13 is what I managed. I did not nail the challenge, but I had fun trying! The Christmas Eve viewing of The Muppet Christmas Carol was a highlight. Any other film challenges I could have fun failing at?
13 is what I managed. I did not nail the challenge, but I had fun trying! The Christmas Eve viewing of The Muppet Christmas Carol was a highlight. Any other film challenges I could have fun failing at?
#13 Jingle All The Way. Arnie is a physical comedy genius. I’ll fight anyone who says otherwise. A chaos of a film, the sound effects, the slapstick, the sheer minutes without any dialogue at all. Dated in parts, but it still holds up. Film:7/10, Arnie’s crazy-eyes 9/10.
#13 Jingle All The Way. Arnie is a physical comedy genius. I’ll fight anyone who says otherwise. A chaos of a film, the sound effects, the slapstick, the sheer minutes without any dialogue at all. Dated in parts, but it still holds up. Film:7/10, Arnie’s crazy-eyes 9/10.
#12 The Muppet Christmas Carol. Watched on Disney+ rather than unearthing the VHS player. I missed the heartbreaking ‘Love is Gone’ scene, but maybe it’s for the best, as I’m not sobbing into my tea. Iconic, effortless, witty. Film: 9/10. “Light the lamp, not the rat!”: 10/10
#12 The Muppet Christmas Carol. Watched on Disney+ rather than unearthing the VHS player. I missed the heartbreaking ‘Love is Gone’ scene, but maybe it’s for the best, as I’m not sobbing into my tea. Iconic, effortless, witty. Film: 9/10. “Light the lamp, not the rat!”: 10/10
#11 Home Alone. Basically a perfect film. The rich Christmas colours, the capers, it’s still SO good. Felt a renewed appreciation for the score, so artfully contributing to the suspense and comedy. Film:9.5/10, Marv’s scream with the spider on his face:10/10
#11 Home Alone. Basically a perfect film. The rich Christmas colours, the capers, it’s still SO good. Felt a renewed appreciation for the score, so artfully contributing to the suspense and comedy. Film:9.5/10, Marv’s scream with the spider on his face:10/10
#10 Noelle. An easy watch that stayed on track, with full focus on Christmas silliness. A novel take on the ‘accidental Santa’ trope, Kendrick is always watchable, and I’m relieved it steered clear of any romance. Film: 6/10, Shirley MacLaine doing the minimum to the max: 8/10.
#10 Noelle. An easy watch that stayed on track, with full focus on Christmas silliness. A novel take on the ‘accidental Santa’ trope, Kendrick is always watchable, and I’m relieved it steered clear of any romance. Film: 6/10, Shirley MacLaine doing the minimum to the max: 8/10.
#9 Deck The Halls. Equal parts bonkers and gross, but somehow still watchable. The warring dads are perfectly infuriating, DeVito nails it (of course!) Second shout out to Kristin Chenoweth for shining bright. Film: 5/10, Absolute ridiculousness and lack of actual story: 10/10.
#9 Deck The Halls. Equal parts bonkers and gross, but somehow still watchable. The warring dads are perfectly infuriating, DeVito nails it (of course!) Second shout out to Kristin Chenoweth for shining bright. Film: 5/10, Absolute ridiculousness and lack of actual story: 10/10.
#8 Miracle on 34th Street (1994) The soft hazy cinematography of the 90’s, Attenborough’s undeniable performance, it’s all wholesome nostalgia. Comforting, familiar, hella John Hughs’y, in the nicest way. Film: 8/10. Precocious child: 8/10. Elizabeth Perkins’ hair: 10/10.
#8 Miracle on 34th Street (1994) The soft hazy cinematography of the 90’s, Attenborough’s undeniable performance, it’s all wholesome nostalgia. Comforting, familiar, hella John Hughs’y, in the nicest way. Film: 8/10. Precocious child: 8/10. Elizabeth Perkins’ hair: 10/10.
#7 Our Little Secret.
I’m a Lohan apologist, but this was a stretch. Solid performance from LL, but the rom-com couple had no Christmas chemistry, making it hard to get invested. Kristin Chenoweth as the mean mum was a fun quirk. Film 5/10. Totally unnecessary drug moment: 7/10.
#7 Our Little Secret.
I’m a Lohan apologist, but this was a stretch. Solid performance from LL, but the rom-com couple had no Christmas chemistry, making it hard to get invested. Kristin Chenoweth as the mean mum was a fun quirk. Film 5/10. Totally unnecessary drug moment: 7/10.
#6 Scrooged. I’d forgotten how delightfully chaotic and shouty this late 80’s reimagining of A Christmas Carol is. Bill Murray is crazy like a fox. Visceral, bizarre, worthy of the rewatch. Film: 7/10, Murray’s mercurial acting: 8/10, that last Fa La La La Laaa: 10/10.
#6 Scrooged. I’d forgotten how delightfully chaotic and shouty this late 80’s reimagining of A Christmas Carol is. Bill Murray is crazy like a fox. Visceral, bizarre, worthy of the rewatch. Film: 7/10, Murray’s mercurial acting: 8/10, that last Fa La La La Laaa: 10/10.
#5 Krampus. Rated 15 lest it be mistaken for a festive film. At best you’ll be left bemused, maybe a bit scared of gingerbread men. The cast (Toni Colette, Adam Scott) raised my hopes too high. B-movie without any bite. (Apart from where someone is literally bitten). Film: 2/10.
#5 Krampus. Rated 15 lest it be mistaken for a festive film. At best you’ll be left bemused, maybe a bit scared of gingerbread men. The cast (Toni Colette, Adam Scott) raised my hopes too high. B-movie without any bite. (Apart from where someone is literally bitten). Film: 2/10.
#4 Nativity.
Always a pleasure. Grumpy schoolteacher has heart melted by adorable school kids? Will they pull off the show, against all odds? It’s a Christmas film, you know the answer. Standout moment: Herod. Film: 7/10. Watching with 11,10 & 6 year old who sing along: 10/10
#4 Nativity.
Always a pleasure. Grumpy schoolteacher has heart melted by adorable school kids? Will they pull off the show, against all odds? It’s a Christmas film, you know the answer. Standout moment: Herod. Film: 7/10. Watching with 11,10 & 6 year old who sing along: 10/10
#3 Hot Frosty
The cast looked decent (Charlie & Pontiac Bandit from B99, Ms Fetch from Mean Girls). Santa, please give me my 92mins back? The Snowman was creepy, and I think the moral of the story was that a lady had a magic scarf? Hard to know. Film 2/10, film title -1°/100
#3 Hot Frosty
The cast looked decent (Charlie & Pontiac Bandit from B99, Ms Fetch from Mean Girls). Santa, please give me my 92mins back? The Snowman was creepy, and I think the moral of the story was that a lady had a magic scarf? Hard to know. Film 2/10, film title -1°/100
#2 Meet Me Next Christmas.
Meet cute? Netflix budget meets Hallmark, more like! Christina Milian is cool, Pentatonix are all over it. An easy watch, sweet at times and it felt pleasingly modern. The film and Milian look glossy & Christmassy. Film 5/10. Hallmarkflix-ness 10/10.
#2 Meet Me Next Christmas.
Meet cute? Netflix budget meets Hallmark, more like! Christina Milian is cool, Pentatonix are all over it. An easy watch, sweet at times and it felt pleasingly modern. The film and Milian look glossy & Christmassy. Film 5/10. Hallmarkflix-ness 10/10.
#1 Red One.
Surprisingly decent. Started slow, but the combo of big budget, big stars and comfortable storyline made it an inoffensive & festive watch. Hench Santa ftw! ODEON seats insanely comfy, usher told a guy off for using his phone. Film: 6/10. Seats 10/10. Usher 11/10.
#1 Red One.
Surprisingly decent. Started slow, but the combo of big budget, big stars and comfortable storyline made it an inoffensive & festive watch. Hench Santa ftw! ODEON seats insanely comfy, usher told a guy off for using his phone. Film: 6/10. Seats 10/10. Usher 11/10.