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Ho Ho Ho Kiddies!!!
You know, for most people Christmas is the
favorite holiday of the year. All the presents,
family get-togethers, dinner tables overflowing
with food and holiday movies and specials.
Speaking of holiday movies, this year we’ve
got the makings of a brand new one destined
to become a holiday tradition in our household.
Well, at least once you kiddies have gone
to bed.
In a decidedly different take from the classic
“Twilight Zone” episode where
a drunken department store Santa is given
a shot at redemption, “Bad Santa”
not only has a bit of a drinking problem,
certain tendencies towards grand larceny,
but even relishes a somewhat overzealous
sexual addiction. Billy Bob Thornton stars
as Willie T. Stokes, who along with his
elfish partner in crime Marcus (Tony Cox),
moves from town to town, robbing the malls
they work for as they go. When they hit
a new mall in Phoenix however, things turn
out decidedly different.
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This time around they must deal with a pesky
store manager (John Ritter), a savvy mall detective
(Bernie Mac), and an 8-year old misfit (Brett
Kelly). Throw in a Santa-loving siren (Lauren
Graham) and you have the ingredients for a holiday
classic sure to bring cheer to Mommy and Daddy
while traumatizing the kids.
Make no mistake; “Bad Santa” is NOT
a movie for the kids. I saw the trailers when
it was out in theatres, and I don’t know
how anyone could think bringing their kids to
see it was a good idea. Nevertheless, according
to many of my friends who did in fact see it in
the theatre, parents were taking their children
in droves. Of course, I really don’t see
why I’m so surprised, what with illiteracy
being rampant in this country and all. So, for
those of you who can read, let me reiterate…
“Bad Santa”… is… not…for…kids.
Put them to bed or leave them with the sitter
before you watch it.
That said, “Bad Santa” is a hysterically
offensive, politically incorrect, profoundly foul
movie. It is about as dark a comedy as it is possible
to be. And I loved every second of it. It’s
a sure-fire bet that it’s going to tick
some people off. It completely trashes the Christmas
holiday along with its commercial connotations.
I can see the picket lines forming to the right
as we speak. For me and my friends however, we
HAVE a sense of humor and can laugh at the sharp
jokes, blush at the naughty bits and get a general
all around good feeling about ourselves for being
that way.
I can’t really say who will or won’t
like this movie. For me personally, I love it
because it doesn’t attack what is sacred
about Christmas, but more the rampant commercialism
we have come to identify it with. Don’t
get me wrong, I love Christmas for what it ultimately
stands for which is a celebration of the birth
of Christ. But what we have turned it into is
more a time of crass marketing and sanctimonious
preaching. “Bad Santa” doesn’t
lash out at this aspect of Christmas directly,
but lash out it does.
Aside from its offensive nature, the film boasts
some terrific performances from its stars, most
notably Thornton. No stranger to playing drunken
lowlifes, Thornton is note perfect as Stokes.
You can honestly believe this guy exists, even
though he sinks just about as low as a human being
can go. And as for the late John Ritter, he once
again shows what a great talent he was. As the
wimpy ultra conservative Bob Chipeska, his reactions
to Stokes’ lifestyle are priceless. Of course,
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Lauren
Graham as Sue. She has an inclination towards
sleeping with Santas, and let me tell you it is
a role far removed from Lorelai Gilmore on “Gilmore
Girls.”
There are two versions of “Bad Santa”
available on DVD. One is the theatrical version,
which comes with an ‘R’ rating, while
the other is ‘Unrated’ and includes
about seven minutes worth of additional material.
Both versions have their share of extra features,
which with one exception are the same. Both versions
have three deleted/alternate scenes, a couple
of which really should have been kept in the film.
There is a short Behind the Scenes featurette,
which is mostly promotional in nature, and several
humorous outtakes. The ‘Unrated version’,
known as “Badder Santa” has one extra,
extra feature in the form of a short, but hilarious
Gag Reel.
“Bad Santa” is at times disgusting
and vile, while at other times sweet and sentimental.
Wait a minute, strike that. It never really gets
sweet or sentimental, but if you have a cast-iron
stomach for obscene humor, you can look past it
to find those moments that come close.
Directed by: Terry Zwigoff
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Lauren Graham, Bernie
Mac, John Ritter, Tony Cox, Brett Kelly
Extras: Deleted and Alternate Scenes, Behind the
Scenes Special, Outtakes, Badder Santa Gag Reel
Specifications: Widescreen (1.85:1) Enhanced for
16x9 Televisions, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Dimension
Release Date: 6/22/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: UNRATED (Also available in R-rated
version)
Website
Website
We'll give Bad(der) Santa an A.
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