The Lure AKA Corki dancingu (2015)

Released February 1, 2017, in the US.

Filmed entirely in Poland.

The story: One evening, while house band members Wokalistrka, Perkusista and Mietek are hanging out oceanside playing music they are greeted by two young mermaids, named Silver and Golden,  that ask for their help coming onto land...

The group help and quickly bring the girls to the club.

When the owner finds the mermaids he forbids them from being there.

That is until the group school him on their mermaid tails and how much of an attraction they can bring to his club.

Impressed now the owner allows the girls to stay and work there, along with the band.

Things are tough for the girls, as Golden falls hard for Mietek and Silver just wants to live free.

But things are even tougher for the people around the girls because they are not humans, they are animals...and dangerous animals at that.

Stars Kinga Preis , Andrzej Konopka , Jakub Gierszal , Marta Mazurek , Michalina Olszanska , Zygmunt Malanowicz , Marcin Kowalczyk , Magdalena Cielecka , Roma Gasiorowska , Janina Wronska 

Directed by Agnieszka Smoczynska

Not Rated

Polish w/English subtitles

MUSICAL/MYSTERY/HORROR/DRAMA

Sonic : Christmas Blast (1996)

Made for TV, airing November 26th in the US.

The story: This year, while all the townspeople excitedly anticipate seeing Santa Claus on TV in town, they get the news that Santa is retiring,...and that his replacement is Robotnik Claus!
This changes everything.

Among other things, Instead of everyone getting gifts from Santa, they are all expected to give Robotnik Claus gifts.

When Sonic has to race into town for a gift for Sally, he finds that all the stores are empty.

Sonic and Tails see all the toys and gifts being taken away to 'Jolly Ole Saint Robotnik Claus' and cannot believe what they hear.

Just when they are off to investigate, they meet a young boy who tells them what's going on.

The real Santa Claus has been kidnapped.

Stars (voices by) Eric Pospisil, Long John Baldry,  Jaleel White, Chris Turner, Tabitha St Germain, Phillip Maurice Hayes, Garry Chalk, Jay Brazeau

Directed by Blair Peters 

Rated TVY7

ANIMATION/FAMILY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

Captain N and the New Super Mario World : The Night Before Cave Christmas (1991)

Made for TV, airing October 19th in the US.

Season 1. Episode 9.

The story:  None of the Cave People are getting along.
Mario comes up with the idea that they should have a Christmas because at Christmas time everyone is nice to each other.

Even though it's the middle of Summer in the jungle everyone is on board, even after they find out that Santa Claus only brings presents to good children.

Princess Toadstool is excited about all the great toys that will be given to the Cave kids but King Koopa decides he must steal all the toys to give to his kids instead.

Stars (voices by) Walker Boone, Tracey Moore, Tony Rosato, Andrew Sabiston, John Stocker, Harvey Atkin, Tara Strong, Tabitha St Germain, Dan Hennessey, Gordon Masten, James Rankin, Michael Stark, Catherine Gallant, Judy Marshak, Stuart Stone

Directed by John Grusd 

Rated TVY7FV

ANIMATION/FAMILY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

The Addams Family : Christmas with the Addams Family (1965)

Made for ABC, airing December 24th in the US.

Season 2. Episode 15.

The story: Unneighborly neighbor Mr. Thompson told Pugsley and Wednesday there is no Santa Claus.

So now the kids are questioning it.

Just in case, Morticia and Gomez decide they need a backup Santa, so they nominate Uncle Fester.

But on Christmas Eve, while Uncle Fester is trying to get down the chimney, he gets stuck.

Stars Carolyn Jones, John Astin, Ken Weatherwax, Lisa Loring, Ted Cassidy, Jackie Coogan, Felix Silla, Thing, Gregg Martell, Marie Blake

Directed by Sidney Lanfield

Rated TVG
B&W
COMEDY/FAMILY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

Archie's Weird Mysteries : The Christmas Phantom (2000)

Made for TV, airing February 8th in the US.

Season 1. Episode 30.

The story: After giving everyone at school gifts Archie meets up with the gang.

Veronica finds out he doesnt have any cash left to get her a gift when her phone rings.

He asks if she knows anyone who could use some cash, that could work as the department store, Santa Claus.

The Santa he has apparently got attacked by the Christmas tree and took off.

She suggests Archie and hands him the phone.

Archie is more than happy to help out plus he could really use a new, good story.

But on Christmas Eve, when his work shift is over, he tries to leave.

Stopping him is a strange cloaked man wearing a mask, claiming to be the Christmas Phantom.

His plan is to take over the town and punish everyone for not having the right intentions and ideas about Christmas.

Stars (voices by) Andrew Rannells, Camille Schmidt, Pail Sosso, America Young, Chris Lundquist, Pam Carter, John Michael Lee, Jerry Longe, Ben Beck, Terry Berner, Matt Bross, Tina Dixon

Rated TVY7

ANIMATION/FAMILY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

Addicted To Fresno (2015)

Released September 1st in the US.

Filmed in California.

The story: Shannon and Martha are sisters.

Martha has recently been released from rehab, as she is a nymphomaniac...

She is staying with super motivated, dedicated, and serious Shannon, who got Martha a job with her cleaning hotel rooms.

Shannon is very serious about work and tries the best she can to motivate Martha.

But Martha really doesn't take anything seriously, and she has not exactly been rehabbed.

When Martha is stressed at work after learning her therapist/lover just left his wife to be with her , she does what she always does.

She finds a guy to have sex with.

But while doing so, Shannon catches them.

Martha claims she is being raped and while putting on her act for Shannon, she accidentally kills the guy.

Now, Shannon has to help Martha cover this up or they will both go to jail for manslaughter.

Stars Natasha Lyonne, Judy Greer, Malcolm Barrett, Edward Barbanell, Jessica St Clair, Jon Daly, Aubrey Plaza, Ron Livingston, Molly Shannon, Barbara Drotow, Alan Mandell, John Roohinian

Directed by Jamie Babbit

Not Rated

COMEDY/MYSTERY

A Christmas Story ( 1972)

Made for TV, airing December 9th in the US.

The story: It's Christmas Eve. 

Little Timmy hopes that Santa gets his letter in time for Christmas but after he has gone to bed for the night, Gumdrop the mouse finds it on the floor.

Worried that Santa will never get little Timmy's letter, Gumdrop wakes Goober the dog.

He insists that they must get Timmy's letter to Santa or he will be heartbroken.

So the two set out to do just that.

Stars (voices by) Paul DeKorte, Randy Kemner, Stephen McAndrew, Ida Sue McCue, Judy Richards, Don Messick, Walter Tetley, Janet Waldo, Daws Butler, Paul Winchell, Hal Smith, John Stephenson 

Directed by Joseph Barbera and William Hanna

Not Rated

ANIMATION/FAMILY/CHRISTMAS

Blood & Flesh : The Reel Life & Ghastly Death of Al Adamson (2020)

Released on Blu-Ray, May 26th in the US.

Filming location(s) unknown.

The story: Al Adamson. A man who grew up within his parents' self-made independent silent film direction.

As a young adult, Al learned he was better at giving orders when it came to films than being given them.

So, in the 60s, Al became a filmmaker in his own right. 

A king of independent exploitation and B-movies, that is.

Many of his early movies didn't see much popularity, but there were people who really enjoyed his cinematic style.

Plus Al hired and used over and over the likes of many aging film stars who were more than happy to be a part of any film project.

Marrying his longtime leading cast actress Regina Carroll in 1972.

Al's last major film was made in 1978, but he and wife Regina finally retired from the movie biz in the early 80s.

The couple then went into the real estate industry which they worked on together until Regina's death in 1992.

Everyone who knew and loved Al always said how great of a guy he was.

But he was also known to be very cheap.

In 1995, Al was living in a home he was fixing up to ultimately sell in Indio, California.

There, he had hired and was living with contractor Fred Fulford.

Fred was to fix up the house to sell and was given a personal credit card of Al's to pay for expenses.

Things became tense between the two after many confrontations between Al and Fred, involving the money being spent with the credit card until one day, without warning, Al disappeared...

Stars Samuel L Sherman, Ken Adamson, Chris Poggiali, Ewing Miles Brown, David Konow, Michael J Wheldon, Robert Dix, R Michael Stringer, Michael Ferris, Gary Kent, Ken Osborne, John 'Bud' Cardos, Greydon Clark, Fred Olen Ray, Sean Graver, JP Spohn, Linda Sherman

Directed by David Gregory 

Not Rated

DOCUMENTARY/BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY

The Foxworthy Show : Merry Christmas , YA'll (1996)

Made for TV, airing December 16th in the US.

Season 2. Episode 10.

The story: Karen wants to go home to Indiana for a white Christmas this year.

But Jeff wants to spend Christmas at home, with his boys, having a Foxworthy traditional Christmas.

He convinces Karen to stay home and the night before Christmas, he and Grandpa Jim take the boys out into the woods to chop down their own Christmas tree.

While out in the woods though, they run into some trouble with the police.

Apparently, they are trespassing.

Stars Ann Cusack, Jeff Foxworthy, Haley Joel Osment, Jonathan Lipnicki, Bill Pelton, Neil Giutoli, GW Bailey, Tim Maculan, Dick ONeill, Ritch Shydner, Candy Trabuco 

Directed by Andrew Tsao

Rated TVPG

COMEDY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

The Jeff Foxworthy Show : He's Making a List , Checking It Twice (1995)

Made for TV, airing November 25th in the US.

Season 1. Episode 9.

The story: This year, seeing how Karen is pregnant and busy with work, she could really use Jeff's help with the Christmas cards, gifts, and making an appointment to have their family Christmas picture done.

When at work and trying to do his best with the cards and gifts, a man claiming he needs an emergency heating job done.

The guys figure it's probably a tour bus that the problem is on, maybe even The Judds.

So they all go to do the job and find out it's Travis Tritt's tour bus.

When Jeff arrives home that day, he gives Karen all the signed and sealed cards. 

She asks about the Christmas photo appointment but he hasn't made that quite yet.

The next day when the guys are still on Travis's tour bus Jeff remembers he needs to make that appointment, but he can't get an appointment.

Karen shows up to meet Jeff at Travis's bus and he tells her the bad news.

But he has a better idea!

Stars Jeff Foxworthy, Haley Joel Osment, Steve Hytner, Anita Barone, Matt Clark, Matt Borlenghi, Tom La Grua, Travis Tritt

Directed by Alan Rafkin

Rated TVPG
COMEDY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

"He's pretty drowsy for an outlaw."

Hazel : Just 86 Shopping Minutes to Christmas (1964)

Made for NBC, airing December 24th in the US.

Season 4. Episode 15.

The story: After learning that Harry is giving Rita a mink coat for Christmas this year, George becomes more and more convinced that the meaning of Christmas is losing its point.

All Christmas is to most people is how much money they can spend on things, which doesn't make any sense to George.

When Harry asks George to hide Rita's gift at his house and makes him swear to not tell Dorothy or Hazel , Hazel finds it.

Dorothy and Hazel assume the coat is for Dorothy.

Stars Don DeFore , Lauren Gilbert , Karen Steele , Dorothy Baxter , Shirley Booth , Bobby Buntrock , Molly Dodd , C Lindsay Workman

Directed by William D Russell

Not Rated

COMEDY/DRAMA/FAMILY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

Rules of Engagement : Little Bummer Boy (2010)

Made for CBS, airing December 13th in the US.

Season 5. Episode 12.

The story: Every Christmas while Russell was growing up, he always had a crappy Christmas.

So this year, he has made it his mission to ruin as many of his friends' Christmas's, starting with stealing the handmade coupons Adam made for Jennifer and giving them to all the employees at the office Christmas party.

But instead, most of his plans backfire.

Stars Patrick Warburton, Megyn Price, Oliver Hudson, Bianca Kajlich, David Spade, Adhir Kalyan, Jillian Murray, Julie Brister, Tony Nichols, Rene Ashton, James Koshak, Jennifer Lee, Jennifer K Lee, Kellen Love, Brooklyn McLinn 

Directed by Ted Wass

Rated TVPG
COMEDY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange : Fruitsy the Snowfruit (2013

Made for YouTube, airing December 4th in the US.

Season 2. Episode 21.

The story: This year for Christmas the fruit gang has gone along with Neville for a winter wonderland of fun.

With Orange in charge of making the fun, they start out their vacation by making snow fruit.

When Orange adds a stem to his creation it comes alive, introducing itself as Fruitsy the Snowfruit.

Fruitsy claims he is all about Christmas cheer.

But when Orange gets jealous, he decides to make more snow friends.

Only when these snow friends come to life they are scary instead of friendly.

Stars Toby Turner, Dane Boedigheimer, (voices by) Dane Boedigheimer, Bobby Jennings, Justine Ezarik, Kevin Brueck, Harland Williams, Jack McBrayer, Tom Sheppard

Directed by Tom Sheppard

Rated TVPG
ANIMATION/FANTASY/COMEDY/FAMILY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange : Orange Carol (2012)

Made for YouTube, airing December 3rd in the US.

Season 1. Episode 30.

The story: While practicing Christmas songs with the caroling group, Orange becomes so annoying, he gets booted out of the fun.

He goes home and right to bed.

He is visited by three Christmas spirits who show him the error of his ways and what will happen if he doesn't change.

Stars Toby Turner, (voices by) Dane Boedigheimer, Justine Ezarik, Bobby Jennings, Harland Williams, Kevin Brueck, Jim Cummings, Shane Dawson, Tom Kenny, Jane Lynch, Felicia Day

Directed by Ken Mitchroney

TVPG

ANIMATION/FANTASY/COMEDY/FAMILY/SERIESCHRISTMAS

"Were you, funny? Or, were you...annoying!?"

Grace Under Fire : The Holidays (1994)

Made for CBS, airing December 13th in the US.

Season 2. Episode 12.

The story:  Grace's ex-mother-in-law is depressed this year.

On Christmas day, Emmet stops over with gifts for Grace and the kids and explains where Jean is.

Apparently, she is unhappy this year because all her sons are away and doing their own thing.

Days after Christmas, Grace plans a special visit with Jean to try and cheer her up.

Stars Brett Butler, Russell Norton, Valri Bromfield, Julie White, Peggy Rae, Matt Clark, Kaitlin Cullum, John Paul Steuer, Dylan Sprouse, Cole Sprouse, Walter Olkewicz, Paul Dooley, Dave Florek, Jean Speegle Howard

Directed by Michael Lessac

Rated TVPG

COMEDY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

"Fa, la , la , la , la...ba , blah , blah , blah."

Too Close for Comfort : Mr. Christmas (1982)

Made for ABC, airing December 16th in the US.

Season 3. Episode 11.

The story: This year for Christmas Henry, Muriel, Sara, and Jackie are planning on going skiing.

While packing Muriel realizes Andrew has a very high fever and they must call the doctor immediately, So of course, the trip must be postponed.

Jackie shows up with an old man who's been standing outside of her work all month, playing the role of Santa Claus.

When she found out he had no place to go for Christmas, she invited him home for eggnog.

When Henry and Monroe see that the man happens to not be white, they get a bit suspicious.

After talking to him a bit, Henry understands that the man believes he is in fact, Santa Claus.

But Henry believes the man is a burglar.

Stars Ted Knight, Nancy Dussault, Audrey Meadows, Michael Phillip Cannon, Lydia Cornell, Jim J Bullock, Deborah Van Valkenburg, Charles Lampkin, Selma Diamond, Carl Kraines, Bob Basso

Directed by Russ Petranto

Rated TVPG

COMEDY/FAMILY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

"Well, if you're really Santa Claus, what happened to that red pony I asked for twenty years ago?"

Becker : The Ghost of Christmas Presents (2001)

Made for CBS, airing December 10th in the US.

Season 4. Episode 10.

The story: Reggie suggests that maybe everyone would feel better about Christmas all together if they helped someone less fortunate.

She tells Becker, Margaret, Linda, Jake, and Bob about letters to Santa from underprivileged kids who they can give one gift.

Everyone, including Becker, takes a letter.

But when Becker waits till the last minute to get and give his gift, he finds himself stuck in traffic on Christmas Eve on his way to deliver his gift.

Stars Ted Danson, Terry Farrell, Hattie Wilson, Shawnee Smith, Saverio Guerro, Alex Desert, Carlton Wilborn, Brenda Vaccaro, Jack Kehler

Directed by Ken Levine

Rated TVPG
COMEDY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

"Oh, come on lady. Put your finger away, it's Christmas." 

Becker : Dr. Angry Head (2000)

Made for CBS, airing December 11th in the US.

Season 3. Episode 9.

The story: This year Becker makes it his mission to not have any expectations and he won't be disappointed.

This is the complete opposite of Reggie, who wants to make her Christmas special.

After showing off her prized tree ornament she accidentally breaks it.

Later, when Becker is cutting through a crowded store on Christmas Eve on his way to a house call, he sees the Christmas display with a tree that has the same exact ornament that Reggie had.

He wants to buy it but isn't allowed so while trying to get it off the tree himself, Becker throws out his back and is stuck, in the Christmas display,  which is complete torture, until help gets there to rescue him.

Stars Ted Danson, Terry Farrell, Saverio Guerro, Alex Desert, Shawnee Smith, Hattie Winston, Molly Hagan, Scott Zeller, Dylan Capannelli, Zachary Isaiah Williams

Directed by Andy Ackerman 

Rated TVPG
COMEDY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

The Ann Jillian Story (1988)

Made for TV, airing January 4th in the US.

Filmed entirely in Canada.

The story: In 1977, singer/actress Ann Jillian is in Chicago singing in a show.

While staying there she meets policeman Andy and the two quickly fall in love.

Ann wants to be in Andy's life but she wants to continue working.

At first, this causes turmoil between the two of them but soon Ann names Andy her manager and he helps her get some exciting work performing.

By 1978 the couple finds themselves in a well-paying contract with Ann starring in a TV sitcom.

But in 1985, when nothing could be better for the couple, Ann learns she has breast cancer.

Stars Ann Jillian, Tony Lo Bianco, Leighton Bewley, Viveca Lindfors, George Touliatos, Diane D'Aquila, Thomas Hauff, Pam Hyatt, Kate Lynch, Todd Postlethwaite, Ann Turnbull, Timothy Webber

Directed by Corey Allen

Not Rated

BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY/DRAMA

To Catch a Yeti (1995)

Made for The Disney Channel, airing January 12th in the US.

Filmed in Canada.

The story: Hunter Big Jake Grizzley and his assistant Blubber have traveled to the Himalayas to capture a yeti.

The plan is to return to New York with a yeti and sell it off to a very rich client for 4.5 million.

While trying to capture the yeti, it gets spooked and takes off.

It lands on a camper's tent but no one can find it.

One of the campers is husband and father Dave

He has a young daughter named Amy.

When Dave returns home he tells Amy to go look in his bag for the gift he brought her back.

What she finds is the small-sized yeti who Amy really takes a liking to.

But soon Big Jake Grizzley is at Dave's house looking to get the yeti back.

He gets it back but then Amy makes it her mission to claim the yeti once again and care for it as it requires...

Stars Meatloaf, Rick Howland, Jim Gordon, Leigh Lewis, Chantellese Kent, Jeff Moser, Mona Matteo, Ria Franchuk, Michael Panton, Reginald Doresa, David Walberg, Rob Rutter, Audrey Barraclouth

Directed by Bob Keen

Rated PG
FAMILY/COMEDY 

Kevin Can Wait : I'll Be Home for Christmas...Maybe (2016)

Made for CBS , airing December 12th in the US.

Season 1. Episode 12.

The story: While out to dinner with Cindy and Mott, Cindy starts talking about how much work 7 children is.

Kevin agrees and overdoes it a bit, which sets Cindy off.

She takes off without saying anything, leaving Mott as times before, alone with the children.

When Mott has to work and Cindy isn't back yet, he asks Kevin to help out.

At first, he doesn't really want to but after spending a couple days with the kids he begins fitting right in as the role of mother/caretaker.

Stars Kevin James, Erinn Hayes, Jackie Sandler, Christopher Brian Roach, Gary Valentine, Taylor Spreitler, Ryan Cartwright, James DiGiacomo, Mary Charles Jones, Nora Murphy, Delphina Belle, Jessica Cherniak, Devin Henry, Alexander Jameson

Directed by Andy Fickman

Rated TVPG
COMEDY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

Edge of Winter (2016)

Released August 2nd in the US.

Filmed entirely in Canada.

The story: Bradley and Caleb are spending the weekend with their father, who they don't get to see very often.

While unpacking their things in his bedroom they find a riffle.

Dad hears them talking and walks in to find them with the gun.

At first, he snaps out but then asks if they have ever shot one, which of course they have not.

Dad decides to take the kids far out into the woods to try shooting.

When they are ready to leave, Bradley mentions how his father has been drinking.

So dad tells Bradley to drive, which he never has but does.

When Caleb wants to drive and begins messing with Bradley behind the wheel, he loses control, getting them into a minor accident.

But now their problem is much worse because the car is stuck in the snow and they have no reception on Bradley's cell.

While sitting in the car they all get to talking.

The kids accidentally tell their dad that they are going to be moving out of the country.

This angers their dad something fierce, which sets in motion a completely hallucinated effort to keep his kids from ever leaving him.

Stars Percy Hynes White, Tom Holland, Rachelle Lefevre, Shaun Benson, Joel Kinnaman, Patrick Garrow, Shiloh Fernandez, Rossif Sutherland

Directed by Rob Connolly

Rated R
DRAMA/MYSTERY/THRILLER

Why Him? (2016)

Released December 23rd in the US.

Filmed in Michigan and California.

The story: While college student Stephanie is wishing her father a Happy Birthday via video call she, along with her mom, dad, younger brother, and a bunch of their friends are all embarrassed by her boyfriend in the background.

One big part of that whole mess is that Stephanie's family didn't even know she was seeing anyone!

So to make things up to her family, Stephanie invites them all out to California to spend Christmas together instead of their traditional Christmas at home.

Little does her family realize though, Stephanie has planned that her family stay at her boyfriend Laird's house.

Laird is a millionaire, extremely eccentric, and lives his life completely and utterly outside the box.

Nothing about Laird sits well with Stephanie's dad and when he realizes that Laird is planning on proposing, dad gets even more uneasy just when the rest of the family is warming up to him.

Stars Bryan Cranston, Megan Mullaly, Griffin Gluck, Cedric the Entertainer, Zack Pearlman, Zoey Deutch, Keegan Michael Key, Jacob Kemp, James Franco, Mary Pat Gleason, Tangie Ambrose

Directed by John Hamburg

Rated R
COMEDY/CHRISTMAS

The Dumb Bunnies : I'll Be Dumb For Christmas (1998)

Made for TV, airing in 1998...

Season 1. Episode 20.

The story:  Every year on Christmas, the Dumb Bunnies do something to help Santa get to them easier...or at least that's what they think!

When Santa arrives this Christmas Eve, he is slightly confused with his landing on the roof goes without a problem.

Then he checks the chimney, which seems clear as well.

So in he jumps, only to slide way too fast down it, landing on his back in their kitchen.

When he asks The Dumb Bunnies about it, they assure him they greased it so he would have a much easier trip down.

But when Santa tries to get up, he realizes he hurt his back.

Now it's up to The Dumb Bunnies to get the rest of Santa's Christmas packages delivered and they couldn't be happier about helping.

Even if it's a really bad idea...

Stars (voices by) Peter Wildman, Dwayne Hill, Catherine Gallant, Rob Smith, Dustin Lauzon, Tony Daniels, Norm Spencer

Directed by Chad Hicks and Eugene Linkov

Rated TVY
ANIMATION/FAMILY/COMEDY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

Dennis the Menace : The Christmas Story (1959)

Made for CBS, airing December 20th in the US.

Season 1. Episode 11.

The story:  Christmas is a big thing for Dennis. He loves snooping to make sure he is getting the gifts that he asks for.

This year is no different but Henry and Alice are on to him.

They always hide his gifts and he finds them. So they end up having to hide them again.

Dennis knows this routine all too well and looks everywhere he can think to find his gifts without luck.

That's because this year Henry and Alice have found the perfect hiding spot.

Stars Jay North, Gloria Henry, Billy Booth, Herbert Anderson,  Joseph Kearns, Robert B Williams, Sylvia Fields 

Directed by Don Taylor

Not Rated

B&W

FAMILY/COMEDY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

Gleason (2002)

Made for CBS, airing October 13th in the US.

Filmed entirely in Canada.

Based on truths. 

The story: Jackie Gleason had quite a traumatic childhood, but there was one thing that he daydreamed about, stand up comedy.

He seen a comedy show once with his dad and that audience and their laughter was the best thing in his world.

As a young man, he got his shot at comedy on the stage, in the spotlight.

Jackie didn't always get the laughs but he never let that stop him.

He went on to get a shot at a movie deal but when he wasn't allowed to be "funny", things didn't work out.

Just when he believed his world was falling apart he was asked to host a TV comedy show.

This was Jackie's way in, the right way.
Now Jackie was free to be funny how he knew to be, which landed him his very own comedy show, The Honeymooners...

Stars Jake Brockman, Paula Jean Hixon, Jack Langedijk, Brad Garrett, Gretchen Egolf, Mark Camacho, Saul Rubinek, Kristen Dalton, Danny Wells, Vlasta Vrana, Jason Blicker, Michael Chieffo, Shawn Lawrence, Kevin Dunn, Terry Farrell, Lisa Bronwyn Moore, Amy Sloan, Richard Jutras

Directed by Howard Deutch

Not Rated

BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY/DRAMA

Stuber (2019)

Released July 12th in the US.

Filmed in Georgia and California.

The story: Some months after his partner is shot, policeman Vic continues working on the case to take down her ruthless killer.

The day he gets an eye exam and cannot see for a limited time, he learns his daughter is having her first art show.

He cannot see so he cannot drive, so she sets him up with Uber.

Later that day, Vic is home napping when he is woke by a phone call telling him where the killer is going to be.

Vic quickly jumps in his car but doesn't get far and somehow calls Uber.

What the Uber driver doesn't know though is that Vic is going to keep him for as long as he needs. 

Stars Dave Bautista, Karen Gillian, Iko Uwais, Mira Sorvino, Natalie Morales, Kumail Nanjiani, Betty Gilpin, Jimmy Tatro, Steve Howey, Amin Joseph, Rene Moran, Christine Horn

Directed by Michael Dowse 

Rated R
ACTION/COMEDY

Apple & Onion : Christmas Spirit (2020)

Made for Cartoon Network, airing December 5th in the US.

Season 2. Episode 10.

The story: After Apple and Onion exchange Christmas lists with each other they wonder how they will come up with the cash to buy each other their gifts.

They agree they need a job so they quickly search the internet and find that the mall could use a mall Santa Claus.

When they get there, Chicken Nugget the security guard is also there and sees the ad for the mall Santa.

Now Chicken Nugget wants the job as well.

They all apply and because the mall only needs one Santa, the mall boss tells them that they can all play the role of mall Santa.

But the one who gets the most children to visit them will get paid.

Stars (voices by) Richard Ayoade, George Gendi

Directed by George Gendi

Not Rated

ANIMATION/FAMILY/COMEDY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

Heart of a Dog (2015)

Released March 1st in the US.
Filmed in New York.

The story: Laurie Anderson, poet and performance artist tells us many tales.

She speaks of dreams, her dream of her beloved terrier Lolabelle and her dream of her dying mother, her home in Manhattan, and life in Manhattan after 9/11.

Then, Laurie takes Lolabelle and travels to the mountains in California.

The two spend much time there, just enjoying themselves and relaxing in the beautiful wide open.

Returning to New York, she finds things are much more strange than when she left.

The government is everywhere and collecting data all the time.

Laurie speaks of who she was as a child and then goes into the aging of Lolabelle.

Lolabelle's trainer taught Laurie and her dog many things.

When aging Lolabelle lost her eyesight she was taught to paint, sculpt, and play music.

She played many live shows, charities for animals and even released a Christmas album.

This is Laurie's reflection on her loved ones who died and how she's learned to eventually deal with and feel about losing them.

Stars (voice) Laurie Anderson , Archie , Jason Berg , Heung Heung Chin , Bob Currie , Paul Davidson , Dustin Guy Defa , Etta , Evelyn Fleder , Willy Friedman , Gatto , Sasha Grossman 

Directed by (& story written) Laurie Anderson

Not Rated

BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY/DRAMA/FANTASY

"Every love story is a ghost story."

Richard Jewell (2019)

Released December 13th in the US.

Filmed entirely in Georgia.

Based on truths.

The story: In 1986, 31-year-old Richard Jewell was working a humdrum job but had aspirations to be a police officer.

He went on to become a security guard at a college but was let go for being too extreme.

In 1996 Richard found himself closer to his dream as a police officer as he was working security once again.

He always took his job very seriously and was always very respectful of the law and his fellow employees.

While working security at the Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, Georgia before the upcoming Summer Olympics, Richard found and reported a suspicious package to his fellow policemen.

Having to take any suspiciousness seriously, a bomb squad was called in to investigate.

Shortly after realizing the suspicious package was in fact a threat, many people were seriously injured.

Quickly Richard was considered an American hero for helping secure the area, saving many people's lives.

But after just three short days of public praise, the FBI, along with the media, decided they had reason to believe that Richard was not a real hero, but more of a nobody looking for attention.

Stars Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Kathy Bates, Ronnie Allen, Grant Roberts, Ian Gomez, Jon Hamm, Mike Pniewski, Olivia Wilde, Charles Green, Ryan Boz, Brandon Stanley, Nina Arianda

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Rated R
HISTORY/DRAMA

Sister Sister : Christmas (1995)

Made for the WB, airing December 13th in the US.
Season 3. Episode 12.

The story: Tia and Tamara have saved their money all year so they can buy really great gifts for everyone they love.

A few days before Christmas they are visited by Grandpa Jimmy.

When everyone is out for the day and Tia is the only one home, there's a knock at the door.

She opens it to find a loan shark, looking for Grandpa Jimmy.

Apparently, he owes him money. So Tia gives him her and Tamara's Christmas funds.

She is told the loan shark will return tomorrow for the rest of the dough and off to the mall Tia rushes to tell her mom.

Everyone knows about Grandpa Jimmy's money troubles but no one wants to ruin Christmas for Ray by telling him what's going on.

So when the loan shark returns and Grandpa Jimmy isn't home, Lisa ends up giving him the rest of the owed cash, which is her Christmas fund as well.

Stars Tia Mowry, Tamara Mowry, Jackee Harry, Tim Reid, Marques Houston, Steve Monroe, Sherman Helmsley, Tahj Mowry, David Strickland, Pat McCormick, Frank Sivero, Bianca Lawson

Directed by Gary Shimokawa

Rated TVG
FAMILY/COMEDY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

We Are the World : The Story Behind the Song (1985)

Made for TV, airing January 28th in the US.

Filmed entirely in California.

The story: On the evening of January 28, 1985, in Los Angeles, California at A&M Studios, a very special group of singers, songwriters and performers got together to record the "We Are the World" album.

The song was in an effort for the relief of hunger in Africa, lyrics were written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson, and the night arranged by artist/musician Bob Geldorf and Quincey Jones.

On this particular evening, the American Music Awards ceremony had taken place.

Many of the winners and performers from the evening rushed to A&M right after the awards and stayed on till the wee hours of the next day to come together and get the song arranged and recorded.

Stars Jane Fonda, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Quincey Jones, Bob Geldorf, Steve Perry, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Lindsey Buckingham, Paul Simon, Dan Ackroyd, Kenny Rogers, Harry Belafonte, James Ingram, Mario Cipollina, Tina Turner, Johnny Colla, Billy Joel, Sheila E, Diana Ross, Bill Gibson, Dionne Warwick, Chris Hayes, Willie Nelson, Sean Hopper, Al Jarreau, Jackie Jackson, Kenny Loggins, LaToya Jackson, Daryl Hall, Marlon Jackson, Huey Lewis, Randy Jackson, Kim Carnes, Tito Jackson, Bob Dylan, Waylon Jennings, Ray Charles, Bette Midler, John Oates, Jeffrey Osborne, Anita Pointer, June Pointer, Ruth Pointer, Smokey Robinson, Louis Johnson, Greg Phillinganes, John Robinson, Dan Hill,

Directed by Tom Trbovich

Not Rated

DOCUMENTARY/HISTORY/MUSIC

"Check your ego at the door."

THX 1138 (1971)

Released March 11th in the US.

Filmed in California. 

The story: In the future, the human population is controlled and suppressed by the government.

Humans are to follow strict rules, set in place by law which includes allowing their minds to be controlled by drugs and not falling out of the norm.

No one is to have their own identity and everyone is to live in unisex.

The government controls the humans' every movement and sees everything they do.

Male THX 1138 is the roommate of female LUH 3417. They are in love. But this is not allowed.

LUH 3417 advises THX 1138 that they must escape because their behavior will surely cause them more trouble than they want.

When they are caught, they are quickly , without explanation, separated, which is torture.

This causes THX 1138 to make it his ultimate mission to break free.

Stars Maggie McOmie, Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasence, Ian Wolfe, Marshall Efron, Sid Haig, Don Pedro Colley, John Pearce, Irene Cagen Gary Alan Marsh, John Seaton, Eugene I Stillman, Jack Walsh, Mark Lawhead, Robert Feero, Johnny Weissmuller Jr, Claudette Bessing , Susan Stroh

Directed by George Lucas (& story written)

Rated R
SCIFI/MYSTERY

Santa with Muscles (1996)

Released November 8th in the US.

Filmed entirely in California.

The story: Blake Thorne is the richest guy in town.

He is also very spoiled. He does whatever he wants whenever he wants.

While out joyriding with paintball guns, Blake and his crew attempt to outrun the cops.

Blake sees a sign for Santa Claus at the nearby Lakeville Mall and decides that's a good place to hide.

Wandering around, he finds a Santa costume and quickly changes into it.

When he is confronted by the cops looking for him he tricks them into believing he is the mall Santa, but not for long.

Next, he finds himself hiding in a garbage shoot and he almost gets away, until he is hit with some heavy trash and knocked out.

The next thing Blake knows, he is Santa  Claus, and all the kids at the mall just love him.

This gives him the encouragement to help those who are in need of having wishes fulfilled.

Stars Aria Noelle Curzon, Steve Valentine, Ed Begley Jr, Hulk Hogan, Don Stark, Robin Curtis, Garrett Morris, Adam Wylie, Mila Kunis, Jennifer Paz, Clint Howard, William Newman

Directed by John Murlowski

Rated PG
COMEDY/FAMILY/CHRISTMAS

G.I. Joe : A Real American Hero - Cobra Claws Are Coming to Town (1985)

Made for TV, airing November 7th in the US.
Season 1. Episode 39.
The story: Today was a good day as Duke, Cover Girl and Shipwreck collected their most Christmas toys for the children's hospital yet.
On their way back to base they are attacked by a Cobra Rattler, Wild Weasel.
To hide for cover they duck into an area where there are rock piles.
Little do they realize though, them ducking into that area was all in the Cobra Team's plan to plant a trojan rocking horse unsuspectedly into their heap of toys.
Stars (voices by) Jackson Beck, Libby Aubrey, Michael Bell, Arthur Burghardt, Christopher Collins, Pat Fraley, Zack Hoffman, Kene Holiday, Morgan Lofting, Bill Morey, Rob Paulsen Neil Ross, Frank Welker 
Directed by John Gibbs & Terry Lennon
Rated TVY
ANIMATION/FAMILY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

Very Annie Mary (2001)

Released March 29, 2002, in the US.

Filmed entirely in Wales.

The story: Awkward Annie Mary is a 33-year-old woman living with her father in their bakery.

Annie Mary has the gift of song , which she could have gone to school on a scholarship for when she was 16 , but was unable to due to her mom dying.

Now Annie Mary doesn't sing anymore.

She has a 16-year-old best friend Bethan who is very ill.

Everyone believes it would be great for Bethan to go to Disneyland and the village does everything they can think of to raise money for her trip.

When some people from the village along with Annie Mary enter a talent contest for which the award is one thousand pounds, they win.

But Annie Mary accidentally loses all the money on the Grand National.

Stars Rachel Griffiths, Jonathan Pryce, Joanna Page, Ruth Madoc, Ioan Gruffudd, Matthew Rhys, Kenneth Griffith, Radcliffe Grafton, Jill Richards, Josh Richards, Rhys Michael Thomas

Directed by (& story written) Sara Sugarman

Not Rated

DRAMA/COMEDY

"What do you think about a woman having children after 30?"

"No! Christ! One is enough!"

In the Mirror of Maya Deren AKA Im Spiegel der Maya Deren (2001)

Released January 23, 2003, in the US.

Filmed in New York and Haiti.

The story: Quite the privileged upbringing, Eleonora Derenkowska was born in 1917 Russia to very well educated parents.

By 1922, her family had relocated to New York.

Growing up in Syracuse, Eleonora attended prep school in Switzerland.

She became very active in Social Activism in the late 30s and achieved academic degrees in English from New York University and Smith College.

In 1942 she met her husband "Sasha" Hammid who changed her name to Maya, which had many great meanings that suited her.

The couple worked on many projects together.

Lover of so many things, Maya had many interests that she expressed through the innovative art of poetry, dance, song, photography, writing, music, and film making.

In her later years, Maya became fascinated with Haitian culture.

She learned about it, wrote about it, practiced many of their traditions, and lived by them.

She also made movies about it.

Later still,  Maya met and quickly married a dancer friends' son who was 18 years her junior.

The two were together, creating many projects until complications which caused many stresses for the couple.

By October of 1961, at the age of 44, those stresses seemed to be what caused Maya's ultimate demise from a brain hemorrhage.

Stars Alexander "Sasha" Hammid , Miriam Asham , (voice) Maya Deren , Stan Brakhage , Chao Li Chi , Rita Christiani , Katherine Dunham , Graeme Ferguson , Judith Malina , Jonas Mekas

Directed by (& story written) Martina Kudlacek

Not Rated

BIOGRAPHY/DOCUMENTARY/HISTORY

"In film, I can make the world dance."

Crossing Delancey (1988)

Released September 16th in the US.
Filmed in New York and New Jersey.
The story: Isabelle is a 30-something who lives a quiet life and works at a book store.
Her Bubbie would like to see her meet a nice man, be happy and get married, but Isabelle isn't interested.
Well, at least that's what she tells her Bubbie.
The next thing Isabelle knows Bubbie's friend, the local matchmaker has set up a meeting for Isabelle and a nice Jewish guy her age.
She isn't interested and is very rude to him but later he tries to woo her.
The more Isabelle tries to distance herself from liking the guy, the more she finds she actually does like him.
Stars Amy Irving , Reizi Bozyk , Sylvia Miles , Jeroen Krabbe , Peter Reigert , George Martin , John Bedford Lloyd , Claudia Silver , David Hyde Pierce , Rosemary Harris , Suzzy Roche , Amy Wright , Faye Grant , Deborah Offner , Kathleen Wilhoite
Directed by Joan Micklin Silver
Rated PG
DRAMA/COMEDY