I'd love to see Mark Kermode's Top Ten Beatles Songs - presumably it might contain 10. Stairway to Heaven 9. Jumping Jack Flash 8. Heard It Through the Grapevine 7...etc
Ah, ha-ha! I love it--'The French Connection' is on the list! But it's great to see Bob Clark's 'Black Christmas' put there as well. I agree with 'Santa Claus Conquers the Martians' (the MST3K riff version.) One that's missing? 'Better Off Dead' (1985.) Not a Christmas film, but it has a classic Christmas scene: "I'm sorry your mom blew up, Ricky."
I like the Ref, ..."I've kidnapped my parents." If all you need to qualify is that the movie be set around Christmastime, how about The Odessa File or even Enemy of the State.
Jingle All the Way was obviously written as a critique of consumerism - noone who's paid any attention to the script could deny that. But at some point, it seems to have been passed into the hands of filmmakers who didn't get the critique, and decided to play it straight.
I'm surprised no one brings up Billy Wilder's The Apartment when it comes to Christmas films, it's a terrific piece of cinema, which is set over the holiday period!
+Michael O'Hare I like both but, I would say Forever is better as its dose invole Batman in the plot, in returns he dose so little that you replace him with Spiderman, Superman, Wolverine, Thor, the Flash, the Hulk or Beethoven and it be the same movie.
I'd argue Lethal Weapon is a more deserving spot as a Christmas movie than die hard. I love die hard but I feel Lethal Weapon features more of the same themes featured in a Christmas movie. Family, redemption, new beginnings
Eyes Wide Shut. The Shining. Scarface remake ; cocaine buys lots of gift. Doctor Zhivago. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence. A.I. The Godfather. Mr. Arkadin. Wicker Park. L'Appartement. Twilight saga. The Thing. McCabe and Mrs. Miller.
Oh Mark, you've missed a trick there. The real alternative (and least 'Christmasy') Christmas film is The Proposition. Ray Winstone gives Guy Pearce until Christmas Day to turn his brother in. And [SPOILER] there's a rape, what could be more Christamasy than that?
woh! rare exports looks amazing, ... Jean Pierre Juenet and Marc Caro's The City of Lost Children is the finest alternative christmas movie ever made, its opening creepy multiple Santa nightmare scene alone should secure a spot at the top. If you havent seen it, SEE IT!!! THE CITY OF LOST CHILDREN THE CITY OF LOST CHILDREN THE CITY OF LOST CHILDREN
I think Rare Exports is quite overrated. While the short films may be great, their big screen cousin suffers from some unlikable characters, some hammy acting and mediocre set pieces. Overall, the film is still decent overall, but the short films are far better and the praise for it seems wildly undeserved.
Le père Noel est une ordure, a french comedy, is in my opinion the best alternative Christmas movie of all time, it deals with suicide, murder and it's hillariously absurd.
Child's Play A young boy gets a good guy doll as a Christmas present from his mum during the snowy season. Only his present just so happens to be possessed by a voodoo-worshipping serial killer. Ho ho ho indeed. :P
Sure it won't count as Alternative, but... Muppet Christmas Carol.
The best version of a classic tale.
I'd love to see Mark Kermode's Top Ten Beatles Songs - presumably it might contain
10. Stairway to Heaven
9. Jumping Jack Flash
8. Heard It Through the Grapevine
7...etc
Tokyo Godfathers by Satoshi Kon should be on this list
Lethal Weapon and Bad Santa are great suggestions. Die Hard at number 2 is definitely something i can agree with.
Oh my god ! No Eyes Wide Shut! Love you Kermode. This list was great till #1. But xmon!
Lethal Weapon is a good Christmas film too
trading places!?
Ah, ha-ha! I love it--'The French Connection' is on the list! But it's great to see Bob Clark's 'Black Christmas' put there as well. I agree with 'Santa Claus Conquers the Martians' (the MST3K riff version.) One that's missing? 'Better Off Dead' (1985.) Not a Christmas film, but it has a classic Christmas scene: "I'm sorry your mom blew up, Ricky."
Wow, calling some of these a "Christmas movie" is quite a stretch. It's like calling "The Longest Day" a beach movie.
I like the Ref, ..."I've kidnapped my parents." If all you need to qualify is that the movie be set around Christmastime, how about The Odessa File or even Enemy of the State.
Comfort and Joy...my must see every year!
Terry Pratchett's "Hogfather" should be in there. That was just so well done.
Jingle All the Way was obviously written as a critique of consumerism - noone who's paid any attention to the script could deny that. But at some point, it seems to have been passed into the hands of filmmakers who didn't get the critique, and decided to play it straight.
For me, it's 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'.
Loved Comfort & Joy. Bill Forsyth's film's are criminally overlooked. Really hard to find them on British TV for example
I really do have to get round to seeing Brazil, I panicked when he almost spoiled it.
I'm surprised no one brings up Billy Wilder's The Apartment when it comes to Christmas films, it's a terrific piece of cinema, which is set over the holiday period!
Totally agree, its a masterpiece and dark and alternative...big sophisticated adult themes in there too...
Batman returns
Rewatched it recently and it sucks, hard. Evey bit as bad as batman forever.
+Michael O'Hare I like both but, I would say Forever is better as its dose invole Batman in the plot, in returns he dose so little that you replace him with Spiderman, Superman, Wolverine, Thor, the Flash, the Hulk or Beethoven and it be the same movie.
I watched its a wonderful life. Right up to the last scene i was not getting why its so loved. Then i cried. Oh thats why.
The Apartment
Where's Gremlins.... I adore that movie. It's like the best B monster movie ever masquerading as a Christmas film.
John Water's Female Trouble.
That "ho ho ho" at the beginning was scary as hell.
I'd argue Lethal Weapon is a more deserving spot as a Christmas movie than die hard. I love die hard but I feel Lethal Weapon features more of the same themes featured in a Christmas movie. Family, redemption, new beginnings
Bad Santa??
The City of Lost Children......... people you need this in your Christmas
My favourite alternative Christmas movie is Eyes Wide Shut.
Yes! Thank you. :)
Perhaps you'll consider including 'Carol' next year.
Tragedy of Joyce Vincent gave us good movie and best album of 2015.
A Very Merry Christmas and Happy Yuletide upon you all :)
The Wild Geese.
@kermodeandmayo you might not know this Mark but recently Cate Blanchett named that as one of her favourite movies, Rare Exports, Mark.
Perfect
Catch me if you can and L.A. Confidential are my favourite alternative christmas films.
Three Days of the Condor?
Great list Mark, and a happy Christmas to you! Edward Scissorhands? Or is that too mainstream?
Rare Exports was great but I was disappointed by the ending - you always blow up the bomb.
leathel weapon must have place in this list
Glad Die Hard was in :)
Particularly fond of the Hogfather
Yes Bad Santa is up there, Mark was wearing his tinsel tinted glasses during this review
love mr kermode brazil and love and death two of my favourite movies ever, tho hate the exocist and mary poppins., we might get on
Eyes Wide Shut. The Shining. Scarface remake ; cocaine buys lots of gift. Doctor Zhivago. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence. A.I. The Godfather. Mr. Arkadin. Wicker Park. L'Appartement. Twilight saga. The Thing. McCabe and Mrs. Miller.
The finale of The Proposition takes place on Christmas Day. Would that count?
Bit surprised The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo didn't make this list.
@PompamooseMagique Totally forgot about that one.... classic flick!
Brazil! Eff yeah!
jingle all the way should have been way higher but glad to see it in!
L.A. confidential, Bloody Christmas.
Trading Places - Eddie and Dan on top form......never realised that it is also a Christmas film amongst other things
Oh Mark, you've missed a trick there. The real alternative (and least 'Christmasy') Christmas film is The Proposition. Ray Winstone gives Guy Pearce until Christmas Day to turn his brother in. And [SPOILER] there's a rape, what could be more Christamasy than that?
woh! rare exports looks amazing, ... Jean Pierre Juenet and Marc Caro's The City of Lost Children is the finest alternative christmas movie ever made, its opening creepy multiple Santa nightmare scene alone should secure a spot at the top. If you havent seen it, SEE IT!!!
THE CITY OF LOST CHILDREN
THE CITY OF LOST CHILDREN
THE CITY OF LOST CHILDREN
Resident evil 4 remake looking fire
Jingle all the way is awesome
There is only one - Bad Santa!
I think Rare Exports is quite overrated. While the short films may be great, their big screen cousin suffers from some unlikable characters, some hammy acting and mediocre set pieces. Overall, the film is still decent overall, but the short films are far better and the praise for it seems wildly undeserved.
Le père Noel est une ordure, a french comedy, is in my opinion the best alternative Christmas movie of all time, it deals with suicide, murder and it's hillariously absurd.
No Lethal Weapon??? Riggs buying coke and getting a free Christmas tree? Jingle Bell Rock? "What day is it boy?" "It's god damn Christmas!!!" Come on!
@NorthSea0il ...was set during Thanksgiving. Not Xmas.
my christmas movies are scrooged, bad santa and the ref
Jingle all the Way is a classic 90's film!.
Would have been nice to see the Dutch comedy horror film "Sint" (Saint) mentioned.
What about the french horror Inside (À l'intérieur). Set on Christmas Eve, pregnant lady and lots of red!
Planes, trains and automobiles:)
I was going to declare you insane if you didn't include Die Hard.
Wake in fright was a good Christmas film
@NorthSea0il Its about Thanksgiving, not Christmas.
EYES WIDE SHUT!!!
@Gadget3440 Haha, yes, awesome Christmas movie.
Eyes Wide Shut.
bad santa is by far the best christmas movie.
Mean Girls. Three words: Jingle Bell Rocks.
@Reilavac Damn! I thought of that, then saw your comment. Beat me.
The Godfather takes place during Christmas at the beginning....
What about Silent Night Deadly Night?
What about it happened on 5th avenue (1949)
Go by Doug Liman
Where was Bad Santa?
The Hunt?
Child's Play
A young boy gets a good guy doll as a Christmas present from his mum during the snowy season. Only his present just so happens to be possessed by a voodoo-worshipping serial killer. Ho ho ho indeed. :P
Trading Places!
Batman Returns
Silent Partner, 1978
Where has he spoken about Gremlins?
Nice list, but it needs Batman Returns
Wake in Fright
In Bruges
Batman Returns?
you should* always blow up the bomb.
Edward Scissorhands!
The Silent Partner 1978
trains planes and automobiles
ok...
No Gremlins? O.o
SCROOGED?
Bad Santa
Trading Places
Batman Returns
Nightmare Before Christmas
Long Kiss Goodnight
L A Confidential
Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo. Makioka Sisters.
L.A Confidential!
@StabStabStabStabby Not an alternative x-mas movie.