Blu-ray Review: ‘Doctor Who – Last Christmas'

Article originally published as Blu-ray Review: ‘Doctor Who’ – “Last Christmas” on Blogcritics.

A few months ago, as the BBC has often presented, Doctor Who aired a special on Christmas Day in both the United States and the UK. The latest holiday-themed episode is called “Last Christmas,” and it finds Santa Claus (Nick Frost, Shaun of the Dead, Mr. Sloane) dropping in on The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) and Clara (Jenna Coleman). This leads to an adventure at the North Pole with a group of scientists. But things get dreamy-weamy when a brain-sucking alien that can alter perception attacks them. This special is now available on Blu-ray and DVD.

Overall, I was quite disappointed with the most recent season, the eighth since the reboot, but “Last Christmas” is slightly better than those other installments. It is fun and scary and has a classic-type villain that poses a puzzle for our clever heroes, which is the good part about it. Sadly, it also flirts with character development without fully committing to it, teasing at some depth between the show’s leads, but failing to deliver a meaningful package, which is the main weakness of season eight. In short, it’s enjoyable, but also disappointing.

“Last Christmas” picks up after a long separation between our two protagonists, who lied to one another about their “happy endings.” Well, The Doctor lied, and Clara didn’t correct his assumptions about her, spelling an end to their time traveling together. Thrust back into adventure (which is explained adequately enough), they do have a brief screaming match to air the truth, but then they decide to resume their past arrangement with no discussion of the problems between them, minimizing what should be a really cool personal subplot.

I finally have a theory as to why the writers don’t deal with the underlying issues between this pairing. The Doctor is never one to dwell on his darkness when a companion is around, trying to present a cheery front. Normally, his companions help ground him, but Clara is also an avoider of reality, and between the two of them, a true confrontation and discussion just isn’t likely to spring. Which is why Clara needs to go. Part of why Doctor Who is so awesome is because of the complexity of its main Time Lord. With Clara by his side, The Doctor is allowed to ignore his issues, as she just wants to find the fun. The Doctor needs a companion that will stick challenge him to be his best self in a way that Clara does not.

That aside, the episode itself is mostly satisfying because it messes with the viewer’s brain. Some of the best installments of Doctor Who present something to fear and then outline why you cannot protect yourself from it. “Last Christmas” does that brilliantly with it’s Inception-like concept of dreams within dreams. Making Santa Claus, played by the always-terrific Nick Frost, a part of this makes a lot of sense. It’s not as mythology heavy as the previous two Christmas episodes, but it’s a fine stand-alone.

For extra meta-fun, there’s a guest turn by Michael Troughton, Second Doctor Patrick Troughton’s son, who plays one of the scientists, and Dan Starkey, who has a recurring role as Strax, pops up here as an elf.

On a side note, how did The Doctor and Clara encounter Danny Pink’s (Samuel Anderson) descendant in series eight when the later dies without having children? Danny’s cameo in “Last Christmas” makes me think his story may not quite be over, but I don’t see a way for it go forward from here, unless the show repeats itself with him as it did with Rory. I keep expecting Clara to be pregnant, but it doesn’t seem like Doctor Who is going that way, and Danny doesn’t seem to have coupled with anyone else, given his mental state. Will the series follow up and explain this?

The extras on this release are quite weak. We get a ten minute behind-the-scenes, which is pretty cool, as far as these things go, but that’s it for featurettes. There’s also an audio commentary track with the director, Paul Wilmhurst, and a producer, Paul Frift. Both are interesting enough, but I think fans would rather hear from the stars of the show, so it’s a bit disappointing. With only these two bonus features, I don’t think this release is worth it for the extras. If you already have a digital copy of the episode, that’ll surely be enough.

Doctor Who will return for a ninth series (since the reboot) sometime in 2015. Doctor Who: Last Christmas is available now.

Sadly, Not Clara's "Last Christmas" On DOCTOR WHO

Article firs published as TV Review: 'Doctor Who' - 'Last Christmas' on Blogcritics.

As it has many years in the past, the BBC presented a brand-new Doctor Who special on Christmas Day, which also aired on BBC America. Titled “Last Christmas,” The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) and Clara (Jenna Coleman) are visited by Santa Claus (Nick Frost, Shaun of the Dead, Mr. Sloane), and then head to the North Pole to help a group of scientists. But things get dreamy-weamy when a brain-sucking alien that can alter perception attacks them.

“Last Christmas” is better than most of this past fall’s eighth season, but also displays some of the weaknesses that have plagued Doctor Who this year. It is fun and scary and has a classic-type villain that poses a puzzle for our clever heroes. It also flirts with character development without fully committing to it, teasing at some depth between the show’s leads, but failing to deliver a meaningful package. In short, it’s enjoyable, but also disappointing.

When last we left them, The Doctor and Clara separated because they both lied. Well, The Doctor lied, and Clara didn’t correct his assumptions about her, spelling an end to their time traveling together. Thrust back into adventure (which is explained adequately enough), they do have a brief screaming match to air the truth, but then they decide to resume their past arrangement with no discussion of the problems between them.

I finally have a theory as to why this might be the case, as frustrating as it is that the writers don’t deal with the underlying issues between this pairing. The Doctor is never one to dwell on his darkness when a companion is around, trying to present a cheery front. Normally, his companions help ground him, but Clara is also an avoider of reality, and between the two of them, a true confrontation and discussion just isn’t likely to spring. Which is why Clara needs to go.

Part of why Doctor Who is so awesome is because of the complexity of its main Time Lord. With Clara by his side, The Doctor is allowed to ignore his issues, as she just wants to find the fun. But Capaldi’s version of The Doctor definitely has things to deal with, as the series has hinted that his older appearance is not merely selected by chance. Even Clara has gotten fed up with him at times, yet she always backs off before forcing anything from him, and in order to unlock this mystery, The Doctor needs a companion that will stick to their guns.

That aside, the episode itself is mostly satisfying because it messes with the viewer’s brain. Some of the best installments of Doctor Who present something to fear and then outline why you cannot protect yourself from it. “Last Christmas” does that brilliantly with it’s Inception-like concept of dreams within dreams. Making Santa Claus a part of this makes a lot of sense. It’s not as mythology heavy as the previous two Christmas episodes, but it’s a fine stand-alone.

Toss in Nick Frost, who is always terrific, a guest turn by Michael Troughton, Second Doctor Patrick Troughton’s son, as one of the scientists, and Dan Starkey, who plays recurring part Strax, as an elf, and there’s plenty for fans to get excited about.

On a side note, how did The Doctor and Clara encounter Danny Pink’s (Samuel Anderson) descendant in series eight when he later dies without having children? Danny’s cameo in “Last Christmas” makes me think his story may not quite be over, but I don’t see a way for it go forward from here, unless the show repeats itself with him as it did with Rory. I keep expecting Clara to be pregnant, but it doesn’t seem like Doctor Who is going that way, and Danny doesn’t seem to have coupled with anyone else, given his mental state. Will the series follow up and explain this?

Doctor Who will return for a ninth series (since the reboot) sometime in 2015.

My Horror Movie Survival Man Crate

Article first published as My Horror Movie Survival Man Crate on Blogcritics.

I was recently approached by the community manager at Man Crates about doing a Halloween-themed blog post. The topic: What would you want in your Man Crate to survive a horror movie? The exercise seemed interesting, so I gamely agreed to participate, then began to think. (Note: They did not send me any merchandise or compensate me in any way for this column; my participation is merely voluntary because I think this is a fun idea.)

A quick glance at the Man Crates already available on their website isn’t much help. Not because they are not cool; they absolutely are, and I’d like several of them as gifts (if anyone reading this is looking for a present for me). But I know with absolute certainty that nothing among the site’s current offerings could help me escape from a serial killer or monster, or combination of thereof long enough to make it through the opening credits.

Now, I’m not a huge fan of horror movies. They scare me, so I don’t watch a lot of them. Yet, my favorite show currently airing on television is The Walking Dead. This is because it boasts fantastic characters and compelling stories, not because of any chills or thrills. I would never survive a Walking Dead scenario, given the long-term outlook, so I decided to focus on staying alive through the types of horror movies most people like, the ones with a bad guy picking off a group one by one, until one or two heroes survive. How can I be one of those hanger-oners?

Thinking about it, I have a terrific solution. Here is what I’d want in my Man Crate.

First, there should be a ton of weapons and combat supplies. We’re talking massive amounts. Enough to fill a crate big enough to hold a refrigerator, at the very least. I would distribute these among the rest of the group I’m with, selflessly keeping none of it for me. Aren’t I an awesome person? I’m sure I will get tons of thank yous and appreciation.

Second, as soon as the party splits up to hunt down our tormentor, I’d crawl inside the box. There will be a smaller crate inside with the supplies I actually want for myself, including a hammer and nails I can use to secure myself inside the massive crate, making it appear to have never been opened. Surely, our villain wouldn’t waste time breaking into a harmless crate that no potential victims could be hiding inside, right?

Now that I’m safely stashed away, I’m likely to get bored very quickly. I haven’t been bored since around 1995, so this just won’t do. My smaller crate will contain a laptop computer with a good video driver and lots of extra batteries, loaded with many great television shows to watch. I’ve been meaning to get around to The Wire and The Sopranos. This seems like an opportune time to get to them. I’ll want some cushions to make the place comfortable. And I’ll need a way to plug my cell phone (set to silent, naturally) into the computer or batteries because I’m pretty addicted to the Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff app and I don’t want to miss meeting a timed goal just because I’m hiding from a psycho.

I know what you’re thinking. Surely, the sound of the television shows will give away my location. I’ve got that figured out; comfortable headphones are also conveniently stashed in my crate. What about the light, flashing through the slats? Well, this crate is extremely well constructed, with just enough space between the slats to allow air in, but not enough to allow light. Perhaps they overlap in some way. I’m not a crate-builder. I leave this up to the experts. Thankfully, it’s fall, so there won’t need to be an air conditioner or heater, because I really couldn’t stay in a hot, stuffy crate for long.

I’d be tempted to write on the laptop, but I will resist the urge, as the sound of the keyboard could be my undoing. I am sure I will have some type of TV review deadline, as I always do, but I am confident my readers and editors will understand if I take a quick break while trying to survive a horrific experience. Right, (Blogcritics Executive Editor) Barbara? Can the Doctor Who column be late this week?

I’ll probably be in here for a few days, so a good pillow and a warm blanket are required. I don’t do well without sleep. I’d also want some food and plenty of water. That does present the problem of needing to use the restroom. I’m thinking of some type of contraption I can go into with a tube that leads underground, straight through the bottom of the crate so it isn’t visible. Or perhaps a bathroom crate that I can sit on and will somehow suck smells down in. Again, I’m not an expert, so I leave this to someone else. And this is a little more gross than I want to think about, so it’s time to move on.

Lastly, I’ll need some type of surveillance system I can access on the laptop so I know when it’s safe to come out. It should be unobtrusive, a hidden cameras that lacks any blinking lights or operates on remote control. That way, the bad guy doesn’t suspect he (or she or it) is being monitored and come looking for me.

Oh, and now that I think about it, after a few days it will probably be time to text the police for help with that cell phone I’ve only been using to play Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff.

I will be sad about losing the group of people I am assuming I’ve just met (because it would be heartless to hide while friends or family are slaughtered). But I think, with the help of this crate, I might just be able to make it through, and I will make sure my life is a testament to their courage and all that. Or, I’ll at least dedicate a short story to the deceased.

Feel free to weigh in on the comments below about what you’d like in your survival crate and whether or not you think I’ll survive, and check out Man Crates for some cool gift ideas for any guy, whether they be the type who can slay the zombies, or the type that hide in a box and watch TV until its over.

Blu-ray Review: ‘Doctor Who’ – ‘The Time of the Doctor’

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: ‘Doctor Who’ – ‘The Time of the Doctor’ on Blogcritics.

This past December’s Doctor Who Christmas special featured Matt Smith’s very last appearance (as the lead, anyway) as the Eleventh Doctor. Called “The Time of the Doctor,” it brought him to Trenzalore, the planet of his death, and included a war with his greatest enemies, such as The Angels, The Silence, The Daleks, and The Cybermen. Now, that special is available on Blu-ray and DVD.

At the beginning of the hour, The Doctor (Matt Smith) travels to a busy planet that he is told is Gallifrey, though it clearly isn’t. There, all of his enemies have gathered, and the Papal Mainframe, led by old (though never seen before on screen) friend Tasha Lem (a terrific Orla Brady, Fringe, Jo). Gallifrey is present, trying to break through the cracks in space time, but only if The Doctor tells The Time Lords his name, confirming they have reached the proper universe.

This seems like a good thing, but it’s not because the return of The Time Lords to the universe would reignite The Time War, meaning a LOT of death would follow. Tasha wants to prevent this, even if it means killing The Doctor, which makes her a tad bit dangerous. The Doctor realizes the predicament, and decides to stay at the planet, not making a decision about his people or not, while his enemies attack.

Like last year’s holiday outing, “The Time of the Doctor” is not a fluff, stand-alone installment. Instead, it’s a huge adventure, a culmination of many things. We’d long heard that “silence must fall when the question is asked,” and the unanswered question is “Doctor who?” Now, those things come together, along with a dozen other minor plot threads, all culminating in The Doctor’s last battle.

“The Time of the Doctor” does an excellent job tying up all of the continuity bits, really feeling like a satisfying capper on The Eleventh’s run. Perhaps the battles could have been bigger, but this is also a very personal tale, and on that end, it completely satisfies, not just for The Doctor, but also for Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman), who has taken awhile to grow on me, but proves her mettle here. It presents The Doctor himself as we’ve never seen him before – settled and aging – and as the tale spans centuries, it really gives us a full view of the incarnation that has now lived at least a third of The Doctor’s total existence thus far.

In this episode, Smith shows us just how great his skill as a performer is. He gets to run the gamut of emotion and experience in his final installment. He plays old and young, he plays brave and desperate, he plays friend and betrayer, he plays hero and the man who has given up. This is a tour de force performance, the kind that makes a career. To get this kind of material for his last hour, and to execute it so well, is incredible.

The very end of “The Time of the Doctor” is the perfect tie back to the beginning of The Eleventh’s story. I won’t reveal the details of it here, but it gives The Eleventh a touching, meta send-off, sure to resonate for both the character and the actor.

There are a scant three bonus features in this release, sadly. The “Farewell to Matt Smith” TV special that aired is included, as is “Behind the Lens” and “Tales from the TARDIS.” The first felt a little light to me, not quite giving the substance I desired. “Behind the Lens” is enjoyable because it’s a behind-the-scenes of this one episode, but at only twelve minutes running time, is a bit too short. I don’t know that “Tales of the TARDIS” really needed to be included here, since it isn’t Matt Smith-specific, but I guess Doctor Who fans in general will like it.

Blu-ray is the format to get this in because “The Time of the Doctor” is so effects-heavy. It’s a beautiful special, with swirling snow and a detailed setting. As usual, there are some dark, shadowy scenes, with crisp definition and layered shading. Plus, a sweeping score enhances without overpowering. A science fiction adventure like this begs for high definition.

In short, this is a visually impressive, powerfully told story that’s weak on bonus features but still worth your time. “The Time of the Doctor” is available now.

TV Review: ‘Doctor Who’ – ‘The Time of the Doctor’

Article first published as TV Review: ‘Doctor Who’ – ‘The Time of the Doctor’ on Blogcritics.

Anticipation was high for this week’s Doctor Who Christmas Special on BBC and BBC America, “The Time of the Doctor.” We knew it would be Matt Smith’s last appearance as the Eleventh Doctor. We knew it would be holiday-themed. We knew it would involve Trenzalore and many of the Doctor’s greatest enemies, including The Daleks, The Cyberman, The Angels, and The Silence. But we didn’t know how it would play out, or how The Doctor would die.

Like last year’s Christmas outing, “The Time of the Doctor” is not a fluff, stand-alone installment. Instead, it’s a huge adventure, a culmination of many things. We’d long heard that “silence must fall when the question is asked,” and the unanswered question is “Doctor who?” Now, those things come together, along with a dozen other minor plot threads, all culminating in The Doctor’s last battle.

Last spring’s “The Name of the Doctor” reveals what happens on Trenzalore: The Eleventh Doctor, the thirteenth and final incarnation because of the Tenth’s waste of a life and The War Doctor’s inclusion, will finally die in an epic battle, turning an entire planet into a graveyard. But like the fall anniversary special “The Day of the Doctor,” this history is not set in stone and can be changed. And so it is.

I’m getting a little ahead of myself. At the beginning, The Doctor (Matt Smith) travels to a busy planet that he is told is Gallifrey, though it clearly isn’t. There, all of his enemies have gathered, and the Papal Mainframe, led by old (though never seen before on screen) friend Tasha Lem (a terrific Orla Brady, Fringe, Jo). Gallifrey is present, trying to break through the cracks in space time, but only if The Doctor tells The Time Lords his name, confirming they have reached the proper universe.

This seems like a good thing, but it’s not because the return of The Time Lords to the universe would reignite The Time War, meaning a LOT of death would follow. Tasha wants to prevent this, even if it means killing The Doctor, which makes her a tad bit dangerous. The Doctor realizes the predicament, and decides to stay at the planet, not making a decision about his people or not, while his enemies attack.

I am a little disappointed that the battles on Trenzalore are not bigger. This is a place where many, many people bite the big one in a possible timeline, but it doesn’t seem that way in “The Time of the Doctor.” Much of the church is slaughtered, but we don’t see them so much as we see those who can overcome their Dalek programming. Perhaps all the budget for the special went into effects, rather than in hiring extras, but it still just doesn’t seem like the gargantuan war one would expect.

Other than that, the story is really good. Besides the aforementioned arcs, this episode also reveals how the Daleks come to remember The Doctor again, the origin of The Silence, and the ultimate fate of Handles, the Cyberman head that The Doctor befriends. It does an excellent job tying up all of the continuity bits, really feeling like a satisfying capper on The Eleventh’s run.

Perhaps the main mystery going in is, how will The Doctor regenerate again? He’s out of lives, but a new actor has already been cast, so surely this must play a part. It does, in a huge way, with Gallifrey gifting their savior twelve more regenerations.

One may wonder why Gallifrey would give The Doctor such a present, and knowing that he’s on the other side, why do they not come through? The Doctor has never been loved or admired by his countrymen, who consider him (with reason) a bit of an unhinged outlaw. Yet, he did save the entire race, so maybe there are some who trust him now. Maybe even enough to think The Doctor has a good reason for not bringing them back to the universe.

What I want to see now is a special or episode told entirely from Gallifrey’s point of view. This part of “The Time of the Doctor” doesn’t quite make sense, given what we’ve seen of The Time Lords previously. But it could under the right circumstances. It seems like too many leaps must be made to just take this for granted, so how about a story that fully explains things? Since Steven Moffat is good at tying up loose ends, this might be a possibility.

At the same time as “The Time of the Doctor” is a big tale, it’s also a deeply personal story. We see The Doctor as we’ve never seen him before – settled, and aging. This hour takes place over many hundreds of years, meaning that The Eleventh Doctor is an incarnation that lasts at least a third, maybe more than half, of The Doctor’s total existence thus far. He’s gone from being depressed to happy, serving himself and serving everyone else, and this brings his growth around again.

The Eleventh Doctor must have companions. He lies to Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman) and sends her away multiple times, but he has Handles and the people of the planet to ground him. He is someone who can get into his own head too much, but with much here to care about and protect, he resists that urge. He can be dark and deadly, but on Trenzalore, he only kills when necessary. And he has always been the old man in the young body. Now we see what he looks like at the end of his natural life.

Somehow, all of this is communicated without needing to lay it out explicitly. The Doctor’s emotional journey shines through in fits and starts, but there’s enough to allow the viewer to connect the dots. The writing is so sharp, we even care about Handles, a bodiless head that should be thought of as a machine or monster. All of this is done effortlessly, proving Moffat’s talent to anyone who still doubted him.

Equally skilled is Smith. He gets to run the gamut of emotion and experience in his final installment. He plays old and young, he plays brave and desperate, he plays friend and betrayer, he plays hero and the man who has given up. This is a tour de force performance, the kind that makes a career. To get this kind of material for his last hour, and to execute it so well, is incredible.

The regeneration feels different. This can be chalked up to the fact that The Doctor is receiving a whole new set of regenerations, rather than just making one change. In the past, The Doctor hasn’t used regenerative energy as a weapon, and his face changes in one moment, with the viewer witnessing the morph. It’s kind of neat that they do it different this time.

The very end of “The Time of the Doctor” is the perfect tie back to the beginning of The Eleventh’s story. He gets to return to his young form and eat fish sticks and custard. Then, he hallucinates Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), the companion he most closely connected with. Even though Amy spent a scant few years with this Doctor, who ended up living centuries, she is the first and (practically) last face he sees. She occupies a very special place in his heart, and her cameo seems very appropriate. All while giving The Eleventh a meta send-off sure to resonate for both the character and the actor.

I do wish a few more familiar faces were present, too, but in the end, this is about The Doctor, not about anyone else. As with other incarnations of The Doctor, individuals have frequently come and gone from his life. Others were not necessary, and so not included.

Tasha Lem is a fascinating addition. She’s clearly very powerful and very long-lived. She has the strength to resist her own death after the Daleks kill her and take over her body. She does the right thing for the greater good, even if it hurts someone she loves. And she’s perfectly cast. I definitely want to see more of her again, whether she’s part-Dalek or not. Much, much more.

Clara is the official companion in “The Time of the Doctor,” and though her tenure with The Doctor has been short so far, she steps up here. I haven’t really connected with her yet, but in this special, she’s bold and selfless, coming back to The Doctor repeatedly, even when he doesn’t deserve her forgiveness. She understands something important is happening with him, and is there for him when he needs her. Her actions deserve respect.

I do wonder if next fall’s season will resume on the same day, with Clara trying to explain The Doctor’s new appearance (Peter Capaldi, The Thick Of It) to her family, who just keep trying to have a nice Christmas dinner. That could be interesting! Though it’s doubtful this will happen.

The only thing that left me feeling dissatisfied was the fact that The Doctor’s name still has not been revealed. There has been so much build up, fans want resolution. If not handled perfectly, it could very well ruin the series, though, and perhaps that’s why the show shies away from it now. The fanfare around the word is so great that it seems unfair not to let The Doctor speak it. Will Moffat redeem himself for this next year?

And did we really need the village that The Doctor settles down in to be named Christmas, with a holiday theme? Just because this episode aired on December 25th, doesn’t mean that the connection to the date needs to be so blatant. On the other hand, it’s just the sort of weird place The Doctor would fall in love with, so this is a minor gripe, not a major one.

Throughout the war and the drama and all of the heavy stuff that makes up “The Time of the Doctor,” humor still shines through. Comedy is a vital element in Doctor Who, and it is present this week as much as in practically any other. From a drawn out nudity premise, to The Twelfth Doctor’s comments about the color of his kidneys, there are enough one-liners to make any viewer smile. This is appreciated in such an emotionally-draining special.

At the close, one is left with a supreme satisfaction. “The Time of the Doctor” gives us an emotionally fulfilling ending in a heck of a package. Until next time…

MR. STINK A Bit Too Stinky

Article first published as MR. STINK A Bit Too Stinky on TheTVKing.

PBS aired the British holiday special Mr. Stink this week, based on a children's book. Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) plays Mr. Stink, a smelly homeless tramp who is ignored or scorned by the neighborhood, other than his adorable dog, Duchess. Then, one day, a young girl named Chloe (Nell Tiger Free), who feels neglected by her busy family and is bullied at school so she has not friends, takes an interest in him, and soon everyone in England knows Mr. Stink's name.

First, let me say that Bonneville is a terrific actor. I've seen him in a few roles, and he never fails to impress. Mr. Stink is quite a bit different that other recent parts, and he definitely shows some range in the almost unrecognizable costume. He is easily the best part of the production, even if the character is not written in a way to make him particularly memorable.

Part of my problem with the titular Stink is that it's hard to tell exactly what he is. For awhile, one suspects he might be Santa in disguise, looking for kind-hearted children. This is supported by the fact that he has magical powers, albeit the kind a boy would make up, as he can waft stench into a physical punch.

But then, late in Mr. Stink, the plot actually explains away his background. We learn that Mr. Stink is a wealthy duke who lost his wife and home in a fire. Unable to cope, he begins wandering from place to place, no longer caring enough to keep himself clean. I guess his dog's name is supposed to be the clue about this. This doesn't really add up, though, even though we see that Chloe can freshen his appearance by showing him love again, and doesn't gel with the magic stuff at all.

Chloe is a well-past-realistic level of kind. She doesn't shy away in the slightest from Mr. Stink, although we know from everyone else's reactions that his odor is extremely powerful. She even hugs him at one point, burying her face in his coat. There is no way that any kid could stand to be that close and really ignore the foulness so easily unless she has no sense of smell, which is not a mentioned characteristic in the movie.

Mr. Stink is a heartwarming tale, but of a predictable, mediocre variety. The story of a girl who shows compassion to someone everyone else ignores, and in the process, finds the love of her family is a nice one, but it's one we've heard many times before.

What doesn't quite fit is the popularity Mr. Stink gains on television, even meeting the Prime Minister. It seems like a completely different message than Chloe's bits are working towards, combining two separate threads that do not satisfactorily weave together.

Not to mention, most of the characters in Mr. Stink are flat and cartoonish, and not in a clever or authentic manner. Chloe's mum (Sheridan Smith, Mrs Biggs) is an ultra-conservative politician who will make as many empty promises as she must to win an election. Chloe's dad (Johnny Vegas, Ideal) is a whipped, washed-up musician who hides his lack of job and handles the cooking and cleaning for the household. Then, they both easily change in the end, somehow finding their former, decent personalities again that they'd moved far away from. I wonder how much of this comes from the simple source material, and is just not well-executed for an hour-long program.

I want to like Mr. Stink, I really do, because I feel like a grinch to tear down a family-friendly holiday special. But its wholly forgettable and isn't likely to get much replay in future Christmas seasons. Oh, well.

GLEE Should Have Skipped Christmas

Article first published as TV Review: 'Glee' - 'Previously Unaired Christmas' on Blogcritics.

Seven episodes into season five, Glee is still telling a story set last spring, which makes it difficult to do a Christmas episode. The solution? Have Sue (Jane Lynch) record an introduction in which she says the latest installment, “Previously Unaired Christmas,” was the first holiday special made last year, but considered “too controversial” to air (while putting coal in stockings for Lynch’s award-show competition). Now, though, it’s been edited so it can finally be broadcast.

This does adequately explain how there was still a Christmas special last year and another this year set at roughly the same time. But it also takes us out of the story and reminds us that Glee is just a television show. It would be one thing for a variety series to this; it’s quite another when a serial dramedy does so, interrupting flow and feeling very fake.

Yes, Sue’s statement is a total lie, “Previously Unaired Christmas” being freshly filmed only months ago. The most obvious tell is that Heather Morris and Cory Monteith do not appear as Brittany and Finn, respectively, the former actress no longer being on the show, and the latter having passed away. Their unmentioned absences make the premise impossible to accept. Add a very staged way to get Santana (Naya Rivera) in the New York scenes, as her character had not moved there yet, and no mention of Brody (Dean Geyer), whom Rachel (Lea Michele) is serious with at this point of the story, and it just doesn’t hold up.

Now, Glee has always been a little bit cheesy, and some might say that’s part of its charm. The tongue-in-cheek reference when Rachel tells Santana she should drop out of college and come live with them is a fun little poke. And the matter of having religious displays at a public school is brought up and dropped, acknowledging that ridiculousness of the premise, kind of works. But Glee can do better than this, and it leaves one with a sour taste after viewing.

The story begins in New York when Santana brings gifts for Rachel and Kurt (Chris Colfer). She stays a few days in their apartment, and the three get temp jobs working as elves at the mall for an alcoholic Santa. Santana ends up filling in for the red suit, which is both antastic and a terrible idea. They try to salvage the situation with the help of a new “friend” (Bryce Johnson, Popular, Pretty Little Liars), but he just gets them drunk and robs them, leaving Kurt in a naughty, pretty wrong state.

The songs in this thread are good, if thin. “Here Comes Santa Claus” is a pretty straight-forward take, and “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” is mostly lip-synched, but at least the staging for both is fun. It’s less thrilling that this trio sings “Away in a Manger” with the McKinley crew, a trope that is already feeling tired, but overall, the NYC plot is enjoyable fluff.

In Ohio, the New Directions compete for the best Christmas tree in the school and to participate in a living nativity scene. The former of those stories just gives the show an excuse to tug the heart strings, as driven winner Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) finds compassion and hands over the prize to poor Becky (Lauren Potter), who really wanted to win but didn’t understand the assignment of a “green” tree. This also gives us a tame “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” The latter is where the offensiveness that Sue referenced at the start finally becomes apparent.

See, Unique (Alex Newell), Marley (Melissa Benoist), and Tina all want to play the Virgin Mary. That’s weird, because they choose to audition with a mostly-out-of-character, scandalous, vaguely Jamaican rendition of “Mary’s Boy Child.” Marley wins, but she realizes Kitty (Becca Tobin) holds the role in high regard, and so the girls get even worse with “Love Child,” a hilarious and very wrong number, to force Kitty to step in and save the day.

As far as making one feel the Christmas spirit, “Previously Unaired Christmas” does that in the most basic sense, with the annual softening of Sue and the generous acts by others. But the quality of the musical numbers is definitely down, and the tale feels unnecessary and not quite in keeping with continuity. As such, perhaps it would have been better for Glee to take a year off, as much as the format of the series lends itself to holiday cheer more than most shows on TV.

Glee will return February 25th on FOX.

TV Neglects Independence Day

Article first published as TV Neglects Independence Day on Blogcritics.

Think of all of the best television holiday specials of your favorite shows. Christmas will spring to mind, for sure, as will Christmas and Halloween. Possibly, a little Valentine’s Day thrown in for good measure. But who celebrates the 4th of July?

Despite being a major national holiday, the 4th of July falls in the summer months, when network television is taking a break, and so is rarely, if ever, covered on scripted television. True, series in the United States don’t actually air fresh episodes on Christmas or New Year’s, either, but they get close enough to make it work. Besides a few weirdos like this past season of Community, though, most of television tends to keep the action in the appropriate season that the story airs.

Why? A year doesn’t equal a year in many series, and Christmas episodes get the rerun treatment all year ’round. Why is 4th of July so off limits? It’s a celebration of our nation’s birth, and deserves recognition along with the others.

Next year, broadcast television is making inroads into the warm months by airing new episodes of Glee and 24 past the end of May. Combined with the growing popularity of summer cable shows, there is plenty of opportunity to celebrate our country’s independence. Here are some possible ideas on what could be done. Television writers, feel free to run with them, royalty free. Readers, feel free to toss in your own ideas in the comments below.

24 – Jack Bauer is an American hero fighting the terrorists who seek to harm America. What better day for the bad guys to strike to ruin our spirit and morale than the 4th of July? Perhaps next season, which will unfold over the course of a day, could be set on July 4th. Jack is being honored for his deeds, which have come to light after a media hacking scandal, but the party is cut short when a bomb is found on the Washington Mall. And then bio weapons are released in the Capital. And then a mole is found inside CTU. And then the president’s daughter is kidnapped. And then…

Community – In the January season premiere, Greendale is invaded by City College and conquered in an episode set in June, shortly after most of the students (save all of our favorite starring and recurring players) have left town. Then, in February sweeps, it’s the 4th of July, and the study group leads the fight for independence. The Dean dresses as Rosie the Riveter to support the suppliers, and Chang goes undercover as a spy for both sides. In the end, though, it’s Jeff’s big speech that saves the day, evoking much swooning from Nurse Annie.

The Daily Show / The Colbert Report – Have the week off.

Falling Skies – Aliens are attacking on July 4th, which coincidentally is also the New United States’ birthday, honoring the formation of an official rebel army. President Tom Mason tries to enjoy the day with his family, but not only can’t sit still when the perimeter is breached, but leads the attack personally, in which one of his sons is injured, but survives. A couple of supporting characters are killed, then laid to rest in a public funeral, complete with a new style of American flag.

Glee – The New Directions have won Nationals and come home to celebrate with a patriotic theme. Alumni return, mashing up the traditional tunes with modern pop. For some reason, the cast is still hanging out in the school building. Unfortunately, Sue, fed up with our government and authority in general, joins the Tea Party and tries to bring her own values to McKinley, unless they kids warm her heart with some Woodie Guthrie.

The Newsroom – Tired of the way the political parties are bickering and causing strife, Will broadcasts an emotionally moving monologue that laments the way things used to be and encourages everyone to get back into the patriotic spirit. Leona is furious because Will slams a couple of major sponsors during his tirade, the Republicans are furious because he trivializes their positions, and the Democrats are furious because he isn’t hard enough on the Republicans. Sloan is asked in an interview about the treatment of Asian Americans during World War II, and when she complains it hasn’t gotten much better, there’s serious blow back that could cost her her job. Jim and Maggie slip away and have a romantic time watching the fireworks on the roof, until Don shows up and ruins the mood.

True Blood – Arlene and Terry take the kids to a 4th of July parade, and Terry notices something strange that he doesn’t mention to anyone. And that’s the only part of the hour that even vaguely touches on the holiday, as the rest of the episode is spent on the season’s eight large arcs, spread out among the thirty main characters.

Doctor Who's latest Christmas special on Blu-ray and DVD

Christmas specials are an honored tradition in the rebooted Doctor Who franchise, and the holiday season of 2011 was no exception. Now, on Valentine's Day, comes the DVD and Blu-ray debut of that episode, "The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe."

The special starts with the good Doctor (Matt Smith) fumbling around in 1938. A kindly woman named Madge (Claire Skinner, Outnumbered) helps him out. Three years later, the Doctor returns to repay that kindness.

In 1941, Madge receives word that her husband, Reg (Alexander Armstrong, The Sarah Jane Adventures), has gone missing in the war. Fearing the worst, she keeps the news from her children, Lily (Holly Earl, Casualty) and Cyril (Maurice Cole), as they travel to a relative's house, outside of threatened London, for Christmas.

The house that they stay in has a strange and very festive caretaker, who is actually, though unrecognized by them, the Doctor. Cyril goes into a glowing Christmas present, and the Doctor and Lily follow him. The trio are in a snow covered world inhabited by wooden creatures. These beings wish to escape their world, but deem the visitors too weak to help them.

In the meantime, Madge goes after her missing kids, and learns that this alien planet is about be pulverized by a mining company. She finds her children and rescues them and the wooden race. But to escape, she must think of memories of home, including the bad news about Reg, which the kids witness through her. Luckily, when they do return home, Reg is there, too, safe and sound! The Doctor leaves them their happy Christmas, and makes a visit to loved ones of his own, Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill).

Honestly, the story in "The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe" is a little hokey. Many of the performers hired to join this adventure have comedic backgrounds, and while Doctor Who does often incorporate humor, that is not the focus of the show. Also, there are a few things, plot-wise, that don't quite add up, and the villains don't build that much suspense.

However, those things are minor, and pale in comparison to the joy that this special brings. It is stuffed to the gills with Christmas cheer. The Doctor has always exhibited a fondness for the December holiday, and it's readily apparent that this emotion is firmly in place here. His enthusiasm is infectious, and the adventure has a magical quality often associated with this time of year. The spirit and the tone are such that the episode seems to rise above the sum of its parts, and is thoroughly enjoyable.

One reason for this is the childlike wonder present. The Doctor goes off with the kids, not with the mom, and he fits right in, personality-wise. The adventure isn't too dangerous, and safety and happy endings are almost guaranteed right from the beginning, a strength in this kind of story, rather than a weakness. The special effects and sets add to this feel-good tone, and what is left is something that tastes very good going down.
There are references to other works in this special. The most obvious, of course, is C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, from which the episode title takes its name. Both involve children traveling through portals onto winter worlds. However, Doctor Who does not get overly religious, and the focus is certainly not preachy.

There's also the joy fans of Doctor Who will get in seeing Amy and Rory again. For them, it has been two years since the Doctor faked his death and left them, though those episodes aired only a few months ago in reality. Thus, it answers the question of, will their characters ever know the truth about the Doctor's fate? It's a heartwarming reunion many will be glad to see.

The extras are quite nice, actually taking up much more time on the disc than the special itself. A prequel to the special shows just how the Doctor ends up where Madge finds him. It's short and sweet. Plus, included are three "The Best of Doctor Who" specials that aired recently: "The Best of the Doctor," "The Best of the Companions," and "The Best of the Monsters." None are particularly impressive, but will satisfy those just wishing to relive Doctor Who moments. Plus, since each is almost as long as "The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe" itself, it makes the price a little easier to swallow.

Also cool is a teaser for the online video game, Doctor Who Worlds in Time. It looks like a really neat way to waste some time! There are stickers and a code to unlock a reward inside the packaging, which is a good bonus.

Buying the Blu-ray over the DVD is highly recommended. After all, like any Doctor Who special, there are lots of special effects. Those sorts of things are always more enjoyable with a crystal clear picture and wonderful surround sound. It's well worth the extra couple of bucks.

Buy "The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe," on sale now.

Hart of Dixie celebrates "Hairdos & Holidays"

     The CW's Hart of Dixie ends their fall run with the only vaguely Christmas-themed episode, "Hairdos & Holidays." Zoe (Rachel Bilson) ratchets up her rivalry with Lemon (Jaime King) to a new level as she mentors Rose (McKaley Miller, The Gates) in a beauty pageant against Lemon's sister, Magnolia (Claudia Lee, Zeke and Luthor). Though Lemon does respond to the challenge, she is distracted by memories of getting together with Lavon (Cress Williams) a year ago, which viewers learn happen as Lemon gets startling new about her mother (Meredith Monroe, Dawson's Creek, Criminal Minds). Unfortunately for Lemon, Lavon does not want to be reminded of any of it.

     Things between Lemon and Zoe seem to have cooled somewhat, so "Hairdos and Holidays" is a tad bit puzzling. Lemon is no longer spending all her effort trying to run Zoe out of town, or even getting upset about Zoe spending time with George (Scott Porter). Lemon still doesn't like Zoe, but she accepts her more. Instead, this conflict is kicked off by Zoe, who is jealous of Lemon's relationship with George, whom she likes. Lemon responds, but with her deep emotional plot underpinning this episode, she just doesn't feel fully committed, which makes the showdown lackluster, at best. Perhaps this story could have been better served if Zoe had some random guest star to square off with, instead of forcing Lemon into a place where she doesn't belong.

     Lemon's backstory is quite intriguing. Fans know Lemon's mother left long ago. In "Hairdos and Holidays," it is revealed that she likely did so because she was bored of being a housewife. Yet, when Lemon discovers her living nearby, that's what she is again. One cannot help but feel sympathy towards Lemon, who has been replaced, and feels justifiably confused and betrayed.

     Where is George as Lemon and Lavon bond over the mother issues? He isn't shown in any of the flashbacks. Did he gets back from New York so soon before Hart of Dixie begins? That could explain why Lemon must spill her guts to someone other than him. It's also understandable that they are deeply connected, he having helped her through some serious drama. But that is still no excuse for her cheating on George. However, if she and George were on a break at the time, it would be OK. Which is why there needs to be some explanation of George's place in these flashbacks.

     Lavon still cares very deeply for Lemon, wanting to win her back. George doesn't seem all that satisfied with Lemon, and is taken in by Zoe, so why not pair the foursome up in this way? It would seem likely this would occur save for the fifth main character, wild card Wade (Wilson Bethel). Might he win Zoe over before George becomes single, making George the odd man out when the dust settles? Whatever happens, in a series like Hart of Dixie, pairings are bound to shift many times over the run of the series, so the weight of hooking up between any two given characters is lessened.

     In "Hairdos and Holidays" Wade tries to help George find a Christmas tree for Lemon. Wade encourgaes George to unknowingly steal such a tree from an ex-girlfriend's father, which lands the two of them in jail. It's an amusing plot, giving the two guys time to hash out some of their feelings for Zoe. It also lets Lavon overhear George's declaration that he will be with Lemon forever. Other than the fun interchanges, though, it's a little weak. The father just drops the charges and lets them keep the tree? Why? He clearly hates Wade. More explanation is needed.

     Honestly, despite the bad writing in "Hairdos and Holidays," Hart of Dixie is a charming, engaging drama. Bilson is not believable at all, but the rest of the cast is really good. The show is worth your time, for the most part.

     Hart of Dixie will return to the CW in January.

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     Catch up on streaming episodes of Hart of Dixie.

Frosty's Winter Wonderland gets new DVD release

     Now out on DVD is a remastered "deluxe" edition of Frosty's Winter Wonderland. A 1976 sequel to the original 1969 Frosty the Snowman special, Frosty's Winter Wonderland finds the titular character unhappy being alone. Hearing this, the children immediately set about working together to make Frosty a wife, whom he names Crystal. But it is only after Frosty gives her frost flowers, and through his love, that she comes alive, like he is.

     Meanwhile, Jack Frost (Paul Frees) grows jealous of Frosty's idealistic life, so he blows off Frosty's hat, turning Frosty back into a regular snowman. Once again, however, it is the power of love that rejuvenates him. As Frosty and Crystal prepare for their wedding ceremony, Jack Frost causes a wintry wind to launch his second attack. Frosty and Crystal approach the cad and ask him to be their best man.

     Now friends, they intend on prolonging winter, which would please all three. It is not until Parson Brown (Dennis Day, The Jack Benny Program) raises the point about the trees and bulbs in the ground never being able to bloom if they don't let spring come that they realize it is time for them to go home, and they return to the North Pole.

     With this DVD release of Frosty's Winter Wonderland, the story comes back to life, just as Frosty has a habit of doing, as the holiday season fast approaches. Andy Griffith (The Andy Griffith Show, Matlock) narrates the classic special, with Jackie Vernon (Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July) playing Frosty. Andy Griffith's classic narration style invites the viewer deeper into the story. Jackie Vernon creates a somewhat dopey, yet completely lovable and unencumbered Frosty that is just a magnet for children. And there is no one to match him better than the sweet and adorable Crystal, played by Shelley Winters (A Place in the Sun, The Diary of Anne Frank).

     One of the special features in this set is "Frosty and the Story of the Snowman", providing, you guessed it, the history of snowmen and the creation of Frosty's character. The earliest documented snowman appears in 1380 as an insecure creature. Nevertheless, man has always loved snowmen. They tend to be a reflection of ourselves, created with common or household items laying around. Completely non-denominational, snowmen are the least judgmental form of artwork. Artistic as a child, Frosty's animator, Paul Coker Jr., starts out as a gag cartoonist and drawer of greeting cards. Surprisingly, it is not until the creation of Frosty that snowmen become associated with children. Furthermore, when the song "Frosty the Snowman" originates, snowmen begin to be viewed as a joyous symbol of the holidays. Frosty is now a brand that people look forward to every year. People believe that when they create, dress, and name a snowman, that they are creating a kind of friend.

     Other features include a trailer for Dolphin Tale, starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, and Harry Connick Jr., and a trailer for Santa's Magical Stories, a compilation of 7 Rankin Bass Productions, including How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

     While this special first aired thiry-five years ago, this DVD presents clear animation, a sharp picture, and quality sound, lasting for the entire twenty-four minute run. In short, the remastered work is great, and Frosty's Winter Wonderland has never looked better!

     With December being just around the corner, we are soon to be inundated by non-stop Christmas music on the radio and twenty-five days of Christmas classics. There is no doubt that Frosty's Winter Wonderland is included in that mix. Regardless of age, no one can deny how classic the character of Frosty is around this time of year. Despite the fact that this short is repeated a number of times each Christmas, it is hard to grow weary of it. Viewing it again recalls many fond memories. Overall, Frosty's Winter Wonderland is short, wholesome, and provides an uninhibited experience.

     You can purchase Frosty's Winter Wonderland on Amazon beginning today!

     *Credit must be given where credit is due. This article was written by my wife.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first published as DVD Review: Frosty's Winter Wonderland on Blogcritics.

Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales

     If you've watched A Charlie Brown Christmas in the last eight years or so, you may have noticed some extra scenes that weren't in the special prior to this decade. With commercial times getting longer and longer, extra scenes were added in 2002 so that the original 30 minute special could be aired intact, with more footage, in a one hour time slot. Of course, a few weeks ago, the special aired with only some of those extra scenes. But like most holiday specials, A Charlie Brown Christmas has become fluid, aired many different ways.


     For the first time on a solo-release DVD, the extra 18 minutes have been released as Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales. You do not get A Charlie Brown Christmas, but you get all of the bits added to that show this decade. The DVD was actually put out last year as a CVS Exclusive, but has recently been released at stores everywhere.

     Charlie Brown's Christmas Tale includes several stand-alone segments, listed under five headings. It's classic Peanuts, completely in line with the family-friendly humor you've come to expect from the name Charlie Brown. Sally writes a letter to "Samantha Claus". Linus talks to a girl at school who keeps changing her name. Lucy tries to get her brother, Linus, and her crush, Schroeder, to buy her good gifts. There is no over-arcing plot, but that doesn't really matter. If you enjoy Charlie Brown, or your kids do, it's a good gift. The shorts are cute.

     Also on the disc is a 24-minute "bonus feature," "Is This Goodbye, Charlie Brown?" It's the only bonus feature included, a special from 1983, and not Christmas related, but still, the Peanuts gang in character. Considering the longer length and the more cohesive plot, I'm surprised this wasn't the main release, with Tales being the bonus feature. My only idea about why it would be released the way it is would be to better market it around the holidays.

     In Is "This Goodbye, Charlie Brown?", Lucy and Linus move away after their father gets a job elsewhere. Sally, predictably, is broken up, as is Charlie Brown. Schroeder is upset too, to his surprise. It will not be shocking to anyone who has followed the strip or the TV specials that the move does not last long. But you get more real, sad emotions from the main characters than practically any other Peanuts story. Plus, keep an eye out for a rare glimpse of Linus and Lucy's parents!

     A subplot involves Peppermint Patty's crush on Charlie Brown. It's a sweet story, an awkward, childhood romance. Poor Patty doesn't know how to express herself to Chuck, and he, of course, sure doesn't pick up on the signals. Even if one of those signals is a middle of the night phone call. Which begs the question, why didn't his parents answer the phone? Surely, they heard it in the middle of the night and were upset! Though parents were never much of an element in the series.

     If you like Charlie Brown and Peanuts, you're going to like this DVD. If you don't already, you probably won't. It's a fine example of classic Peanuts.

     To buy this DVD, please check out your favorite store, or visit the official site. Visit the Warner Bros. official site to get the inside scoop on all Warner movie and DVD releases.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

Article first published as DVD Review: Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales on Blogcritics.

Community - "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas"

     Some people may have been surprised when they turned on NBC  this past Thursday night at 8pm and saw, instead of their beloved Community, a stop-motion animated Christmas special. I say stop-motion instead of claymation because the technology has grown way more sophisticated than the clay of old, and the episode pointed that out. I hope those people weren't too hasty to turn the channel, because that stop-motion special was this week's Community entry, and while not appropriate for children (Jeff-in-the-box got eaten by humbugs, which left a gruesome skeleton), it was a holiday delight.

     The premise of the story, titled "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas", was that Abed (Danny Pudi), feeling devoid of the Christmas spirit, imagined everyone in stop-motion animation to get himself more into the holiday mood. Relax, political correctness police. Abed is half Muslim, but loves Christmas. And in his imaginary winter wonderland, he included a menorah for Jewish friend Annie (Alison Brie) and a reflecting pool for Jevoah's Witness Troy (Donald Glover). But what he got right is that, in America, most people celebrate Christmas, whether they are Christian or not. The season is about much more than the religious roots, which weren't the actual roots of the holiday anyway, as pointed out by Brita (Gillian Jacobs). So please stop being so uptight and just let us celebrate a holiday our country has adopted and taken as our own.

     Anyway, Abed's distress leads him to Professor Duncan (John Oliver, The Daily Show), who wants to make a case study of the delusion, and profit off of it. Abed is resistant, as Duncan arranges a group therapy session with the Study Group. Unfortunately for the wannabe therapist, Abed assumes control of the meeting, and Duncan never gets it back. He takes his friends and Duncan to Planet Abed, a Christmas haven where the air is seven percent cinnamon. Abed transforms his friends into Christmas-type characters, and they set off the find the Christmas spirit. One by one, the group drops out, accompanied by a Willy Wonka-esque song (from the old version of the film, not the new one). In the end, the true reasons for Abed's depression are discovered, and everything is righted.

     This episode will not be remembered for its musical numbers, which were short and not that exciting, through true to the series. The one memorable ditty was Abed's rendition, with holiday-centric lyrics, of the show's theme song. However, songs are not all that goes into such an endeavor, and in many other ways, it was a success. The visions created were magical, the characters were quite fun with their new looks, and the distinctly Community brand of humor was certainly present.

     I also love how true the writing was to each of the established characters. Of course Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) wanted to make the thing about Jesus, but her slowly grown restraint won out. Jeff (Joel McHale) was appropriately sarcastic and dismissive, while the Dean (Jim Rash) warred between what he thinks a good college should be and his own struggle with being politically correct, which is clearly unnatural for him. Pierce (Chevy Chase) was just as sad as Abed, but hid it behind cookies, pretending he didn't care. All fit with the people represented each week.

     On a broader not, I miss Señor Chang (Ken Jeong). Sure, he's been in season two about as much as season one, which is, not all the much, besides a few featured episodes. He had one brief scene where he was a snowman this week. But his expulsion from the teaching staff opened up an opportunity for him to join the group, and with such a talented actor signed to the series full-time, why are they squandering it? It's time for him to be let in and get a meatier role. Otherwise, he can be relegated to recurring status like the Dean and Duncan are, because he's currently only about as important as them.

     Community, like most shows, is now on a scheduled winter break, but will return to NBC Thursday nights in early 2011.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional tv news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

Article first published as TV Review: Community - "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas" on Blogcritics.

Aqua Teens celebrate Christmas

     As part of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, Aqua Teen Hunger Force has been around since 2000, airing six seasons in that time.  The sixth season ended in May, so I was a little surprised to see a Christmas special air this week.  The episode title was "A PE Christmas", although it wasn't readily obvious that PE stood for Public Enemy.  That's because as part of the plot, Master Shake (Dana Snyder) and Meatwad (Dave Willis), having stolen Flavor Flav's identity, decide to record a Christmas album.  Well, one twelve-second track that Master Shake plans to release and make millions off of for Christmas, even though it is already December 24th.  The sound technician humors them, barely, and readily agree that the new CD will be shipped out to stores immediately so he can get home.

     Fans of the show know that even though episodes are a mere eleven minutes or so, that main plot, taking up the middle chunk, will have little to do with the beginning or end of the episode.  Cartoon Network was initially scared to put on a show about good items (Carey Means's Frylock being the third member of the cast) doing random things, but the show has enjoyed a cult following and relative popularity, even earning a feature film.  Don't worry if you hadn't heard about the film, few did, but it existed, and was in actual movie theaters.

     This Christmas episode was every bit as good as Aqua Teen gets.  It began with the trio of 'heroes' in church, one plotting to rob the collection plate, another confused as to why Santa Claus was skinny and hanging on a cross with an appendectomy scar, and the third just shaking his head and getting them out of there as quickly as possible.  It ended with Shake breaking into a Better Buy store so that customers could get in to buy him album, and then randomly exploding in jail from eel diarrhea.  In short, it was wrong, gross, and hilarious.  If you stuck around past the end credits, pervy, sweatpants wearing neighbor Carl (also Willis) delivered a heartwarming rendition of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" concerning what exactly self-pleasure he would be doing.  Clearly, the show is not for everyone.  But for it's target audience, it succeeds.

     They also released a Christmas album this year, on sale now.

Yes, Virginia gets a no

     CBS showed a new Christmas special this past Friday night called Yes, Virginia, inspired by the true story of a little girl name Virginia who wrote to ask the New York Sun  if the jolly old elf really existed.  It has been adapted many times before, with a variety of results, but the latest certainly falls into the shallow end of the pool.

     To be fair, the animation wasn't bad, and a good voice cast was recruited.  Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) portrayed the father, while Jennifer Love Hewitt (Ghost Whisperer) was the mother and Alfred Molina (Spiderman 2, The DaVinci Code) was the newspaper editor.  It also had a good message and was loosely based on a part of Americana history.

     But unfortunately, it had many flaws.  Each character was flat and uninspired.  While Virginia could have had depth, instead the viewer had to rely on the Believe Meter on the tower to tell how she really felt.  The bully girl switched opinions as soon as the letter was printed, but didn't seem to feel any point of view with conviction.  The newspaper editor, too, had not only an inexplicable change of heart, but read the reply editorial with such a lack of emotion, it almost warranted turning the television off, not what I expect from a well-known movie star.  Harris and Hewitt, great personalities in their own right, were largely wasted on a few, very short scenes.  Did they just do the parts to support their network?  The story didn't flow well.  It kind of wandered until it had to end because time was up.  Also, what should have been a central character, known only as Scraggly Santa (Michael Buscemi), was largely ignored and forgotten before the end.  His important to Virginia should have obvious, but his once scene where he got to save the day played very dull and uninspired.

     I am not down on Christmas specials.  I love a great many of them, and would highly recommend Disney's Prep & Landing that aired last week.  But this one was only sub par, and will soon be forgotten.

Prep & Landing lands gracefully

    Disney launched a new Christmas special this week on ABC called Prep & Landing.  I don't want to overplay it, but I think it will become an oft-rerun show.  It stars Dave Foley's (News Radio) voice as Wayne, an elf who has been on Santa's prep and landing crew, the advance team to prepare homes for the big guy, for well over two hundred years and is ready for a promotion.  He assumes he will naturally get one, but when he is passed over in favor of his partner, whom he trained, he loses his Christmas spirit.  Assigned a new partner, Lanny (Derek Richardson, Men in Trees), Wayne slacks off and disaster strikes.  Though it was only twenty-two minutes, Wayne still found time to save the day and remember what his job is all about, of course.

     The animation was reminiscent of Toy Story, and the humor is as well.  It brings to mind when Disney made good cartoons, as have been lacking lately, unless the Pixar name is attached as well.  Perhaps the company had something to prove before their new movie, The Princess and the Frog, comes out this Christmas.  If so, it was a good move.

      This special was totally appropriate for the entire family, and even us older people will find plenty to smile about.  The characters are fun, the pacing is perfect, and the story has heart.  Rounding out the cast are Magee, the control center elf, voiced by Sarah Chalke (Scrubs), and the little boy in the house, Timmy (Mason Vale Cotton of Desperate Housewives).  All in all, I do recommend it, and give it about an A-.  Check it out!