Finals are upon us, and although the urge to bash your computer in with a large hammer may be a prevalent thought, there are other means to settle your frustration.
A quick way to reignite the Christmas spirit during dead week is to pop in a Christmas movie, grab a heated blanket and forget all about that ten-page paper you’ve been putting off for three months. You probably have an idea of what movie you want to watch, but if you don’t, allow me to put my unqualified opinion into the mix.
The Santa Clause
Is it just me, or does this movie like never play on TV? Every time I see a Santa Clause marathon airing on a network, the first one is never part of the lineup, but boy oh boy do they love replaying “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause.” If this movie changed up a few of its themes it could totally qualify as a horror movie. The main character, Scott Calvin, witnesses the tragic death of Santa Claus when he falls off a roof. A real way to draw the kids in: watching Santa die.
Scott then undergoes a nightmarish transformation that includes rapid weight gain, greying hair and an insatiable thirst for the Christmas spirit. The Santa Clause has picked its next victim; on top of confusing an entire generation on the name’s spelling.
Does Scott succumb to the curse’s demands and leave his entire life behind forever? Is there any escape from the endless cycle of pain and death that the Clause creates? Is he doomed to suffer the same fate of Sisyphus; forever condemned to live out the will of the capitalist system he is chained to? This movie really just puts me in a holiday mood. You can watch it on Disney+ right now.
The Polar Express
This is another one that could be framed as a horror movie if just a few themes were switched up. A train conductor goes on a rampage luring children onto his rapidly accelerating death machine. Don’t lose your ticket! Or you’ll be thrown off into the Canadian wilderness where you will have to fend for yourself. But there’s hot chocolate!
That’ll make you forget the strange room of possessed puppets that watch your every move. I’m going to be honest, the people in charge of this train do a terrible job of monitoring the children they kidnap. Half of the characters end up wandering the extremely dangerous, ADA-non-compliant, North Pole.
You’d think they’d use the other 364 days out of the year to come up with some safety plans, but who cares it’s Christmas! On a positive note, the soundtrack for this movie is phenomenal, and the story oozes holiday cheer. If you can look past the sort of horrifying animation (at least to today’s standards), this movie is a must-watch. You can catch “The Polar Express” on HBO Max.
The Christmas Prince
This is a Hallmark movie, and you can tell just by watching it. The plot follows the usual Hallmark formula of two attractive people falling in love despite the minor inconveniences their life offers. The movie is set in the country of Aldovia, a Christmas-obsessed monarchy that vaguely resembles Europe. Aspiring reporter Amber is sent to the country to cover the coronation of Prince Richard, and you guessed it: the coronation is on Christmas. Richard’s evil cousin, Simon, is out to steal the throne from Richard.
Will he succeed in doing so? Will Amber be able to write her article, or will she fall in love first? The plot is not the reason to watch “The Christmas Prince,” however, as the movie’s most interesting characteristics lie in the dystopian landscape of Aldovia. What does the country do when it’s not Christmas? Is its entire economy reliant on the sales of holiday merchandise? What about the people in the country who don’t celebrate Christmas?
You can watch “The Christmas Prince” on the Hallmark App.
There you have it. Three Christmas movies that are sure to distract you from the ever-looming misery of finals. Make sure to take time to take care of yourself during this time. Happy holidays!
