Christmas Goodies at the Multiplex
Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at 1:30PM 
I may have mistaken my latest FYC screener for more chocolate but in my defense American Hustle is yummy. I want to make out with it at the dry cleaners or take it dancing in a slutty dress. I know opinions vary considerably on this one but I'm a sucker for movies which let (multiple) movie stars be sexy and funny and complicated all at once so I'mma watch it again over the holiday break (not that there's ever a break from Oscar blogging)
I used to always go to the movies on Christmas day but lately, it's tougher to convince friends to head to the theater after all the food gorging. They're always like "bring a dvd".
But are you seeing a movie in theaters?
If not, what's your holiday movie tradition? Do you stay in and cuddle up with TCM? Head to the movies? Do you watch DVDs with friends or navigate complicated 'something for everyone' decisions with family members? I'll keep posting because there is so much to discuss (Wolf of Wall Street review tonight) but if you're offline for the next few days...
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
On a final lump of coal note, I'm sad that August: Osage County opted out of its planned Christmas opening. I can't figure why they didn't want to counter-program all the boy movies?
Also they ruined that gif I made earlier in the year by pushing back to Friday but not really arriving until January. Boo. People who really love to see dysfunctional family movies with their dysfunctional families have no other options now!
Reader Comments (26)
I heard someone mention that there were too many wide releases this year for August to secure screens. Not sure if its true but seems like it could be true with all the wide releases plus Hustle/Hobbit/Anchorman/Hunger Games/Frozen/SMB still all over the place.
I don't believe I've ever left the house on Christmas for purpose of movie watching at the multiplex. It was about being with relatives you rarely see.
I believe Harvey doesn't believe in August's commercial appeal with the general audience. Sure it has stars but so do other movies that play to empty or semi-full auditoriums nation wide.
If I go tomorrow, I'm going with my brother and he's only interested in 47 Ronin.
3rtful -- but if they didn't believe in its commercial appeal, why go with ALL stars which must have driven up the budget considerably. this thing seems to have been mishandled in multiple ways for a long time now.
I keep seeing TV spots for August that are about dysfunctional families during the holiday season, like: "here's a dysfunctional family, just like yours!" I think it will be a less effective sell if it's not coming out on Christmas anymore. Wonder what they'll try now, especially since they can't resort to the usual "LOOK HOW MANY AWARDS WE'VE WON" b/c they don't have any.
Pity about August: Osage County. I agree that it seems to be mishandled. It was probably the only movie I had a shot at convincing my family to go see. We will just fall back on the old standby: fighting for control over the remote between TCM and football.
I don't get to really see movies on Christmas which is a little insane. We go to my uncle's house and it is controversial enough that we watch TV.
Nathaniel: where is your August Osage County review???🎅
Jamie -- i will do a big post on Thursday or Friday dedicated to you ;) since the movie will finally open for people.
Yay!!
Christmas is all about family reunion at my house, but the 26th is movie day - usually one with the entire family, and two more to make a triple feature for me. We'll probably see Walter Mitty together, and then I'll see Wolf of Wall Street and Llewyn Davis.
This really should've been a Check All That Apply type of poll. What about those of us seeing more than one film? I'm going to take my parents to see WALTER MITTY then I'm probably going to sneak away for a couple hours to see HER.
Christmas was never a holiday where we did anything but open gifts, listen to music, eat food, and spend time with family until my family split because of a huge family argument like five years ago, and then my cousin became a nurse, so last year she worked on Christmas. So we didn't have our meal until the 26th, but my mom and I went to see Les Mis on Christmas. It was fun and I kind of wanted to make it a tradition to like see a big release on Christmas with my mom, but the tradition is already dead because we're doing Christmas on Christmas this year and my plan had been to see August: Osage County anyway, which clearly isn't a thing anymore. :p
I'll be seeing American Hustle... just not on Christmas. Haha. I'm waiting on my best friend! And she is a hassle, lol.
"People who really love to see dysfunctional family movies with their dysfunctional families have no other options now!"
What about Frozen? Lots of dysfunctional family issues in that one plus song and dance numbers.
Robert G -- points!
No real traditions, though I will catch Wolf of Wall Street and American Hustle this week. I hope to watch Arnaud Desplechin's A Christmas Tale again - one of the best holiday movies ever and his most generous film (which is saying a lot). Also TV catch-up
I used to go the movies on Christmas.
Branagh's Hamlet was my favorite outing....not for the movie (which I liked), but for the dysfunction of NYC on Christmas morning/afternoon, a small/understaffed theater (one ticket window with a just graduated high school got stuck working on Christmas kid greeting the public) with no interior waiting area (Paris-NYC), non functioning credit card machines (no prebuyers able to get their tickets), three times as many people trying to get in as there were seats and crazy ladies with pink leg warmers-pink down jackets-bad hair color and free coke coupons----which turned out to be the substitute ticket stub they were handing out for those few pre-buyers who showed up early enough before chaos set in. I owe it to her that I got a seat and her inability to have her demands met that she was a very important person at city hall and they just had to let her wait inside or she was leaving and having the theater closed.
Film was supposed to start at 2. I got in line at 1 hoping for a return as it was sold out--crazy lady gave me her coke ticket at 1:15 and the guy behind me said to take it--so glad I did. First showing let out at 1:50. I sat down at 1:59, film started on time and half the people sat down after the film started, complaining loudly with no time for treats or, more importantly, bathroom stops after having stood in line on 58th on the non sun side of the street in the cold for at least 45 minutes. You should have seen the rush at intermission (the 2 hour mark in the film).
But then, an only in New York moment. About 3 minutes after everyone finally settled down, the doors swing (swosh, swosh, swosh) and you hear the shuffling of a senior citizen. She stops. In her best and not quite indoor NY nasal twang "George? (beat) George?" From the other side of the theater you hear the male equivalent (just as loud) "Ethel. I'm over herah. You're on the wrong side." She shuffles out. The doors swing (swosh, swosh, swosh) Wait for it..........wait for it.......doors swing on other aisle. (swosh, swosh, swosh) steps heard shuffling.........."George? (beat) George?" Theater had a good laugh and then enjoyed the movie.
I live in a city by myself without relatives, and even though I m very social on a day to day basis, I just want to spend christmas by myself watching a movie and eating pop corn. I have actually lied to friends (on christmas, yikes - one way ticket to hell) about being at other dinners to be able to go to the movies by myself. The unfortunate part is that the only good movie that is close by that i haven't watched is Saving Mr Banks. I was hoping for Her or Wolf of Wall street. But I guess I ll settle for some good Emma Thompson actressing. Merry Christmas everyone!
Was planning on AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, but will now likely skip the cinema and watch a Christmas movie at home. That or see one of the old Cukor films at Lincoln Center.
While we're talking about upcoming posts, will the 2003 Smackdown be our Christmas surprise?
I'mma see my favorite thick actors Christian Bale and Jennifer Lawrence in AH, baby!
We're actually going to attempt to do a whole day at the movies: Walter Mitty, followed by Wolf of Wall Street, dinner break, then wrapping up with American Hustle. Never done this before and I'm REALLY looking forward to it. Over the weekend I hope to also take in Nebraska and Inside Llewyn Davis if I can.
Now, please, HER, expand already!!!!!
Nymphomaniac
"august" is perfectly dreadful - dreary / hammy / too too much dysfucntion. julia shines. meryl over does it.....i predict no nomination for her. julia should be the nominated one & possibly juliette lewis.
Merry Christmas, "Film Experience" Team! Thanks for another great blogging year!
We saw Her. I liked it, I thought it was clever, everyone else not so much (?!). That is why we see The Hobbit every year, except we'd already done that.