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Gremlins, 1984 - A gadget salesman, looking for a special gift for his son Billy (Zach Gilligan), finds one at a mysterious store in Chinatown. The shopkeeper is reluctant to sell the creature (known as a mogwai) but agrees with the warnings to never expose him to bright light, water, or to feed him after midnight. However, when Billy inadvertently breaks all three important rules, he unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small, suburban town on Christmas Eve.
Though certainly a more darker Christmas tale (there are actually some semi-graphic scenes for a family movie), Gremlins remains one of the best alternative Christmas movies to date and embodies everything that was great about 80's cinema.
Though certainly a more darker Christmas tale (there are actually some semi-graphic scenes for a family movie), Gremlins remains one of the best alternative Christmas movies to date and embodies everything that was great about 80's cinema.
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A Very Murray Christmas, 2015 - Netflix has hit a home run in the form of A Very Murray Christmas and it's exactly what you would imagine. In the form of a modern day variety show, starring the legendary Bill Murray (as himself) and directed by Sofia Coppola, Bill Murray worries no one will show up to his TV show due to a terrible snow-storm in New York City. However, along side an all-star cast of cameos, his friends are willing to try cheer him up and prepare him for the show. Miley Cyrus, George Clooney, Amy Poehler and Michael Cera are just a few of the names we meet along the way in this beautifully shot, refreshing Christmas treat.
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I needn't review the film myself - it's a classic we all know and love. To this day, I still love the songs and it remains one of the most the perfect Christmas films.
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If you're tired of soppy Christmas films and you're looking for an alternative to the traditional Santa films, this could be a holiday perennial for you. Being Finnish, it's wonderfully shot and artistic although it may be rather strange or too dark for some. Weird kids and fans of World Cinema will love it.
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If you haven't seen it already, what have you been doing? Bruce Willis is at his finest in one of the best action narratives to date.
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It's a classic tale, made all the better by The Muppets. As hilarious as it is warming, I still believe this to be one of the greatest Christmas films of all time.
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It really is as cheesy as it sounds, complete with CGI gingerbread and toys that come to life but there are also some fantastic examples of horror in this narrative along with a surprisingly good cast. Not necessarily for the faint hearted but ideal for horror fans.
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For my family, this has always been a classic which we watch every year without fail. Of course, by now, we all know what's coming and the same jokes heard a million times but it's slapstick, sometimes dry and awkward humour never fails to amuse. Chevy Chase shines as a father who just wants the perfect Christmas but awful family members, evil bosses and wildlife are sure to disturb the peace.
So that's it for my Christmas film list this year. Of course, there are so many more I could have included. What are your all time favourite Christmas movies? Do you have a film that you watch every year? As always, I love reading your comments so please do leave them below.
Merry Christmas everyone! Until next time movie lovers,