Desperately Seeking Joy: Holiday Movies 2020 #17 - Gremlins (1984)

 

Gremlins (1984)

What I find interesting about Gremlins is that I always seem to think it’s a Steven Spielberg film, but it’s a Steven Spielberg produced film. It’s directed by Joe Dante (Innerspace, The Burbs, Small Soldiers), who has a history in horror film, but typically ties in comedy so that it’s not so intense. Gremlins definitely has that mark on it, as well as the mark of Spielberg, who Dante admired as a filmmaker, having made his own homage to Jaws with his film Piranhas. 

As far as Christmas films go, I find it difficult to say that Gremlins is not a Christmas film. The setting and time of year are intricately tied to the events that occur. It starts out with giving an unusual and exceptional Christmas gift and then how careless the recipient is with the gift. There are secondary characters who have their own feelings about the holiday season and the references to It’s a Wonderful Life are numerous. This monumental event, or invasion, happens during Christmas, which is a time that is meant for family, not gremlins taking over the town and harassing people. I don’t know. It just feels appropriate to watch at Christmas.

I wonder how much of that has to do with Chris Columbus being the writer of the film (or the credited writer). I mentioned earlier that he’s done quite a few films all set during the “winter” season as either writer, director, and/or producer: Home Alone, Home Alone 2, Adventures in Babysitting, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (and additional Harry Potter films), Mrs. Doubtfire, Christmas with the Kranks, and more.

I could probably go on and on about Easter Eggs and fun trivia about Gremlins, but I'll just stick to saying that I do think it's a Christmas movie, despite the gore, and is one that shows up on my TV every holiday season.

Desperately Seeking Joy: Holiday Movies 2020 #16 - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

   

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

For some reason this movie finds its way onto my TV every year. I think it’s because the actual television stations play the goodness gracious out of it. So I always watch it, but I never really enjoy watching it. I’m just not a Griswold fan and some of the absurdities that he “gets away with” are just too baffling to me. I struggle with the amount of belief in reality that I'm being asked to suspend. And yet, I leave it on every time. I don’t actively seek out watching it. 

I will say, it is at least the most meaningful of the NL-Griswold movies. Christmas Vacation is a staple on many Christmas Movie Lists and I think some of it is just that obvious holiday connection and the comedy that ensues over a tragic holiday season, but I think some of it is nostalgia at this point. Suffice to say, I like it better than A Christmas Story (which I avoid at all costs). 

Desperately Seeking Joy: Holiday Movies 2020 #15 - Lego Star Wars Holiday Special (2020)

  

 

Lego Star Wars Holiday Special (2020)

Still want to get some Star Wars holiday goodness in without subjecting yourself to the insanity that is the Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)? I went into the Lego movie with little hope of something interesting, but boy was it a good bit of fun. Sure, it throws all caution and destruction of established timelines to the wind, but it was entertaining and silly and still had some meaningful things that happened. And if you’ve seen the original Holiday Special, you’ll notice that Chewbacca’s family is properly represented in Lego form and name! 

Rey wants to do her best to help train Finn into a Jedi, but starts to doubt herself. So she locates an old Jedi temple and uses a special set of stones to time jump and learn what is stopping Finn from being a Jedi. The secondary story is about Poe trying to get ready for Chewbacca’s family and Life Day! Let the hilarity ensue. And there are cameos from all sorts of your favorite Star Wars characters… err… Lego Star Wars characters. It was honestly worth the watch and was great in the wake of the original special.

Desperately Seeking Joy: Holiday Movies 2020 #14 - Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)

  

Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)

When your husband tells you not to watch the Star Wars Holiday Special, my advice is to listen to him. This was an excessive amount of time lost on nonsense! It got better after the halfway mark, but by then we were already disengaged and befuddled. It was also heartbreaking, because the budget was clearly very low. 

Essentially it’s a low budget variety show couched in a thin threaded plot of the Empire to stop Chewbacca from getting home for Life Day. I can at least appreciate that you can follow the Wookie storyline with no verbal communication. There was, though, some inappropriateness that left us questioning whether our daughter should be watching this variety show, though. 

Bottom line… hold onto your childhood memory of it being worthwhile and let this one go.

Desperately Seeking Joy: Holiday Movies 2020 #13 - The Grinch (2018)

 

 

The Grinch (2018)

I just wasn’t feeling this version. Too much exposition with too many “modern” references and jokes. We don’t need Sue’s elaborate Santa plan. The original told the story simply and directly, but here’s there’s just so much added Hollywood fluff to squeeze another movie out of this beloved tale. It’s not a bad version of the story, but just too much and it has a huge Despicable Me vibe to the whole thing. Good enough.

Desperately Seeking Joy: Holiday Movies 2020 #12 - How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

 

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

I really like this live action version of the Grinch. Jim Carrey is a perfect choice. The movie itself has some overly silly moments and it adds in quite a bit of information, but it really builds on the backstory of the Grinch and why he feels the way he does or is the way that he is. The soundtrack is also awesome and some of the songs have even become part of my holiday music rotation.  It doesn't top the original and it has its moments where it tries too hard to be like the original (montage of robbing the town), but it's definitely a holiday must for us.

Desperately Seeking Joy: Holiday Movies 2020 #11 - How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

The classic. The original. Boris Karloff and Thurl Ravenscroft lend their amazing vocal talents to this heartwarming rendition. I actually have a record version of the story being read aloud and it has the songs and everything. 

This epic story holds up over the years and I love watching the original. I don’t need a bunch of filler or added information for this story to make sense. The less you give the view, is sometimes the best, because it allows them to connect more with the characters. A must watch at every Christmas.

Desperately Seeking Joy: Holiday Movies 2020 #10 - The Nightmare Before Christmas

 

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Is it a Christmas movie or is it a Halloween movie? That is the debate I overheard in my daughter’s 5th grade online class at Halloween. But it’s Burton who is combining the two holidays he loves the most into one movie. After watching it with this question very much in mind, it was agreed that the movie applies to both holidays. It was a bit more dominated by Halloween than Christmas, but it celebrates the Christmas spirit. If you’re stumped for something to watch with the kids that is a little less traditional, this music stop-motion animation film might just do the trick. 

Desperately Seeking Joy: Holiday Movies 2020 #6 - Peter Pan

 

Peter Pan (2003)

You can watch whatever Peter Pan you want. My preference is the 2003 live action version.

Now you might asking yourself, “Why Peter Pan?” Well, it is technically a “christmas” movie. It was originally released as a play during the winter holiday and continues to be released in the UK during this time. It also focuses on childhood wonder and to believe, which is part of the beauty of Christmas for children. J.M. Barrie appreciated the connection between the fantastical and the magic of childhood. There’s more to come in the Hook movie that draws out the connection, but for now, enjoy this wonderful and beautiful adaptation.

Note: The film is dedicated to Dodi Al-Fayed, who was executive producer of the 1991 film Hook. Al-Fayed planned to produce a live action version of Peter Pan, and shared his ideas with Princess Diana (who was President of Great Ormond St Hospital... The significance of Great Ormond Street is that, in 1929, author JM Barrie gave the copyright to the play of Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London.). Diana supposedly said she "could not wait to see the production once it was underway." Al-Fayed's father, Mohammed Al-Fayed, co-produced the 2003 adaptation of the tale after his son died in the car crash which also killed Princess Diana. He dedicated the movie to his son. This also ties into the memorial park that was constructed for Princess Diana in Kensington Garden, as well as the garden itself being the connected to Peter Pan.

Desperately Seeking Joy: Holiday Movies 2020 #1 - Love Actually & The Holiday

I'm starting with my girly movie favorites.

Love Actually (2003)

My husband argues that this isn’t a Christmas movie, because it’s only set at Christmas time. If we’re going down that road, then we need to consider Die Hard, dear sweet loved one. But anyways. I love watching this movie during the holidays, because it is full of the warm fuzzies, even the disappointing warm fuzzies of failed or dismal relationships. It’s just all about love, which is what we’re supposed to be full of during the holidays. The Andrew Lincoln/Keira Knightley scene is still the most tear-jerking scene for me. But I love the whole cast! Talk about a hit with all the right people! The Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson story is the absolute saddest. Laura Linney's is the most heartbreaking, because she is at the mercy of her heartfilled dedication. The funniest one, though, is Martin Freeman. Sigh, ok... I don't want to go through every storyline. Essentially, the whole thing just shows all the levels that love works at.

The Holiday (2006)

The grass is always greener on the other side, right? An adorable story of changing places and finding the beauty of what is right in front of you. Always makes me squeal with joy and cry tears of mixed emotions. Kate Winslet and Jack Black are my favorite couple. Everything wraps up in a neat package for everyone. Try not to think beyond their initial relationship, or it might just spoil the magic of what love found during a vacation can do for you and your self-esteem. 

Friday Night Movie #5

Today was a day of so many things!

First of all, I finally got my hair cut and bleached. It has been a year since I've had my hair cut and bleaching means I get to dye it purple again. See, my husband dyes my hair. I only need it to be professionally bleached, because bleaching your hair incorrectly can be damaging to your hair and I don't trust myself enough. So goodbye old hair and hello blond me!

Then it was time to pop up to my classroom and have a look around. I was trying to find my notebooks, but things just still feel weird in my classroom. So I grabbed what I could find and I left.

We had our grocery pickup, so I have all of our meals planned for the next two weeks. I am officially going back on keto to try to shed some of this weight so that I have the energy to get back on the treadmill.

Then our evening was watching Harry and the Hendersons (1987). It was a cute movie and the plot ran much faster than I remember it going. Still an endearing look at how we treat others, especially our animal friends.

Monday Me-Day #4

I spent the bulk of today focusing on my walking. I have a new 10x2 walking schedule. Every two hours from the #:55-#:05 I am taking a brisk walk. I get my steps in for my hourly fitbit walking AND I get a mini spurt exercise. I have it schedule for 6 times in a day. Today was my first day adhering and, while I made my 6,000 step goal, I did not meet every walking goal. It's alright, though. It's day one and I want to ease myself in so I don't get too burned out.

While I get my physical goals set, I'm working on some food goals, but that's for another day.

Otherwise I spent the day setting up my calendar and getting caught up on some blogs. I'm starting to feel writers fatigue from all the blogs I'm working on. And I'm still feeling uncomfortable after yesterday's interaction online. I really do strive to limit interactions to positivity, because of how damaged I am, but we can't control other people and how they are going to behave or see the world or whatever. Some emails and "responses" I've gotten over the last three weeks would have definitely received a reminder from my boss about how to interact with people digitally. You don't hear yourself, but you think you're writing an appropriate email. Or talking down to people. I'm not a fan of that. When I've been doing something for many, many, many, many years don't talk to me like this is my first rodeo. And if you aren't sure if they are new or not, look it up before responding. And DO NOT have a million people run your emails and reply to an email that someone else is already responding to. Greg is already working with this person. Nancy doesn't need to step in and send their own comments. Not sure if people realize how confusing that is and it doesn't help anyone and shows a heightened level of unprofessionalism.

Anyways... my anxiety and negativity to certain things that were positive for me are kind of rearing their ugly head. Even writing this entry here is like a trial by fire. EAT YOUR PEAS! Ahhhh!!! But if I stop, I'm giving up. If I stop, my goal for this is over. Keep on keepin' on!

I rounded out my day, though, with a few movies. Keeping with the trend I suppose.

Dick
Cute movie, but totally absurd. Made me laugh just enough and kept my mind off of horrible things that would eat away at my soul!

Swing Kids
I absolutely love this movie. It came out in 1993 and I just found out their was a 2018 Korean Remake! It's so worth watching and the cast is stellar. Robert Sean Leonard is absolutely inspiring!

Saving Mr. Banks
Emma Thompson was very scary in this movie, but it had so much heart and was so inspired. Loved it. Glad I finally clicked to watch it. If you don't know, it's the story of how Walt Disney bought the rights to Mary Poppins.

Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Sadly, incredibly disappointing. It felt very weird to watch. I had several moments where I felt very uncomfortable watching the interactions of the main character with Mr. Rogers. I love Tom Hanks, but I think casting him as Mr. Rogers maybe wasn't the best casting choice... too often I found myself thinking of Forest Gump and feeling sorry for Mr. Rogers. I don't know... it felt awkward and I had a hard time staying invested and interested.

Friday Night Movie #2

Friday Night Movie!!!

We are spending time with my mom this evening and she chose to watch Hamilton!

But to get to this point, we went through so much.

This morning was spent packing up the family. I had everything ready and I was organizing to bring things for the mini-party. I want to make sure I had fun stuff to do so that my mom would spend the weekend doing fun things, instead of worrying about the house after she dies.

The packing and preparation took a turn for the worse when my family decided to suck all of my energy by forcing me to micromanage everything!

Once everyone was finally in the car, we drove towards Oshkosh where we then ran into some traffic. I had to amazing foresight to get off the freeway earlier, because I needed my husband to run in and get me a pair of shorts at the outlet mall. But as we continued to drive along the side of the freeway, there didn't seem to be signs of an accident and the traffic was at an absolute hault. Strange....

After the shorts were purchased, we pulled back out and continued to take the side road, noticing that the freeway was still empty. As we got closer to the next on ramp, I saw tons of police lights and some large yellow lights...  maybe fire trucks (I thought)? There was one lone helicopter circling, but it wasn't a newscopter. It all felt very strange. And as we pulled up to the on ramp and I looked back... everything had disappeared. What I had just seen had vanished. We couldn't find anything about it anywhere on the news or traffic things or anything!

Seriously freaked me out the whole ride. ADDITION: I did finally post to my Facebook and a friend said Mike Pence had arrived at the airport in Oshkosh, so it might have been connected to that. Figures. It really was government related, then. And I get not publishing that the VP just had a HWY shut down for his arrival. Pathetic. (If that is what it was and, honestly, that seems to be the case.)

The rest of the drive was smooth sailing, even once we got into Milwaukee.

After settling in, we had to go run some errands. We went to Wal-Mart. No. No no no. It was MISERABLE! Between the heat and the mask and the Wal-Mart! Oh my goodness I was in full Panic Attack mode by the time I got to the check-out. The check-out lady was really nice, which made things easier, but I was so not in a good way.

When we got back to the car and cranked the A/C, my husband had said something about an ICEE! Well it is Movie Night, so I opened my Marcus Theatres app and ordered the 2 ICEE and a bag of popcorn special to be picked up in 5 minutes! We drove the couple minutes to the theatre and picked up some goodies for the evening.

I realized, as we were driving home, that I had forgotten some things, so we pulled off into a Walgreens. As I was walking down the aisle I saw something that Wal-Mart had told me I wouldn't find anywhere... Super Soakers! Old school! Snatched up 3 of them!

Once home, I got to work on the avocado brownies so that those would be done.

I also wanted to make the living room like a theatre, but failed. In doing so, though, I discovered my brother's old Star Wars bed sheets!

 And when I went into the basement, I saw that my mom had found our Ewoks!

I had to send the pictures over to two of my coworkers who I feel are my nerdy-friends, but I sadly feel neglected by them when it comes to the geek. Meh. I send. They do what they do.

After gushing over lost memories, it was discussions over what to watch for the evening. We landed on Hamilton and it turned into an early movie night where we ate popcorn and shredded pork and watched this epic movie. My daughter was quite difficult about it, but we made it through after a REALLY LONG intermission.

The night quickly wrapped up after the movie and everyone got into bed and that was that. I am so tired, I can't even explain it. I can't believe I also had multiple mini-panic attacks. I haven't had those in forever. COVID life really has been damaging me and it doesn't look like it's going to stop damaging me.

October Movie Binge 2019 - Day 13: The Last Exorcism (2010)

The Last Exorcism has one of those titles that makes you forget about it and a poster that doesn't really match up to the film itself. So every time I see the post or hear the title, I have to rack my brain to remember the movie. And as I watched it, it just had too many things that made me think of Paranormal Activity and The Conjuring combined into some sort of shameful attempt at fear, with a little touch of Southern insanity.

The film is done as a faux documentary, with a film crew following a hoax preacher, Cotton Marcus, who claims he can do exorcisms, but really it's about praying on the weak. He shows up at this family's home and their daughter, Nell, is said to be possessed. There is the act of helping with an exorcism. Then little pieces are revealed that make the preacher think something else is going on and then things take a turn for the worst. The question lingers, though, as to whether or not she's truly possessed or is just ashamed of being pregnant as a young girl.

It essentially becomes a possession film revolving around a Satanic/Demonic cult. This is revealed further in The Last Exorcism II (um... let that title sink in for a second). As I'll get to in a later post, Paranormal Activity is essentially a demonic cult/possession film and isn't about a ghost at all! The Last Exorcism might also be touching on the Rosemary's Baby story of being forced to bear the son of a demon or Satan and you're at the mercy of the cult.

Regardless, the movie is pretty interesting. It has its own twists and turns that make it unique from other possession films, but the sequel is unnecessary with some horribly cheesy special effects at the end, as well as just a disappointing ending.