Posts Tagged ‘John Cusack’

CFAC – Day 18: Serendipity

serendipity_1

Today is when people will be at their final ebb, the final midweek meltdown away from the big day. Christmas is so close, but the working week is no nearer finishing than it was starting, and caught between these two, one does not know whether to celebrate or fear that tomorrow is just another, boring day – and worse still, a fucking Thursday. Today, you need a Christmas miracle.

 

Serendipity (2001)

Pete Chelsom, 90 mins

Some of you may groan at this choice, but by gum is this not one of my favourite films of all time. Yes, my relationship with this masterpiece developed in  much the same manner as a victim develops Stockholm syndrome, but the result is the same – familiarise yourself with this film several times over a 24 hour time period, and perhaps you too can share with me in this joy. The basic premise is fate, and love. This is a fantastic film for so many reasons. Firstly, it’s John Cusacks finest performance in a Romantic Comedy for a role in which he is phoning it in. Secondly, it’s a wedding film that doesn’t make you want to throw up – something which even the fantastic Bridesmaid’s struggles to do (for different reasons – if you’ve seen it, then maybe you’d understand). Finally,  it is probably the only feature film to prominently features a Shenai. A mother flipping shenai – a man’s greatest weapon – and yet every man’s Achilles heel. This film is as close to perfection as you can get.

Fine, you want something else? Maybe you don’t believe in fate, maybe you believe in what can be found in our alternative film

 

The Bishop’s Wife (1947)

Henry Koster, 109 mins

Cary Grant stars in this peculiar film that reeks of being old. The always charming Grant plays an angel sent by God to earn his wings at Christmas time, and to do this he must prove his worth by helping people – or does he? With some religious undertones, it’s quite a fascinating juxtaposition which forces religion against itself in a manner that many might find more provoking than a film which is just about an angel sent to help on Christmas – something which wouldn’t be done now for various reasons. It isn’t particularly funny or engrossing, and wastes Grant’s talents, failing to include a moment where he can raise an eyebrow with such magnificence, but regardless, it’s something new to watch that may keep you entertained and make you believe in the miracle of humanity once more.

CFAC Day 2: Die Hard

Nanu Advent Day 2

So the first Sunday of the month, and you are a bit Christmassed out from the . After all, it's only really getting started, and you don't want to blow your load to soon. It's too early to go Christmas shopping, but you still wanna watch a good, solid Sunday night film. I have the perfect thing for you.

Die Hard (1988)

John McTiernan, 131 mins

Unlike yesterday's effort, this title creeps into the top ten of Christmas film lists for other reasons. Sure, it's a great film. It's a film you can watch any Sunday, of any year. It won't age. It's a timeless action flick that defined Bruce Willis' career for 20 years, and cemented his role as the action star of our hearts – and what's more, it's the best time he's played that role. But it's in every list as the Christmas film that people always remember being a Christmas film when people say what's your favourite Christmas film, but actually really isn't a Christmas film. You know? That's why I wanted to get it out of the way early, so people would stop chatting about Die Hard being the greatest Christmas film – it isn't, but it's ideal for this time of the year. Watch it now so that when people talk about it as the best Christmas film for the rest of December, it'll be fresh in your mind and you'll sound the expert.

Here we see some critical analysis of the film, back when it was released on vhs:

I don't know why you are still reading this, you know already from the moment I said Die Hard that you want to go see it, so treat yourself – I guarantee you've not seen it nearly recently enough, even if the last time you saw it was last night. It's

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cold outside – do yourself a favour and go watch this film. It's over two hours long and it never feels like it for a second.

Okay, so you've already seen Die Hard, literally this morning, twice, and you don't fancy watching it for the third time today. I can understand entirely – but you still need the kind of Sunday night film that everyone can enjoy? Fine, give this alternative film a try…

The Ice Harvest (2005)

Harold Ramis, 95 mins

The Ice Harvest

John Cusack as you've not seen him before. Look out for him later in the month

John Cusack turns up later in our advent calendar for perhaps one of my favourite Christmas films, but this one is often forgotten – and in many minds, completely unknown.

Set on Christmas eve, it's about a crime on the night before the big day, and it is debatable if this has more right to be a Christmas film, but at least it doesn't skimp on strippers, violence or fun. It's no Die Hard – but then what is? Die Hard. Watch Die Hard already. Even Die Hard 2 struggles to come close to Die Hard. Watch Mother Fucking Die Hard – then watch this. You done that yet? Yes. Good.

Merry Christmas.

Editor's Note: It just so happens that the excellent Cry Baby Comedy will be hosting a Die Hard event for Christmas this coming Friday 7th December at the Banshee Labyrinth. Comedy and Die Hard on a big screen with an audience too – cracking night, go check it out!

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