Awfully Good: 'Twas The Night + A Christmas Story 2 (Video)

Awfully Good: ‘Twas The Night + A Christmas Story 2 (Video)

December 24th 2014, 10:51am

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

'Twas The Night (2001)

Director: Nick Castle
Stars: Bryan Cranston, Josh Zuckerman, Brenda Gate

Walter White and his teenage sidekick steal Santa's sleigh in order to rob houses.

After featuring a naked, mullet-sporting Bryan Cranston in last year's Thanksgiving-themed NATIONAL LAMPOON'S HOLIDAY REUNION, some observant Awfully Good fans pointed out that the Breaking Bad star had also done a goofy holiday kid's film at some point. This needed to be found immediately.

Oh c'mon, that kid's even wearing a Jesse Pinkman outfit!

'TWAS THE NIGHT turned out to be a Disney Channel original movie from 2001 (directed by the guy who made THE LAST STARFIGHTER and MAJOR PAYNE). It's got the softball jokes aimed at children and the family morality message deemed necessary by the Mouse House. Really the only thing that's remotely unique or interesting about it is the participation of Cranston, playing a sleazy Walter White-lite. His Uncle Nick character is a scamming con man (who runs a website called RealFastDough.com), forced in to a life of petty theft to pay off his debts to two nerdy gangsters and their Korean muscle. The only thing he cares cabout in life is his laptop, which he affectionately calls Lappy.

Appropriate opening image for a Disney movie.

Nick goes to hide out at his brother's house on Christmas Eve and agrees to watch his three kids. As soon as they're asleep he begins hacking someone's computer, which in the Disney Channel world entails dragging a virus icon from the desktop on to a live webcam feed to send them the malware. Unfortunately, this also brings down Santa's sleigh (which is run by a computer processor) and St. Nick gets knocked unconscious inside their house. Since he's already on the naughty list for life, Nick convinces his nephew Danny to help him hijack Santa's high-tech gadgets and sleigh in order to rob rich people of their earthly possessions. Bryan Cranston committing crimes with a young protégé—this is a concept I can get behind.

A scene from the one day Walter White dipped in to his own supply.

To pull off his evil plan, Nick and Danny completely abandon the two younger children and leave them alone in a house overnight with an unconscious and elderly fat man. When they wake up and meet the man in red, they set out to help him recover his property. (Don't worry, Santa is able to drag the virus to the recycling bin, thereby completely cleaning his infected computer.) The trio take a completely superfluous detour subplot as they drive through the hood and encounter a tough street gang who want to throw down with Santa. His defense? To mercilessly defeat them in a tickle fight. Yes, this movie includes a scene where Santa Claus tickles a dangerous thug until he submits to Santa's will.

There's not much else of note in this movie. Of course, Nick eventually learns that what he's doing is wrong and to go along with the consumerism of the holiday, is immediately rewarded by receiving the Jimi Hendrix guitar he's been wanting for Christmas his whole life.

Bryan Cranston begs for mercy and Santa threatens to let Rudolph rub him down.

Santa gets into a tickle fight with a gang, a kid pees in a Best Buy, and Bryan Cranston is a hot dog on guitar.

No tighty whities for Cranston this time.

Say his name! (SANTA!) Then buy this movie here!

Take a shot or drink every time:

Bryan Cranston looks embarrassed to be there
Someone gets tickled
Someone gets frozen
Santa gets angry

Double shot if:

Someone says "Lappy"

Thanks to Jeff and Johnny for suggesting this week's movie! And happy holidays to all!

But wait! We've got one more present for you to unwrap! The Awfully Good Movies video column has got you a special gift with their examination of A CHRISTMAS STORY 2! Could we have more exclamations?! Of Course!! Enjoy and Merry Christmas!!!