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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Sure, it's crude, episodic and half the jokes don't work, but 'Christmas Vacation' may be the only modern Christmas comedy which really stands up to repeat viewings. Much of the charm is down to Chase as the perpetually harassed Clark Griswold, whose attempt to host the perfect family festival is marred by unwanted relatives (including Quaid's monumentally hideous Uncle Eddie), faulty electronics, yuppie neighbours, exploding turkeys, crazed pets and an unexpected kidnapping. The sight of Chase in fluffy housecoat and Norma Desmond hat weeping to old family videos is heartbreaking – and we haven't even got to Mae Questel and William Hickey as the finest crazy-old-couple in comedy history...Author: Tom Huddleston
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Puppet master
Coraline director Henry Selick takes stop-motion animation into 3-D.
Socratic method
Laurent Cantet's approach on the set matches the message of his film.
Wander woman
Kelly Reichardt's Wendy and Lucy puts a Bush-era spin on the road movie.
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