An All-Christmas Edition of Do You Like Apples
Christmas movies you should stream, a review of Little Women, and a holiday episode of The Office
Yep, we’re double-dipping this week! After unveiling our Best of the Decade lists on Wednesday, we are back with a Christmas-themed Do You Like Apples. Would you like to know which Christmas movies are streaming right now? Good! Let’s help you find some, both the classics and the lesser-knowns.
Also, you can see Drew’s thoughts on the new Little Women adaptation that hits theaters on Christmas (it’s very good!) and The Office Episode of the Week returns for a Christmas occasion.
We’re taking next week off, but we will be back in your inbox after the holidays with a Best Movies of 2019 edition. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Billy recommends…
The Santa Clause (streaming on Disney+)
The Santa Clause feels like a movie that is of its time. Because of that, it has remained a family favorite, but is also a movie that would have fit in today’s world. The premise is incredibly cute. Your dad has to become Santa Claus because he happens to die while delivering presents to your house. A simple plot like this is made better by deeper themes. In this case the theme is divorce.
The attempt (while surface level) to bring in a deeper aspect is admirable. A tale of a son’s fantasy where his dad becomes Santa Claus is a setup for failure, but allowing the kid character in Charlie to bring the emotion was a smart move. An entire story about what he wants his father to be. The story is obviously played as truth, but Charlie’s fantasy is something that any child can remember.
Our dad is our hero and the manifestation of that is something unique to individual circumstances. For me it was my Grandfather and Uncle filling that role. Grandfather being the tough, hardened one where I can manifest into the legend he is and I hope to be. My uncle setting the example of toughness that is necessary to exceed. Here in The Santa Clause it is as simple as wanting your father to bring joy to the rest of the world in the same way he brings joy to yourself. The Santa Clause is incredibly fun and maintained in my family my entire life. Because of that throw it on and decide if it is the classic I find it to be in my own mind.
It’s a Wonderful Life (streaming on Amazon Prime)
While the movie above is a favorite of mine by circumstances, this movie is a classic because it is incredibly made. It’s a Wonderful Life is a tale as old as time. The happiest time of year is a time of reflection. What I love about older movies is the way they lift us up by leading us through intense conflict in order to make the message shine through in the end.
Every person in life that is a positive influence deserves praise no matter the size of their influence. It’s a Wonderful Life hits on that to the absolute degree. A pure motivational tale about trying to positively influence the people around you. Then through that, the people you have influenced help you through the difficult moments. A utopian circle that may not be attainable, but if it is, is worth striving towards.
What is wrong with a utopian desire in life? For me a mentality like that has led to cynicism beyond belief. Nothing can possibly live up to what I want this world to be so why bother. Leading to a worse person of my own self and not lifting up the people around me. Can you believe it… I watch it’s a Wonderful Life and I find something negative. It is time to stop that. Gratitude leads to joy and George Bailey shows that. Also, if it is any consolation, my family named their dog after ZuZu Bailey. At the top of your lungs scream, “ZUZU!!!!!”
Drew recommends…
Home Alone (streaming on Disney+)
I don’t need to “recommend” you watch Home Alone because you already love Home Alone. It’s a stone-cold Christmas classic for the whole family. Everything about it is wonderful. The story of a child staying home alone is every kid’s dream, but then they threw in a lovable pair of villains. The score by John Williams (Star Wars, Jaws, Indiana Jones, basically every great score from the last 50 years) matches the energy of the movie, oscillating between zany and fast-paced to wistful and tender. And then there’s the now iconic performances.
Boy, did the producers hit the jackpot with Macaulay Culkin. The ten-year-old hadn’t acted in much by the time he got the lead role as Kevin McCallister, but he quickly became a child actor sensation. Equally important to the movie is Joe Pesci, who fully leans into his acting strengths as the frustrated, hot-headed Harry. His amazing physical comedy is part of what gives Home Alone its across-the-board appeal.
Even though it’s the kind of Christmas movie you wouldn’t feel odd watching another time of year, I’m not sure Home Alone will ever get old. I’ve seen the pizza guy scene countless times at this point, and I still get an ecstatic kick out of it. (I just learned that the gangster movie Kevin is watching, Angels with Filthy Souls is not a real movie. It’s a fake one they filmed for Home Alone. I think this makes me love it more.) While “Keep the change, ya filthy animal” and the hilarious abuse inflicted upon Harry and Marv have kept us entertained since 1990, it’s the sentimental holiday feeling that makes Home Alone so damn timeless.
A Very Murray Christmas (streaming on Netflix)
What’s not to love about the great Bill Murray singing Christmas tunes with his friends? In this hour-long holiday variety show, Murray is stranded in a New York City hotel during a blizzard, but fortunately some famous faces show up. Throughout the special, Amy Poehler, Chris Rock, Rashida Jones, Maya Rudolph, Miley Cyrus, George Clooney, and more appear to sing and get you in the Christmas mood, albeit a Murray-type Christmas mood. This is definitely a more laid-back vibe than other holiday specials you’ve seen.
A Very Murray Christmas (directed by Sofia Coppola) is a must-watch for Murray fans, of course. But I think others will enjoy it due to Murray’s hospitable, inviting presence and the barroom takes on Christmas classics. It’s perfect for a cold and snowy late night. Pour yourself a nice glass of whiskey or wine and enjoy a classy Christmas with Bill.
Recent Release Mini-Reviews
Little Women (in theaters on Christmas)
Drew: What a terrific delight. Having no prior experience with Little Women (the novel or any of the adaptations), I was taken aback at how quickly I became invested in its narrative and characters. This 150-year-old story doesn’t feel dusty or out-of-step at all in the hands of writer-director Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird). She has fashioned a clever, touching, and ultimately joyous film. All of the performances are excellent across the board, but Saoirse Ronan as Jo, Timothee Chalamet as Laurie, and Florence Pugh as Amy stand out the most. Their performances immediately make you fall in love with them -- the characters and the actors. May Greta Gerwig never stop making movies. - 4.5 / 5 Apples
See more reviews on our Letterboxd page
Streaming TV Corner
The Office Episode of the Week
Drew: “A Benihana Christmas” (Season 3, Episodes 10-11)
I love watching all of The Office holiday episodes around Christmas because you get to see the progression of the show through the years. An early double-episode gem is “A Benihana Christmas,” when Michael gets dumped by Carol and spirals into depression. Andy takes him to a Benihana to cheer him up during the office Christmas party, which has turned into a passive-aggressive battle royale between Angela and Pam/Karen.
Fun fact: This episode was directed by Harold Ramis, the mind behind Caddyshack, Groundhog Day, and more comedy classics. Some highlights of this highly enjoyable episode include Jim messing with Dwight at Benihana, Michael and Andy serenading their waitress dates with a cringe-inducing karaoke of “Your Body is a Wonderland,” and Michael marking his date’s arm because he can’t tell the two girls apart. Plus, I forgot the end of this episode marks the beginning of Michael and Jan’s nightmare relationship.
Links to get you hyped
The cinematic event of summer 2020 has a trailer! It’s your first look at Christopher Nolan’s Tenet. We’re already giddy.
Netflix has brought back one of their biggest hits for a sequel. The charming teen rom-com To All the Boys 2: P.S. I Still Love You hits the service on February 12.
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