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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Review of classic Christmas movies By Bella Lee Staff Writer
Christmas is easily one of my favorite holidays. Being able to spend time with my family, decorating the tree and receiving presents always gives me a warm feeling in my heart. I have a belief that while Christmas music is okay to play after Halloween, decorating and putting up Christmas trees needs to be saved for after Thanksgiving. Fortunately, my entire family agrees with me on this. However, one of the biggest reasons I love Christmas is for movies. One of my favorite Christmas movies is the 1983 classic “A Christmas Story.” This lighthearted film set in the 1940s tells the story of a young boy named Ralphie and the highs and lows he and his family experi-
ence leading up to Christmas. every Christmas day. Nearly 40 years after its release, My other favorite Christmas this remains a favorite of mine and movie, which I share with my my mom’s, and it is as popular as ever even in 2021. Whether you are Peter Billingsley, who played Ralphie, made an uncredited spending it with cameo as Ming Ming the Elf in family or friends, the 2003 film “Elf.” Additionally, he played the role Christmas can be a of William Ginter Riva in the magical time. And 2008 film “Iron Man” and the 2019 film “Spider-Man: Far From that magical time Home.” can be seen in the He continues to work in the movie business, though he works Christmas movies more as a producer nowadays. that have become The house that Ralphie’s family lives in is now a museum in Cleveso popular.” land. Bella Lee While sequels of the movie were made in 1988, 1994 and 2012, as well as a musical in 2012, the original remains a favorite to many, with TNT and TBS both hosting mom, is the 2003 film “Elf.” 24-hour marathons of the movie Starring Will Ferrell and featur-
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ing big names such as James Caan, Ed Asner and Mary Steenburgen, it centers around Buddy, a human raised among elves up in the North Pole at Santa’s workshop. Buddy travels to New York City in search of his birth father. Unsurprisingly, a human with an elf mind in a human world yields chaotic yet hilarious results. Interestingly enough, Jim Carrey was initially slated to play the role of Buddy when the concept of the film was first made 10 years prior. Although he was eventually replaced with Ferrell, Carrey went on to star in two other Christmas classics: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “A Christmas Carol.” Alongside a cameo by Peter Billingsley are two cameo appearances: director Jon Favreau as Mr. Narwhal and the doctor that administers the DNA test between
Buddy and Walter, his biological father. Like “A Christmas Story,” “Elf” was ultimately made into a musical as well, running on Broadway for a year and still having national tours take place to this day. “Elf ” is the only movie of its kind, however, as Ferrell turned down a $29 million deal to make a sequel just a few months ago. As they say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Whether you are spending it with family or friends, Christmas can be a magical time. And that magical time can be seen in the Christmas movies that have become so popular. It is the perfect time to curl up in some blankets with some hot chocolate and watch your favorite yuletide classics. Keep warm and safe this holiday season, Lakers.
Hurst Hot Take: Review of Santa Inc.
Contributed Photo
Promotional photo for HBO Max’s Santa Inc., featuring Santa (Seth Rogen) and Candy Smalls (Sarah Silverman).
By Emma Coppolo A&E Editor
** Warning: Spoilers ahead! ** HBO Max released a new holiday series this week starring big names such as Sarah Silverman and Seth Rogen. Although it is embarrassing to admit, I can vouch for this show’s excellence as I finished it twice this weekend. This show is perfect for you if you enjoy irreverent adult cartoons (think “Bojack Horseman,” but with Christmas, claymation and civil liberties issues). Candy Smalls (Sarah Silverman) is a coal miner’s daughter that has worked her way up to the third-highest ranking position at Santa Inc., the corporation that pulls off Christmas. She is a female, Jewish elf, which proves to be somewhat of an obstacle as she tries to professionally
advance in a systemically sexist and racist work environment. Her mentor, Brent, is chosen to be Santa’s successor when he retires, meaning that Candy will be promoted. On the delivery route, though, Brent is approached by Jeff Bezos and offered a position at Amazon, which he accepts on the condition that he does not have to use an Amazon Fire Phone. Candy feels betrayed by her friend, and Santa is pushed to find a new successor. Candy realizes that her lifelong dream of becoming the first female Santa is now a possibility. Her proposal leaves Santa stunned and intrigued. Santa makes it clear that he is interested in the optics of having chosen the company’s first Jewish woman successor after having chosen the first Black successor. He explains to Candy that he
can not technically call himself an ally, but others have done so. Even while Santa acts as though he’ll consider Candy’s offer, it is constantly reinforced that she will never be taken seriously. Her rage manifests into the determination to become Santa, no matter what it takes. I do not want to spoil the series in its entirety for those who choose to watch it, so these are a few of my favorite moments from the show. One of Candy’s best friends, Goldie, is a reindeer on the B-team to fly Santa’s sleigh. The B-team, also known as the women’s team, is never given the opportunity to fly on Christmas night. Goldie steals a box of Christmas Spirit Bars, which are given to the A-team before they take off. She eats one and starts behaving erratically to say the least.
A strange series of events reveals that the “nutrition bars” are filled with crystal meth to push the reindeer to maximum productivity. This horrifies Candy, and it inspires her even further to make change at Santa Inc. Mrs. Claus is probably my favorite character, and the show did exactly what I hoped they would with her story arc. While she once longed to be a progressive activist, she is now Santa’s doting wife stuck in a boring life of repetition. In episode four, a group of characters drill through the center of the planet to vacation at their resort in the South Pole. Mrs. Claus is stuck in dull conversations with her friends, so Candy’s friends save her and decide it’s time for a change of pace. The three become gal pals, and Mrs. Claus is finally able to let loose.
One of the funniest parts of this episode is the reveal of Mrs. Claus’s first name, which I will not include to leave some mystery. Throughout the series, she becomes such a fun and wild character, and it’s really something you just have to see to believe. I will warn you: this show is very political and explicit; keep this in mind if you choose to watch it. That being said, I think that it expresses a lot of serious workplace problems in a lighthearted way. The show hits you over the head with its messages, but it also proves its points. I would not recommend watching this with your family unless you are incredibly comfortable with each other, but it is a perfect quick watch if you need something to distract you from finals week.
