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• Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) brings dark wit to the holiday movie.

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The Matador

  MPAA Rating: NR
Current Showtimes: No showtimes available

Holiday movies don’t always have to feature explicit Christmas references and a good moral message meant for the whole family. Such is the case for Shane Black’s 2005 film noir Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, a highly entertaining movie filled with witty dialogue and an intelligent multilayered story.

Robert Downey Jr. stars as Harry Lockhart, a small-time thief who accidentally walks into an audition for a detective movie while running from the cops after he robbed a toy store to get his nephew presents. The producers are impressed with him and send him to Los Angeles, where he is to be taught in the ways of detective work by private investigator Perry (Val Kilmer). While in Los Angeles, Harry runs into his childhood friend Harmony Faith Lane (Michelle Monaghan), a struggling actress. When Perry and Harry are snooping a house they were assigned to, the duo come across a dead body, while at the same time Harmony’s sister commits suicide. Harry now has to take on both mysteries while also maintaining his budding acting career.

Shane Black, who wrote another Christmas oriented action film, Lethal Weapon, writes wickedly funny fast-paced dialogue, which is executed perfectly by the performers. In particular, Downey Jr. and Kilmer, who share great chemistry and work well off each other.

A Christmas movie that doesn’t overemphasize the fact that it takes place over the holidays, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a clever, funny film noir that can be watched repeatedly and have new jokes found every viewing.