2017 - Holmiensis 4

K u l t u r & N ö j e
Best Anti-Christmas - Bad Santa (2003) Best Comedy - Elf (2003)
This movie is perfect for those of you lacking Christmas cheer,
or who simply feel a bit tired of the constant Christmas music
and hunt for gifts. Bad Santa follows the alcoholic conman
Willie (Billy Bob Thornton) who together with a friend pose
as a mall Santa and elf in order to rob department stores, but
problems arise when Willie befriends a troubled boy who
brings out a new side in him.
Best Swedish - Sagan om Karl-Bertil Jonssons
julafton (1975)
Karl-Bertil Jonsson is shown every year on Christmas Eve, and
is watched by millions. It is, I dare say, the best Swedish Christmas
movie of all time. For those of you who have not seen it,
the animated movie centers around an upper class teenage boy
in Stockholm who decides to give back to the poor, only what
he gives away is not actually owned by him.
Best Musical - White Christmas (1954)
An oldie but a goodie, White Christmas centers around two
sets of entertainers, the sisters Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and
Judy (Vera-Ellen), and the war veterans Bob (Bing Crosby) and
Phil (Danny Kaye), as they attempt to help save the Vermont
based inn of Bob’s and Phil’s WW2 commander by putting on
the show of a lifetime.
Best Animated - The Polar Express (2004)
A great movie based on Chris Van Allsburg’s children’s book,
The Polar Express is about a boy who has lost his faith in Santa
and, along with other children, is picked up in a train heading
to the North Pole. Tom Hanks supplies no less than five of the
voices in this tale about believing in the magic of Christmas.
Best Costume Design- The Grinch (2000)
The Grinch is a funny, heartwarming and altogether excellent
movie with a great costume and production design which
earned it several awards. The story, based on the tale by Dr.
Seuss, follows the adorable Cindy Lou Who as she attempts
to include the reclusive Grinch ( Jim Carrey) in the Christmas
festivities in Whoville. However, her plan backfires when the
Grinch instead decides to ruin Christmas for everyone in town.
This is my own favourite Christmas movie, and if you have not
yet, watch it!
Few could honestly oppose the choice of Elf as the funniest
Christmas movie ever made. As a human raised as an elf at the
North Pole, Buddy (Will Ferrell) shows us the harsh realities of
life when he goes to New York in search of his biological father.
This hilarious comedy perfectly manages to show us the love
and laughter that exist around us, if we only open our eyes.
Best Santa - The Santa Clause (1994)
A modern (read: 80’s) comedy about a divorced father (Tim
Allen) reluctantly becoming Santa. The Santa Clause has a
modern twist on Santa, with some elves flying around with
jetpacks, yet the movie manages to preserve the magic of
Christmas. However, it will leave you wondering whether or
not you are okay with having a killer as Santa. It is suitable for
children, I promise.
Best Indie - Carol (2015)
A very recent movie, Carol is about two women who meet
during Christmas time in 1950’s New York. The chemistry
between Carol (Cate Blanchett) and Therese (Rooney Mara)
is palpable, but problems arise for the two when their love is
found out. Lesbian stories are seldom told in movies, and this
one is 94% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Definitely worthy of two
hours of your time!
Best Black & White - It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Having earned six Academy Award nominations, and being
listed as number 11 on the American Film Institute’s 100
Greatest American Movies Of All Time, there is no doubt that
It’s A Wonderful Life is an excellent movie, arguably the best
one on this list. The movie begins with a desolate husband and
father called George ( Jimmy Stewart) contemplating suicide,
but luckily his guardian angel is there to help him see all the
good he has accomplished during his life.
Best Romantic Comedy - Love actually (2003)
The best Christmas romantic comedy, and for some, simply the
best romantic comedy. A big cast almost entirely made up of
big Hollywood names, such as Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley,
Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, and the list goes on and on.
Love Actually has several intertwined stories about different
kinds of love in London, including a storyline about the British
Prime Minister, and another about an old washed-up rock
musician making a comeback.
29