Christmas films (belated)

Ah the season of giving! As a special treat every year I like to sit back and enjoy some of my favourite yuletide cinematical offerings. I detail them now and also add wether they can be enjoyed only at Xmas or anytime of year...

1) Die Hard. Always on my list (that I check twice out of OCD) this film sums up the season as a whole. It has the promise of goodwill and cheer and turns into malevolence and one-liners. Set in LA it also has the bonus of no snow which immediately makes it a film you can enjoy whenever you feel. For me that feeling is as regular as toilet breaks. Many cite this as being one of the first "heroes that bleed" movies - however, that honour goes to Indiana Jones IMO - but you cannot help but feel for McLane as he limps out in the last showdown with blood gushing from everywhere. He looks drained and ready to give up but still smokes 2 bad guys.

2) It's A Wonderful Life. I really shouldn't have to say anything about this film. It is perfect in every way. I blub endlessly as the snow begins falling again and he discovers Zuzu's petals are back in his pocket. In fact I don't think I have ever watched the end of this film without foggy vision but it never ceases to give me the oomph of a feel good classic. Plus as the film is set over different time periods it is also a film to be enjoyed at any time of year although saved for the season is best.

3) Reindeer Games. Known as "Deception" in the UK and thus destroying the analogy (Affleck plays a guy named Rudy) I went into this film for one reason. I have mentioned my love of Affleck movies (Yeah Gigli? So what?) and this film appeared on my list of things I needed to see. As a bonus it was one of Charlize Theron's "get them out" films she made before going legit. So a bunch of hoods get Affleck to plan a robbery and then spend the running time beating him up a lot. The film is dynamite. If you get the chance watch the Directors Cut - IT IS VICIOUS. In one scene the villain Gabriel (Gary Sinise) throws darts at Ben. It's a wince inducing scene in the original cut - the DC features about FIVE more darts and each one going in. This really is a Christmas film. I have watched it outside of the holidays but it loses something. Still worth watching for the anti-christmas vibes.

4) Surviving Christmas. Yep Affleck returns. Won't bang on about this film but it is pretty sweet. James Gandolfini plays a fat hard ass who rents out his family to lonely Affleck who learns the true meaning of Christmas or something. I don't care - it's great for Christmas.

5) Jingle All The Way. As your respect for me dwindles dear reader, I feel I have to say that I watch films for one reason - entertainment. If a film isn't entertaining then I switch it off and I try not to bang on and bitch about it online... much. Jingle All The Way is so much fun you forget you are watching Arnie spectacularly fail at comedy AGAIN!! It just works. Also I have to admit the spirit of Christmas even makes me misty at the end. IT'S TURBO TIME!

6) Scrooged. A given. Bill Murray plays asshole brilliantly. Some may say this is because he is one but he was my hero from the age of 8 so I ignore. Frank Cross is such a bastard he makes Scrooge look like my grandad (who was awesome). The bonus is his redemption is almost forced upon him not by subtle influence but by the harsh reality of his death. Scrooge was almost convinced throughout his journey whereas Frank is constantly fighting it until he is set on fire during his own cremation. Then realising he isn't dead he "changes" for the better. I love watching it and trying to work out if I'm truly convinced in the change.

So this is all a roundabouts way of telling you how I spent my Christmas Day viewing. I watched the following:

1) Phantasm III
2) Phantasm oblIVion
3) Motel Hell

and I started watching Rec but gave up when it got too late.

What is wrong with me?