Monday, December 16, 2024

Movie: Dear Santa (2024) Caution; Spoiler Alert

 Dear Santa



Came out; 2024

Time; 1 hour 47 Minutes

Watched: Amazon


Rated: PG-13 for some language and suggestive material


IMDB Rating; 5.4/10


Rotten Tomatoes:

Tomato Meter 20%

Popcorn Meter 43%


Caution; Spoiler Alert


Staring;

Jack Black as Satan

Robert Timothy Smith as Liam Turner

Keegan-Michael Key as Dr. Finkleman

Brianne Howey as Molly Turner

Hayes MacArthur as Bill Turner

Post Malone as Austin Post (AKA Post Malone)

P.J. Byrne as Mr. Charles

Jadan Carson Baker as Gibby

Kai Cech as Emma


Story Line;


When a young boy mails his Christmas wish list to Santa with one crucial spelling error, a devilish Jack Black arrives to wreak havoc on the holidays


Thoughts:


This was cute and again, another different type of “Christmas” movie.


I like Jack Black for the most part. You can tell he always just has fun no matter what role he's playing.


I thought this was funny and yet heart warming at the same time




CAUTION; Spoiler Alert


Liam Turner is a polite but meek sixth-grader with dyslexia, struggling to adjust to a new town and a fractured family life. His parents, Bill and Molly, are grappling with marital issues following the recent death of Liam's older brother, Spencer. Adding to Liam's challenges are his insecurities: he's too nervous to introduce his new best friend, Gibby, to his parents and keeps embarrassing himself around Emma, his schoolmate and crush. Despite his struggles, Emma is the only one in class who stands up for him and acknowledges his dyslexia.

In the spirit of hope, Liam writes a Christmas wish list and mails it out. However, a spelling error causes him to address the letter to "Satan" instead of "Santa." To Liam's surprise, Satan himself appears in his bedroom the very next night. Mistaking Satan for Santa due to his unconventional appearance and manners. Playing along, Satan offers Liam three wishes.. Offhandedly, Liam wishes for Emma to give him a chance. The next day, Satan appears at Liam's school and urges him to talk to Emma. Despite his awkwardness, Liam secures a date with her at a Post Malone concert, complete with VIP tickets provided by Satan.

Excited, Liam tells his mother and Gibby about his encounter with "Santa," but Gibby quickly realizes the mistake. Confronting Satan, Liam demands to cancel the deal, but Satan refuses, enticing Liam to use the remaining wishes, with his soul as the ultimate payment. Liam's parents, concerned about their son's "fantasies," bring in Dr. Finkleman, a child psychologist, for an intervention. However, the session is interrupted when Satan and Gibby whisk Liam away to the concert. With Satan's help, Liam gets on stage, dances alongside Post Malone, and even receives a cheek kiss from Emma. Gibby, feeling overshadowed and rejected by a girl due to his overbite, leaves the concert early, disheartened.

Later, Liam calls Gibby and notices his friend's disappointment. When Satan visits again, Liam uses his second wish to fix Gibby's teeth and invites him on a double date with Emma at the local Christmas carnival. Unbeknownst to Liam, his worried parents overhear his conversation and, fearing for his mental health, interrupt his plans to bring him back to Dr. Finkleman. Their assumptions about Liam's delusions crumble when a nurse mentions seeing him at the concert. Meanwhile, Satan tempts Liam to use his final wish by showing images of Emma and Gibby seemingly enjoying the carnival without him.

Upset, Liam locks himself in his room while his parents, finally confronting their grief, begin to reconcile. Misinterpreting their conversation as a prelude to divorce, Liam sneaks out and visits Satan at his motel, using his third wish to ensure his parents stay together and in love forever. Satan accepts but declares he won't claim Liam's soul until he dies naturally, advising him to "enjoy life" until then. Believing his soul is doomed, Liam begins standing up to his tormentors at school but inadvertently alienates Emma.

In Hell, it's revealed that Satan is a half-demon on trial for trying to earn full demon status. However, by granting two unselfish wishes, he invalidated the contract for Liam's soul. Furious, Lucifer declares the deal void and banishes Satan. Given an hour to say goodbye, Satan visits Liam one last time and admits that he genuinely likes him. He reveals that Liam's final wish was unnecessary, as his parents reconciled on their own, and instead, he fulfilled a wish from Liam's original letter.

On Christmas morning, Liam is astonished to find his brother Spencer miraculously resurrected, reuniting their family for the holiday. Just as he begins to savor the joy, Liam receives a call from Gibby, who has persuaded Emma to give him another chance by sharing the story of Spencer's death. Caught off guard, Liam panics but resolves to make things right.

Movie: Monster Summer (2024) Caution: Spoiler Alert

 Monster Summer



Came out; 2024

Time; 1 hour 37 Minutes

Watched: Amazon


Rated: PG-13 for some violence and terror


IMDB Rating; 5.7/10


Rotten Tomatoes:

Tomato Meter 63%

Popcorn Meter 84%


Caution; Spoiler Alert


Staring;

Mel Gibson as Gene Carruthers

Mason Thmes as Noah Reed

Julian Lerner as Eugene Wexler

Abby James Witherspoon as Sammy Devers

Noah Cottrell as Ben Driskel

Nora Zehetner as Abby Reed

Lorraine Bracco as Miss Halverson

Emma Fasano as Lilly Reed

Spencer Fitzgerald as Ronnie Harlow

Patrick Renna as Umpire


Story Line;


When a mysterious force begins to disrupt their big summer fun, Noah and his friends team up with a retired police detective to embark on a monstrous adventure to save their island.


Thoughts:


The previews made this movie look really good, the marketing team did a great job at it.


It wasn't at all what I thought it would be. It was a decent movie although I think it's going to drop into oblivion never to be talked about again.


The only thing missing was for Patrick Renna to say “You're killing me smalls”




CAUTION; Spoiler Alert


There wasn't one listed anywhere.



Basically there's a witch that moves from town to town “eating” children's souls and returning them basically brainless.

Movie: Red One (2024) Caution: Spoiler Alert

 Red One



Came out; 2024

Time; 2 hour 3 Minutes

Watched: Amazon


Rated: PG-13 for action, some violence and language


IMDB Rating; 6.6/10


Rotten Tomatoes:

Tomato Meter 30%

Popcorn Meter 90%


Caution; Spoiler Alert


Staring;

Dwayne Johnson as Callum Drift

Chris Evans as Jack O'Malley

Lucy Liu as Zoe

J.K. Simmons as Nick

Bonnie Hunt as Mrs. Claus

Kristofer Jivju as Krampus

Kiernan Shipka as Gryla

Mary Elizabeth Ellis as Olivia

Wesley Kimmel as Dylan


Story Line;


After Santa Claus is kidnapped, the North Pole's Head of Security must team up with a notorious hacker in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas


Thoughts:


I thought this was cute, it was different than most of the “Christmas” movies out there. It kept my interest and had a good plot with decent twists.


My brother thought this movie was “trash”, that there were too many plot holes and that it didn't make sense.


The only plot hole that I really see is this: If Gryla really is a witch, then she didn't need a middle man for Jack to get the coordinates for Santa.


CAUTION; Spoiler Alert


Christmas is in grave danger in The Red One, a thrilling action-comedy where the fate of the world's most beloved holiday is thrown into chaos. It all begins when Santa Claus, famously referred to as "The Red One" by his top-secret North Pole team, is kidnapped in the middle of the night, just days before Christmas Eve. Without Santa at the helm, the North Pole falls into disarray, the elves panic, and the holiday season teeters on the brink of collapse.

The responsibility to save Christmas falls squarely on the broad shoulders of the North Pole's stoic and highly capable Head of Security, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson. Known for his no-nonsense attitude, strength, and unwavering dedication to protecting the magic of the North Pole, Johnson's character has spent years ensuring the safety of Santa and the seamless operation of Christmas. But this year, the threat is greater than anything he's ever faced. Santa is missing, and with him, the very heart of Christmas is in peril.

The Head of Security quickly learns that recovering Santa won't be a job he can handle alone. Reluctantly, he's forced to team up with the world's most infamous and unpredictable bounty hunter, played by Chris Evans. Evans' character is the polar opposite of the North Pole's seasoned protector. He's brash, sarcastic, and has built a notorious reputation as a rogue with questionable morals. Known for getting the job done, regardless of the methods, the bounty hunter is a man who operates outside the law, tracking down dangerous criminals across the globe for the right price. He has no sentimental attachment to Christmas or the traditions it represents-but the high stakes of this mission might just change that.

Despite their opposing personalities, the two form an uneasy alliance and embark on a high-stakes, globe-trotting adventure that takes them far from the snow-covered safety of the North Pole. Their mission: to rescue Santa Claus from the clutches of his mysterious kidnappers and restore Christmas before the world wakes up on December 25th to find stockings empty and chimneys cold.

The pair's journey spans a variety of exotic and dangerous locations, from snow-capped mountains to dense forests and even bustling cities. Along the way, they must confront not only external threats but also their own vastly different approaches to problem-solving. The Head of Security believes in order, rules, and honor, while the bounty hunter thrives on chaos, improvisation, and a good fight. Their constant clashing leads to plenty of comedic moments, especially as they try to outwit each other in sticky situations, but their growing respect for each other's strengths gradually transforms their working relationship.

The challenges they face are as diverse as they are perilous. From tracking down the leads on Santa's whereabouts to battling rival factions who want to seize control of Christmas for their own gain, every step of the mission is a race against time. But amid the car chases, daring escapes, and hand-to-hand combat, the magic of Christmas still finds a way to seep into their journey. They encounter people around the world who are clinging to the hope that Santa will deliver presents on Christmas morning, reminding them of what's truly at stake. Slowly, even the bounty hunter begins to realize that this mission is about more than just saving one man-it's about preserving the hope, joy, and wonder that Christmas represents to millions of people.

At the heart of The Red One is the unlikely bond that forms between Johnson and Evans' characters. While the Head of Security starts the mission determined to maintain control and keep things strictly professional, he's gradually forced to loosen up and trust his impulsive partner. Similarly, the bounty hunter, who begins the story as a lone wolf driven solely by personal gain, finds himself rediscovering a sense of purpose and camaraderie as he becomes invested in saving Christmas. Their evolving partnership adds a layer of heart to the action, as the two characters realize that even the toughest missions can't be accomplished without trust, teamwork, and a little holiday magic.

Of course, no Christmas movie would be complete without a few lighthearted, festive moments, and The Red One delivers in spades. Whether it's a high-speed chase through a city decorated with twinkling lights, a fight scene in a toy factory filled with malfunctioning gadgets, or a race against time in the middle of a blizzard, the movie masterfully blends action with humor, keeping the tone lighthearted even as the stakes remain high. The film's holiday setting is ever-present, with nods to traditional Christmas imagery, from candy cane weapons to sleigh-inspired vehicles, ensuring that even in the most intense scenes, the spirit of the season shines through.

As the duo edges closer to their goal, the mystery surrounding Santa's kidnapping deepens. Why would anyone want to steal the world's most beloved figure? And who is truly behind the plot to sabotage Christmas? The answers unravel in a thrilling climax that pits Johnson and Evans' characters against a powerful enemy determined to rewrite the rules of the holiday. With time running out and the weight of the world's expectations on their shoulders, the pair must give everything they've got to bring Santa home and restore the holiday magic before it's too late.

In the end, The Red One is more than just an action-packed Christmas movie. It's a story about the power of belief, the importance of teamwork, and the lengths we go to in order to protect the things we cherish. With its blend of explosive action, hilarious banter, and heartwarming moments, the film is destined to become a holiday favorite for years to come. Whether you're watching for the thrill of the chase, the festive cheer, or the dynamic chemistry between Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, The Red One offers something for everyone, proving that even in the face of overwhelming odds, the magic of Christmas is worth fighting for.



Monday, December 9, 2024

Movie: Django Unchained (2021) Caution Spoiler Alert

 Django Unchained



Came out; 2012

Time; 2 hour 45 Minutes

Watched: Amazon


Rated: R for strong graphic violence throughout, a vicious fight, language and some nudity


IMDB Rating; 8.5/10


Rotten Tomatoes:

Tomato Meter 87%

Popcorn Meter 92%


Caution; Spoiler Alert


Staring;

Jamie Fox as Django

Christoph Waltz as Dr King Schultz

Leonardo DiCaprio as Calvin Candie

Kerry Washington as Broomhilda Von Shaft

Samuel L Jackson as Stephen

Walton Goggins as Billy Crash


Story Line;


In 1858, a bounty-hunter named King Schultz seeks out a slave named Django and buys him because he needs him to find some men he is looking for. After finding them, Django wants to find his wife, Broomhilda, who along with him were sold separately by his former owner for trying to escape. Schultz offers to help him if he chooses to stay with him and be his partner. Eventually they learn that she was sold to a plantation in Mississippi. Knowing they can't just go in and say they want her, they come up with a plan so that the owner will welcome them into his home and they can find a way


Thoughts:


We had never watched this uncut. Only ever caught bits and pieces when it was on TV. We all know these types of movies aren't meant for cut TV.


With it being so long we just never circled back to it until now.


Very glad we did. It's such a great movie. I was honestly pretty shocked at the ending part. It's not honestly what I expected at all but should have being that it's a Tarantino movie.


CAUTION; Spoiler Alert


In 1858, several male slaves are chained and being transported after being purchased by the Speck Brothers, Ace (James Remar) and Dicky (James Russo). Among the slaves is Django (Jamie Foxx), who has been sold away from his wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington). Somewhere in Texas, the Speck brothers encounter Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), a German dentist and, unbeknownst to them, a bounty hunter. Schultz halts the procession & asks the group is there is anyone who worked at the Carrucan plantation that was overseen by the 3 Brittle brothers (Big John Brittle ( M. C. Gainey), Roger "Lil Raj" Brittle (Cooper Huckabee), and Ellis Brittle (Doc Duhame)). Django replies in the affirmative. The Brittle brothers were overseers at the plantation of Django's previous owner and Schultz has a warrant for their arrests.

The Speck brothers refuse to sell their slaves to Schultz. Schultz kills Ace after he points a shotgun at Schultz, and shoots Dicky's horse, crushing his leg under it. Schultz then asks Django if he knows the Brittle Brothers and when he finds out that he does and can identify them, Schultz offers Django his freedom and $75 in exchange for helping him track them down. They leave Dicky to be executed by the slaves as they depart.

Django and Schultz arrive in the small town of Daughtrey near El Paso. The two then walk into a saloon despite the fact that Django is forbidden from doing so. When Schultz insists on being served, the barkeep runs out of the saloon to fetch the Sherrif. The sheriff enters the saloon, shotgun in hand, and tells Schultz and Django to leave. The two comply, and exit out the swinging doors. Schultz is silent, then steps forward. A spring-mounted Derringer pops up in his right hand, and he shoots the sheriff in the stomach. The townspeople are stunned as the sheriff stumbles to the ground, moaning in pain. Schultz walks around the wounded sheriff, aims his Derringer, and shoots him in the head, killing him. The bartender now runs again to fetch the town Marshal.

The town marshal and most of the town arrive and train rifles on the front door of the saloon. Schultz hears that he has 100 rifles aimed at his head. Schultz then exits, hands raised over his head, and a paper in his hand. He explains that the dead man who went by the name of 'Bill Sharpe', is a wanted cattle rustler named Willard Peck, with a $200 bounty on his head. Schultz says that the paper in his hand is an official document from a judge that charges King with finding and bringing Peck back to the proper jurisdiction dead or alive. Schultz then suggests that the marshal pay him the $200 fee.

Django and Schultz look for the Brittle brothers at Spencer "Big Daddy" Bennett's (Don Johnson) Tennessee plantation. Schultz states he is looking to buy one of Bennett's slave girls for an exorbitant price. As he and Bennett talk business, Django is given free range to look around the estate. Django finds that 3 brothers did arrive at the estate in the last year under a different name. Django looks through his telescope and sees that it is Ellis. Django learns that Big John and Little Raj are on a different part of the plantation, about to whip a young slave girl for breaking eggs. Before the brothers can whip the girl, Django attacks and kills Big John and Little Raj. Ellis rides away on his horse and Scultz shoots him with his sniper rifle. Though Bennett is incensed when he arrives, he is forced to let them go once Schultz explains they are legally authorized to kill and collect these men. Schultz and Django pack up quickly and leave.

Bennett pursues them with an armed posse which consists of all the fellow white men of the plantation. The posse surrounds Schultz's cart at night, but Schultz and Django had already anticipated this and were hiding in a nearby tree. Schultz ambushes the posse with explosives in his cart which kills most of them, and Django kills Bennett with a sniper rifle. Schultz realizes that Django is a natural with firearms.

Schultz partners with Django in bounty hunting until spring, at which time he will assist Django in tracking down and rescuing Broomhilda. Over the winter, Schultz trains Django in bounty hunting and mastering a sidearm.

Django tells Schultz how the Brittle brothers were minding the slaves at the Curracan plantation where he and Broomhilda worked. Curracan (Bruce Dern) wanted to make Broomhilda a comfort girl & hence Django and she tried to run away. They were caught, brought back, branded with hot irons (the mark of a runaway, a small "R" on their right cheeks) & sold at an auction separately, even when the owner knew that Django & Broomhilda were married.

Django collects his first bounty, a member of a man named Smitty Bacall, and keeps the handbill. Django and King perch themselves on a hill overlooking a small farm where Django hesitates to kill a man who is now peacefully working on the farm and has a son. King explains that before the man owned this farm and started a family, he murdered several people while robbing stagecoaches, and that he has a $7,000 bounty on his head. Hearing this, Django shoots and kills the man in front of his son.

After collecting a number of bounties over the winter, Schultz and Django confirm that Broomhilda's current owner is Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), the charming but brutal owner of the Candyland plantation in Mississippi, who forces his slaves to fight to the death in "Mandingo fights" (slaves fighting each other bare knuckled till death).

Schultz expects that Candie will demand an exorbitant price for Broomhilda if they are forthright with their intentions, so they devise a ruse whereby they will pretend to seek the purchase of one of Candie's prize fighters for a hefty sum, meanwhile purchase Broomhilda on-the-side for a more reasonable sum, then disappear before they finalize the bogus deal. Schultz and Django meet Candie at a club in Greenville and offer to buy one of his fighters for $12,000. His greed tickled; Candie invites them to his plantation. On the road, Schultz and Django witness Candie murder one of his Mandingo fighters, who fled due to not wanting to fight any more. Candie's slave trackers had cornered D'Artagnan (Ato Essandoh), an escaped Mandingo fighter. Django is forced to intervene when Schultz attempts to buy D'Artagnan to save him. Candie has the trackers' guard dogs maul D'Artagnan to death, visibly upsetting Schultz.

At the plantation, Schultz secretly informs Broomhilda of the plot. At dinner, Schultz expresses an incidental interest in Broomhilda because she speaks German and offers $300 for her.

Django raises the suspicions of Candie's staunchly loyal senior house slave, Stephen (Samuel L Jackson), who correctly deduces that Django and Broomhilda know each other, and that the sale of the Mandingo fighter is a ruse and informs Candie in private. This enrages Candie, who, armed with this information, demands the $12,000 for Broomhilda instead, or he will kill her. Schultz agrees to buy her at this price in order to save her life. After the money is paid and the paperwork signed, Candie demands to shake hands with Schultz to finalize the deal, or Broomhilda will be shot. Schultz, in disgust, shoots and kills Candie point-blank with a concealed Derringer gun. Schultz is shot dead too, and a gun fight erupts. Butch Pooch (James Remar), Candie's bodyguard, kills Schultz, and Django kills Pooch, Candie's lawyer Leonide Moguy (Dennis Christopher), and many of Candie's henchmen in a prolonged gunfight. He is forced to surrender when Broomhilda is taken hostage.

The next morning, the chained Django is tortured and about to be castrated by overseer Billy Crash (Walton Goggins) when Stephen arrives. As punishment, Stephen and Candie's sister Lara (Laura Cayouette) agree to send Django to a mine to be worked to death. Broomhilda, instead of being given her freedom, is locked in a cabin. En route to the mine, Django convinces the slave drivers that he is a bounty hunter, shows them the handbill from his first kill as evidence, and falsely informs them that there is a high-end bounty on some outlaws who have taken refuge back at Candie's plantation. He offers them a cut of the bounty if they free him and ride with him. The moment they free him, he kills the slave drivers, takes their dynamite, and rides back to Candyland.

Returning to the plantation, Django discovers Schultz's body. He takes the certificate of freedom that Candie signed for Broomhilda and reunites with her after freeing her from where she was being held. When Candie's mourners return to the Candyland mansion from his funeral, Django reveals himself. He sends off the remaining slaves and in a final shoot-out kills everyone inside except Stephen, whom he shoots in the knees. Having set the dynamite inside the house, he lights the fuse and leaves. Django and Broomhilda watch from a distance as the house explode, killing Stephen, and ride away.