Movie Zone
Here I will post movie reviews and recommendations, opinions and updates on the world of film, lists/rankings, and the occasional film essay/analysis if I am feeling brave enough
It is the time for snuggling up on a dark cold day to watch cozy holiday movies! Despite my intense love of the spooky season, it is in steep competition for the season of winter holidays (which I believe can be equally dark and spooky at times), a season filled with time for family and friend activities, and also time to yourself spent indoors with movies that get you buzzing with the anticipation of Christmas Day. These are ten of my all time favorite Christmas movies. 10) Violent NightStarting off with a violent one, as is my way. This is relatively new, but already a classic for me that I want to revisit every Christmas. They go full, over-the-top insanity with this action comedy and I loved every second of it. David Harbour was the perfect choice to play a disgruntled Santa Claus with a dark backstory in the vein of Santa’s Slay from 2005, and the villains are equally entertaining to watch, with John Leguizamo playing the head mercenary “Mr. Scrooge” who has a bone to pick with the entire holiday. The gore is also plentiful, with a lot of surprising references to many Christmas horror movies (other than the aforementioned Santa’s Slay). You have some ice-skate and candy cane related kills which reminded me of the Black Christmas remake, a death involving a Christmas tree star which reminded me of an even crazier version of the Christmas tree death in Jack Frost, and you even get an R-rated Home Alone sequence, which I think many people have always been secretly wanting to see. There were even some Silent Night, Deadly Night vibes, as there are bound to be whenever you have a deadly Santa Claus. As far as giving the classic Christmas feels, the story is actually quite sweet, with Santa being convinced to once again see the good in “kids these days” with this young girl whose family he has to save from these psychotic mercenaries. So you do get the wholesome Christmas side, as well as the maniacal side, which is always a blast. 9) How the Grinch Stole ChristmasWhile I know many people probably prefer the cartoon, I grew up with this film on the TV every single Christmas, so it is hard not to feel the general excitement of Christmas-time whenever this comes on. I think Jim Carrey is hilarious in the role, and the visual/slapstick comedy still kills me no matter how many times I see it. A lot of this film is the Grinch by himself with just his dog Max to interact with, but there is still so much energy throughout the entire film (which is a pretty long running time). The side characters are hilarious to watch as well, with Cindy Lou’s kooky yet somehow relatable family, over-the-top love interest Martha May Whovier, and devious villain Mayor MayWho. The visuals in this movie are also impressive, as far as the set designs for the town of Whoville, and the Grinch’s lair, where there seem to be endless caverns filled with a whole matter of bizarre junk. The odd shapes and shadows, as well as the crazy costumes, hairstyles and makeup give the film a definitive style that invokes a lot from the cartoony storybook, but also gives its own flair. And for Christmas cheer, you get a lot of that beautiful feeling of the excitement for the approaching Christmas Day, as we see the Whos all preparing vigorously for the holiday through marathon-like gift shopping and decorating. There is such a delightful, darkish fairytale mood about it which pairs wonderfully with the Christmas spirit. 8) Die HardUnconventional Christmas movies are the best. What can I say that hasn’t already been said about this action classic? It’s often dubbed the greatest action movie of all time, and there is certainly a reason for that. You have a seemingly normal guy thrust into a suddenly extreme and deadly situation where it is now him against an entire army of villains who have no idea he is in the building strategically plotting their downfall. A plot formula that has become so popular, we have heard countless action movie summaries that can be summed up as “Die Hard in a __”. Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman are also a huge part of what makes the movie work, both legendary movie characters as hero and villain respectively, with lines that people will continue to quote until the end of time. This is a classic staple of 80s action movies, so you still have the use of practical effects and stunts in this, making for a more visceral experience that you really don’t have in action movies anymore with the CG wall between the viewer and the film. It’s dirty and bloody and loud and in your face, and I love it. And for the spirit of Christmas in this one… it’s a Christmas party. There’s Christmas music and decorations everywhere, and as far as I’m concerned, that is enough to cement it in with the classics. 7) National Lampoon's Christmas |
AuthorCertified non-professional who just enjoys giving her random thoughts on movies and books. Archives
June 2024
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