However, the more I kept thinking about it, the harder it became to come up with five films that were worthy of being on my "TOP 5."
After quite some time of careful and frustrating analyzing, I finally came up with my five favorite films that take place around Christmas but aren't about Christmas. I thought that this list would be rather fun instead of picking my five favorite Christmas movies. Something different and unusual if you're looking to watch a movie that involves but isn't about Christmas:
#5. Gremlins
Do you remember the three rules you must strictly follow when in possession of a Mogwai?
(1) Keep it away from bright lights, especially sunlight, which can kill it. (2) Do not get it wet with water. (3) Never, under any circumstances, feed it after midnight.
However, if you break all three of these rules, you end up with an extremely hilarious horror-comedy that takes place during Christmas. I can't recall how many times I've actually seen this movie, but it's been many years and there are so many scenes that flood my memories it's a surprise that I didn't end up one twisted individual. There are so many violent moments in this film that it was apparently one of two pictures released in 1984 (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom) that influenced the MPAA to create the PG-13 Rating. I find it amusing that the two films that tipped the scales for the new PG-13 Rating were both in relation to Steven Spielberg.
Billy Peltzer: "They're watching Snow White. And they love it."Christmas song that is permanently burned into my brain related to this movie: The film's score is creepy, funny and weird enough to keep me from thinking of one specific song that stood out. However, the more I think about it, "Heigh Ho" does spark a few memories, which is pretty sad considering that it should make me think of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs first.
#4. Lethal Weapon
What better way to celebrate the season than with a movie that practically invented the "buddy cop" genre. This film firmly placed Mel Gibson into stardom and the rest is now history. Danny Glover and Gibson play very well off of each other as the straight-laced older cop who is given a "loose cannon" of a partner with obvious mental issues. The end result is a sharply written script with plenty of laughs and plenty of action, even if the a majority of the story is quite implausible (you could also say the same thing about my #1). However, we don't watch these movies for proper police work and realism. We watch these movies to be entertained, and this one does just that. Glover and Gibson are a fantastic crime fighting duo and you get the chance to to see a younger and thinner Gary Busey before he went completely insane.
Martin Riggs: "This is a real badge, I'm a real cop, and this is a real f**king gun!"Christmas song that is permanently burned into my brain related to this movie: "Jingle Bell Rock"
#3. Go
I knew I was forgetting this one as well and have to thank Willis for pointing this one out to me as well. Some see this film as a shallow ripoff of Pulp Fiction but I disagree. Go follows the events and the aftermaths of a drug deal during Christmas. The films is split up into three segments and is told in three different points of view. This film is just another shining example of a movie that takes place during Christmas but has nothing to do with Christmas, whatsoever. My cat's name also comes from one of the leads in the film, Ronna. She's quite the bitch but you end up liking her anyways (you can say the same thing about my cat). Besides, who doesn't enjoy watching Jay Mohr and Scott Wolf portray a brilliantly funny gay couple?
[Referring to the Family Circus comic strip]Christmas song that is permanently burned into my brain related to this movie: None.
Todd: "And it's always there, in the lower right hand corner, just waiting to suck."
#2. The Apartment
I have to give props to Willis for helping me pick this one of out. This film had completely slipped my mind as one that takes place during the holiday season, but in all realization, the most crucial plot points in this film take place on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. Jack Lemmon stars in this brilliant Billy Wilder comedy about a man who tries to move up the corporate ladder by lending out his apartment to executives for trysts. Outside of catching the occasional cold (due to waiting outdoors to get back into his apartment) C.C. Baxter has no problems with the trade. He quickly moves up the ladder but runs into a quandary when the girl he's interested in is his bosses mistress. It just goes to show you that having a successful career comes in at a distant second to finding the love of your life.
Christmas song that is permanently burned into my brain related to this movie: None.
C.C. Baxter: "Ya know, I used to live like Robinson Crusoe. I mean shipwrecked among 8 million people. And then one day I saw a footprint in the sand and there you were."
#1. Die Hard
Bring home the holidays in style by killing some European terrorists, blowing up a building all while saving your estranged marriage. What other way would you want to spend Christmas Eve? Bruce Willis stakes his claim (and becomes a household name) with this fantastic action/adventure film that ended up laying the ground work for several stereotypical 1990s genre action films: (1) it opened the door to the large-scale explosion-filled popcorn movies; (2) reinstated the "one-liner" that only seemed present in James Bond pictures and (3) responsible for creating the "action hero" archetype where they had minimal dialog, wearing a few pieces of clothing and always appearing grizzled. Many have tried to duplicated it (including a sub-standard sequel along with a crappy title and the coincidence of being on Christmas Eve yet again) but they all fail in comparison: Speed - "Die Hard on a Bus", Under Siege - "Die Hard on a Ship" and so on and so forth.
John McClane: "Nine million terrorists in the world and I gotta kill one with feet smaller than my sister."Christmas song that is permanently burned into my brain related to this movie: "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
The Ref
Very underrated film involving Christmas Eve as Dennis Leary, a burglar on the run, who takes a feuding married couple hostage. FYI: Language is rather harsh in this one, so watch at your own risk.
Trading Places
I can't remember if I had seen this film in its entirety until earlier this week, but it definitely lands on the honorable mention list. Quite the hilarious comedy starring Dan Akroyd and Eddie Murphy who have their positions in life reversed by the hands of two callous millionaires.
You've Got Mail
This ended up making my honorable mentions list cause I always end up watching it during the holiday season even though the films entire time line takes place from early autumn to the spring of next year. Sorry, it's a guilty pleasure, but I love how Joe Fox (Hanks) slowly and creatively weaves his online persona with his real life persona to make Kathleen Kelly (Ryan) fall in love with both.
Batman Returns
I remember Christmas themes throughout the film and the obvious winter elements that take place. Not sure how much more I can really mention other than it's fun to watch Michelle Pfeiffer in skin tight vinyl.
Rocky IV
The climatic boxing match takes place on Christmas Day. What more do you want from me? It's a Rocky movie... not much else to mention about it.
If you feel that I've failed to mention a film that deserves to be on this list, please post a reply so I can look forward to watching it next year or kicking myself for forgetting it in the first place.
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This will probably be my last post before January, so I hope you all enjoy spending time with your family and friends. Be safe and don't do anything too stupid that you'll end up regretting it later. At least don't do anything I wouldn't do. Other than that, I wish you all the best and I'll see you in 2007.
Until next time, dear readers.
