Category: Christmas

MERRY LITTLE BATMAN (2023)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 9, 2024

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1 Hour, 32 Min.

Released on Amazon Instant Video in December 2023, Mike Roth directed and co-wrote this original Warner Discovery animated film. Roth’s co-writers are Morgan Evans and Jase Ricci.

It is Christmas Eve in Gotham City. At Wayne Manor, the precocious Damian is ecstatic that his billionaire father, Bruce Wayne (aka a semi-retired Batman), has gifted him an early Christmas treasure: his first utility belt. Unexpectedly called away on an emergency rescue to the North Pole, Batman must first discipline his overzealous little boy and take away his prized new belt. Yet, some ominous sabotage later ensures that the Dark Knight is left stranded far from Gotham.

Having lured butler Alfred away, Damian intends to go on his first patrol as the future Batman. Yet, two conniving burglars choose to home-invade a suddenly vulnerable Wayne Manor in search of a treasure trove of loot. Having swiped his utility belt, the thugs barely escape Damian’s Home Alone-like wrath. Vengefully pursuing his enemies deep into Gotham City, a Bat-disguised Damian finds that he has unwittingly becomes a pawn of his father’s worst enemies.

With the clock ticking towards Christmas morning, Gotham is besieged by Damian’s inadvertent rampage. Worse yet, by ending up right where the bad guys want him, Damian is in for the fight of his life. Can even Damian’s legendary dad save him, not to mention Gotham’s Christmas, in time?

Primary Voice Cast:

Damian Wayne: Yonas Kibreab

Bruce Wayne/Batman: Luke Wilson

Alfred Pennyworth: James Cromwell

The Joker: David Hornsby

The Penguin: Brian George

Poison Ivy / Hostage / Citizen: Therese McLaughlin

Mr. Freeze: Dolph Adomian

Vicki Vale: Cynthia Kaye McWilliams

Bane: Chris Sullivan

Commissioner James Gordon: Reid Scott

Himself: DC Comics’ Carmine Infantino (archival voice footage)

Terry the Thief: Michael Fielding

Francine the Thief: Natalie Palamides

Department Store Santa / Scarecrow / Crazy Guy: Fred Tatasciore.

REVIEW:

One can presume that the scriptwriters lifted ideas from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, A Christmas Story, and Home Alone in this homage to family-friendly Christmas movies. Still, even a little Gotham holiday cheer goes a long way.

The storyline might have delighted more as a seven-minute short or a 22-minute animated TV episode (a full 45-minute diversion ought to have been the limit). There are still cute moments and consistently stellar backdrop imagery, but such assets can’t hide an exceedingly eye-rolling Bat-caper. However, Damian’s ridiculous crusade (more in line with Teen Titans Go!) is extended too far to make for a watchable feature film outside its intended kiddie audience.

More so, while the voice cast is on its game, their characters are crudely drawn more as parodies. Case in point: James Cromwell’s Alfred is so grotesquely depicted that it looks like he just stepped out of a “Far Side” comic strip. While parody and homage can be cleverly and even hilariously intertwined (i.e. Looney Tunes) by animation, nothing is gained the way Merry Little Batman’s characters are so disproportionately drawn. Had the animation style more closely resembled Batman: The Animated Series, the story’s charm would not have been lost.

Meant to be ultimately heartwarming, Merry Little Batman falls short of an instant holiday viewing tradition.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars

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Christmas DVD Movies & Television (Videos)

A CHRISTMAS STORY CHRISTMAS (2022)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 4, 2024

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1 Hour, 42 Min.

Multiple straight-to-DVD sequels have attempted to cash in 1983’s A Christmas Story, but none had actually featured central cast members from the original film. In 2022, after nearly forty years, star Peter Billingsley returned to the lead role of Ralphie Parker, in addition to co-writing and co-producing this legacy sequel.

Directed by Clay Kaytis (with Vince Vaughn among its other co-producers), A Christmas Story Christmas features virtually all of the original film’s surviving cast members. A notable exception was the retired Melinda Dillon (as Mrs. Parker), who subsequently passed away a few months after the sequel’s release.

Again inspired by writer Jean Shepherd’s material, the Christmas Story storyline shifts to December 1973, where 42-year-old Ralphie Parker (Billingsley) and his young family live in Chicago. Having taken a year off from his unspecified job to seek publication of his epic science fiction debut novel, Ralphie is consoled by his wife, Sandy (Hayes), after multiple rejections.

Greater heartbreak occurs when his mother (Hagerty) calls to let Ralphie’s family know of Grandpa Parker’s sudden passing. Already planning to return to Hohman, Indiana, for the holidays, Ralphie, Sandy, and their two young children: Mark and Julie (Drosche and Layne), focus on consoling Grandma Parker.

Assigned two holiday challenges by his mother, Ralphie agrees to pen his father’s obituary and assume the trusted mantle as the Parker Family’s Christmas festivities organizer. Procrastinating as much as he can, a depressed Ralphie finds that some things don’t change in Hohman — including a new generation of the Parkers feuding with the neighboring Farkus clan. With accidental mishaps befalling his family’s vacation, Ralphie seeks solace at a local pub with his childhood pals, Flick (Schwartz) and Schwartz (Robb).

Following a fateful incident coming home from Higbee’s Department Store, Ralphie and Sandy’s hopes to salvage their family’s holiday are seemingly dashed. Yet, could a few unexpected twists of fate alter Ralphie’s destiny as the new patriarch of the Parker Family?

Ralph “Ralphie” Parker: Peter Billingsley

Sandy Parker: Erinn Hayes

Mrs. Parker: Julie Hagerty

Julie Parker (child): Julianna Layne

Mark Parker (child): River Drosche

Flick: Scott Schwartz

Schwartz: R. D. Robb

Scut Farkas: Zack Ward

Randy Parker: Ian Petrella

Publisher: Ian Porter

Grover Dill: Yano Anaya

Ike: Derek Morse

Delbert Farkas: Davis Murphy

Larry Novak: Henry Miller

Joe: Mark Arnold

Julie Parker (teenager-adult: fantasy sequence): Tegan Grace Muggeridge

Mark Parker (teenager-adult: fantasy sequence): Billy Brayshaw

Pulitzer Emcee (fantasy sequence): Sam Parks

Pulitzer TV Announcer (fantasy sequence): Ben Diskin

Higbee’s Santa: David Gillespie

Higbee’s Elves: Lauren Morat, J.R. Esposito, & Nicole Gulimanova

Mrs. Wisniewski: Mariana Ivanova Stanisheva

Tree Lot Employees: Norman Murray & Nathan Cooper

Narrator: Joseph Al Ahmad

Black Bart (fantasy sequence): Nicholas Colicos

Bar Customers: Krassimir Manov, Marina Terziyska, Racho Makaveev; & Ludmil Kehayov

Bullies: Cailean Galloway & Alistair Galloway

Carolers: Julie Yammanee, Benjamin Noble, Owen Davis, Rosa O’Reilly, & Michael Flemming

Higbee’s Customers: Uncredited Extras

Higbee’s Restaurant Customers: Uncredited Extras

Note: This title is also currently available for streaming.

REVIEW:

In homage to the original film’s nostalgia without exploiting it, A Christmas Story Christmas mostly delivers a cute holiday treat. Aside from its last plot twists coming off as far too convenient, the poignant storyline is well-played for all ages. Director Clay Kaytis and his appealing cast, to their credit, effectively hide the script’s occasional clunkiness with a PG-friendly caper of how Ralphie Parker matures into a variation of Vacation’s ‘Clark Griswold.’

In particular, Peter Billingsley, Erinn Hayes, and his old castmates, Scott Schwartz & R.D. Robb, present enjoyable performances keeping the film grounded while still delighting audiences. The same applies to veteran actress Julie Hagerty as the replacement ‘Mrs. Parker,’ along with fresh support from child actors Julianna Layne and River Drosche. One shouldn’t exclude Zack Ward’s return as ‘Scut Farkas,’ either – his welcome cameo makes a nice boost to the story, as compared to what little Ian Petrella’s ‘Randy’ is given to do.

Even if this film isn’t a flawless holiday classic, A Christmas Story Christmas has its heart in the right place from start to finish. For this asset alone, it’s definitely worth getting acquainted with an adult Ralphie Parker and his family.

BONUS FEATURES:

The audio options are Dolby Digital; English 5.1; English Descriptive Audio; French; & Spanish. Subtitles are available in English SDH; French; and Spanish.

PACKAGING:

The bare-bones DVD is secure in the casing. The contents at least are as advertised.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

Christmas Decorations Movies & Television (Videos) Plushies Toys & Games

SANTA GRINCH & MAX (PLUSHIE TWO-PACK)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 24, 2020

SUMMARY:

Released in late 2018 by The Manhattan Toy Company as merchandise tying into The Grinch animated film is this holiday dynamic duo. At 1.5 feet tall (to the tip of his Santa hat), the Grinch is accompanied by a 7-inch Max (to the tip of his single yellow felt antler). The Santa Grinch is made of polyester fiber with polyethylene pellets inside while the attached Max is also made from polyester fiber.

REVIEW:

With both sporting excellent likenesses, this two-for-one plushie is mostly all good. Grinch’s Santa hat and Max’s red ribbon-tied antler add an extra classy touch. Unlike the Santa Grinch’s stitched grin, Max is curiously missing a mouth. One would have to peer closely to even see Max’s stitched smile, as it blends far too much into his brown ‘fur.’ Perhaps this adorable duo’s best element is how the Grinch’s arm is lovingly wrapped around his faithful pooch. As a light-hearted yuletide treat for Grinch fans, this pairing make for a fun Christmas decoration.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

Books & Novels Children's Books Christmas

SANTA IS COMING TO IDAHO

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 19, 2020

Written by Steven Smallman and Illustrations by Robert Dunn & Jim Mitchell

SUMMARY:

Published in 2013 by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, this hardcover book tracks Santa’s calamity-filled journey to Idaho. Santa Claus and his reindeer are trekking off to Idaho on Christmas Eve only to get lost in a blizzard after crossing the Canadian border. They further stumble through a minor crash landing. Santa’s Santa-nav (his version of GPS) is not proving very helpful. Fortunately, Santa’s unnamed, inexperienced, and youngest reindeer out on his first Christmas Eve run demonstrates a keen sense of intuition. Ultimately, Santa and his reindeer team must use their ingenuity in delivering toys to everyone all over Idaho.

REVIEW:

At just under thirty pages, it could be construed that Santa’s visit to the Gem State is really just the author name-dropping various Idaho towns and landmarks. Even if Santa follows a zig-zag path, at least the author keeps his geography correct. Instead of relying on clichés, Steven Smallman nicely demonstrates Santa’s traditional habits with some sprinklings of well-timed humor. The author’s text is also well-matched by the magic of Robert Dunn & Jim Mitchell’s affectionate illustrations. Delightfully, this book is a real gem for children.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

Books & Novels Children's Books Christmas

CHARLIE THE RANCH DOG: CHARLIE AND THE CHRISTMAS KITTY

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 19, 2020

Written by Ree Drummond & Illustrated by Diane deGroat

SUMMARY:

Published by HarperCollins in 2013, this 34-page hardcover storybook is the sequel to author Ree Drummond’s Charlie the Ranch Dog. It’s Christmas Eve for Charlie the Basset Hound’s family at their snowy ranch home. Charlie takes an extended snooze, only to wake up and meet the new family member: an orange tabby kitten. Initially mistaking the kitten for a rabbit, Charlie senses dire reality setting in. This new kitty is there to stay. Trying his best to ignore the kitten, the basset hound finally resorts to baying. Realizing that his efforts are futile, Charlie is thrilled to find that the kitten is a natural masseuse gladly willing to knead his ‘aching’ back. Yet, one more Christmas surprise awaits Charlie, as a new Basset puppy named Walter arrives wearing a collar with Charlie’s name on the gift tag.

REVIEW:

Exceptionally well-illustrated by artist Diane deGroat, this formulaic second Charlie book is a sheer delight! Author Ree “The Pioneer Woman” Drummond’s poignant text is occasionally hilarious depicting Charlie’s bemused canine point-of-view. For youngsters who adore dogs and basset hound aficionados alike, Charlie and the Christmas Kitty makes a wonderful holiday treat. The book is also an ideal treat for infants and toddlers before bedtime/naps.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Illustrated with an image of Charlie wearing a Santa hat, there is a single-page recipe for “Charlie’s Favorite Christmas Cookies.”

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

Christmas Decorations Movies & Television (Videos)

SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 1, 2020

SUMMARY:

This approximately 5-inch (including the support base) x 2-inch Christmas ornament depicts Col. Steve Austin in a bionic jogging pose. It was released in 2015 by Hallmark Marketing Company, LLC, in conjunction with Universal Studios.

REVIEW:

Despite a generic likeness of actor Lee Majors, think of this ornament as a nostalgic salute to Col. Steve Austin in his iconic red track suit. This sturdily built ornament is firmly attached to a well-designed plastic support base. This base also works well as a lightweight decoration for desks and shelves.

Its one detriment is a flimsy hanging wire, which may require replacement by one better-suited for the ornament’s weight. For the Christmas tree, ornament novelty collections, and/or Six Million Dollar Man fans, this homage to TV’s original bionic super-hero makes a fun nostalgia gift.

Note: The green pipe-cleaner wire seen below is a homemade replacement.

BONUS FEATURES:

By pressing a button on the left side of the support base, a voice chip plays a 43-second rendition of the TV series’ opening credits intro (including its sound effects and the voice of actor Richard Anderson as OSI boss Oscar Goldman). Its battery is accessible through a screwed-in plate beneath the base.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars