Monthly Media Recap - December 2020

 Well, that was...a year. But we made it and the horizon of '21 is looking bright. Wherever you are and whatever you celebrate, I hope you're having a great holiday season!

Streaming

Death to 2020 (Netflix) - A funny look back at all the crazy that was 2020. Highly recommended.

The Mandalorian (S2, Disney+) - Just...wow. I am so glad I was able to stay spoiler free through the whole series. A handful of episodes had me geeking out like I was a kid again and truly excited for Star Wars. Give these guys some movies already!

Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun (Netflix) - The only thing I can equate this comedy trio to, even remotely, is Monty Python. The jokes are quick and the WTF-ness if way off the scale! Love it.

Creepshow Holiday Special (Shudder) - I liked the animated Halloween special but this one was so much more fun for me. The way it twists Christmas lore is superb.

Movies

Santa Jaws (2018, Amazon Prime or watch online)

It's already January so it's probably too late to warn you off this one, although I do know at least one person that enjoyed it. I just felt like it couldn't decide if it wanted to be a tween adventure/fantasy or a PG13 horror. Yes, it could be both but they didn't do a great job mixing them. I did enjoy the shark once it got all decked out despite the SyFy level CGI.

Rating: 2/10

 

It's time for no one's favorite segment: Finish the Franchise!

I saw Wishmaster way back when (maybe even in a theater) and I couldn't really remember it. Since all the movies were available, I decided to knock them all out. Poor choice on my part. Wait...there's FOUR?

*Wishmaster (1997), Wishmaster 2 (1999, both Amazon Prime)

I'm tossing these in together as I really feel like they're essentially the same movie/plot just with different settings and characters, not that the characters matter. I honestly think I felt myself get a little dumber while watching these. The only really good thing in either is the gore bonanza at the end of each. My biggest problem is with how loose the Jinn is in getting people to make wishes. Look, I know they're tricksy but when someone says "Freeze" or "You'll have to go through me" it's not an excuse for you to turn it into a terrible pun wish.

 

Rating: 3/10 and 4/10

Wishmaster 3: Beyond the Gates of Hell (2001, Tubi)

They lost the Jinn actor from the first two and really he was one of the enjoyable things in a couple of stupid movies. I know this is by Artisan but I was getting major Full Moon vibes, heck even the trailer is reminiscent of something you'd see on a Full Moon VHS. You may notice I haven't really said much about the movie and I'm just going to let that speak for itself.

Rating: 3/10

Wishmaster 4: The Prophecy Fulfilled (2002, Tubi)

The last one summoned the archangel Michael, this time the Jinn tries to experience human love. The terrible wishes continue and I am thankful the series has ended...for now.

Rating: 3/10

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020, HBO Max)

Speaking of bad wishes...I really liked the first one, despite the clusterf- of the CGI climax, so I maybe had high hopes coming into this. I can't decide if it was more 90s superhero movie or live-action 80s Saturday morning cartoon. Neither of which is a compliment. I did enjoy it but there are so many odd choices that were made, not the least of which is why it's 2.5 hours long. If you're going long, I need an Epic (capital E) story. The ending wasn't really satisfying. Sure, the bad guys were defeated but they just...go back to their lives at the end?

Rating: 5/10

 

Class Action Park (2020, HBO Max)

I am absolutely fascinated with amusement park horror stories. Maybe it's because everything is supposed to be all shiny and bright, you never think bad things would happen there. This documentary looks at the infamous Action Park and just how dangerous it was. I'm actually shocked more people didn't die there.

Dial Code Santa Claws aka Deadly Games (1989, Shudder)

I'd been wanting to see this one for awhile and was thrilled it landed on Shudder. It's like Home Alone but instead of Wet Bandits, it's a disgruntled mall Santa. And instead of Kevin you get a mulleted, computer whiz that idolizes Rambo. And it all takes place in what must be a multi-dimensional mansion because it's a huuuge house. Did I mention the knock off Eye of the Tiger song? For an 80s holiday horror, this one took me by surprise and was a wild ride! It may also be the first vehicular accident due to cell phone use in a movie.

Rating: 7/10

The Christmas Chronicles Part Two (2020, Netflix)

I liked the first one a little better but I have to give props to this one for bringing in not only Goldie Hawn as Mrs. Claus but Jólakötturinn, the Yule Cat. I would love it if they had Santa encountering some of the weird holiday legends from around the world. On a similar note, I'm really disappointed with them using the name Belsnickel for the bad guy because it doesn't really fit the mythic character and if I see the actor, I can't not see the kid from Deadpool 2.

Rating: 6/10

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020, Netflix)

This was whimsical and cute with a very Disney musical feel. The cast is great and just the whole look of the film is wonderful. Little kids may get bored at some points but I think it's a good candidate to become a family tradition.

Rating: 6/10

Here's everything watched this year. 

You can find me on Letterboxd if you're so inclined.

Month

New: 9 Rewatch: 1

Year to Date

New: 80  Rewatch: 4

Didn't Finish: 1