Tonight's marathon is all about several different men who undergo a dramatic change that ultimately makes them better and stronger people over the course of Christmas. These men either receive an epiphany, a revelation through the intervention of multiple spirits or angels, overcoming grief and loneliness over the death of a loved one on Christmas through a powerful friendship with your work partner. While none of these men were really truly bad at heart, they lacked compassion and humility for those around them or you could essentially say, they needed a friend during hard times. This marathon has everything that you could ask for in a holiday movie such as comedy, drama, romance, action, and a feeling that the holidays have the power to change anyone for the better no matter what type of mood they're in. For tonight's uplifting and powerful marathon, we have on the following menu:
A Christmas Carol 2009, Scrooged 1988, The Family Man 2000, and Lethal Weapon 1987
If there's one film that deserves to be in this marathon but couldn't because the film couldn't be found on time, it's It's A Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart. That film is not only a true holiday classic but totally fits this marathon perfectly about a man being given a second chance in life and realizing the error of their ways. Because It's A Wonderful Life isn't in this marathon, The Family Man with Nicolas Cage, Tea Leoni, and Don Cheadle is a perfect replacement given that it's essentially a modern day remake of the classic tale. The Family Man remains one of Nicolas Cages finest performances and comes from a time where he was taken seriously as an actor before the days of Ghost Rider and Wicker Man. What makes this marathon a significant one is that it carries with it this mystical tone about the power of the holiday season and how its never too late to do the right thing. All of the men in these movies begin their journeys as being unlikeable men and through their own revelations, they begin a process of change for the better with the help of the holiday season.
The first movie of the marathon is the 2009 animated adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens novel titled A Christmas Carol. The story is about an old Victorian-era miser who begins a journey of self-redemption with the help of multiple mysterious Christmas angels. Featuring the voice talents of Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, and Colin Firth. the film is a worthy retelling of the classic tale largely thanks to delivering an impressive visual experience that is also powered by impressive performances from Jim Carrey and Gary Oldman. The story is perfect for this theme because the character of Scrooge realizes what Christmas is all about in the very end, and learns to appreciate everything around him much more. While it may not be the best adaptation of the Dickens tale in terms of storytelling and acting, it is definitely one of the best in terms of delivering a great experience on the visual front.
The second movie of the marathon is the 1988 holiday classic tale titled Scrooged starring Bill Murray and Karen Allen. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Makeup and directed by Lethal Weapons Richard Donner, the story centers around a selfish and cynical T.V executive who very much like Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, becomes haunted by three angels who bear lessons for Frank Cross on Christmas Eve. Scrooged is a darker and more cynical take on the classic tale that's now upgraded for modern times and carries with it a slick style of humor thanks to Bill Murrays performance. He makes his transformation not only hilarious but surprisingly uplifting for a Christmas type of film. Murray manages to be funny and serious at the right moments while the movie around him dives into sheer craziness. Not only is this one of Murrays best films but it's also one of the finest Scrooge performances ever put on film, one with total heart.
The third movie of the marathon is the 2000 holiday romantic comedy and drama titled The Family Man starring Nicolas Cage, Tea Leoni, and Don Cheadle. Generally considered a modern day It's A Wonderful Life, Cage plays a fast-track investment broker whose given the opportunity of a lifetime to see how the woman he left behind for New York years prior lives. The twist in this story is that the sports car he loved and his then girlfriend have become his mini-van and wife. The Family Man is a worthy holiday film largely thanks to strong performances from Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni. It's sentimentality is also one of the films high points but the movie bears strong parallels to It's A Wonderful Life and Scrooged, making the film often predictable at times. However, its predictability doesn't change the fact that the movie carries with it an emotional impact and life lesson that makes it one of the better holiday movies.
The fourth movie of the marathon is the 1987 Richard Donner action movie classic and holiday film titled Lethal Weapon starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, and Gary Busey. The story centers around two misfit partners, the first being an officer named Murtaugh on the brink of retirement and the other named Riggs, a suicidal and edgy partner whose still struggling to get past the death of his wife. The two are forced to work together to combat a gang of drug smugglers who are planning to make their shipment no matter what, even if it gets personal. Lethal Weapon is one of the definitive action movies of the 80s as well as one of the best Christmas films not just because it centers around action but it deals with real issues such as loneliness, depression, suicide, and the wanting for a second chance at friendship or love. A key sequence that demonstrates the depth of Lethal Weapons storyline is the scene in which Riggs contemplates suicide but chooses not to because he tells Murtaugh it's about the job. It is scenes like that which make Lethal Weapon an action film that has more going for it than just action, making it not just one of the best action movies ever but one of the best holiday films ever.
So what are these movies trying to say as a whole when you put them all together? The message behind these films is that the holidays have the power to change anyone regardless of what their feeling or going through, especially if its Christmas. Any cranky or heartless person can discover a heart if their shown the way. Any man whose dealing with suicidal issues or depression during the holiday season can easily overcome it through the power of a friendship or brotherly bond. A Christmas Carol says that not only nightmares can come true but also dreams. Cold-hearted men like Bill Murray in Scrooged can learn the true value of Christmas if they are pointed out the errors of their ways and what they could've had. The Family Man says that sometimes what might've been is probably what would've been best for the person in question. Lethal Weapons message says that if you put two people of different backgrounds together, the odds are they probably won't get along or they just might become not only friends but brothers. A man like Riggs is not truly crazy, just misunderstood and judged before one gets the full story on why he is like he is. Anyone can change or improve if they truly want to.
Our characters for this evening:
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The first movie of the marathon is the 2009 animated adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens novel titled A Christmas Carol. The story is about an old Victorian-era miser who begins a journey of self-redemption with the help of multiple mysterious Christmas angels. Featuring the voice talents of Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, and Colin Firth. the film is a worthy retelling of the classic tale largely thanks to delivering an impressive visual experience that is also powered by impressive performances from Jim Carrey and Gary Oldman. The story is perfect for this theme because the character of Scrooge realizes what Christmas is all about in the very end, and learns to appreciate everything around him much more. While it may not be the best adaptation of the Dickens tale in terms of storytelling and acting, it is definitely one of the best in terms of delivering a great experience on the visual front.
The second movie of the marathon is the 1988 holiday classic tale titled Scrooged starring Bill Murray and Karen Allen. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Makeup and directed by Lethal Weapons Richard Donner, the story centers around a selfish and cynical T.V executive who very much like Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, becomes haunted by three angels who bear lessons for Frank Cross on Christmas Eve. Scrooged is a darker and more cynical take on the classic tale that's now upgraded for modern times and carries with it a slick style of humor thanks to Bill Murrays performance. He makes his transformation not only hilarious but surprisingly uplifting for a Christmas type of film. Murray manages to be funny and serious at the right moments while the movie around him dives into sheer craziness. Not only is this one of Murrays best films but it's also one of the finest Scrooge performances ever put on film, one with total heart.
The third movie of the marathon is the 2000 holiday romantic comedy and drama titled The Family Man starring Nicolas Cage, Tea Leoni, and Don Cheadle. Generally considered a modern day It's A Wonderful Life, Cage plays a fast-track investment broker whose given the opportunity of a lifetime to see how the woman he left behind for New York years prior lives. The twist in this story is that the sports car he loved and his then girlfriend have become his mini-van and wife. The Family Man is a worthy holiday film largely thanks to strong performances from Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni. It's sentimentality is also one of the films high points but the movie bears strong parallels to It's A Wonderful Life and Scrooged, making the film often predictable at times. However, its predictability doesn't change the fact that the movie carries with it an emotional impact and life lesson that makes it one of the better holiday movies.
The fourth movie of the marathon is the 1987 Richard Donner action movie classic and holiday film titled Lethal Weapon starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, and Gary Busey. The story centers around two misfit partners, the first being an officer named Murtaugh on the brink of retirement and the other named Riggs, a suicidal and edgy partner whose still struggling to get past the death of his wife. The two are forced to work together to combat a gang of drug smugglers who are planning to make their shipment no matter what, even if it gets personal. Lethal Weapon is one of the definitive action movies of the 80s as well as one of the best Christmas films not just because it centers around action but it deals with real issues such as loneliness, depression, suicide, and the wanting for a second chance at friendship or love. A key sequence that demonstrates the depth of Lethal Weapons storyline is the scene in which Riggs contemplates suicide but chooses not to because he tells Murtaugh it's about the job. It is scenes like that which make Lethal Weapon an action film that has more going for it than just action, making it not just one of the best action movies ever but one of the best holiday films ever.
So what are these movies trying to say as a whole when you put them all together? The message behind these films is that the holidays have the power to change anyone regardless of what their feeling or going through, especially if its Christmas. Any cranky or heartless person can discover a heart if their shown the way. Any man whose dealing with suicidal issues or depression during the holiday season can easily overcome it through the power of a friendship or brotherly bond. A Christmas Carol says that not only nightmares can come true but also dreams. Cold-hearted men like Bill Murray in Scrooged can learn the true value of Christmas if they are pointed out the errors of their ways and what they could've had. The Family Man says that sometimes what might've been is probably what would've been best for the person in question. Lethal Weapons message says that if you put two people of different backgrounds together, the odds are they probably won't get along or they just might become not only friends but brothers. A man like Riggs is not truly crazy, just misunderstood and judged before one gets the full story on why he is like he is. Anyone can change or improve if they truly want to.
Our characters for this evening:
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