The marathon leading up to Christmas has begun, and there is so much to watch. Do you crank out the holiday classics or stream Hallmark? Or, do you avoid the overplayed cheesy Christmas movies altogether? If you are feeling lost by all the options, take a look at my list below. With a wide range of sentiment, consider it an early Christmas gift.
The Holdovers
Make no mistake. Despite its release in 2023, The Holdovers feels fresh out of the 1970s. Director Alexander Payne puts on a rich visual display, utilizing color and warmth to transport audiences back in time.
The story of an insufferable teacher (Paul Giamatti) disliked by his students, The Holdovers explores loneliness during the holiday season and the unexpected company one may find in strangers. For her role as a grieving mother who works in the school’s cafeteria, Da’Vine Joy Randolph received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress award at the Oscars. Industry newcomer Dominic Sessa also stuns as Giamatti’s student who’s left to wallow in boarding school during the break. Uncovering familiar themes such as loss, failure, and love, The Holdovers tugs at the emotions.
Payne is able to weave the stories of these characters together, arousing sympathy for each one. Small gestures of understanding between Sessa’s Angus and the other schoolboys at the start of the film are heartening, while the unlikely bonds showcased in the film make it stick out.
Beautiful cinematography and dialogue that feels realistic– this film is refreshing in a business oversaturated at the moment with remakes and sequels. Give The Holdovers a try, and you may like it so much that you return to it every Christmas.
Little Women
Though not a traditional Christmas film, Little Women conjures the same spirit and awe associated with the holiday season. Set partially in the winter, Greta Gerwig brings Louisa May Alcott’s writing to life in a timeless tale of family and artistry.
With a buzz-worthy cast that includes Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Timothée Chalamet, and Emma Watson, Little Women offers an intimate portrayal of the March sisters as they navigate both the triumphs and the lows of adulthood. Set during the mid-19th-century, issues of patriarchy and misogyny feel ever so relevant.
To me, part of what makes this film so enjoyable is the costumes. The wardrobe for the March sisters reflects each of their personalities and intricacies. Academy Award Winner for Costume designer Jacqueline Durran tells a story using silhouettes, balancing tailored suits and constrictive dresses with more relaxed and loose-fitting frocks.
Like Alcott’s novel, Gerwig’s Little Women is an enduring classic. The perfect watch with family or friends over the holidays, it is sure to enchant.
The Thing
The Thing is a cult-classic science fiction horror film that has become beloved in spite of being overshadowed by Spielberg’s E.T. and criticized for its graphic violence. Set in Antarctica (but shot on freezing sets), this kitschy picture will leave you “frozen” with fear.
Directed by the legendary John Carpenter, researchers stationed in Antarctica must track the source behind a bizarre attack on their lab. Kurt Russell stars as the lead, R.J. MacReady, who must rescue those in the line of danger.
The special effects really define this movie, with outlandish creatures like a Dog-Thing and Spider-Head making an appearance. As the title suggests, the “Thing” is something unidentifiable and interplanetary. Audiences are left to figure out the origins of this mysterious being.
The Thing features screaming matches and guts galore. If you are easily bored by trope-y holiday movies, The Thing will be sure to satisfy.
