Jack Attack Tuesday – 12/23/14 – I Am Santa Claus, Black Mirror White Christmas and Too Many Cooks
Jack Attack Tuesday
I Am Santa Claus, Black Mirror White Christmas and Too Many Cooks
As I write this, I’m on my absolute last leg here people. Last week, I logged 73 hours at work on top of school. I am spent. If I have to print another fucking photo of a kid on Santa’s lap I will go on a murderous rampage. All that being said, the finish line draws near and glorious Christmas is finally arriving. Despite the insanity of the season for me, I hit three solid films. Well, it’s more like two films and a short film…or comedy short…or surrealist short…I’m not sure what to classify it as to be honest with you, but I’ve watched it at least 5 times so far. Anyways, here goes…
This time of year I’m always on the hunt for a new classic Christmas film to add to my annual rotation. Make no mistake, I Am Santa Claus is a film made for adults, but it is probably the most wholesome and unique perspective on Christmas I’ve seen in a long time. I love hitting Bad Santa, It’s A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story yearly, but this is getting added to the rotation. The doc basically follows around a group of real-life Santas-for-hire and their lives outside of Christmas. While it does run a tad short, it taps into one of the most primal, pure and genuine feelings the Christmas season is all about, and that is what it means to truly connect with someone. I’ve gotta tell you, this was one of the more touching documentaries I’ve seen in a long time, and the fact that Mick Foley, aka Mankind, is at the center of this is also really cool. It was also pretty cool to see Santa’s Village in New Hampshire featured in the film, as I’ve been there a few times as a kid. 9 on 10 all day, see this before the season is over, it’s on Netflix now.
The Black Mirror White Christmas delivered in a big way. I’m all caught up with it now, having gotten through both series and the special, and I have to say these showrunners are incredibly clever. I don’t know what’s in the water over the pond, but I want some. Actually, this has made me want to finally start up Mad Men as it’s been on my shortlist for a long time now. Hamm is incredibly likable and charismatic, but Rafe Spall does a great job in his role as well. I love where this series goes and I can’t wait for more. Here’s looking forward to Series 3.
So here’s the thing, I was introduced to Too Many Cooks this week. What is Too Many Cooks, you ask? It’s…unique. Basically, Too Many Cooks is a show on TV about a wacky family in the mid-80’s. It’s also a comedy centered around a puppet that kind of looks like Alf, seen below.
It’s also a sci-fi Battlestar Galactica ripoff with cheesy effects and an even worse opening. It’s also a boy-meets-girl-comedy, a shitty cop show, a superhero drama and a slasher movie. Too Many Cooks is a short film that aired on Adult Swim that…well…kind of defies my explaining it to you. I can’t really put it into words other than say that David Lynch is probably all about this shit. I’ve watched the 11-minute video at least 5 times now and I still have trouble describing it. It’s sort of like the Matrix in that you just have to see it for yourself. So I encourage any and all to give it a watch and allow your brain to melt.
I want to wish everyone an extremely Happy Kwanzaa and look for my end of the year review, coming next week! Binge On!