Scrooged

Another movie adaptation of "A Christmas Carol"?! Yes, but a new kind, with Bill Murray as a creepy executive about to get a new lease on life. Murray does his usual goofy stuff. I think that my favorite line was "You are just a hallucination brought along by alcohol! Russian vodka poisoned by Chernobyl!" I bet that Charles Dickens never envisioned anyone mentioning a nuclear disaster in an adaptation of his novel. So, it's not any kind of great movie, but funny just because of what Murray does. Many years after it came out, I learned that it was in the theaters when we moved into our new house (others included "Rain Man" and "The Naked Gun"). But that's just a side note. The point is that this is a pretty funny movie, and you're sure to like it. Also starring Karen Allen, John Forsythe, John Glover, Bobcat Goldthwait, Carol Kane, Robert Mitchum, Michael J. Pollard, Alfre Woodard, Jamie Farr, Robert Goulet, Buddy Hackett and Lee Majors. The Manson Family Christmas! Ha!

This was a pretty entertaining update of the famous "Scrooge" story. Unfortunately, however, that update includes profanity which certainly isn't necessary for this famous story. When the special-effects start, the movie kicks in. Bill Murray is convincing in his role as the bad guy - Bill usually is entertaining, like him or not - and Karen Allen is winsome when she flashes that pretty smile. Two minor characters are decidedly not funny: Carol Kane as the ghost is just plain annoying and Bob Goldthwait's voice is irritating. Like other versions of Scrooge, this one also has a touching ending. In fact, there are several very touching moments in this film despite the edginess to it. Then again, that's the message of the story.

Scrooged must be watched every Christmas. Bill Murray is in top form in this movie. He makes a great Scrooge in his selfish TV exec Frank Cross. This movie manages to never be boring and instead keeps you laughing throughout. The classic story of A Christmas Carol is well updated for these modern times and turned into a well thought out comedy. The supporting cast makes for a memorable and funny cast of characters, especially the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. Murray is the jewel of this film and he never fails to turn in a great performance. Bottom Line: You need to watch this at least every Christmas. It's a nice family comedy.

Scrooged is a fresh, dark and original take on the classic Christmas Carol story. The ghosts are humorous and horrifying and Bill Murray does an excellent job of creating a modern-day Ebeneezer Scrooge. The ending is quite cheesy, but, then again, isn't that what Christmas movies are all about?