Christmas Commercials

Aardman Animation

I love seeing the creative and heartwarming ads companies create for Christmas each year. Here are the early commercials that have delighted me this year.

Barbour partnered with Aardman Animation again for another Wallace and Gromit short.

Aldi has another tale of Kevin the Carrot called "The Christmas Wish".

Tesco Ireland follows a young boys search for elves in its adorable ad.

Lidl's parody of "Merry Christmas Everybody" by Slade is unexpectedly hilarious.

Once again, Sainsbury's ad features Roald Dahl's the BFG.

And finally, Walmart partnered with the Muppets for a new spin on A Muppet Christmas Carol.

The Man With The Bag

All images: Amazon

The first full trailer has arrived for a most unexpected Christmas movie. Who would have thought that Arnold Schwarzenegger would play Santa Claus? It definitely looks intriguing. 

Here's the official synopsis from Amazon:

When Santa’s (Arnold Schwarzenegger) iconic red bag is stolen by a rogue elf with a grudge (Awkwafina), Christmas is suddenly at risk. With his biggest night of the year fast-approaching, Santa recruits a thief (Alan Ritchson) from his ‘Naughty List’ who quickly assembles a crew of criminally skilled misfits — with a little help from elves and reindeer — to pull off the most unexpected heist of their lives.

Packed with holiday magic, big laughs, and plenty of heart, "The Man With The Bag" is a holiday heist adventure about second chances, unlikely friendships, and discovering that sometimes even Santa needs a little help delivering Christmas.

The Man With The Bag arrives on Amazon Prime Video on December 2nd.

Percy Jackson And The Olympians Season 3

All images: Disney

Percy and his friends from Camp Half-Blood are preparing for another epic quest. And this time, it's Annabeth Chase he must save.

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

Season 3 of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is based on “The Titan’s Curse,” the third installment of Disney Hyperion’s bestselling book series by acclaimed author Rick Riordan. 

If Percy Jackson learned anything after completing two epic quests with Annabeth Chase, it’s that he would be lost without her. So when Annabeth is captured by the forces of Kronos, Percy must embark on a perilous journey to rescue her. He must free a goddess in chains, confront the Titan’s curse, and avoid triggering the fall of Olympus. With Grover by his side, Percy must join some unlikely questmates to confront a prophecy with dire consequences.

Season 3 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians arrives on DisneyPlus and Hulu on November 20th.

New episodes will debut each Friday.

Scrooge On The Shelf

Paramount

Poor Elf! It appears the shelf is under new management.

Here's the official synopsis for Ebenezer from Paramount: 

This November, prepare to be ghosted. Johnny Depp is the deliciously unpleasant Ebenezer Scrooge in a thrilling reimagining of the most iconic ghost story of all time. On one unforgettable Christmas Eve, Ebenezer collides with his past, present, and future on a supernatural journey that will decide his ultimate fate. If you think you know his story, think again. Directed by Ti West and with a screenplay by Nathaniel Halpern, "Ebenezer" also stars Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Charlie Murphy, with Tramell Tillman and Ian McKellen.

Ebenezer arrives in theaters on November 13th.

Washington Irving Quote

Photo by Roman Bulatov

"On all sides he beheld vast store of apples; some hanging in oppressive opulence on the trees; some gathered into baskets and barrels for the market; others heaped up in rich piles for the cider-press."

- Washington Irving,

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Happy Halloween

"Ghosts and goblins come to play on October’s final day!"

- Rusty Fischer

Happy Halloween!

Wicked Fun

All images: Disney

Young Billie Doe is in for some wicked fun when she enters the witch world of Hexe. Along with her mother, Alice, she'll uncover family secrets and take on a magical queen, all while finding out who she is meant to be.

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

In “Disney’s Hexed,” an impulsive and unconventional teenage girl named Billie Doe (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld) discovers secret magical abilities which, once unleashed, hurtle her out of suburbia and into a spectacle-filled journey through a vast witch realm called Hexe. Forced to team up with her cautious mother, Alice (voiced by Rashida Jones), they uncover family mysteries that could change the world of witches forever.

 

Walton Goggins voices Beef Roger Crummchuk, a reclusive, magical three-eyed cat who forges an uneasy alliance with Billie and Alice. Jodie Foster voices Queen Celeste, a sinister figure who will stop at nothing to maintain her power in perpetuity over Hexe.

Hexed arrives in theaters on November 25th.