Alternative Holiday Movies

Yes, it’s that time of the year again where the holiday spirit can be found everywhere. From decorations in shopping malls to holiday-themed coffee drinks and hope-inspiring, predictable, overly-emotional festive-themed movies. But if you’re looking for something a little less “normal” to watch this season then we highly recommended popping these movies on to get you in the alternate Christmas spirit.

SCROOGED

A very dark, yet hilariously cynical take of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, starring Bill Murray in the role of television executive Frank Cross, the meanest and most depraved man on earth. Cross will stoop to unheard-of levels to increase his network’s ratings -- even if it means mounting outrageous programs to retain an audience, such as “Robert Goulet’s Cajun Christmas” and Lee Majors in “The Night the Reindeer Died,” with an AK-47-toting Santa. Cross plots his foulest move, however, for the Christmas holiday, when he will force his office staff to mount a live production of A Christmas Carol on national television -- and thus work through Christmas Eve. Cross’s life is turned upside down with visits from three ghosts. Along the way, the spirits carry Frank to scenes from his past, present, and future and impart a glimpse of how he became so thoroughly rotten. Murray plays the role of super a-hole brilliantly and there are laugh-out-loud moments around every corner.

IN BRUGES

After a particularly difficult job, hit men Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) head to Belgium to hide out until things cool down. Ray hates the medieval city they land in, but Ken finds its beauty and peacefulness enchanting. Their experiences become increasingly surreal and possibly life-changing as they encounter tourists, locals, an American dwarf, and a potential romance for Ray. It’s a wonderfully executed dark action comedy that became an instant cult classic and because the movie takes place over the Christmas period it’s the perfect alternative to the typical feel-good movies pumped out over December. You will fall in love with the two hitmen as well as the beautiful city of Bruges.