Jolly jingles and a handful of movies. We’re in full holiday season. As it happens with holiday seasons, the mood is set for unwinding and a kick back and perhaps a recollection of the most outstanding moments of the year.
Jolly jingles and a handful of movies. We’re in full holiday season. As it happens with holiday seasons, the mood is set for unwinding and a kick back and perhaps a recollection of the most outstanding moments of the year. Sure, we’re missing the atmosphere for hot chocolates and fudge (who are we kidding, it’s always the season for fudge). However, it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the comfort of our homes, warmly tucked in and…watching some movies to help us slide down memory lane.
Our team has put together some top movies to be enjoyed during this holiday season. Let us know what you think and leave your comments below. Here it is. Scroll, pick, find your copy and enjoy!
Worlds beyond our imagination. Also known as Sci-fi
- The Martian
The Martian authored by Andy Weir. This is the book on which Ridley Scott’s The Martian is based
Our team’s number one pick for this category was Ridley Scott’s The Martian. With a grand opening in cinemas on October 2nd, it drew crowds and crowds to theaters around the world. If you haven’t seen this one, be sure to not read comments beforehand. Some are praising, some are less so and some are downright hateful in a nutshell.
With all the talk this year relating to the anxiously awaited NASA Mars mission, The Martian hits a soft spot. Based on actual science and technology NASA is currently developing in preparation for colonizing the Red Planet, The Martian offers a glimpse of how this experience could look.
Astronaut Mark Watney (brilliantly played by Matt Damon) is left prey to the hostile environment of the Red Planet as his crew believes him dead. His salvation seems impossible. With the mission crew thinking Mark is dead, he has only one hope. Back on Earth, the NASA team could be contacted. But how?
All Mark Watney has left are some provisions, himself, his wit and for his sanity. As the NASA team finds the astronaut was left behind, the wheel is set in motion. The rescue mission is daring, although bordering the impossible.
The setting is fascinating. The science behind the Ridley Scott’s The Martian as well. Be sure to check it on your ‘seen’ list this year.
- Mad Max: Fury Road
We’re usually not big fans of remakes. Yet Mad Max: Fury Road, directed by George Miller and starring jack-of-all-trades Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron is certainly a winner. It may be also because it’s not a remake in the proper sense. 2015’s Mad Max is more of a continuation of the franchise, sporting an independent story.
A stark, post-apocalyptic desert landscape sees the loner Mad Max riding the sand dunes lost in contemplation and on edge for his life. Soon, Mad Max will meet the followers of schemy dark leader Immortan Joe. From the Citadel where he controls everything, the sends Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) on a special mission.
Imperator Furiosa and Max Rockatansky played by Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron
Furiosa has other plans. A search for identities in a post-apocalyptic landscape meets the best action scenes of the year. Admittedly, there is not much of a thick, twisted plot to the story. It flows naturally and it ends perhaps unexpectedly for some. Several gangs are pitted against each other, between bullets and punches, there’s a chance for love. If it caught your attention, go for it.
- Star Wars: the Force Awakens
Does it really need an introduction? The seventh episode of the Star Wars saga is a double-edged sword. It may cut pledges of undying loyalty or it may forge new ones. Our team is divided on this one, really. Yet, if you grew up with the magnificently plotted episodes directed before the 2000s, give it chance. For those who haven’t seen it, we won’t give away the plot. Just look out for Kylo Ren in this sequel.
- Ex Machina ties with Chappie
Ex Machina and Chappie
Both Ex Machina – directed by Alex Garland and Chappie – directed by Neill Blomkamp deal with another hot topic: artificial intelligence. The two movies have different approaches, yet they’re astonishing in their own way.
Ex Machina will keep you hooked until the very end as a brilliant young programmer gets the chance to participate in one of the world’s most intriguing experiments. Artificial intelligence meets beauty at its finest in a droid played by Alicia Vikander. Getting a grip on the implications of this story may require more than just one viewing.
Chappie on the other hand puts artificial intelligence and robot-human interaction in a lighter perspective. The criminals who become Chappie’s parents, played by members of the rap-rave group Die Antwoord may not know much beyond profit out of petty crimes. Yet, as Chappie becomes increasingly aware of his life-span, life and death, good and bad, fundamental changes are about to occur in the South African setting.
We promised jolly jingles and a handful of movies. We chose to continue the list with some light-hearted pickings just in time for the holiday season. What do you say about The Night Before and Love the Coopers?
- The Night Before
It’s not The Night Before Christmas. Nonetheless, under Jonathan Levine’s directions, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Jillian Bell will draw you into a memorable Christmas story.
Ethan, Isaac and Chris know each other for a very long time. Childhood friends, the three (almost settled) men manage to make each Christmas Eve their special night out, filled with spicy stories varying from hilarious to insane.
Their tradition seems to be in danger. To make sure this year’s Christmas eve will be as memorable as the others, the three childhood friends set out to find the Nutcracka Ball. Attributes such as wild and insane don’t do The Night Before justice. Perhaps your kids are better left out of watching this one.
- Love the Coopers
We’re not sure yet if the title of Jessie Nelson’s family movie is a signature line (Love, the Coopers) or a suggestion to love this family. It may be both. The Coopers is not too different from your average family. When four generations of The Coopers meet together under the same roof to celebrate Christmas, havoc is around the corner. We’ve all been there, right? Looking for familiar scenes and a confirmation that all is well when it ends well? Follow the Cooper’s time together and ask no questions. The answer is there. Love the Coopers and love your family. Flawed as it may be.
What is Christmas without animation movies?
Jolly jingles and a handful of movies can’t be more evident then in this category. Not to mention that animation movies are a great choice if your little one wishes to join you for the holiday season movie-watching tuck in. Here’s a quick list our team cropped from the large offering this year: Hotel Transylvania 2, Inside Out and Home. Here’s a trailer for one of the most cheered here:
With this, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a delightful holiday season.
Photo Credits: Pixabay, Flickr, Blastr, Blogspot
