Saturday Afternoon at the Movies: the greatest Christmas film ever!

I'd like to begin by wishing my dear friend Valerie a very happy birthday.  Last year I jumped the gun and wished her a happy birthday a day early, which caused some confusion among her loyal readers.  I'm fairly certain I got it right this year, since she mentioned it was today on her blog!!

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  Some I've even seen more than once!  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films.   They are often hilarious, many times irreverent, but always really fun to read.  Her synopses are not to be missed. If you aren't familiar with her movie reviews, please check out her blog.  I assure you, you won't be disappointed and will probably come away either laughing or smiling.

You will probably want to throw me out of the Saturday Movie club because I have shown this film before, but I assure you, to me it is the ULTIMATE Christmas movie.  The preview, less than 2 minutes in length, shows this is not your typical Christmas fare.  Don't expect a sugar high, because your teeth won't ache from any syrup, and you won't go into diabetic shock like you will watching the sappy Christmas movies Hallmark and others are showing right now.  You MIGHT, however, sit on the edge of your seat

 

when John McClane, played by Bruce Willis, must hunt down 12 terrorists who have arrived at his estranged wife's office building as the Christmas party is getting underway.  Or you might cheer when Hans Gruber, played by the late, great Alan Rickman falls from the 30th floor of the Nakatomi building (actually Fox Plaza in Los Angeles, CA).

This film, although released in July, 1988, has been considered the greatest Christmas film ever made by several film critics and in the top 10 by several others.  The film turned Willis into an action star.  It has become a symbol for, a blueprint of, and associated with an action film in which a lone hero fights overwhelming odds.

Thanks for visiting today and joining me for Saturday afternoon at the movies.  I'm sure there are several places you can find this film and I believe you can buy the entire series on Amazon.  Some  cable stations might show it Christmas day like they did last year on its 25th anniversary of the film's release.