kevin_robbins

I recently rewatched Four Christmases (2008) on MAX. The story follows a city couple who are perfectly content with their relationship as it is. Planning to spend the holiday on vacation, their plans go awry when they are caught on the news, exposing their lie about why they can't visit their families for Christmas. Feeling guilty, they decide to visit each of their parents' homes-leading to unexpected challenges that may push their relationship to its breaking point.

Directed by Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses), the film boasts an impressive cast, including Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line), Vince Vaughn (Wedding Crashers), Robert Duvall (The Godfather), Jon Voight (Anaconda), Tim McGraw (The Blind Side), and Sissy Spacek (Carrie).

The cast is brilliantly assembled, with standout performances at every turn. Each household features jaw-dropping character portrayals, and Jon Favreau (Iron Man) steals the show as Vince Vaughn's hilariously aggressive brother who constantly puts him in wrestling moves. The family dynamics are well-established and relatable, capturing the anxiety and chaos of holiday gatherings. The storyline is well-written, with clever full-circle moments that tie everything together nicely.

In conclusion, Four Christmases is a unique and well-crafted Christmas comedy that's worth your time. I'd give it a 7/10 and recommend watching it at least once.

My wife and I recently watched The Family Stone (2005) on Prime. The storyline follows a conservative woman visiting her boyfriend's family home for the holidays. She struggles to connect with their more free-spirited approach to life, leading to tension between her, the family, and her boyfriend. In an effort to ease the situation, she invites her sister to join her for the holidays, which only triggers a new series of mishaps.

This film is written and directed by Thomas Bezucha (Let Him Go) and stars Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City), Dermot Mulroney (My Best Friend's Wedding), Claire Danes (Romeo + Juliet), Rachel McAdams (The Notebook), Luke Wilson (Old School), and Diane Keaton (Something's Gotta Give).

The movie excels in its exploration of family dynamics, with plenty of entertaining and heartfelt moments. While some subplots work better than others-such as the sister's arrival feeling unnecessary and the bar sequence with her high school boyfriend coming off as a bit over-the-top-the overall story remains engaging. Diane Keaton and Rachel McAdams deliver standout performances, while Sarah Jessica Parker's portrayal is solid but not her best. Luke Wilson's character feels a bit hard to take seriously at times, but his charm still adds to the film's appeal.

Ultimately, The Family Stone is an imperfect but enjoyable holiday film with a fulfilling ending. I'd rate it a 7.5-8/10 and strongly recommend it as a heartfelt family holiday movie.

I recently watched The Tooth Fairy (2019) on Tubi. The storyline follows a doctor who buys a house to write a book. His girlfriend and her daughter visit to see his new home, but both parents repeatedly clash with the locals. Meanwhile, an old barn behind the house is rumored to be the former residence of a witch who collects teeth to steal souls, and the young girl may be her next target. Will the locals' interference distract the parents long enough for the witch to succeed?

This film is directed by Chuck Bowman (Spring Fling) and stars Lochlyn Munro (Scary Movie), Chandra West (White Noise), Steve Bacic (X2: X-Men United), and Nicole Muñoz (Fantastic Four).

The writing for this movie is poorly done and lacks cohesion, leading to a muddled and frustrating story. The dialogue and acting are inconsistent, with some moments feeling inauthentic and others outright clumsy. While the horror elements had some potential, including decent atmosphere in certain scenes and a passable witch design, the execution falls short. The horror sequences lack intensity and fail to deliver anything memorable.

The film's conclusion is predictable, and by the time it arrives, you'll likely just be relieved it's over.

In conclusion, The Tooth Fairy struggles to craft or execute a compelling storyline. I'd score this a 2/10 and recommend skipping it.