Is DIE HARD a Christmas Movie?

[pepharytheworm]

So is Batman Returns, Edward Scissorhands, Trading Places, and Better Off Dead christmas movies?

My statement still stands. Just because it takes place during Christmas doesn't make it a christmas movie. Now that I work at FYE I can back my statement even more. All Christmas movies get stored in the back till christmas time, then go back back to the stock room after. Guess what, Die Hard stays on the sales floor all year round.

[Jrecee]

The term 'christmas movie' is completely debatable. You'd have to first define exactly what a christmas movie is and have set terms for it before you can decide whether something is or isn't one.

[jeffro11]

Yippie kay yay mother fucker!

Hell yeah it is!

[Hobie-wan]

Aww, no A Christmas Story?

[SpaceBooger]

Just because it takes place during Christmas doesn't make it a christmas movie.

I disagree and found part of an article to support my statement (kinda) and prove that in Batman Returns, Christmas plays a major role in the motivation of a villain:

"Christmas saturates the film. However, Batman Returns manages to provide surprisingly critical commentary of not only the commercial, mass-produced consumerist aspects of the holiday, but also its representation in the media. At the opening, we are introduced to Max Shreck, 'Gotham's own Santa Claus', a wealthy industrialist played with a callous, yet charismatic slimyness by Christopher Walken. As he throws out presents and 'brings joy to the masses', it becomes clear that this is a wonderfully satirical exaggeration of America's own idolisation of 20th century industrialists. It's a cynical outlook, but Shreck's roots in real-world institutions are undeniable, as his empire includes a department store (channelling Macy's, Marshall Field's), and he addresses the crowds in Gotham Plaza, a monstrosity that recalls the Rockefeller Centre with a healthy dose of cocaine." denofgeek.com

Aww, no A Christmas Story?

My 9th grade Language Arts teacher was in the movie as an extra in the mall scene (the movie was filmed in Cleveland) so we had to dissect it and write about each scene as if it was a classic novel.
That assignment ruined the movie for me... and then the next year that same teacher change positions and became the 10th grade Language Arts teacher. We had to do the "Christmas Story" assignment again... bah humbug.

[noiseredux]

of course it is. Pfft.

[Niode]

Die Hard is as much a Christmas movie as The Great Escape is. It's just one of those films that everybody watches at Christmas. I also watch it at other times in the year because it's just so awesome.

My favourite Christmas movie is Edward Scissorhands though. I fucking love that movie, I love the soundtrack as well. Then I follow it up with Beetlejuice and then Batman and Batman Returns.

[tangent]
A couple of weeks ago I cooked a big roast pork joint, slow cooked for about 6 hours with my own recipe glazing and rub, it was gorgeous, it just fell apart when carving it, so tender. I did the whole shebang. Roast tatties, yorkshire puddings, roast parsnips, home made apple sauce, carrot & swede mash, real gravy. I shared it with my housemates, popped the Edward Scissorhands soundtrack on whilst it was snowing buckets outside. Followed by some mulled wine afterwards. Best thing ever.
[/tangent]

[noiseredux]

hold me, Niode.

[fastbilly1]

Its an enjoyable movie, that is all that matters.

This debate is kinda like one I have had numerous times about Its a Wonderful Life. Part of it takes place at Christmas, but out of the 130 minutes, its only something like 27 minutes. The other 100ish take place throughout his life. So is it a Christmas movie when only part of it takes part during that time?

[Hobie-wan]

My 9th grade Language Arts teacher was in the movie as an extra in the mall scene (the movie was filmed in Cleveland) so we had to dissect it and write about each scene as if it was a classic novel.
That assignment ruined the movie for me... and then the next year that same teacher change positions and became the 10th grade Language Arts teacher. We had to do the "Christmas Story" assignment again... bah humbug.

Doh that sucks, but is understandable. That's the one Christmas movie that I could watch every year and still enjoy. I hate Christmas music because of working retail at various times and hearing the same 10-15 songs on repeat all day for a solid month each year.