Alternative Christmas Movies
Not all Christmas movies ooze warm sentiment. When the glitz, sparkle and pressure to be all happy-clappy get too much, check out these seasonal alternatives.
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION (1989)
Certainly not the most politically correct but definitely one of the funniest Christmas movies, Christmas Vacation still generates laughs no matter how many times you’ve seen it. Chevy Chase wants the perfect family Christmas but his kids, in-laws and random family members have other ideas. When things get too stressy chez-toi, put it on and reassure yourself about how perfectly normal your own family is.
PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES (1987)
John Candy and Steve Martin are on top form in this classic comedy. They’re enemies trapped together in a car trying to get home for the holidays. When the seasonal traffic or general travel woes get too much, take a break and watch this. Even the most disastrous journey you’ve ever had doesn’t hold a candle to what this pair endure.
DIE HARD (1988)
Is it or isn’t it a Christmas movie? What is a Christmas movie anyway? If you find yourself pondering these weighty philosophical issues over the festive season, put your feet up and simply enjoy a semi-clad Bruce Willis saving an office Christmas party from terrorists. It might lack traditional seasonal schmaltz, or even much subtlety for that matter, but it will make your home seem like a haven of calm and tranquillity in comparison
TRADING PLACES (1983)
Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy put in brilliant performances in this adaptation of the Mark Twain novel The Prince and the Pauper. The plot is pretty straight forward - Eddie is poor, Dan is rich and they trade places, with the festive season forming a backdrop. A classic that never ages.
BAD SANTA (2003)
One for the grown-ups. Billy Bob Thornton plays the Santa you never want your kids to know about. He breaks every rule in the book and then some. When the tinsel gets tedious and the baubles get boring, tuck any kids safely into bed, pour a nice glass of wine and enjoy.
LETHAL WEAPON (1987)
It starts with Jingle Bell Rock and ends with I’ll be home for Christmas, so if Die Hard makes the list why not Lethal Weapon. The original of the series, it’s definitely the best. Mel Gibson plays a suicidal maverick cop who’s lost his wife. Danny Glover plays his partner. It’s action packed and highly entertaining.