Library News

We begin with a film that would fit just as easily in to last month’s subject – the crime thriller L.A. Confidential (1997). Directed by Curtis Hanson, it’s based on a 1990 novel by James Ellroy, that focuses on police corruption and Hollywood celebrity. The cast includes: Guy Pearce (The Hurt Locker, Iron Man 3), Russell Crowe (Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind) and Kim Basinger (Batman 1989). Set around Christmas 1953, the L.A.P.D. (Los Angeles Police Department) are trying to improve their public image after becoming associated with corruption. Sergeant Edmund Exley (Pearce) is one of the few remaining genuinely good cops.

 

Exley is put on the case of a prostitution ring, and works to take it down with aid of worker Lynn (Basinger). But dirty cops such as Officer White (Crowe) stand in his way. L.A. Confidential has a rare 99% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with Roger Ebert awarding it a full four stars and calling it – “Seductive and beautiful, cynical and twisted, and one of the best films of the year”. It was nominated for 9 Oscars, winning two including Best Supporting Actress (for Basinger), and was entered into the National Film Registry in 2015. A word of warning, it is rated 18, so for adults only. Watch a terrific interrogation scene by clicking the link below:

 

Turning to a film that has become a Christmas classic for many, we have comedy horror Gremlins (1985), directed by Joe Dante (Small Soldiers) and written by Chris Columbus (Home Alone). It stars musician Hoyt Axton as inventor Randall Peltzer, who ventures into Chinatwon to buy his son Billy (Zach Galligan) a Christmas present. He eventually chooses a furry creature called a mogwai (Cantonese for devil…), however it is not for sale. Fortunately, the store owner’s grandson secretly sells it to him, albeit with some very strict and specific instructions for taking care of it…

 

The pet is named ‘Gizmo’ and Billy happily accepts him. But all hell breaks loose when the rules aren’t followed. Gremlins had mostly positive reviews, yet received some blowback for its overt violence. Audiences, however favour the film for its darker premise amidst the festive backdrop. Gene Siskel (Chicago Tribune) exclaimed it – “wickedly funny” & “a most original work”. See the beautiful moment Billy meets Gizmo by clicking the link below:

 

The most recent entry of the month is tv-movie Santa Who? (2000), directed by William Dear. It was headlined by comedy legend Leslie Nielsen (Airplane! The Naked Gun) and Robyn Lively (The Karate Kid Part III). Nielsen plays Santa, who while out on a ride, hits some bad weather and falls out of his sleigh. He lands in Los Angeles, with seemingly no memory of who he is.

 

Peter (Stephen Eckholdt), a failing TV reporter, find him and uses him for a story. Meanwhile, Peter’s girlfriend’s (Lively) son, believes he is the real Santa but no one will listen to him. Will Santa regain his memory? You’ll have to watch to find out. Santa Who? is good old-fashioned Christmas entertainment, that will make you want to believe. Watch the trailer by clicking the link below:

 

Finally, we have Tim Burton’s Gothic fantasy Edward Scissorhands (1990). Starring Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean) in the title role, it additionally features: Winona Ryder (Beetlejuice, Stranger Things), Dianne Wiest and Anthony Michael Hall (The Breakfast Club). Told from the perspective of an elderly woman relaying a memory to her granddaughter – Edward is a young humanoid man created by an old inventor, he has scissors for hands as he was left unfinished. Peg Boggs (Wiest) - a door-to-door saleswoman - drives to an old mansion where Edward lives, for work. After finding him alone, she takes him to stay at her house.

 

At Peg’s house, Edward meets and falls in love with her daughter Kim (Ryder). Most of the neighbourhood welcomes him with open arms, except Kim’s boyfriend Jim (Hall) who is jealous of their friendship. Edward must navigate this new world’s feelings towards him, of love, fascination and fear. Edward Scissorhands was tremendously greeted by critics and audiences alike and has become known as one of Burton’s best movies. Critic Rita Kempley [The Washington Post] summed it up with the simple description of – “Enchantment on the cutting edge”. The film is also seen as one of Depp’s best roles despite his limited dialogue in it, Owen Gleiberman [EW] observing – “what he does is tremulous and affecting.” Witness both the magic and the darkness in this movie by clicking the link below:

 

So, if you fancy shaking your usual holiday watchlist up, why not try one of these alternative Christmas films. Some of them may be a little darker, but they’re just as enjoyable and festive as the classics. You can watch all four home or away, if you’re hosting or travelling for the holidays; anytime, anywhere only on-stream.

 

 

Have a terrific break and once again,

 

Happy Holidays!! See you in 2026…

 

 

 

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