You can almost hear the voice of late, great Andy Williams singing “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”. It’s Christmas day and I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone of you a very Merry Christmas. I hope all who celebrate has a special day full of family, food, and festivities.

I also want to say “thank you” for another great year for this little site of mine. Just by reading, liking, commenting, and conversing, you help make this whole movie review gig worthwhile. I’m really excited to see what kind of movies we will be talking about in 2024. May God bless each of you and your families, and I hope you all have a healthy and prosperous new year.

For those who don’t know, The Phenomenal 5 was a once prominent feature on this site. It was a blast to do and with the holidays upon us I thought it would be fun to look back at one of my Christmas themed lists – Five Phenomenal Movie Meanies. Originally shared ten years ago, this list features five Christmas movie misers who have become synonymous with the holidays. These are fantastic characters who could use a good dose of Christmas spirit. Now with so many Christmas movie meanies out there I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But I have no problem calling these five grumpy sticks-in-the-mud phenomenal.

#5 – Burgermeister Meisterburger (“Santa Claus is Coming to Town”)

Ok, so this is a cheat as it’s not from a movie. I don’t care. I love Burgermeister Meisterburger. Not only does he have one of the greatest names, but he’s a fantastic Christmas “movie” meanie. This stop-motion television classic from 1970 has been a perennial favorite particularly with older audiences (such as myself?). One of the many reasons I love it is because of Burgermeister. This cranky old cuss is the head of the fittingly named Sombertown and has the nerve to ban toys and imprison anyone caught with one. The great voice actor Paul Frees plays Burgermeister and he is such a treat. He brings this great character to life and I had to sneak him on my list.

#4 – Hans Gruber (“Die Hard”)

I still don’t consider “Die Hard” a Christmas movie (a debate for another time), but I’ll play along for the sake of this list because it certainly has a memorable holiday meanie. Evil German mastermind Hans Gruber and his merry band of terrorists crash the Nakatomi Plaza Christmas party and take the building hostage. Talk about a Grinch! The police department, SWAT teams, and the FBI all converge on the skyscraper, but Gruber is always one step ahead of them. What he didn’t count on was the “poison pill” (aka John McClane) running loose in the building foiling his plans. Alan Rickman gives a standout performance as Gruber in what was his feature film debut (still hard to believe).

#3 – Granville Sawyer (“Miracle on 34th Street”)

The sniveling and fidgety Granville Sawyer certainly tried to put a damper on Christmas in George Seaton’s wonderful “Miracle on 34th Street”. As Macy’s resident psychiatrist in name only, Sawyer is tasked with giving the store’s new department store Santa (aka Kris Kringle) a psychological evaluation. But Sawyer’s ego kicks in when Kris turns the table on him and he makes it his goal to have Santa Claus committed. Porter Hall is perfectly cast and you’ll certainly want to thump his head just as Santa did. In the end he gets whats coming to him and all ends well in this all-time Christmas classic.

#2 – Mr. Potter (“It’s a Wonderful Life”)

An argument could be made that old man Potter from Frank Capra’s classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” is the meanest, most despicable miser in any Christmas film. Henry Potter, a wealthy slumlord, is a constant thorn in the side of Bedford Falls and particularly George Bailey. He drains money from the small town and tries his best to shut down the Bailey Building and Loan which is the community’s one safe haven from Potter’s tyrannical hand. Potter lies, cheats, and steals. It’s no wonder we can’t stand the guy. The great Lionel Barrymore is brilliant in his portrayal and he gives us an unforgettable Christmas movie meanie.

#1 – Ebenezer Scrooge (“Scrooge”)

There have been many cinematic tellings of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. My personal favorite is the movie/musical from 1970 starring Albert Finney. Now we all know the story of Scrooge. He’s a miserable old miser who makes everyone around him equally miserable. He hates people and he most certainly hates Christmas. But three Christmas spirits bring along an amazing transformation in Scrooge. Finney is great as both the lovable and detestable Scrooge. And while I’m a little picky when it comes to musicals, the numbers in this film are a real treat. I know Scrooge is an obvious choice, but how could he not top this list?

There they are – a look back in time at five of the meanest Christmas movie characters. What do you think? Please take time to share your thoughts or your choices in the comments section below. And Merry Christmas.

Today the voting body of the Southeastern Film Critics Association (which I’m proudly a member of) has announced their choices for the best of the 2023 movie year. The big winner was Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” which was named Best Picture. In addition, the film took home honors for Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Ensemble, Best Cinematography, Best Score.

Below is the official press release from the Southeastern Film Critics Association along with a full list of the winners.

Monday, December 18, 2023 – The Southeastern Film Critics Association (SEFCA) has named
Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer as the Best Picture of the Year. SEFCA’s eighty-nine members
located across nine Southeastern states also recognized Christopher Nolan for Best Director
and Best Adapted Screenplay. Additionally, the film earned Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best
Supporting Actor for Robert Downey, Jr. and Best Ensemble for its star-studded cast that
includes Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Aldren Ehrenreich, Jason Clarke, Tom Conti, Josh Hartnett,
Kenneth Branagh and others. Behind the camera Oppenheimer took the top prizes for Best
Cinematography (Hoyte Van Hoytema) and Best Score (Ludwig Goransson).
“This fall featured three big films from three grandmasters of cinema,” said SEFCA President
Scott Phillips. “Martin Scorsese released Killers of the Flower Moon. Ridley Scott brought
Napoleon to the big screen and Michael Mann hits theaters next week with Ferrari. Despite this
bumper crop from heavy-hitting auteurs, Christopher Nolan’s film from six months ago is
walking away with eight SEFCA awards. Oppenheimer is a stunning cinematic achievement. Our members recognized that in July, and they are rewarding it in December.”
When asked about the film year that was 2023, SEFCA Vice President Jim Farmer said, “2023
will be remembered by many as the year that featured the commercial, critical and cultural
phenomenon known as Barbenheimer. But it was also a season that offered a stunning amount
of high-quality films, with master filmmakers near the top of their games, fresher faces making
strong impressions and performers showing new dimensions. It was a pleasure to take in all that
2023 had to offer.”
Those “fresher faces” include writer/director Celine Song whose debut feature, Past Lives, lands
at # 4 on SEFCA’s Top 10 of 2023, and writer/director Cord Jefferson whose debut feature,
American Fiction, placed seventh in the SEFCA Top 10. The diverse list also includes an
animated film (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) and two foreign films (Anatomy of a Fall,
The Zone of Interest).

Read SEFCA’s full list of winners below. Visit SEFCA on the web at SEFCA.net to learn more
about its members as well as past winners. You can also follow SEFCA on Twitter at
@SEFilmCritics.

Top 10 Films of 2023

1. Oppenheimer
2. Killers of the Flower Moon
3. The Holdovers
4. Past Lives
5. Barbie
6. Poor Things
7. American Fiction
8. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
9. Anatomy of a Fall
10. The Zone of Interest

Best Actor:
Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer

Best Actress:
Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon

Best Supporting Actor:
Robert Downey, Jr., Oppenheimer

Best Supporting Actress:
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers

Best Ensemble:
Oppenheimer

Best Director:
Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer

Best Original Screenplay:
David Hemingson, The Holdovers

Best Adapted Screenplay:
Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer

Best Documentary:
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie

Best Animated Film:
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Best Foreign-Language Film:
Anatomy of a Fall

Best Cinematography:
Hoyte Van Hoytema, Oppenheimer

Best Score:
Ludwig Goransson, Oppenheimer

Alex Garland has always been a captivating filmmaking whether solely as a screenwriter (“28 Days Later”, “Never Let Me Go”) or as a writer-director (“Ex Machina, “Annihilation”). His last film, “Men” was a letdown. But despite being called a “companion piece” to that previous work, the new trailer for his latest, “Civil War” looks like a possible return to form. It will all depend on where he goes with this potentially fascinating story.

Set in a near-future America, “Civil War” takes place in the United States as it sits on the precipice of a second civil war. The trailer tosses out clues to the political turmoil that has seen states succeed, new militaries form, and countrymen taking arms against fellow countrymen. The movie has a chance to speak powerfully to the bitter division that has engulfed our nation. It could also go off the rails if it becomes a political bludgeoning tool. I’m interested to see where it goes.

“Civil War” releases on April 26th, 2024 via A24. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

Music Box Films Home Entertainment has announced the home video release of the OSS 117 films. For the very first time, 2006’s “OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies” and 2009’s “OSS 117: Lost in Rio” are being released on Blu-ray in a terrific new box set. The two French comedies are from the collaborating duo of director Michel Hazanavicius and star Jean Dujardin (both Academy Award winners for “The Artist”). These two hilarious spy movie spoofs are must-sees for comedy lovers and what better way than with this new stylish new box set.

The new Blu-ray box set featuring “OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies” and “OSS 117: Lost in Rio” releases on December 12th. See below for a full synopsis and release information.

About the Films:

Year: 2006, 2009

Total Runtime: 200 Minutes

Director: Michel Hazanavicius

Screenwriters: Jean-François Halin, Michel Hazanavicius

Cast: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Béjo, Al Tarouk Aure Atika, Philippe Lefèbvre, Louise Monot, Alex Lutz, Rudiger Vogler, Ken Samuels, Constantin Alexandrov, Reem Kherici, Pierre Bellemare, Serge Hazanavicius, Laurent Capelluto, Moon Dailly

“OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies” – A box-office sensation in France, comic star Jean Dujardin stars as secret agent Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath, a.k.a. OSS 117 who in the tradition of Maxwell Smart and Inspector Clouseau somehow succeeds in spite of his ineptitude. After a fellow agent and close friend is murdered, Hubert is ordered to take his place at the head of a poultry firm in Cairo. This is to be his cover while he investigates Jack’s death, monitors the Suez Canal, checks up on the Brits and Soviets, burnishes France’s reputation, quells a fundamentalist rebellion and brokers peace in the Middle East. A blithe and witty send-up not only of spy films of that era and the suave secret agent figure but also neo-colonialism, ethnocentrism and the very idea of Western covert action in the Middle East.

“OSS 117 Lost in Rio” – The pride of French intelligence, Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath – code named OSS 117 – has a new mission that takes him to the Bossa Nova Brazil of the 1960’s. Teaming up with a sexy Mossad agent he has to capture a Nazi blackmailer with an embarrassingly long list of World War II French collaborators.

Special Features:

Cairo, Nest of Spies:
– Feature Commentary by Jean Dujardin and director Michel Hazanavicius
– Making Of Featurette
– Deleted and Alternate Scenes
– Blooper Reel
– Photo Gallery
– Theatrical Trailers

Lost in Rio:
– Feature Commentary by Jean Dujardin and director Michel Hazanavicius
– Cavalcade in Rio: Making Of Documentary
– Deleted Scenes
– Blooper Reel
– The Jean Show: Jean Dujardin on Set
– France Never Responds: Cast Appearances in Cinemas
– Photo Gallery
– Teasers and Theatrical Trailers

The International Space Station looks like it could be an incredible setting for the upcoming science-fiction thriller “I.S.S.”. The film is directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite who works from a script by Nick Shafir. The new trailer does a great job setting up the scenario and then giving us a small taste of the tension that looks to drive this potentially fresh and fun early 2024 feature.

The film’s story sounds intriguing. High in earth’s orbit sits the International Space Station. Onboard, astronauts from the United States and cosmonauts from Russia live harmoniously, free from the geopolitical tensions between the two countries. But after war breaks out on the planet below, both groups secretly receive orders to seize control of the station at all cost. Even if it means confronting those you’ve drawn close to on the other side. Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, Pilou Asbæk, John Gallagher Jr., and Maria Mashkova star among others.

“I.S.S.” Is currently set for a January 2024 release . Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.