Movie Review: Scrooged (1988)

Hello and Merry Christmas to everyone!

Just over a week ago I reviewed The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017) which was about Charles Dickens writing his famous classic, A Christmas Carol. We all know that book, right? Whether we've read it or seen a film adaptation we are all familiar with how the story goes. In fact, there are so many movie versions, I can't count them! What I will be reviewing for you today is another one of those that has a modern twist.

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.


Scrooged (1988):

Based on: A Christmas Carol - by Charles Dickens.
"Sometimes you have to slap them in the face to get their attention."
Frank Cross likes Christmas because that is the time when people watch a lot of TV and revenues go up. Everything else that goes with Christmas is just a bunch of wasted time. He is visited by his former boss is dead and is given a warning that he needs to change his ways. After some threats Frank is told that three ghosts will visit him. Frank shakes this off, thinking that he is just so stressed while trying to get together a huge live broadcast of A Christmas Carol and is imaging that it is happening to him. While being worried about being replaced and seeing his old girl friend for the first time in 15 years, the ghosts come one by one. Meanwhile, an employee that Frank fired and ruined his life is out for a vengeance. Will Frank ever realize what Christmas is all about?

Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Christmas, Retelling.
Length: approx. 101 minutes.
Costumes: 5, there are some costumes that are really low and skimpy which people talk about, and there is a short bit when someone isn't wearing anything.
"A party! I'm so happy that I wore my pretty dress."
Script: 6, there are quite a few bad words and names callings.
"We don't want to scare the 'Dickens' out of people."
Crew:
Directed by: Richard Donner.
Written by: Mitch Glazer & Michael O'Donoghue.
Starring:
Bill Murray as Frank Cross.

Karen Allen as Claire Phillips.

David Johansen as Ghost of Christmas Past.
Carol Kane as Ghost of Christmas Present.

Bobcat Goldthwait as Eliot Loudermilk.

Robert Mitchum as Preston Rhinelander.

John Forsythe as Lew Hayward.
John Glover as Brice Cummings.
Nicholas Phillips as Calvin Cooley.
Alfre Woodard as Grace Cooley.
Michael J. Pollard as Herman.
John Murray as James Cross.
Buddy Hackett as Scrooge.
Mabel King as Gramma.
Damon Hines as Steven Cooley.
Tamika McCollum as Shasta Cooley.
Koren McCollum as Randee Cooley.
Reina King as Lanell Cooley.
Kate McGregor-Stewart as Lady Censor.
Tony Steedman as Headwaiter.
Brian Doyle Murray as Earl Cross.
Lisa Mende as Doris Cross.
Ryan Todd as Frank as a child.
Delores Hall as Hazel.
Winfred Tennison as Marvin.
Wendie Malick as Wendie Cross.
Raphael Harris as Older Calvin.

Cinematography: 7, okay, but nothing extraordinary.
Cinematography by: Michael Chapman.
Music: 7, I can't recall any specific score, but I like the songs that are in the soundtrack.
Music by: Danny Elfman.
Notes: There are quite a few cameos, especially from Buddy Hackett and Mary Lou Retton. Additionally, two of Bill Murray's siblings are in this playing his brother and father.
"Niagra falls."
Quotes: 9, my family and I quote this movie all the time!
"Oh, what is this? It's a toaster!"

Content: 5, there is smoking, gross things (like decaying body parts), drinking, scary things, kissing, and some really, really, really, suggestive things.
"Oh my gosh, does that suck."
Originality: 9, I like all of the nods back to the original story and how they made things modern. I could do without a lot of the swearing and content, but other than that the story is really creative!
Good For: A Christmas Carol fans.
Age Range: This is rated PG-13 because of the things that I mentioned, and I would agree with that.
Overall Score: 6.5.

Bonus thoughts:
This isn't the best movie ever (my family and I have a long running joke about '80s movies), but there are good and enjoyable bits. A Christmas Carol is a story of redemption, it debates the question, "Can someone change?" Inspiring and makes you want to do good!
My favorite part of this is definitely Carol Kane as the Ghost of Christmas Present. She is a fairy/ghost and is so hilarious! I laugh so much every time she is on screen. Even my mom (who doesn't usually watch movies) will come out to watch her bits. We joke that my sister looks and acts like her.
"Don't vex me Frank!"


Thank you so much for reading! What are your versions of A Christmas Carol? Merry Christmas!!!

MovieCritic

Movie Review: The Monuments Men (2014)

Hello, all!

Today I am going to be reviewing a star-studded movie. I'm always super interested in books and movies that give you a different look at a war, or show you an element that you never thought of, and today's movie is about war and art!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

The Monuments Men (2014):

Based on: the true story, and loosely based on a non fiction book by Robert M. Edsel and Bret Witter.
With World War II raging, the Nazis are trying to eliminate different cultures. A group is formed to find lost pieces of art and return them to their original owners. They call themselves the Monuments Men and are specialists in art, architecture, and sculptures. There are only a few of them and there are thousands of artworks and it is a dangerous job, can they ever find them?

"This mission was never designed to succeed."

Genre: Drama, War.
Length: approx. 118 minutes.
Costumes: 7, the uniforms are very official, but nothing special.
Script: 8, there are only one or two bad words.

"'Why don't we keep this to ourselves.'

'I think that's best.'"

Crew:
Directed by: George Clooney.
Written by: George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Robert M. Edsel, and Bret Witter.
Starring:
George Clooney as Lt. Frank Stokes (loosely based on George L. Stout).

Hugh Bonneville as 2nd Lt. Donald Jeffries (loosely based on Ronald E. Balfour).
Bill Murray as Sgt. Richard Campbell (loosely based on Ralph Warner Hammett and Robert K. Posey).
Matt Damon as Lt. James Granger (loosely based on James Rorimer).

John Goodman as Sgt. Walter Garfield (loosely based on Walker Hancock).
Bob Balaban as Pvt. Preston Savitz (loosely based on Lincoln Kirstein).

Jean Dujardin as 2nd Lt. Jean-Claude Clermont.
Dimitri Leonidas as Pvt. Sam Epstein (loosely based on Harry L. Ettlinger).

Serge Hazanavicius as René Armand (loosely based on Jacques Jaujard).
Cate Blanchett as Claire Simone (loosely based on Rose Valland).
Sam Hazeldine as Colonel Langton.
Miles Jupp as Major Fielding.
Justus von Dohnányi as Viktor Stahl.
Zahari Baharov as Commander Elya.

(Source for who's based on whom).
Cinematography: 7.
Cinematography by: Phedon Papamichael.
Music: 8, not a really memorable score (to me), but I love the choice of song (I think there's only one) that they put in there.

Music by: Alexandre Desplat.
Quotes: 7, "Fortunately I'm fluent in French."
Storyline: 6, there is death, a suggestive thing (which is handled really well), drinking, and a lot of smoking. I am some one who is really bothered by smoking, and this is one of the movies that has the most of it that I've seen. I know that it is going for accuracy because most people did it at the time, but I still don't like it. A few times people say "I don't smoke!" but then do it anyone which makes a little sick to think about. Just a warning for anyone who is like me.
Good For: Anyone who is interested in art, anyone who has a tough job to do, fans of any of the stars.

Age Range: It is a war movie. It isn't gory, but there are a few deaths. It is also rated PG-13, but I didn't understand it even when I watched it for the first time, so I would even recommend a little older. It is perfectly clean besides the things I mentioned, so it depends on the person.
Overall Score: 7.5.
Bonus thoughts:
I thought that this was a really good movie. Some times when you have a lot of really famous actors together the movie is mediocre, but they all did great jobs in this! As I said, it is a part of World War II that I hadn't thought about, but a really interesting one. Art is an important part of cultures because it is a way of expressing our feelings and brining people together. If you haven't seen this, I would really recommend it!

Thank you so much for reading! Have you seen this? How do you think the actors did?

MovieCritic

Movie Review: What About Bob? (1991)

"Good morning, Gill. I said, good morning, Gill!"
(More like "Good evening, everyone. I said, good evening, everyone!)

Okay, I am finally going to do it. I have had this review in my drafts for such a long time, and now it is finally going to see the light of day! I hope you all enjoy!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

What About Bob? (1991):

"Why don't I start?"
Bob is a really friendly person, but to put it simply, he has problems. It seems like no psychiatrists can help him, until he finds Dr. Leo Marvin. Bob starts to feel a sense of peace, but Dr. Leo leaves for his summer vacation. After a lot of effort, Bob figures out where he went, and steps outside of his comfort zone to go there. Dr. Leo is frustrated that Bob lied to him, and now won't go away! Will Bob stop being afraid, or will Dr. Leo's vacation be "ruined"?
"You won't go away!"

Genre: Comedy.

Length: approx. 99 minutes.

Costumes: 7, I mean, there is nothing great, but nothing bad. There is one time when someone isn't wearing a lot.

Script: 5, there is swearing. Bob has a theory that "If I fake it I don't have it.", so sometimes he fakes having tourette's syndrome by screaming curses.
"It's so right that you and I have come together."

Crew:

Directed by: Frank Oz.

Written by: Tom Schulman, Alvin Sargent, & Laura Ziskin.

Starring:

Bill Murray as Bob Wiley. "I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful..."

Richard Dreyfuss as Dr. Leo Marvin.

Julie Hagerty as Fay Marvin.
Charlie Korsmo as Sigmund "Siggy" Marvin.

Kathryn Erbe as Anna Marvin.

Fran Brill as Lily Marvin.
Tom Aldredge as Mr. Guttman.
Susan Willis as Mrs. Guttman.
Roger Bowen as Phil.
Doris Belack as Dr. Catherine Tomsky.

Cinematography: 7, once again, nothing amazing.

Cinematography by: Michael Ballhaus.

Music: 6, pretty forgettable, because I can't remember it right now!

Music by: Miles Goodman.

Quotes: 10! My family and I quote this all the time!
"Baby steps. Baby steps out of the office."

Notes: there is a reference to Singin' in the Rain (1952), which I appreciate because it is my favorite movie! There is also one for The Brady Bunch.

Storyline: 7, there is someone acting in violent ways to another person, it talks about trying to kill someone, talk of suicide, gross things, there is a mention of divorce, and a few suggestive things.
"You're saying I'm all tied up inside."

Good For: People who have many phobias, anyone who likes comedy.

Age Range: I think I first saw this when I was about 12, but I think anyone over 10 would find it funny. For someone younger, they might like it, but they might not get it.

Overall Score: 7.

Bonus thoughts:

This is not my favorite movie but it is really funny, and will always make me laugh. Bob is scared of everything, and we can all relate to being scared of different things. What we learn with this movie is that there is always something worse. But don't be scared of that! Live your life and don't be afraid to swim because you might drown, just learn to do it the proper way. Don't do everything based on "what ifs".Just try not to get other people angry at you, okay?


There you go! As I said, I have had this draft for months, and today is finally the day it is published!

Thanks for reading! Have you seen this movie?

MovieCritic