Over the last week and a half, I decided to get into the holiday spirit with several holiday movies. Of course I tuned in to my favorite archival streaming site, CathodeTV, for lots of them. Then there’s the couple’s movies with Tina.
I’ll try to provide links to all these movies IMDB pages, or somewhere to learn more about them.
If you’ve heard of the movie, there’s a big chance I watched it with my wife. Otherwise, most of these were broadcast at Cathode. Also, if you’re thinking, “How in the hell did you have time to watch all these?” I wasn’t always "just watching.” I often have them on when I’m cooking. Also, I’ve been reading. But this is a list even I’m in awe of.
So here’s my list.
Deadlock 1970 Roland Klick
Deadlock is a 1970 West German Spaghetti Western directed by Roland Klick. It is perhaps best known for the soundtrack supplied by the German rock band Can. This was my first viewing. I need a second watch. Odd and savory. (3.75/5)
The Family Plan 2023 Apple TV
A former top assassin living incognito as a suburban dad must take his unsuspecting family on the run when his past catches up to him. Not a thinking-person’s movie, but a juvenile fun ride. Worth a watch. (3.75/5)
The Holdovers (2023) Peacock
Forced to spend Christmas break at his prep school, a curmudgeonly instructor develops an unlikely bond with a troubled student and the head cook. This one is excellently performed and executed. I would call this a must watch asap. (5/5)
The Confessional (1995)
The year is 1952, in Québec City, Québec. Rachel (Suzanne Clément), sixteen, unmarried, and pregnant, works in the church. Filled with shame, she unburdens her guilt to a young Priest under the confidentiality of the confessional. In the present year of 1994, Pierre Lamontagne (Lothaire Bluteau) has returned to Québec to attend his father’s funeral. He meets up with his adopted brother, Marc (Patrick Goyette), who has begun questioning his identity and has embarked on a quest for his roots that would lead them to the Québec of the 1950s. Past and present converge in a complex web of intrigue where the answer to the mystery lies. Don’t rush out to see this one, but it’s a good watch. (3.5/5)
Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977)
A horrifying tale based off the true life story of NYC schoolteacher, Roseanne Quinn, who led something of a double life. I’ve seen parts of this. It was really well executed. Diane Keaton is excellent. They describe it as Richard Gere’s breakout role. He crushes his part. It’s worth the viewing for his performance. The movie itself is terrifying. It’s ahead of its time. It’s not a feel good movie. There’s a scene in which Keaton is reading “The Godfather” which she’s in and came out in 1978. I’m guessing she was studying for the plot on set and the director was like, “This is great.” Or maybe it was planned. Who knows. Meta. (4.75/5). I can’t believe the subject matter it delves into. Prepare for rape, violence, drug, alcohol and most any trigger you can think of. There is homosexual, heterosexual and polyamory. It covers lots of bases.
Oppenheimer (2023)
The story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb. This was my second viewing. My wife’s first. She loved it. I did too. (4.75/5)
True Romance (1993)
In Detroit, a pop culture nerd steals cocaine from his new wife’s pimp and tries to sell it in Hollywood, prompting the mobsters who own the drugs to pursue the couple. One of my favorite movies of all time. One of the most violent “feel good love stories” of all time. Performances through the roof. The cast is mind blowing. (5/5)
Ghostkeeper (1981)
Three friends on a New Year’s Eve snowmobiling excursion find themselves stranded at an abandoned lodge where the elderly female innkeeper is concealing a sinister secret. This is a cult-y classic. I didn’t love it. But didn’t hate it. It’s cinema that I would have never seen before CathodeTV. (2.5/5) … with a highly recommend anyway.
Christmas at Pee-wee’s Playhouse (TV Movie 1988)
Pee-Wee Herman throws a Christmas party at his playhouse with his friends and some celebrity guests. Add this to your holiday rotation of Christmas movies and specials! (5/5)
Deadly Dreams 1988 Kristine Peterson
Deadly Dreams is a 1988 American psychological horror film directed by Kristine Peterson, and starring Mitchell Anderson, Juliette Cummins, and Xander Berkeley. Another Cathode watch. Maybe low rating, but worth a watch. (2./5)
Jack Frost aka Morozko 1964 Alexander Rou 76m
A fairy-tale about a conceited young man and a young woman with a tyrannical step-mother, who must overcome magical trials in order to be together. This movie is a rare gem. Beautiful in so many ways. Eccentric and a feast for the eyes. (4/5)
The Star Wars Holiday Special (CBS TV Movie) 1978 Steve Binder and David Acomba
The Star Wars Holiday Special[a] is a 1978 American television special that originally aired on November 17, 1978, on CBS. It is set in the universe of the sci-fi-based Star Wars media franchise. Directed by Steve Binder, it was the first Star Wars spin-off film, set between the events of the original film and the then-unreleased sequel The Empire Strikes Back (1980). It stars the main cast of the original Star Wars and introduces the character of Boba Fett, who appeared in later films. This film was a complete flop and a diabolical travesty to release it. (0/5) There’s a 2023 documentary about this failure of marketing and ideation.
Blood Tracks (1985)
A film crew producing a rock music video decides to shoot at an abandoned factory above the snow line. When an avalanche strands them, a murderous family. This movie is a hilariously bad train wreck. (2/5)
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
Little Billy witness his parents getting killed by Santa. Now Billy is 18 and he has just become Santa, himself. Again, crazy nutbag ride of cinematic hilarity. (2/5)
Game Over aka Deadly Games (1989)
Basically ‘Home Alone’ ripped off this French holiday horror romp! On Christmas Eve, a resourceful young boy has to defend himself and his grandfather from a killer dressed as Santa Claus. This was my second viewing. It’s such a ripoff of Home Alone. I’m not sure it has redeemable qualities, but it has a ridiculously weird story execution. (2.5/5)
The Amy Fisher Story (1993)
The true story of the Long Island teen who shoots and wounds the wife of a man she called her lover. With Drew Barrymore as Amy. We ended up putting this on our big screen from Cathode. Tina didn’t recognize Drew Barrymore, so she must have been doing something right. Crazy story. hilarious Tv adaptation of her story. (2.75/5)