I’ve been reviewing Christmas Movies for Ruthless for over a decade now. Needless to say, the well is about to run dry. I refuse to review the Hallmark or Hallmark type sappy dreck. A few is enough. However, I did not want to completely abandon my unhinged and relentless pursuit of this obsession. Therefore, I […]
Dead End (2003)
December 15, 2021 by
Film Title
Dead EndSynopsis
Stay on the road, Dorothy
Director
Jean-Baptise AndreaCast
Ray Wise
Lin Shaye
Mick Cain
Alexandra Holden
Karen S. Gregan
Amber Smith
The Bishop’s Wife: Another Look At The Making Of A Great Film
December 24, 2020 by
The Bishop’s Wife puts you in mind of another bit of magical fantasy, Portrait of Jenny. Both films are based on novels by Robert Nathan and both enjoy the idea that a charming almost magical personality can enter your life at the most unexpected moments. The obviously banal aspects to the story are simple. Bishop […]
A Meowy Christmas Vacation
December 17, 2020 by
Film Title
A Meowy Christmas VacationSynopsis
Steve and his furry friends drop yet another load
Cast
Steve, I Will Be Making A Formal Complaint, Rudzinski
Cerra Atkins
Ben Dietels
A Mangy Tabby named Whiskers
Various botfly-infested rodents
When I reviewed the worst Christmas movie ever made, A Meowy Christmas, I had no idea of the massive amount of whiney butt-hurt that would be forthcoming from the movie creators, Steve Rudzinski and the writer of that horrid mess, Bill Murphy. This was 3 years ago and long forgotten until a got yet another […]
The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t
December 17, 2020 by
Film Title
The Christmas That Almost Wasn'tSynopsis
Yet another dreadful Saving Christmas movie, Italian style.
Director
Rossano BrazziCast
Paul Tripp
Lydia Brazzi
Alberto Rabagliati
A Truckload of Creepy Midgets
Mischa Auer
John Karlsen
Rossano Brazzi
Christmas is fast approaching and another year of watching and reviewing Christmas movies is winding down. This movie is yet another recommendation from one of our fine readers. The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t should have been named The Christmas Movie That Wasn’t. So, what went wrong with this wonderful Santa Save Christmas Movie? The short […]
Mrs. Worthington’s Party-A.K.A. Noelle (2007)
December 13, 2020 by
Film Title
Mrs. Worthington's Party (Noelle)Synopsis
A priest comes to a small New England village to shut down a dying parrish. What is thought to be a routine sacking is anything but.
Director
David WallCast
David Wall
Kerry Wall
Sean Patrick Brennan
Jean Bates
It is no secret that faith-based movies have taken their review lumps from both believers and non-believers alike. The harsh criticism heaped upon this genre of movie has been well deserved, and I have been a joyful participant in this scrutiny. Faith-based Christmas movies are especially vulnerable to criticism for poor artistic presentation and falling […]
The Bishop’s Wife (1947)
December 12, 2020 by
Film Title
The Bishop's WifeSynopsis
An angel comes to Earth to help raise money for a Bishop’s church. If he had just used Zelle, we wouldn’t have a movie.
Director
Henry KosterCast
Cary Grant
Loretta Young
David Niven
James Gleason
Monty Woolley
Gladys Cooper
There are many examples in cinema history of iconic movie roles originally being intended for very different actors than those who ended up playing them, from Jon Lovitz and Dana Carvey as the original would-be stars of the Bad Boys franchise to Will Smith and Val Kilmer in the roles of Neo and Morpheus in […]
A Christmas In Vermont (2016)
December 10, 2020 by
Film Title
A Christmas In VermontSynopsis
Tan-colored milkshakes save Christmas
Cast
Chevy Chase
Abigail Hawk
Zack Ward
Howard Hessman
Morgan Fairchild
Oh, how the mighty have fallen! Though there is some reason to speculate that he may have been drunk the whole time, and little doubt that the entire role was filmed in no more than a day or two, the highest-billed male actor in the 2016 TV movie A Christmas in Vermont is none other […]
Home Alone (1990)
December 9, 2020 by
Film Title
Home AloneSynopsis
Other than Elf, the most pointless and annoying Christmas movie ever made.
Director
Chris ColumbusCast
Macaulay Culkin
Joe Pesci!
David Stern
John Heard
Catherine O'Hara
John Candy
Roberts Blosson
I knew that if I avoided the grave long enough that this day would come. There is no longer putting it off or pretending that this movie does not exist. Having long ago reviewed atrocities like It’s A Wonderful Life, Elf, and Santa Claus And The Ice Cream Bunny, this landmark in Ruthless Christmas Movie […]
Trapped In Paradise (1994)
December 7, 2020 by
Film Title
Trapped In ParadiseSynopsis
Nothing expresses Yuletide joy like robbing a bank
Director
George GalloCast
Nicholas Cage
Dana Carvey
Jon Lovitz
Florence Stanley
Richard Jenkins
Trapped in Paradise is far from the most beloved entry in the great Christmas movie pantheon, as evidenced by the fact that it has not yet been covered on this site. Its own cast reportedly hated working on it so much that they took to calling it Trapped in Bullshit, though the only source I […]
A Christmas Carol (2018)
December 6, 2020 by
Film Title
A Christmas CarolSynopsis
A modern-day rendition of the timeless classic
Director
David IzattCast
Stuart Brennan
Bonnie Wright
Rebecca Hanssen
Sarina Taylor
Mark Paul Wake
Alec Westwood
As you know, A Christmas Carol is my favorite genre of Christmas Movies and I have already watched and reviewed at least 16 versions of this venerable classic. This version is a low budget but more than adequate re-telling that is set in modern-day Scotland. This Ebeneezer Scrooge (Stuart Brennan) is a young and wildly […]
