My December 2022 Recap

I had a Christmas movie-centric month and it was quite productive!

Favorite First Time Viewing

Dear Santa (2020) - 9.5/10

I haven't been this surprised by a documentary in years, maybe not since Dear Zachary blew me away when I first saw it in early 2009. Apparently, I have a thing for docs named Dear. Who knew? Dear Santa tells the story of "Operation Santa", a century old program run by the United States Postal Service where they deliver letters to Santa Claus and fulfil the requests as best they can. People on both sides of the program, those getting and giving the gifts, are interviewed. It's incredibly emotional to watch young children and grown adults moved to tears when they get that one special gift they wished for. It's just as touching watching the hard working and dedicated people who keep the program going. The absolute joy they get from helping people is something to be admired. I was pretty much crying tears of joy from start to finish. I read some reviews online that thought the film was too treacly or manipulative, but I don't see it that way at all. On a technical level, the doc is masterfully edited and designed, with perfect graphics and delightful musical cues throughout. It's very rare that a documentary does both sides - the narrative and technical - so well. I can't recommend this highly enough. 

Worst First Time Viewing

Noelle (2019) - 2/10

On paper, Noelle should have worked. It's got a very talented cast and an interesting premise, but based on the trailer I saw back in 2019, I had no interest in watching it. I was convinced to add it to my watch list this month by two separate co-workers (who will remain unnamed) who assured me it was an excellent holiday flick. I do not agree with them. The script is lazy and silly and mostly unfunny. The performances from leads Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader (two of my favorite people in Hollywood) are flat and uninspired, at best. The supporting cast includes the iconic Shirley MacLaine (who, I don't think, has ever been worse) and normally dependable Kingsley Ben-Adir, Julie Hagerty, Billy Eichner, and Michael Gross. None of them do much with the shoddy script they've got to work with, but I'm not sure any actor could really elevate this material. Writer/director Marc Lawrence just failed at every aspect of filmmaking. I cannot fathom what redeeming aspects anyone could find in this movie, but I know it's got a decent reputation and following. Once again, I'm flabbergasted by what some people consider to be good entertainment. 

Favorite Rewatch

Elf (2003) - 9/10

I almost picked Avatar to highlight here, but between my two 9/10's this month, I think Elf just manages to get the edge. I've seen it probably twenty times at this point, but it never fails to entertain, make me laugh, or get me to tear up - the group singing scene near the end always gets to me for some reason. I don't really have to talk up Elf all that much - it's a holiday staple for millions and millions of people all around the globe. Will Ferrell is an actor who is kind of hit-or-miss for me, but when he hits, it's usually a grand slam. He's absolutely perfect in this role as the naïve Buddy the Elf and has so many laugh out loud lines and bits of physical comedy sprinkled throughout the film. I will never not laugh uproariously at his shouting of "Santa's coming!" and then the loud whispering of "I know him!" That's just one ten second scene, but the whole movie is filled with memorable scenes, lines, and moments. James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Zooey Deschanel, Ed Asner, Faizon Love, Peter Dinklage, Andy Richter, Kyle Gass, and especially Bob Newhart are all tremendous. It's really a stacked cast and they're working with a slick, well rounded script and terrific direction from Jon Favreau. Just a wonderful movie from beginning to end. I'm looking forward to watching it again next December. And I'll laugh just as loud and as often then, I'm sure. 

Worst Rewatch

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) - 5.5/10

When this is the worst rewatch of the month, you know things went pretty well. The original Home Alone is a classic and something my family watches every year. The sequel is clearly inferior, but still manages to make the rotation most years. It's sillier and broader than the first installment and pretty much just a beat-for-beat retread of the story (even some of the exact same jokes are repeated), but it's still entertaining - especially when Daniel Stern or Tim Curry are on screen. Macaulay Culkin had so much charisma and such a strong screen presence when he was a kid, it's really hard to imagine any other child actor being as effective or successful as Kevin McCallister, the youngster with the most negligent family in the world. He plays well with the whole cast, but is at his best with Stern and Joe Pesci. Stern is completely game with this sequel - diving headfirst, sometimes literally, into the role as Marv - but Pesci seems a bit bored and checked out at times. I don't suppose I can blame him. As much as I love the Wet Bandits, I wonder if the movie would have been better without them? If Kevin's antagonists were just Curry and the rest of the hotel staff, the story could have been significantly different from the first and allow for some more creativity and inventiveness. Oh, well. It sill works fairly well and does manage to contain one of favorite "traps" of the series - when Kevin repeatedly nails Marv in the head with bricks from the roof of the brownstone apartment. If you've only got time for one Home Alone movie, go with the original. 

My month, in watch order: 

    * = rewatch

Miracle on 34th Street (1994) - 5/10

A Merry Friggin' Christmas (2014) - 2.5/10

* Elf (2003) - 9/10

Klaus (2019) - 3.5/10

Noelle (2019) - 2/10

Dear Santa (2020) - 9.5/10

White Christmas (1954) - 7.5/10

* Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970) - 6/10

Christmas Bloody Christmas (2022) - 3/10

A Christmas Story Christmas (2022) - 7.5/10

* Avatar (2009) - 9/10

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) - 7.5/10

Happiest Season (2020) - 9/10

* Home Alone (1990) - 8/10

* Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) - 5.5/10

8-Bit Christmas (2021) - 5/10

What about you guys? Have you seen any of these movies? If so, what did you think? Did you watch anything great or really disappointing in December?

Thanks for reading and commenting!