Simply Perfect

Just perfect...

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

You can call this my "Christmas in July" moment. I had recorded this movie way back on Christmas Eve of last year and somehow never got around to watching it. (Nor had I ever seen it before actually.) Discovering it among my recordings this morning, I thought - why not? So I turned it on. I loved the closing credit: "Suggested by Charles Dickens." Yes - a "suggestion" probably comes closest. Nothing more. It's a modern retelling of "A Christmas Carol," starring Bill Murray as the "Scrooge" character (although in this, he's Francis Xavier Cross) - the completely mean-spirited head of a television network who's putting on what seems to be a very adult-oriented live version of Dickens' classic, forcing everyone to work on Christmas Eve and promoting it with some of the weirdest promos ever. He treats the network staff terribly, gives cheap towels with the network logo as Christmas bonuses, and fires one executive while making his assistant's life miserable. He's Scrooge, in other words. I find it amusing that some criticize this movie because Cross is mean. Um - he's Scrooge. He's supposed to be mean.All the elements of Dickens' story are there. The characters all have their own incarnations. There's a Marley's Ghost, and three spirits, and a Cratchit (well, really the above mentioned two) and a Tiny Tim and even a past love interest for Cross. One change to the story is that in this Cross has a boss of his own to deal with and who he feels unfairly treated by.Murray was fine in the role of Cross. The supporting cast ranged all the way from Buddy Hackett (as Scrooge in the IBC network's fictional adaptation) to John Forsythe as Cross's boss. Aside from Murray, the most memorable performance probably came from Carol Kane as the Ghost of Christmas Present, who was actually quite funny. The movie has an opening that certainly captures your attention - a shootout scene involving Santa Claus in his workshop at the North Pole - and that makes you wonder what the *** is going on here? It ends obviously with the account of Cross's redemption, although to be honest that struck me as way too over the top even for this movie and left me on a bit of a sour note. I did enjoy the rendition of "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" that played during the closing credits. People seem to have either a love it or hate it reaction to "Scrooged." I don't really get the extremes. It's not a Christmas movie that I could see myself wanting to watch every December (or every July) but it was pleasant enough viewing as a one time thing and it had a few chuckles thrown in. (5/10)

BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA. I AM VERY HONEST ABOUT THESE FILMS.Another spin on the Charles Dickens tale this time set in the world of American Network Television. By updating the story (To then present day New YorK) also stripped away the heart and since of innocence to the beloved novel. In this version Bill Murray plays the Scrooge but here his name is Frank Cross a Network Television President. Franks idea of Christmas programming is basically putting the Manson Family on Television if it will get ratings. Of course he learns to take in the joy of the season by the end of the movie but the film makers themselves failed to infuse the story of heart. This film is a tad better than the HALLMARK Christmas MOVIES but that is because David Johansen steels every scene away from Bill Murray. Please if you want to see a great Version of "A Christmas Carol" see the 1938 Version produced by MGM. It set the standard

Scrooged was a starring vehicle for Bill Murray who teamed up with director Richard Donner for this re-working of Dicken's A Christmas Carol.The movie is essentially a 'concept vehicle' a term in vogue at the time. A starring role for Murray, make him a high powered television executive and team him up with an action director who had success a year earlier with Lethal Weapon.Bill Murray is climbing the corporate media ladder as the ruthless, cynical, mean and heartless Frank Cross. In his office he has a sign which defines Cross. 'Something you nail people to!'For Christmas Murray has devised a multi location live television broadcast which has to be the show to watch with a strong promotional clip to publicise it which makes his fellow executives sick. However he has to contend with a rival, John Glover, there to help out but actually eyeing up his job.One night before Christmas his old television boss (John Forsythe) who has been dead for years visits him and tells him to mend his ways and informs him that he will be visited by three ghosts.They include the Ghost of Christmas past, a cigar smoking cab driver, the Ghost of Christmas Present, an angelic fairy who likes a bit of the rough stuff and certainly dishes it out, finally the Ghost of Christmas Future, a terrifying dark hooded figure who would certainly scare the kids.Each ghostly spectre takes Murray to a time and place. Such as when he was young and dorky working his way up in television and in love with Karen Allen. As time goes by he becomes obsessed with work and frustrated by Allen's do-gooder attitude.Murray actually calls on Allen when he his spooked out and finds out that she is helping out with the homeless but she stirs something in Murray who his still a Grinch.There is no Cratchit in this movie that part in effect goes to Alfre Woodard who plays Murray's secretary and Bobcat Goldthwait plays an executive whose life heads towards a downward spiral when he is dismissed by Murray.I remember the film was largely dismissed by critics when the film was released but it is rather an enjoyable reworking of Dicken;s story. Murray despite not getting on with the director pitches it just right, almost remaining lovable even though he is mean spirited. I rather enjoyed his Richard Burton impression. The film has lots of star cameos from John Houseman, Lee Majors, Jamie Farr, Anne Ramsey and Robert Mitchum as Murray's cat obsessed boss.Director Richard Donner adds plenty of social commentary with references to apartheid South Africa for example.The ending might be regarded as tad sentimental which follows the book, but once they start singing the final song even you would want to 'Put a Little Love in Your Heart.'

Scrooged (1988): Dir: Richard Donner / Cast: Bill Murray, Karen Allen, Bob Goldthwait, John Forsythe, Carol Kane: A parody of the Charles Dickens classic with a modern take on the tale. Bill Murray plays Frank Cross, a cynical program executive who is the modern day Scrooge. He objects to his secretary taking time off to deal with his son's inability to speak. He fires someone on Christmas eve. Plus he is making everybody's life miserable on the set of the Charles Dickens play that he is producing. Bill Murray is hysterical as Cross who believes that he is going crazy during a long night of interruptions by three ghosts that showcases scenes from his life from past, present and future. Cross is humbled in humorous fashion until a third act where everything goes way over the top. Karen Allen plays a former girlfriend who lends her services to a homeless shelter. Through flashbacks Cross is reintroduced to their first encounter through their budding relationship until pride divides them. Bob Goldthwait plays a fired employee whose drunken spree goes into overdrive of singing carols and brandishing a shotgun. John Forsythe plays Cross's ghostly boss who returns to give him a warning. Carol Kane is delightful as the ghost of Christmas present who cheerfully smacks sense in Cross. While its humour is too crass for younger viewers, its satire view of the classic tale is a well produced holiday laugh fest. Score: 8 / 10