Yule Like It A Little Bit..."A Very Murray Christmas"

A Very Murray Christmas (2015)

TV-MA

Starring Bill Murray, Paul Shaffer, Amy Poehler, George Clooney, Julie White, Miley Cyrus, Chris Rock

Directed by Sofia Coppola

The Story:

Bill Murray is set to host a live Christmas special in New York on Christmas Eve as a giant blizzard descends on the city. Paul Shaffer is there to provide the musical support, but Murray is ready to cancel since none of the guests can make it. His producers (Poehler and White) insist that the show must go on. However when the power goes out, Murray is off the hook and spends the evening with an eclectic set of hotel guests and staff.

Remember the old Christmas variety specials from seemingly decades gone by?

This is an homage/send-up of those very same shows, done for the pleasure of Bill Murray.

He helped write it and sets the tone for an odd evening, to be sure.

While Cyrus will get the most attention likely for her actually reserved and nice performance, it's Maya Rudolph who kills with vocals in the special.

It's then a tie for who makes their musical number funnier:

George Clooney or Chris Rock ?

Clooney's bit makes the song work, Chris Rock is in the funniest part of the entire special.

Worth a viewing, especially for fans of Murray.

Doubtful I'll need to rewatch this special every year around this time.

Your mileage will likely vary.

Final Grade: C+

Celebrating The Youth of Today..."The Bling Ring"

The Bling Ring (2013)

Rated R for language

 

Starring Katie Chang, Israel Broussard, Emma Watson, Claire Julien

 

Directed by Sofia Coppola

 

The Story:

 

A group of teens use social media to track their favorite celebrities, then break into their houses and rob them blind while the celebs are out partying.  And yes, it's based on true events.

 

Meh.

 

That's my overall reaction to this movie.

 

Of course, that's been my reaction to the entirety of Coppola's directing efforts that I've seen.

 

Yes, including Lost in Translation.

 

It was competent enough, but never really engaged me.

I'll Show Him Competent Enough...

 

I never really connected with any of the kids, so didn't feel anything but indifference when they got caught and punished.

 

And really, all they did was trade in their criminal behavior for a quick 15 minutes of fame.

 

Only in America.

 

Final Grade: D+

 

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I had enough of my time stolen already, I'm good.