JJ’s Five Favorites

Non-Traditional Christmas Movies

Each year, my wife and I enjoy the light of the Christmas tree, maybe watch a little snow fall outside and settle in for a few evenings of watching holiday classics. Of course we watch Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas and a whole collection of other yule time favorites…but we also have a few non-traditional favorites. Movies that feature Christmas as a setting but don’t always find themselves on everyone’s December watch-list.

So here are my Top Five, in no particular order, favorite non-traditional Christmas movies.

KISS KISS BANG BANG

A quirky mystery-comedy from the guy who brought you Lethal Weapon. This Christmas time caper (Shane Black sets all of his movies at Christmas time) is a lot of fun. Robert Downey Jr is the main character and shares some stellar chemistry with Val Kilmer. Set in Hollywood and this movie is equal parts comedy, action, murder mystery and old school detective. Worth a watch!

OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY

This comedy is exact what you think. It takes place at an office Christmas party. Set in a trendy tech company in a high rise in Chicago, things get crazier and crazier as the night goes on. Jason Bateman plays the perfect straight-man to the chaos that ensues around him. I bet this movie was a lot of fun to make because it shines as an annual December must-watch.

GREMLINS

The scariest movie I was able to watch over and over as a child. Little monsters terrorize a small town on Christmas. Joe Dante directed the perfect horror-comedy. What doesn’t work in this movie? Nothing! The score by Jerry Goldsmith is a mixture of classic holiday music and mad cap zaniness. The puppetry makes the mogwai and gremlins look alive. I won’t lie…I still watch this one with the lights on. Great performances (Mr. Futterman, played by Dick Miller is a personal favorite) from the entire cast. This is just a great movie that will give you the holiday chills.

DIE HARD

Yep. This is a Christmas movie. Nakatomi Tower is under siege and only Bruce Willis at the beginning of his movie career can save the day! If you haven’t seen this one in a few years, stream it TONIGHT! The action is inventive and great, the humor is awesome and you can see how this movie set the stage for dozens of other action flicks in years to come.

TRADING PLACES

Some of the biggest names of the 80s – Eddie Murphy, Dan Ackroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis – all star in this screwball comedy of the have’s and have not’s. I have never been more interested in citrus in my entire life. Order a pizza, grab a beer and enjoy this awesome watch. I am constantly surprised at the number of people who have never seen this gem!