraveled in recent years comes together. Life as she knows it will never be the same.
God reveals himself to Ruth and others in remarkable ways along a tortuous path that comes full circle.
Warriors is a mystery that is finally, stunningly, revealed as serendipitous fruit from the branches of a family tree. It is a story of encouragement and life that empowers those who seek God and believe.
My Thoughts: This is a story about Ruth, a woman who is injured while deployed. As she recovers from her injuries, including PTSD and other physical injuries, she learns about her past through journals that her aunt gave to her. The author has done a skillful job of intertwining the history from the journals to the present time to Ruth. The author Peter Toeg, presents us with a good picture of how we can be affected by our past relatives whether it's good or bad.
I love history and journals. We cal learn so much through our past. This is a story about healing, both physically and of course, spiritually. The author has done a brilliant job with this storyline and I believe that others will enjoy this book also.
BookInspector (124 KP) rated My Sister's Bones in Books
Sep 24, 2020
This novel started creating tension from the first pages, and it kept the intrigue going all the way till the very last page. This book contains tree parts. The first one is the story from Kateâs point of view. She is a successful Journalist, who came to her birth place after her motherâs death. The second part is the story told from Sallyâs point of view. Sally is Kateâs younger sister, who is chronic alcoholic. She feels like a black sheep of the family, the ânever good enoughâ daughter. The third part will remain a secret; I donât like to spoil the pleasure. I love when Author gives voices to more than one character, I really enjoyed reading the story from different point of view and it made the book and the characters way more interesting and indulging. The characters which author chose are really intriguing and interesting. All of them suffering from some mental problems and are disturbed. Kate disturbed by her childhood and constant trips to war zones, and Sally by her inner demons. I think the characters were well rounded and exciting to read about.
The plot was amazingly thought through and overflowing with suspense. I couldnât put it down, it captivated me and I needed to know more. I loved that the chapters were not long; it made it quick and pleasurable for me to read it. The writing style used in this novel was not difficult and very easy to read. I really loved how every part of the book was concluded with a sentence, which actually used to take my breath away with disbelief and wish to know more. This book has everything, it is fast paced, it has lots of twists and turns and it thickens with every chapter. This book covers so many great universal themes: how alcoholism destroys families and life of children in such families, what does journalist feels during and after trips to war torn countries, how it affects their personal life seeing so many ruined lives and death of innocent people, how people react while suffering domestic violence. There are so many great and very important themes in this book. I am amazed how author rounded all them up and fitted so many of them in this beautiful creation. The ending of the book was really unexpected and I was so confused after reading it. To be honest, all I have for this book is praise, it is an amazing book and it is a Must Read. Canât wait for the movie because there definitely will be one.
The plot was amazingly thought through and overflowing with suspense. I couldnât put it down, it captivated me and I needed to know more. I loved that the chapters were not long; it made it quick and pleasurable for me to read it. The writing style used in this novel was not difficult and very easy to read. I really loved how every part of the book was concluded with a sentence, which actually used to take my breath away with disbelief and wish to know more. This book has everything, it is fast paced, it has lots of twists and turns and it thickens with every chapter. This book covers so many great universal themes: how alcoholism destroys families and life of children in such families, what does journalist feels during and after trips to war torn countries, how it affects their personal life seeing so many ruined lives and death of innocent people, how people react while suffering domestic violence. There are so many great and very important themes in this book. I am amazed how author rounded all them up and fitted so many of them in this beautiful creation. The ending of the book was really unexpected and I was so confused after reading it. To be honest, all I have for this book is praise, it is an amazing book and it is a Must Read. Canât wait for the movie because there definitely will be one.
Bob Mann (459 KP) rated Daddy's Home 2 (2017) in Movies
Sep 29, 2021
Some good comedy moments drowned in schmaltz.
Comedy and tragedy have always gone together hand-in-hand. Every great comedy tends to have its bitter-sweet moments: Roberts Blossom as the âshovel-killerâ grandad in âHome Aloneâ (who always reminds me of my late Dad⌠in appearance I might add, not that he was a shovel killer!); John Candyâs depressed shower-ring salesman in âPlanes Trains and Automobilesâ; Ron Burgundy bawling in a phone box in âAnchormanâ. The balance between the two is the key thing and comedies can sometimes get it wrong (the Bird Woman in âHome Alone 2â for example!).
Here is another case in point: âDaddyâs Home 2â, which has some laugh-out-loud comedy moments, but is generally so utterly drenched in schmaltz and sentimentality that the film becomes far harder work than it should be. (By the way, I never saw âDaddyâs Homeâ (but read the IMDB synopsys): it was not a prerequisite for seeing this movie).
A Christmas cast. From left, Alessandra Ambrosio, Didi Costine, Mark Wahlberg, Scarlett Estevez, Will Ferrell, Owen Vaccaro, Linda Cardellini, Conor or Daphne or Dylan Wise(!) and Mel Gibson.
Will Ferrell (âGet Hardâ, âAnchormanâ) reprises his role as the somewhat incompetent Brad, âsharingâ his family of kids and stepkids with the much more streetwise Dusty (Mark Wahlberg, âPatriotâs Dayâ). After a poignant school recital, the pair realise the damage that a distributed Christmas is doing to their offspring and they determine to spend Christmas all together this year. In the process they vow to try to put aside their attempts at one-upmanship â âthe harbour is closedâ â in the interests of giving everyone the best Christmas ever.
But their plans are turned upside down when their fathers also turn up for Christmas: Mel Gibson (in a sublime piece of casting) plays Dustyâs dad, astronaut-hero Kurt, who is even more macho and extreme than Dusty, and John Lithgow (âMiss Sloaneâ; âThe Accountantâ) plays Bradâs airy-fairy father Don⌠the apple has not fallen far from the tree there.
Kurt forces the family to âfightâ Christmas on a neutral turf by renting a palatial AirBnB in a snowy wilderness. Tensions rise between the diverse individuals until a breaking point is inevitably reached.
There are some great farcical sight-gags in this movie. Quite a few of the funniest ones are spoiled by the trailer, but there are still a few standout routines that made me guffaw. A hi-tech shower is predictable but funny; and Bradâs use of a snowblower to apocalyptic ends is the funniest scene in the movie.
Wahlberg and Ferrell are a trustworthy double act (after their initial surprise pairing in âThe Other Guysâ). Gibson and Lithgow also inhabit their roles perfectly, although it was hard of me to relate to either of them. The scene on the airport escalator as they arrive is very well done.
The supporting cast all play their parts well: ERâs Linda Cardellini as Bradâs wife and Dustyâs ex-wife; Brazilian model and actress Alessandra Ambrosio, as Dustyâs (almost unbelievably good-looking) new wife Karen; and WWE star John Cena as Karenâs ex-husband. (Doesnât ANYONE stay married in the US any more?). The kid stars â Didi Costine, Scarlett Estevez and Owen Vaccaro â are also good, with Estevez being particularly appealing.
Watch out for a funny cameo in the final scene as well, which I found very amusing (âYou only have one storyâ ⌠LoL).
âWill my bum look big in this?â â erm⌠no! Sara (Linda Cardellini) and Karen (Alessandra Ambrosio) on a shopping trip.
What drowns out the comedy though is the sentimental storyline around a personal tragedy being lived out by one of the family. The angst and nasty back-biting that surrounds this I found neither funny nor pleasant. The story builds to a snow-bound cinema (showing âMissile Towâ starring Liam Neeson⌠a great âpointless answerâ for the BBCâs âPointlessâ quiz!) and a finale song that is just so over the top that it has both an âawwwâ factor and is bile-inducing all at the same time. The screenplay is by Sean Anders and John Morris, with Anders also directing.
Will Ferrell films can be like a game of Russian Roulette, and I fully expected this to be truly awful. It wasnât, and as a Christmas comedy it is an OK watch⌠and thankfully significantly above âJingle all the Wayâ!
Here is another case in point: âDaddyâs Home 2â, which has some laugh-out-loud comedy moments, but is generally so utterly drenched in schmaltz and sentimentality that the film becomes far harder work than it should be. (By the way, I never saw âDaddyâs Homeâ (but read the IMDB synopsys): it was not a prerequisite for seeing this movie).
A Christmas cast. From left, Alessandra Ambrosio, Didi Costine, Mark Wahlberg, Scarlett Estevez, Will Ferrell, Owen Vaccaro, Linda Cardellini, Conor or Daphne or Dylan Wise(!) and Mel Gibson.
Will Ferrell (âGet Hardâ, âAnchormanâ) reprises his role as the somewhat incompetent Brad, âsharingâ his family of kids and stepkids with the much more streetwise Dusty (Mark Wahlberg, âPatriotâs Dayâ). After a poignant school recital, the pair realise the damage that a distributed Christmas is doing to their offspring and they determine to spend Christmas all together this year. In the process they vow to try to put aside their attempts at one-upmanship â âthe harbour is closedâ â in the interests of giving everyone the best Christmas ever.
But their plans are turned upside down when their fathers also turn up for Christmas: Mel Gibson (in a sublime piece of casting) plays Dustyâs dad, astronaut-hero Kurt, who is even more macho and extreme than Dusty, and John Lithgow (âMiss Sloaneâ; âThe Accountantâ) plays Bradâs airy-fairy father Don⌠the apple has not fallen far from the tree there.
Kurt forces the family to âfightâ Christmas on a neutral turf by renting a palatial AirBnB in a snowy wilderness. Tensions rise between the diverse individuals until a breaking point is inevitably reached.
There are some great farcical sight-gags in this movie. Quite a few of the funniest ones are spoiled by the trailer, but there are still a few standout routines that made me guffaw. A hi-tech shower is predictable but funny; and Bradâs use of a snowblower to apocalyptic ends is the funniest scene in the movie.
Wahlberg and Ferrell are a trustworthy double act (after their initial surprise pairing in âThe Other Guysâ). Gibson and Lithgow also inhabit their roles perfectly, although it was hard of me to relate to either of them. The scene on the airport escalator as they arrive is very well done.
The supporting cast all play their parts well: ERâs Linda Cardellini as Bradâs wife and Dustyâs ex-wife; Brazilian model and actress Alessandra Ambrosio, as Dustyâs (almost unbelievably good-looking) new wife Karen; and WWE star John Cena as Karenâs ex-husband. (Doesnât ANYONE stay married in the US any more?). The kid stars â Didi Costine, Scarlett Estevez and Owen Vaccaro â are also good, with Estevez being particularly appealing.
Watch out for a funny cameo in the final scene as well, which I found very amusing (âYou only have one storyâ ⌠LoL).
âWill my bum look big in this?â â erm⌠no! Sara (Linda Cardellini) and Karen (Alessandra Ambrosio) on a shopping trip.
What drowns out the comedy though is the sentimental storyline around a personal tragedy being lived out by one of the family. The angst and nasty back-biting that surrounds this I found neither funny nor pleasant. The story builds to a snow-bound cinema (showing âMissile Towâ starring Liam Neeson⌠a great âpointless answerâ for the BBCâs âPointlessâ quiz!) and a finale song that is just so over the top that it has both an âawwwâ factor and is bile-inducing all at the same time. The screenplay is by Sean Anders and John Morris, with Anders also directing.
Will Ferrell films can be like a game of Russian Roulette, and I fully expected this to be truly awful. It wasnât, and as a Christmas comedy it is an OK watch⌠and thankfully significantly above âJingle all the Wayâ!