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EVIL DOES NOT EXIST 🤩

Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s EVIL DOES NOT EXIST is an unsettling, haunting, deliberately slow-moving drama that blends allegory with a captivating plot. In many ways, Hamaguchi is experimenting with filmmaking itself; certain scenes feel groundbreaking in their ambition, including the opening scene. EVIL DOES NOT EXIST does take a while to get started, but this feels intentional – although it’s slow to ramp up, the third act of the movie moves at the pace of a thriller. Hamaguchi expertly weaves together tones…

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RUGRATS S2E14 THE SANTA EXPERIENCE 🤩

Before there was BLUEY, there was RUGRATS. It was a cartoon with just as much appeal to adults as kids who grew up in the early-to-late 90s and early 00s. And that still holds up today. Someday, I’ll write about the Mother’s Day special. But for now, I’d love to reminisce about the show’s first Christmas-themed episode, THE SANTA EXPERIENCE. THE SANTA EXPERIENCE is 22-minutes of pure comedic gold. It consists of two primary subplots. In one, Tommy and Chuckie…

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THE SANTA CLAUSE 🤩

Christmas time can be difficult if you don’t celebrate it. It can be very overwhelming with all the media hype, decorations on every street corner, music piped in all stores, Santa Clause sitting on candy cane thrones, Salvation Army bells ringing, all of your friends posting pictures of their tree with tons of presents waiting to be opened, and enticing sales to purchase anything and everything all while wearing a Santa hat. Wow. I am not jealous. I was raised…

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THE MUPPETS CHRISTMAS CAROL 🤩

THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL is a 1992 film written and directed by Brian Henson. The story follows the classic Dickens story of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Muppet style. It uses the Muppet characters to play Charles Dickens (The Great Gonzo) and Rizzo the Rat (Co-Narrator). The story, though played by Muppets, has been deemed one of the most faithful adaptations of the original book.  I have been a Muppets girl since before I was born. Truly, I don’t think there is…

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OUR LITTLE SECRET 😊

Kristen Chenoweth and Lindsay Lohan. I’m not sure much else needs to be said. But for review’s sake, OUR LITTLE SECRET works as a wonderful comedy of manners, and while it might not be heartwarming or moving or even remotely sincere, it sure is funny.  When it comes to Christmas movies, what really matters — the heartstrings or the humor? I say humor, and whether or not the film is self-aware about its silliness, the entertainment value is strong.  The…

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EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS 🤩

The legacy of EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS is somewhat complicated and confusing for me, almost 50 years later. It was first released on CBS on December 4, 1977. I was 3 years old and recall already being a huge fan of THE MUPPET SHOW and SESAME STREET at that age. This unique special is also from the mind of Jim Henson, who produced and directed it. EMMET features hand-puppets (Muppets), marionettes, and even has an introduction from Henson’s most famous…

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HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK 🤩

HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK is a 1992 film directed by Chris Columbus and the sequel to HOME ALONE. The film follows young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) as he’s separated from his family during Christmas and has to defend himself against Harry (Joe Pesci in his peak year, MY COUSIN VINNY and HOME ALONE 2 might be the best 1992 double feature list) and Marv (Daniel Stern)… again!  HOME ALONE 2 might be the most definitive example of…

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THE BISHOP’S WIFE 🤩

One of my mother’s favorite holiday season movies was THE BISHOP’S WIFE. I have seen it more than a dozen times. I fondly remember us sitting together on our worn-out couch, watching movies. She could share inside tips and info about the stars as if she knew each one personally. Her knowledge enraptured me, and I enjoyed every moment of being whisked deep into an engaging story. She was a huge fan of David Niven, Loretta Young, and, of course,…

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