Almost Christmas
M
USA, 2013
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Language: English
Director: Phil Morrison
Starring: Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti, Sally Hawkins
What's it about?
Paul Giamatti () and Paul Rudd () have a great chemistry as two not-quite-reformed French Canadian ex-cons: the misanthropic Dennis (Giamatti), and the man who stole his wife while he was still in prison, the easy-going Rene (Rudd). With not much else in way of work opportunity, Dennis guilts Rene into traveling with him to New York City to sell Christmas trees, so that he can buy his estranged daughter the piano she's always wanted. A touching buddy comedy, also starring the ever delightful Sally Hawkins () as a Russian maid who befriends the hapless chaps.
A Christmas Tale
MA15+
France, 2009
Genre: Comedy
Language: French
Director: Arnaud Desplechin
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Devos
What's it about?
"Dysfunctional" can't begin to describe the Vuillard family, whose members reunite for Christmas in the family house upon the news that matriarch Junon (Catherine Deneuve) was diagnosed with cancer. But the festivities take a nasty turn when the black sheep of the family, Henri (Mathieu Amalric) joins the party, bringing with him tensions and painful memories from the past. As it turns out, he's also the only one who could save Junon's life with his bone marrow. A dark, bittersweet, and moving gem of by Arnaud Desplechin (My Sex Life... or How I Got Into an Argument).
Source: SBS Movies
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
G
USA, 1964
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Language: English
Director: Nicholas Webster
Starring: John Call, Leonard Hicks, Vincent Beck
What's it about?
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians is a 1964 science fiction film directed by Nicholas Webster that regularly appears on lists of the worst films ever made and in the "bottom 100" list on the IMDB, and also marks the first documented appearance of Mrs. Claus in a motion picture. You will love to hate-watch this Z-grade gem, where Martians come to Earth to kidnap Santa Claus, because there is no one on Mars to give their children presents. Fear not, Earth kids Billy and Betty are on the case, and set out to save Santa and return him to Earth.
