Dashing Through the Snow (2023)

A jaded social worker meets a man claiming to be Santa Claus who is on the run from people who are after him. This was okay, just extremely generic and predictable. One of those movies where the audience knows he's Santa, every other character knows he's Santa, but the protagonist refuses to believe, despite all of the constant unexplained phenomena. And you can guess how it all ends. Once again, another movie that failed to inspire the 'Christmas spirit' in me. Oh well, I'll keep looking.

2 tablets out of 5

WILSON [2017]

Based on director Craig Johnson's previous cynically sweet films I think it's safe to say he's the perfect candidate to adapt Daniel Clowes' Wilson graphic novel to the screen.
Woody Harrelson is great as the overly-honest misanthropic title character who finds out he's the father to a teenage girl after he reunites with his troubled ex-wife, played with graceful skill by Laura Dern.
If not for the charms of it's leading actors it'd be a lot more difficult to enjoy spending time with unpleasant folks like these.  Unfortunately the film seems to wander around aimlessly and never makes the emotional impact it seems to strive for.  Some moments are drawn out for too long and some are far too rushed to allow it's sentiment to really sink in.

3 epiphanies at the urinal out of 5

THE KINGS OF SUMMER [2013]

Jordan Vogt-Roberts' feature length theatrical debut is the quirky coming of age dramedy The Kings Of Summer.
It's the story of three teenage boys who decide to build a house in the middle of the woods to live in, in order to escape the rules under their parent's roofs.  At times it seems to go overboard with the forced quirkiness but it provides enough laughs and likable characters to be highly enjoyable.  There's some beautiful photography, great music and a strong cast that makes this light-hearted drama well worth seeking out.

4 big wontons out of 5