Jonathan Moeller, Pulp Writer

The books of Jonathan Moeller

film reviews

Christmas movies

I got to watch some Christmas movies.

I do think DIE HARD qualifies as a Christmas movie, since it’s essentially about a man repairing his relationship with his estranged wife at Christmas.

Granted, traditionally Christmas gifts for a spouse are things like jewelry, watches, perhaps expensive trips, but is not total victory over all her enemies also an excellent Christmas gift for a wife?

After all, as Conan the Barbarian said, what is best in life is to crush one’s enemies and see them driven before you, and what better gift than what is best in life? šŸ™‚

Now to be a bit less tongue-in-cheek, A CHRISTMAS CAROL has been adapted into movie form many times.

My favorite version is the George C. Scott one. Scott doesn’t play pre-redemption Scrooge as a cackling supervillain, but a hard man who had been hardened further by the world. He’s also quite funny in a deadpan sort of way.

However, I think the best film version is A MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL with Michael Caine as Scrooge. It’s surprisingly faithful to the book, and it works because Caine plays it totally straight with an understated Scrooge, much like George C. Scott. The songs are also very good.

And if anyone was ever born to play Bob Crachitt, it was Kermit the Frog. šŸ™‚

-JM

4 thoughts on “Christmas movies

  • Joachim

    Our favorite is: Christmas vacation with Chevy Chase

    Reply
    • Jonathan Moeller

      I watched that as well. Anyone who’s ever hosted a big family Christmas will relate. šŸ™‚

      Reply
  • I actively detest Christmas. It makes me feel absolutely rubbish with the stress and drama that always seems to accompany it, not to mention the pulling out of hair when you’re trying to figure out what to get people!

    That said there are four films I will watch without feeling like I need to vomit from the fake Christmas cheer, and the Muppet Christmas carols is one of them.

    Reply
    • Jonathan Moeller

      That does seem to be a common reaction. “I can’t stand Christmas…but Muppet Christmas Carol, that’s all right.” šŸ™‚

      Reply

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