Let me tell you, here at the Library we love some unconventional films, especially those in the Adult Services Department. Instead of just discussing among ourselves, I thought I'd share some of the ones that I love to recommend with you. The films below use the winter season as a vehicle to express all of the feelings that the winter and Christmas express, whether positive or otherwise, and use that as a background to set the tone of the story.
A Christmas Tale (Un conte de Noël) (2008)
Junon is the matriarch of the troubled Vuillard family who come together at Christmas after she learns she needs a bone marrow transplant from a blood relative. The Vuillard's shared history of physical and mental illness, estrangement, self-harm, and loss doesn't lend itself to the idea of a cheerful holiday season. Given this base-line story, the film is quirky, funny, and gorgeously shot with an amusing cast of characters. In French with English subtitles.
Place a hold on the DVD or Blu-ray
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
In this darkly comic gem, it's Christmas Eve in northern Finland and an archeological dig has just unearthed Santa Claus--but this Santa isn't one you want coming to town. When local children begin disappearing, Pietari and his father capture the mythological being and attempt to sell Santa to the corporation sponsoring the dig. This film is probably the most child-friendly (older child) and is a truly original, charming movie. In Finnish with English subtitles.
"Rare Exports is a rather brilliant lump of coal for your stocking hung by the fireside with care." - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Place a hold on the DVD or Blu-ray
Black Christmas (2019)
I was dubious when I heard a few years ago that there was a remake of Black Christmas, as the original is a true horror royalty and why can we possibly polish a precious stone any further? Luckily for us, the director and write Sophie Takal has made a memorable and feminist version of the original. Takal made the wise decision to not make a carbon copy of the original, but molded a story with the #metoo era in mind. It's a cold, blood-boiling revenge film that takes place during Christmas break at a sorority on a college campus.
Kisses (2008)
Two older children, Dylan and Kylie, run away from home at Christmas and take a wild romp filled with magic, excitement and uncertainty on the streets of inner-city Dublin. It this quirky film is about class in Ireland, freedom, young love, and Bob Dylan!
This film was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the Film Independent Spirit Award and was the Official Selection at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Batman Returns (2005)
Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Christopher Walken, need I say more? Taking place during Christmas in Gotham city, we yet again meet Batman, along with Catwoman and the Penguin, all set again the Tim Burton interpretation of Gotham during Christmastime. Family-friendly.
Place a hold on the DVD or Blu-ray
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Dr. William Harford (Tom Cruise), a New Yorker who plunges one fateful winter night during Christmastime into an erotic foray that threatens his marriage that may ensnare him in a lurid murder mystery after his wife's (Nicole Kidman) admission of certain personal proclivities. Director Stanley Kubrick captures the true spirit of the holidays, including everyone's favorites, family dysfunction and unspoken secrets.
Place a hold on the DVD or Blu-ray
A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
This movie is made up of interwoven stories that take place on Christmas Eve, as told by the narration of a festive radio host, William Shatner. The stories include one family who brings home more than a Christmas tree; a student documentary becomes a living nightmare; a Christmas spirit terrorizes, and Santa who slays evil. It's one of the most original Christmas movies that I've seen in a long time, truly creative and fun.
Place a hold on the DVD or Blu-ray
Tangerine (2015)
It's Christmas Eve in Tinseltown and Sin-Dee is back on the block. Upon hearing that her pimp boyfriend hasn't been faithful during the 28 days she was locked up, she and her best friend, Alexandra, embark on a mission to get to the bottom of the scandalous rumor. Their rip-roaring odyssey leads them through various subcultures of Los Angeles and is a truly zany movie with a lot of heart.
Place a hold on the DVD or Blu-Ray
The Sopranos: To Save Us All From Satan's Power (Season 3, Episode 10)
Not a movie, but it's up there in the annals of just great, completely original viewing. Though there are a few episodes throughout the series set among the background of the winter holidays, I'd say that this definitely could be called The Soprano's unofficial Christmas episode, and season three is chock-full of famous episodes, including Pine Barrens and Amour Fou. To Save Us All From Satan's Power truly conjures the spirit of the season: family, the darkness and cold made warm by sparkly lights, traffic and stress. The Sopranos does need to be watched in sequential order, but if you've seen this series and wish to dip back in for the holiday season, I highly recommend getting back into it (the show and the season) with this episode.
Place a hold on the DVD Box Set
The Thing (1982)
Place a hold on the DVD or Blu-ray
In the winter of 1982, a 12-man research team at a remote Antarctic research station discovers an alien buried in the snow for over 100,000 years. Once unfrozen, the form-changing alien wreaks havoc and creates terror while taking on the appearance of those it kills. John Carpenter's The Thing truly captures coldest of cold winters and conjures up those January through March Chicago feelings. It's also a truly fabulous, innovative, edge-of-your-seat movie starring Kurt Russell.