On Dec. 19, Cincinnati Film Society will host a pair of special screenings of the 2013 documentary Jingle Bell Rocks! at the Northside Yacht Club. Each showing will also feature a Q&A with the film's director, Mitchell Kezin. Screenings are scheduled for 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $9 in advance or $12 at the door. Click here for more info.
In Jingle Bell Rocks!, Kezin examines unique and under-appreciated Christmas songs, interviewing experts in that particular field like Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons of Run-DMC, Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne, filmmaker John Waters and comedy/music DJ legend Dr. Demento. Presented with live performances and archival footage, Kezin sets out on to determine the top 12 non-mainstream holiday tunes he feels should be mainstream. No spoilers, but the film's soundtrack includes holiday classics or should-be-classics by the likes of Clarence Carter, Calexico, James Brown, Low, Red Red Meat, El Vez and The Mighty Sparrow.
Jingle Bell Rocks! was initially screened at several film festivals before picking up distribution from the respected Oscilloscope Laboratories, which was co-founded by Beastie Boy Adam Yauch and THINKFilm's David Fenkel. The movie was praised by music and film critics, many of whom noted the film's charm, humor and unexpected warmth.
There may be some crossover with our ongoing coverage of fun and strange Christmas songs, which was recently augmented with new tracks by Tyler, the Creator, William Shatner and others.