die hard is a Christmas movie. This once paradoxical taxonomy has become increasingly accepted over the past few decades, at least since it was first proclaimed by an editor with whom I often worked. be slate round up. As a result, John McTiernan’s rugged ’80s one-building action pieces may have given way to Hollywood action. It’s a wonderful life As a holiday home video tradition in certain households. But it’s also whetted a wider appetite than ever for alternative Christmas movies with subtle, subversive holiday elements. If you can’t bear to watch it again, Miracle on 34th Street, christmas storyor home alone This year, check out our top 10 list compiled into these four videos. These videos offer a selection of films that go beyond, and in some cases far beyond, established seasonal offerings.
These selections come from a variety of genres, including superhero photography. batman returns In a few decades, we might have forgotten just how thoroughly Tim Burton ingrained the image of Christmas. Even if it’s the kind appropriate for the dank, menacing Gotham City. For those looking for even more darkness, check out this Canadian sorority slasher movie black christmaswill also appear in more than one of these lists.
joe dante christmas set gremlin It involves a much higher-budget spectacle of destruction, albeit a comedic one. terry gilliam humor Brazilanother elaborate mid-’80s auteur project, veers toward dystopia, a sensibility that’s certainly present in the holiday season itself, if rarely treated with such grotesque vividness.
The work of the experts who most often compile such alternative Christmas movie lists is as follows: Lethal Weapon (and die hardthe mechanism in case of double billing for holidays) and of long kiss good nightHe is also the screenwriter and director of “. kiss kiss bang bang, iron man 3and nice guys. The fact that all these photos are set at Christmas time makes them feel clearly connected to our own reality, no matter how lofty, fantastical, or packed with visual effects. It also tends to intensify the drama. As Black said in one interview, “Christmas represents a little stumble in the daily march, a stillness in which we have a chance to assess and reflect on our lives.” Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s not interesting.
Related content:
clock Santa Clausthe first film about Santa in existence (1898)
clock Insects’ Christmas From 1913: Stop-motion film starring a cast of dead bugs.
Animated Christmas Fable by Maurice Sendak (1977)
Junkie’s Christmas: William S. Burrow’s dark claymation Christmas movie, produced by Francis Ford Coppola (1993)
Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shutthe nastiest Christmas movie ever made
Blue Christmas: Criterion Video Essay
Based in Seoul, Colin Mbemust write and broadcastIt’s about cities, languages ​​and cultures. His projects include the Substack newsletter books about cities and a book Stateless City: A Stroll Through Los Angeles in the 21st Century. Follow him on the social network formerly known as Twitter. @Colinbemust.
Source: Open Culture – www.openculture.com
