#MRS: movie lists

[myrandomscribbles]

My Own Timeline of How I Watch Christmas Movies

Short disclaimer before we begin: I meant to post this before Christmas, but I am a busy elf so here we are.

Every time the holiday season starts creeping in, people tend to be more busy and barely in one place. There's always so much stuff to finish, so many things to buy; your to-do and gift lists are endless. (Personally, on most days during the holidays I feel like Joe Pesci in the gif below.) I mean, there's barely time to watch movies in between all of that chaos, right? Wait lol did I just describe my usual holiday scenario? Aha, but that's just the irony - me, have no time for movies? I don't think so!

So because I am a nerd, I'd like to share with you the holiday movies I either A) must watch during the holidays, B) would recommend watching during the holidays or C) both. But here's the catch (& here's how I'm a nerd too) - there's a specific point during the season when it's the perfect time to watch said movie. You'll see what I mean.

Again, we've established that Christmas is one of, if not the busiest time of the year. Ain't nobody got time to watch a list of holiday movies, let alone in a chronological manner! But in case you do, here’s how I’d likely watch them:

First to second week of December:

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Actually, I normally rewatch this towards the end of November because it still has more of a fall vibe (and that’s what it’s more known for). But since it actually goes through the seasons as Kathleen and Joe’s relationship progresses from haters to lovers, we can consider watching it during the early days of December too. One of the most crucial scenes also happens during the winter anyway!

The Holdovers (2023)

I’ve grown to love this film so much because of the warm fuzzy feeling despite the entire story taking place during the winter. Even if the most important scenes take place at exactly Christmas Day, the film starts as the students are about to take their holiday break. That’s why it feels wrong to watch this before December 1st, but also feels wrong to not watch it on December 1st, does that make sense?! LOL

Anastasia (1997)

This one’s a no-brainer. It’s technically not even a Christmas movie, the first half just takes place in a magical winter wonderland Russia. But I mean, “Once Upon A December” - need I say more? That song, though haunting, along with the beautiful animation just screams pure magic. To this day I can never accept that this does not have an Oscar in animation.

Bonus: any of Netflix or Hallmark’s [trashy] Christmas romcoms

In recent years, I’m trying to understand why Netflix keeps releasing Christmas romcoms with plots that make you go ✨what the hell sure ✨🚬 but here we are! LOL that said, this is a good time to watch those - the most notable ones are The Princess Switch & A Christmas Prince trilogies, both of which for some reason are part of the same universe. I don’t understand it, but again, here we are! There’s a lot more in Netflix’s catalogue; don’t even get me started with Hallmark (and its posters!)

Week before Christmas:

The Holiday (2006)

Also known as Jude Law Flirtation Season, this Christmas classic is rewatchable over and over again because of its charm. We all wanted to be Cameron Diaz at one point, be for real. And since her character and Kate Winslet’s goes on their holiday switch literally the week before Christmas, isn’t it just fitting to watch it around that time too? It’s the closest we have to flirting with Jude Law!

Last Christmas (2019)

I remember watching this in cinemas when it came out, and we all thought it was going to be another fun Christmas romcom. Boy was I wrong. The lady beside me in the theater shared the same sentiments it was so funny lol. But most of the film takes place on the days leading up to Christmas Eve, where the most important scene happens. And let me tell you, not a dry eye in that theater. Not a dry eye.

Happiest Season (2020)

I love this underrated romcom. I honestly think more people should watch it because it’s so wholesome and heart-tugging. Though to be honest, I’m with the majority on saying that Kristen Stewart’s character should have ended up with Aubrey Plaza’s characters. Nevertheless, since the plot takes place on the days leading up to Christmas when Mackenzie Davis brings home Kristen Stewart for Christmas Eve, it’s only fitting to rewatch it on the same time!

Christmas Eve:

Home Alone (1990)

This is not only a Christmas classic for everyone but it’s an automatic rewatch at my house during Christmas Eve. I can’t not go through the 24th without putting this on, even if it’s just in the background while I wrap my gifts! I may be playing it in the background but it doesn’t mean I’m not paying attention though - especially when the Christmas soundtrack comes on? Absolute banger.

Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1992)

Obviously, if you’ve started with the first one, then continue with the second one! In my opinion, Home Alone is one of the rare film-duo that are both hits and neither are misses. Though some believe the sequel is funnier, I think both are equally hilarious and heartwarming. Christmas Eve is not complete for me without marathoning Home Alone 1 & 2 for sure; that’s a package deal in this household!

Love Actually (2003)

Another absolute must on Christmas Eve for me is this classic (and now somehow criticized) romcom. I realize now that yes there are many problematic parts of it, but the whole Christmas vibe is undefeated. I would watch this on either the days leading up to the 24th or on the day itself - while, again, wrapping presents. No matter what people think of it now, I’m still gonna rewatch this every year.

Christmas Day:

Little Women (2019)

Usually for most families, Christmas Day is full of reunions and get-togethers. For me however, we don’t really do that stuff a lot, so I spend the day mostly watching, guess what, more Christmas films! And on the morning of Christmas Day, I first put on Greta Gerwig’s version of the March sisters’ story - mainly because of Jo saying “Merry Christmas, world” when she wakes up in the morning. I just adore this film so much, I could write more about it but probably another time!

Little Women (1994)

My second favorite adaption is the 1994 Winona Ryder classic, primarily because the Christmas theme is just all over the film. Like the 2019 version, it’s such a warm hug, but with a more classic vibe since it was released in the 90s. I actually love how this was released on my birth year!

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

I recently just watched this for the first time, and wow it’s incredibly moving. To say that it truly is a masterpiece is an understatement; I think it’s one of the most beautiful films ever. Though the climax of the film happens on Christmas Eve, the spirit of giving and community in the ending scene is just so heartwarming that you forget it’s only the eve of Christmas. But contrary to the films I watch on the 24th when I’m mostly busy with presents & cooking, this is one of those films that can’t be in the background.

In between Christmas and New Year:

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

To many people, including myself, this is a fall movie. And I agree. But, alongside You’ve Got Mail (1998), it’s part of the “Meg Ryan spends the holidays in New York” cinematic universe, aka gotta be one of my favorite genders! LOL but the reason why this is best watched after Christmas and before New Year is because the height of the film begins around that time, all leading up to the beautiful ending of Harry and Sally getting together on New Year’s Eve.

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

I also just recently watched this and it can technically be a Christmas Eve movie because they actually show the family celebrating (and it's when Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman first meet!), but the rest of the hilarious events take place after. This is going to be a regular holiday classic for me as well moving forward because of its simple charm, the beauty of Chicago during the holidays, and Sandra Bullock's gorgeous face card.

Serendipity (2001)

This is one of the more underrated ones in my opinion. I absolutely adore Kate Beckinsale in this one - how on earth can someone be that beautiful?! I understand John Cusack lol. But like the previous romcoms above, we briefly go through Christmas but everything happens after, however still during winter. Every time I rewatch this I just want to teleport to New York during the period between Christmas and New Year and just ice skate in Central Park.

New Year’s Eve:

Silver Skates (2020)

I cannot stress this enough: I love this film! An original all-Russian production, it was one of the hidden gems I discovered on Netflix the holiday season following the pandemic. It's absolutely beautiful! It's your typical poor-guy-falls-for-rich-girl plot, but set against the snowy & magical backdrop of Russia at the turn of the 20th century. I always recommend this to people when they are looking for holiday films or period films; this is a bonus because it's both! (Not to mention the main cast is absolutely good-looking)

New Year’s Eve (2011)

Also known as the New Year's version of Love Actually's Christmas, this is another no-brainer. Who doesn't love a good romcom with a stacked cast with characters' stories who intertwine on a holiday? And personally - don't judge me for this if you're American & reading this - I would also like to experience the ball drop on December 31st. There's just something special about being a part of a public crowd on New Year's Eve versus just staying at home with just family. Maybe it depends on each one's traditions but all the same, 12 midnight is what we are all waiting for!

This is obviously a personal and subjective list; there are still loads of Christmas films & classics that are not on it. But make do what you will with this one! This is a free world where we can enjoy these movies whenever we want and at our own pace :)

[olemisekunst]

Mr. Malcolm’s List (2022) dir. Emma Holly Jones

[xxplastic-cubexx]

thinkin bout magneto's lil list of aliases from that One Shot of his government file or w/e in 97 and how it lists the three main men who've played him (David Hemblen, Ian McKellen, Michael Fassbender) and kinda cackling at the idea 1.) if they included All his names 2.) having 'michael' on that list twice

[babeypigeon]

heretic doodles!

[theunseeliefilmclub]

Every Film I've Seen in 2024: October

Horror Express (1972)

M (1931)

The Fly (1986)

100 Years of Horror (1996)

Cool Runnings (1993)

Spies in Disguise (2019)

Coraline (2009)

Calamity Jane (1953)

Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)

Salem's Lot (2024)

Transformers One (2024)

Poltergeist (1982)

Cat People (1942)

The Phantom of the Opera (1925)

Onibaba (1964)

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The Making of the Thing (1982)

Fantastic Flesh (2008)

Transformers One (2024)

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Jennifer's Body (2009)

Les Diaboliques (1955)

King Kong (1933)

[rgal3x]

zawe ashton as julia thistlewaite in mr. malcolm's list (2022, dir. emma holly jones)

[youremyonlyhope]

Bride and Prejudice is free with ads on YouTube!

Link if embed doesn't work.

As someone who has watched literally every single adaptation of Pride and Prejudice that I can get my hands on, this is my favorite version. Go watch it if you have not. It's a Bollywood version of Pride and Prejudice, what is there not to love?

(Directed by Gurinder Chadha who did Bend It Like Beckham, in case you needed an extra push)

[colins-bridgerton]

MR MALCOM'S LIST (2022) dir. EMMA HOLLY JONES

[nowhereelsetopost]

Food from TV and movies that I really want to eat!!!!! Part 7

- Honey Milk from Ponyo (2008) - Aunt Petunia's Pudding from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) - Spinach Puffs from The Emperor's New Groove (2000) - Prawn Tempura from Cooking Mama (2006) - Egg Custard Tart from Avatar: The Last Airbender - Hama's Five Flavour Soup from Avatar: The Last Airbender - Frozen Yogurt from Wizards of Waverly Place - Chocolate from Wizards of Waverly Place - Spaghetti And Meatballs from Lady and the Tramp (1955) - Seafood from Mr Bean's Holiday (2007)

[twistedtummies2]

Top 10 Portrayals of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

Earlier this month, I discussed the literary exploits of Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft - two of the most iconic writers in the genre of classical horror. In a couple of days I will be returning to the world of classic horror and Gothic literature for two more lists in a row, so I decided - while between both - to keep up the trend. And there are few works of classic mystery and horror quite as renowned as Robert Louis Stevenson’s “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.”

The original short novel by Stevenson was actually a rare venture from the author: Stevenson mostly specialized in historical fiction and adventure stories, such as “Treasure Island,” “Kidnapped,” and “The Black Arrow.” However, he did occasionally venture into other genres, and when it comes to horror, “Jekyll & Hyde” is the most famous example of that. The original book actually keeps the reveal - which I don’t consider a spoiler at this point - a secret: Henry Jekyll, a scientist who believes he can separate man’s good and evil qualities from each other by the use of chemical formulas, test his experiments on himself. As a result, Jekyll develops a new alter-ego: a nasty fellow by the name of Edward Hyde, who represents all the evil inside Jekyll’s soul… …Or, at least, that’s how things have been perceived nowadays. Interestingly, in the original book, Jekyll’s alter-ego isn’t NECESSARILY a proper split-personality, at least not at first. In the section of the story where - through flashback - we are told Jekyll’s story from his perspective, Hyde starts off more or less as just a disguise. Jekyll uses the identity of Hyde to vicariously do things one simply can’t get away with in polite society; Hyde looks like a terrible scoundrel, and is younger and more fit, physically, than Jekyll naturally is. As a result, Jekyll is able to use him to do things he’d otherwise never even try. However, as Jekyll’s recounting of the events continues, he starts to refer to Hyde as if he really were another personality, living inside of him. It’s therefore left unclear how much of the evil Hyde does is Jekyll’s fault; if Jekyll is simply going insane due to the pressures of his double-life, or if Hyde has his own agency and identity separate from his host. Regardless of how you read things, Jekyll and Hyde have become synonymous with the concept of characters who have dual identities or split-personalities. The story and its themes of what makes someone good and what makes someone evil in a society, and the duality of mankind itself, have remained relevant and powerful. So, without further ado, here are my personal Top 10 Portrayals of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!

10. John Malkovich, from Mary Reilly.

I’m being contrarian with this choice, it seems, because “Mary Reilly” is not a very well-thought of movie. And to be honest, I can kind of understand why. Based on a novel of the same name (which I haven’t read, although I would very much like to), the story is a retelling of Jekyll & Hyde with a unique perspective. The main character is not Henry Jekyll, nor Edward Hyde, but instead the good doctor’s maid: the titular Mary Reilly, a young Irishwoman who forms a strange sort of friendship (and perhaps something more) with her employer, right at the same time he begins his strange experiments. The problem with the movie, in my opinion, is that Mary herself is frankly not the most interesting character; this may be partially due to the performance of Julia Roberts, whose Irish accent is about as convincing as a cheeseburger’s would be, and who seems to spend nearly the whole movie in a state of feeble fright that I don’t think was intended. However, while Roberts and her character are unimpressive, I unironically really, REALLY enjoy John Malkovich’s performance as Jekyll & Hyde themselves. Along with having one of the most bizarre and unique interpretations of the transformation scene yet, Malkovich does a really good job differentiating the two characters, with relatively minimal makeup differences. As Jekyll, he is highly restrained, with much of the emotion in his performance coming just from his eyes and the slightest of shifts in his voice and body language. As Hyde, he’s a madcap sociopath, swaggering his way around from scene to scene, carrying out murders with excited zeal, and doing all sorts of stuff - from the odd to the evil to both - seemingly just because…well, why not? It’s pure night and day, and it works really well without feeling like it goes too far in either direction. I know other people disagree, so if you’re not a fan of this performance or film in general, I won’t blame you. However, if you haven’t seen this picture yet, I do advise that you give it a look: whether you agree with my feelings or not, it’s always neat to get a new look at an old classic.

9. Hank Harris & Sam Witwer, from Once Upon a Time.

While “Once Upon a Time” largely focused on fairy-tales and…well…Disney movies, frankly, it did occasionally venture into other territory with its subject matter and characters. Case in point: near the end of Season 5, our heroes end up in a world called “the Land of Untold Stories,” where various characters - trying to escape the trials and tribulations of their original homelands, or even just their personal lives - have all wound up. They soon run into Mr. Hyde, who effectively rules over this Land as “The Warden,” with his alter-ego, Jekyll, being reduced to “the Groundsman.” Jekyll’s former butler, Poole, is now Hyde’s second-in-command as “the Orderly.” When Hyde learns of Storybrooke, he decides to find a way to venture there, so he can take it over and get revenge on Rumpelstiltskin, who wronged him in the past. Thanks to a special potion that separates the two egos into their own separate people, Jekyll is able to help the heroes escape…but once they all reach Storybrooke, things get a lot more complicated. This version really, REALLY blurred the line of good and evil, with a unique twist I won’t give away that effectively turned the story on its head. Normally, I’m not a fan of Jekyll & Hyde being played by separate actors - I think it’s just so much more interesting if they’re played by the same person - but in this show’s case, I think it works, especially since they do become separated figures. Jekyll was played by Hank Harris; a fairly lesser-known actor I must admit I’m not especially familiar with. Sam Witwer as Hyde, however, I’m very familiar with; DC fans will doubtless recognize him for such roles as Doomsday and Ocean Master, while Star Wars fans will know him as the voice of Darth Maul in…well…quite a lot of things, really. Naturally, with a resume like that, the role of Edward Hyde was tailor made for him, and Hyde very quickly became one of my favorite villains in the show. The twist I mentioned only made both performances all the more interesting…but I mustn’t say more, or I’ll spoil the best parts.

8. Ralph Bates & Martine Beswick, from Dr. Jekyll & Sister Hyde.

This film, at first, sounds almost like a joke…and that’s because it kind of was. Made by the famous horror studio of Hammer, “Dr. Jekyll & Sister Hyde” became a thing when the creative heads of the studio were pitching around the idea of doing a new adaptation of the classic story. (They had already done a reimagining called “The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll,” which was not received very well…and for good reason.) One of them jokingly suggested Jekyll could turn into a woman…and the idea so intrigued others involved, that was exactly what they went with. The result of this silliness turned out to be one of the most disturbing and intriguing versions of the tale. In this film, Bates’ Jekyll uses a potion that transforms him from a neurotic, scared, rather effette man into a ravishingly beautiful, confident lady. However, the potion also skews with one’s morality, and the resulting alter-ego, Jekyll’s “sister” Hyde, becomes a being of pure evil behind her glamorous smile. Jekyll’s potion requires certain hormones only found in the female anatomy; when he begins to run low on these supplies, the infamous Jack the Ripper slayings occur as a way of gaining fresh materials. The murders only heighten Hyde’s evil desire for power and destruction, and Jekyll is forced to wrestle not only with control over his body, but over his own personal identity. For such a bonkers premise, the movie proves to be surprisingly thought provoking on a lot of levels, and Bates and Beswick as the title characters both turn in extraordinary performances with several layers to them. It probably won’t be a film to everybody’s tastes, but if you keep an open mind, you’ll find a lot to enjoy here.

7. The Version from “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.”

Now, I’m specifically talking about the version from the original Alan Moore comics. However, I should point out that the film version of J&H - played by Jason Flemyng - actually wasn’t too bad, in my opinion. I would argue they were the best part of that very messy movie. In both interpretations, Jekyll’s darker half is the “muscle” of this team of Victorian-age superheroes; their “Hulk,” if you will. Hyde is depicted as a superhumanly strong beast-person, with heightened senses and incredible endurance and stamina. Jekyll, in contrast, is a nervous, paranoid fellow who - deeply traumatized by everything his other half has caused - keeps much to himself and tries to avoid conflict. Hyde is revealed to basically be a representation of Jekyll’s Freudian id. At one point, he tells others on the team, “Without me, Jekyll has no drive. Without him, I have no restraint.” In the first volume of the League, Jekyll is the more prominent half depicted, with Hyde only popping up when needed, so to speak; in the second, Hyde takes center stage, with significantly less Jekyll. As a result, we get to know both halves fairly well. There’s honestly a LOT I could say here, but it’s hard to know where to begin; suffice it to say, this version of Hyde does do some absolutely HORRENDOUS things, but there’s also a sense of sympathy and right thinking in him. As for Jekyll, there’s a lot of ambiguity about him that makes him just as much a curiosity in his own way, as the idea of one side being stronger than the other, and how that even occurred, is treated in a more literal and yet complex fashion than some others. At this point I’m likely rambling though, so…just go read the comics, or even just watch the film with Flemyng. The former option, at least, will be well worth your time.

6. John Hannah, from Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (2003).

Hannah is an actor probably best known for his more comedic performances; among horror film fans, he’s probably most easily recognized as comic relief figure Jonathan Carnahan in the Stephen-Sommers-made Mummy trilogy. However, Hannah has done some more dramatic and serious parts in his time, and perhaps none quite so intense as his work in this version. In this movie, the duality between Jekyll and his dark side is made all the more explicit by the fact that there is absolutely no physical difference between them. Other versions will have Hyde certainly look similar to Jekyll, but there’s always some level of distinction between the two: different hairstyle, different ages, different eyes. Hannah’s Hyde speaks with a Scottish brogue, instead of Jekyll’s refined RP English, and certainly wears different clothes than the good doctor would typically wear…but the face Jekyll sees in the mirror is exactly the same, no matter which identity he’s under. This creates a new wrinkle to the story, and it’s one I’ve always had slightly mixed feelings about: on the one hand, it makes a nonsense of Hyde’s very name. The idea behind the moniker of “Hyde” is it’s actually a pun: he’s able to “hide” inside of Jekyll, who would never be suspected of wrongdoing. With this version, Jekyll’s deniability is now in question, as witnesses can pinpoint his face to different crimes Hyde commits. However, the result does add even more tension to the story, and allows Hannahs’ acting chops to really shine through, as he manages to make the two personalities totally distinct without an ounce of the superficial elements other performers are able to use to their advantage. It’s a great job, but I think I prefer more typical takes a little more, hence why he loses out on the top five.

5. Christopher Lee, from I, Monster.

Released in 1971, “I, Monster” is a weird one for this countdown. It is a Jekyll & Hyde adaptation…without the names of Jekyll & Hyde attached. Amicus, the studio that produced the film, didn’t want to make “just another Jekyll & Hyde movie.” So, the characters of the doctor and his alter-ego had their names changed, and the title was made to the one we see now. However, everything else in the script - the plot, the lines, the other character names, etc. - is not only very clearly J&H, but is perhaps one of the most accurate-to-the-book interpretations out there. Aside from the ending and a few minor points throughout, it actually sticks extremely close to Stevenson’s writing. So, while the characters may not be CALLED Jekyll & Hyde - instead being referred to more forgettably as “Marlowe & Blake” - I still say they more than count. While this film isn’t without its flaws, Christopher Lee in the main double role delivers, in my opinion, one of his absolute strongest and most underrated performances. There’s such magnificent subtlety and nuance to his Jekyll/Marlowe, especially in his relationship with his best friend, Mr. Utterson - played by Lee’s real-life best friend and frequent co-star, Peter Cushing. As Hyde/Blake, the film creates an interesting evolution for the character: at first, Blake is an energized, and genuinely extremely creepy, sort of character, who looks almost exactly like Marlowe save for some minor makeup fixes to give him a more unsettling aura. As the story goes on, however, the dark side grows uglier physically, and his whole demeanor seems to fall apart; as the pleasures of evil increase, the physical suffering matches the mental and emotional, yet he just can’t help himself. It’s a little hard to find a good copy of this movie to watch, but if you can, definitely give it a look: it may not be for everyone, but it’s worth it just for Lee’s performance.

4. Jack Palance, from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1968).

This was the first (unless I’m mistaken) of a series of adaptations of classic chillers connected to Dan Curtis - the mastermind behind the Gothic soap opera, “Dark Shadows.” I’ve spoken of the another he was tied to - “Dracula,” also starring Palance - in the past. While I do enjoy both of those interpretations, in my opinion, Curtis’ first foray into classic horror is also his best. It hardly needs saying that Palance - long-renowned for playing a variety of onscreen baddies, from the manic and deranged to the malevolently cold and powerful - makes a brilliant Edward Hyde. If you ever wanted to know what it would be like if Batman’s Grissom had become the Joker, you’ll get it here. Where he really impresses me, however, is as Henry Jekyll: Palance doesn’t seem, at first glance, to be a conventional choice for the good doctor, but he pulls it off absolutely brilliantly. This version really toys strongly with Stevenson’s original ambiguity: Jekyll is not depicted as a victim of Hyde, but instead more as an accomplice, or even the real villain. He becomes conceited and arrogant with the power his second identity lends him, and it’s not till things start to go wrong for him that he begins to grow sick of it all. He is just as culpable as the monster he makes out of himself, even though the two are treated as separate personalities. It’s very possibly my favorite of Palance’s performances, which is saying quite a lot. As a result, it more than earns placement in my personal Top 5.

3. The Version from Frank Wildhorn’s “Jekyll & Hyde.”

If ever a single composer could be said to be the master of “cult classic musicals,” it would be Frank Wildhorn. While Wildhorn’s work has never been the grand darling of Broadway critics, with most of his shows lasting very short stints before disappearing, he is extremely popular in other countries (most notably Germany, Japan, and Korea), and his work in English-speaking countries certainly has a loyal niche of fans. By far the most popular of all his creations is his stage musical version of Stevenson’s classic novella. This musical has undergone multiple transformations of its own over the years, with different productions having script and score elements that change in and out. While every interpretation has had its flaws, I’ve always had a strong soft spot for this rendition as a whole, and its one of the first I think of when I think of the story. Many actors have tackled the dual roles of Jekyll & Hyde for the musical over the years; if I had to choose my personal favorite, it would be Anthony Warlow, who recorded the role for a 1994 CD production, and later would reprise the part onstage for the 25th Anniversary of the play. Other noteworthy names I’m fond of include Robert Cuccioli, Rob Evan, Constantine Maroulis, Chuck Wagner…the list goes on. Oh, also The Hoff did this show for a while…take that however you will. Suffice to say, if that was the only version I knew, it wouldn’t be in my Top 3. XD

2. Fredric March, from Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1931)

Produced by Paramount, this is one of two versions generally regarded to be one of the best and most classic renditions ever made. Notably, the film made history when March became the first actor in a horror movie to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. He would, in fact, be the ONLY actor to win this award for sixty whole years, as this record wasn’t beaten till 1991’s “Silence of the Lambs” with Anthony Hopkins. (I should point out that, since then, nobody else has won the award for another horror picture yet. Take that as you will.) This is especially impressive when you consider 1931 gave us Universal’s “Dracula” and “Frankenstein,” which this movie was made in direct response to. As much as I love Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff in those movies, I can safely say March’s award was not ill-deserved: as Jekyll, he delivers a very human performance that still holds up strongly to this day. As Hyde, he is thoroughly unrecognizable from his better half, not only because of the intense makeup (which gave Hyde a deliberately grotesque, deformed, simian appearance), but because every part of his acting job - his voice, his physical mannerisms, his overall demeanor - is completely and totally different. Interestingly, this is the only adaptation of the story I know of that actually uses Stevenson’s intended pronunciation of the names: according to the author the name “Jekyll” was supposed to be pronounced “Jeek-ull,” as a pun on “hide and seek.” However, since at least the 1941 remake of this same film (which starred Spencer Tracy), the name has always been pronounced “Jekk-ull.” Just one of many details that makes this version so good.

1. John Barrymore, from Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1920).

Alongside March’s 1931 appearance, this is the other film version that is widely considered a true classic and as one of the greatest adaptations. As you can tell by it making the top of my list, I wholeheartedly agree. While this silent film version has a few flaws (mostly due to the fact it’s OVER A HUNDRED YEARS OLD NOW), it actually still holds up fairly strong to this day. Most of this can be attributed to John Barrymore’s performance in the title part. In this version, Jekyll starts off as an outright saint: a pure goody-two-shoes who would never dare commit crimes of vice. However, he begins to experience doubt and temptation due to the machinations of his (admittedly well-meaning) father-in-law, Sir George Carew. This leads to the experiment that gives birth to Hyde: a twisted, warped creature who savagely enjoys all the pleasures of sin. Instead of the simian attributes of March’s version, harkening to man’s natural primal impulses, this Hyde is intentionally given the motif of a spider, symbolizing the web of danger Jekyll ensnares himself in as his trials with Hyde go on, and the poison of evil infecting his soul. Barrymore’s transformation scene is a masterpiece of physical acting: at first, there is no makeup on Hyde at all, the change being entirely due to the actor distorting his physical features, his handsome face rearranging itself into a crooked, sharp look. As the film goes on, Hyde does adopt more and more nasty makeup elements, but the face remains Barrymore’s own warped visage. While some may see parts of his acting as a bit hokey nowadays…again, the movie is more than a hundred years old, cut things some slack. I actually think the intensity of Barrymore’s performance is highly effective in most places, making Jekyll’s torment and the genuinely unsettling, scary presence of Hyde all the more impactful. The scene where Hyde commits his first murder genuinely horrifies me to this day. When I think of these characters, it’s Barrymore I think of before any other version. For that reason above all the rest, he definitely takes the cake as My Favorite Portrayal of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.

HONORABLE MENTIONS INCLUDE…

Boris Karloff & Eddie Parker, from Abbott & Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.

This spookshow comedy was one of several follow ups to the famous duo’s more successful outing, “Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein.” Karloff plays Jekyll, and also wore the makeup for Hyde during the transformation sequences. However, stuntman and actor Eddie Parker - who would later play the Mummy in another Abbott & Costello feature - plays Mr. Hyde for the majority of the film. Michael Caine, from Jekyll & Hyde (1990).

This 1990 TV film adaptation very, VERY nearly made the main countdown, and has a great many merits. Caine’s performance, obviously, is among them. However, when I revisited the film for the purposes of this list, I simply found I didn’t like it as much as I remembered, so it narrowly missed the cut.

The Version from “Fate/Grand Order.”

Evidently influenced by the Frank Wildhorn musical (their Noble Phantasm takes its title directly from a song in the show), I really do love the way Henry Jekyll and his chaotic alter-ego are portrayed, as well as how that fits into the gameplay. Like Caine, they very, VERY nearly made the cut, but I guess I just like other versions of the characters more. The two were voiced by Mamoru Miyano.

James Nesbitt, from Jekyll.

This BBC miniseries featured Nesbitt as a descendant of Jekyll, “Dr. Tom Jackman,” who has to deal with the family curse coming to haunt him. Essentially a precursor to “Sherlock,” as it was made by the same creative team, this one essentially reinterpreted things as a sort of dark superhero story. Very fun, but not without flaws.

[secretsofthemourning]

Rules: without naming them, post a gif of ten of your favourite films, then tag ten people to do the same.

Thank you to @jandjsalmon for including me in this fun tag!

No Pressure Tag: @babsvibes @waytoomanyhobbies @drawthethingdoppelganger @gambitsobsession @halloweentowntwokalabarsrevenge @jimmyjrsmusoems @weeheilandcoo @donutcats @sailoreuterpe @cosmic-hoboandthehighlander

(Movies are included in the tags…if you want to spoil the fun or are curious)

[myrandomscribbles]

My Recommended Movies to Watch During That Gap Between November to December

Funny, you'll think that for a country that does not have more than two seasons (summer & rainy) and for a girl who has never experienced any other season except the aforementioned duo, I would know all about autumn & winter and how it feels like. I don't, LOL. Which is probably why I romanticize it so much.

So sadly because I cannot [yet, until further notice] experience the beauty and magic of autumn & winter, I am able to translate my love for it through my other favorite thing in the world - movies.

Even if I have not experienced these seasons, I still feel like there is this strange gap between November and December wherein there is only a specific type of film to watch. Otherwise, it feels out of place. I wouldn't watch Barbie (2023) around this time, for instance. Although sure, in Hollywood box office standards, this is usually the time when big budget films are released in time for Thanksgiving so people are expected to flock to the cinemas. Ka-ching. (Unrelated but this is also the time when many studios purposely release their films to campaign for awards season - not an official stat but just my observation lol)

Anyway! My point here is that this a great time to watch (or rewatch) a handful of cozy films, whether at the cinemas or at home. Personally, I think that films similar to the ones I'm listing below are the cosiest kinds to watch during the [imaginary] autumn to winter transition:

Little Women (2019)

This one's a no-brainer. I may be biased because it's the first adaptation I've watched, but I think this is the version that captured the warmth of the book and that's why it's my favorite one. Aside from the characters being perfectly cast [TO ME], the creative way Greta Gerwig used the warm and cool tones to represent their childhood and adulthood respectively is probably what makes this such a rewatchable masterpiece. That's my favorite thing about this version - I can't not watch this every holiday season, it's an absolute must. Plus the beauty of seeing the March sisters come of age through the different seasons, with autumn and winter being the most important ones is such an enchanting thing to watch.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Arguably the best in the franchise, as is the general consensus, The Prisoner of Azkaban is the most cozy of all the eight films. What's ironic about this is that the climax doesn't even happen in autumn but in the spring (as is every single one of Harry's adventures which happen towards the end of the school year). The film also literally shows the transition of the seasons though; there's just something about going through Hogwarts while seeing the leaves change color then fall. I guess it's the color palette that the genius that is Alfonso Cuarón has applied onto the film is what makes it so cozy and autumnal. That and Hagrid's oversupply of pumpkins.

You've Got Mail (1998)

One of my favorite genre of films is when Meg Ryan decides to spend autumn until the holidays in New York. It's only ever happened twice, but funny how that came to be. Which probably leads you to the thought of, "Why did you put You've Got Mail and left out When Harry Met Sally (1989), Marga?!" Well I've got an explanation for that in the end of this post, Janet, so read until the end. Anyway, again, we literally go through the different seasons while seeing Meg Ryan & Tom Hanks go from hating each other to falling in love, and I think that's what makes this film so charming. Oh, and any romcom that begins with "Dreams" by the Cranberries is guaranteed to be an instant hit in my house.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Listen, I just watched this for the first time last week (the day after Thanksgiving no less), and until now, I am still a complete hell of a mess. One of the most beautiful screenplays I've ever seen, and one of the few films that actually has heart. I think in this instance, we can disregard the seasons for a moment, though we cannot argue that it also was a paid actor in this film. However in my opinion, it's not the seasons that makes this film warm and cozy; it's the story itself. Absolutely no words. These boys have my heart.

The Holdovers (2023)

A lot of film junkies have compared this film to Dead Poets Society for the similarity in plot, which explores the relationship and influence of a teacher with his student/s who is/are struggling to find themselves. And naturally, when would be the best time for this to happen? During the holidays! Yes, the majority of the plot of The Holdovers happens during winter and Christmas (in fact there's hardly any sign of autumn) but again, the coziness is not brought about by the season itself but the story. I love how this is, yes in a way, similar to Dead Poets Society but its warmth is different; not to mention some light comedic scenes here and there. If you ask me, The Holdovers is Dead Poets Society's winter sister, if that makes sense.

Now, there are obviously longer and more specific lists out there; some may be more autumn-centric while some are purely holiday-centric. And while I agree and this is a free world, I feel like these specific films - though they are not solely for autumn or Christmas - perfectly portray both. (I hope I'm not rambling here and I'm getting my thoughts out perfectly the way I want it to lol) Think of it this way - when you think of autumn films, do any of these come to mind? What about winter/Christmas films? Both work, right?!

Another thing I'd like to mention as my last point is that while the seasons may not be exactly "essential" to the plot, it plays a huge role in setting the tone, and sometimes to an extent, plays a "character" in the story. Think The Holiday (2006) - would the plot have worked if the setting wasn't at Christmas? But we can imagine Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly write emails to each other any time of the year (and they got together at springtime, no less!) but for some reason, watching their relationship progress begin during the holidays is so enchanting.

Anyway, that was a lot of rambles. My brain is quite fried at the moment, so I hope you enjoyed this little piece while you wrap yourselves in your knitted sweaters, a cup of coffee in hand.

[olemisekunst]

Mr. Malcolm’s List (2022) dir. Emma Holly Jones

[starleska]

I think you'd like Galaxy Quest Alexander Dane or Mathesar or even Teb, Mathesar is my favorite though. You'd probably like Alexander for how sassy he is. Galaxy quest is kinda like Star Trek.

Celestial you are on a roll this month wow!!!!! i'd somehow never seen Galaxy Quest until you suggested it despite being a huge Star Trek nerd, and i had the time of my life - thank you so much for the recommendation 🙈💖 (and ALSO forgot to post this after i watched it i am so sorry it's been a busy month)

...also yes. Mathesar is a real cutie. shut up 🙈🙈🙈

[maddymoreau]

You know the F/O brain rot is STRONG when they have you researching topics you never once cared about.

Proship DNI

[feelingsofaithless]

Though it pains me to admit, I was relieved to find an excuse to discredit you. There is a certain feeling of…insecurity when you find yourself falling in love with someone. And I can only hope that you will forgive me for being a misguided fool. Mr. Malcolm's List (2022)