At A Glance While I'm sure their are some people out there who won't find "Christmas With The Kranks" funny, I am just as sure that there will be a whole heap of people who will see the funny side of what happens to one family who decide to abandon the neighbourhood and all the traditions of Christmas to take a long, relaxing cruise on a luxury liner. If you read the reviews coming out of the USA you would get the impression that "Christmas With The Kranks" is 1) not worth wasting your time on; 2) is not in the least funny in any way, shape or form; 3) would have to be the worste film in years and 4), that when it come to spreading Christmas cheer, "Christmas With The Kranks" is the most sacrilegious film in decades. Don't you believe it!. I certainly don't. Why? For a start, I've had two opportunities to see the film. On both occassions those I joined in the audience [first at the special preview screening and later at a paying session], all laughed heartily throughout the screenings. I might also add weight to my arguement by saying that at the special preview screening in Adelaide [a city known for it's ultraconservatism] I noted they spontaneously applauded at the end of the film. I for one would take that as a positive sign of some sort of approval. And, there was no stampede [a sure sign that a film's a dud] for the exits either. I know Christmas is a sacred time for many, but there are just as many who find Xmas [that's Xmas and not Christmas] is just one big commercial rip-off. Many know from either personal experience and from listening to health professionals that Xmas is now recognised as a period that causes great distress to a lot of individuals and families. Xmas has become a time when many people care more about the 'getting' than the 'giving'. So what's the big deal, if for once in your life, you want to leave all the tradition behind and just get away from it all. Nothing. It's no skin off my nose. Especially if you had only one child, a child you love dearly, who is not going to be home. But then there's always a twist. Isn't there? That's what happens to the Kranks in Revolution Studios' new comedy that puts the Chris back into Xmas. After many years of celebrating Christmas with their neighbours, Luther and Nora Krank will be on their own. Even with the streets tradition, the prospect of Christmas on their own is, as many would find, not all that appealing. Of course, announcing your giving everything the flick and taking a cruise may not go down well with everyone. After years of celebrating Christmas together with all your neighbours, it would be easier to drop dead than to suddenly abandon Christmas and give everyone the flick. By films end though, there is a lesson to be learnt about Christmas. A valuable lesson. And of course, lots of funny, silly little events that will raise many a laugh. Sounds reasonable, even appealing, don't you think? Which makes one wonder, what was it that the critics so disliked about the film. Pehaps they deemed it sacrilegious because it wasn't true to the John Grisham book, "Skipping Christmas". If that's the case they should have spoken to Grisham's agent who contacted Director Joe Roth knowing that Roth was a big fan of the famous writer of thrillers. After being asked if he'd like to read "Skipping Christmas" Grisham's agent said to Roth, "I think you're going to want to direct it". He was right. Roth says, "Even while I was reading it, all I could think was this would make a great Christmas movie. It had humour, it had wonderful characters and it had heart." Busy starting up the now world famous production company Revolution Studios, three years would pass before the subject of "Skipping Christmas" came up again. By that time Revolution Studios had released twenty four films including such hits as; "America's Sweethearts", "Black Hawk Down" and "Anger Management". The Roth received a call from director, writer Chris Columbus, who had brought the film rights to the book. Roth thought initially that Columbus would ddirect the film. What a surprise it was when Columbus said, "No, you should direct it." Now fate would step in. Roth knew he could only do it if he had the right cast and right at the top of the cast list were two must haves, Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. "I sent them the script," he said, "and they immediately committed. It semed like fate." Fellow producer Michael Barnathan revealed something special. "Joe and Skipping Christmas were a perfect fit," he revealed. "You could tell by how quickly it all came together." Barnathan, who is Roth's partner in 1492 Pictures adds, "Joe read the script on Sunday, bought it on Monday, decided he wanted to direct it on Tuesday and by Friday had signed Tim and Jamie Lee." Was there anything else to add? Yes says Barnathan. "The following Monday morning we started pre-production." Wow. Now that's what you really call, 'falling into place'! Tim Allen, known all over the world as "Tim the Toolman" described signing on as "A no-brainer" What was it that attracted him to the project? "Look at the talent attached," he says. "Joe, Chris, John Grisham and Jamie Lee Curtis". And that wasn't all. "And it was a great story, which came at Christmas in an entirely different way," he notes. And how was that? "The Santa Clause movies I did were about the mythology of Christmas. This was a much more realistic take on the holiday season and a wonderful character study as well." One thing that stands out strongly is the lesson Luther Krank [Allen's character] will learn this Christmas. While it's a lot of laughs, there is a special side to the story of "Christmas With The Kranks". Executive producer Charles Newirth ["America's Sweethearts" and "Maid in Manhattan"] agrees. "This film sends out a clear message that Christmas is not about buying gifts and trees," he explained. "It's about family, community and those special moments in life we remember long after." It's a great message, don't you think? Crew Bytes "Christmas With The Kranks narrow" was .......
directed by Joe Roth ["Streets of Gold", "Revenge of the Nerds II", "Coupe de Ville" and "America's Sweethearts"]; screenplay by Chris Columbus ["Gremlins", "Young Sherlock Holmes", "Only The Lonely" and "Nine Months"]; original story by John Grisham ["The Firm", "The Pelican Brief", "The Chamber" and "Runaway Jury"]; costume design by Susie DeSanto ["Teaching Mrs Tingle", "Miss Congeniality", "I Am Sam", "The New Guy" and "White Oleander"]; production design by Garreth Stover ["Deep Red", "America's Sweethearts", "Daddy Day Care" and "Suddenly 30"]; edited by Nick Moore ["The Full Monty", "Notting Hill", "About a Boy", "Love Actually" and "Along Came Polly"]; director of photograhpy Don Burgess ["Blind Fury", "Forrest Gump", "Contact" and "Cast Away"]; original music by John Debney ["The Scorpion King", "The Passion of the Christ", "Bruce Almighty" and "Santa Mania"] produced by Michael Barnathan ["Nine Months", "Jingle All The Way", "Bicentennial Man" and "Cheaper by the Dozen"], Mark Radcliffe ["Mrs Doubtfire", "Step Mom", "Bicentennial Man" and "Monkeybone"] and Chris Columbus ["Bicentennial Man", "Monkeybone", "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"]. Casting About "Christmas With The Kranks" stars .......
Tim Allen ["Jungle 2 Jungle", "Galaxy Quest", "The Santa Clause" and "The Santa Clause 2"]; Jamie Lee Curtis ["My Girls", "Forever Young", "The Tailor of Panama", "True Lies" and "Freaky Friday"]; Dan Aykroyd ["The Blues Brothers", "Trading Places", "Dragnet" and "Ghost Busters I & II"]; M Emmet Walsh ["Portraits of a Killer", "The Killing Jar", "My Best Friend's Wedding", "Poor White Trash" and "Snow Dogs"]; Elizabeth Franz ["Jacknife", "School Ties", "Twisted" and "A Fish in the Bathtub"]; Cheech Marin ["Desperado", "SpyKids I, II & III", "Masked and Anonymous" and "Once Upon A Time In Mexico"]; Jake Busey ["Contact", "Starship Troopers", "Enemy Of The State" and "Identity"]; Julie Gonzalo ["The Penny Game", "I'm With Lucy", "Freaky Friday" and "A Cinderella Story"]; Tom Poston ["The Old Dark House", "Cold Turkey", "Carbon Copy" and "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement"]; Erik Per Sullivan ["The Cider House Rules", "Wendigo", "Joe Dirt" and "Unfaithful"] John Short ["Maximum Overdrive", "Apollo 13", "Ransom" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"] and Austin Pendleton ["Sgt Bilko", "Amistad", "Fast Food Fast Women", "A Beautiful Mind" and "Uptown Girls"] as Marty. The Story It's the festive season and everyone is looking forward to a white Christmas. None more so than the residents of Hemlock Street who band together every Christmas and deck the street out. The Kranks always celebrate Christmas at home, but this year will be different. With their daughter serving in the Peace Corps, they'll be home alone. Then Luther get's an idea. Escape the cold and head off for a sunny, snow free Christmas. Why not cruise the sunny Caribbean. The neighbours are aghast. Christmas without the Kranks is unheard of. Everyones upset, including the local Police Precinct. Then news arrives. Blair Krank will be home in 24 hours. And she has a surprise for mum and dad. She's bringing Enrique. Now it's a race against time to get Hemlock Street back into the proper shape and truly capture the spirit of Christmas. Can they do it before Blair gets home? The Verdict "There's a lot of fun, tom-foolery and magic in this story of Christmas. Good cast. Good performances and a great little message about the true values of Christmas, friendship and family. For parents, "Christmas With The Kranks" makes for good family fare in the leadup to the big day. Take the kids for a big family laugh and a film that proves, 'old values are the best values'. Recommended." The Cast

Tim Allen Jamie Lee Curtis Dan Aykroyd M Emmet Walsh Elizabeth Franz Erik Per Sullivan Cheech Marin Jake Busey Julie Gonzalo Austin Pendleton Tom Poston René Lavan Caroline Rhea Felicity Huffman Patrick Breen John Short Bonita Friedericy David Hornsby Kevin Chamberlin Lyndon Smith Ryan Pfening

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Luther Krank Nora Krank Vic Frohmeyer Walt Scheel Bev Scheel Spike Frohmeyer Officer Salino Officer Treen Blair Krank Marty Father Zabriskie Enrique DeCardenal Candi Merry Aubie Ned Becker Jude Becker Randy Becker Mr Scanlon Randy Scanlon Gus Scanlon

The Crew Directed by Joe Roth Based on the John Grisham novel "Skipping Christmas" Screenplay by Chris Columbus Produced by Michael Barnathan/Chris Columbus/Mark Radcliffe Original Music by John Debney Cinematography by Don Burgess Film Editing by Nick Moore Casting by Margery Simkin Production Design by Garreth Stover Art Direction by Christopher Burian-Mohr Set Decoration by Karen O'Hara Costume Design by Susie DeSanto Special Makeup Effects Artist Joel Harlow Production Supervisor Daren Hicks Run Time 98 minutes Rated PG [AUST] Copyright ©2004 - Revolution Studios - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2004 - The Movie Pages & Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved