CRITICS RECOMMEND...

CRITICS RECOMMEND...

Last Christmas : 1980’s MUSIC RECOMMENDATION

by Ellie-Mae Davies

Having its reputation as one of the most popular and successful Christmas songs of all time, Wham’s Last Christmas is a holiday anthem that dominates the charts every Christmas. Written and produced by George Michael in 1984, the song entered the UK singles chart at number two and stayed there for five consecutive weeks. Since its release, the song has charted every year, until, after 36 years, the song finally hit the number one spot in the charts.

Since its release, the song has charted every year, until, after 36 years, the song finally hit the number one spot in the charts.

Last Christmas is one of my favourites for the Christmas season because of its conflicting but beautiful musical elements.

It incorporates the classic 80s feel, typical of Wham’s sound, using the Juno-60 synthesiser and the sound of sleigh bells to give it that Christmassy feeling. Despite its cheery composition, the song’s lyrical content details a broken relationship. Mixing this lyricism with Michael’s powerful voice really heightens the emotional content, atypical of a traditional Christmas song. Additionally, the iconic music video portrays the lyrical story.

The Snowman : 1980’s FILM RECOMMENDATION

by Bethan Beddow

As a child in the 2000s, I was introduced to The Snowman by my family; this enchanting story is a timeless classic that holds a special place in my heart. Every winter, as it became too cold to play outside, my parents would switch the television on and play this heartwarming animated film. This film, with its stunning yet simple visuals, took my younger self on a magical journey through a snow-covered world.

At the core of the story is the bond between a boy and his icy creation: a snowman that abruptly comes to life in the night. As I rewatched the film recently, the hand-drawn animation, the brilliant musical score created by Howard Blake, and the wordless storytelling had me captivated. The Snowman’s frosty flight with the boy over an endless wintry countryside was a journey that held me entranced once more.

The ending, in which The Snowman bids farewell to his new friend, is both wonderful and upsetting; yet it gifts a realistic finality to the tale.

The Snowman is a testament to the timeless quality of storytelling that transcends eras. It’s a film that has seamlessly woven itself into the lives of many, including mine.

The Polar Express :1980’s BOOK RECOMMENDATION

by Rachael Proud

When someone mentions The Polar Express most people think of the Tom Hanks-infused, uncanny valley masterpiece of a movie, but many forget that this household name was originally a book, released and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg in 1985. Personally? I absolutely love this book, with my whole heart, but some may often say “It’s a children’s book, why would I read that…?” I KNOW you’ve watched at least one episode of Bluey. Sit. Down.

Whilst Christmas can be ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ (for the people who celebrate), for many students, the holidays are mostly associated with revision, deadlines, and essay submissions, and I’ll tell you now, it’s very easy to miss some ol’ goodwill and cheer when you’re neck-deep in deadlines.

Therefore, I implore you to read this book. With the bright illustrations and the endearing characters, come aboard and follow the story of a young boy who is relearning the beauty of generosity, imagination, and most importantly, the magic of Christmas. If you’re looking for an easy and beautiful read that will leave you with this warm cosy feeling, read this book and listen out for the bells!

Merry Christmas :MODERN MUSIC RECOMMENDATION

by Hayley Lawson

Written and sung by the remarkably iconic Elton John and the more recent national treasure Ed Sheeran, Merry Christmas is a song certain to set you up for just that. With a stunning jingle bell melody and a tune that mirrors that of the classic Christmas songs we all know and love, Merry Christmas is set to be a song known and loved for years to come, and of course, is a collaboration we never knew we needed!

What makes this song even better is its music video, presenting Christmas parties with John and Sheeran in varying getups, from Christmas jumpers to Mrs Claus dresses (yes, you read that right, it’s a treat).

Additionally, there are visual references to Christmas classics such as Santa Claus The Movie, and The Snowman, as well as musical references to East 17’s Stay.

If you’re looking for a song to dance to and get you in the Christmas spirit, this is the one for you.

Love Hard :MODERN FILM RECOMMENDATION

by Aleksa Stirãne

Love Hard is the twisted love story of catfishing and Christmas. With the increasing difficulty of finding love in the ever-connected digital world, you can never be too sure about who is on the other side of an internet connection.

This easy-going romcom is the perfect movie to set the tone when realising Christmas is just around the corner, and an easy watch in the heat of exams. Not as aggressive as Elf or the Home Alone movies, Love Hard gives the warm fuzzy Christmas feeling everyone loves without jumping into full celebration mode.

Wrapped up nicely as a simple, yet completely relatable, romance story this is a movie you should add to your Christmas rotation.

let it snow : MODERN BOOK RECOMMENDATION

by Hayley Lawson

Co-written by John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson, Let It Snow is the perfect Christmas read to get you into the Christmas spirit without high intensity to stress you out during the exam season. The book follows the stories of three primary characters as they battle through a snowy storm in the Christmas season.

A witty and lighthearted romance, Let It Snow is comforting and cosy, easy to enjoy with a hot chocolate by the fire or, seeing as most readers are students, a video of a fireplace from youtube. This novel has the perfect festive feel, making grandeur and wholesome statements like “Christmas is a state of mind”, which are certain to elicit that fuzzy warmth of the season.