10 Non-Traditional Holiday Films

Each of your family members and friends probably have a favorite movie that he or she likes to watch during the holidays. Is it Ralph’s quest for a Red Rider BB gun in A Christmas Story? Or do they enjoy watching George Bailey as he experiences the world as if he never existed in It’s a Wonderful Life? Or is it Elf, which follows Buddy’s transition from life at the North Pole to the “real world?” MCL’s collection contains these holiday favorites, as well as many others that probably don’t immediately come to mind as candidates for holiday season viewing. The more non-traditional route, however, might be just what you're looking for. To get you started, here are ten movies, taking place around the winter holidays:

The Apartment (1960) Unrated

In an effort to work his way up the corporate ladder, C.C. Baxter (Jack Lemon) lends his apartment out to his superiors, including the company’s Personnel Director (Fred MacMurray), for their romantic rendezvous. Baxter’s plans go awry when he falls for the Personnel Director’s girlfriend (Shirley McClain). Directed by Billy Wilder.

La Bûche (1999) Unrated

French screenwriter, Danièle Thompson, makes her directional debut with a touching story about a woman, Yvette (Françoise Fabian), who loses her second husband right before Christmas. Her three daughters from her first marriage attempt to console her during the holiday, which includes inviting their father (Claude Rich) to Christmas dinner.

Christmas in Connecticut (1945) Unrated

Elizabeth Lane (Barbara Stanwyck), a successful food writer for a magazine, is viewed by her readers as the perfect housewife. She finds herself, however, desperately trying to cover up her “never-stepped-foot-in-the-kitchen” secret when her boss (Sydney Greenstreet) and a returning war hero (Dennis Morgan) invite themselves for a traditional Christmas dinner -- at her fabricated Connecticut home with her made up family. Directed by Peter Godfrey.

Desk Set (1957) Rated G

Richard Sumner (Spencer Tracy), an efficiency expert, attempts to computerize a TV network’s reference library. His computers (i.e., “electronic brains”) prove to be no match for the brain of the library's leader, Bunny Watson (Katharine Hepburn). The witty banter and chemistry between Bunny and Richard make the film a classic Hepburn-Tracy romantic comedy. Directed by Walter Lang.

Die Hard (1988) Rated R

New York City policeman, John McClane (Bruce Willis), is looking forward to reuniting with his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) over the holidays. Once he gets to Los Angeles, his holiday plans are put on hold as he takes on the dozen terrorists who have seized his wife’s office building during the company’s holiday party. Directed by John McTiernan.

Edward Scissorhands (1990) Rated PG-13

Tim Burton’s film starts out with a little girl asking, “Where does the snow come from?” That single question spurs her grandmother into telling the story of Edward (Johnny Depp), a man with blades for hands. We learn about Edward’s origins, his effort to adapt to “cookie cutter suburbia,” as well as his integral part in snowy weather.

Eight Crazy Nights (2002) Rated PG-13

In order to avoid going to jail, Davey Stone (Adam Sandler) spends his holiday completing community service as a referee-in-training for a local Youth Basketball League. Life lessons unfold, especially as Davey’s personality clashes with the good-natured, kind-hearted volunteer, Whitely Duvall (also Sandler). Directed by Seth Kearsley.

Home for the Holidays (1995) Rated PG-13

Jodie Foster, the film's director, captures the hilarity and the tension as a family comes together for Thanksgiving festivities. Claudia (Holly Hunter), who already has a lot on her mind as a recently unemployed single mom, is bracing herself for a visit with overbearing parents, a chronically bitter sister, an eccentric aunt, and a mischievous, younger brother.

Pieces of April (2003) Rated PG-13

In an effort to spend time and make amends with her terminally ill mother (Patricia Clarkson), the family outcast, April (Katie Holmes), invites her estranged family to her apartment in New York’s Lower East Side for Thanksgiving. While the family second-guesses their New York City trip, April runs into her own roadblocks while preparing dinner. Directed by Peter Hedges.

Rocky (1976) Rated PG

A little-known boxer, Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) gets the chance of a lifetime to fight for the heavyweight championship. This touching story about love and boxing takes place during the Christmas season, leading up to the big New Year's Day championship match. An inspiring film for an inspiring holiday season. Directed by John G. Avildsen.

These are only ten recommendations to shake up your movie selections for the holidays. What would you include?

-- Anna, Hopewell Branch