Quick Thoughts – Christmas Classics

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They just don’t make ’em like they used to.

Gremlins (1984)

June 8th, 1984 saw the release of one of the greatest movies ever; a comedy-horror classic that’s had an indelible impact on pop culture.  Naturally, I’m taking about Ghost Busters, but Gremlins was released on the same day, and is a very strong effort in its own right, not to mention it has one of the best title sequences ever thanks to Darlene Love.

Written by Chris Columbus (who we’ll come back to shortly) and directed by Joe Dante (who I’ve praised before), Gremlins is another one of those 80s movies that you couldn’t do today.  Sure, everybody loves a cuddly little hero, but can you imagine the audience reaction to the 3 Rules (“Uh, they don’t make any sense; nitpick, nitpick, nitpick!”)?  Or imagine how much action schlock they’d pack in since the Mogwai/Gremlins would be CGI (and probably look terrible)?  Or how awful the comedy would be?

Gremlins works because the comedic elements and serious elements are in good balance, because it uses animatronic creatures which allows the actors to give more natural performances, and because we know who’s good, who’s bad, and what their motivations are.

Also, Jonathan Banks (aka “Mike” from Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul) is the Sheriff’s Deputy.

Rating: ★★★★½

 

Home Alone (1990)

It’s amazing how much your experience of a movie can change over time.

I’ve always enjoyed Home Alone.  I remember myself and a couple other guys would play Home Alone during preschool fun time or whatever (don’t ask me how it worked, my memory isn’t that good).  When you’re a child and you watch Home Alone, you totally want to enjoy the run of the house like Kevin McCallister, not to mention take down some burglars with some sweet booby traps.

Now that I’m older, I appreciate the sentimental moments a lot more.  I mean, what kid can really appreciate the Old Man Marley subplot?  But, as a mature adult, it gets me all emotional.

Written by John Hughes (who wrote way more movies than he directed) and directed by Chris Columbus (remember him?),  Home Alone is simply a wonderful family comedy that also uses violent slapstick to full effect, and is best enjoyed while eating some plain cheese pizza.

If you haven’t seen it, what are you waiting for, ya filthy animal!?

Rating: ★★★★½

 

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

I hear a lot of people dismiss this movie as saccharine schmaltz.

That was my impression as well, until I actually went to see it.

There’s no doubt that It’s a Wonderful Life is an emotional film designed to tug at your heartstrings, but what makes it so successful in that regard is that it’s not afraid to get real, and to go places most movies wouldn’t go.  I mean, how many “family movies” made today would ever show a main character preparing to kill himself?  My guess is not too many.

Sure, I can understand someone seeing the end of It’s a Wonderful Life out of context and thinking it’s way over the top, but when you’ve been there for two hours and experienced the depth of the story, and the sacrifice involved in George Bailey’s life, my friends, that is an ending well earned.

So, please, do yourself a favor and give this movie another chance next Christmastime.

Rating: ★★★★½

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Brendan Jones

I like movies and talking about movies, so here I am.