My Review of Trading Places (1983)

 

Written by Timothy Harris And Herschel Weingrod

Directed by John Landis

Louis: "Listen, do you have any better ideas?"

Billy Ray: "Yeah. You know, it occurs to me that the best way you hurt rich people is by turning them into poor people."

Coleman: "You have to admit, sir, you didn't like it yourself a bit."

I'm still on a Christmas movie catch up and I have to admit that I've never watched all of this movie in one sitting. I've seen bits over the years but last night, I decided to watch the movie in it's entirety. I'm glad I did.

It's a movie with a straightforward concept. Take two very different men. In this case, a street hustler named Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) and a commodities banker named Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd) and show what would happen if their lives were reversed.

That was the idea of Louis's bosses - brother duo, Randolph (Ralph Bellamy) and Mortimer Duke (Don Ameche). They had a bet that both Billy and Louis would fall into their preconceived notions of what would happen if things were different for each other. It was an experiment that almost worked. Until it didn't.

For Billy, getting to live in Louis's house with the latter's butler, Coleman (Denholm Elliott) and working Louis's job certainly has it's advantages. It turned out that Billy's quite shrewd on the stock market, much to the annoyance of the Duke brothers. Both of them showed their racist selves pretty quickly.

On the other hand, being poor didn't quite suit Louis. He lost his job, home, annoying fiancée Penelope (Kristin Holby) but on the other hand, he did gain a friend in Ophelia (Jamie Lee Curtis). Actually it was more than that as Louis and Ophelia became a couple by the end of the movie.

Having Louis, Ophelia and Billy team up to get back at the Duke brothers definitely had the type of comic mishaps you couldn't get away with today. Those scenes did have me laughing out loud and it was satisfying watching the Dukes lose everything.

- There's minor roles for Ron Taylor, J.T. Turner and Giancarlo Esposito in this movie along with Avon Long.

- At the time, there was hesitation in casting both Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis in this movie but fortunately we got both.

- Standout music: Sylvester's Do You Wanna Funk and The Silhouettes Get A Job.

- Chronology: 1980s New York during the Christmas season.

Now that I've properly watched it, I got to say that I really liked Trading Places. It's not very Christmassy as other movies I e watched this month but it's certainly enjoyable. Both Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy are on terrific form.

Rating: 8 out of 10 

My Review of Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025)

 

Written And Directed by Mike P. Nelson

Billy (to various victims): "Naughty."

My journey ending towards this horror franchise continued with the latest instalment, released in theatres last week. I can't believe I'm about to say but I actually liked this one. I'm being serious.

The movie opened with a young Billy Chapman (Logan Sawyer) witnessing the death of his parents by a homicidal Santa Claus. Years later and now played by Rohan Campbell, Billy's taken on the killer mantle himself, albeit with a twist.

For some reason, this movie wasn't interested in Billy being a villain but instead, it went down the Dexter (2006-2013) route into making him a rather sympathetic antihero. He's even got a "dark passenger" of sorts named Charlie (Mark Acheson) to make sure that Billy only kills deserving victims. 

In terms of changes, I think this worked well to the movie's direction. Ending up in a small town named Hackett, Billy ended up working in a gift store run by Mr. Sims (David Lawrence Brown) and fell in love with the latter's daughter, Pamela (Ruby Modine). Pamela had a bit of a dark side of her own and an unlikeable ex-boyfriend named Max (David Tomlinson).

Throughout the movie, we got to see Billy and Pamela's relationship development rather nicely. We also got to see Billy kill some horrible people, including an entire party of Nazis. At no point are we meant to not root for Billy. 

There's also a subplot involving a serial child kidnapper named the Snatcher that had Billy and Pamela working together. Again, this might be the most sympathetic version of Billy we're ever going to get and while the ending was predictable, I did find it satisfying enough.

- Billy's parents murdered his grandfather before they were killed themselves. Pamela could later "hear" Billy after his death. His bloody advent calendar was an interesting thing to have.

- There's some Easter Eggs to past movies in this franchise as well as Black Christmas (1974).

- Standout music: Kandy Korn's Saint Bitchless.

- Chronology: Billy's parents died when he was eight. He was in his twenties during this movie.

This has never been the strongest of horror franchises but I genuinely liked this version of Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025). Rohan Campbell turned out to be a great choice for Billy Chapman and this modern take worked a treat.

Rating: 7 out of 10 

My Review of Heated Rivalry: "I'll Believe In Anything"

 

Written And Directed by Jacob Tierney 

Ilya (to Shane): "I'm coming to the cottage."

Wow, what a hell of an episode. I can only imagine for book fans what it must have been to see the events of this episode play out onscreen. As a non book fan, I genuinely think this topped Hunter as my favourite episode.

That's twice this season that Scott and Kip have pushed the show into a positive. The exploration of their love story was incredible but a win for Scott having him out his relationship with Kip so publicly. Yes, it veered into fantasy wish fulfilment territory but it was so well handled.

Especially when you consider that Scott and Kip only appeared at the end while Shane and Ilya were recovering from their own injuries. Scott and Kip really are the bar that have been set for Shane and Ilya. Will they make their relationship public in the finale? We'll see.

Things got a lot more emotional for the two with the more steamy of scenes being parked in favour for it. In this case, that's not a criticism. It was nice to see both men being vulnerable with one another. Shane admitted he had real feelings for Ilya and Ilya also had to cope with the loss of his father.

There's a beautiful but long conversation on the phone between Shane and Ilya with the latter spoke Russian throughout. It was a great way for Ilya to offload his issues and for Shane to be a positive sounding board for him.

Then there's the cottage. It's the title of the finale and Shane invited Ilya to spend time there, which the latter was reluctant in doing so. Of course with the ending of this episode, Ilya had a change of heart on the matter.

- Shane's coming out scene with Rose was beautifully handled. Every gay guy deserves a friend like Rose. 

- Shane's mother might know her stuff about hockey but she definitely didn't see the Scott/Kip kiss coming a mile off.

- UK/Irish viewers will be able to watch this show from January 10th. 

- Chronology: Late 2016 to May 2017. Boston, Moscow and Montreal.

I'll Believe In Anything was absolutely brilliant. Longer than earlier episode (though still under an hour), this was a great culmination in Scott/Kip's story and a brilliant way to really move things forward with Shane/Ilya.

Rating: 9 out of 10 

My Review of Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)

 

Written by Burny Mattinson And Tony L. Marino And Ed Gombert And Don Griffith And Alan Young And Alan Dinehart

Directed by Burny Mattinson

Marley: "Tonight, you will be visited by three spirits. Listen to 'em. Do what they say, or your chains will be heavier than mine. Farewell, Ebenezer. Farewell..."

I had to get in at least one more version of A Christmas Carol in before the big event next week and this popped up on my social media feeds due to it's anniversary this week. It's been forty two years.

Now we all know the story but let's have the Disney version. In this one we get Scrooge McDuck (Alan Young) as Ebenezer Scrooge and it's true to form. He's not particularly enthusiastic about Christmas and wasn't best thrilled that his long suffering employee Bob Cratchit (Wayne Allwine) aka Mickey Mouse wanted time off for Christmas Day. 

On top of that, Scrooge also had a way of rationalising not giving money to the poor and being openly scornful of his cheery nephew, Fred (Clarence Nash) aka Donald Duck. The only person that Scrooge seemed to admire was his deceased partner, Jacob Marley (Hal Smith) aka Goofy. There's a lesson to be learned from the former Jacob Marley as Scrooge was about to find out.

The lesson came in the form of three Ghosts - Christmas Past/Jiminy Cricket (Eddie O'Carroll), Christmas Present/Willie the Giant (Will Ryan) and of course, Christmas Future/Pete (Will Ryan). This meant getting glimpses of Scrooge's past, including a lost love named Isabelle/Daisy Duck (Patricia Parris), the potential death of Tiny Tim (Dick Billingsley) and his own demise.

Of course it did end as these adaptations normally do. Scrooge had a change of heart, rewarded the poor while promoting Bob Cratchit and giving toys to Tiny Tim and his siblings. It's a very sweet ending to a rather brisk adaptation of the most popular Christmas story.

- Minnie Mouse appeared as Mrs Cratchit while the Weasels were gravediggers. Ratty and Moley collected for the poor.

- This was released with a reissue of The Rescuers (1977).

- Standout music: Oh, What A Merry Christmas Day used at the start and end of the film.

- Chronology: 1800s Christmas Eve and Day. 

It's been a long while since I've seen Mickey's Christmas Carol but for a movie that's shorter than half an hour, it's a lot of fun. Great use of the characters, some funny lines and a heartwarming ending.

Rating: 8 out of 10 

My Review of Cinderella (1950)

 

Written by William Peet And Ted Sears And Homer Brightman And Kenneth Anderson And Erdman Penner And Winston Hibler And Harry Reeves And Joe Rinaldi

Directed by Wilfred Jackson And Hamilton Luske And Clyde Geronimi

Fairy Godmother: "Oh, now, now, now, now, now, just a minute. You must understand, my dear: On the stroke of twelve, the spell will be broken, and everything will be as it was before."

Cinderella: "Oh, I understand, but... it's more than I ever hoped for."

There are two reasons why I'm now reviewing this movie. First of all, it's turned seventy five this year and secondly, the upcoming season of Bridgerton will be very influenced by this story. There's also the fact that I happen to like it as well.

One of the earliest Disney movies that I watched as a child, Cinderella focused on the titular character (Ilene Woods) who lost both her parents and got made into being an unpaid skivvy for her mean spirited stepmother, Lady Tremaine (Eleanor Audley) and petty stepsisters, Drizella (Rhoda Williams) and Anastasia (Lucille Bliss).

Between the three of them, Cinderella's pretty keeping the house barely together but on the other, her best friends are mice and she did manage to keep them safe from Tremaine's spoiled cat, Lucifer. In return, they also help to create a nice dress for her.

A dress I should point out that Tremaine manipulated her awful daughter's into tearing to pieces, just so Cinderella couldn't go to the ball and meet Prince Charming (William Edward Phipps). Luckily there's a Fairy Godmother (Verna Felton) on hand to make sure that Cinderella could go to the ball.

Yes, Cinderella got a very nice dress, horses and a pumpkin carriage. She also got to meet Prince Charming and fall in love with him. She also had midnight working against and left a glass slipper behind. At least the prince had something to go on in order to find her.

It's almost a silly way as the Prince should have been able to recognise her but it was an amusing plot to have Tremaine try and fail to marry off one of her daughters. Of course Cinderella ended the movie going from servant to princess. 

- There are two animated sequels and a live action remake that was released in 2015. I'll tackle them all next year.

- Apparently this film took six years to make and it has about eight writers and three directors. I'm surprised it turned out so well.

- Standout music: A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes, Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo and So This Is Love.

- Chronology: It's based on Charles Perrault's 1697 tale.

Cinderella might not pass a certain test but it's a delightful Disney movie with some good songs, helpful mice and a mostly helpful Fairy Godmother. Is it in my Top 10 Disney movies? No, but it's certainly a good watch nonetheless.

Rating: 8 out of 10 

My Review of It - Welcome To Derry: "Winter Fire"

 

Written by Jason Fuchs 

Directed by Andy Muschietti 

Ingrid (to Beverly): "You know what they say about Derry. No one whoever dies here ever really dies."

And that's how you stick the landing. What a finale. All the big stories and themes coming to a satisfactory conclusion and more linkage to the movies themselves. All in the space of 68 minutes. I loved this episode.

Last week, Pennywise abducted Will and this week he went one step further and took the majority of the kids from Derry. This meant Lilly, Ronnie and Marge had to team up with the dagger to stop Pennywise while Leroy and Hallorann also went against General Shaw and even each other to an extent.

I can see why Hallorann wasn't keen to get involved considering the shit he's been through but that's where having Charlotte and Rose turned out to be of use. Both were able to get through to him better than Leroy and as the only responsible adults (plus Hank), they also tried to step up to save the day.

As for the irresponsible adult, damn that idiot General Shaw. His brazen arrogance and stupidity was the reason Pennywise got free in the first place. Shaw was daft enough to believe that he could control Pennywise and found out in record time just how wrong he was. Unlike Ingrid, who was misguided, Shaw knew exactly what he was doing and he got the most deserved comeuppance for it.

As for Pennywise. He was vicious, he was cruel and wasn't afraid to drop spoilers at random to Marge when he wasn't using his Dead Lights. He also went up against the wrong group of kids and got put to sleep. Then again, he's got twenty seven years to plot his revenge.

Pennywise's defeat closed the chapter for these kids. Marge now knows she's got a son and told Lilly about Pennywise's relationship with time. The Hanlons got to take over Rose's duties of guarding the cage while Ronnie and Hank get to escape Derry. Someone had to get out of town and it made the most sense for it to be Ronnie and Hank.

- Yes, Marge was revealed to be the mother of Ritchie Tozier from the IT movies. Hallorann decided to check into a hotel. 

- Speaking of those movies, it was nice to see both Sophia Lillis and Joan Gregson reprise there roles as Beverly Marsh and the older Ingrid respectively.

- Standout music: Max Hansen's Det er det skønneste jeg ved.

- Chronology: From where the previous episode left off.

Winter Fire really was the perfect way to end this series. At the same time, I'm hoping that Andy Muschietti will get to have the second and third seasons that he wants for this show. An absolutely brilliant ending all round.

Rating: 8 out of 10 

My Review of The War Between The Land And The Sea: "The Witch Of The Waterfall"

 

Written by Pete McTighe 

Directed by Dylan Holmes Williams 

Barclay (to Salt): "You'll never swim alone."

After that rather lagging middle episode, this was something of an improvement. The deaths from before held some proper weight, baddies felt consequences (bye, bye Spears) and war was about to break. Oh and two characters got a lot closer.

The two characters of course being Barclay and Salt. Yes, this interspecies romance was telegraphed months ago and while Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw give it their best, something felt a bit off here. Mostly with Salt.

I feel like the character's personality almost shifted a bit too quickly and her wonders at the surface world felt almost too childlike at times. Then there's the off screen sex between her and Barclay and some attempts of flirty wordplay. It kind of worked but kind of didn't either. 

I also felt that Barclay and Salt who spent most of the episode off grid after both of them "betrayed" their parties were a bit too easily caught. Of course enlisting Barbara and Kirby would have the British army catching up with them. On the other hand, Barclay got captured, Salt went back into the water and Kate showed a darker side.

Jemma Redgrave definitely gave the best performance of the episode. Kate's grief for Ibrahim was actually affecting and she had some rather nice scenes with Shirley. She also had some tense moments with Homo Aqua's second ambassador, Tide (Samuel Oatley) and he was more keen on war than Salt happened to be.

With one episode left to go, I'm not sure how they're going to properly resolve all of this. Homo Aqua absolutely want a war and humanity certainly want one too. I feel like Barclay and Salt's love story will not have a happy ending either as there's likely going to be something that will sever them for good.

- Salt admitted that her kind's punishment for betrayal to swim alone forever. She alluded to Barclay's ears as fins and him tasting like her namesake.

- Tide mentioned that Homo Aqua can use rust and water in the air to mess with humanity if they don't follow the five year demand. Samuel Oatley previously played Tzim Sha in the eleventh series of Doctor Who.

- Ibrahim's killer was dealt with off screen, Kirby had a secret phone, Morris Gibbons was mentioned and Kate has a daughter living in Dubai.

- Chronology: From where the previous episode left off.

The Witch Of The Waterfall wasn't without it's problems but I liked it more than the previous episode. The aftermath of that death worked and there's something chaotic and messy about that Barclay/Salt hook up, though if this show was Torchwood, more potential would've been explored.

Rating: 7 out of 10 

My Review of The War Between The Land And The Sea: "The Deep"

 

Written by Pete McTighe 

Directed by Dylan Holmes Williams 

Salt (to Barclay): "We could make a difference, you and I. End the conflict between our species before it's too late."

Now here was an episode where the meaning "treading water" would be a totally appropriate thing to say. Until the last five minutes that's exactly what this episode was doing. There's almost a tonal whiplash.

Let's cut to the biggest shocker of the episode - the death of Colonel Ibrahim. This episode so wanted to land a death as gutting as Ianto Jones from Torchwood: Children Of Earth episode Day Four. Sadly, it just didn't land for me.

I will give both Jemma Redgrave and Alexander Devrient their dues. They both tried their hardest to sell the moment and it was certainly a way to end this episode. However, it's just a painful reminder of how barely development both Kate and Ibrahim have been as characters. This should've felt devastating but it didn't and I felt for Kate. 

Ibrahim could've been a great character and he certainly had a likeable quality about him but we barely knew the guy. We were barely given a reason to invest in him and Kate as a couple. Watching the episode a second time and it still just didn't hit me like it should've. I hate that for me.

As for the rest of the episode, it felt an eternity for Barclay, General Pierce and other ambassadors to actually plummet the depths of the ocean for the next meeting with Homo Aqua. In fact it took up way too much time though it did build up Ted Campbell (William Gaminara) as a character.

Barclay and Salt's continued to build on their connection during the aquatic meeting with the latter's people. Just when things looked like they were going well, Ted revealed himself to be a traitor and people died underwater. Except for Barclay, who Salt decided to rescue at the expense of her own species. More on that in the review for the next episode.

- Barclay talked about nursing his mother through cancer. People online think he's a traitor, useless and a bootlicker to name a few choice insults.

- The cabinet meeting scenes with Kate, Sir Keith Spears and the Prime Minister really lag. Those type of scenes were better handled sixteen years ago on another spin-off I mentioned.

- I think we actually saw a glimpse of the original Sea Devils during that meeting but they were badly lit.

- Chronology: A few days seem to have passed since the events of the previous episode.

I really wanted to like this episode but I have to admit that The Deep was by far the weakest one so far. It just lagged too much, the Severance strand could've been handled better and that big death just didn't have the impact it should've. 

Rating: 6 out of 10