As the last week of November dwindles to a close and
everyone can start to think of turkey without a collective groan, so begins
December and Christmas madness. There is nothing better than being able to
relax for an hour or so with a holiday movie, as ABC Family will not let you forget. Instead of watching
Elf or It's A Wonderful Life for the umpteenth time, I’ve gathered a list of not so typical holiday
movies that are off the beaten track.These are not overtly Christmas-centric movies, which is why
they often get nixed in favor of the aforementioned movies. However, this is
what will make them more enjoyable.
1.
Ben-Hur (1925)
Don’t laugh, its true. This epic does indeed
contain an essential holiday scene, Christ’s Nativity in the prologue. Whether
you choose to finish the rest of the 224 minutes is up to you.
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| Ben-Hur (1925) |
2.
Big Business (1929)
Laurel & Hardy are door-to-door Christmas
tree salesmen. Need I say more?
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| Big Business (1929) |
3.
Pandora’s Box (1929)
It actually never occurred to me to put this on
my list, until the 12 Days of Criterion Collection list. The sinister Christmas that meets our naive Lulu is best reserved
for the week where you are about to explode if you get one more holiday savings email.
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| Pandora's Box (1929) |
4.
Little Women (1933)
Sorry, but another Hepburn flick. I read this
book in middle school, and found it absurd. Recently I caught the film on TCM and
loved it- I was such a snob.
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| Little Women (1933) |
5.
The Thin Man (1934)
Speaking of cynicism, this classic was the first that came to mind as one of the most amusing holiday films.
It also has one of the best holiday parties I have ever seen. Who wouldn’t
want to work on a case of scotch with Nick & Nora?
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| Credit: Tumblr: Moth Girl Wings |
6.
The Holiday (1938)
I don’t need to remind you what an amazing
comedic act Hepburn and Grant form, this movie does not disappoint. Lesser
known than their other on-screen pairings, this has become a personal favorite
of mine.
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| The Holiday (1938) |
7.
Citizen Kane (1941)
If I have to tell you why this film is on here,
I have one word for you: “rosebud.”
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| Citizen Kane (1941) |
8.
Since You Went Away (1944)
This WW2 drama covers the homefront, as a family
deals with their father leaving for the war and culminates on Christmas Eve.
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| Since You Went Away (1944) |
9.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945)
Whenever someone recommends a book, I don’t care
what their interests are or if they consider themselves beyond this, I
recommend this book. The pivotal Christmas tree-throwing scene is both a sad
depiction of life in the Brooklyn tenements for children, but also a
bittersweet reminder of the one moment that can make a lifetime memory for a
kid.
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| A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945) |
10. Lady
in the Lake (1947)
All my fellow noir enthusiasts rejoice.
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| Lady in the Lake (1947) |
11. In
the Good Old Summertime (1949)
I know, misnomer. This film doesn't just revolve around the summertime. It actually includes
several holiday scenes and the aptly titled “Merry Christmas” song.
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| Credit: Tumblr: Judyforever |
12. Night
of the Hunter (1955)
Another all time favorite, and lesser-known
vehicle. A psychopath posing as a "man of god" plagues the lives of two young children, whose harrowing
deliverance ends with a pivotal Christmas scene and their savvy savior, Lillian
Gish.
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| Night of the Hunter (1955) |
13. Psycho
(1960)
I know, right? This one is a bit of a stretch,
but according to Wikipedia and reaffirmed by my recent viewing, it is there. In
the very beginning of the movie as Janet Leigh drives through a small town,
Christmas decorations can be seen. Making this movie even more Hitchcock that I
had been let on to believe.
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| Psycho (1960) |
14. The
Lion in Winter (1968)
Yet another Hepburn flick, this movie is so
powerful. Taking you way back to the Christmas of 1183. Good times to be had!
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| The Lion in Winter (1968) |
15. Yours,
Mine & Ours (1968)
For all those who have seen this original
classic, I know you get it. Whoever had the misfortune of seeing the remake in
2005, I’m sorry. This family film, depicts the chaos of Christmas
morning in a household with 19 children.
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| Yours, Mine & Ours (1968) |
16. The
Godfather (1972)
An all-time favorite, and perhaps another excuse to watch this.
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| The Godfather (1972) |
17. Annie
Hall (1977)
I had to. I love Woody Allen, that oddball.
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| Annie Hall (1977) |
18. Diner
(1982)
A group of childhood friends reunite for the
holidays in their old stomping ground of Baltimore . . . in a diner.
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| Diner (1982) |
19. Monty
Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983)
If you haven’t seen this movie yet, then you are
probably still at a loss for what the meaning of life is. In the latter stage
of a man’s life, heaven is conceived of as a place of perpetual Christmas. Rejoice
all you Vegas lounge act fans, you’ll enjoy this phase.
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| Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) |
20. Gremlins
(1984)
I know, why is this on a Christmas movie list
and not a Halloween list? This whole fiasco starts when el jeffe Gremlin is given
as a Christmas present. I hope no one gets a Furby this year . . .
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| Gremlins (1984) |
21. Full
Metal Jacket (1987)
Kubrick brings us a fine holiday tune, as a
drill instructor leads a riveting chorus on Christmas Day of “Happy Birthday”
to Jesus, brought to you by the Marine recruits at boot camp.
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| Full Metal Jacket (1987) |
22. Jaws:
the Revenge (1987)
This year, your family will probably express
their deep appreciation for you as everyone gathers around the fire while
sipping hot cocoa, and then you suggest this holiday classic. You’re welcome.
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| Jaws: The Revenge (1987) |
23. Die
Hard 1 & 2 (1988,1990)
If I had a nickel for Everytime Bruce Willis has
to fight terrorists on Christmas Eve .
. .
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| Die Hard (1988) |
24. Edward
Scissorhands (1990)
I recently showed this film to my little
brother. At first, he was really freaked out like most who are not quite aware
what Tim Burton’s deal is. Then, he was hooked. The closing scene of this movie
is one of his best, he’s really just a big softie underneath those crazy purple
glasses.
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| Edward Scissorhands (1990) |
25. Howard’s
End (1992)
Having read this for a British lit. class, I had
no idea that it was a movie. However, Criterion has picked up the much-lauded film
that includes a decadent shopping trip through turn-of-the-century Britain with
Vanessa Redgrave and Emma Thompson.
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| Howard's End (1992) |
26. Rushmore
(1998)
Wes Anderson is a sucker for Christmas. If you
ever seen one of his films, you would know that he always happens to sneak it
in. Also, if you know anyone who hasn't seen this, this gives you an excuse to make them watch it.
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| Rushmore (1998) |
27. Eyes
Wide Shut (1999)
Once again, its right around Christmas time that
Kubrick takes us into the sexual odyssey of Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise. Too
close for comfort?
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| Eyes Wide Shut (1999) |
28. American
Psycho (2000)
Again, sorry. Our American Psycho, Christian
Bale, takes a break from his serial killer duties to attend his fiancées Christmas
party.
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| American Psycho (2000) |
29. Bridget
Jones’s Diary (2001)
Again, I had to. For as many people who mock
these movies/books as the quintessential “chick flick,” they are more than
that. I couldn’t tell you how badly I relate to Jones at her parents holiday party trying to
act chic while donning a most unattractive Christmas sweater that her mother picked out
for her. It's a match made in sweater hell.
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| Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) |
