The Sullying of a Classic

Well, last year I was able to watch the atrocious 2001 sequel to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys.

This year, I followed it up with another studio decision to trash one of my fondest childhood memories, The Year Without a Santa Clause.

Alternate title: What Happens When Chris Kattan, Eddie Griffin, Ethan Suplee, John Goodman, Carol Kane, Michael McKean and Delta Burke All Lose a Bet?

I guess it's technically not a re-make, both being based on a 1956 book, but there's enough in there to recall the wonderful 1974 TV special.

This version, however, is horrible. It gets increasingly difficult in a movie like this to point out what was bad. Poor writing, over-acting, bad directing. You name it, this film fails on every level. I'm wondering what could have convinced some of these actors (particularly the ones who are working now) to be involved in this. Maybe blackmail was involved.

Plus, I don't know if my Comcast ratings were off, but it's listed as "TV G". But this movie is so bad, I can't see it geared toward adults. On the other hand, some references should have pulled it out of "G". I thought a reference to South Park was odd, but it was just a reference. But then Jingle accuses Jangle of attempting a "booty call" and Heat Miser calls Snow Miser a "kiss ass". Is that "G"-rated stuff? Not to mention the sexy female dancers that back up the Miser Brothers. Or the clips of violent video games that are billed as the cool new Christmas presents. Whoever gives these programs their ratings must be sleeping on the job.

Don't see this film. Even for free (it was recently televised). I feel really bad for all the folks who rented this. I was at the movie store last weekend, and all the copies of this film were gone. It's not worth $3.75 plus the time wasted in viewing.

Talent, or Technology?

Probably both. Even if you're not a fan of stop motion, check out this amazing video.

Higher Grounds Comedy

Last night was another night of Higher Grounds at Crosspoint Church. Some amazing music - I'll have to get names of some of the performers. Singing. Guitars. Violins, even. Meredith Wallace sang an amazing rendition of Gordon Lightfoot's Song for a Winter's Night.

What was different last night was that Jerry Ross did some stand up comedy.

And it was hilarious. Talking about Christmas, taking kids to public bathrooms, Hot Pockets. I about fell out of my chair laughing. Looking forward to more next time.

Commentary

Part of the reason this blog is named what it is, is that Krista says I've got a commentary on everything.

Well, here goes (please let me warn you that this is rated N for Negative).

What is this, the new El Camino? The Subaru Baja wins the ugliest car of the year award.

File under: Wouldn't Have Believed It If I Hadn't Seen It With My Own Two Eyes. It's a Hummer actually doing something. I didn't think they were allowed to haul anything but one or two people at a time.

Is this something you're supposed to get? If so, I don't think I do. (Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver.)

And do not try this. I loved their Halloween Candy Corn Soda, but their Christmas Candy Cane Soda taste like Peppermint Schnapps without the Peppermint. Blecch.

And, finally, the obligatory church sign. "Contentment is a pearl of great price." If you don't know the context (one of the parables of Jesus), it looks like they're saying Contentment Is Great Wealth. I think they're actually trying to say that Contentment is Finding God, but that's not real obvious.

There, maybe I got that out of my system. Thanks for listening.

Merry Christmas to Me

If anyone out there is still trying to find me the perfect Christmas present, here's something I found on eBay that you can get me:

Superman III Evil Superman Costume

Into the Fog

Quote of the Day
"The greater the trust, the greater the betrayal."
-Lex Luthor, Smallville

Signs of What?

So I've been holding out on the pictures. I guess I've just been a little too busy to upload. Or something. Here's some I took a few weeks ago.



Saw this ladder (I think it's a ladder) on the way home the other night. It took me a while to figure out what it said. I think it's much easier with a little computer magic.

Not for humans? Does that mean it's for something else? Maybe it's an alien ladder? Weird. I keep thinking about that old Twilight Zone, To Serve Man. (You know, the one with the cookbook?)

Saw this interesting juxtaposition, too.

Just so you know Jimmy's is a "Gentlemen's Club" (though, from what I hear, that's quite generous; not that I have any first-hand knowledge). I thought it interesting to find the church sign right outside. I wonder if it's made anyone think twice about walking in...

And then finally, more signs of the end of the world? Another night driving into the darkness. (This was before the time change.)

I thought I was in Denver driving into the mountains.

That night this flock of birds was flying back and forth over the road in Athens. It was all pretty creepy.