As the festive season approaches once again, the typical Christmas films will also make their reappearance, but here, it's time to take a look at five films which may not be commonly associated with the Yuletide season, or may have slipped under the radar altogether...
01. Batman Returns (1992)
PLOT: As Christmas descends on Gotham City, the mysterious Penguin (Danny DeVito) rises from the sewers after apparently saving a baby. As the Penguin becomes a public hero, he finds himself running for mayor. Batman (Micheal Keaton) becomes suspicious and sets out to expose the connection between the Penguin and crooked businessman Max Shreck (Christopher Walken). Meanwhile, Shreck's long-suffering secretary Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) becomes the vengeful Catwoman after being pushed too far...
For those looking for a darker and more surreal kind of Christmas. Tim Burton's second take on Batman may have baffled audiences on its release, but is now picking up the recognition it deserves. The film casts a more cynical eye over the holiday season, with the Penguin's plight allowing for satire on both the media and the business world's attitude to Christmas. Although the villains take the spotlight, Micheal Keaton's subtle and sinister Batman still gets some great moments. Unlike the studio-controlled first film, Burton gets to run wild here, filling the snow-covered Germanic city with nightmarish takes on Christmas clichés, as well as the kind of outcast characters he handles so well.
Uploaded by TheRealMrBravo
02. Terry Pratchett's Hogfather (2006)
PLOT: It is the night before Hogswatch (Christmas) in the magical Discworld, but all is not right. The Hogfather has gone missing, and if belief isn't restored the sun won't rise. To put things right, Death (Voiced by Ian Richardson) takes on the Hogfather's mantle. Meanwhile, his granddaughter Susan (Michelle Dockery) must search for the Hogfather, eventually confronting a crazed assassin (Marc Warren).
Based on Terry Pratchett's subversive Discworld novels, Hogfather has become somewhat forgotten. Made as a two-part TV movie for Sky One, the film does an effective job at translating Pratchett's offbeat humour and characters to the screen, with impressive production values and a supporting cast featuring the likes of David Warner and David Jason. The film also manages to be both celebratory and cynical of the Yuletide season, all done with the subversive Pratchett brand of humour, as well as delivering an affecting theme about the power of belief. Although quite rare and barely repeated, Hogfather is well worth seeking out.
03. Die Hard (1988)
PLOT: New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) goes to Los Angeles' Nakatomi Plaza on Christmas Eve to reconcile with his wife (Bonnie Bedelia). However, during a Christmas party, the office complex is taken over by a group of terrorists led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman). With his wife among the hostages, a lone McClane must use his wits to foil Gruber's plans and free the hostages.
Although released in the summer, lacking many Christmas conventions and being often violent, Die Hard has nevertheless become a festive favourite for many. Although Christmas never truly impacts on the plot, it's always in the background in the form of decorations and sleigh bells in the score. Die Hard also differs from many action movies of its time by presenting a flawed and human hero who ultimately triumphs through his wits and stamina, and like in many other Christmas films, achieves a sort of redemption along the way. Overall, it all results in one of the greatest action films of all time.
Uploaded by cinematictrailers
04. Gremlins (1984)
PLOT: Teenager Billy Peltzer (Zach Gilligan) receives a mysterious Christmas present in the form of a mogwai named 'Gizmo' (Voiced by Howie Mandel). However, after instructions are disobeyed, Gizmo spawns a legion of vicious 'gremlins' that threaten to tear the sleepy town of Kingston Falls apart.
Like Die Hard, Gremlins has established itself as a favourite among those looking for an anti-Christmas film. Gremlins does just that, gleefully subverting festive clichés at every turn with a flair for black comedy. The film evoked controversy on its release, in particular Kate's (Phoebe Cates) anti-Christmas monologue. As a result, the film became one of the first films to influence the PG-13 rating, along with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Uploaded by tuomas87
05. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
PLOT: Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town becomes disillusioned by his own holiday. After discovering Christmas Town, he becomes determined to bring festive cheer to Halloween, but unintentionally creates a disaster that threatens Christmas.
In 1993, Disney executives were so baffled by Henry Selick and Tim Burton's warped animated epic that they released it on their adult branch Touchstone. However, Nightmare went on to become something of a phenomenon, with its distinctive stop-motion animation, all spires and gothic shadows, as well as its classic Danny Elfman soundtrack. Stop-motion lay in the futures of both Selick and Burton: Selick went on to adapt James and the Giant Peach (which briefly re-uses the Jack Skellington model as a dead pirate) and Neil Gaiman's Coraline. Burton went on to direct Corpse Bride over ten years later.
Video uploaded by Pedro Benetone
Happy Christmas!
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
It's a Wonderful Life (1946), Lethal Weapon (1987), Edward Scissorhands (1990),
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), Trapped in Paradise (1994), Elf (2003)
No comments:
Post a Comment