Merry Christmas nerds and nerdettes and welcome to another post by your favorite bearded nerd! As Christmas looms just around the corner, televisionsaround the world are swamped with your typical Christmas time movies. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and all the classics shown five to six times a week. There's some of us, though, that get a little tired of the classics and want something a little more....unconventional. While timeless classics like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story and Home Alone are on my "must watch" list, there are others that aren't considered Christmas movies that I have to make sure to catch in order for it to be a Merry Christmas.
Batman Returns
What better way to start the list than with Batman himself. When you think Christmas movies, Batman doesn't come to mind for most. In Batman Returns, Christmas seems to be the harbinger of evil. The Cobblepot's throw their deformed infant son into the Gotham River, where it floats to the abandoned Gotham Zoo and is found by penguins. After many years of hiding in the sewars, The Penguin makes his appearance. And when does this happen? Christmas time!
Gremlins
There are three rules you must abide by when dealing with Mogwai. Never expose them to bright lights or sunlight, never let them get wet, and never feed them after midnight. Gizmo is a gift to Billy, who tries to follow the rules as best he can. Leave it to your friends for things to go wrong when water is spilled onto Gizmo and five more mogwai spawn off his back. These Mogwai aren't as friendly as Gizmo. They trick Billy into feeding them after midnight, after which they turn into, you guessed it, Gremlins. They wreck havoc on the town, hurting and even KILLING people in humorous ways (the rocket stair lift comes to mind), until none other than Gizmo defeats the Gremlins. So if you have trouble with toys not working correctly or other things go wrong on Christmas day, check every room and under every bed, because there may just be a Gremlin in your house.
Ironman 3
Bet you forgot about this one. Lord knows I've tried. While this film relied a bit more on thriller elements, it didn't lack in action with the huge Iron Fleet battle scene. All of this set on a Christmas time backdrop does bump it onto the list. While Tony deals with PTSD after what occured in The Avengers, it sorta lends to some of the stresses the season can bring on some through the holidays.
Leathal Weapon
I know you didn't think of this one since it's set in sunny California with its palm trees, beaches and babes in bikini's. This buddy-cop classic IS set with a Christmas backdrop. The Murtaugh's home nicely decorated, Christmas tree placed infront of the big picture window. Just in time for a squad car to come crashing into the living room, destroying any decorations in its path. Gives new meaning to "arose such a clatter", huh?
Die Hard
C'mon. Did you honestly think I would leave Die Hard off the list? John McClane, Hans Grubber, Nakatomi Plaza...do I really need to go into this one at all? "Now I have a machine gun. Ho Ho Ho."
And there you have it folks! My unconventional Christmas movie list! What are some of your not-so-Christmas Christmas movies you have to watch? Sound off in the comments section!
