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Last Christmas

If there is one genre that does well during the holidays, it’s a romantic comedy. A movie with drama, jokes and romance: a feel good movie to watch with the entire family. Last Christmas is one of these - slightly cliche - movies, but with a good sense of putting things into perspective. The movie tells the story of the life of the unhappy Kate, who works a dead end job as an elf at a Christmas shop that sells ornaments all year round. One day while at work she meets Tom, and of course, this is not love at first sight. However, they happen to keep running into each other, almost as if London was a village. Accompanied by the music of George Michael (yes, you’ve read that in the title), this movie has a good balance of drama, humor, feel-good vibes and humanity to get through the December months.

 

What: Last Christmas

Who: Director Paul Feig, Actors Emilia Clarke, Henry Golding & Emma Thompson

Where: Filmhallen, Pathé

 

Let it Snow

In 2008 the book ‘Let it Snow’ was published, a bundle of stories about teens during the most magical time of the year, Christmas. The book was received with open arms and Netflix decided to make a movie about it. According to many critics, the cast and the decor of the movie are very fitting and corresponding with the book. The storylines are a bit different than in the book, but in my opinion they work really well as the switching between the different storylines make for a good amount of suspense. For movies it’s often hard to be better than the book it is based on, but this feelgood, drama and amusing movie does a good job. Check it out for yourself!

 

What: Let it Snow

Who: Director Luke Snellin, Actors Isabela Merced, Smakeik Moore, Kiernan Shipka

Where: Netflix

 

Frozen II

The success of the first Frozen movie seemed hard to beat with, however this sequel, Frozen II, seems to do it. The storylines are richer, dialogues are better and the animation even better than first movie in 2013. One thing that was in my opinion hard to beat, was the theme song ‘Let it go’. In my mind I couldn’t see how they would make a song that would become more of a hit than ‘Let it go’, however they did quite a good job on that aspect as well. ‘Into the Unknown’, the theme song of the sequel, might not be a hit song like the first one, but it still works. Even though the movie might be seen as a lesser version of the first one, just to keep the success going, it seems to be the case that it actually turned out well. 

 

What: Frozen II

Who: Directors Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee, Actors Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad

Where: A lot of cinemas such as Pathé, Ketelhuis, Kriterion, etc.

 

Klaus 

This movie feels like a classic Christmas movie from the first time you watch it. The hand-drawn way of animation resembles the way of animation from the past and gives you a familiar feeling. Next to that the story has all the ingredients for a Christmas classic. The story has a fitting Christmas message as well, as the two main characters handyman Klaus and student Jesper, bring love and joy to their village. As they do good deeds without interest, they hope to inspire others by doing so as well. This animation Christmas movie is truly a feelgood movie to watch on these gloomy winter days!

 

What: Klaus

Who: Directors Sergio Pablos & Carlos Martinez Lopez, Actors: Rachida Jones, Jason Schwartzman, Joan Cusack

 

Classics 

Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001)

When Bridget Jones is in her 30’s, she realizes she hasn’t reached much in her life. She smokes too much, thinks she’s overweight and has been single her whole life. She decides to change her life and writes everything in her journal. Put on your ugliest Christmas sweater and drool away while watching Hugh Grant in his most arrogant but charming way. 

 

Director: Sharon Maguire

Actors: Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant 

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Love Actually (2003)

If this isn’t a Christmas classic I don’t know what movie is. This movie follows several Londoners during Christmastime. Watch all their (love) stories coming together and in the end, if you haven’t already, you will probably want to put your Christmas tree up and decorate your house with Christmas lights. 

 

Director: Richard Curtis

Actors: Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley

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Home Alone (1990)

Eight years old Kevin accidentally gets left behind in his house, when his whole family goes on a holiday. When he realizes he’s home alone, soon he learns how to take care of himself. He has to protect himself from two burglars who are planning on breaking into his house. 

Can’t get enough of this movie? Luckily, there are in total five Home Alone movies, so gather your friends, crawl under your blankets and hold a Home Alone marathon together to prepare yourself for Christmas. 

 

Director: Chris Columbus

Actors: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern

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Elf (2003)

Because he’s accidently taken by Santa Claus, Buddy is raised by elves on the North pole. When he’s older, he realizes he’s different then the other elves and finds out he is actually human instead of an elf. So, he decides to leave the North pole and visits his real father in New York. This movie is all about love and being good to one another, so if this movie doesn’t make you feel the Christmas spirit, I don’t know what does.

 

Director: Jon Favreau

Actors: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart