BAD SANTA
Learning the ways of the world from the 'Sarcastic Santa' School of Hard KnocksA foul-mouthed 'family film' if you're either a Grinch or Scrooge, but Father Christmas should stay far away from this one - it's the Anti-'ELF'!
2-1/2 stars/3 stars if you don't believe in Santa (out of 4)
[(2003)US-Germany/Dimension Films/Rated R] - (1 hr. 34 min.)
Directed by Terry Zwigoff
Screenplay by Glenn Ficarra & John Requa
Characters/Cast
Willie T. Stokes - Billy Bob Thornton
Marcus - Tony Cox
The Kid - Brett Kelly
Review:
This is definitely not a movie for those that are easily offended OR still believe in Santa Claus, but for those sickened by the excesses and commercialism of the Christmas holiday season it may make for a kind of comic tonic (a strong tonic at that - with extra gin!).
Director Terry Zwigoff takes the iconic 'Santa' figure and shows him doing all the things he's probably do if he really was more than a myth: smoking, drinking, swearing, and even being shot down by the cops as a trespasser.
I can only recommend this film to those that fit into the paramaters of hardcore, anti-Xmas, and/or atheistic (or all three would be best). Definitely not a date film but might be okay as a 'boys-nite-out' group experience so you can add in some extra punchlines of your own.
Good luck if you venture into this one unprepared!
Supporting characters
Sue - Lauren Graham
Lois - Lauren Tom
Gin - Bernie Mac
Bob Chipeska - John Ritter
Hindustani Troublemaker - Ajay Naidu
Milwaukee Mom with Photo - Alex Borstein
Grandmother - Cloris Leachman
NOTE: In 2007, and extended director's cut of this film (retitled BADDER SANTA) was released. I haven't seen it, so watch the original first and then compare (if you have to).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Learning the ways of the world from the 'Sarcastic Santa' School of Hard KnocksA foul-mouthed 'family film' if you're either a Grinch or Scrooge, but Father Christmas should stay far away from this one - it's the Anti-'ELF'!
2-1/2 stars/3 stars if you don't believe in Santa (out of 4)
[(2003)US-Germany/Dimension Films/Rated R] - (1 hr. 34 min.)
Directed by Terry Zwigoff
Screenplay by Glenn Ficarra & John Requa
Characters/Cast
Willie T. Stokes - Billy Bob Thornton
Marcus - Tony Cox
The Kid - Brett Kelly
Review:
This is definitely not a movie for those that are easily offended OR still believe in Santa Claus, but for those sickened by the excesses and commercialism of the Christmas holiday season it may make for a kind of comic tonic (a strong tonic at that - with extra gin!).
Director Terry Zwigoff takes the iconic 'Santa' figure and shows him doing all the things he's probably do if he really was more than a myth: smoking, drinking, swearing, and even being shot down by the cops as a trespasser.
I can only recommend this film to those that fit into the paramaters of hardcore, anti-Xmas, and/or atheistic (or all three would be best). Definitely not a date film but might be okay as a 'boys-nite-out' group experience so you can add in some extra punchlines of your own.
Good luck if you venture into this one unprepared!
Supporting characters
Sue - Lauren Graham
Lois - Lauren Tom
Gin - Bernie Mac
Bob Chipeska - John Ritter
Hindustani Troublemaker - Ajay Naidu
Milwaukee Mom with Photo - Alex Borstein
Grandmother - Cloris Leachman
NOTE: In 2007, and extended director's cut of this film (retitled BADDER SANTA) was released. I haven't seen it, so watch the original first and then compare (if you have to).
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