Jingle Bell Rocks (2013)

[Edgy MD]

Documentary visits with record collectors who specialize in finding obscure, niche-y, and occasionally transcendent holiday-themed records.

Currently streaming fo' free on Roku.

[Edgy MD]

"Watchable! Quirky! Engaging!" — Ms. Edgy

[Edgy MD]

What develops is revealed slowly, but like a lot of documentaries, it turns out to be subtly about somebody having trouble going forward, largely related to father issues.

Fathers play an interesting role, as some of the artists are represented by their surviving kids, and many of the collectors picked up the bug in childhood. The song that first got the primary figure hooked on eccentric holiday records is a Nat "King" Cole oldie you may have never heard, but if you have, you likely remember it, as it can alternately be described as poignant but awful or awful but poignant.

Story jumps from city to city as we meet collectors, frequently from the fringes of the music industry — a small-time DJ, a retired producer, among others. We also catch up with an odd assortment of artists, including Clarence Carter, Joseph "Run" Simmons, John Waters, and Calypso-great Mighty Sparrow.

Could have used more songs and fewer interviews.

[metirish]

We enjoyed it, poignant in a way for me as my dad wasn't around for any Christmas, thanks for the recommendation, definitely quirky as your wife said , in a good way.

[metirish]

In the sprit of this movie here is a rare classic

[Edgy MD]

Glad you enjoyed.