I solemnly swear I am wishing you a Merry Christmas It was impossible to pick a single Harry Potter film for this countdown, so IÔÇÖve decided to look at the entire series. What better time of year to sit down and watch the boy who lived and the Gryffindor gang prepare to fight ÔÇÿYou-Know-WhoÔÇÖ? ThereÔÇÖs just that Christmas feeling you get when watching the films … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 24 – ‘Harry Potter’ series
Merry Christmas ya filthy animalÔǪ and a happy new year! Love it or hate it, it cannot be denied that Home Alone has earned its place as one of the most iconic Christmas movies. What sums up Christmas better than watching little Kevin McCallister completely destroying the lives of burglars Marv and Harry? Well, Home Alone 2 of course! Home Alone 2 sees the return … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 23 – ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’
Black MirrorÔÇÖs White Christmas is something of a unique entity in the endless stream of Christmas television. It doesnÔÇÖt fall into any of the usual categories that encompass Christmas┬átelevision; your Love ActuallyÔÇÖs or any other show that makes you feel all warm and giddy on the inside. As a result, you are left with a feeling of dread about what may happen with humanity’s constant … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 22 – ‘Black Mirror’s White Christmas’
ÔÇ£Can I refill your eggnog? Get you something to eat, drive you into the middle of nowhere, and leave you for dead?ÔÇØ National LampoonÔÇÖs Christmas Vacation ÔÇô Making you feel a whole lot better about your impending dry turkey, minor electrical tree fire, and extended family festive chaos! Christmas Vacation is definitely up there as one of my favourites for this time of year because … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 21 – ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’
The movie follows the story of three brothers trying to escape from ParadiseÔǪthe town. This low-key great Christmas-themed comedy crime film is absolutely hilarious, and I am always shocked when I find out that not many people have watched it. The film follows Dave and Alvin Furbo, portrayed by two SNL greats: Jon Lovitz and Dana Carvey, as they trick their older brother Bill, played … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 20 – ‘Trapped in Paradise’
If the perfect amount of adult humour in a very Christmassy, extremely child-friendly, holiday season film is what youÔÇÖre looking for, The Grinch does it the best. TisÔÇÖ the season for Christmas films and no film gets me as excited this time of year as the classic ÔÇÿHow the Grinch Stole Christmas.ÔÇÖ┬á The mean green, furry creature that finds space in his tiny heart for … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 19 – ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’
In the words of Nessa, ÔÇ£OH, OH, OH, Merry ChristmasÔÇØ. This comedic show written by Ruth Jones and James Corden creates the perfect image of Christmas in Wales in comparison to Essex, guaranteeing to make any student studying in Cardiff laugh at their token ÔÇ£Welsh friendÔÇØ. On the other hand, if you are the token ÔÇ£Welsh friendÔÇØ, as relatable as the show may be, you … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 18 – ‘Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special’
ÔÇ£Seeing isnÔÇÖt believing. Believing is seeing.ÔÇØ Arguably one of Tim AllenÔÇÖs films, aside from his recognisable role as Buzz Lightyear, The Santa Clause is truly a 1994 family Christmas classic. It is centred around Neil who, with the help of his young son Charlie and the North PoleÔÇÖs head elf, has to adapt to the biggest promotion of his life, i.e. becoming Santa Clause. After … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 17 – ‘The Santa Clause’
Notting Hill is the quintessential boys meets girl tale, preeminent of all other soppy rom coms it boasts, possibly, the most charming setting and cast to date. Whilst it might not be the first film that springs to the mind during the festive season, for me, itÔÇÖs a dreamy nineties classic that forces that indescribable fuzzy sensation upon you (without the aid of a small … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 16 – ‘Notting Hill’
First aired in 1989, this was not only the first Simpsons Christmas special but The Simpsons‘ first episode ever. It sets up a typical Christmas in the life of the dysfunctional family and begins the trend of what would be a series of eventful Christmases. The story starts with Bart getting a tattoo, which causes Marge to spend all their money on its removal. What … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 14 – ‘Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire’
When you think of Christmas, the last thing that probably comes to mind is a scary movie. But for those of us who may not be the biggest fan of this season, Krampus provides us with a way to feel a little Christmas-y without having ÔÇÿjingle bellsÔÇÖ and soppy love stories shoved in our not-so-festive faces. Krampus is based on an old myth; naughty children … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 13 – ‘Krampus’
My controversial Christmas opinion? The Holiday is better than Love Actually. IÔÇÖm not even sorry about it. The Holiday follows Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, who are lonely at Christmas and decide to swap houses for the holidays. ItÔÇÖs your usual festive rom-com ÔÇô they each find their perfect holiday romance. What makes this better than Love Actually? The stories have time to develop, itÔÇÖs … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 11 – ‘The Holiday’
Nativity is the perfect example of a family Christmas film in my opinion, because it embraces the key magic ingredients which make Christmas such a special time of year as a child. In the wonderful motion picture starring Martin Freeman, we re-learn about friendship, the love from those close to you and bringing joy to the world. Being part of the school Nativity was always … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 10 – ‘Nativity’
I didnÔÇÖt think I couldnÔÇÖt love James McAvoy anymore, until I witnessed the wonder that is Arthur Christmas. With Christmas becoming a military mission, Arthur, the youngest of the Claus clan is one of the few working elves who just wishes for everyone to have a Merry Christmas, away from the hustle and the bustle of modern festivities. Young Arthur tries with all his might … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 9 – ‘Arthur Christmas’
Maybe not the most famous festive film of the season however, guilty pleasures donÔÇÖt always have to be the most well-known or the most acclaimed. The 2006 movie Deck the Halls is one of my top essential viewings of the season because of its endless comic stunts, one-liners and hilarious on-screen chemistry between Mathew Broderick (Steve) and Danny DeVito (Buddy). Or maybe I just love … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 8 – ‘Deck the Halls’
ÔÇ£Will you please tell Santa that instead of presents this year, I just want my family back.ÔÇØ Home Alone is probably the most iconic family Christmas movie I have ever seen. It follows adventures of Kevin McCallister after, by mistake, he is left home alone at Christmas. He faces incredibly incompetent robbers and protects his home while getting to know the neighbour heÔÇÖs always feared. … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 7 – ‘Home Alone’
ÔÇÿWeÔÇÖre Marley and Marley ooooÔÇÖ or is it just me singing along to yet another absolute banger from The Muppets? The season of Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas. Whether youÔÇÖre religious or not, Christmas gives us an opportunity to refresh our lives with peace, joy and forgiveness – a message central to DickensÔÇÖs A Christmas Carol. But just when you thought Dickens … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 6 ‘A Muppets Christmas Carol’
“What is it you want Mary? You want the moon? Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down.” It’s a Wonderful Life is, simply put, essential festive viewing. Frank Capra’s 1946 classic encapsulates true Christmas spirit and goodwill like no other and is bound to warm your cockles on the frostiest of eves. If you don’t know the … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 5 – ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’
ÔÇÿI feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes. Christmas is all around me and so the feeling growsÔÇÖ are the recognisable tones of Bill Nighy in the jolly, heart-warming Christmas classic that is Love Actually. And when I hear this song on TV, I know that Christmas is just around the corner. Love Actually has become a staple of the Christmas … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 4 – ‘Love Actually’
During my time at the Iris Prize Festival I was lucky enough to be able to see a few of the competition winners, which includes ÔÇÿBest British ShortÔÇÖ, and ÔÇÿBest International ShortÔÇÖ, to name a few. We Love Moses Until last yearÔÇÖs astonishing ÔÇÿMoonlightÔÇÖ, it is safe to say that black, gay masculinity was a subject rarely explored in film. At least, not with the … Continue reading IRIS PRIZE SHORT FILM REVIEW: We Love Moses
