News for
A Christmas Story (1983) More at IMDbPro »

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2003

1-20 of 37 articles from 2009   « Prev | Next »

---

Culture Warrior: Towards a More Thanksgiving-Friendly Cinema

26 November 2009 12:35 AM, PST | FilmSchoolRejects.com | See recent FilmSchoolRejects news »

I don’t know about your family, but in mine Thanksgiving is viewed largely as a warm-up drill for the Christmas season, a Christmas prequel if you will. At Thanksgiving I see, for the most part, the same extended family I end up seeing at Christmas, but for a far shorter duration of time. Whatever conversation I don’t have time to catch up on with my family over Thanksgiving I promise to continue over Christmas. Thanksgiving is when Christmas decorations are put up, when holiday shopping begins in full force, and when Christmas wish-lists are collected. Thanksgiving used to be the time when the first Christmas-themed movies of the year were released, but now movies like A Christmas Carol are released the first weekend in November in hopes of capitalizing over two months of manufactured Christmas spirit. Department stores and retail outlets have begun moving in unison with the trends of Christmas-themed Hollywood fare, putting »

- Landon Palmer

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Indie Roundup: 'Sweetgrass,' 'Clarkworld,' 'Broken Embraces'

25 November 2009 4:02 PM, PST | Cinematical | See recent Cinematical news »

Indie Roundup gathers a selection of indie film news from the past seven days and offers a peek ahead to what's coming.

Deal. Do not despair that the first month of the new year will be filled solely with the expansion of award contenders. Distribution rights in the Us for Sweetgrass have been acquired by The Cinema Guild, according to indieWIRE, and the documentary will open at Film Forum in Manhattan on January 6, followed by a rollout across the country.

Directed by Ilisa Barbasch and Lucien Castaing-Taylor, Sweetgrass "follows the last sheepherders to trail their flocks up into Montana's Beartooth mountains for summer pasture," per its official synopsis. After debuting at the Berlin Film Festival last year, the doc played the festival circuit quite successfully, picking up positive critical notices. Check out the splendid trailer in all its quiet, chud-chewing glory after the jump.

Online / On-Demand Viewing. Debuting on demand next Sunday, »

- Peter Martin

Permalink | Report a problem

---

What Are Your Favorite Holiday TV Classics?

23 November 2009 11:15 AM, PST | TVGuide - Breaking News | See recent TVGuide - Breaking News news »

Thanksgiving is upon us, and that means two things: lots of turkey and plenty of TV programming to get you in the mood for the holidays.

This year's lineup offers new programs like Prep & Landing (Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 8:30/7:30c, ABC), but if you're anything like us, you look forward to re-watching such classics as Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, It's a Wonderful Life and How the Grinch Stole Christmas this time of year.

So we want to know: What are your holiday TV favorites?

Whether Frosty the Snowman warms your heart, or if you prefer to laugh along with movies like Home Alone, A Christmas Story and Bad Santa, share your picks and reasons why after the jump...

Read More > »

- TV Guide News

Permalink | Report a problem

---

[DVD Review] Christmas Story

22 November 2009 6:34 PM, PST | JustPressPlay.net | See recent JustPressPlay news »

It’s been a long, long time since I’ve seen a movie with as much heart and as little brain as Christmas Story. No, this isn’t Another special edition of Bob Clark’s A Christmas Story, it’s a Finnish film called Joulutarina, and in a dumb, sappy way, it makes me want to cheer. Nothing I’ve watched in the past year has had the balls to pull some of the heartstring cords this sucker does without a second’s hesitation. Angelic glows illuminate characters being hit with glossy Finnish winter sunlight through frost-baked windowpanes. It’s all very cinematic, and as much as the lover of overt “Do it in the most movie-centric way possible,” but the realist in me—not the frostbitten cynic—just can’t accept the sheer… Public Broadcastingness of it.

There was a moment when I put the DVD in and looked at the menus, »

- Saul Berenbaum

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Review: 'A Christmas Story' at Tennessee Repertory Theatre

22 November 2009 9:42 AM, PST | BroadwayWorld.com | See recent BroadwayWorld.com news »

Tennessee Rep's A Christmas Story may be as good as it gets this holiday season. Wrapped up in a spectacularly designed package by Gary Hoff and featuring the cleverly imaginative direction of Rene Dunshee Copeland, it's the one Christmas gift you owe yourself this year. And it's a surefire way to lift your spirits and make you forget all the bad news that inundates your everyday life. »

Permalink | Report a problem

---

The perfect Christmas movie marathon? Dirty Dancing

22 November 2009 8:29 AM, PST | AOL - TVSquad | See recent AOL - TVSquad news »

One of the stranger quirks of the holidays on television is the way networks and channels program. Movie marathons have become very common, especially TBS's tradition of 24-hours of A Christmas Story. Now, another network is following in TBS's tradition by scheduling a movie marathon of its own. The TV Guide Network will present a 12-hour marathon of Dirty Dancing. That's right, the Patrick Swayze-Jennifer Grey drama musical.

Look at this beautiful image from the movie. That's Johnny and Baby in the lake, practicing jumps for their big dance number. Doesn't it just scream "Christmas" to you?

Continue reading The perfect Christmas movie marathon? Dirty Dancing

 

Filed under: Programming, OpEd, Celebrities, Reality-Free

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

»

- Allison Waldman

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Boos! & Whoop-doos!: An Evil Bunny Trash Town Called Liquor!

18 November 2009 9:26 AM, PST | MovieWeb | See recent MovieWeb news »

True cult status? Whoop-doo!

Both Internet pundits and blog critics alike are quick to bitch about the cliched nature of our current cinematic landscape. While they scream in bold words of disgust, they can't help but fall into a similar trap themselves. They're just as guilty of sipping from this dried well as the rest of our so-called "film community". How often do you read a review that screams, "Instant classic!" Or, "Modern day masterpiece!" How about, "A Triumph!" Then there's, "A true crowd pleaser!" "A thrill ride!" "The funniest comedy of the summer!" And, "Does for (insert blank) what Jaws did for swimming!" The list goes on and on. When it comes right down to it, there's not much new you can say in terms of film theory and structure. When all of our movies are repeats, reboots, and sequels, you have to guess that most critical movements in »

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Upgrade Your Warner DVDs to Blu-ray for as Low as $7.95

17 November 2009 11:02 AM, PST | Rope of Silicon | See recent Rope Of Silicon news »

Warner Home Video just announced a new program where you can upgrade several of your DVD titles to Blu-ray for as low as $7.95, and right now the price doesn't go any higher than $9.95. This is a similar program to the Red2Blu offer they made allowing customers to upgrade their HD DVD titles to Blu-ray, a program I actually took advantage of and loved it as a result.

The process to upgrade is simple. Consumers select the titles they want to upgrade on DVD2Blu.com, mail in their standard DVDs with pre-paid postage and a short time later receive copies of the same film on Blu-ray Disc. Consumers who place orders over $25 will receive free shipping. For a complete list of titles visit DVD2Blu.com, but I have included the most recent list of titles and prices directly below. 10,000 B.C. ($9.95) Rush Hour 3 ($9.95) Full Metal Jacket ($9.95) Pan's »

- Brad Brevet

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Warner Bros. Launches DVD to Blu-ray Upgrade Program

17 November 2009 10:57 AM, PST | Collider.com | See recent Collider.com news »

Warner Bros. has announced a DVD to Blu-ray upgrade program.  While the list doesn’t include all their titles, it’s at least a start.  According to WB, the process to upgrade is simple.  Consumers select the titles they want to upgrade on DVD2Blu.com, mail in their standard DVDs with pre-paid postage and a short time later receive copies of the same film on Blu-ray Disc.  If you mail in one DVD, it’s $7.95 plus shipping.  If you order more than $25, you’ll receive free shipping.

While some people haven’t been converted to Blu-ray, I’m all in.  I think the picture quality is amazing on Blu-ray and I definitely see a difference between DVD and the HD format.  All I can say is, if you have an 1080p TV, the format is absolutely worth the investment.  For a complete list of what WB is willing to »

- Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Warner Home Video Launches DVD 2 Blu

17 November 2009 7:29 AM, PST | MovieWeb | See recent MovieWeb news »

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group today launched DVD2Blu.com, a site that allows consumers to upgrade the movies they already own on DVD to Blu-Ray Disc, the absolute best way to watch movies at home. Consumers can select from over 50 of Warner Home Video's most sought-after titles to upgrade including Body of Lies, A Christmas Story and Michael Clayton.

"DVD2Blu is a great way for consumers to start or expand their Blu-ray Disc collection," said Dorinda Marticorena, senior vice president, Worldwide Marketing and High Definition, Warner Home Video. "We're launching the program with a wide range of titles that will appeal to a broad audience. In the coming months, we're looking to expand the program and make additional titles available."

The DVD2Blu program debuts at a time when consumers are rapidly adopting Blu-ray Disc. According to figures compiled by the Digital Entertainment Group through the first »

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Ticket Sales Skyrocket for Kc Rep's A Christmas Story: The Musical

12 November 2009 5:42 PM, PST | BroadwayWorld.com | See recent BroadwayWorld.com news »

More than a week out from its first preview, ticket sales for A Christmas Story, The Musical! have far surpassed Kansas City Rep's expectations, putting the show on track to be the theatre's highest grossing production ever. One third of the show's performances are already sold out, with more expected, and the Rep is in the process of adding performances to the run. »

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Hallmark Offering Really Nerdy Christmas Tree Ornaments

10 November 2009 9:02 AM, PST | Cinematical | See recent Cinematical news »

Well, it's that time of the year again -- time to wait until the very last minute to buy presents for your loved ones in order to solidify the fact that you'll be waiting on insanely long lines next to people who don't shower and like to scream at their misbehaving kids about once every 10 seconds. Or at least that's what I'll be doing this year. One thing I always look forward to, though, is heading out on a cold winter's night to purchase a way-too-expensive Christmas tree for my living room ... and then decorating it while consuming some nice tasty beverages that may or may not be of the alcoholic variety.

But when you're a movie geek like me, you want to decorate that tree with tons of really random movie references so that your family can come over and be all like, "Um, is that the car from Ghostbusters hanging on your tree? »

- Erik Davis

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Holiday Preview: Anywhere But a Movie Theater

4 November 2009 11:14 AM, PST | ifc.com | See recent IFC news »

More Holiday Preview: [Theatrical Calendar]

[Repertory Calendar] [Anywhere But a Movie Theater]

On Demand

IFC Films (with whom, full disclosure, we obviously share a parent company) will be delivering new films all holiday season to homes across the country through their Festival Direct and Sundance Selects labels. These include the cross-cultural romantic dramedy "I'll Come Running" (Nov. 4), Josiane Balasko's farce "A French Gigolo" (Nov. 6), the Inuit tribal drama "Necessities of Life" (Nov. 11), the Brit crime thriller "Adulthood" (Nov. 18), the Indian love story "Return to Rajapur" (Nov. 25), the Christopher Masterson-Bijou Phillips celibacy satire "Made for Each Other" (Dec. 2), "Harry Potter" helmer David Yates' gritty two-part drama "Sex Traffic" (Dec. 2 and 9), the Korean comedy "Night and Day" (Dec. 23) and "The Ghost" (Dec. 30).

Meanwhile, in the newly launched Sundance Selects series, there's a pair of harrowing documentaries VOD premieres: Kief Davidson's coming-of-age boxing doc "Kassim the Dream" (Nov. 27) and the unvarnished biopic "Nick Nolte: No Exit" (Dec. »

- Stephen Saito

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Back Catalogue #4: Vci Entertainment

26 October 2009 4:34 AM, PDT | Fangoria | See recent Fangoria news »

One of the real joys of Back Catalogue is getting to sift through movies I actually want to watch instead of whatever happens across my desk. This look at the older titles available through Vci Entertainment offered a little bit of everything. Mario Bava, made for TV fare, cult classics, exploitation and even documentary. Needless to say this was quite a viewing party.

Kiss Of The Tarantula was a definite first into the DVD player for me as I loves me some campy spider action. The film follows the mold of other movies like Willard, and Stanley, leaving out the supernatural element. Poor misunderstood, constantly picked on Susan isn't able to control spiders, she just raises them in the family mortuary. And when the locals (and her lecherous uncle) get a little too aggressive poor Susan pops a few of her eight legged friends in for visit.

Death by spider »

- no-reply@fangoria.com (David Canfield)

Permalink | Report a problem

---

What are Your Favorite Winter Holiday Themed Movies?

26 October 2009 2:39 AM, PDT | Rope of Silicon | See recent Rope Of Silicon news »

I wasn't quite sure how to properly word the headline for this post considering I want to make sure you understand I am talking about the season pretty much running from Thanksgiving to Christmas, but I also want to make sure you know the film itself doesn't have to necessarily be about the holidays.

Take Die Hard for instance, it's set during Christmas time, but it isn't a Christmas film. However, it fits in with what I am looking for here. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, Eyes Wide Shut, Fanny and Alexander, Batman Returns, Gremlins, The Thin Man and When Harry Met Sally are other examples. Hell, I would even say Rocky IV and Lethal Weapon count. As a matter of fact, I would say the non-Christmas, Christmas movies are the more interesting additions. How about The Shining or even Psycho?

Then, of course, I personally love films such as Love, »

- Brad Brevet

Permalink | Report a problem

---

This Week In DVD: October 13th

13 October 2009 11:56 AM, PDT | FilmSchoolRejects.com | See recent FilmSchoolRejects news »

Rob Hunter loves movies.  He also loves working as a delivery driver for Planet Express. These two joys come together in the form of cash money payments that he receives every week and immediately uses to buy more DVDs.  So join us each week as he takes a look at new DVD releases and gives his highly unqualified opinion as to which titles are worth BUYing, which are better off as RENTals, and which should be AVOIDed at all costs. Click on any of the titles below to magically head over to Amazon.com and pick up the DVD.  And don't forget to check out Neil Miller's hilariously titled This Week In Blu-ray column for reviews on the latest high definition Blu-ray releases! Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas Pitch: Jim Henson does Gift of the Magi... Why Buy? I know it's only October, but this is a Christmas classic up there with the animated How the Grinch Stole Christmas and »

- Rob Hunter

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Universal's Weekend in the Sun with Couples Retreat

12 October 2009 11:52 AM, PDT | Vanity Fair | See recent Vanity Fair news »

After a tough year at the box office, Universal has finally caught a break, raking in a weekend-topping $35.3 million with Couples Retreat despite dismal reviews. Here’s their winning formula: take one (1) mediocre Vince Vaughn comedy; secure positive coverage by organizing extravagant press junkets to Bora Bora; have your movie be the only one to open nationwide that weekend. Indeed, the film’s success has little to do with the film itself, a generic ensemble comedy about four couples splashing around in French Polynesia. The movie seemed destined to fail from the outset—to believe Nikki Finke, the project’s raison d’être was as an excuse for Vaughn, who produced and co-wrote, to hang out in paradise with his buddies: he shared acting and writing duties with Jon Favreau and let his other pal, Peter Billingsley, attempt to outgrow his image as Ralphie from A Christmas Story by trying his hand at directing. »

Permalink | Report a problem

---

DVD Review – Trick ‘R Treat

11 October 2009 8:01 PM, PDT | Atomic Popcorn | See recent Atomic Popcorn news »

Every so often, good word of mouth can save a film from oblivion — which was undoubtedly the direction Michael Dougherty’s Trick ‘R Treat was headed, pushed into distribution limbo for two entire years. The downside of this tactic is that a hype machine can be built that quickly grows out of control.

People have called Trick ‘R Treat the best Halloween film since, well, Halloween. Did it live up to the hype for me?

Yes, it absolutely did.

Not for the reasons I expected, either, which was part of the surprise of the film — this is a film about constant surprises, and rabbits being pulled out of hats at every corner.

When I heard the praise, I immediately thought the film would be scary. And while it does have some good scares strewn about, it’s much more fun than scary. Dougherty celebrates the holiday in a way that »

- John Cooper

Permalink | Report a problem

---

'Couples Retreat' Wins & 'Paranormal Activity' Cracks The Top Five In The Saturday Box Office Report

10 October 2009 12:18 PM, PDT | MTV Movies Blog | See recent MTV Movies Blog news »

1. "Couples Retreat" ($12.3 million)

2. "Zombieland" ($4.75 million)

3. "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" ($3.1 million)

4. "Toy Story" & "Toy Story 2" (3-D Double Feature) ($2.54 million)

5. "Paranormal Activity" ($2 million)

The cheese stands alone as the Vince Vaughn-starring "Couples Retreat," the weekend's only new wide release, debuted on Friday in an expected first place finish at the box office. "Couples Retreat" marks the directorial debut of Peter Billingsley, who is most famous for his childhood portrayal of Ralphie in the classic "A Christmas Story" — apparently, Billingsley didn't shoot his eye out, because his directorial vision resulted in an $11.5 million Friday opening according to the numbers from Deadline Hollywood Daily.

Still, "Couples Retreat" will have to fight to maintain this top spot in the weeks to come, thanks to poor word of mouth on the film. The reviews have been mediocre at best despite the all-star comedy team of Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau and more. »

- Josh Wigler

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Review: ‘Couples Retreat’

9 October 2009 9:15 AM, PDT | The Flickcast | See recent The Flickcast news »

Looking for some highbrow comedy? Keep on looking. If you loved the trailer for this movie, go watch it again. There, now you know the entire plot and you have seen all the funny parts of the film. I  just saved you an hour and 47 minutes and at least ten bucks. You’re welcome.

It’s not that this is a terrible film, it just doesn’t bring anything new to the table. Couple’s Retreat tries to be the rom-com version of  The Hangover, and fails. The laughs are there, but they are anemic at best and spread too thin over a far too long running time.

Jason (Jason Bateman) and Cynthia (Kristen Bell) are a tightly wound yuppie couple who pull their friends aside at a child’s birthday party and ask them to attend a quick presentation. Believing that they are going to see another power point presentation about testicular cancer prevention, »

- Shannon Hood

Permalink | Report a problem

---

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2003

1-20 of 37 articles from 2009   « Prev | Next »

---