Home Blog Page 10

Makenzie Phipps Receives Hometown Honors in Bluefield, Virginia

Dev Shapiro
-
0
Makenzie Phipps Receives Hometown Honors in Bluefield, Virginia

The Town of Bluefield, Virginia, together with Southwest Virginia Community College and Graham High School, celebrated hometown star Makenzie Phipps with a special recognition ceremony. Honoring her remarkable musical talent and her unwavering community spirit, Bluefield proudly presented Makenzie with the Key to the Town, the Outstanding Citizen Award, and a formal proclamation declaring December 6, 2025, as ‘Makenzie Phipps Day.’ This tribute not only acknowledges Makenzie’s national achievements but also shines a spotlight on the pride she brings to her hometown.

“It was such a wonderful ceremony that my hometown threw for me,” shares Phipps. “This small town girl is so appreciative of the kindness and support that I’ve gotten from my community. All of the recognition they gave me means the world, and I will continue to do everything in my power to keep making Bluefield proud!”

The ceremony took place on Saturday at Fincastle Restaurant, located in Bluefield, Virginia. Members of the community were invited to attend this special event and join town leadership in celebrating one of Bluefield’s brightest ambassadors.

“Makenzie has carried the name of Bluefield with grace, humility, and excellence,” said Bluefield Mayor Donnie Linkous. “We are thrilled to recognize her achievements and to thank her for being a true role model for our region. Declaring December 6th as ‘Makenzie Phipps Day’ is a well-deserved tribute to her impact and to the joy she brings to all who hear her sing.”

OUR HAPPY PLACE – A Review by Jenn Rohm

Jenn Rohm
-
0
OUR HAPPY PLACE – A Review by Jenn Rohm

People have different tastes, including in the kinds of films they enjoy, and I want to acknowledge that upfront.  Although I don’t typically watch horror movies, particularly psychological horror, I can still recognize craft, talent, and thoughtful filmmaking when I see it.  I offer this disclosure because my 4-star rating comes from someone outside the genre’s usual audience.  If your preferences often align with mine, please keep in mind that this genre is not part of my regular viewing.

The film’s official synopsis captures its premise best:

“Raya’s life has been turned upside down since she began caring for her bedridden husband. Tormented by relentless nightmares each night, and each morning, she wakes lost and disoriented in shallow graves in the woods, with no memory of how she got there or how to get home. Then, the next night, it happens again – visions of tortured women—their whispers growing louder, their presence bleeding into her waking life. As supernatural forces close in and the boundary between dream and reality shatters, she uncovers a chilling secret buried within the woods—and within herself. The women from her nightmares are no longer just dreams. And when she wakes in the deepest grave yet, she knows exactly what she must do.”

 

 

During the pandemic, Paul Bickel and Raya Miles relocated to their home in Big Bear Lake rather than remain in Los Angeles.  With time, limited resources, and the natural environment around them, they developed Our Happy Place. The production faced challenges ranging from cast isolation to filming scenes while acting in them, working with sparse special-effects equipment, and creatively engineering solutions, including using video calls for scenes between Raya, Raya Miles, and Amy, Tracie Thoms.  As restrictions eased, additional scenes with more cast members were completed, followed by editing, scoring, and the full post-production process.  The result is a thoughtful and skillfully crafted psychological horror film.

The film uses multiple visual styles to create tension and immersion: home-video-style flashbacks, intimate framing that puts viewers directly in unsettling moments, and effective lighting cues that signal shifts in time, season, and memory.  Streaks of orange light in certain flashbacks subtly reinforce the return of traumatic recollections.  These choices keep viewers engaged and uneasy in the best way.

David Hernandez’s score is a standout element.  He leans into emotional storytelling and tension-building, creating musical cues that enhance the film’s psychological layers.  The effect is reminiscent of the cultural impact of the Jaws theme, augmented, of course, by contemporary sound design and technology.

Editing by Jim Holdridge, with additional polish from Producer David Ho and Paul Bickel, results in a film with well-managed pacing.  It accelerates during high-tension sequences, slows appropriately for character-driven moments, and includes brief touches of humor that offer relief without breaking the overall mood.

Finally, the performances, particularly Raya Miles’, who carries the majority of the film alone, deserve recognition.  In a post-pandemic world more attuned to the emotional demands of isolation, her ability to anchor the story with depth and relatability is impressive.  Her performance is reminiscent of Willem Dafoe’s in Inside, in that it sustains viewer investment with minimal direct interaction.  Tracie Thoms adds warmth, grounding, and well-timed humor that reinforce Raya’s humanity and the passage of time, echoing the lived experiences many had during lockdown.

For fans of psychological horror, and for aspiring filmmakers interested in how to create a deeply personal, resourceful, and emotionally resonant film—Our Happy Place is well worth watching.

 

 

Director: Paul Bickel

Cast: Rya Miles, Paul Bickel, Tracie Thoms, Eugen Byrd

Selig Rating: 4 stars

Runtime: 1h 30m

Release Date: December 7,2024

Genre(s): Psychological Horror

Trailer: Our Happy Place Trailer

 

 

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.

4 Stars – Good movie/show

3 Stars – OK movie/show

2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…

1 Star – Total waste of time.

The Key Biscayne Film Festival Expands with Star-Studded 2026 Edition

Dev Shapiro
-
0
The Key Biscayne Film Festival Expands with Star-Studded 2026 Edition

The Key Biscayne Film Festival (KBFF) is swiftly establishing itself as a distinctive and essential part of South Florida’s cultural landscape. Created as an intimate, community focused alternative to larger metropolitan festivals, KBFF brings world class cinema and international talent to local movie lovers in a place where cinephiles from all over the world love to meet. The third annual KBFF is set to take place January 29 – February 1, 2026 in the idyllic setting of Key Biscayne, Florida, a precious jewel of the Greater Miami area.
KBFF founders, Key Biscayne residents Isabel Custer and Maite Garrido Thornton, bring deep industry experience to the festival’s foundation. Custer is a local filmmaker whose resume includes stints with cinematic giants Darren Aronofsky and Julie Taymor, and Garrido Thornton is an Emmy-award winning television producer with a background at CNN, CNBC, and CBS 4 News. They combined their experience and expertise to bring a shared vision – a festival that celebrated film and brought the Key Biscayne community together – to life.

“Championing local stories has always been our compass,” said Custer. “But we’re just as energized about our ever expanding slate, and embracing comedy this year, which is a genre audiences have been truly craving this year.”

“Part of my vision in co-founding the Key Biscayne Film Festival was to bring award winning films from some of the world’s most reputable and respected filmmakers directly to our community,” said Garrido Thornton. “That, alongside highlighting local filmmakers and bringing together panels from some of the industry leaders. Our goal is to bring the island stories that uplift us, move us, and spark meaningful conversations and I’m confident this year will not disappoint.”

Intimate Screenings, Big Stories, Unforgettable Conversations 

Over the past two years, the KBFF has established a reputation for screening films from renowned storytellers and local talent, and allowing festival attendees to connect with talented storytellers. The buzzworthy From Russia with Lev, produced by Rachel Maddow was featured in this year’s festival followed by an exclusive discussion with director Billy Corben and producers Nicole Pritchett and Alfred Spellman. The festival also featured the directorial debut of actor and Miami-native Danny Pino, Union de Reyes. Natalie Martinez, another Miami-native and star of Apple TV’s Bad Monkey joined producer Alexis Garcia for a captivating Q&A and mingled with festival guests afterwards. One of the most unique moments was the screening of the award-winning In the Whale. Festival guests were treated to a conversation with director David Abel and surprise guest Michael Packard, the fisherman who was swallowed by a whale and is the real-life subject of the film. Another winner from the previous edition of the festival is A Swim Lesson, directed by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack.

“It’s a beautiful festival that inspires filmmakers to make great films,” said director/producer David Frankel of Devil Wears Prada, the upcoming Devil Wears Prada 2, Collateral Beauty and so much more.

Events are held at the Key Biscayne Community Center and Paradise Park, where guests can watch films under the stars and even enjoy a picnic.

Spotlighting Community and the Next Generation of Storytellers

The Key Biscayne Film Festival’s mission extends to inspiring and cultivating the next generation of storytellers right here in South Florida. Each year, the festival hosts a Youth Filmmaking Workshop where middle and high school students can learn the craft of movie making from experienced filmmakers. This year’s event featured director Frank Kelly and festival co-founder Isabel Custer. The workshop is totally free and students are able to submit and screen their own films at the festival. Last year, student filmmaker Gaby Mesa’s short film In the Blink of an Eye, took home the festival’s prize for Spotlight on Youth.

The festival also partners with community organizations like It Takes a Village (ITAV) to ensure that every member of the community can participate and have their voices shine. It Takes a Village is an organization dedicated to creating an inclusive community for neurodivergent children and their families. The partnership between the organizations allows participating children to exercise their creativity, develop skills, and tell their own stories.

“Creating their own artistic work is both therapeutic and empowering,” says ITAV founder Chiara Bergonzi.  “It allows children to explore a new field, express themselves through the arts, collaborate with peers, volunteer, and gain confidence.”

The emphasis on community and highlighting local artists extends beyond the screen. The official poster for the upcoming festival was created by Sonia Sanchez Nieto, a local artist and art teacher at St. Agnes Catholic Academy.

A Bigger, Bolder KBFF Celebrates Year Three

With the third annual film festival fast approaching, organizers are preparing to announce the latest slate of films. While previous years highlighted themes related to the oceans, environment, and the South Florida community, the KBFF has opened its submissions to a wider range of genres and subject matters, promising its most dynamic lineup of films yet. Additional news and announcements, including official selections, will be forthcoming.
“I feel like it’s a very intimate environment, just the right size. You’re surrounded by people who love film and you get access to the filmmakers. Being able to ask questions and get into details with the filmmakers is a wonderful experience,” said Underwater DP, Pete Zuccarini (Avatar, Life of a DP.

The upcoming festival will also debut showings at the newly opened Village Chamber Theater as well as screenings at the iconic Paradise Park. Attendees can expect to enjoy the same amazing access to filmmakers along with opportunities to connect with their neighbors over a shared passion for film. To be the first to learn about the upcoming film showings and to reserve tickets as soon as they become available, follow @kbfilmfestival on Instagram or subscribe and get get more information in general at kbfilmfestival.org.

OH. WHAT. FUN. – A Review by Jenn Rohm

Jenn Rohm
-
0
OH. WHAT. FUN. – A Review by Jenn Rohm

December is upon us, which means the holiday season has officially begun. With frigid weather hitting parts of the United States—including regions that rarely see the cold—it’s the perfect time to curl up at home with your favorite treats and enjoy some holiday films.  We have the standard classics centered on male leads, as well as the predictable yet charming Hallmark staples.  This year, Amazon MGM Studios opted to adapt Chandler Baker’s 2021 Amazon Original Stories into a feature film.

At the outset of Oh. What. Fun., we hear Claire (Michelle Pfeiffer) listing holiday movies that place men front and center.  Titles like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Santa Clause, and Home Alone all make the cut.  She then notes how often wives, mothers, and the quiet “glue” of the family go unappreciated, setting up the expectation that this film will shine a spotlight on what often goes unnoticed during the holidays.  We’re introduced to her husband Nick (Denis Leary), tinkering in the garage with a toy for the grandchildren. (I understand the choice of a gift involving many small pieces, though the toy selected doesn’t quite match the age of the fraternal twins.)  Claire has been planning holiday menus, activities, and decorations since January 1, and now, with family arriving, festivities are officially underway.  After a long day of cooking and cleaning, she collapses into bed well after midnight.  The following morning, the family heads out to an event in two separate cars, but as they pull away, Claire is not in either vehicle.  Realizing she has been left behind, she packs a bag and sets off on an adventure of her own.

Reflecting on the films Claire mentions, I noticed several playful nods to these classics, such as accidentally leaving someone at home and sharing a motel room with a stranger.  Spotting these moments adds a fun layer to the viewing experience, and it’s something I plan to pay closer attention to the next time I watch.

The cast delivers strong, lively performances, and it’s clear they were enjoying themselves throughout filming. Felicity Jones plays Channing, the eldest child, navigating the familiar and often awkward space between adulthood and reverting to old family dynamics. Her husband, Doug (Jason Schwartzman), stands slightly on the outside, looking in; as an only child, he earnestly tries to connect with the larger, louder family.  His attempt to strike up a conversation with Taylor (Chloë Grace Moretz), while pretending to read an upside-down book, is especially endearing.  Sammy (Dominic Sessa), the youngest, is still comfortably avoiding adulthood, and his emo rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is an unexpectedly delightful twist.

The soundtrack is another highlight of the film. By weaving together holiday music, classic rock, and current hits, the film creates a dynamic mix that feels both familiar and fresh. Each musical cue fits seamlessly with the scene it accompanies, helping to maintain the movie’s momentum and enrich its emotional beats.

The film has a few missteps, but none of them meaningfully detracted me from my enjoyment. It never aims to be an awards contender, and it doesn’t need to be. Instead, it offers a warm, humorous reminder of the unsung labor that makes the holidays magical. And as Claire suggests, take note of the three words she longs to hear—and start saying them to the person who makes your holiday season as special as it is.

 

 

Director: Michael Showalter

Cast: Michelle Pfeiffer, Denis Leary, Felicity Jones

MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for some drug use, sexual material, and strong language.

Selig Rating: 4 stars

Runtime: 1h 47m

Release Date: December 3, 2025

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

Genre(s): Comedy, Holiday

Trailer: Oh. What. Fun. trailer

Movie Site: Oh. What. Fun. website

 

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.

4 Stars – Good movie/show

3 Stars – OK movie/show

2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…

1 Star – Total waste of time.

AMERICAN SKYJACKER – A Review by Jenn Rohm

Jenn Rohm
-
0
AMERICAN SKYJACKER – A Review by Jenn Rohm

Every time I travel by plane, I pass through security, something I have always accepted as necessary for passenger safety.  News coverage over the years has reinforced why these procedures continue to evolve, yet I had never given much thought to their origins.  The documentary American Skyjacker offers valuable insight into how and why today’s security measures, including the TSA, came to be.

Martin McNally’s hijacking of Flight 119 out of St. Louis was one of approximately 130 hijackings of an airplane in the United States between 1967 and 1972.  At the age of 28, he boarded Flight 119, intending to extort a ransom and vanish.  His plan, however, did not unfold as expected.

Directors Eli Kooris and Joshua Shaffer were inspired by Danny Wicentowski’s Riverfront Times article, ‘The Final Flight of Martin McNally’.  Through a well-crafted blend of interviews, archival news clips, and reenactments, the film traces the early days of commercial air travel, explores McNally’s motivations, and follows his life in prison and beyond.  McNally himself serves as the principal interviewee, and these same interviews are used in a podcast miniseries covering this turbulent era in aviation history.

The combination of historical footage and thoughtfully produced reenactments creates a vivid sense of time and place.  At moments, it feels as though the viewer has stepped directly into 1972, down to a particular fashion choice that becomes unexpectedly relevant to the story.

American Skyjacker succeeds not only because of its compelling subject matter but also because of its careful structure and engaging presentation.  It is a rare film that informs as effectively as it entertains.  If you are looking for an intriguing escape this holiday season, visit the film’s website for rental and purchase options and give it a watch.

 

Director: Eli Kooris, Joshua Shaffer

Cast: Martin McNally, Logan Spahitz, Angela Barber

Selig Rating: 4 stars

Runtime: 1h 38m

Genre(s): Documentary

Trailer: American Skyjacker trailer

Movie Site: American Skyjacker website – with link to buy/rent

 

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.

4 Stars – Good movie/show

3 Stars – OK movie/show

2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…

1 Star – Total waste of time.

EXIT PROTOCOL – A Review by Jenn Rohm

Jenn Rohm
-
0
EXIT PROTOCOL – A Review by Jenn Rohm

There are different kinds of action movies; one subgenre is the bad action movie.  There is a balance needed for a bad action movie to be a good movie, and sometimes that balance is missed.  Exit Protocol has a few good points, it missed the balance of being one of the good bad movies.

This is the story of Sam Hayden and Scott Martin, is a killer for hire.  His targets are his co-workers who wish to leave “the Organization”.  The primary person he is now after is Charles Managold, Dolph Lundgren.  Having met someone on his last mission, he wants a safer life with her.  Augustus Shadrin, J.B. Yowell, is the head of “the Organization,” and he assigns Issac Florentine, Michael Jai White, and Wicked, Stephanie Beran, to also take out Charles.

There are more characters, which also hints at how many storylines are at play.  If Sam hadn’t been repeating himself while often contradicting himself, it would be easy to get lost.  The lesson of less is more would have been helpful here.

As I mentioned at the start, there was some good.  This was one of the best performances I have seen by Lundgren.  He has gotten a reputation for every character in action films being the same.  That is no longer true.  This film is worth watching to see his performance.

For fans of bad, bad movies, find it and check it out.  For fans of bad movies, if you come across it and have the time, give it a watch.

 

Director: Shane Dax Taylor

Cast: Scott Martin, Dolph Lundgren, Michael Jai White

MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong violence and language.

Selig Rating:2 stars

Runtime: 1h 24m

Release Date: November 7,2025

Genre(s): Action, Drama

Trailer: Exit Protocol Trailer

Movie Site: Exit Protocol Website

 

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.

4 Stars – Good movie/show

3 Stars – OK movie/show

2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…

1 Star – Total waste of time.

MY BROTHER’S KEEPER – A Review by John Strange

John Strange
-
0
MY BROTHER’S KEEPER – A Review by John Strange

My Brother’s Keeper approaches the issue of PTSD and its effects on both the soldier and the people around him.  When Travis (T.C. Stallings) loses his best friend in Afghanistan, he comes home to the house where he grew up. 

He has worked multiple tours of duty.  These tours have piled losses and pain onto the man’s psyche.  Added to that load is his belief that the deaths of his parents were not a “driver error” accident.

His pain manifests in his anger.  Anger at himself as much as pointed at others.

This film is the story of his search for truth and healing.  His friends shepherd him toward both the church and a PTSD support group.  Pastor Hood (Jeff Rose) and Tiffany (Keshia Knight Pulliam) work with Travis, sometimes succeeding and other times watching him backslide.  But this is normal in recovery.

There are several external influences that keep Travis agitated as he works through the process of dealing with them.  His budding relationship with Tiffany appears to help, as does his return to his faith.

My Brother’s Keeper was a surprisingly hard film to watch and harder to review.  In part, because I am dealing with someone close to me who is experiencing a form of PTSD.  What everyone needs to see and believe is that in the world today, we see all sorts of stories about our military and first responders dealing with this disorder.  But the simple truth is that your mother, your brother, your sister, or your neighbor could all be dealing with trauma that makes everyday life difficult.  Sometimes, to the point where they simply shut down.

When you watch this film, and if someone in your life is dealing with these issues, please use this as a starting point for talking to them.  Most of us need help from time to time – these folks, more than most.

I found this film well-made and worth watching.  Hopefully, it can open more eyes than the films that put a man or woman in situations that require them to take up arms to protect their families and town.

 

Director: Kevan Otto

Cast: T.C. Stallings, Joey Lawrence, Robert Ri’chard, Gregory Alan Williams, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Blue Kimble, Shannen Fields, Jeff Rose, Kruz Valero, Ty Manns, Vj Roberts, Derrick Gilliam, Stephanie Katz

MPA Rating: PG-13 (for thematic material and some violence)

Selig Rating: 4 Stars

Runtime: 97 Min.

Release Date: 03/19/2020

Language: English

Genre(s): Drama, Family

Movie Site: MY BROTHER’S KEEPER Official Site

Trailer: MY BROTHER’S KEEPER Trailer

 

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.

4 Stars – Good movie/show

3 Stars – OK movie/show

2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…

1 Star – Total waste of time.

DAVID – A Review by Jenn Rohm

Jenn Rohm
-
0
DAVID – A Review by Jenn Rohm

Just in time for the holiday season, David arrives in theaters with a fresh retelling of a foundational biblical story. Based on the Book of Samuel in the Old Testament, the film follows David from his youth—when he is brought before King Saul to sing—through his iconic battle with Goliath and his eventual rise to become the King of Israel.

The animation blends traditional stop-motion techniques with digitally enhanced environments, creating a visually distinctive style. At times, the imagery is remarkably lifelike—particularly in moments such as the tree-filled opening sequence—while other scenes, including the confrontation with Goliath, lean more heavily into stylized animation. This artistic choice appears intentional, balancing fidelity to the source material with a gentler portrayal of intense moments for younger viewers.

The film’s musical elements are bright and memorable. Several songs feature catchy choruses that may linger with audiences long after the credits roll. Fortunately, these melodies are written to be uplifting and positive, aligning well with the film’s overall tone.

Clearly aimed at families, David offers content appropriate for a broad range of ages. That said, viewers familiar with the biblical narrative will know that certain scenes may be more intense for very young children. Parents should use their discretion—if needed, a well-timed break may help sensitive viewers navigate the story comfortably.

Ultimately, David is a thoughtfully crafted, well-paced film that delivers an encouraging message. Those who appreciate Christian faith–based storytelling will find much to enjoy in this heartfelt and visually engaging adaptation.

 

Selig’s Director: Phil Cunningham, Brent Dawes

Cast: Brandon Engman, Phill Wickham, Asim Chaudhry

MPAA Rating: action and violence

Selig Rating: 4 stars

Runtime: 1h 55m

Release Date: December 19, 2025

Genre(s): Animation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Musical, Faith

Trailer: David trailer

Movie Site: David website

 

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.

4 Stars – Good movie/show

3 Stars – OK movie/show

2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…

1 Star – Total waste of time.

WICKED TO RETURN TO DALLAS’ MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK MAY 6 – JUNE 14, 2026

Dev Shapiro
-
0
WICKED TO RETURN TO DALLAS’ MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK MAY 6 – JUNE 14, 2026

Broadway Dallas and Broadway Across America (BAA) are pleased to announce WICKED, Dallas’s most popular musical, will return to the Music Hall at Fair Park May 6 – June 14, 2026, as part of the 2025/2026 Broadway Series presented by Broadway Dallas. Tickets for the return engagement go on sale Friday, December 5.

Tickets will be available at BroadwayDallas.org or by calling 800-982-2728. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 214-426-4768 or emailing Groups@BroadwayDallas.org.

The 2021 engagement of WICKED in Dallas was the first Broadway tour in the U.S. to resume performances following the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown and completed a successful 5-week run seen by over 120,000 patrons, with the final gross in ticket sales outperforming the 2016 engagement by 3%.

Currently the 4th longest-running show in Broadway history, WICKED recently celebrated its 22nd Anniversary on Broadway.

Winner of over 100 international awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, WICKED has been performed in over 100 cities in 16 countries around the world (U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Germany, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, The Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland and China) and has thus far been translated into six languages: Japanese, German, Dutch, Spanish, Korean and Portuguese. WICKED has been seen by over 72 million people worldwide and has over $6.2 billion in global sales.

In addition to the Broadway production, WICKED in North America has enjoyed unprecedented record-breaking sit-down engagements in Chicago, where it ran for nearly four years; Los Angeles, where it ran for two years; and San Francisco, where it ran for nearly two years, as well as two North American Tours.

The Broadway sensation WICKED looks at what happened in the Land of Oz…but from a different angle.  Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”

With a thrilling score that includes the hits “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” and “For Good,” WICKED has been hailed by The New York Times as “the defining musical of the decade,” and by Time Magazine as “a magical Broadway musical with brains, heart, and courage.”  NBC Nightly News calls the hit musical “the most successful Broadway show ever.”

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Winnie Holzman.  The production is directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello with musical staging by Tony Award winner Wayne Cilento.  WICKED is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

The blockbuster film version of WICKED opened on November 22nd, 2024, and has become the highest grossing film based on a Broadway musical in history. The highly anticipated second film WICKED: FOR GOOD opened on Friday, November 21st, 2025.

For more information about WICKED, please visit www.WickedTheMusical.com.

First National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Station Wagon, RV, and Squirrel Bobbleheads Unveiled

Dev Shapiro
-
0
First National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Station Wagon, RV, and Squirrel Bobbleheads Unveiled

This morning, to celebrate the anniversary of the 1989 release of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled an officially licensed collection of three National Lampoon’s Christmas Bobbleheads featuring the Station Wagon, RV, and Squirrel. All three played prominent roles in the slapstick comedy that debuted on December 1, 1989. These mark the first bobbleheads of the National Lampoon’s Christmas Station Wagon, RV, and Squirrel. The special edition bobble is being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, an official licensee of National Lampoons.

With classic wood paneling, which was popular at the time, the bobble is a replica of the Griswold family’s 1989 station wagon. It features a large Christmas tree tied to the roof of the vehicle. The bobbles, which are individually numbered to 1,989, are available exclusively through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. Expected to ship in May, the bobbleheads cost $35 each or $100 for the set of three, plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order.

Many people remember the boxy, wood-paneled, green 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire wagon (aka the “Wagon Queen Family Truckster”) from “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” but the Griswold family switched out vehicles for “Christmas Vacation.” There were two cars made for the movie – a 1988 model and a 1989 model. The car’s wood paneling was custom-made for the film, an homage to the original Family Truckster’s wood paneling. Over the years, fans have created replicas of the car for holiday events and parades.
One of the most memorable scenes involving the 1989 Ford Taurus Wagon is when Clark Griswold drives the family to cut down the perfect evergreen in the snow-covered countryside. The gigantic tree was later strapped to the roof of the car with the roots still attached. In an earlier scene, Clark gets into a road competition with the driver of a pickup truck in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Clark gets the car stuck under a logging trailer, leaving him no choice but to veer the car off the road and jump hundreds of feet after launching his family over a snowbank. The car crashes into a sign that reads “TREES” at a tree farm.

The Christmas squirrel scene is one of the film’s most memorable and chaotic moments. When the Griswold family brings their freshly cut Christmas tree indoors, they unknowingly bring along a stowaway squirrel hiding in its branches. Once the tree warms up inside the house, the startled squirrel emerges and proceeds to wreak absolute havoc, leaping wildly around the living room, climbing up curtains, and causing the family to scatter in panic. The scene escalates hilariously when the family dog and cat join the chase, turning the carefully decorated room into a disaster zone. Clark Griswold’s bumbling attempts to catch the creature only make things worse, perfectly capturing the film’s theme of well-intentioned holiday plans gone spectacularly wrong. This slapstick sequence has become an iconic representation of the unpredictable chaos that can strike even the most carefully planned family Christmas celebrations, and it remains a favorite clip that gets shared every holiday season.

In the movie, Cousin Eddie and his family arrive at the Griswold home in a dilapidated RV that perfectly embodies their down-on-their-luck lifestyle. The battered motorhome parks uninvited in Clark’s driveway, and Eddie proceeds to empty its sewage tank directly into the street storm drain in one of the film’s most memorable (and revolting) scenes. The decrepit RV serves as both transportation and temporary housing for Eddie, his wife Catherine, their kids, and their Rottweiler Snots. The vehicle is a visual representation of Eddie’s financial struggles and oblivious lack of social graces—he and his family essentially move into the Griswolds’ home while keeping the RV parked outside as a constant reminder of their unwelcome extended stay. Later in the film, when Clark finally receives his long-awaited Christmas bonus, which turns out to be a jelly-of-the-month club membership instead of cash, his subsequent meltdown leads to Eddie kidnapping Clark’s boss in the RV to bring him to the Griswold house to make things right. The ramshackle motorhome has become as iconic to the film as the squirrel scene or the overloaded Christmas lights, symbolizing the unpredictable relatives who crash holiday celebrations everywhere.

“We’re thrilled to team up with National Lampoon’s to unveil the first bobbleheads of the station wagon, squirrel, and RV on the anniversary of the iconic movie,’” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “We’ve put a lot of work into these bobbleheads and think fans are going to love them!”

1...91011...537Page 10 of 537