holiday movies

My zaftig girlfriend and I were discussing holiday movies Saturday night, partly due to having just watched Love Actually, which took place during the 3 weeks before Christmas. She wanted to know my favorite holiday movie and I said Lethal Weapon followed up by Die Hard. She informed me that those weren't "real" holiday movies and she said hers is A Christmas Carol, one of the older versions but I don't recall which one. Can you say nudnik?

I really like Groundhog Day also and I've seen it on a few holiday movie lists but I don't get it. It's not at Christmas, it's obviously on Groundhog Day.

In case you're wondering why I think Lethal Weapon and Die Hard are holiday movies, it's because both take place during the week of Christmas and both include references to the holiday in multiple places in the movie. In fact Jingle Bell Rock is the music that opens Lethal Weapon. Oh, and as we all now know, Mel is really, really into Christmas. Not so much Hanukkah though. BTW, that's December 15-23 this year.

Going back to Groundhog Day, I can see in a way how some would include it in a holiday list. To my mind it's thematically a remake of It's a Wonderful Life except that Groundhog Day doesn't suck. I know everyone is supposed to like that schlocky classic but the economics in it really are stupid and any movie that sentimental about some bum that can't run a Savings and Loan just isn't my cup of tea.

Think about it. The bad guy has this big bank that nobody likes and nice guy James Stewart everybody loves. So why is Stewart's bank on the verge of failing? If he gave low interest rates on his mortgage loans people would come flocking. Since they're not, obviously he's making high interest loans so people only come to him if they can't get a loan at the bad guy's bank--which must have low interest rates which is why it's big.

So who would come to Jimmy Stewart? The high risk people that frequently default. With customers like that, Stewart would have to charge high rates which in turn would keep away low risk customers. On the other hand, most likely Frank Capra just didn't know much about how a business is run when he made the film and my criticism is beside the point. That's just meshugas. If you want to see the 30 second bunny version of the film, go here.

Speaking of tea, does anyone else put Triple Sec in their tea? It adds a very nice bright orange taste. If I add enough of it I can even ignore Capra's bad economics. Maybe.

Comments

Reel Fanatic said…
Die Hard is definitely a Christmas movie, but two more I see just about every year are A Christmas Story and that Muppet Christmas Carol
Jean-Luc Picard said…
It was all Mr Potter's fault in 'It's a Wonderful Life.

Your g/f is probably referring to the Alistair Sim version made in the 1940's. There's never been a better one.

Michele sent me here.
Anonymous said…
I'd take Die Hard and Lethal Weapon over "It's a wonderful life." I just don't like that movie because I think he is spineless but hubby makes me watch it every year. We watched Chevy Chase in "Christmas Vacation" friday. One of my favorites. I also have to watch the original Grinch, Rudolph and Charlie Brown Christmas!
Anonymous said…
Ironically, It's A Wonderful Life is my favourite Christmas movie!! Closely followed by White Christmas (notice a b&w theme here?!)
Dak-Ind said…
I watch it's a wonderufl life every year, its a tradition. I never really thought about whether i liked it or not.

My favorite Christmas movie is the original Miracle on 34th street, with Natalie Wood. Second on the list is Bell, Book and Candle, with Kim Novak (and Jimmy Stewart).
Dak-Ind said…
did i mention michele sent me?
Jean-Luc Picard said…
Deja vu; I was here earlier today from Michele.
srp said…
My absolute favorite Christmas movie is "The Christmas Story".... The lamp shaped like a leg and the poor kid that gets his tongue stuck on the flag pole... it is purely a 1950's film.... so I relate. It is hysterically funny.

My favorite Christmas special on TV.... hands down "A Charlie Brown Christmas".. I cry every time.

Here from Michele this time.....
Ding.... the oven is ready for the fifth and last Potica Bread of the weekend.
kenju said…
I am not wild about Christmas movies, but I seem to see It's a Wonderful Life every year.

Triple sec? I haven't had it. What does bright orange taste like? Do you mean it tastes like oranges or it tastes like the color orange? LOL

Michele sent me tonight!
utenzi said…
That's my girlfriend's second favorite movie, Roxanne. I don't like that one either, I'm afraid. I'm just a scrooge!
kenju said…
I forgot: my all time favorite is "Emmett Otter's Jugtown Christmas". It was on HBO years ago and I wish I could see it every year.
carmilevy said…
Couldn't agree more re. IAWL. Old movies are so unrealistic in their storylines that I often find myself monitoring m blood pressure when I'm forced to watch them.

Give me Groundhog Day anyway.

Mel Gibson? Not so much, for obvious reasons. It'll be a frosty day in a hot place before I find myself consuming one of his movies.
utenzi said…
Yeah, it's a little hard not to take him personally. Given how many Jewish people are in Hollywood I can't understand how he can work there. The guy's to the point of being irrational and beyond.
Anonymous said…
Michele sent me. BTW: Thanks for the tutorial on putting an icon in my URL

Mike
longspider said…
But he does make good movies... regardless of his antics, which I in no way defend or agree with.

Thanks for the economics lesson, btw! (hehe) I have seen both LW an DH on holiday movie lists, by the way.

I loved Love Actually...
Thanks for the visit! :)
Anonymous said…
Right on with Lethal Weapon and Die Hard. I would add Gremlins. And Trading Places to the list.
utenzi said…
Trading Places is a natural. I never thought of it.
Michelle said…
What! No National Lampoons Christmas Vacation? Tsk tsk tsk!
David Edward said…
great post. groundhog day is the consumate bill murray movie. it rocks in so many ways.
IAWL makes me cry, and crying in the winter can freeze your face, so I rty to watch it indoors.
here from CRAZY michele
Anonymous said…
Way to pee on Christmas (movies) ;).
Love the new banner.

Hi from Michele's.
Anonymous said…
Here from Michele's!

Believe it or not, I have never seen IAWL.. And I never have thought I was "missing" anything....

Gimme John McClain anyday... Yippee Kay-ay, mutha.... ;)

Drop by for a slice soon!
Olyal said…
Adam Sandler made a Channukah cartoon a few years ago... I think it was called 8 crazy nights... check it out for a giggle.

Missed you too.
Anonymous said…
We watch A Christmas Story. I crack up everytime that kid gets his tongue stuck to the pole.

I have never watched A Wonderful Life. Am I the only person who has not seen it?

I never thought of triple sec in tea....YUM! Great in coffee, also.
srp said…
You're bored again aren't you Dave! The moving header.... I get dizzy very easily sometimes. Just wasn't prepared for it.
Anonymous said…
The header animated. You do the darndest things with your template.

Popular posts from this blog

Nitroflex at home

flea!

ankles: the sequel