What I Watched in December

The best movies I watched in December were both holiday films but they could not be more different. BETTER WATCH OUT (2016) is a brilliantly plotted, twist packed horror film that is shocking and thrilling. But last year’s FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES (2019) is even better and is actually one of the best films I watched in all of 2020. It follows several characters centered around a family as it prepares for the Christmas Eve meal of the title. It is incredibly funny and filled with a sense of real joy that never feels forced or false. Every laugh is earned and every tear is gotten from our connection to these vividly drawn people. It is simply fantastic and will make you wish you could spend more time in the company of these characters. If we weren't living through Covid Hell I would be traveling from house to house watching it with everyone I know just to experience it again with new people. Do yourself a favor and check it out. I'll be watching it every year from now on! 

The List

BETTER WATCH OUT (2017) – 9 

BRIDE OF THE GORILLA (1951)- 5 (too low budget to have it’s intended effect)

ENOLA HOLMES (2020) – 7 (well done adaptation)  

MANSION OF THE SEVEN MUMMIES (1977) – 4 (Blue Demon and Superzan in a weak, cheap adventure) 

TIGER OF THE SEVEN SEAS (1962) - 7 (European pirate adventure) 

DAGGERS OF BLOOD (1962) – 7 (a.k.a. INVASION 1700) (Cossacks vs Poles) 

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN (2016) – 6 (interesting mystery but emotionally uninvolving) 

THE FACE OF FU MANCHU (1965) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

THE ADVENTUROUS BLONDE (1937) – 6 (rewatch) (third Torchy Blane film feels like it was edited down a bit) 

COMIN’ ROUND THE MOUNTAIN (1951) – 6 (Abbot & Costello hillbilly silliness) 

TENET (2020) – 7 (exciting, interesting and sometimes confusing) 

THE BRIDES OF FU MANCHU (1966) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS (1964) – 6 (both the Rifftax and Cinematic Titanic versions!) (rewatch)

THE VENGEANCE OF FU MANCHU (1967) – 6 (rewatch on Blu) 

THE FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES (2019) – 9 (excellent Christmas tale circa 1983) 

PASSAGE TO MARSEILLE (1944) – 7 (I love the odd flashback within a flashback structure) 

DEADLY GAMES: DIAL CODE SANTA CLAUS (1989) – 7 (French action/horror holiday madness) 

THUNDER WARRIOR (1983) – 7 (Italian made FIRST BLOOD rip-off) 

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (2009) – 8 (full length Swedish version) (rewatch) 

YUKON MANHUNT (1951) – 7 (Solid RCMP adventure) 

BLONDES AT WORK (1938) – 7 (rewatch) (Torchy Blane scooping everyone in sight) 

THE BLOOD OF FU MANCHU (1968) – 4 (rewatch) (the series runs aground) 

LOST IN ALASKA (1952)) – 7 (very funny Abbot & Costello romp) 

UP THE RIVER (1930) – 6 (prison comedy with Spencer Tracey and Bogart – wish there was a better print available)

MR. MOTO IN DANGER ISLAND (1939) – 7 (fun mystery/adventure)