Fridae

Ever since Bad Santa — about a conman who poses
as Santa Claus to rob people — became a surprise box-office
hit in 2003, Hollywood has been eager to churn out more dark movies
that embrace an anti-Christmas spirit. They call it "counter-programming".

And so we have The Ice Harvest, a bitter and cynical story
about two men (John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton) who embezzle
US$2 million from a mafia boss during Christmas and try to run off
with it. Of course, before they can even say "Mexico",
the two men find themselves entangled in other backdoor arrangements
that result in bullets and blood.

Showing the worst in human nature, The Ice Harvest is
a droll, dark and disconcerting holiday movie. But if you've always
hated It's A Wonderful Life and your role model is Ebezener
Scrooge, then this is our pick for you.