Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
Director: Joe Roth
Movie review
From Time Out London
Hollywood is set on the Scrooge theme this season. Based on a John Grisham novel, this sees Luther and Nora Krank (Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis) deciding to boycott Christmas in favour of a cruise when their daughter Blair moves out. After becoming the black sheep of the Christmas-crazy neighbourhood, the Kranks suddenly discover Blair’s coming back for the holidays and all rally round. And so the potential satirisation of suburbia’s seasonal obsession is lost in a flurry of snow. British audiences, particularly, may find it hard to buy into the film’s reverence for consumption, and with clumsy sight gags the only humour on offer, the temptation to mutter ‘Bah humbug’ is overwhelming.Author: AS
Time Out London Issue 1789: December 01-08 2004
Cast & crew
Director: Joe Roth
Producer: Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe, Michael Barnathan
Cast: Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Aykroyd, Erik Per Sullivan, Cheech Marin, Jake Busey, M Emmet Walsh full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Rated: PG
Duration: 100 mins
UK Release: Dec 3 2004
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations












What do you think?
Post your review now