In this film, a recently sober ex-improv comedian is unhappy with trying to live a normal life, as his fiancée insists, he doesn't do stand-up anymore. On Christmas Eve he ends up chipping his tooth and spending an amazing day with his pretty dentist that causes him to rethink many things.
This movie has a lowkey charm that I completely fell for. Rather than moving directly from plot point to plot point this story unfolds at a leisurely pace. It lets us spend time with and get to know these characters. As the film continues, we enjoy simply spending time with these characters more and more. It almost feels like spending Christmas with good friends. While these characters are far from perfect, they are real and human. We see much of ourselves in them and therefore connect with them on a real level. This is of course helped by the sheer charm of Michael Strassner and Liz Larsen in the lead roles and the real chemistry between them. Because of this when the emotional moments occur, they are incredibly effective.
As well as just being charming this movie is often laugh out loud funny. The over the top but still somewhat grounded situations these characters get themselves into provides some great laughs. The dialogue is also often quite witty and funny.
Christmas may at first seem like a simple backdrop for this story, but this movie wouldn't be anywhere near as effective if it took place any other time of year. The Christmas imagery as well as the Charlie Brown Christmas inspired soundtrack add a lot to this film's relaxed charm.
A must see.
P.S. I don't know why they released a Christmas movie in late September.
Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church.
Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Jesus Loves the Little Children. Jesus would state, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." There is no doubt that Jesus did love the little children, and he loves us big children too. If we will humble ourselves and become like little children, the blessings he has for us are immeasurable.
This is followed by Patty Loveless with [We Are All] Children of Abraham from her 2009 gospel album, Mountain Soul II.
Afterwards is Johnny Cash with Are the Children In.
Then comes Anne Wilson and Jordan Davis with Country Gold. This is an acoustic version of a song from Anne's second album, 2024's Rebel.
Next is Connie Smith and Nat Stucky with Crumbs from the Table. This is from a 1970 gospel album the two country singers did together that is called Sunday Morning with Nat Stuckey and Connie Smith. This was the second album that the two made together. The first was 1969's Young Love. The idea to pair the two come from the record company, as both had recently had major hits and the company believed that their two voices would blend very well together. They were right.
Now for The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of Rounded Up in Glory.
Next comes The Carter Family's classic 1927 recording of Can The Circle Be Unbroken. This song was based off of the 1907 Christian hymn (written by Charles H. Gabriel and Ada R. Habershon), Will the Circle Be Unbroken. Uncle A.P. Carter reworked this song changing the lyrics to be about the death of a mother. Though this version would be covered by an incredible amount of artists, many of them would change the title back to Will the Circle Be Unbroken as well as changing that one word in the chorus. However these cover versions would use A.P.'s lyrics for the rest of the song. This is one of my all time favorite songs, because it is a sad song, but one which also finds hope within its darkness. This is a song about trusting in God in times when it is very difficult to, which is something many gospel songs don't cover but which many Christians struggle with.
Today's musical selection ends with Jean Shepard with Too Much to Gain to Lose. This comes from her 1969 gospel album, I'll Fly Away.
Now for the 9th chapter of the Buck Jones movie serial The Red Rider (1934).
Now for a message from S.M. Lockridge.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. Proverbs 25:21
So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Matthew 5:45
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1
Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again.
Hello my friends and happy Saturday morning. Once again it is time for some classic cartoons.
Today's cartoon selection begins with one of the all-time classic Merrie Melodies cartoons, A Corny Concerto (1943). This cartoon is very much a parody of Disney's recent animated feature, Fantasia (1940) with the unrefined Elmer Fudd taking over the Deems Taylor role. Earlier the same year this cartoon was released another Merrie Melody parodied Fantasia with an unrefined wolf doing the Deem Taylor role. That cartoon was called Pigs in a Polka (1943). A Corny Concerto was directed by Bob Clampett (who also made some of the vocal sound effects here) and written by Frank Tashlin. It is odd to have Tashlin write a Warners cartoon he didn't direct. Tashlin had in fact just returned to Warners after a stint at Disney, making him a perfect candidate to write this Disney parody. This film features another rarity for a Warners cartoon. That is the fact the Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig share the screen. This is the only time Porky hunts a fully formed Bugs Bunny, though he did hunt a prototype of the character in Porky's Hare Hunt (1938). It has been debated whether or not the Duck that appears in the second part of this cartoon is or isn't Daffy. I like to think of him as Daffy, myself. Despite having Porky, Bugs and probably Daffy, Mel Blanc doesn't do a single voice in this cartoon. That is because the characters he usually voices don't talk for the whole film. The only speaking voice heard is Arthur Q. Bryan as Elmer Fudd. Also notice that Bugs makes Porky and his dog into a couple of boobs. This cartoon appropriately appears in Jerry Beck's book, The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes.
Next comes the Fleischer Screen Song cartoon, Twilight on the Trail (1937). This is a bit of a departure for the series as the title song is a cowboy tune rather than the usual jazz or pop tune. The song was written by Louis Alter for the movie The Trail of the Lonesome Pine (1936). The title song would later be the basis of a B-Western starring William Boyd appropriately named Twilight on the Trail (1941). In this cartoon, the song is performed by Louise Massey and The Westerners. Louise Massey was a popular country/western singer of the 1930's and 40's, though she is mostly forgotten today.
Now for the Aesop's Sound Fables cartoon short, The Wild Goose Chase (1932).
Up next is the Mickey Mouseworks cartoon, Mickey's New Car (1999). The cartoon first aired during the premiere showing of the TV special, Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine for You (1999). This short would later be used as part of the House of Mouse episode, Max's New Car (2001).
Now it is time for a commercial break.
Now it is silent film time with Mutt and Jeff in The Big Swim (1926). This is one of my favorite silent Mutt and Jeff cartoons. It is full of very clever and creative gags that perfectly fit the medium of silent film. Some of these gags even made me laugh out loud.
Next comes a classic Fleischer Popeye cartoon, I Never Changes My Altitude (1937). When movie magazines listed this cartoon, they changed the name to the grammatically correct, "I Never Change My Altitude." The following is an exhibitor's review from the Motion Picture Herald, "I Never Change My Altitude: Popeye the Sailor - These Popeye cartoons are very good for the kids. This one did not go over with the adults. Running time , eight minutes, A.J. Inks, Crystal Theatre, Ligonier, Ind. Small Town Patronage." Another exhibitor's review for the Motion Picture Harald, disagreed with this stating, " I NEVER CHANGE MY ALTITUDE: Popeye the Sailor—A good Popeye. Adults will enjoy this as much as the kids. Running time, seven minutes.— A. E. Eliasen, Rialto Theatre, Paynesville, Minn. Rural and small town patronage."
Before Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck or Porky Pig, the first Looney Tunes star was Bosko. Enjoy one of his films with Bosko at the Beach (1932). This cartoon also includes Bosko's supporting cast, his girlfriend, Honey and his dog, Bruno.
Today's cartoon selection ends with The Simpsons in Making Faces (1987). This is one of the shorts made for The Tracey Ullman Show before the animated family got their own TV series.
Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for more animated treasures. Until then may all your tunes be looney and your melodies merry.
Resources Used
The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes edited by Jerry Beck
This book by historians Stephen Cox and John Lofflin is an essential read for any Abbott and Costello fan.
First and foremost, this book is a loving tribute to the boys. There is never a single second when you doubt, the love the authors have for Abbott and Costello. While they may criticize some of the boy's lesser work, even this is done with a love for what these two great performers are capable of. At the same time, the authors have no pretentions about why they enjoy the boys' work. They never try to present their films as some form of high art. Rather they acknowledge that the main reason, they love Abbott and Costello is that the duo makes them laugh. When so many critics and historians try to claim their favorite entertainers' work as great art and spend much of their writing simply explain why their work is so brilliant, it is quite refreshing to read a book where the authors simply praise a couple of comedians for being funny.
This book also delves into the boys' personal lives. It takes a very open and fair look at who these two were as people. It does not paint them as perfect individuals, but it avoids demonizing them in the way the other writers (and a controversial TV movie) have. In fact, it even dispels many of the fraudulent rumors that have spread about the two comedians over the years.
One of the most important aspects about this book is the sheer amount of research that went into it. This book features in-depth interviews with family, friends and co-stars. These interviews and various quotes from these individuals scattered throughout this book are endless fascinating and make us feel as if we are right these beside them as they make their classic movies (as well as their TV and radio shows). Even those who may think they have a great knowledge of Abbott and Costello will learn a whole lot from reading this book.
Also making this book essential is its filmography. The book not only lists every one of their feature length movies, but provides extensive credits, plot summaries and behind the scenes trivia for each one as well as some behind the scenes photos thrown in for good measure. This makes the filmography just as much a fun and important read as the body of the book. Yet the filmography does not stop there. It also provides every episode of their TV sitcom, with a cast list and plot summary for each one. But wait there is more. For us cartoon lovers and Hanna-Barbera fans, this also lists every episode of the Hanna-Barbera Abbott and Costello cartoon show (for which Bud Abbott provided his own voice) with a plot summary for each one. As some of these cartoons are not easy to see, this makes for very compelling and important reading to any cartoon fan (as well as any Abbott and Costello fan who is interested due to Bud providing his own voice).
For any Abbott and Costello fans this is essential reading. For any non-Abbott and Costello fans, this book just might make you one.
This movie has a few things going for it. One is that the action scenes are quite good. They are very well shot choreographed and paced. They also do a good job of making them feel grand without going overboard and becoming excessive. In other words, they are just the right amount of over the top. The movie also benefits from a likable main character. Sure he may be derivative of other movie action heroes, but we like him enough to care what happens to him and Dave Bautista brings a charm to the role.
On the other hand, this movie suffers from a lack of world building. For an action movie that is supposed to take place in a post-apocalyptic world, there is very little atmosphere. In fact, the world feels as simple and generic as possible. The movie also suffers from a weak villain and very cliché dialogue.
Makes for a decent trip to the movies, but is far from a great film.
I am again speaking with more than a tint of nostalgia, but this is my personal favorite of the Mario sports games. If I only have a tiny bit of time to play a video game, this is often the one I will play.
This is a very straight forward sports game. It does not bother much with a storyline, rather simply letting you get directly into the gameplay. However, when the game play is this much fun, I don't care at all. What is amazing is that the typical match is a straightforward tennis match with no Mario style gimmicks. There are no items and no obstacles in these regular matches, just simple tennis. The gameplay and controls are simple, easy to get used to and a lot of fun. This allows you to simply focus on the matches themselves rather than any gimmicks. The matches provide you with a good challenge but one that is never overwhelming hard. Though there are no gimmicks, there are a few fun little changes you can make to switch up the gameplay. One of these is you have an option between singles and doubles, both of which are a lot of fun. Another is that different characters (my favorite character to play as is Donkey Kong Jr.) have different skill sets. Some characters hit the ball harder than others, some move around the course quicker, and some are better capable of trick shots. This makes even what character you play as a part of your strategy. Also, different courses have different elements to them. Some courts cause the ball to bounce more than others for instance.
This game also has various alternative ways to play which feature the Mario style gimmicks that are not included in the main game play. Personally, I find these alternative ways to play, not as fun as the main gameplay.
The opening animation to this game is also a lot of fun and features a lot of good cartoony humor.
This is honestly one of my most played video games.
This movie tells the true story of a 59-year-old who gets his second chance at college football. He never finished his senior year of college, and he goes back to school so that he can play on the football team and make up for some of his regrets. Though this is based off of a true story, it follows all of the familiar beats of this type of underdog sports film. It adds nothing new to this formula, and you always know what is going to happen next.
This does not mean that the film is bad by any means. Actually, it handles these clichés with real skill. The filmmakers know exactly what people love about these movies and provide just that. We find it easy to root for this character and get excited and feel overjoyed when things go well for him. We root for him to get his chance and want to cheer when he does. His redemption story feels like wish fulfillment to all of us who want to re-do a part of our lives (which means all of us). This is made even more effective by a great performance from Michael Chiklis that gives a real emotional honesty to the whole film.
This movie may not offer anything new, but it tells its familiar story very well.
