neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Bad Santa
	Terry Zwigoff Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Bernie Mac, Lauren Graham, John Ritter, Brett Kelly 2003		Be forewarned. "Bad Santa" is NOT for children. It's for grown-ups — specifically, grown-ups with a fondness for sick 'n' twisted humor. Those parameters established, "Bad Santa" is the funniest movie of the year. It's also incredibly profane, although it's no fly-by-night production. "Bad Santa" stars top talent, including Billy Bob Thornton, Bernie Mac, Lauren Graham and John Ritter, and is directed by Terry Zwigoff, who earned accolades for his previous film "Ghost World." As the title suggests, "Bad Santa" serves as an antidote to the fluff permeating the holiday season. Willie (Thornton) is an alcoholic safecracker who hates kids and everyone else, except women he can sexually violate. He and his dwarf accomplice Marcus (Tony Cox) rob department stores at Christmas, gaining access by being hired as Santa and his elf. While sizing up the target, Marcus makes sure that Willie, filthy, drunk and prone to peeing on himself, doesn't blow their cover. The scam goes hilariously bad in Phoenix after a mall detective (Mac) gets wise, Marcus gets greedy and Willie gets the hots for a sexy Santa groupie (Graham). There's even a bit of Dickensian catharsis when Willie reluctantly bonds with a pudgy 8-year-old loser (Brett Kelly). Santa will never seem the same.