What the hell is going on around here???

In one week, I've gone from thoroughly enjoying a superhero flick to not hating a Ben Affleck movie! The sky must be falling. The world must be coming to an end.

Not only did I like a Ben Affleck movie... but I liked a movie of his that was ripped to shreds by virtually everyone who shares my tastes and every major critic on the face of the planet.

If I had had to set the odds of that happening before watching the film... I would have set the morning line at 9999-1. I WAS POSITIVE THE FILM WAS GOING TO BE DREADFUL AND LAUGHLESS!!!

But, nothing else was on and I thought I would leave it on in the background as I made major design changes on my website. (Which will be visible soon)

Slowly but surely, my attention waned from my computer screen as I started paying attention to the TV.

And then I noticed something strange... I was smiling. I actually caught myself doing it and was perplexed.

Don't I usually hate Ben? And how often do I enjoy a movie that is critically panned? Virtually never... maybe the Rob Schneider movies!!!

But this film made me giggle!

Was it hilarious? No... this is not a strong recommendation. But it was so far above my expectations that I have to give it a nod. Ben mugged for the camera and it was a tad over the top... but he still made me laugh enough to merit an upturned thumb.

© Written by TC Candler

How We Rated This Film TC Candler - C+ Richard Propes - C- Jacob Hall -

Richard Propes' Comment

It's a sad film when it's the star of the film that is the weakest link. Unfortunately, that is true of "Surviving Christmas."

The film stars Ben Affleck as a young millionaire who, realizing the loneliness of his holiday, revisits his childhood home hoping to recapture some of the spirit. Of course, it is a different family living there and he offers to pay them to allow him to join the family for Christmas.

There was hardly 15 minutes that would pass in this film that I wouldn't think to myself...this could have been a good film. If the script had been tweaked and the film had a different lead, then this film could have actually worked...it could have entertained, made me laugh and possibly even made me think. Mostly, it just made me groan at the awkward site of Affleck trying so hard to be endearing and likeable...so hard, in fact, that he became just plain irritating most of the time.
 

Jacob Hall's Comment

n/a