Bob Dylan movie, Hanukkah flicks and much more

Stars of David

By Nate Bloom, Stars of David Contributing Columnist

Editor’s Note: Persons in bold are deemed by Nate Bloom to be Jewish for the purpose of this column. Persons identified as Jewish have at least one Jewish parent and were not raised in, or identify with, a faith other than Judaism. Converts to Judaism, of course, are also identified as Jewish.

A Bob Dylan biopic

“A Complete Unknown,” a biopic about Bob Dylan, opens in theaters on Dec. 25. Dylan was born Robert Zimmerman, the son of Abraham, a small-time, Minnesota appliance store owner. Bob was 19 when he left Duluth and moved to New York City (early 1961).

From advance publicity, it appears that the film covers Bob Dylan’s arrival in NYC; his early folk music years (1960-64); and his decision to embrace “electric” rock music (1964-66). In his folk years, he wrote some famous songs that explicitly protested racism and war, such as “Blowin’ in the Wind.” His rock songs, such as, “Like a Rolling Stone,” were often social critiques, but their message(s) weren’t so explicit. Dylan’s move to rock upset “old” fans and, no doubt, it will be an issue in the film.

Timothee Chalamet, 28, plays Dylan. The actor is on a hot streak now. He starred in two “monster” hits in the last two years: “Dune” and “Wonka.” In “Wonka,” Chalamet proved that he could really sing. A released “complete” trailer let us know that Chalamet could be made-up to look like Dylan and that he can almost perfectly imitate Dylan’s singing voice.

As I have noted before, Chalamet is the son of an American Jewish mother and a French Protestant father. He’s essentially secular but identifies as Jewish.

There are four other Jewish characters in the film, but only one is played by a Jewish actor. Dan Folger, 48, plays Albert Grossman, Dylan’s agent. Grossman was a “tough guy” who made good deals; Harold Leventhal was a top “folkie” manager and song publisher; Al Kooper, now 80, was a top rock guitarist. He also created and played the now iconic organ riffs for the song “Like a Rolling Stone;” and Mike Bloomfield, a very good guitarist who, along with Kooper, played on Dylan’s first rock album (1965).

James Mangold, 63, directed the film, and he co-wrote the screenplay. Mangold has helmed many hits. His mother was Jewish, and he identifies as Jewish.

Two new drama/fantasies

“Nightbitch,” a drama/fantasy opens on Dec. 6, and “Kraven the Hunter” opens on Dec. 13.

“Nightbitch” focuses on a stay-at-home mom (Amy Adams) who sometimes becomes a tough dog (!). Marielle Heller, 48, directed the film and wrote the screenplay too. Heller is the secular daughter of a Jewish father. Her most recent movie, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” (2019) was a critical box office hit.

“Kraven the Hunter” is based on a super-villain in Marvel Comics. It seems like Kraven has been made into a kind-of good guy for this movie. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 34, a British Jew, plays Kraven.

An espionage thriller series

“The Agency” is a 10-episode espionage thriller that stars Michael Fassbender. John Magaro, 41, has a major supporting role as the character named Owen. Magaro’s mother is Jewish, and he was raised Jewish. “The Agency” premiered on Nov. 29 on Paramount+ and and premieres Dec. 1 on Showtime.

A dark comedy series

“No Good Deed” is an 8-episode Netflix comedy/drama that premieres on Dec. 12.

Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow, 61, co-star as the owners of a fabulous 1920s Spanish style villa in Los Angeles. They are empty nesters who decide to sell their house. Three different families bid over the asking price, and all three families believe that owning the house will solve their personal problems.

The main supporting cast includes Abbi Jacobson, 40, as Leslie Fisher. (Also, Linda Lavin, 87, has a recurring role as the character named Phyllis.)

Jacobson is best known for co-starring in “Broad City,” a 2014 Comedy Central show. Her “Broad City” co-star, Ilana Glazer, 37, has her own stand-up comedy special on Hulu called “Human Magic” which premieres on Dec. 20.

Jewish holiday films

The Hallmark Channel has over 30 original, 2024 holiday movies. And they were “kind enough” to give Jewish viewers two “sort-of” Jewish holiday films.

“Leah’s Perfect Gift” premieres on Dec. 8. Leah (Emily Arlook, 34) loves all things associated with Christmas, but she’s Jewish, and she’s never had the chance to revel in Christmas stuff (like trees). This year, her Christian boyfriend invites her to visit his parents on Christmas. Leah quickly realizes she doesn’t quite fit in. His parents are uptight and are not very welcoming.

You might recognize Arlook as the character named Rebecca, the Jewish exgirlfriend of the rabbi who is the central character of “Nobody Wants This,” a hit Netflix series. Critics hated “Nobody Want This,” but it had a big viewer audience, so a second season is “on.”

“Hanukkah on the Rocks” premieres on Dec. 13. Tory (Stacey Farber, 37) is an attorney who unexpectedly loses her job just before Hanukkah. Tory is at her grandma’s when she realizes she has to buy candles. She walks around and ends up at a “cool bar.” There she meets a charming Jewish doctor (Daren Kagasoff, 37) and his cute father (Marc Summers, 72). She takes a job as a “cool bar” bartender and everything romantic goes perfect during the eight days of Hanukkah and — I guess — forever.