The Film Fix: Previews, Reviews of What’s Streaming in December
By JONATHAN W. HICKMAN, Special to The Paper
Below are reviews and capsules of various movies or series streaming this month.
Review rating … A “Fix” is recommended with a rating between 6 and 10. A “No Fix” is not recommended with a rating between 1 to 5.
Streaming Selects
NETFLIX
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (December 12) – Fix Rating 6/10 – Detective Benoit Blanc might be the recurring star of the “Knives Out” franchise, but “Wake Up Dead Man” belongs to Father Jud Duplenticy and his quest to save the souls of Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude, even if someone must die in the process. If you hope to learn more about the pivotal enigmatic gumshoe, viewers will have to wait for the next installment, if it ever comes.
“Wake Up Dead Man” is the third film in Rian Johnson’s ensemble Agatha Christie-inspired mystery series that began with “Knives Out” in 2019. While the two sequels bear the “A Knives Out Mystery” subtitle, other than Benoit Blanc (played so well by Daniel Craig), connections to the first film are limited. “Dead Man” works on a smaller canvas than the wildly entertaining second movie, 2022’s “Glass Onion.” And that picture arguably gave us more of Blanc than this one, which is a pity.
APPLE TV+
F1: The Movie (December 12) – Fix Rating 7/10 – This one was a perfect summer escape film. It’s essentially a triumph of form over substance. The style overwhelms the narrative, but in an entertaining way. If only the drama were given more consideration.
There’s no question that Brad Pitt cuts a nice figure in his racing gear. Men and women will find his slick, ultra-cool, dare I say, maverick portrayal sexy and charming. But in “F1: The Movie,” his sex appeal is essentially one-dimensional.
In the film, Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a former F1 racer who left the sport years ago after a tragic accident. He still races, but not on the glamorous tracks of Monaco, Singapore, or Abu Dhabi.
He races not for fame and fortune but for the thrill of it. Still, age is catching up with him, and the old ways are being replaced by teams of kids with computers.
While “F1: The Movie” does a good job educating its viewers about modern Formula 1 racing, its central character is a bit of a mystery. The movie cruises along on Pitt’s quiet cool but sacrifices emotional heft in favor of a high-octane rush.
HBO MAX
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (December 12) – 40-plus years after the release of the ultimate faux documentary, “This is Spinal Tap,” the end continues with a long-awaited sequel. Director Rob Reiner returns as documentarian Marty DiBergi to get the “band” back together again. That means Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer become rockers Tufnel, St. Hubbins, and Smalls in search of yet another drummer. This star-studded event film features several popular musicians who wax somewhat lovingly about their favorite fictional British heavy metal band. The movie covers Tap’s farewell concert.
PEACOCK
Saturday Night Live (December 20) – The 51st season of the beloved comedy sketch show continues with a special Christmas-themed episode. “Wicked: For Good” star Ariana Grande hosts, with a surprise musical guest: none other than Cher. The last time the music icon appeared on SNL to perform was 38 years ago, in 1987! She was a part of the “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert.” Will she and Grande perform a duet? That could be peak TV.
HULU
Die Hard (now streaming) – While this ultimate Christmas action film is streaming elsewhere, I just had to include it in the Film Fix somewhere this month. The sequels are fun (with diminishing returns), but the original high-rise hostage thriller from 1988 is a stone-cold classic. And it’s a great holiday watch.
The Santa Clause and Home Alone franchises – The three original Tim Allen “Santa Clause” films are available to binge, along with the Disney+ series. And if you’re into nostalgia, you could watch “Home Alone” and “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” both starring Macaulay Culkin, along with an appearance by Donald Trump in the sequel. Of course, there are four more “Alone” pictures that take the premise to ridiculous extremes.
DISNEY+
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw (December 5) – This animated adventure is part of Disney’s new approach to the popular book series by Jeff Kinney. There were four live-action films before the Mouse House brought the material into the animated fold. “The Last Straw” is the fourth in the new reboot.
Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas (December 10) – The movie star and Oscar-winning filmmaker hosts a telling of the birth of Jesus.
CHRISTMAS MOVIE SUGGESTIONS
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – This perennial Christmas classic is streaming on Amazon’s Prime Video (and all over). Frank Capra directs Jimmy Stewart as the depressed businessman George Bailey, who gets a visit from an angel who shows him that his life has value.
Arthur Christmas (2011) – This Aardman Animations (see “Chicken Run”) holiday production posits that the Santa Clause operation has gone high-tech and presents are delivered via a spaceship. But when one gift isn’t supplied to a little girl, one of Santa’s younger sons, Arthur, sets out to make sure that every kid matters.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) – On the other end of the previous heart-warming family Christmas favorites is this tale of the Griswolds, led by hapless patriarch Clark (Chevy Chase). Arguably the best of the “Vacation” series, “Christmas Vacation” is infinitely rewatchable.
Jonathan W. Hickman is an entertainment attorney, filmmaker, college professor, and novelist. More about Jonathan can be found by visiting: filmproductionlaw.com.
