KOOKY CLASSICS

Offbeat holiday flicks we love

A Christmas Carol. Miracle on 34th Street. It’s a Wonderful Life. Even Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Most people probably consider these their holiday movie choices. A few more modern ones may join in (A Christmas Story, Elf ), but these classics remain the perennial favourites, bringing comfort and joy each year.

But some viewers are making more, um, offbeat choices. They include:

Die Hard (1988): The hardcore action movie starring Bruce Willis fighting terrorist thieves has become an unlikely holiday goto. There is a Christmas/ holiday connection to the plot, as off-duty cop John McClane (Willis) fights Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) and his gang who take over the Nakatomi building during an office holiday party. The holiday theme is reflected in the soundtrack, with songs including Winter Wonderland, Let it Snow and Run-D.M.C.’s Christmas in Hollis. Likewise its 1990 sequel, Die Hard 2, is set in an airport dealing with a snowstorm during the holiday rush. (Oh, and terrorists again.)

Home Alone (1990): The story of little Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), accidentally left behind at Christmas time, fending off thieves with comic violence and ingenious booby traps. Its sequel, Home Alone 2, offers more of the same, set in New York (with a bonus cameo by now U.S. president-elect Donald Trump).

Three Days of the Condor (1975): Robert Redford stars as a reluctant CIA analyst trying to avoid shadowy killers. Set at Christmas time, its Dave Gruisin soundtrack includes Silver Bells and a chilling closing freeze-frame of God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen.

Lethal Weapon (1987): Set in Los Angeles, so no snow. But the opening scenes include rogue cop Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) going undercover to bust drug dealers at a Christmas tree lot.

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964): Scoring a mere 24 per cent on RottenTomatoes.com (average rating 2.8/10) and ranking No. 74 on the IMDb.com Bottom 100, this sci-fi Bmovie is notably bad, and also notable for the film debut of singer/actress Pia Zadora.

Black Christmas (1974): Nothing says happy holidays like a crazed killer stalking a house full of students. Directed by Canadian Bob Clark (Porky’s) and filmed in Toronto’s swank Casa Loma neighbourhood, this movie stars Olivia Hussey (Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet) and such CanCon staples as Margot Kidder, Andrea Martin and Art Hindle (also from Clark’s Porky’s).