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A Christmas Story Christmas (2022)
Peter Billingsley Recreates Ralphie as an adult perfectly ... 39 Years Later!
I've seen "A Christmas Story" a few times and always enjoyed it. I loved Peter Billingsley as Ralphie. Through is antics and wishes for Christmas, I always found it realistic for a boy that age.
Not-so-fast forward 39 years and he delights us again. He knows this character so well, so many years later, and imagines it as an adult. It's a tribute to his father, who has just passed away and Peter completely nails it. Ralphie has grown up, with a beautiful wife and two precocious children, much like he and his younger brother were then they were growing up. Billingsley is exceptional in the role of trying to please everyone.
There are parallels in this story; namely Ralphie's kids going up against kids of his rivals. We even see, in a sequence, the challenge of ... "I triple-dog dare you." You already know that is the end-all, be-all of challenges from the first movie. That was fun to see!
The overflow of casseroles delivered to Ralphie's mom after his dad's death was meant to be a running joke, but I think it went a tad (only a tad) of getting redundant. I loved the scenes with Ralphie and his old classmates in the bar scenes because it made me remember, he is a man now; a guy who might have a couple drinks at a bar. I actually kind of liked that. I would say, realism.
So many original cast members reprised their roles and that made this movie terrific. Of course, only in a couple of cameos, Ralphie's brother shows up and it's heartwarming to see the brothers together again. Props to Erin Hayes who played Ralphie's wife, and "Airplane" actress for taking on the role as Ralphie's mom. She still has the comedic timing. Additional props to Ian Petrella, who reprised is role as Randy, Ralphie's brother. I understand that a lot of actors who have not done a lot since this movie (or have gone on to "regular" lives came back.
This was a fun time watching Billingsley continue this tradition and seeing some magic at the end. In a week or so, I'm going to watch the original, then watch this again My only disappointment was that, at no time during the film, did they get chop suey (fans of the first movie will understand the reference!). This movie really seems like a terrific way to get into the spirit of Christmas. I recommend everyone do the same.
Blockbuster (2022)
Kind of a Campy Take on Blockbuster, but a Major Factual Error
Well, it's a pilot episode, so they were clearly trying to include so much to get the viewer to watch episode two, and so on. That's cool; I get that about new shows. Netflix is not real strong with original comedies and this seemed like a stretch. Note: That was about the pilot, which I am noting now; not subsequent episodes.
I don't remember my family renting movies from Blockbuster (I was young), but they definitely did. I watched The Last Blockbuster about a month ago, also on Netflix. I am familiar with the story of the last store in the world If my ready is accurate, the second-to-last was in Alaska, but that store is also gone.
And that's the rub here; the major factual error. I know for a fact that as of today, 11/3/22, there is just one Blockbuster left and it's in Bend, Oregon ... in my home state. In an early scene, Timmy, the main character, mentions stores in the same strip mall which have closed, including DJ's Mill Pill, which he quoted DJ calling "the best in Michigan." That's completely wrong on so many levels. Wrong state, guys. Bend, Oregon is one of the most sought after spots in Oregon, and it's a place which people are still quirky enough where people might want to rent a DVD. It's also a town where a streaming service which is trying to cut down on password sharing (i.e. Netflix), might have a marginal amount of trouble. Accessing their streaming service. My own speculation; not saying it's fact. Just wondering.
Maybe that's due to writers' error, or to lack of researching, or maybe even Blockbuster conditions, if they had to follow them.
In all, other than that major factual error, this could have some promise, but it really needs to build from some potential in the pilot. The acting needs to gat better. Actually, it needs to become acting, rather than most of the characters standing around trying to be funny with random quips here and there.
I hate to overly criticize, but due to these factors, I have to go with a 5.0 on this. Perhaps, if the episodes improve, they can earn a higher rating.
The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020)
It's not the original, doesn't have to be, but still works
When I saw this in my Netflix scrolling feed and wasn't sure what it was. I scrolled past, several times. Then, one evening, I figured I would give it a shot. I had actually seen the first film a couple of years ago, but did not even imagine that this film was a sequel to that. I mean, how many movies could there be starting with "The Babysitter"? Then, I watched this movie. Anyone coming into this hoping for an remake of the first one will be, essentially, be disappointed. And that's unfortunate.
I barely recognized Cole (Judah Lewis) from the first film. I understand the productions were about five years apart, but he really has grown up. I think if did a wonderful job in an hour and 40 minutes of becoming the previous victim, to the tortured nerd to the hero is one. It was an excellent turn for the character. Another wonderful performance came from the original babysitter, Bee (Samara Weaving). Some have said that her appearance at the end was just a "cameo." What about her recruiting of the original members of the blood cult? Those scenes were crucial to this film, and as an explanation to the first film. It set some nice exposition.
Melanie's prominence was a bit of a surprise. She seemed to me kind of a minor character in the first. For Emily Alyn Lind, I didn't see her performance coming. While charming, she really didn't seem realistic in this scenario in a blood cult. It really seemed forced. Once I imdb'd and found out that was the same girl as the original, I was surprised. Not a terrible performance, but a predictable performance (once we found out she was the big bad, of sorts).
And that brings me to the new girl. Phoebe (Jenna Ortega). Her introduction was epic, though not realistic for what high school would really be. It was striking moment at which the character was able to create a facade of who she could be, the bad girl. It was a cute moment and Cole was intrigued. When Phoebe shows up at the lake he's surprised, yet intrigued, especially she takes off on a jet ski. Lewis and Ortega have immediate and awesome chemistry. It was fun to see them grow together in the "Alice in Wonderland" room at her family's cabin.
After Cole learns that Melanie is assembling a new blood cult due to an execution of a "friend," he tried to escape the boat. Phoebe, looking for gas for her jet ski, sees what's going on. Nearly the whole cast of the original blood cult which Cole foiled is back. That is the tie-in to the first movie. They all have moments which are noteworthy (spoiler: cheerleader Allison getting separated from her head after getting trapped in a narrow cavern).
Cole and Phoebe are now a couple. They became close due to shared experiences. Suffice to say, they sleep together. And that brings me to the oddest sex scene in cinematic history (watch this movie just for that!). Just note that the multiple imagery includes a dance number with our leads, Cole and Phoebe. Again, I have no idea to describe that. You'll never forget that sequence.
The subsequent finale sequence is the highlight of the movie. It's done well and really starts with a video game fight scene between Phoebe and Melanie, leading up to the blood cult sacrifice and the appearance of Bee. The last scenes were actually kind of touching when it is revealed that Bee was the babysitter to someone prior to Cole and what that means to the story. Particularly funny was Max's last lines supporting Cole. In the end, Cole and Phoebe have completely fallen in love and it's a wonderful redemption arc for Bee.
This installment was a little campy and humorously gory. The setting around the lake was absolutely gorgeous, whether is was a real place or CGI. Most of the story takes place around the area. It's not for the faint at heart, but knowing the blood is corn syrup should help those with a weak stomach. I know a lot of reviewers wish to compare the second to the first. I would say that, instead of that, use the first as a reference to this movie. They are two different films and should be treated as such.
Roswell: Summer of '47 (2000)
Excellent throwback which puts Michael center stage.
I'm 14 years old and just started watching Roswell. I love how it's presented. I've seen a couple other shows use episodes like this to expand their storylines. I don't look at synopsis of shows while I'm streaming, so this one came as a surprise, but I absolutely loved it, with a couple exceptions.
Brendan Fehr did a wonderful job in this one and he seemed to humble from the regular Michael he is. He seems to have found (more) of his human side. The hug toward with Hal and Max was awesome! The characters playing the 1947 parts was awesome. I'm not done with the episode (quite yet) as I watch it again. This episode explained a lot of the crash itself, and Michael learning about it was extremely satisfying as a viewer.
I'm captivated by this show now, even though I was not even born when it came out. My sisters claim I look like Liz. She is my favorite character, so I like that. And, that's my issue. This is the fourth episode of the season and, even though she's top billing, she's barely been in this season. I hope that changes. Otherwise, this is one of my favorite episodes of the series.