"We're not critics. We're professional fan-girls." --- This blog is dedicated to movies and the entertainment industry. We use random selection to bring into light the best and worst of streaming films and entertainment news.
Streaming Service: Netflix Movie Name/Year: Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (2022) Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy,
Musical Length: 1h 36min Rating: TV-Y7 Production/Distribution: Timeless Films, Netflix Director: Stephen Donnelly Writer: Leslie Bricusse, Stephen
Donnelly, Charles Dickens Actors: Luke Evans, Olivia Colman, Jessie
Buckley, Johnny Flynn, Fra Fee, Giles Terera, Trevor Dion Nicholas, James
Cosmo, Jonathan Pryce, Oliver Jenkins, Rupert Turnbull, Devon Pomeroy,
Zaris-Angel Hator, Jemima Lucy Newman, Jeremiah Daley, Rebecca Gethings, Sheena
Bhattessa, Homer Todiwala, Ayesha Antoine, Ewan Bailey, Graham Silcock, Stephen
Donnelly IMDb Blurb: A supernatural, time-travelling,
musical adaptation of Charles Dickens's cult Christmas story
Cat’s Point of View: There have been so many retellings of Charles Dickens’s
classic novella of A Christmas Carol.
We’ve seen versions tackled by Disney, The Muppets, and countless other
adaptations for both the large and small screens. It’s a timeless tale of
holiday cheer, the resilience of the human spirit, and a journey of personal
redemption. There are likely going to be many more interpretations of this
Dickensian masterpiece for years to come. Though, with that being said, it makes it harder for new
versions to stand out when compared to everything that has come before. One
would think there are only so many ways you can tell the same story, right?
You wouldn’t even be too far off thinking you’ve seen this
particular movie before, if you’ve watched the live action musical Scrooge (1970). Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is actually an animated remake of that
very movie. The dedication in the credits to the lauded British composer Leslie
Bricusse (1931-2021) harkens back to the original 1970 production, which he
wrote the music, lyrics, and screenplay for (as well as the 1992 stage play).
Bricusse also wrote the screenplay for this Netflix adaptation, including 6 of
the original songs. Sadly, this was his final film project and he passed in
2021, unable to see its release. When I first saw the trailer for Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, I was thinking it might be cute but
basic – because I was getting that ‘been there, done that’ feeling. I was
worried that it wouldn’t hold my attention. This time of year, I’m burning the
proverbial candle at both ends and sometimes it’s really easy for me to drift
off if I’m not well-engaged with what I’m watching. I didn’t have any problems staying tuned in at all.
The music was gorgeous and didn’t feel recycled. The
animation was smooth and well integrated the old 2-D style with the more
updated computer enhanced cinematics. I really enjoyed the direction they took
Scrooge’s redemption arc through the animations shown at each ghost-led
journey. The way the thoughts played out as he connected emotions with his
actions and their consequences was very well done, and in a freshly innovative
way. Then there was the cast… I can’t get over this cast, really. The production team made
some phenomenal decisions here. Luke Evans (Beauty
and the Beast, The Alienist, Pinocchio) voiced the titular character, and
let me tell you, this man has a gorgeous singing voice on top of his great
acting ability. Olivia Colman’s (The Lost
Daughter, Empire of Light, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish) portrayal of Past
was both funny and touching. Jessie Buckley (Beast, Chernobyl, Women Talking) had me misty when she sang in her
role as Isabel Fizziwig. Jonathan Pryce (The
Two Popes, Save the Cinema, The Crown) was hauntingly wonderful as the
embodiment of Jacob Marley – and his ghost. I could go on, but I’ll rest there.
Scrooge: A Christmas
Carol was absolutely everything I expected it to be – and then some. I was
surprised by how engrossed I became with the story and the music. Yes, some
parts were a little silly – but aren’t most musicals at one point or another?
This film would be a great selection to watch with family, especially if you
have children that haven’t really experienced this story before. I would
caution, however, showing this to very young children. There might be some
scary imagery and concepts that could disturb them when Scrooge visits the future. All told, I’d say I enjoy this version more than the old
fashioned period piece it was adapted from, and I might just watch this again
before the end of this Holiday Season.
Streaming Service: HBO Max Movie Name/Year: 8 Bit Christmas (2021) Genre: Comedy, Family Length: 1h 37min Rating: PG Production/Distribution: New Line Cinema, Star Thrower Entertainment,
Warner Bros., Warner Bros. Pictures, HBO Max Director: Michael Dowse Writer: Kevin Jakubowski Actors: Winslow Fegley, Neil Patrick
Harris, Steve Zahn, June Diane Raphael, Bellaluna Resnick, Sophia
Reid-Gantzert, Che Tafari, Santino Barnard, Max Malas, Brielle Rankins, Braelyn
Rankins, Cyrus Arnold, Chandler Dean, Jacob Laval, Katia Edith Wood, Tom Rooney,
David Cross, Kathryn Greenwood, Louise Nicol, Erica Levene, David MacInnis,
Monica Dottor, Sofie Michal Maiuri, Alex Spencer, Miles Kerim, Luca Doulgeris,
Mike Wilmot, Christy Bruce IMDb Blurb: In 1980s Chicago, a 10-year-old
sets out on a quest to get the Christmas gift of his generation: the latest and
greatest video-game system.
Selina’s Point of View: If
you took The Princess Bride (1987) and mixed it with A
Christmas Story (1983), you’d get 8-Bit Christmas. I know
that sounds like a hell of a pairing. Both those 80s flicks have huge
followings. I’ll admit that I’m only part of the fanbase for The
Princess Bride, out of the two of them, but I can appreciate those that
really love A Christmas Story. I
think both groups would greatly enjoy 8-Bit Christmas. In
this flick, the story is told by Neil Patrick Harris’ character. His daughter
wants a phone for the holidays and he’s comparing it to a time in the 80s when
he really wanted a Nintendo. It takes place in the part of the 80s when people
were starting to try and say that video games cause violence. (They don’t.
Thousands of years of violent history before video games were invented prove
that, but I digress.) It’s
a very cute story, mostly played out in flashbacks. The child actors are all
very good, especially for their ages, and the nostalgia (for an 80s baby like
me) hits hard. December
is my least favorite month for movies, that’s no secret. Christmas flicks just
get a tad repetitive. That said, every year there seems to be at least one
stand out that’s still part of the family or romance genres. This year it comes
early with 8-Bit Christmas. I
loved it. Even the cringey parts still managed to be mild enough that I didn’t
have to look away. It was funny, cute, and the ending still brought tears to my
eyes. 8-Bit
Christmas is worth a watch, and
perfectly fine to put on while the whole family is gathered.
Cat’s Point of View: In all honesty, I’d forgotten that 8 Bit Christmas had come out last year. I am very happy that we put
it on this month’s schedule because it was a lot of fun. The nostalgia made
the heart of this ‘80s baby happy, and there was a connection within the story
to draw in kids of today. It felt like a very heartwarming and funny ‘back in my day’
story that I would tell my kid but brought to life on the screen. I’m sitting
right there in the generation of the father character. Good grief there was so
much to relate to within his story. Though, I couldn’t go to the neighbor kid’s house to play a Nintendo. I could only play on one when I was visiting with
cousins. I remember my own burning desire for a game console as a kid. (I didn’t
get one ‘til I was in high school. It was a Sega Genesis.) So much of this
movie hit home. I was in stitches. In preparing this article today, I’ve seen a lot of critics
compare 8 Bit Christmas with A Christmas Story (1983). They’re not
wrong. I got a lot of the same ‘feels’ that the older holiday classic provided.
I do, however, feel that this is a more elevated and updated narrative that can
connect better with the current day. Some aspects of the classic just don’t
translate to today’s audiences in the same way, and I think it’s beginning to
lose ground for that reason. I appreciate it when new voices step up to bridge the
generational gap like that – whether they intended to or not.
8 Bit Christmas
also blended in the ensemble factor where the group of friends hatches a plan for
a caper, rather than focusing on the single child’s ambitions for the desired
Christmas present. It played out as a significantly more family-friendly set of
shenanigans than Good Boys (2019) while giving off some of those same vibes. Then, of course, I absolutely adored the cast. I sincerely believe that the presence of Neil Patrick Harris
(A Series of Unfortunate Events, The
Matrix Resurrections, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent) in a cast
makes any project better. I adored him as the adult Jake Doyle character, telling
the story. I enjoyed his interactions with his on-screen daughter. The small
scene interjections they had together called back a bit to the storytelling
grandfather in The Princess Bride (1987),
as well.
Steve Zahn (George
& Tammy, Night at the Museum: Kamunrah Rises Again, Where'd You Go,
Bernadette) was also an excellent pick for the somewhat zany DIY dad. A lot
of the heavy lifting, however, went to Winslow Fegley (Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made, Nightbooks, Lyle Lyle Crocodile)
anchoring the cast playing young Jake Doyle. I believed every minute of his
delivery and I am really looking forward to what he does in the future. Frankly, all of the kids were great. I have zero complaints whatsoever. Nostalgia and ensemble comedy aside, 8 Bit Christmas was just overflowing with heart. It’s a great story
about family and not getting sucked into the materialism that drowns the
Holiday Season. It’s hard – we’ve likely all done it at one point or another.
This story, however, doesn’t get preachy at all. It was a likable and fun ride
that gave a subtle nudge rather than beating you over the head with the
message. I was actually misty at the end. These movies are making me
leak from the eyes left and right this year, I swear. I would absolutely recommend 8 Bit Christmas to anyone that enjoys family comedy, and I can’t
wait to watch it again with my teen since she didn’t get a chance to watch it
the first time with me.
Rotten
Tomatoes Critic Score – 83% Rotten
Tomatoes Audience Score – 75% Metascore – 66% Metacritic
User Score – 6.2/10 IMDB
Score – 6.7/10 Trust
the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 4.5/5 Trust
the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4.5/5 Movie
Trailer:
