Office Christmas Party

A Chicago IT company manager (Jason Bateman) and his dipsy-doodle boss (T.J. Miller) decide to throw a huge holiday party—in defiance of the boss’ mean sister (Jennifer Aniston), who also happens to be the CEO. Two directors (Josh Gordon, Will Speck) and six writers (Justin Malen, Laura Solon, Dan Mazer, Jon Lucas, Scott Moore, Timothy Dowling), and all they had to do was find an excuse for the kind of party scene that happens only in lame-brained movies like this. Is this the best they could come up with, really? Well, the party’s there if that’s what you’re looking for; all that’s missing is a swimming pool full of 20-somethings pretending to be high school kids. Bateman and Aniston discharge their duties dutifully and doggedly, followed by Olivia Munn, Courtney B. Vance, Kate McKinnon and others. J.L.