BAD SANTA 2 (2016)

Directed By: Mark Waters

Written By: Johnny Rosenthal And Shauna Cross 

Based on characters Created by: Glen Ficarra & John Requa 

Cinematography: Theo Van De Sande 

Editor: Travis Sittard

Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Kathy Bates, Christina Hendricks, Ryan Hansen, Brett Kelly, Jenny Zigrino, Octavia Spencer, Mike Starr

Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed, and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus, to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve.


The worst part of this film is that it’s an unnecessary sequel. I don’t know if it was the studio’s idea or something that was pitched, but the first one could’ve stayed a classic as this film ends up being bad not as bad as you might think but pretty much, disappointing

Luckily, it’s not a straight-to-streaming or direct video by having some other person star in the film or be some kind of distant relative or only getting the supporting players back while not being able to get the star Billy Bob Thornton, who seems pretty much auto-pilot. As he has played this type of role many times before it’s hard to differentiate them sometimes other than the other antiheroes are jerks that he has played in comedies have some pride, and are usually trying to hide the other part of themselves or here what you see is what you get.

The only surprise in the film is that Kathy Bates agreed to play a supporting role in it as it just seems like more of the same from the first film, though it seems here it tries to be meaner and more over the top and its nastiness and humor is definitely more sexual 

It’s pretty much the same story new city, where the plan seems to basically be the same only shifting loyalties, even though no one trusts each other in the first place. 

It also seems to be darker and more low-budgeted again makes you wonder who was really demanding this or deemed it necessary. It looks dirtier. 

Even Christina Hendricks seems cast more to capitalize on her bombshell looks and does play a character in the film who is Ingal to the plot, but doesn’t really have much to do except be a sex object for an actress of her caliber you would have more to do or at least be better written. She also seems here to give Billy Bob Thornton’s character the closest thing to a kind of love interest that he’s going to get. She is the most likable character in the film.

There are some scenes that can be funny. There’s not enough to truly make a necessary feature. One would warn fans of the first film. You can skip this as it’s the same movie only cheaper and you know the characters more so you know what to expect if anything it kind of darkens, the first film offers a cheap knockoff that’s familiar and almost similar to the first film only with not as big names think the hangover sequels.

It feels like a movie, a studio mandated more than they’re actually being a need or reason by the filmmakers or cast to return even though it’s shocking considering the material was so controversial and risky when the first film came out. Though it might be watered down in many ways, the jokes pack a little more mean-hearted venom

Grade: C- 

LITTLE BLACK BOOK (2004)

Directed By: Nick Hurran 
Written By: Melissa Carter and Elisa Bell
Cinematography: Theo Van De Sande
Editor: John Richards 

Cast: Brittany Murphy, Holly Hunter, Ron Livingston, Kathy Bates, Julianne Nicholson, Kevin Sussman, Stephen Tobolowsky, Rashida Jones, Josie Maran, Sharon Lawrence, Cress Williams, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jason Antoon, Gavin Rossdale, Dave Annabale 

A woman snoops through her boyfriend’s palm pilot and reveals his former girlfriends, which causes her to question why they’re still listed in his little black book.


This could have been an effective comedy. If it maybe had gone more silly, slapstick and screwball. As the film has an interesting premise though film offers very little follow-through on that promise.

This plays like one of those disposable movies. One where you can tell everyone involved put in a minimal amount of effort to earn their paychecks.

The late Brittany Murphy seems like she is too tired to put up much energy or even too much of a performance and seems to be just coasting on her cuteness here like a young Sandra Bullock. As we know she can do better than what she can usually do with a role like this. She just seems like she is held back here. In one of the few starring roles, she got she never seemed to showcase what made her so endearing in her supporting roles. 

Ron Livingston’s character is supposed to be this dream boyfriend, but he comes off as charmless.

The talk show she works on is horrible. The way it ties into the story could have been used more creatively.

The film isn’t even really a romantic comedy it’s more a character comedy where an annoying woman learns that feeding her fears will only lead to the worst possible scenario and has to learn self-worth. That she is enough and that anyone she is I. A relationship is lucky enough to have her and also for her to be not as trusting. 

In the end, the film just seems to be about manipulation and treachery. The characters of his ex-girlfriends are one-dimensional and come off as cruel caricatures except for Julianne Nicholson’s character. Who also wisely gets most of the screen time. She comes through as a real character even though they seem to be setting her up as a victim. Maybe if the roles were reversed and the movie was about her and Brittany Murphy’s character was one of his exes. This would have worked but alas there One goes thinking again.

Here was a chance to make an original comedic character or an original romantic comedy with some satire about media and models. As even the model ex-girlfriend never comes off as a girlfriend more like a one-night stand or friend with benefits, but certainly not a girlfriend. The less said about Rashida Jones’s character of the gynecologist the better.

Even the ever-dependable holly hunter is a let down maybe because her last-minute character ark is surprising but truly comes from nowhere. Maybe it’s because she wasn’t directed to play a believable person, More a plot point and the script is so haywire her character is like crossed wires short-circuiting.

What is most disappointing is that the film has a heavy-hitting cast and the material is so forgettable and seems more of the time. That it seemed outdated by the time it hit theaters.

Here was a chance to make a slapstick film with elements of the hardships of women working in the industry and being successful and in the end, it became more about jealousy and backstabbing to a degree.

This Movie Is A definite skip. The only reason it’s not a complete failure was Julianne Nicholson’s character who Deserves better the character and the actress.

Grade: F

OUT OF TIME (2003)

outoftime1

Directed By: Carl Franklin
Written By: Dave Collard
Cinematography By: Theo Van De Sande
Editor: Carole Kravetz-Aykanian 

Cast: Denzel Washington, Sanaa Lathan, Eva Mendes, Dean Cain, John Billingsly, Arain Ash, Alex Carter, Robert Baker, Terry Loughlin 


This film is so cliche ridden it feels like a quicken version of a noir story down for television. That takes place in the bright daylight of Florida instead of some belated landscape with everyone in suits and dresses. Instead of tropical wear.

Continue reading “OUT OF TIME (2003)”

VOLCANO (1997)

VOLCANO TOMMY LEE JONES AND ANNE HECHE © Fox

Directed By: Mick Jackson
Written By: Billy Ray & Jerome Armstrong
Story By: Jerome Armstrong
Cinematography By: Theo Van De Sande
Editor: Don Brochu & Michael Tronick
Music By: Alan Silvestri 


Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Anne Heche, Don Cheadle, Jaqueline Kim. Keith David, Richard Schiff, Gaby Hoffman, John Corbett, Marcello Thedford, John Carroll Lynch, Michael Rispoli, Susie Essman, Lou Myers, Robert Wisdom, Valente Rodriguez

Something unspeakably chilling is ultimately starting to heat up at The City of Los Angeles! Beneath the famed La Brea Tar Pits, a raging volcano has formed, raining a storm of deadly fire bombs and an endless tide of white-hot lava upon the stunned city!

Continue reading “VOLCANO (1997)”