Bad Santa

He chastises the little kids who idolize him. He arrives to work late, drunk and disheveled. He steals money and merchandise from his employers. He is the not-so-jolly old Saint Nick who makes a surprise delivery this holiday season with his dark, comedic edge in Terry Zwigoff’s latest film. Billy Bob Thornton perfectly personifies the bah-humbug attitude in the starring role as the sour Santa Claus. A forthright dwarf (Tony Cox) poses as Santa’s little helper so the deceptive duo can swindle shopping malls nationwide. However, after a boy with a million questions sits on Santa’s lap, the Scrooge in the red suit begins to embody the holiday spirit. Even though there is a tacked-on Hollywood ending, Thornton’s sidesplitting performance and John Ritter’s final appearance on screen make this an enjoyable present under the tree this year.