Tag Archives: Die Hard

Allie’s Top 5 Non-Christmassy Christmas Movies: Christmas in July Blogathon 2019

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Hello, friends!

Let’s get this blogathon started! This is the sixth year I’ve hosted this blogathon so many of you should be familiar with it. If you aren’t familiar with it, firstly, where have you been! And secondly, I hope you enjoy Christmas because you will be getting a lot of it between now and July 25th. There are some cool and unique entries this year (as always!) so I hope you find something you like and maybe even some new blogs worth following by the time this is all finished. To get us started is none other than the veteran Christmas in July Blogathon-er, Allie from Often Off Topic. Allie reviews a variety of films on her site, gives updates on her life as a mom of a little daughter, shares lists, and is a frequent participant in the Thursday Movie Picks. Make sure to go check her site out if you aren’t familiar with it. In the mean time, to kick off the blogathon, here are Allie’s Top 5 non-Christmassy Christmas movies.

You try saying that title after a few cups of eggnog! Does anyone actually drink eggnog? I’ve heard it in Christmas songs I’ve seen it in Christmas movies…but I’ve never actually had any! I guess there’s a first time for everything. Speaking of which, this is certainly not the first time I’ve taken part in Drew’s Christmas in July Blogathon, but it IS the first time I’ve sent my post to him on time! For…any actual Blogathon he’s hosted, actually. I’m so sorry Drew!

It’s getting tougher each year to pick a topic for my post, but after last year when I defended Die Hard’s status as a Christmas movie my theme for this year has picked itself out. I’m going to list my Top 5 Non-Christmassy Christmas movies! You know, those movies you find yourself watching in October or November when the festive vibes are kicking in, but it’s not socially acceptable to be in the festive spirit yet!


#5 Die Hard (1988)
Defending Die Hard’s Christmasy status is difficult enough, but last year Bruce Willis himself declared that it wasn’t a Christmas movie. C’mon, man! When the winter months are filled with sickly sweet family movies, sometimes you need to see Bruce Willis kick some ass whilst still feeling festive.


#4 Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
I love a good rom com, and Bridget Jones’s Diary is up there with the best of the very best. Bridget is just so relatable, and the scene with her and Mark Darcy with his ugly Christmas jumper is brilliant!


#3 The Harry Potter Series (2001 – 2011)
Christmas features very sporadically in all of the Harry Potter movies but for years now, the main UK TV channels feature them heavily in December, and so for that reason, it’s sort of become a tradition to watch them annually at that time of year.


#2 Shazam! (2019)
This year has actually brought a new movie to my annual Christmas watch list! (I’m going to have to START in July at this rate). Shazam! has it all, it’s a cool and funny superhero movie, it has some touching family moments…and it takes place at Christmas! Winner winner, turkey dinner.


#1 Just Friends (2005)
I’m a huuuge Ryan Reynolds fan, and Just Friends features Ryan Reynolds at what I consider one of the best moments in his career. Embarrassingly, I could probably recite the entire movie to you, I’ve watched it that often!

Now, as part of Drew’s blogathon, he hosts a huge celebrity party (ever the hostess with the most-ess) and we’re allowed to bring any guest we choose. I seem to have worked my way through the entire male Star Wars cast…but I don’t think you need more than one guess as to who I’m bringing this year…

Keanu, we are going to have a most excellent time!

Great list, Allie. After your post from last year, I’m definitely not surprised to see Die Hard on your list. I approve of your invite. If any trouble goes down, I know Baba Yaga himself will protect us.

Come back tomorrow for more Christmassy fun with a review from the longest active participant in the Christmas in July Blogathon.

Until next time, cheers!

Is Die Hard a Christmas Movie?: Christmas in July Blogathon 2018

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Closing out the penultimate day of the Christmas in July Blogathon is the Christmas uber-fanatic Allie from Often Off Topic. Allie has been a Christmas in July Blogathon mainstay for the last several years and is always the most eager participant. Over on her site, Allie reviews films and gives regular insights into her life, which has only become more crazy now that she has a baby daughter. Recently, Allie heard that Bruce Willis weighed in on whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not and has decided to share where she stands on the matter. Let’s see what she has to say about the topic.

Opening my laptop this morning, trying to decide what to write about for Drew’s annual Christmas in July blogathon (which I am once again fashionably late for) I was horrified to read the news title “Bruce Willis CONFIRMS Die Hard is not a Christmas movie”. Aca-scuse me?!

The terrible statement was made during his appearance on his very own Comedy Central Roast. Come on, Bruce! This is something us movie fans have been arguing about for years, in fact, YouGov even ran a poll on it, in which over 50% of people also claimed Die Hard isn’t a Christmas movie.

If you haven’t guessed, I am firmly in the Yes camp. In fact, I only watched Die Hard for the first time fairly recently, because I’d been told it was a Christmas movie and so it felt wrong to watch it in any month other than December. In my eyes, any movie that takes place during Christmas counts. That’s why you’ll find me rewatching Love Actually, Just Friends, and Bridget Jones’s Diary every single year.

I’d really love to settle the debate once and for all so please let me (and Drew!) know – is Die Hard a Christmas movie?

Now, the best part of Drew’s Christmas in July blogathon is the after-party. We’re allowed to bring 1 guest of our choice. My previous guests have been Dan Stevens, Oscar Isaac, and Chris Pratt. I would bring Bruce Willis this year but there’s no chance now he’s trying to ruin my festive spirit so his invite is in the bin. As I still have another year and a half to wait to see him again in Star Wars, I’ll bring Adam Driver with me this year! Drew can you make sure the heating is on, please? He’s decided to come shirtless!

Classic Allie. Once again, inviting a Star Wars actor. I’m not complaining, though. 😉

I myself definitely consider Die Hard a Christmas film. What do you have to say about it?

Tomorrow, the person who has participated in the Christmas in July blogathon the most kicks off the final day (and it’s not me).

Until next time, cheers!

Die Hard Review: Christmas in July Blogathon 2017

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The second entry for the Christmas in July 2017 blogathon comes to us from Rob from MovieRob, or as I like to call him Movie Monster Rob. He has reviewed literally thousands and thousands of movies. If you don’t follow him yet, which is impossible, do so immediately after finishing his review. Speaking of which, Rob brings with him another review of one of his favorite films, Die Hard. Let’s jump right into it!

“If this is their idea of Christmas, I *gotta* be here for New Year’s.” – Argyle

Number of Times Seen – Seriously too many to count (Video, Cable, DVD, 4 May 2000, Jan 2012, 24 Nov 2013, 30 Nov 2014, 4 Nov 2015, 11 Nov 2015 and 13 Jul 2017)

Link to original reviews – Here, Here, Here and Here

When Drew reminded me of his Christmas in July blogathon, I wasn’t quite sure what film I wanted to watch and review that would work well for me.

There are so many great movies that are set around the holiday time and are meant to get you in the right mood for having a jolly time in the winter days of December.

Without a doubt tho, my personal favorite is a film that most people wouldn’t originally think of as a holiday movie because its just an amazing thriller but it lacks a jolly fat guy in a red suit, a slew of reindeers and of course mistletoe.

On the other hand, it really does a wonderful job of still encompassing the important things in life around the holidays – like the love of family and friends.

The whole reason John McClane ends up in LA at the beginning of the film is to try and find a way to reconcile with his wife and see his two children.
Once everything starts to happen here, his love for them is what keeps him going.

His desire to save his wife and her co-workers from these terrorists is punctuated by so many scenes describing and depicting the holiday spirit.

whether its a Santa hat

or Christmas decorations

or a brightly lit Christmas tree


It’s not hard to find the connections to the holiday season.

It’s worth mentioning that even the music and songs played are “Christmas songs” which also help to accentuate the holiday season.


All this film needs to be considered a true Christmas classic is Little Lucy or John McClane declaring “And god bless us everyone.”

Also, doesn’t John’s wife have a holiday spirit name?  Holly.

The biggest question to me tho is what father would bring one humongous teddy bear for his two kids… wouldn’t they fight over it? 😉


There is no doubt in my mind that this is the ultimate Christmas movie.


MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – This movie, set during Christmas time in Los Angeles, has the lead thief named Hans Gruber. The Christmas Carol “Silent Night” was composed in Salzburg, Austria by Franz Gruber, a school teacher and church organist. He wrote the melody for a guitar arrangement at the request of the 6-stanza poem’s author Fr. Joseph Mohr, a Roman Catholic priest and assistant pastor at St. Nicholas Church, who wrote it in 1816. Mohr and Gruber first sang the song “Stille Nacht” at midnight mass on December 24, 1818, while Mohr played his guitar. (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy 10/10 (no change from original review)

Great review, Rob! Die Hard is one of my favorite Christmas films as well so it is great to see it as part of the blogathon this year.

Tomorrow, SG from Rhyme and Reason kicks off day two of the Christmas in July blogathon. Stop on by to check it out!

Until next time, cheers!

Movie Quote of the Week – 12/4/15

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Movie Quote of the Week bannerAnswer to MWL 12/2/15: John McClane (Bruce Willis) – Die Hard

“Come out to the coast, we’ll get together, have a few laughs.” -John McClane

Thanks for everyone’s submissions and one trip to the coast to the following people for answering correctly:

That Other Critic (That Other Critic)
Jackie
Kim (Tranquil Dreams)
Kira (Film and TV 101)
Rob (Movierob)
Tim (Filmfunkel)

My Fave Five Christmas Movies

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It’s that time of year again.  Snow is falling, bright lights decorate houses on every street, the Salvation Army bell ringers are outside every grocery store you can see, and TBS is having a 24-hour A Christmas Story marathon.  Yes, it’s the holiday season.  While you and your family are gathered by the fireplace sipping eggnog, sitting at the table playing a game of cards, or whatever your holiday traditions may be, chances are you do so with a Christmas movie playing.  Everyone has something different they like about the holiday season and there are plenty of movies to reflect that.  Here are my five favorite Christmas movies.

Honorable Mentions) Die Hard & Lethal WeaponLethal Weapon movie poster Die Hard movie poster

I have included Die Hard and Lethal Weapon on this list because they aren’t what could be considered “traditional” Christmas movies.  They take place during Christmas (the lowest requirement for a Christmas film) but that’s about the only relation to Christmas they have.  However, they are both great movies.  And on top of that, they both produced catch phrases that would last throughout both franchises.  They may not be the most traditional of Christmas films, but they are Christmas films nonetheless.

Elf movie poster5) Elf

Will Ferrell’s humor is hit or miss with audiences (based on people I’ve talked to at least).  But in Elf, he hits the mark.  Even those who I know aren’t Ferrell fans enjoy this movie.  The innocent and good natured Buddy the Elf resonates with everyone.  It’s always entertaining to see someone like Buddy who comes from a small town experience New York City for the first time.  There’s something about that fish-out-of-water element in the Big Apple that is so humorous.

4) The Polar ExpressThe Polar Express movie poster

When I was but a wee lad, I enjoyed the book The Polar Express.  Then it was brought onto the big screen, and the sense of wonderment only grew.  It can be difficult to adapt a children’s book into a movie, but The Polar Express shows how to do it correctly, and with style.  The animation uses contrasts efficiently and before Frozen, this was the pinnacle of snow animation, creating a gorgeously unique style that still looks amazing ten years later.

Christmas Vacation movie poster3) Christmas Vacation

Oh Christmas Vacation, how I love you.  I believe this was the first movie from National Lampoon’s Vacation series that I saw, and it is probably the best of the series.  Clark Griswald is once again played by the amazing Chevy Chase, whose comedic timing is spot-on in this film.  Even the supporting cast each get their moments.  But what I would have to say is my favorite part about Christmas Vacation is how it takes traditional holiday events that we loath (or like), such as in-laws staying for a few days or decorating the house with lights, and takes them to the extreme.  Sometimes real-life events make for the most touching.

2) A Christmas StoryA Christmas Story movie poster

This is the Christmas movies of all Christmas movies, or at least TBS thinks so since they play it for 24-hours.  But I would have to agree.  Every kid can relate to Ralphie, the young version played by Peter Billingsley, looking for that on awesome gift under the tree on Christmas morning.  The narration from an older Ralphie, voiced by Jean Shepard, is the perfect compliment to what is going on in the story.  Ralphie’s parents and friends, Ralphie’s daydreams, everything is skewed to fit a child’s perspective and it creates one of the best Christmas films out there.

The Santa Claus movie poster1) The Santa Clause

The Santa Clause was THE Christmas movie of my childhood.  This is the film I do not go without watching every year.  This was one of Tim Allen’s first movies since he started on Home Improvement and he carried much of Tim Taylor into this movie.  I think what appeals to me most is that Scott Calvin, Allen’s character, didn’t want to be Santa Claus, he was selfish and didn’t want the responsibility.  There is a big difference in his attitude between his first and second outings as Santa.  And I couldn’t forget all the cool elf gadgets.  Tinsel, jet packs, the sleigh’s CD dispenser.  Everything is just cool.  The cute little touches, like the Rose Sucha Clatter ladder company, just add to the experience.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!