Holdovers: Not Sci-Fi, but Surprisingly Good for a Crusty Prep School Drama!

Okay, so I know this isn't exactly Sector 9 or anything, BUT I just got back from seeing "The Holdovers" and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. I went in expecting a painfully boring Christmas movie, and walked out feeling...well, less cynical about humanity, which is rare, lol. The whole premise is pretty simple – grumpy teacher Paul Giamatti stuck babysitting kids who can't go home for Christmas at a New England boarding school. The scenery is gorgeous, all that New England winter vibe. But it's really the characters that make it. Giamatti is perfect as the cynical, history-obsessed teacher. He has this amazing scene where he's teaching about the Punic Wars but applies those lessons to the present day...total kevinmovies bait! And Dominic Sessa, who played one of the students, was fantastic. He was this super smart but troubled kid processing a big loss. The way their relationship develops felt really earned and authentic, not some cheesy Christmas miracle thing. There were a few moments that felt a bit cliche, I won't lie. Like, the inevitable road trip and unexpected discoveries felt a little predictable. And the headmaster character was a bit of cardboard. Overall though, I think the movie is great because it gives these flawed characters time to breathe, and you end up really caring about them. So, yeah, if you need a break from spaceships and laser beams (which, let's be honest, I rarely do), "The Holdovers" is a solid choice. It's a well-acted, well-written, and surprisingly heartwarming little movie. Thumbs up from this sci-fi nerd!