Thursday Movie Picks (TV Edition): Holiday Specials

 

For the 52nd and final week of 2021 as part of Wandering Through the Shelves' Thursday Movie Picks. We go to the world of television in the theme of holiday as there are things that people love to watch during the Christmas holidays whether it’s a TV special or something related to Christmas. Here are my three picks as they’re all animated sketches from Mad TV devoted to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Rankin/Bass films that are parodied:

1. Raging Rudolph



A parody of the films of Martin Scorsese, it is a fucked-up take on Rudolph’s origin story as he doesn’t get accepted to be in Santa’s gang like Hermey who is also considered a misfit. The two decide to get even as well as do some things that only Scorsese would love. Most of all, the sketch had a message which is… KEEP YOUR FUCKING MOUTHS SHUT!!!!

2. The Reinfather



A parody of The Godfather has Don Rudolph become the man as he is trying to run his business and help those who are loyal to him. Don Rudolph sports a Marlon Brando accent and does what he can to take care of business by making an offer that no one can refuse. It is an inventive parody that is a great homage to the film while creating some unique imagery in its approach to violence.

3. A Pack of Gifts Now



The final parody of the trilogy as it spoofs Apocalypse Now has Rudolph go nuts as he becomes an assassin where he is assigned to kill Santa Claus. The visual images that it parodies are astonishing as is the music it makes fun of as it is just inspired. With Hermey as the Dennis Hopper character and Santa talking like Brando, it is truly a hilarious parody.

© thevoid99 2021