Ghosts of Hanukkah’s Past

Author(s): Ryan
Location: New Jersey

“Ghosts of Hanukkah’s Past"

Directed by Steven Speilberg
Written by Tina Fey
Music by Al Yankovich
ESTIMATED BUDGET-$80,000,000

Principal Cast:

Dustin Hoffman (Scroogeberg Horowitz)
Ben Stiller (Ben Goldberg)
Daryl Sabara (Aaron Goldberg)
Sarah Silverman (Rachel Goldberg)
Maggie Gyllenhaal (Ghost of Hanukkah Present)
Gwyneth Paltrow (Ghost of Hanukkah Past)
Kate Hudson (Ghost of Hanukkah Future)
Doris Roberts (Lisa)
Mel Brooks (Jacob)
Scarlett Johansson (Belle)
Joaquin Phoenix (Matthew)
Zach Braff (Young Scroogeberg)
David Arquette (Fred Greenberg)
Sophie Okonedo (Sarah Greenberg)
Evan Rachel Wood (Beggar)

Tagline: “A Jewish Story with a Jewish Cast.” 12/21/07 or
“Coming Hanukkah, 2007"

RATED PG- for thematic elements and mild language

Synopsis: Ghosts of Hanukkah’s Past is a quick-witted family Dramedy about a mean, heartless and despised man, Scroogeberg Horowitz (Dustin Hoffman) who hates Hanukkah. He treats his workers unfairly too. When one of his workers, Ben Goldberg (Ben Stiller), asks for a Christmas bonus so him and his wife, Rachel (Sarah Silverman), can celebrate Hanukkah with their son, Aaron (Daryl Sabara), Scroogeberg says no. Scroogeberg never goes to his nephew’s, Matthew (Joaquin Phoenix), Hanukkah party on the last day of Hanukkah, and his sister, Lisa (Doris Roberts), pities him. Also Scroogeberg never goes to the first day of Hanukkah party which is the biggest party of the year hosted by, Fred Greenberg (David Arquette) and Sarah Greenberg (Sophie Okonedo). Also, Scroogeberg never donates to the town shelter’s Beggar (Evan Rachel Wood).

One night when Scroogeberg is asleep he is visited by a ghost of his greedy business partner, Jacob (Mel Brooks), who doesn’t want the same fate happen to Scroogeberg. Then Scroogeberg is visited by three ghosts; the Ghost of Hanukkah Present (Maggie Gyllenhaal), Ghost of Hanukkah Past (Gwyneth Paltrow), and Ghost of Hanukkah Future (Kate Hudson). In Hanukkah Past Scroogeberg sees his younger self (Zach Braff), and his ex-fiancé who died from loneliness because of Scroogeberg’s absence…and rabies, Belle (Scarlet Johansson). Finally in Hanukkah Future Scroogeberg sees his untimely death. Showing him what will be if he keeps living life like he is.

In the end we find the true meaning of family and Hanukkah with Cameos from: Paula Abdul, Adam Sandler, Tina Fey, Matthew Broderick, Sacha Baron Cohen and Rob Schneider

What the press would say:

“Two thumbs up!”-Ebert & Roeper
“A heart-warming family comedy and may be BETTER than A Christmas Carol”- People
“A+! Hilarious and dramatic, even though it is Hanukkah themed even people that celebrate Christmas or whatever else should see this one.”-Entertainment Weekly
“Who says Jews Can’t Be Funny?”-Jewish Community Daily
“An Oscar Winner and then some more.”-Rolling Stone Magazine

Ghosts of Hanukkah’s Past is a heart-warming Jewish version of A Christmas Carol but that is an understatement because it is better. Ghosts has quick wit, drama, and charm. With an all Jewish cast we get the real Jewish experience. Tina Fey has an excellent screenplay and Speilberg is terrific like always. Dustin Hoffman and Mel Brooks are side-splitting and dramatic. Gyllenhaal, Hudson and Paltrow are great with sass, and a terrific performance by Johansson. Dustin Hoffman along with the rest of the cast will make you laugh and cry and have you watch this movie a thousand times. A new instant holiday classic.

Best Picture
Best Director: Steven Speilberg
Best Screenplay: Tina Fey
Best Original Score: Adam Sandler
Best Actor: Dustin Hoffman
Best Supporting Actor: Mel Brooks
Best Actress: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow
Best Supporting Actress: Scarlett Johansson