The Christmas season is yet again upon us. Hell, it's here. I LOVE Christmas so you can count that I'll be doing my damnedest to get you into the spirit of things with a little humor, a little education, and a little heart. And maybe a little vulgarity...but I think that comes standard when you're in the Cave.
So without further adieu comes our first Christmas themed article of the year. The best Christmas movies that aren't Christmas movies!
Well, what does this mean, you ask? Go ahead, ask...I'll wait.
Over the years there have been plenty of movies that place their setting in, on, or during Christmas. Most of these movies ARE Christmas movies. Meaning that they're ABOUT Christmas.
But some aren't...and yet some are but aren't. This is a list about those movies. This list is about five movies that I absolutely consider Christmas movies but aren't solely Christmas movies. Can I plug the word Christmas or what (it's because I refuse to say Happy Holidays - typing it isn't the same as saying it)? All of the following movies I make a point to watch during the month of December because the sense of Christmas is wrapped up so tightly within the plot that you can practically feel the Christmas Spirit dripping off the DVD. You'll soon see what I mean. The only rule about this list is that I decided it wasn't about the quality of the movie overall (even though that had to have a factor) but about how much Christmas is crammed into the darn thing. I had to be able to think of the movie and think Christmas.
And no, the Nightmare Before Christmas is NOT on this list...what can I say, I've watched it a few times and I'm not a fan.
5. Batman Returns
This movie oozes Christmas. From the color palette that was chosen for the film to the constant snowy conditions to even the beginning of the movie where a bunch of circus freaks explode out of a giant present only to attack the Gothamites in the square that are there to celebrate the giant Christmas tree lighting! Hell, the lighting of said tree is a major plot point in the film. Christmas is referenced multiple times, presents are bought for different characters, and there's even a romantic fireside date that takes place between Bruce and Selina (Batman and Catwoman for the uninitiated). There's also a very adult touch of the loneliness that the holidays can bring to people as a theme for both Bruce and Selina who have no families and/or significant others to spend them with. Even the score sometimes sounds like it could be for a Christmas movie, albeit a CREEPY Christmas movie. One almost has to question why this flick was released in June when it so clearly could and should have been released in December or even during the Thanksgiving weekend of that year. Eh, chock it up as typical Warner Bros. doing the best job they can to lose their job's.
4. Gremlins
First off, if you've never seen the original Gremlins, please do so. Great flick. Another prime example of how the 80's didn't talk down to an entire generation. I mean, it's basically a family themed comedy-horror movie with some really adult sequences, dialogue, and moments of true tension. Highly recommend this.
As a Christmas movie, well if you watched the above clip you can see how much Christmas is involved with the movie and the storyline. Even the song in that video opens up the actual movie. Gizmo is a Christmas gift from father to son! I repeat, the Mogwai who spawns an entire population of Gremlins is a Christmas present! Hence, Gremlins is a Christmas movie, like it or not. Also, it contains the worst Christmas story ever told:
3. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
It's unfortunate that the above trailer really gives you nothing to work with when thinking about Kiss Kiss Bang Bang as a Christmas movie. But it is, it really is. Why? Because we've now entered into the world of Shane Black. The above was his first directorial effort but one of many great movies he's written and at least FOUR of these movies (all action flicks) take place during Christmas. One more of his movie's is on this list, in fact. But you'll have to wait to find out which one it is - or you could just scroll down like you already started to...damn you. Anyhoo...Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a brilliant movie just as is. But I can't even think about it without thinking Christmas. There is so much Christmas imagery and music in the movie that it's become a symbiotic relationship, great movie = Christmas. Check it out, you won't be sorry.
2. Die Hard
Ah, Die Hard...the best action movie ever made. Also a Christmas movie. Not one second is the viewer NOT aware that the events of the flick are taking place on Christmas Eve. If it weren't for the first movie on this list, I think Die Hard would've been the action flick that so solidified the idea of bullets, bumps and bruises, and blood as a natural, positive part of the holiday season! I feel bad about myself if I miss out on watching Die Hard during the month of December. Sure, I watch it plenty of times during the rest of the year, but it's just not the same! In fact, most non-Christmas movie lists list Die Hard as number one. But I'm sorry, there is another movie that takes the cake for me.
1. Lethal Weapon
Again we have a trailer that doesn't really do the Christmas theme justice. But I trust that most of you have seen the original Lethal Weapon (and if you haven't, do not speak to me until you do). This movie is injected with so much Christmas material it's insane. Obviously the flick takes place during Christmas, but you've got Christmas music all over the place (including the opening), Christmas decorations galore, characters giving gifts to each other, referencing Christmas multiple times, and there is even a clip from A Christmas Carol at the very end that get's machine gunned to death. The movie ends with Murtaugh fixing one of the Christmas light bulbs around his house for Heavens sakes! Like all of the movies on this list I can't even think about Lethal Weapon without thinking of Christmas. The sequel, Lethal Weapon might actually be the best in the series (IMO), if it weren't for the fact that the original also has the Christmas Spirit working for it, which Lethal Weapon 2 sadly, does not. In so many ways you can see this movie as an adrenaline-fueled Christmas adventure where Riggs and Murtaugh are giving drug dealers the gift of justice! What's not to love about that?
What day is it Gary Busey?
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