Ah Christmas, the time of year everyone takes a breather while binging Netflix in a turkey coma. But what can you watch to put you in the holiday spirit? Something classic like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” or “Miracle on 34th Street?” Something family-friendly like “Elf,” or last year’s insta-classic “Christmas Chronicles” (Hellooooo, Hot Santa!)?
Nope! You know we Penguins are pickier than that. Besides, we believe the spirit of the holidays starts only when you toss Hans Gruber off Nakatomi Plaza!
Here’s a rundown of what we’ll be watching during our brief, but cozy holiday this year!
Sid
Every year Sid and his wife binge all three of the Lord of the Rings movies, and while orc blood may not put you in the turkey dinner mood, it’s a family tradition! Another must watch for Sid each year is, and I quote, “‘Home Alone’ where one small child brutally murders two would-be bungling intruders.”
Ah, violence. All the holiday feels!
Julia
Each Christmas Julia settles in with our most traditional pic on the list - for less than traditional reasons: “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Poor Charlie Brown is depressed and not feeling the spirit, ’til his friend Linus teaches us the true meaning of Christmas. He’s quickly cheered up and the Peanuts gang unite to celebrate.
Julia loves this 1965 animated television special because it included the unexpected jazz music!” Yeah!
Lesley
“The Holiday,” a sweet romantic comedy about a Christmas house-swap between stars Cameron Diaz and Kate Wislet leads to love in unexpected places. Lesley is admittedly not a Christmas person, preferring Valentine’s Day and all the unadulterated displays of affection.
“I'm not a huge Christmas person, so I'd never choose “Elf” or “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Nevertheless, Lesley says. “The Holiday is just enough to get me in the spirit without making me gag.”
That’s the spirit, Lesley!
Alisha
“Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang” is an underrated gem of a noir thriller, which revived Robert Downey Jr’s career just before “Iron Man.” It’s definitely not a family movie, but it’s witty, clever, and so well written. Trust me, when you talk about this one you’ll be the one having the cool yule.
Moody
Of course Moody’s favourite is “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” A classic, warning against putting too much pressure on the holidays to be perfect, is a seriously relatable theme. THE speech - you know the one which ends with “Hallelujah. Holy Shit. Where’s the Tylenol?,” could have been written by Moody himself.
End the film singing the Star Spangled Banner with the Griswold's and your holiday mood is set!
That’s a Wrap!
So that’s what we’ll be doing this Christmas, aside from checking in on our clients and picking away at the leftovers. Except Sid, who will be out of town and only available, "if the client's house is burning down and only my sweet graphic designs can fix it, sort of thing."
What’s your family’s favourite holiday film? Do you quote the lines back and forth to each other over the spiked eggnog? Drop us a line and tell us what movie gets your family gathered around the tree, busting a gut, or shedding a tear.