Fred Claus" stars Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, and Kevin Spacey. This family Christmas comedy is directed by David Dobkin (Wedding Crashers). This is far from the Vince Vaughn that you have seen in "Wedding Crashers", which in my opinion is a good thing.
When Nicholas Claus was born, Fred made a promise. To be the best brother anyone could ask for. But, as Nicholas grew, his mother and father always seemed to favor him. Everything that Fred did, Nicholas managed to win over his parents. As this went on, Fred began to despise his younger brother and became naughty. After years of never visiting, Fred decides to visit his younger brother in hope that he will loan him a hefty sum of money. Meanwhile, Fred and the elves are unaware that Santa's workshop is under heavy surveillance by Clyde Northcut,(Kevin Spacey) who is trying to shut down Santa's Workshop.
I love the cast. Kevin Spacey and Paul Giamatti in particular. Kevin Spacey does a terrific job as a character that you grow to hate, but in the end, can't help but love. Once again, Paul Giamatti proves that any role (whether it is a determined criminal or a chubby lovable Santa) is suitable for him. Some may think that the Superman/Spacey part was cheesy, but for me, it just added to the tender and touching moments that the film has in store.
I also couldn't help but enjoy the scenery. The set was done with such magical touch and the elves added to the many laughs and chuckles. The main problem with the film is the fact that it will have a hard time competing with crowd-pleasing Christmas films such as "Elf". Call me nuts... but I enjoyed this film much more than "Elf". It isn't great, but it is definitely far from bad. A pleasant holiday film that adult may find more amusing than kids.
"Fred Claus" delivers as a Christmas present for the whole family. The best holiday film in years. Paul Giamatti makes for an excellent Santa Claus, Kevin Spacey delivers as the dreadful evildoer and Vince Vaughn does a surprisingly sincere job as his naughty, but big-hearted, older brother. A warm, funny, and wildly entertaining Santa Claus picture.
Stephen King's the Mist Movie Review.
The Mist" is based on the short story written by Stephen King and is directed by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile). This Sci-Fi/Horror stars a fine cast that includes Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden, Andre Braugher, and Toby Jones.
After a vicious storm strikes a small town, a mysterious mist follows. The citizens of the town end up stuck in a supermarket after a man, bleeding from the nose, runs in claiming "There's something in the mist". After some brutal attacks by creatures in the mist, the people now must fight for their lives to make it out of the most alive. They end up splitting up into two groups. One group believes that the mist is a biblical act of god, led by Mrs. Carmody (Marcia Gay Harden), and the other group, led by David Drayton (Thomas Jane), does not.
The camerawork and creature effects are what keeps the film moving at a brisk pace. I love the way this film actually feels like a Stephen King horror movie, getting the viewers involved with the character's situations. The script, though I haven't read the book, was incisive and to the point. Yes, it was creepy and sometimes scary, but there is something missing. Maybe it was the acting that was done, how should I say, a little too good. Maybe it was the way it was all laid out. Or maybe it was all the hype. What can I say, I was somewhat disappointed.
Some scenes worked well, while others got me rooting for the bugs. What I enjoyed most about this Stephen King adaption are the acid spinning spiders and that backbone of an ending. This is an ultimately depressing horror film based on human survival and the will to live. A hit or miss type of ending, but for me, it hit the bulls-eye. What holds the film together is the thick script and the impressive camerawork. What pulls the film apart is the hype and the acting just didn't work for me.