B-MOVIE OF THE MONTH - DEAD END (2003)

Made for less than a million dollars, the slightly obscure Dead End is a chilling little indie you don't want to miss. It might just be the best Christmas horror movie no one ever heard of and every dollar is up there on the screen. It's quirky, weird, funny, bizarre, and scary all at once. Black comedy for sure but much more, this would make a nice double feature with The Perfect Host, another movie we're big on around here. So, grab some eggnog and a snack or two and check out the inimitable Ray Wise with legendary Lin Shaye as they take their family down a wrong turn, what's up with this road? Why doesn't it end? After all, they're just trying to make it to Christmas Eve dessert at Frank's mother's house. Tubi, Plex, Freevee, enjoy! 2.75 stars/2.75

Friday, December 17, 2021

TOMMY'S FIVE FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIES #5 - EDWARD BURNS WRITES, DIRECTS AND STARS IN "THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS" (2012) HEARTWARMER ABOUT FORGIVENESS

 

Once again, Happy Holidays to all - this year, a top-five list of my all-time favorite Christmas flicks and I guarantee there will be some shockers as we climb the list. We may lose some blog visitors, there will be people weeping in the streets but here we go!

A unique individual talent exists within Edward Burns and it has not been hard to praise his solo work behind the camera through the years. Totally New York, charismatic, funny, light-hearted, very real. His canon of indies now thirteen titles strong, some of my favorites include Nice Guy Johnny, Looking For Kitty and The Groomsmen. 

Here Burns stars as the older brother of a seven-sibling family, the Fitzgeralds, who have a big Christmas problem. Their father walked out on them twenty years ago but now has suddenly reappeared and wants to know if he can spend Christmas with them. Mom and most of the siblings are steadfast against it which leaves it up to Burns to try and unite the family. 

Connie Britton, Kerry Bishe and a host of other great ensemble actors Burns has used before help round out a terrific cast. An excellent Christmas movie about the true meaning of the holiday - forgiveness. 2.75 stars/2.75  

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