The Film Experience

by Christopher James

Kate Winslet is ready for some holiday drinking games. Are you?This Christmas is going to be different for a lot of people. One of my favorite Christmas traditions was taking my Mom to the movies at our local movie theater, Lodi Stadium 12. The theater had come a long way from having a bedbug infestation in the early 2010s to now having a bar in the area that used to be the party room and fancy reclining seats (hold the bedbugs). One of my favorite memories was the two of us ordering glass after glass of wine during our sold out showing of Collateral Beauty (it wasn’t sold out for long, people trickled out every 10 minutes). For those of you enjoying a socially distant or virtual Christmas, a holiday movie drinking game may be just what you need in order to get through the holiday.

Without further ado, here are some drinking guides to some Christmas classics…

The Holiday (2006) - A Drinking Game

Take One Sip…

Each time a classic movie is referenced in dialogue.
Every time Iris (Kate Winslet) jumps for glee at something amazing inside Amanda’s (Cameron Diaz) house. This isn’t shade, that house is still amazing.
Every time Arthur’s (Eli Wallach) theme song plays.
Whenever a character is drinking or says they’re drunk. You need to catch up to them.

Take Two Sips…

Whenever Amanda views her life as a movie trailer.
For each time Miles (Jack Black) refers to Maggie (Shannyn Sossamon) as a “bad girl.”
Each time one of Graham’s “women” is mentioned.

FINISH YOUR DRINK WHEN…

Mr. Napkinhead arrives.

BONUS RULE: TAKE A SHOT...

For the Dustin Hoffman cameo.

The Family Stone (2005) - A Drinking Game

Take One Sip…

Each time a character slaps someone in the back of the head.
Whenever Sybil (DIane Keaton) mentions her mother’s wedding ring.
Every time a character gets drunk or high to get through the holidays.
Each time Meredith is accused of being racist and/or homophobic.

Take Two Sips…

Whenever Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker) makes the “digging for clams” throat clearing noise.
Each time cancer is referenced.
Whenever the phrase “popped her cherry” is used in reference to Amy (Rachel McAdams) and Brad (Paul Schneider)

Refill Your Drink/Get Another and Take Three Sips…

When Meredith iconically says “I’m going to buy you boys some beer.” Bonus points if you dance along to “Right Back Where We Started From” by Maxine Nightingale.

FINISH YOUR DRINK WHEN…

Meredith spills the strata and all hope is lost. You tried, the Stone family hates you. Finish your drink! Everything has gone wrong and really all you can do is laugh and imbibe yourself.

Carol (2015) - A Drinking Game

Take One Sip…

Every time Therese (Rooney Mara) takes a photo of Carol (Cate Blanchett) and starts to believe that true love really does exist.
Each time Carol sips on a martini.
Whenever Carol purrs the name Therese, because no one can annunciate a word like Cate Blanchett can.
For every time Richard (Jake Lacy) mentions going to Europe with Therese.

Take Two Sips…

Whenever Sunset Boulevard is referenced.
For every signing of a train set.
Every time Hardge (Kyle Chandler) sneers his way through saying Abby’s name.

Refill Your Drink/Get Another and Take Three Sips…

When Carol pulls out the gun.

FINISH YOUR DRINK WHEN…

Abby delivers the best line of the movie and slams the door on Harge.

Tangerine (2015) - A Drinking Game

Take One Sip…

Whenever “Merry Fucking Christmas, Bitch” (or some variation) is said.
Every time someone is called a “fish”
For each invite Alexandra (Mya Taylor) passes out for her performance at Hamburger Mary’s
Each time Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) pulls Dinah’s (Mickey O’Hagan) hair.

Take Two Sips…

Whenever someone misses their bus.
Each time the music dramatically transitions.
Every time Alexandra mentions “DRAMA”

GRAB ANOTHER DRINK AND TAKE THREE SIPS...

When Alexandra performs “Toyland” at Hamburger Mary’s. Give a toast to her as well! She worked hard and deserves it.

FINISH YOUR DRINK WHEN…

Ashken (Alla Tumanian), Razmik’s mother-in-law, arrives at Donut Time.

Gremlins (1984) - A Drinking Game

Take One Sip…

For every rule that is said…
...and for every time a rule is broken.
Per Gremlin that perishes (R.I.P.)
Every time a Christmas song is played.

Take Two Sips…

Whenever Ms. Deagle (Polly Holliday) threatens Barney.
Each time Mr. Peltzer’s (Hoyt Axton) inventions fail
Whenever Billy’s (Zach Galligan) car has trouble starting

GRAB ANOTHER DRINK AND TAKE THREE SIPS...

When the Gremlins go to the movies! You need to make sure your drinks (and popcorn) are well stocked for the film!

FINISH YOUR DRINK WHEN…

The Gremlins send Ms. Deagle flying up the stairs on her chair!

Batman Returns (1992) - A Drinking Game

Take One Sip…

Whenever you see the Bat-signal
For each “life” that Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer) loses.
Whenever the Penguin (Danny DeVito) twirls his umbrella in a menacing fashion.
Each time the Batmobile deploys a gadget.

Take Two Sips…

For each worried cutaway shot to Alfred (Michael Gough).
Each time the Rubber-Ducky mobile comes into sight.
Whenever one of the characters makes a sexual double entendre.

GRAB ANOTHER DRINK AND TAKE THREE SIPS...

When Selina Kyle first turns into Catwoman! It’s an amazing scene and you should make a toast to The Film Experience’s favorite, Michelle Pfeiffer.

FINISH YOUR DRINK FOR…

The March of the Missle-Backed Penguins!!

Die Hard (1988) - A Drinking Game

Take One Sip…

For every Gary Copper, Roy Rogers or western movie star reference.
Each time Ellis (Hart Bochner) makes a sleazy remark
Every time Christmas is referenced.
Each time someone says “Nakatomi”

Take Two Sips…

Whenever Sgt. Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson) is seen buying or eating food.
Each time Argyle (De’voreaux White) is seen dancing in the limo.
For each person that is shot and killed.

WATERFALL!!!!

When Hans Gruber falls from Nakatomi, start drinking your drink. Do not stop drinking until he hits the ground.

FINISH YOUR DRINK WHEN…

John McClane says “Yippie Kie Yay, Motherfucker”

And finally… for those wanting to get really crazy this holiday season...

Collateral Beauty (2016) - A Drinking Game

Take One Sip…

Every time Claire (Kate Winslet) stares at her computer screen, maligning about her fertility issues.
Each time Whit’s (Edward Norton) affair is mentioned.
Whenever Howard (Will Smith) plays with his dominos.
Every time a character uses the words “Love,” “Death” or “Time”

Take Two Sips…

Each time Sally (Ann Dowd) appears out of nowhere.
For every reference of Olivia’s (Alyssa Cheatham) disease.
Whenever Simon (Michael Peña) coughs.

WATERFALL!!!!

Start drinking when Madeline’s (Naomie Harris) first says “Collateral Beauty” during her monologue and don’t stop until the monologue is finished.

FINISH YOUR DRINK WHEN…

The identity of the person who told Madeline to “just make sure you notice the collateral beauty” is revealed.

What are you going to watch for the Holidays this year? Do you have any fun drinking game rules to add?