8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
11-04-21, 01:02 PM
#1
Moderator
Thread Starter
8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
How far would you go to score the ultimate gift? Watch the new holiday classic 8-Bit Christmas on November 24 with the whole family, streaming exclusively on HBO Max.
From New Line Cinema and HBO Max comes “8-Bit Christmas,” a humorous and heartfelt look back at the adventures of childhood. Set in suburban Chicago in the late 1980s, the story centers on ten-year-old Jake Doyle’s herculean quest to get the latest and greatest video game system for Christmas.
The film stars Neil Patrick Harris (upcoming “The Matrix Resurrections,” “A Series of Unfortunate Events”) and Winslow Fegley (“Come Play,” “Fast Layne”) as the adult and young Jake, respectively, June Diane Raphael (“Long Shot,” “Grace and Frankie”), with David Cross (“Pitch Perfect 2,” the “Kung Fu Panda” films), and Steve Zahn (“The White Lotus”).
Michael Dowse (“Coffee & Kareem”) directed the film from a screenplay by Kevin Jakubowski, based on his book of the same name. Tim White, Trevor White, Allan Mandelbaum, Jonathan Sadowski and Nick Nantell produced, with Nikki Ramey, Richard Brener, Celia Khong, Kevin Jakubowski and Whitney Brown executive producing.
Dowse’s creative team included director of photography Samy Inayeh (“Utopia Falls”), Production designer Andrew Stearn (“Awake,” “Ready or Not”), editor Trevor Ambrose (“Schitt’s Creek”) and costume designer Avery Plewes (“Ready or Not,” “The Umbrella Academy”).
New Line Cinema and HBO Max Present a Star Thrower Entertainment Production, “8-Bit Christmas.” The film will debut exclusively on HBO Max on Wednesday, November 24, 2021.
“8-Bit Christmas” has been rated PG for rude humor and some mild violence, language and suggestive references.
From New Line Cinema and HBO Max comes “8-Bit Christmas,” a humorous and heartfelt look back at the adventures of childhood. Set in suburban Chicago in the late 1980s, the story centers on ten-year-old Jake Doyle’s herculean quest to get the latest and greatest video game system for Christmas.
The film stars Neil Patrick Harris (upcoming “The Matrix Resurrections,” “A Series of Unfortunate Events”) and Winslow Fegley (“Come Play,” “Fast Layne”) as the adult and young Jake, respectively, June Diane Raphael (“Long Shot,” “Grace and Frankie”), with David Cross (“Pitch Perfect 2,” the “Kung Fu Panda” films), and Steve Zahn (“The White Lotus”).
Michael Dowse (“Coffee & Kareem”) directed the film from a screenplay by Kevin Jakubowski, based on his book of the same name. Tim White, Trevor White, Allan Mandelbaum, Jonathan Sadowski and Nick Nantell produced, with Nikki Ramey, Richard Brener, Celia Khong, Kevin Jakubowski and Whitney Brown executive producing.
Dowse’s creative team included director of photography Samy Inayeh (“Utopia Falls”), Production designer Andrew Stearn (“Awake,” “Ready or Not”), editor Trevor Ambrose (“Schitt’s Creek”) and costume designer Avery Plewes (“Ready or Not,” “The Umbrella Academy”).
New Line Cinema and HBO Max Present a Star Thrower Entertainment Production, “8-Bit Christmas.” The film will debut exclusively on HBO Max on Wednesday, November 24, 2021.
“8-Bit Christmas” has been rated PG for rude humor and some mild violence, language and suggestive references.
The following users liked this post:
Rodney2187 (11-19-21)
11-04-21, 01:13 PM
#2
DVD Talk Hero
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
Looks like it's straining pretty hard but I'm sure it'll be something decent to watch on Thanksgiving.
11-04-21, 01:42 PM
#3
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
Saw the trailer for this earlier. Looks like it could be okay. Maybe a bit late cashing in on the retro NES nostalgia, but still might be a fun time. I’ll probably check it out.
The following users liked this post:
John Pannozzi (11-10-21)
11-04-21, 01:46 PM
#4
DVD Talk Hero
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
^ My thought as well. It seems to be counting 100% on nostalgia. Still, it looks cute enough that I’ll give it a watch.
I steer clear of those Hallmark Christmas movies so my Holiday movie watching list isn’t terribly long anyway.
I steer clear of those Hallmark Christmas movies so my Holiday movie watching list isn’t terribly long anyway.
The following users liked this post:
John Pannozzi (11-10-21)
11-04-21, 11:17 PM
#5
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
Definitely a pure nostalgia trip. Since it's streaming, I'll give it a try. The whole struggle to find a system was a real thing, except it was mostly in early 1988 and not Christmas of that year IIRC.
11-05-21, 04:45 PM
#6
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
You know what, this does look cute. I do not have kids, but I feel like I will enjoy this film very much over the Turkey-Day Holiday.
The following 2 users liked this post by Inhumans99:
John Pannozzi (11-10-21),
Rodney2187 (11-19-21)
11-09-21, 04:58 PM
#7
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
I don't like the title and it's the only reason I put off watching the trailer, but now having seen it...yeah I'll go check it out.
The following users liked this post:
Rodney2187 (11-19-21)
11-09-21, 05:19 PM
#8
DVD Talk Hero
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
Umm...that looks....real bad. I'll maybe watch it on HBO Max to give it a chance but it's giving me modern "The Wizard" vibes.
11-09-21, 05:21 PM
#9
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
The following users liked this post:
Boondock Saint (11-10-21)
11-19-21, 10:36 AM
#10
Senior Member
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
I watched the trailer not expecting much, but it looks pretty funny. There's also the nostalgia aspect, but nothing wrong with that either, especially around this time of year. Most recent comedies just seem silly and stupid, but this looks like it has a certain charm to it in my opinion. I'll find out for sure next week, right after Hawkeye of course.
The following users liked this post:
The Questyen (11-24-21)
11-24-21, 12:45 PM
#12
DVD Talk Hero
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
I thought this was pretty good. A few little twists. Things didn't turn out the way one would expect. Finished with lots of heart. I'm sure some may find it schmaltzy. I really liked the actors, especially the kids. I've been a fan of June Diane Raphael and Steve Zahn for a while. Maybe being a parent during the 80s, effected differently than being a kid in the 80s.
11-24-21, 02:27 PM
#13
Senior Member
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
I enjoyed it, but I don't see it becoming one of those movies I watch every holiday season. Definitely worth watching, but not sure I need to see it again.
11-24-21, 09:49 PM
#14
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
Took place in 1988, a bit too late for the plot as I got my NES in 1986 for my birthday and everyone else I knew got theirs that Christmas. No mention of ROB the robot which came with the original systems and only had two games made for it.
Noticed the CED videodisc player and movies in the rich kid’s house, those were already relics in 1988. And proving once again that it pays to watch the credits, I saw the name of someone I knew in school credited as one of the violinists in the score orchestra. I remember she played back then. Will have to look her up and see what else she’s been doing.
Noticed the CED videodisc player and movies in the rich kid’s house, those were already relics in 1988. And proving once again that it pays to watch the credits, I saw the name of someone I knew in school credited as one of the violinists in the score orchestra. I remember she played back then. Will have to look her up and see what else she’s been doing.
11-25-21, 12:10 PM
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
This would have worked better if it was just that his parents were refusing to buy it, even though other kids had it. Although I guess they don't expect people to pick up on all the details, like that fake game that looks like something the NES couldn't have even handled.
11-25-21, 02:18 PM
#16
DVD Talk Hero
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
Took place in 1988, a bit too late for the plot as I got my NES in 1986 for my birthday and everyone else I knew got theirs that Christmas. No mention of ROB the robot which came with the original systems and only had two games made for it.
Noticed the CED videodisc player and movies in the rich kid’s house, those were already relics in 1988. And proving once again that it pays to watch the credits, I saw the name of someone I knew in school credited as one of the violinists in the score orchestra. I remember she played back then. Will have to look her up and see what else she’s been doing.
Noticed the CED videodisc player and movies in the rich kid’s house, those were already relics in 1988. And proving once again that it pays to watch the credits, I saw the name of someone I knew in school credited as one of the violinists in the score orchestra. I remember she played back then. Will have to look her up and see what else she’s been doing.
The following users liked this post:
TGM (11-25-21)
11-26-21, 12:08 AM
#17
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
Watched it with my girlfriend a little bit ago. Not bad for a one time watch. If you have HBO Max I would say it’s an enjoyable enough movie. I agree that it probably won’t be a movie I’ll seek out to rewatch during the holidays in the future, but it’s fine.
Last edited by Mike86; 11-26-21 at 12:34 AM.
11-26-21, 08:36 AM
#18
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
Yeah, I just didn't buy the premise. The NES was not some amazing thing that only a rich kid would have. I can't imagine a whole neighborhood of kids who hadn't gotten it. We got it for Christmas in 1986, and we were barely middle-class. We knew several other kids who got it that first year it was available nationwide. (Now, the Neo Geo - that might have drawn a crowd.) And I know he's vague about the date (until they show the timestamp on the video), but the Power Glove and the Billy Ripken Fleer card came out in 1989.
This would have worked better if it was just that his parents were refusing to buy it, even though other kids had it. Although I guess they don't expect people to pick up on all the details, like that fake game that looks like something the NES couldn't have even handled.
This would have worked better if it was just that his parents were refusing to buy it, even though other kids had it. Although I guess they don't expect people to pick up on all the details, like that fake game that looks like something the NES couldn't have even handled.
11-26-21, 11:05 AM
#19
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
Regarding the year it makes it clear right in the trailer he is a little fuzzy on the exact year so not surprising some details may be mixed up if telling a story 30+ years later. For me there is a big difference between 1987 and 1989 and stuff like Billy Ripken error would immediately bring me to 89 but obviously not the case for all. I didn't get the NES until Christmas 1988 and was excited to finally get it even though many had it by then. It still had another three good years for me before Super Nintendo and Genesis took over Christmas 1991.
11-26-21, 03:07 PM
#20
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
We watched this after turkey day dinner, and everyone enjoyed it. Love seeing all the 80's stuff, brought back lot's of memories (especially biking everywhere and leaving your bike in a pile of other bikes at your friends house, lol. We'll add it to the holiday rotation which is getting pretty crowded with all the recent holiday movies that have come out.
11-26-21, 05:36 PM
#21
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
It was enjoyable enough, but I probably won't have a burning desire to add it to the list of annually-viewed Christmas movies. I feel they missed an opportunity in the scene with the Power Glove. When Neil Patrick Harris said the Power Glove sucked, he should have followed it up with "it was so bad."
The following users liked this post:
loneranger (11-27-21)
11-26-21, 10:38 PM
#22
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
The date 12/25/88 is shown in the Betamovie viewfinder, and that likely didn’t even have any date feature. I do remember Adventure of Link being the NES game I wanted then and it was really hard to find, didn’t get it til a few months later.
In 1989 Sega Genesis came out and kicked the NES’s ass. The Super Nintendo was already out in Japan but they had said the US “wasn’t ready for it” so instead we got the retarded Game Boy portable system in fucking black and white. I bought a Genesis and my loyalty soon changed.
In 1989 Sega Genesis came out and kicked the NES’s ass. The Super Nintendo was already out in Japan but they had said the US “wasn’t ready for it” so instead we got the retarded Game Boy portable system in fucking black and white. I bought a Genesis and my loyalty soon changed.
12-06-21, 11:17 PM
#24
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
As an 80's child I thought it was good. I thought the child actors were pretty endearing and not grating. The premise was pretty fun. I think it really came together in the end though. Got me right in the feels. Didn't expect that at all especially because they were playing Zahns character to be the asshole strict dad. So the ending really kind of elevated it for me. I did like how they added it in that the Power Glove really sucked.
12-07-21, 08:26 AM
#25
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: 8-Bit Christmas (2021, D: Dowse) S: Neil Patrick Harris
I enjoyed it and can see myself watching it multiple times over the decades, but not a yearly visit.
Had a slightly similar neighborhood a decade earlier where one kid was super spoiled and got every toy he wanted and the Atari VCS the week it was released. We all loved Jimbo. Luckily he wasn’t a dick like the rich kid in this film.
Had a slightly similar neighborhood a decade earlier where one kid was super spoiled and got every toy he wanted and the Atari VCS the week it was released. We all loved Jimbo. Luckily he wasn’t a dick like the rich kid in this film.