A Merry Friggin' Christmas (2014)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Just perfect...

Admirable film.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

First, let me say, this is the best Christmas movie I've seen in a long time. While the idea behind it seems to be a stereotypical Hallmark Christmas movie, the movie addresses the issues in a decidedly non- Hallmark way. It doesn't just resolve with everyone forgiving each other because of "Christmas Magic" and it doesn't treat serious issues in a heavy handed way.While it has plenty of comedic moments, you shouldn't consider it a comedy. If you do, then it fails because, while the antics of the characters are pretty funny, it isn't a fall-off-your-seat-laughing sort of movie. It is a genuinely good movie about a dysfunctional family, children questioning the magic of the world, and a father who is desperately trying to be a better dad than his was.It is extremely well written and the performances by Joel McHale, Lauren Graham, Candice Bergen, and (of course) Robin Williams make this movie a must see for any Christmas or Robin Williams fans.

A very enjoyable holiday film with great casting. It did remind me of a TV movie, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. A man, played by Joel McHale, who suffered through an alcoholic father and less than great holidays, is determined to make his son's holidays as terrific as possible. He also wants his son to believe in Santa for as long as possible. After they make the long drive to his parent's home for Christmas, the parents realize they've left the son's gifts all back at their house. So McHale decides to drive back home overnight and get the gifts, so that his son can still believe in Santa Claus. When his car dies, he's forced to make the drive with his father. I'm sure you can guess how it all ends up, but it was still fun and charming, with a few laugh out loud moments. The end is very cute and just what you'd want in a holiday film.

Spoiler Alert - this is a bad movie and a waste of time to watch. There - I said it,One of Robin William's last movies but you don't want to remember him for this brick. With great talent like Lauren Graham (always lovable), Candice Bergen, and the late great Robin Williams, this movie had so much potential. Great Christmas movies can become classics and no matter what else an actor did, they can be remembered for one memorable holiday movie. Unfortunately, this isn't the case here. It tries to be a "Christmas Vacation" type movie. Dysfunctional family - check. Talented actors - check. Some funny lines - check. A family reunion that fails - check. Good writing - ...... NO check.I really wanted this movie to work and was so excited when I saw it at Red Box. By why had I never heard of it? Turns out it was released this year (2014) and probably went straight to DVD rental - and there is a reason. If you want to remember Robin Williams for his last good movie- go watch "Night at the Museum 3." But please don't remember him for this.

Boyd Mitchler and his family must spend Christmas with his estranged family, and especially his father, who ruined the miracle of Christmas for him when he was a child.Upon realising that he left all his son's gifts at home, he hits the road with his father in an attempt to make the 8-hour round trip before sunrise, so he doesn't ruin the miracle for his son, thus turning him into his Father....Christmas films used to be magical, and about sweet saccharine topics, kids defeating wet bandits, Bill Murray kissing Bobcat Goldthwaite, and Chevy Chase speeding down a hill. But it appears that in the advent of Bad Santa, movie studios feel that they need to put a dark edge on all things Christmas, and here is no exception.It's not saying that its a bad movie, it's pretty enjoyable for the most part, and the message of keeping the Christmas dream alive for the kids is there, it's just that parts of the nuclear family aspect are handled sluggishly, and parts that should make you laugh, make you cringe.Such as the Middle Eastern family staying at the Mitchler residence, and the husband who has been charged for being 'rude' just don't cut this type of film, especially when they try and milk the jokes for all they are worth.So we get the husband playing Scrabble using innuendo, and the family being spoken to in their native tongue abhorrently. Oh how we laugh!!Saying that though, the scenes with Willams and his two sons are truly brilliant, and make the whole film worth watching.After all, this is one of the last films he made.Not a great film, but it does have its moments.