The Couch Critic
The Couch Critic is your laid-back guide to movies and TV shows that deserve your attention—or maybe don’t. Nathan dives deep into storytelling, character development, and cinematic style with a sharp eye and a wry sense of humor. Whether it’s a blockbuster hit, a hidden gem, or a cult classic, Nathan’s relatable approach ensures every episode feels like a cozy chat with a friend who just happens to love film. Perfect for casual watchers and cinephiles alike, The Couch Critic brings thoughtful critique without the fluff. Grab your favorite snack, settle in, and let Nathan guide you through the world of screen entertainment.
The Couch Critic
"About a Boy": It It a Christmas Movie or Just a Holiday Cameo?
What defines a Christmas movie? Is it the presence of snow, a plot set in winter, or cheerful carols filling the background? On this episode of The Couch Critic, we tackle the surprising inclusion of "About a Boy" in the holiday movie lineup. While Hugh Grant’s charming portrayal of Will Freeman and Nicholas Hoult’s impressive debut as Marcus Brewer shine, their connection to Christmas is as thin as tinsel on a twig. With just a fleeting reference to a Christmas song, we explore why this quintessential British rom-com might leave you questioning its place on Santa’s list, yet it still delivers four out of five stars for its delightful wit and chemistry.
Join me, Nathan, as I share my thoughts on this unexpected holiday pick and ponder the intricacies that make it a must-watch despite its tenuous ties to Christmas. Laugh along as we navigate the British humor and charm, and relish in the nostalgia of brilliant performances by Toni Collette and Sharon Small. Plus, get a glimpse of Nicholas Hoult’s journey from his first role to becoming the new Lex Luthor. Prepare for a fun movie night, and don't miss next Tuesday's episode where unexpected movie themes continue to surprise and entertain.
On the couch. We're laughing, crying, feeling it all, breaking down the big screen, the hits and the flaws. Grab your seat, press play. Let's take the pic. Lights camera action. Episode of the Couch Critic.
Speaker 2:I am your host, nathan, and welcome to the journey through Christmas movies. This episode is going to be about a movie that I don't know why it's on this list. This episode is going to be about a movie that I don't know why it's on this list. There are a bunch of movies that are actually on this Christmas list that I wonder why. Why are they there? But it's on there, so here we go.
Speaker 2:The movie is About a Boy, about a Boy stars Hugh Grant as Will Freeman, nicholas Holt in his very first role as Marcus Brewer, tony Collette as Fiona Brewer and Sharon Small as Christine. And, of course, I'm going to give you a little bit of trivia. At the beginning, marcus says he would be able to take care of his mom, played by Toni Collette, if he were Haley Joel Osmond. Toni Collette played Haley Joel Osmond's mother in the Sixth Sense in 1999. And I believe this movie came out like early 2000s. So I think that was obviously a joke about the fact that Toni Collette played Haley Joel Osmond's mother. I thought it was funny. I didn't notice it until I watched it.
Speaker 2:For this episode, because I had seen this movie before, I never related it to Christmas, the only reason this movie is slightly related to Christmas is the fact that Hugh Grant's character is just reminded that his father was only known for a one-hit wonder Santa's something sleigh, and that's it. That's the only tie to Christmas that this movie has. There is a Christmas scene in there, but yeah, that's about it in there. But yeah, that's about it. But I really liked this movie. I think it's really funny. It's classic Hugh Grant. Hugh Grant, I believe, is an underrated actor. He was just in the movie heretic, which is a borderline horror movie kind of thriller suspense. I thought he was brilliant in it and so this is just a classic rom-com, hugh Grant movie and the chemistry of everyone in the film was just great.
Speaker 2:Obviously it's a British film, so the language I mean I don't know if I can connect that just because it's a British film, but it tends to be that British films tend to have more language than strictly American ones, and that was. My only dislike about this movie is that there is a bit of language in it, but it doesn't deter me enough for me to think that this was a great movie. I thought it was funny, I thought it was fun. I watched it with my wife. She enjoyed it.
Speaker 2:There His character is a bit of a playboy, a bit of a player, I guess you would call him, and so she didn't like that, but she was just, he was just trying to get with these women, just to get with these women. And I thought Nicholas Holt did a great job for his first role. Apparently this is his first role ever, and now he's going to be the new Lex Luthor and the next Superman movie. So it's it's cool to see how far he's come. And then Tony Collette was just great as his mother and, yeah, everyone was just great.
Speaker 2:It was a great movie, it was fun. I don't think it should be considered a Christmas movie though. So for that I'm giving About a Boy a one out of five for the Christmas rating, and because I really enjoyed it but the language does kind of hamper it a little bit I'm giving it a four out of five for the general rating. So that is the first movie of February about a boy. Check it out. It is a fun movie, it's great. I believe I had to buy it on Amazon, but it's worth it because I really do enjoy this film. So take a listen to what I'm going to be talking about next Tuesday going to be talking about next Tuesday.
Speaker 1:Before we begin, since this is Aunt Bethany's 80th Christmas, I think she should lead us in the saying of grace.
Speaker 3:What dear Grace. Grace, she passed away 30 years ago. They want you to say grace the blessing. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands.
Speaker 2:One nation indiv One nation with liberty and justice for all.
Speaker 3:Amen Amen.
Speaker 2:So we're going from a movie that has nothing to do with Christmas to a movie that is all about a Christmas vacation. That's right, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. To some it is an essential watch, but is it though? You'll hear my thoughts on it next week on the Couch Critic, when every movie gets its close-up.
Speaker 1:It's not just a movie, it's a way of life. We'll watch it together, day or night, so settle in close and don't miss a flick. This is the moment for the couch critic.
