B-MOVIE OF THE MONTH - THE LIFT (1983)

Greetings all, finally back and looks like the new updated blog list is being enjoyed. I left a few of the real old blogs on there even though they haven't updated in years (hellooooo, anyone home??) they are chock full of good B-movie articles. Ok, so our B-movie of the month is the Dutch sci-fi horror semi-cult-classic The Lift about an elevator gone mad. Not to riff on a cliche but this one gives new meaning to "so bad it's good." It's also both fun and funny, slightly scary and a little sexy too - just all the things we love in a B-flick. I'm recommending the newest version playing now on Tubi. Viva Le Lift! 2.75 stars/2.75

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

TOMMY'S FIVE FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIES #4 - FROM LONDON TO BEVERLY HILLS : KATE WINSLETT & CAMERON DIAZ SWAP HOUSES FOR "THE HOLIDAY" (2006)

 
From Private Benjamin to She's Gotta Give and many more, Nancy Meyers has given cinema some of the most prolific and thoughtful rom-coms ever made. The Holiday continues what she does best and I really think this is her masterwork.  Fueled by the casting Grand Slam of Kate Winslett, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black, the two-hour fifteen minute film hardly seems that long and while none of these performances are necessarily nomination-worthy, Kate Winslett continues to blow me away with her skills and this is a Jack Black performance like none other, a perfect hybrid of his dramatic and comedic sides. 

The plot is simple - two heartbroken women who just went thru break-ups decide to swap houses for the holidays and then each land up falling in love with one of the locals. A subplot involving Eli Wallach as an elderly Beverly Hills movie mogul whom Winslett helps and befriends is a nice dynamic to drive home the holiday compassion so it's not just about two sets of lovers. The locations for the houses are beautiful and I love the scene where Winslett first tours her new diggs in Beverly Hills and discovers she scored majorly in the swap. 

A great holiday film for any audience really but particularly I could see this as a perfect choice for a ladies night kind of get-together. A big box office hit but receiver of mixed reviews overall, this is one of those where I scratch my head and wonder if people realize just what a great film this is. 4.0 stars/5 (told ya there would be some shockers, wait til you see #3!)

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B-MOVIE GAZETTE RATING SYSTEM

5 Stars - Only awarded to the precious few.
4 Stars - Excellent, see by all means.
3 Stars - Very Good, you should like.
2 Stars - Fair, like a frozen dinner.
1 Star - Poor, like a spoiled dinner.

ALL B-MOVIES, DRIVE-IN MOVIES AND TV MOVIES HAVE A MAX AWARD OF 2.75 STARS.