Red One (2024)

Over the last two years, you’ve seen bada** David Harbour Santa. You’ve seen a miserable Joel Kinnamen barely get through his own movie. Now get ready for Jake Kasdan’s take on Santa! J.K. Simmons plays a ripped, PG-13 version of the jolly old elf. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Chris Evans have to find ole Kriss Kringle after he’s abducted. Is it an overly-CGIed movie with no heart? Who is this movie for? Find out with Jim and A.Ron on this episode of First Runs Bald Movies!

Whiplash (2014)

Chasing greatness requires sacrifice, but does it require torturous conditions? Damien Chazelle wrote and directed a film that’s so hard to watch sometimes, but you can’t look away. J.K. Simmons plays the demented instructor of protege drummer Andrew, played by Miles Teller. What is the movie trying to say? Is it a maddening endorsement of maniacal leadership? Or is it a warning?