Review by Ben Dover:
Rating: 2.5/5 Martinis (Because that’s what I needed to get through this)

Look, I’ve been reviewing movies since before Bill Murray had gray hair, and I’ve seen “A Christmas Carol” adapted more times than I’ve had hot dinners. But 1988’s “Scrooged” really takes the fruitcake when it comes to missing the point of Dickens’ classic tale.

Murray plays Frank Cross, a TV executive who’s about as warm and cuddly as my ex-wife’s lawyer. The movie tries to modernize the Scrooge story by setting it in the cutthroat world of television, which is about as original as reheating leftover turkey. Murray, who I usually enjoy more than my morning bourbon, seems to be doing his “Ghostbusters” schtick minus the charm. It’s like watching your uncle try to be cool at a Christmas party – painful, but you can’t look away.

The special effects look like they were done by the same folks who make those cheap commercials for local furniture stores. The Ghost of Christmas Past is a cab driver who probably learned his trade in New York City, given how violently he drives through Frank’s memories. The Ghost of Christmas Present is Carol Kane, who beats Murray senseless with various household objects this was my personal favorite thing to happen in this turkey. Very festive. Just what Dickens had in mind, I’m sure.

Now, I’ll admit there are moments where this turkey actually takes flight. Murray has a few scenes where he reminds us why he’s Bill Murray and not some hack from a sitcom. And Karen Allen (who I had a crush on since Raiders of the Lost Ark – don’t tell my wife) brings some actual heart to this cynical cash grab. But these moments are rarer than a quiet teenager at the mall. I feel bad because I know that I wasn’t supposed to be rooting for Bobcat, but I was.

The finale, where Murray’s character has his big emotional breakthrough, goes on longer than a DMV line. He literally breaks the fourth wall and starts preaching to the audience about the spirit of Christmas. Kid, I get my sermons at church, not from a guy who made “Meatballs.”

The movie’s message about the soulless nature of television is about as subtle as a punch in the face from the Ghost of Christmas Present (which actually happens in the film – several times). It’s like being lectured about healthy eating by Ronald McDonald.

The music is great though save one horrible cover that awful cover of “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” that plays at the end. It’s the kind of song that makes you wish the Ghost of Christmas Future would take you right then and there. I really hated the talking to the audience though as it was just stupid on streaming. The film features a number of classic Christmas songs, as well as some original compositions by Danny Elfman.

Bottom line: Is “Scrooged” the worst Christmas movie ever made? No, that honor still belongs to “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.” Is it worth watching? Maybe after a few eggnogs, or if you’re stuck at your in-laws’ house and the remote is broken. Murray saves it from being a complete disaster, but just barely.

At least it’s better than those Hallmark Christmas movies my wife watches. Those things are scarier than any ghost Charles Dickens ever dreamed up.

Fun Fact: The budget for this movie was $32 million – apparently, most of it went to Murray’s salary and whatever they were smoking when they wrote the script.

Cast:

• Bill Murray as Frank Cross
• Karen Allen as Claire Randall
• Bob Hoskins as Harry Henshaw
• Alfre Woodard as Rachel Jacobs
• Paul Gleason as Brice Hallstrom
• Carol Kane as Carol Kane
• Robert Mitchum as Mr. Potter
• John Forsythe as The Ghost of Christmas Past
• David Johansen as The Ghost of Christmas Present
• Angela Lansbury as The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

Memorable Quote:

“The bitch hit me with a toaster.” – Frank Cross, speaking what we’re all thinking about Carol Kane’s violent Christmas spirit.

5 More Famous Quotes from “Scrooged”

• “I’m not a bad guy. I’m just misunderstood.” – Frank Cross
• “You’re a mean old Scrooge, Frank Cross.” – The Ghost of Christmas Past
• “You’re a selfish, greedy, miserable old man.” – The Ghost of Christmas Present
• “You’re dead, Frank Cross. You’re dead!” – The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
• “I’m a changed man, Bob. I’m a changed man!” – Frank Cross

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go yell at some kids to get off my lawn.

Cast

Synopsis and Plot Breakdown

Frank Cross is a mean and selfish television executive. He is so obsessed with getting ratings that he doesn’t care about anything else. On Christmas Eve, Cross is visited by three ghosts: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The ghosts show Cross the error of his ways and he is transformed into a kind and generous man.

5 Famous Quotes from “Scrooged”

• “I’m not a bad guy. I’m just misunderstood.” – Frank Cross
• “You’re a mean old Scrooge, Frank Cross.” – The Ghost of Christmas Past
• “You’re a selfish, greedy, miserable old man.” – The Ghost of Christmas Present
• “You’re dead, Frank Cross. You’re dead!” – The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
• “I’m a changed man, Bob. I’m a changed man!” – Frank Cross

5 Interesting Facts about “Scrooged”

• The film was originally going to be called “The Christmas Spirit.”
• Bill Murray was not the first choice to play Frank Cross. The role was originally offered to Michael Keaton.
• The film was a box office success, grossing over $60 million.
• “Scrooged” was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design.
• The film has become a cult classic and is enjoyed by many people today, just not me.

Review Notes:

I would rather be watching “The Night the Reindeer Died”
Father Loves Beaver (OK not cool, funny, but not cool)
Boy Bobcats voice gives him away instantly although he looks quite nondescript.
I do kind of love diabolical Bill Murray, would be a better movie if he stayed that way.
Charles Dickens would want to see her nipples (So 1988)
This cab ride is going to give me a conniption fit.
Is it wrong that I really kind of want Bobcat to kill Bill Murray

Trailer:

Review by Ben Dover:

What About Bob? (1991) – 4 Neurotic Goldfish

Well, slap me silly and call me a psychiatrist! Here’s a comedy that actually deserves the label, unlike the brain-dead drivel they’re pumping out these days. “What About Bob?” is a delightfully twisted romp that’ll have you cackling like a loon – assuming you’re not too busy relating to the characters’ mental breakdowns.

Bill Murray, that magnificent bastard, plays Bob Wiley, a neurotic mess with more phobias than a hypochondriac’s medical dictionary. He latches onto his new shrink, Dr. Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss), like a deranged barnacle, following the good doctor on his family vacation. Dreyfuss, bless his over-caffeinated heart, slowly unravels as Bob charms his way into the family’s affections.

Murray is at his manic best here, turning Bob into a lovable pest you can’t help but root for, even as he drives his psychiatrist to the brink of insanity. Whether he’s tied to the mast of a sailboat screaming “I’m sailing!” or gleefully proclaiming “I’m doing the work, I’m baby-stepping!”, Bob’s infectious enthusiasm is more potent than Prozac.

Dreyfuss, meanwhile, deserves a Purple Heart for his performance. Watching his tightly-wound doctor spiral into madness is like seeing a pressure cooker explode in slow motion – messy, but oddly satisfying. The man goes from smug professional to wild-eyed lunatic faster than you can say “multi-phasic personality inventory.”

Director Frank Oz (yeah, the Muppet guy) keeps the laughs coming at a steady clip, mining comedy gold from the escalating chaos. It’s a testament to his skill that a movie about mental illness manages to be hilarious without feeling mean-spirited. No small feat in today’s overly sensitive climate where you can’t sneeze without offending someone’s delicate sensibilities.

Sure, the plot stretches credulity thinner than my remaining hair, but who cares? It’s a comedy, not a documentary on psychiatric ethics. Besides, after seeing the state of the world these days, Bob’s neuroses seem downright quaint.

So, if you’re tired of cookie-cutter comedies that couldn’t entertain a lobotomized chicken, give “What About Bob?” a watch. It’s a refreshing reminder of when movies dared to be genuinely funny and just a little bit nuts. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go take my “vacation” from my problems. Baby steps to the elevator… baby steps to the car…

Notes:

In interviews both Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss admitted that they did not get along during filming

Budget
$39 million (est.)

Gross worldwide
$63.7 million

Runtime:  1 hour 39 minutes

Quotes:

Siggy: I mean, my Dad just dropped me in the water, without warning me first. I mean, I nearly drowned! My whole life flashed before my eyes!
Bob Wiley: Wow, you’re lucky you’re only twelve.
Siggy: It was still grim.

Critics Consensus:

Critics 82% Audience 79% Rotten Tomatoes

Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss’ chemistry helps make the most of a familiar yet durable premise, elevating What About Bob? into the upper ranks of ’90s comedies..…

Trailer:

AI Photos: