comment #1

lazespud says ...

It's not too tough to figure out why talented, but mostly underpaid performers would appear in a film like Fred Claus (obviously I'm not talking about Vaughn). It's all about the residuals. A holiday film that hits big is like the money tree, and yout get to shake it every year. Artie Lange on the Howard Stern show regularly talks about getting regular, and not insignificant checks every year for his small role in Elf. Every time they show the thing on TBS or whatever, he gets a check. Basically you get a nice check up front, and a lot of small checks down the line, and fantasy holiday films don't seem to hurt your acting cred...

comment #2

Rothchild says ...

The movie is incomprehensibly awful.

comment #3

Andrew says ...

Does this mean that Joel Silver will be putting another nail in his career coffin?

comment #4

Gordie Lachance says ...

I hate to say this, but I might go see this film, if only because I am getting so f*#king tired of the "this isn't funny because it's mean-spirited" theme running through every g-damn film review lately.

We get it, you're sensitive.

comment #5

Gabriel says ...

Fred Claus is shit.

There Will Be Blood is....

comment #6

Eric says ...

Saw this today. There are literally no funny moments in the movie. It's a tortuous viewing experience. Even Kevin Spacey can't rescue this mess.

comment #7

christian says ...

Kids, get the hell in the car! We're going to the mall to see some f#king mean spirited holiday family film! Oh wah, Daddy's mean...

comment #8

Ian Sinclair says ...

Meanwhile, Stephen Schaefer of the BOSTON HERALD joins in with Jeff and raves BEOWULF:

"Seeing is believing with Robert Zemeckis’ mighty, monumental “Beowulf,” which opens Nov. 16. This extravagant adaptation of the epic poem about a cursed kingdom invents a 6th century A.D. Denmark that is so richly detailed, romantic and engrossing it’s like seeing the Prince Valiant comic strip brought to blazing, 3-D life, a childhood fantasy realized in such a complete way you’re stupefied with delight. Using the motion capture technique that “Lord of the Flies” managed to create the lisping monster Gollum and that Zemeckis employed on the saccharine “Polar Express,” “Beowulf” is nothing less than an immersion into a world that is somehow familiar – they live in a harsh climate like Boston, they drink mead, get drunk and pass out, they have a wife and a mistress – and totally strange with its demons that morph into flying dragons, sea monsters that can be slain by blond Beowulf, a hero for all times. The fight scenes are startling, not the least because like “Eastern Empires” Beowulf is nude as he takes on Grendel in mano a mano to-the-death combat. The homoeroticism, a friend said, outdoes Gerald Butler’s “300” by “500.” Ray Winstone may look nothing like this sleek god-like warrior but he sounds perfect. The cast includes a brilliantly underplayed aging king by Anthony Hopkins, a Bette Davis-style villain in John Malkovich and Angelina Jolie’s siren, a shape-changing seriously seductive sylph who gets a laugh in her six-inch heels. Big Oscar Question: Is this in the running for Best Picture or Best Animated Feature? "

http://weblogs.variety.com/thompsononhollywood/

comment #9

Daviddb says ...

It is awful. The kids at the screening I attended tonight were restless and made a habit of running up and down the stadium steps at the AMC theater. I can see the headline now: Fred Claus: There Will Be Boredom.

comment #10

berkguru says ...

Looks like the worst movie of the year.

Anybody else really sick of Paul Giammati? Granted he is a good actor but I cringe now when I see him on screen.

Also, what happened to Spacey's career? And Vince Vaughn needs to get some sleep - those bags under his eyes are insane.

comment #11

Walter Sobchak says ...

I hope all the people on here who saw Fred Claus did so because they were with little kids.... otherwise....

I don't care how awful you say it was....fact is, YOU SAW IT....

Why? Why? WHY?

and what's up with Ian's commercial for Beowulf?

comment #12

T. Holly says ...

I don't know, but I gave it a little panning over there.

comment #13

Rothchild says ...

I love Swingers, Made, Old School, Dodgeball, Wedding Crashers and...wait for it...wait for it...The Break Up. That's why I saw it. I mean, it's actually a premise that could inspire a lot of comedy, if you go the Bad Santa route. But it's awful. Fred isn't even an asshole. He does one stupid thing. There's no bickering, banter, or conflict between him and Santa. They fucking do face replacements on midgets. It's the worst thing ever.

comment #14

berg says ...

FRED CLAUS is on the lewel of Jingle All The Way, that said, a couple of scenes caught my interest ... WB should relase Justice League and Superman in the same week

comment #15

Rothchild says ...

Jingle All The Way was much, much, much better. Much better.

comment #16

insidah says ...

It's amazing how unattractive and unfunny this movie looks. Totally devoid of any Christmas or holiday magic. Seems like a desperate cash in on elements that made ELF a huge hit. Man, it's amazing how often Hollywood fucks up holiday movies. Christmas with the Kranks may be the single worst movie I've ever seen. Deck the Halls, Surviving Christmas...the list goes on.

comment #17

berg says ...

dont forget REINDEER GAMES, which all said and done is better than the above

comment #18

Leonardcoenbrothers says ...

I guess Vince Vaughn is now the poor man's Tim Allen....and all along I thought Tim Allen was the poor man's Tim Allen.

comment #19

Terry McCarty says ...

One additional problem: Family films should not clock in at 115 minutes.

Good point, but if you're David Dobkin and you had a big hit with an overlong nonfamily comedy, you're likely to be irritable with anyone who offers suggestions about cuts and trims.

comment #20

Ogami Itto says ...

"Good point, but if you're David Dobkin and you had a big hit with an overlong nonfamily comedy, you're likely to be irritable with anyone who offers suggestions about cuts and trims."

David Dobkin: Auteur. How dare anyone screw with his artistic vision.

comment #21

Rob says ...

^ Spam comments rule.

comment #22

Rich S. says ...

The amazing thing is that I've seen four or five versions of the trailer, and not one contained even a single funny line. Usually, if there is anything attractive at all about a movie, it will find its way into a trailer. Hell, some marketers will ruin the ending of the film just to get the money shot in there. But here? Nada.

comment #23

MAGGA says ...

What about THERE WILL BE BLOOD!! AICN has started posting (rave) reviews from the current screening, you have been sitting on your views for days, TELL US SOMETHING! PLEASE!! I keep checking in every five minutes and NOTHING! Come on!

comment #24

Ogami Itto says ...

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comment #25

Dave says ...

No, I'm not single again, but if I can date a millionaire instead, I might consider it.

Wait, what was that? *I* have to be the millionaire??

What a gyp.

comment #26

tjfar67 says ...

Is Fred Claus single again?

If you must go to this movie, buy tickets for something else.....Then the ticket seller can ask "Are you really bringing four 6 year olds to see American Gangster?"

comment #27

nola says ...

I read a version of the script last year and thought it was funny. Did something happen on the way to the big screen?

Of course Hollywood can't get most family holiday movies right. Many players in this town hate their families.

comment #28

Gaydos says ...

Brian Lowry at Variety liked it even less, if that's possible:

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117935327.html?categoryid=31&cs=1

comment #29

T. Holly says ...

MAGGA, I even stayed up late last night. Can't you imagine Wells cursing and slamming stuff around, trying to get everything to work? And then it'll finally post time-stamped back to last night.

comment #30

TCorey says ...

Shame this blows, cause I actually have a soft spot for holiday movies. Hollywood rarely gets it right though. I can only count 5 or so in the last decade worth watching.

comment #31

T. Holly says ...

Oh no, someone better rescue Wells.

comment #32

MilkMan says ...

Vince Vaughn is the new Chevy Chase. Why some development exec in tight jeans hasn't greenlighted a remake of Seems Like Old Times with Vince Vaughn, Kate Hudson and Ben Stiller (and don't forget Chris Tucker as the Driver!) is a mystery.

comment #33

CitizenKanedforChewingGum says ...

Methinks Ian Sinclair has a hard-on for Beowulf. No, not just the movie...the MAN.

comment #34

Craig Kennedy says ...

I don't know. After awhile, kicking the crap out of an obviously horrible-from-the-get-go movie is almost as dispiriting as the movie existing in the first place.

comment #35

BurmaShave says ...

Vince Vaughn was still awesome in INTO THE WILD. Let's take this oppurtunity to tell everyone to go see that instead.