The Newest Christmas Film ‘Family Switch’

Family Switch,” a 2023 flm, is described as a genially corny dad joke of a movie, embracing its corniness to the extent that it encourages viewers to enjoy it as well.

Directed by McG, the flm features a body-switching plot line where the entire family switches bodies, a twist on the classic body-switch trope seen in flms like “Freaky Friday.” Jennifer Garner stars as architect mother Jess, and Ed Helms plays high school music teacher Bill. They, along with their children CC and Wyatt, and their baby Miles and dog Pickles, experience a switch following a visit to a planetarium.

The flm quickly sets up its premise, revealing the family’s stress and disconnect. Jess and Bill are dismayed when their children show little interest in family traditions, highlighting the generational gap.

Each family member faces a high-pressure day: Jess has a critical presentation, CC has an important soccer game, Wyatt a Yale interview, and Bill a performance that could land him on

TV. Signifcant items, a Camaro and a Charizard Holo Pokemon card, symbolise the reprioritisation of values throughout the flm.

The story unfolds with typical body-switching hijinks, including humorous situations around aging, clothing disputes, and the children learning the extent of their parents’ sacrifces.

The flm includes a dance number to “Bust a Move” and some gross-out humour aimed at younger audiences, although some crude sexual humour seems misplaced for a PG movie. The resolution of certain conficts, such as Wyatt’s bullying, is considered troubling. While not the best of its genre, “Family Switch” is seen as a worthwhile family watch due to its irresistible concept and a cast that delivers strong performances. The flm effectively uses its bodyswitching premise to explore family dynamics and the challenges of understanding across generations. Plus, it’s the perfect Christmas movie for both the young and the old this festive season!

Big Crossword

TARGET TIME

N O T K L F S O W

Today’s target:

13 words average

16 words good

19+ words excellent

Find words of four letters or more. Every word must include the centre letter and each letter is used once only. Find at least one nine-letter word. No colloquial or foreign words, capitalised nouns, apostrophes, hyphens. No verbs or plural words ending in ‘s’. Solution list is not exhaustive. Ref: Macquarie Dictionary

ASTROLOGY with Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

New Moon week is the ideal time to ditch bad daily habits and start afresh. It’s a juggle to get everything done but keep calm and don’t lose your cool! You’re unusually focused, but are you focusing on the right things? Work, health, wellbeing, diet and fitness are the main areas where you need to make some overdue changes and adjustments. But – if you are too hasty and hot-headed – you could find yourself in the middle of an argument or accident. So pace yourself.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

The Sun and Uranus help you approach challenges in a proactive and adventurous way, and the New Moon encourages you to talk through issues with the people around you. Venus (your ruler) is visiting your domestic zone, so it’s time to enjoy home sweet home, as you cocoon in cosy comfort or entertain in lowkey style. Your quote for the week is from Virgo philosopher Goethe: “He is the happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.”

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

The New Moon promises a fresh start on the domestic front, as you entertain at home or tackle a DIY project. Plus, Mercury (your patron planet) finally moves forwards on Friday night. Sharing a sport or hobby with a loved one will bring mutual benefits, but don’t promise more time and effort than you can actually deliver. Attached Twins – plan a romantic rendezvous with your sweetheart. For some singles, love is waiting in your local neighbourhood.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Thursday night’s New Moon highlights education, communication and community projects. There are opportunities for advancement via connections within your neighbourhood. But it will take creative teamwork and sustained effort to turn a lucky break into a long-term success. It’s also time to get some firm direction, as you formulate your personal goals and dreams for the future. Remember, you can’t hit a target if you haven’t got one.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

Mercury and the New Moon shine a spotlight on financial matters. Lions are drawn to luxury-living, and you’re inclined to buy expensive things that you don’t really need. This week, do your best to avoid being an impulsive binge shopper. The more creatively and proactively you nurture your nest egg, the more it will gradually grow. The Sun/Uranus trine (on Friday and Saturday) encourages self-confidence, fresh ideas and professional opportunities.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

The silvery New Moon lights up your sign on Thursday night. Then Mercury (your power planet) turns direct on Friday night. So the weekend is a good time to update your wardrobe, change your appearance, launch a project, apply for a job or start a new phase of your life. Education, strategic planning, deep concentration and focused communication should gradually improve. Personal projects, creative pursuits and travel plans are also favoured.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Are you frustrated by ongoing problems? Mighty Mars is moving through Libra until October 12, so it’s time to take on challenges with a proactive approach and a courageous attitude. At the moment, fortune definitely favours the bold and the brave! It’s also a good week to tap into the well of creativity and inspiration, without and within. As Hollywood legend (and birthday great) Lauren Bacall wisely observed: “Imagination is the highest kite one can fly.”

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

Thursday night’s New Moon highlights your hopes-and-wishes zone, so be proactive about setting goals, dreaming dreams, and creating your preferred future. The weekend is a good time to fire up an old friendship or add some sizzle to a stale relationship. Most of all, enjoy yourself! Positive changes are coming, as you focus on projects that make your heart sing. Be inspired by birthday great, writer D. H. Lawrence: “Life is ours to be spent, not to be saved.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Have you been dragging your heels at work?

Your career is set to improve, as Mercury moves forwards and the New Moon signals an exciting new chapter. So make the most of any fresh ideas, professional projects or job opportunities that come your way. Sunday’s Venus/Jupiter square increases exuberance and decreases patience. So slow down, Sagittarius, and be careful you don’t overindulge, over-exaggerate, over-promise or overcommit.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Many Capricorns have been feeling frustrated and uninspired. This week Mercury moves forwards, plus Uranus and the New Moon activate your education and adventure zones. So start thinking about where you’d like to go travelling – physically and mentally. Don’t let anyone dim your curiosity or diminish your dreams! Your motto for the moment is from birthday great, writer D. H. Lawrence: “Life is travelling to the edge of knowledge, and then going beyond.”

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Each New Moon indicates a shift of gear in a particular area of life. This week the heavens highlight a fresh start involving money, an intimate relationship or trust issues. Then Mercury finally moving forwards on Friday night, followed by a terrific Sun/Uranus trine. So the weekend is a wonderful time to travel, experiment and explore. You’ll also be extra curious as you dig up gossip, uncover a secret or start some controversial conversations!

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Close relationships and joint ventures are set to improve, as the New Moon and Mercury (moving forward) activate your partnership zone. With Saturn and Neptune both transiting through your sign, it’s also time to dream inspiring dreams and set long-term goals. Then follow them with passion, purpose and Piscean flair. Be inspired by birthday great, writer and poet D. H. Lawrence: “I want to live my life so that my nights are not full of regrets.”

BEST ON THE BOX

THE BACHELORS AUSTRALIA

TEN, 7.30pm

FRIDAY

Last Night In Soho

SEVEN, 10.45pm

Not all Bachelor episodes are the same; every fan knows this indisputable truth. When it comes to the moments that stand out – those more intoxicating and dramatic than rose ceremonies featuring tears and walk-outs or champagnesoaked soirees bubbling with declarations of love and/or heartbreak – it’s when the loosecannon relatives play. When the bachelorettes’ loved ones divert from the script and drop truth bombs, it’s the stu of gold. In a movie-length instalment, Bachelors Ben, Luke (pictured) and Wes introduce their dates to their own families, and meet their prospective in-laws, all under one roof. Host Osher Günsberg needn’t order reworks because emotional pyrotechnics are guaranteed.

FRIDAY, December 15

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 11.00 State Memorial Service For Barry Humphries.

12.15 ABC News At Noon.

1.00 Vera. (Mav, R)

2.30 Magical Land Of Oz. (R)

3.30 One Plus One. (R)

3.55 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R)

5.00 Back Roads. (R)

5.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

6.00 The Drum. (Final) Analysis of the day’s news.

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.30 Gardening Australia. (Final) Costa Georgiadis gives garden bed gifts.

8.30 Barry Humphries In His Own Words. (PG) Takes a look back at the life and work of Barry Humphries, told in his own words from archival interviews.

9.00 Midsomer Murders. (Mv, R) DCI Barnaby and DS Winter investigate the murder of a girl found dressed in period attire.

10.30 Question Everything. (Final, R)

11.00 ABC Late News. (Final)

11.20 Life. (Mal, R)

12.20 Wake eld. (Mals, R)

1.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (PG, R) 10.00 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGl, R) 10.50 Our Coast. (PG, R)

12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 The Point: Road To Referendum. (R) 2.05 The Wonderful World Of Chocolate. (R) 2.55 Mastermind Aust. (R)

3.25 The Cook Up. (R) 3.55 Great Continental Railway Journeys. (PGnv, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Lost Treasures Of Egypt: Tut’s Unsolved Secrets. (PGa)

8.30 Lost Cities Of The Bible: Mystery Of The Great Flood. (R) Part 1 of 2. Follows archaeologists as they investigate Iraq’s lost cities and the world of the Old Testament.

10.25 SBS World News Late.

10.55 Good People. (Final, MA15+a)

11.50 L’Opera. (Mal, R)

3.20 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PGa, R) 4.20 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SEVEN (6)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG)

11.30 Seven Morning News.

12.00 Beach Cops. (PG, R)

12.30 Test Cricket: Pre-Game Show.

1.20 Cricket. First Test. Australia v

6.00 7News Local.

6.30 7News @ 6:30.

7.00 Cricket. First Test. Australia v Pakistan. Day 2. Late afternoon session.

9.00 MOVIE: Men In Black II. (2002, PGh, R) A secret agent, who specialises in monitoring and policing aliens living covertly on Earth, enlists the help of a former partner, who may hold the key to nding a mysterious object before a ruthless criminal does. Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Rosario Dawson.

10.45 MOVIE: Last Night In Soho. (2021, MA15+alv) A fashion student travels back in time. Anya Taylor-Joy.

1.15 12 Monkeys. (MA15+av, R)

2.30 Home Shopping.

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

6.00

WEDNESDAY THE YEARLY WITH CHARLIE hawk, there’s fun to be had for all in this biting and fun wrap-up of the year’s headlines. It’s an annual tradition for Charlie Pickering (pictured) to gather together a group of insightful and funny folks to try to make sense of the year that was and this ering promises amusement galore. Let’s face it: there was a lot going on in 2023, but Pickering is here to take his pick of the most bizarre and memorable.

1512

TEN (5) NBN (8, 80)

NBN News.

A pet parent puts herself at risk.

Kristin Davis.

10.25 MOVIE: Last Christmas. (2019, PGals,

7.30 The Graham Norton Show. Guests include Julianne Moore, Ricky Gervais, Jamie Oliver, Paapa Essiedu and Olivia Dean.

9.30 My Life Is Murder. (Mv, R)

A feuding pair of celebrity bakers and former spouses put Alexa through her paces when the wife’s new boyfriend is found to have drowned with a rare our in his lungs after a suspicious car wreck.

11.30 Good Sam. (Ma) Lex confronts Gri about his betrayal.

12.30 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news and events.

6am WorldWatch. 10.00 Shortland St. Noon The Indian Paci c: The Full Journey. 3.10 Lee Lin Chin’s Fashionista. 3.20 WorldWatch. 5.20 Shortland St. 5.50 The Curse Of Oak Island. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Hoarders. 9.25 Sex Unlimited. 10.20 Planet Sex With Cara Delevingne. 11.15 Limetown. 12.55am The Last Year Of Television 2020 Special. 2.00 Letterkenny. 2.25 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera. 6am Shopping. 6.30 I Escaped To The Country. 7.30 The Zoo. 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00 Harry’s Practice. 9.30 NBC Today. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Hidden Coastal Villages. 2.00 I Escaped To The Country. 3.00 Animal SOS Australia. 3.30 The Zoo. 4.00 I Escaped To The Country. 5.00 Bargain Hunt. 6.00 Pie In The Sky. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. 8.30 Escape To The Country. 10.30 Escape To The Perfect Town. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am Home Shopping. 8.00 Soccer. A-League Men. Round 7. Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar. Highlights. 8.30 Diagnosis Murder. 9.30 Jake And The Fatman. 10.30 JAG. 12.30pm Star Trek: Voyager. 1.30 MacGyver. 2.30 Jake And The Fatman. 3.30 Diagnosis Murder. 5.30 JAG. 7.30 Bull. 8.30 NCIS. 9.25 NCIS: Hawai’i. 10.20 NCIS: Los Angeles. 11.15 SEAL Team. 12.15am Home Shopping. 2.15 Diagnosis Murder. 4.05 JAG. 6am Danger Man. 7.00 Cre o Dollar Ministries. 7.30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. 8.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. 10.30 Pointless. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.55 The Young And The Restless. 1.50 Explore. 2.00 Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman. 3.00 Antiques Roadshow. 3.30 MOVIE: The Brides Of Fu Manchu. (1966, PG) 5.30 Saved & Remade. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 RBT. 8.30 MOVIE: Never Say Never Again. (1983, M) 11.10 Late Programs. BOLD (51) 9GEM (82) 7TWO (62) VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 7.05pm Gardening Australia Junior. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Spicks And Specks. 8.00 Would I Lie To You At Christmas? 8.30 MOVIE: I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. (1998, MA15+) 10.10 Would I Lie To You? The Unseen Bits. 10.40 QI. 11.10 Ghosts. 11.40 Killing Eve. 12.25am George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. 1.15 ABC News Update. 1.20 Close. 5.00 In The Night Garden. 5.15 Tik Tak. 5.25 Wallykazam! 5.50 Late Programs. ABC TV PLUS (22) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Motor Racing. FIA World Endurance C’ship. H’lights. 1.00 Bewitched. 1.30 Raymond. 2.30 Full House. 3.00 MacGyver. 4.00 Family Ties. 4.30 The Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Children’s Programs. 5.45 MOVIE: A Unicorn For Christmas. (2021) 7.30 MOVIE: The Polar Express. (2004) 9.30 MOVIE: Bad Moms 2. (2017, MA15+) 11.35 Duncanville. 12.05am Under The Dome. 1.00 Life After Lockup. 2.00 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Blokesworld. 10.30 The Car Club. 11.00 Billy The Exterminator. 11.30 Storage Wars. Noon American Pickers. 1.00 Pawn Stars. 2.00 Close Encounters Down Under. 3.00 Timbersports. 3.30 Extreme Ice Railroad. 4.30 Storage Wars. 5.00 American Pickers. 6.00 Test Cricket: Tea Break. 6.20 Cricket. First Test. Australia v Pakistan. Day 2. Late afternoon session. 7.00 Pawn Stars. 7.30 MOVIE: Godzilla. (1998, PG) 10.15 MOVIE: Anaconda. (1997, M) 12.10am Late Programs. 6am The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. 7.00 NBL Slam. 7.30 Becker. 8.30 Seinfeld. 10.00 The King Of Queens. 11.00 Frasier. Noon Becker. 1.00 Seinfeld. 3.00 The King Of Queens. 4.00 Becker. 5.00 Frasier. 6.00 Friends. 8.00 The Big Bang Theory. 9.30 Seinfeld. 11.00 Frasier. Midnight Home Shopping. 1.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. 2.30 The King Of Queens. 3.30 The Bold And The Beautiful. 4.30 Home Shopping. 5.30 Joseph Prince. 9GO! (83) 6am Sirocco. (1951, PG) 7.50 Into The Arms Of Strangers. (2000, PG) 10.00 The Amazing Cat sh. (2013, M, Spanish) 11.40 The Company You Keep. (2012, M) 1.55pm The Mouse That Roared. (1959) 3.25 Belle And Sebastian. (2013, PG, French) 5.15 Capricorn One. (1977, PG) 7.30 The Client. (1994, M) 9.45 In The Line Of Fire. (1993, M) 12.10am Jiu Jitsu. (2020, MA15+) 2.05 The Operative. (2019, MA15+) 4.15 Undine. (2020, M, German) 5.55 Capricorn One. (1977, PG) PEACH (52) 7MATE (64) SBS MOVIES (32) 6am Children’s Programs. 12.45pm Malory Towers. 1.10 Merlin. 1.55 Horrible Histories. 2.25 Danger Mouse. 3.00 Hanazuki: Full Of Treasures. 3.25 The Deep. 4.20 Little Lunch. 4.45 The Inbestigators. 5.00 Kung Fu Panda. 5.25 Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Cat Noir. 5.45 Hotel Transylvania. 6.00 Hardball. 6.30 Operation Ouch! 6.45 Merlin. 7.35 MOVIE: Miraculous World: Paris. (2023, PG) 8.30 Good Game Spawn Point. 8.55 The Legend Of Korra. 9.35 Mimi On A Mission. 11.15 Close. ABC ME (23) 6am News Programs. 2pm ABC News Day. 3.00 News. 5.00 ABC News With Joe O’Brien. 6.00 ABC Evening News. 7.00 ABC National News. 8.00 Planet America. (Final) 8.45 ABC News Tonight. 9.00 ABC Nightly News. 9.30 The Business. 10.00 The World. 10.30 World This Week. 11.00 News. 11.30 The Drum. (Final) 12.30am News. 12.45 Planet America. (Final) 1.30 The Business. 2.00 DW News. 2.15 News. 2.30 DW Con ict Zone. 3.00 DW News. 3.30 The World. 4.00 DW News. 4.30 Late Programs. ABC NEWS (24) 6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Postcards Summer. 8.00 Garden Gurus. 8.30 The Block. 9.30 House Hunters Int. 10.30 Hello SA. 11.00 Blog Cabin. 11.30 Yard Crashers. Noon House Hunters Reno. 1.00 Unsellable Houses. 2.00 My Lottery Dream Home. 3.00 The Block. 4.00 Blog Cabin. 4.30 Yard Crashers. 5.00 Fixer Upper. 6.00 House Hunters Int. 7.00 House Hunters. 7.30 Island Of Bryan. 8.30 Building O The Grid: Alaskan Glacier. 9.30 Log Cabin Living. 10.30 Lakefront Bargain Hunt. 11.00 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. Noon Paula McIntyre’s Hamely Kitchen. 12.30 Lidia’s Kitchen. 1.00 Martha Bakes. 2.00 My Greek Table. 2.30 Masters Of Savours. 3.30 Make This Tonight. 4.00 David Rocco’s Dolce Homemade. 4.30 My Market Kitchen. 5.00 Mary Makes It Easy. 5.30 Freshly Picked. 6.00 Italian Food Safari. 6.30 Lidia’s Kitchen. 7.00 The Cook Up. 7.30 Jamie Cooks Christmas. 8.30 Gordon Ramsay’s Christmas Cookalong. 10.05 The Cook Up. 11.05 Late Programs. 9LIFE (84) 6am Morning Programs. 8.00 Sky News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 AM Agenda. 11.00 NewsDay. Noon NewsDay. 1.00 Sharri. 2.00 Afternoon Agenda. 3.00 Paul Murray Live. 4.00 Afternoon Agenda. 4.30 Business Now With Ross Greenwood. 5.00 Erin. 6.00 Peta Credlin. 7.00 The Rita Panahi Show. 8.00 The US Report. 9.00 The Media Show. 9.30 NewsNight. 10.00 NewsNight. 11.00 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Brazil Untamed. 10.50 Going Places. 11.50 Kutcha’s Carpool Koorioke. 11.55 MOVIE: Jimi: All Is By My Side. (2013) 2pm Bamay. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Motown Magic. 3.25 The World According To Grandpa. 3.35 The Magic Canoe. 4.00 Toi Time. 4.30 Spartakus And The Sun Beneath The Sea. 5.00 Our Stories. 5.30 Strait To The Plate. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Brazil Untamed. 7.30 MOVIE: Get Santa. (2014, PG) 9.20 MOVIE: Baby Done. (2020, M) 11.05 Late Programs. SKY NEWS (53) NITV (34) SBS FOOD (33) Please Note: Programs are correct at the time of print and are subject to change by the Networks. CONSUMER ADVICE (P) Pre-school (C) Children (PG) Parental Guidance Recommended (M) Mature Audiences (MA15+) Mature Audiences Only (R) Repeat (CC) Closed Captions (a) Adult themes (d) Drug references (h) Horror (s) Sex references (l) Language (m) Medical procedures (n) Nudity (v) Violence.