Playlist: Buried

When we talk about ambitious films, our thoughts typically drift toward the epic. Peter Jackson's scaling the heights of the insurmountable Lord of the Rings is the most often cited example. But a lot of what we're talking about in those instances is logistics. Just figuring out where to start something on that level is a victory in itself.

But there's also a more compact form of ambition that simply deals with the craft of storytelling (the whole point of movies) and it's that which intrigued me about this film from the moment I heard about it. How was director Rodrigo Cortes possibly going to pull off this ambitious premise: one set and one actor for 90 minutes? Or, more to the point, how was he going to do it successfully?

The key, it turns out, was not to rely on gimmicks (ok, one snake) or cheats. It really is just Ryan Reynolds, as a kidnapped truck driver in Iraq, in a coffin the whole time, barely able to maneuver in the tight space and with only a cell phone to communicate with the outside world. I thought Reynolds did a very credible job in a role not in his usual wheelhouse (actually just surviving the claustrophobia of filming should win him an award). Really, who's to say how someone would react in that situation. Yes, he makes decisions I hope I wouldn't, but maybe I would make worse. I kept thinking of Uma Thurman in Kill Bill and tried to remember it's probably not that easy to dig yourself out of your own grave (even with a knife).

As you've read, my esteemed colleague caught the bored bug a few times, but I was hooked by waiting to see how Cortes would dig himself out of the hole he had dug for himself. To my pleasant surprise, he showed a lot of creative discipline and stuck to the premise to the end. That alone is a plus for me.

The Hi-Life Reason #1

As we get older we tend to appreciate the finer subtleties in pleasurable things. Maybe it's because we eventually realize that life is short. When I was young I thought everyone lived till 100. That gave me a definite END. But in fact I lived fast, as any young sprouting boy would. Life flies by and now at a more mature age I can understand that as life flies by, the pace must slow in order to savor the unexpected variations in life's travel. Whether your tastes are in music, wine, scotch, film, food, or other diversions, you can find solace here...in the Hi-Life. A place to be inspired and to connect with those who may turn you on to a new life experience. Right now I am between Hi-Life obsessions, trying to come up with one thing that truly defines for me right now and what it is that most describes a Hi-Life moment.

I bought this last week for the "Big Game"...I really like Sam Adams and can remember the first time having some years ago with our co-host in the Hi-Life, Franco. This beer gets its name from only having the hops from farms in the 48th latitude region (check a map, people) of Europe and America. It's also an Indian Pale Ale which means it is a different taste then your normal Budweiser and Rolling Rock. It takes you a moment to actually swallow it (Ed. note: That's what she said.). It has for me hints of grapefruit (which I hated as a kid, but every now and then the hint of it is a good experience)...The Sam Adams website states that it has an earthy character, which I like and agree with...think dry, not mushroomy. Good beer and we paired it with Bratwurst for the "Big Game" . Generally I like to try the Sam Adams varieties...they have a chocolate one I had my eye on and the holy grail of Sam Adams, "Utopias," which is rare and they make it as if it is a scotch. Hope you enjoyed the first edition.

Playlist: Freakonomics

Never got around to reading the book, though I read enough excerpts and articles about it to get the gist. Important work.

The authors, Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dunbar, are engaging on film and take us through some of their more interesting findings. The movie is broken down into segments directed by different filmmakers and, not surprisingly, my favorite was the one by Morgan Spurlock. It explores the power of names and how much of a role they play in our success (or lack thereof in the case of some of the more whimsical ethnic monikers).

One of the most controversial, and thus interesting, findings from the book is also discussed here: how the rise in abortions in the 1970s after Roe v. Wade is the number one reason behind the drop in the crime rate during the 1990s. Shockingly logical when it's put on the table like that.

SMC Radio 1.1

So, the first show went off incredibly smoother than expected. The audio quality less so. Still, not bad for the first go.

In case you missed it, head over to the show page and download the experience.

Let us know what you think.

Playlist: Buried

Hey Y'all...would you like to be close to this guy for an hour and a half...as in buried in a coffin with him for and hour and a half deep under the Iraq sand (or Hollywood lot where it was filmed)? And by the way he won't look this hot...he will play some dumb truck driver that tries to lose all his oxygen and waste cell phone battery life by calling strippers and trying to burn snakes with vodka. The film is entirely in the box and I got to hand it to those who made this...can a modern audience sit through 95 minutes of this when it is a long test for all us ADHD types. Box Office MoJo actually reports that in America this film made $1 million (which is ridiculous)...but the foreign gross is over $17 million...I guess the rest of the world has things like patience. Sure it's claustrophobic (I get that but I can do the same my locking myself in my trunk)...but I gotta tell you that I used the 1.5 fast forward button constantly on this one just to get some of my life back. The best actor in it is the one you don't see...Robert Paterson...his list of roles isn't much...I just like his voice. Ok so the end right...does he get out of the box? Do you want to know?....well there is no twist...so is that a spoiler?

Radio Free SMC

Hold on to your eardrums, SMC Nation, because we are at t-minus one day until the debut of the zeitgeist-busting phenomenon known as SMC Radio. You've loved our podcasts, but now you get to live your fantasy of listening to us live. Well, we were always live, and you were when you were listening, but now we get to do it at the same time. Also, don't literally hold your eardrums or really touch them in any way. Not only will you not be able to hear us, but you'll probably lose your balance and may possibly go deaf. Though Beethoven was deaf, so I guess you too could then wear a wig.

Ok, here's what you need to know. This Friday night @ 11 PM, go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/singlemaltcinema/2011/01/29/single-malt-cinema
and listen to our debut show. That's it.

But, wait, that's not it!

Call 1 (760) 283-5147 and talk to us in person between 11 and 11:30. On the air. Live! Seriously, this could be very cool. And, yes, I am factoring in the potential for it to be a complete disaster.

Talk to you soon.

Playlist: The Kids Are All Right

I didn't want to see this. Just what I needed, another Hollywood lecture on the new reality of America. Did you know 67% of all children born after 1990 are being raised by same sex parents? That figure is completely fabricated, but you get my point. All mathmaticians are liars. Or gay. I'm not sure I really have a point.

But my point is that award season hype has a way of filtering out what films to catch up with on DVD. This has gotten a large percentage of said hype. So, I caught up with it. As it turns out, the film is all right. (Alright, as it turns out, is not. It is not a real word. It does not exist. Please stop looking at it.)

Director Lisa Cholodenko does not use this platform to preach the Liberal gospel, but choosing instead to simply tell a straightforward story about family. The performances are what separate this from the pack (and what are filling the trophy case). Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, and Annette Bening, one of my favorite actresses, are all as good as usual, and Mia Wasikowska finally showed why she's so highly thought of in the industry (and got a few layers of the dreadful Alice in Wonderland off her skin). Solid and enjoyable.

So, solidify and enjoy.

Big News!

Just so you wouldn't read that title wrong, I included an exclamation point. You're welcome!

The new year has gotten off to a slow start here at SMC, what with holiday hangover and a mole people infestation in our underground bunker/studio. But rest assured, loyalists, we have some interesting changes cooking and we'll be serving them up in the coming weeks.

For now, here's four and a half minutes of Leo cursing:

Playlist: The Expendables

I never thought that I would say that the best part of this film was Dolph Lundgren...but the best part of this film was Dolph Lundgren...and Dolph Lundgren was in this film for like 3 minutes...the rest was terrible and I fast forwarded through it...the end.

Playlist: Catfish

Considering this was one of both my (and Vin's) most anticipated films of last autumn, I did a remarkable job of failing to have any idea what it really was about.

What I knew was that it revolved around a photographer (Nev Schulman) who begins receiving paintings of his pictures from a young girl named Abby and who then begins a relationship with Abby's older sister, Megan, via the phone and Facebook (you know, the other Facebook movie). In fact, the two fall in love. 

Okay, now check out the trailer:




Very Blair Witchian, no? I was thinking faux doc, but as always, was still intrigued by just how they were going to twist up the ending. By now we've seen it all, right? Turns out the twist was that there was no twist. How's that for a post-modern swerve? Well, that's not entirely accurate (or, possibly, even an actual thing).

The filmmakers (Nev's brother Ariel Shulman and Henry Joost) have insisted the events depicted in the film are true, so until proven otherwise, that's how it has to be viewed. I don't understand what the critics shown in the trailer were talking about unless they saw a completely different cut of the film (or they just wanted their names in a trailer). The ending wasn't shocking or haunting, but a somewhat natural conclusion to the story arc. Which isn't to say it's not worthwhile. It turns out that the movie they started didn't need a gimmick. The real ending is sad and oddly sweet, and touching in a way more experienced screenwriters of fiction struggle to achieve.

Playlist: The Social Network

Mark Zuckerberg is the Citizen Kane of 2010...and I dont mean that the film The Social Network is on par with the film Citizen Kane...I mean that The Social Network is similar to other well made movies about the origination of an idea and the drama that fame and money brings...so maybe similar to There Will Be Blood or Flash of Genius...But the Character of Mark Zuckerberg as played by the great Jessie Eisenberg is close to Kane...sure the real Zuckerberg is probably not as interesting, but the story of The Social Network is bigger then the people...it is about the American Dream, desire, friendship and greed. I dont think this is my favorite film of 2010, but i really really enjoyed it...the fascination of a close to real life story that is still so contemporary and so present is just very compelling to watch...my problem is that in 10 years will this be important?...or will we move on to something else and the real Zuckerberg will be broke...Facebook will be a fad and some other thing will be important? Either way the ideas of entrepreneurship is timeless..these are friends breaking apart for the rights to make a thing to bring people together...how much better can you get? I wasnt excited to see this film when I found out that one of my favorite Directors (Fincher) was to direct a film about a web site I have always refused to be a part of (its like an Internet of the Internet...some Kaufmanesque reality in a reality...not for me)...but the themes and writing and acting is great...the story could be about 5 guys coming up with an idea about a lemonade stand and it would be just as interesting (but the line where Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake both say "a billion dollars"...is pretty satisfying)...Fincher has made his best film since Zodiac...I also just watched the Swedish version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"...again I was totally not interested in Fincher making this...then I saw the Sweedish film..its OK...just OK as a story...the real interest is the lead actress...Lisbeth Salander...played by Noomi Repace...she is incredible...I just want her story and not the whole who killed Laura Palmer driving plot...playing the American Version will be Rooney Mara (Named for her grandfathers who own the Giants and Steelers...come on really?)...So I am looking forward to this...Mara actually was in The Social Network and played Mark's long lost love.

What Should I Watch?

OK...I have a few days where I can stay up and watch a few flicks...I will let you the audience, post a message and let me know which film you want me to watch and then report on. I know tonight I will watch the Swedish version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". Here is the list in no particular order.

1. "Youth Without Youth" with the Coppola commentary

2. Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (Cimino)

3. The Sicilian (Cimino)

4. The Sunchaser (Cimino)

5. Antichrist - commentary by director

6. Someone to Watch Over Me (Ridley Scott)

7. The New World

8. Dementia 13

9. Letters from Iwo Jima

10. Grindhouse (full experience...I never saw Planet Terror)

11. Seven Samurai (pretentious)

12. Hour of the Wolf (see above)

13. Picinic at Hanging Rock (I feel like I should see the classics)

14. Bronson

15. Rashomon

this list looks daunting...the more I type it the more I just want to watch Madmen instead...let me know what I should watch...or if Netflix Watch instantly I can take other requests (by the way I plan on seeing Cyrus again this week and am buying The Social Network.)

Playlist: The Village

Maybe it was my love of Joaquin Phoenix in last years "I'm Still Here"...but I recorded and watched "The Village" last night. This movie makes me realize that M Night is a fraud. Most of us realized this when "Signs" was just ok and then I saw that "Lady in the Water" and knew that I just could not believe in M Night anymore. Something was telling me though that I should look beyond the consensus from most critics and give him another look. (I havent seen them but most say that "The Happening and The Last Airbender" were very very bad)...The Village can not be saved by the good acting...the plot is just a drag and I knew the ending the whole time...the fact that M Night is in the end of the film and even states plot hole filler to fill in the blanks at the end just prove he is weak...he is always beter when he is not explaining ...like in his first 2 films (that Rosie O'Donnel film does not count)...where he tells us very little and they demand and even get better once you know all the twists. The best though is Roger Eberts review for Last Airbender and The Village...I tend to always agree with The E. I always hope M Night can make a come back.

Playlist: Piranha 2-D

How's this for a tone-setter: Richard Dreyfuss in a boat singing "Show Me the Way to Go Home." Then he gets sucked into an embarrassing CGI whirlpool caused by an earthquake and devoured by the piranha unleashed from their underground cavern. Yes, that Richard Dreyfuss.

Actually, this is some cast: Elizabeth Shue, Ving Rhames, Christopher Lloyd (in classic crazy mode as the town fish store owner who just happens to be an expert on prehistoric piranha), SMC favorites Adam Scott and  Paul Scheer ("The League"'s Andre), the adorable Jessica Szohr ("Gossip Girls"), Jerry O'Connell and British model Kelly Brook. Oh, she's naked. Set at a spring break party lake, this is pretty much all giant boobs and blood (and a lot of eyeball shots for some reason). It's not exactly The King's Speech, but it's fun if nothing else.

The more interesting discussion is about director Alexandre Aja. In 2003, he made a name for himself with the French horror film High Tension, a well-orchestrated thriller up until a debilitating illogical cliche ending. But it showed potential and marked that foot-in-the-door crossroads all young directors face. Aja's path? Horror remakes. He followed up High Tension with 2006's The Hills Have Eyes, polishing off all the low-budget gritty appeal of Wes Craven's original, and 2008's forgotten Mirrors, which is essentially an English version of the K-horror film, Into the Mirror. But at least those were in genre. Piranha does not even attempt to scare, opting for the campy tone of the 1978 Joe Dante original (not to be confused with James Cameron's debut, 1981's Piranha II: The Spawning). I'm not sure what Aja's career plans are, but it feels a shame that he wasted the opportunity he was presented seven years ago. Then again, maybe he knew something we didn't.

Un-fun fact: Piranhas don't actual eat people. However, they are, in fact, really very ugly.

Playlist Round-Up

Please note the lack of a colon in the title. I did not recently watch a film about a cattle drive. However, I have mentioned colons a lot recently. Then again, I am getting older. I do eat a lot of cereal, so I hope that counts for something.

But, no, this post is about two films I did not completely watch recently*. Generally, I try to slog my way through these things, but maybe this is a new trend that's another side effect of aging. Life's too short for some of this shit.

The Headless Woman

Film Comment magazine ranked this as the second best film released in the U.S. in 2009 and one of the best of the decade. It's about a non-decapitated woman who may or may not have killed a boy with her car (if you're wondering, she doesn't get out to check). Director Lucrecia Martel has said this is an examination of class differences in her native Argentina and a lot of critics have parroted those thoughts. Maybe it was the language barrier, but I found it difficult to gain any traction with the story. It is a series of slow, meandering scenes with no dramatic payoff, no tension at all, the type of movie where no one talks about anything and everything is implied, but implied under a blanket in a dark room. It got to the point where I had to fast forward to the end. And I don't think I missed anything. (It helps that this art house favorite only scored a 6.4 on IMDB.)

Aaah! Zombies! (or, for some reason, Wasting Away)

I tried to watch this 2007 movie three separate times and combined only made it about halfway. There's a clever hook here: the main characters are all brain-chomping creatures (not really zombies!) but don't really know it. The film alternates between their normal POV and everyone else's perspective of the monsters they have become. And it's a comedy! But it's really dumb. Amateurish acting and an ambition for camp that is undermined by a script that just isn't smart enough to pull it off. This may very well be a fun movie to watch with a group, but since I watch movies alone in my hole, I couldn't get into it.

*And by recently, I mean several weeks ago since that's when I thought I posted this. Oh, me.

Playlist: Public Enemies

I've always been fascinated by the now near mythic outlaws of the 1920s and 30s. Not that I'm alone in this considering the countless books and movies documenting--and too often glamorizing--their exploits. I still remember watching the 1988 TV movie about Al Capone's enforcer, Frank Nitti. I have no idea if it was any good, but it was the first thing that popped into my mind when Nitti made a cameo in Michael Mann's pretty close to historically accurate tale of the era's most famous most wanted, John Dillinger.

Dillinger was nothing short of a celebrity, with his media flair and Robin Hood-esque gimmick ("-esque" not because he actually gave the money he stole to the Depressed poor, but because he opted not to waste time taking the change from farmers' pockets while robbing the tens of thousands from bank vaults). As played by Johnny Depp, you can understand the public falling under the spell of this larger than life character. Unfortunately, as a viewer, I can't say the same. I never felt charmed by this well-made and stylish, but clinical and cold film.

That sentiment wasn't helped by Christian Bale's FBI Agent Melvin Purvis, hot on Dillinger's tail, but without any connection to the audience other than his job. Bale, strong in so much recently, feels wasted here. Depp is given more room to work, but it feels as if he is being restrained as well. The only person to rise above the conservative script is the always enchanting Marion Cotillard as Dillinger's girlfriend. (She's going to be in Woody Allen's next movie, Midnight in Paris, with Rachel McAdams and, in all seriousness, I'm not sure I'll be able to handle it.)

As for Mann, I certainly didn't dislike this film, but I'm less certain if I can give it a positive distillery score. And, as he most definitely will be distilled in the future, I have to look back to see if this sort of emotional detachment is common to all his films. Is it usually effective and appropriate to the material? We'll find out, though Vin may let us know the answer before then.

(One more: there is a seemingly un-Mannish scene at the end when an FBI agent tells Cotillard's character that Dillinger's last words were "Bye, bye, blackbird," which just so happened to be the title of "their" song. It just reeked of cheese.)

Lifetime Films: 2001

No, not that film..it's 2001 like for real and it was 9 years ago now. Looking at this year's films I see some that I caught in the theater and more and more films I find on DVD after the fact or on cable. Let's get down to my 3 top choices and then the winner shall we

Fellowship of the Ring

The Royal Tannenbaums

Mulholland Drive

Fellowship of the Ring: I knew nothing of the books, I barely knew what the story was about...and went to see these films with my buddy Jeff, who knew the stories and helped me along with what would happen. I loved these...I can only say that knowing we would get 1 film a year and the story continued was a great experience that has not yet been duplicated...I can also say that of the 3 films they did get better, as did the CGI and the story got tenser and the battles better...so for me this film is my least favorite of the 3 films...but still one of my favorites of the year...also I cant watch the theatrical version...for me its the extended cut or nothing.

The Royal Tannenbaums: This film just feels a lot older then 2001...with the success of Bottle Rocket and Rushmore I looked forward to this film...especially with a bigger cast and all the great set design and quirky lines and great characters...this is a quintessential Wes Anderson Film...

WINNER:

Mulholland Drive

OK...so it's Lynch again...This film is like his others...as we get into the plot...the plot becomes irrelevant and the dream takes over...we see this done for the masses in Inception...but here it balances the line between reality and dream so well...I think Lynch went into total dream with Inland Empire...but here the story of a hopefully naive starlet struck with obsession by another woman becomes a nightmare. This film introduced us to Naomi Watts who is brilliant and the sex scene is intense...the color is great...the score is awesome by Angelo Baldamenti...easily my favorite...and to think this was supposed to be a made for TV series...what a joke...this was the best film of 2001.

Others:

A Beautiful Mind: I liked it...glad that Jen Connelly won...but I cant help but thinking that Ron Howard just makes the same film over and over again...by toying with our emotions so blatantly...see Cinderella Man and Far and Away

AI- Stanley Kubrick's story done by Spielberg...I liked it and maybe most of my like is that we will never see a new Kubrick film again

Donnie Darko: Richard Kelly has good ideas...too bad they are convoluted and hard to figure out...the look of this film and soundtrack is great...but so did he time travel?..or it was a worm hole?

Black Hawk Down: Love a good gritty war film

Monsters Ball: Found this one years later...Heath Ledger is great and so is that Sling Blade feller...Billy Bob Thornton is very good as well as Halle Berry...great story set during a weird time in America

So as 2010 is closing I reflect on 2002...an easy one for me to love...but you know what they say, so happy together (hint for 2002 best film)

Playlist: The Black Swan

This is a psychological thriller. A moment in the life of a deranged , obsessed dancer and her spiral out of mental control while her physical control is at its peak. Ballet is the scene, the dancing is great, the music is great, the acting by Natale Portman may be the best of the year. The Film is by Director Darren Aronofsky, Aronofsky for me is like following a great baseball player that you saw his first at bat and then that player got better and better and eventually becomes great... I have followed Aronofsky since seeing PI at the Tampa Theater when it came out...I was blown away ever since. Sure The Fountain is confusing and may be incomplete in some ways...and it did take him 6 years between films, coming off of the Wrestler I was expecting something big...something great...and what I got was a ballet film...I like ballet, I like the acting but I wanted something big...maybe thats what we will get in the new Wolverine Film...but I am still waiting for my favorite director to take a chance on a big epic...the last 2 films have been small but kept tight in the Aronofsky cannon, these are films he cares about and so I respect that...I loved the wrestler and I loved Black Swan...I just hope Aronofsky gets to make the type of films he wants to..and that means more money...both the Wrestler and Black Swan were done on the cheap ...and maybe they deserve to be..the score by Mansell is great but of course borrows much from the Tchaikovsky score.

While writing this it seems like I am ragging on the film...I loved it...and in my mind am ranking it in the Aronofsky list of films...while this film I may give an A-, or 8/10 stars...or whatever ranking...in list of Aronofsky films it comes in low

1.Requiem

2. The Fountain

3. The Wrestler

4. Black Swan

5. Pi

So not bad I guess...I did not expect it to be high on this list but it will make my top 3 films of the year...

Highs?

1, Vincent Cassel...is a great actor...he is a powerhouse...and I wish I could be that cool

2. Mila Kunis...is hot...but actually I thought she was hotter in Extract

3. Natalie Portman...best acting of the year..her little girl voice was great...the time she put in to learn all the dancing was worth it...I cant wait to see her grow as an actress

The color pallet of the film is striking...the black and white throughout is omnipresent and haunting

The special effects are just that...effective and never too over the top.

So thats it...a great job overall...

Playlist: My Son My Son What Have Ye Done

I have a lot of time off this week...I should be "getting work done"...or "spending time with the family"...or "reading a book"..or "controlling my diet"...but it always comes down to me wanting to revisit some old films or watch extras on dvd's that I never have gotten to...here is a list that always pops up around this time of year:

Schenecdoche NY
Twin Peaks (the whole series to rewatch)
Homicide (I am up to season 3 of 7...the first 2 were amazing...but now?)
The Lord of the Rings ( all three in a row in one day...extended cut only)
The Brown Bunny
Letters from Iwo Jima (until I heard Paul Haggis wrote it)
Thunderbolt and Light Foot
The Sicilian
The Sunchaser (last 3 to complete my Micheal Cimino collection)
Various Commentary tracks:
Youth without Youth with Coppola
The Fog with John Carpenter

But why?...why go through this...why not just watch some new films for a change rather then the old ones or the ones I feel I must watch to be a completest. So why not watch this film:

"My Son My Son What Have Ye Done"
reasons that struck my interest:
1. Directed by Werner Herzog
2. Produced by David Lynch
3. Actor Micheal Shannon
also...Chloe Sevigny, Willelm DeFoe, Micheal Pena, Udo Kier, Grace Zabriske..and based on a true story...according to Herzog 70 % of the story is made up.

Micheal Shannon is incredible as this mad man...obsessed with a sword, prescription glasses, Muslims, ostriches, and God...all the actors are pretty good...Micheal Pena is intentionally unintentionally funny, Willem DeFoe is solid, Chloe is good, and Udo Keir and Brad Dourif as Uncle Ben is a mad man...but the best of the best is my favorite actor of late and that's Shannon...this man seems to play crazy very well..I would like to see him in something other then crazy..so far I have seen him in Boardwalk Empire, parts of Bug, Revolution Road...which I only fast forwarded till I got to his part...

So I take Frank's inspiration and just watch new movies now...say goodbye to those old fossil DVD's

Playlist: Scrooged

Didn't watch many Christmas movies this year, just wasn't in the mood. But I hadn't seen this is a long time and was wondering if it was as good as I remembered.

It is, the parts I remembered anyway. The parts everyone remembers: David Johansen and Carol Kane as the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present, respectively. I completely forgot the Ghost of Christmas Future segment which looks like deleted scenes from Terry Gilliam's Brazil. And, consequently, I forgot how it doesn't exactly work.

Let me first say that the movie as a whole and Bill Murray in particular are a lot of fun. However, his ultimate redemption comes up short because he's so good as the humbugging prick. After seeing years' worth of pain and misery, his own and what he's caused in others, the scene that makes him a changed man is seeing his own cremation. For some reason, he is shocked to discover that he one day dies. Perhaps it is this glimpse at his own mortality that finally awakens his dormant humanity and forces him to reassess his priorities. I mean, that's it, right? But they don't really sell it that way. It's too rushed.

The other thing I noticed is how fast Bobcat Goldtwait's character--fired by Murray the day before Christmas Eve--spirals into complete desperate lunacy. One day later, his wife and daughter left him and he has become a homicidal drunk. Then again, he is Bobcat Goldtwait.

I'm glad I watched it and I'm glad I got to share it with you. Thanks for reading and Merry Christmas. If you don't celebrate Christmas, it's still Christmas, so Merry Christmas.