Tis the season to settle down in front of the TV binging on the choccies! Here are some of our favourite Christmas movies – how many of these would be on your list?
Love Actually
It is finally cold and wet enough for us to come home, close the curtains without feeling guilty and begin the process of watching our favourite Christmas movies. Everybody has their favourites but for me, it has to be Love Actually, this movie easily takes top place as the most humble British Christmas film ever.
The incredible line up featuring some of best actors in the UK, old and new is a fantastic reminder of how small the British movie scene actually was, its nice to see them all coming together for this wonderful and cheesy Christmas movie, before they parted ways after being scooped up by Hollywood. You as the viewer find yourself tied in to one of the ten love stories told throughout, and as the movie unravels, find them all connected in some way to each of the others, whilst also quietly singing along to every song you hear.
And whilst some of the stories may be a little cringeworthy you put all this to the side, curl up with your favourite Christmas snacks and embrace all of it whilst questioning how these characters afford these properties in the middle of London… Whilst the ending may be considered a little TOO cheesy it really does capture the essence of a British family Christmas, and why it should be spent with your loved ones.
Its probably worth noting there is a small 15 minute follow-up movie featuring the same actors as a sort of update that was released a few years ago too!
Author: Garrett, Plymouth store
Bad Santa
If you’ve got young children it may be difficult to get away from all the kid’s films this Christmas. They seem to be on repeat at all hours of the day. But what if you they’ve all gone to bed ready for the arrival of Old Saint Nick, and you want something to watch and just relax to. Then stick the comically brilliant Bad Santa on and you won’t be disappointed.
Headlined by Billy Bob Thornton, Bad Santa follows the lives and adventures of two would be thieves who get jobs as Santa Claus and an Elf at Christmas in large department stores, with the sole intention of robbing the place when everyone goes home. The relationship between these two is fractious but hilarious at the same time. It not all about laughs though as Willie, Thornton’s character, goes through some personal issues that result in him drinking heavily. That is, until we see the introduction of Thurman Murman, a bullied young kid who lives in a big house with his Grandmother. He takes on somewhat of a father figure role for the troubled kid and the film takes a different turn. Sure there’s still plenty of quirky comedy but as this main relationship blossoms, it gives a heart warming feel alongside the outrageously good comedy. Its definitely worth the watch if you haven’t seen it before, and if you have, just watch it again.
Author: Bradley, Plymouth store
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Nightmare Before Christmas is a quirky animated movie directed by Tim Burton that comfortably straddles the time between October and December, mashing up monstrous creatures with Santa and his elves. The residents of a town populated by monsters decide it is time for a change, and this Christmas thing can’t be too hard right? It’s accompanied by an excellent Danny Elfman soundtrack that will have you singing the songs for days after. A classic seasonal movie to be enjoyed for the last three months of the year on repeat.
Author: Ben, Brighton store
Santa With Muscles
How many times have you looked at yourself in the mirror and thought “I wish there was a film where Hulk Hogan plays an evil multimillionaire but then gets amnesia whilst wearing a Santa suit and thinks he’s Santa”? I imagine it is more than you would care to admit right now but fortunately for you Santa with Muscles exists and is equal measures laughably awful and awfully laughable.
I get that bad films aren’t everyones cup of tea but if you’ve watched every other film this holiday season then at least give this “so bad its good” film a try if only for the fact that you can laugh at the fact that one day in the past Hulk Hogan was pushed to be the next big movie star.
Author: Hal, Plymouth store
Home Alone
Home Alone has long been considered a Christmas staple, with their beautiful home and snow on the ground it’s something we all long for during the festive season. The film starts with the all too familiar chaotic family household preparing to take a Christmas vacation, but due to some incredibly poor parenting a young Macauley Culkin as Kevin McCallister who finds him self waking up alone, having been left behind. He doesn’t have long to enjoy having the house to himself before having to put the fun put on hold when two opportune thieves, Harry and Marv take an interest in his “empty” house. The would-be thieves are put though their paces in a medley of what seems to be torture and near death experience’s as the young Kevin sets out to defend his home.
As a young child I watched this film and laughed as they are hit with bricks, lead pipes and shot with nail guns. In hindsight I feel that the young Kevin McCallister would likely be facing some serious repercussions for his actions. But none of that takes anything away from this fantastic Christmas classic – nothing quite says welcome to December like hearing the horrendous British weather outside whilst wrapped up on the sofa having a brew. Plus there are sequels as well if you’re thirsty for more (personally though I’d suggest avoiding the other 3 films…).
Author: Garrett, Plymouth store
Die Hard
If you enjoy meaningful character development, great action and the best Alan Rickman reaction known to mankind then Die Hard is the film for you. A staff Christmas party is interrupted violently by terrorists (led by Rickman) and it’s up to John McClane (Bruce Willis) to stop them. What follows is over two hours of action, thrills and “Ho ho ho”, and as the saying goes, it’s not Christmas until I see Hans Gruber fall from Nakatomi Plaza.
Author: Ben, Brighton store
Santa Conquers the Martians
Another instant holiday hit Santa Conquers the Martians is the kind of B-Movie you can only wish was a real thing, and before you cast doubt on what exactly this film could be its exactly the kind of thing you’d expect from a mid sixties B-Movie that tells the story of a rigid martian society driving a wedge between the elders and children of the planet…but also its about Santa.
Starring such things as a weird looking polar bear, a giant killer robot (made out of cardboard), extremely well spoken martians and more campy dialogue and editing then an entire season of the original Batman TV show this is a film that will warm the cockles of your heart and remind you what Christmas is all about.
Author: Hal, Plymouth store
Die Hard With A Vengeance
Following the Die Hard series throughout the 90’s was an absolute joy. The trials and tribulations of one John McClane, portrayed by a much younger Bruce Willis, were synonymous with the action film genre during that time and we couldn’t get enough. Especially the undoubted best film of the quintet, Die Hard with a Vengeance. Now it wasn’t just the full throttle nature of its action sequences that made me love it. We were introduced to new characters out for revenge like Simon Gruber, the brother of one of McClane’s previous victims Hans Gruber, and the streetwise resourceful Zeus Carver, played by another Hollywood A-lister in Samuel L. Jackson. A major part of the story line, alongside all the action and explosions, is how the relationship between McClane and Carver blossoms throughout the film. You’re rooting for both throughout and it just helps the story play out. Its not all bomb threats and revenge, it’s a brilliant storyline and one you can watch over and over again.
Now is Die Hard with a Vengeance really a Christmas film? It’s been debated for years but in my mind it couldn’t be clearer. Of course it is! I know the the 3rd film of the Die Hard franchise isn’t set around Christmas like the first two, but that doesn’t matter one single bit! A film doesn’t have to be about Christmas to be a Christmas film; it just has to have that feel about it. You can guarantee during the holiday season Die Hard With A Vengeance will be on at some point, so just sit back and prepare to be entertained by the film for the 100th time.
Author: Bradley, Plymouth store
