Last week I recommended some seasonal viewing and this week I have some more options for ya. Happy Holidays!
This was my faaaaaaavorite movie when it came out and made Tim Burton my first favorite director. That was nice while it lasted. I still think this is a movie, even as its depiction of isolation and being unable to connect without hurting others feels less mind-blowingly-original now than it did when I was 12. To the best of my knowledge, this was well before Johnny Depp turned into an IRL monster, too.
A Garfield Christmas Special
I mean…you know what you’re getting into, here. I was a huge Garfield fan as a kid. Still have a letter Jim Davis sent me when I was 7 or so on what was, at the point, the most exciting day of my life. I enjoy watching old Garfield specials from time to time. If you do too, here ya go.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Speaking of childhood favorites, here’s an especially timely classic. I mean the cartoon version with Boris Karloff and awesome songs, not that live action abomination, obvs.
(Hold the Grinches who voted for the #GOPTaxScam accountable.)
I’m not saying it’s a great movie, I’m definitely not saying it’s an unproblematic movie, and I’m not even saying I exactly like it. I am saying it’s a really weird movie and that always leads to some interesting conversations. Worth seeing at least once if you’ve never sat through the whole thing.
Or, just watch the Beverly Hills, 90210 take on this holiday classic. I’ve watched that a bunch more times than I’ve watched this, tbqh.
Tangerine
I’d forgotten this is a Christmas movie. Good excuse to watch it again. It’s also reminding me that I need to see The Florida Project.
I think what this list is teaching us is that Tim Burton is mostly good for Christmas movies.
Pee Wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special
I mean…obviously.
Guest stars include: Frankie Avalon, Whoopi Goldberg, Joan Rivers, Charo, Del Rubio Triplets, Annette Funicello, Magic Johnson, Dinah Shore, Grace Jones, Oprah Winfrey, k.d. lang, Little Richard, and Zsa Zsa Gabor.
The Star Wars Holiday Special
It wouldn’t be December if I wasn’t rewatching this and pedantically explaining that technically it’s a Thanksgiving special. Pretty psyched about this relatively high quality YouTube stream!
Speaking of guest stars:
HAPPY LIFE DAY, EVERYBODY!!!!
