The Christmas Movie Report Card, Part 2
The two best Christmas movies (so far).
Welcome back to another semester of Christmas movies. I didn’t know if I would do another installment this year, but the format is so simple, and I continue to watch so many Christmas movies, that I couldn’t resist. There are like 50 good Christmas movies out there, if not more, so I’ll have to put in a lot of leg work to get to them all eventually. Let’s get grading.
Blast of Silence (1961)
A hired killer from Cleavland has a job to do on a second-string mob boss in New York. But a special girl from his past and a fat gun dealer with pet rats get in his way.
Characters
There are great “classic” noir character types in here, especially the near mute protagonist, played by the writer/director Allen Baron. He’s lonely, “professional”, emotionally stunted, and mostly just a husk of a person. It’s great. There’s also fun-loving people from the past, and a gun dealer with pet rats. Solid work, here.
B-
Christmas Spirit
This takes place during the holidays, is about finding human connection, and dips into themes and ideals of the holiday in the screenplay. It’s located in a frigid New York, there is a holiday party, there is a New Year’s Eve deadline; this is a Christmas movie. Actually, it’s an anti-Christmas movie. And that part of it is great.
B
Is it fun?
This was really fun to watch in a theater filled with like-minded viewers, but I don’t think you will have that chance this year (or ever, statistically speaking, unfortunately). Otherwise, this is a noir, so it is designed to be dark and depressing, and it succeeds on that front. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t fun to be had here: there is great narration throughout the film, and the juxtaposition of what is being narrated, and what the character actually does, is electric. There is a Christmas party, there is dancing and drinking, and there is a scene in which the lead gets challenged to a truly outrageous competition, and it is unlike anything I have ever seen before. I would say this movie is — occasionally — fun.
B-
Is it moving?
The movie generates empathy, at least for the side characters dealing with the protagonist, but also for the protagonist himself. But empathy alone doesn’t count as moving. Otherwise, this thing is desperate and desolate, especially so in the final scene. It leaves you cold, which is not moving. This passes, but barely.
C-
Story/Idea
The plot is simple, the driving ideas behind the movie are straightforward and classicly molded, and it presents both cleanly and efficiently. Great job here.
B+
Rewatchability
If you’re a sicko — I sometimes am — movies like this are endlessly rewatchable. But on its own merits, it is tough to grade. It was a great time at the movies, but it relies on plot reveals and the slow unfurling of its main character. Knowing both of these, now, seeing it again will lack surprise and lack the impact of its finale, which was the most powerful punch it threw. That said, this thing looks great, the narration is fun, and it has some wonky scenes that are memorable.
B-
That Special Something
On one hand, this film is successfully trying to be a classic incarnation of the genre. On the other, it is putting those stark ideas into the shell of a Christmas movie, which is a novel idea. It is both stayed, and innovative. The contrast is something special.
B
Someone Gave a Shit
This movie was made on a small budget, and the writer/director plays the least only after losing out on casting his friend and first choice, Peter Falk (!!!). The photography is sharp and focused, no one is mailing in any performances. These people gave a shit.
A
Blast of Silence is a Christmas noir that serves as a great example of what the genre makes you feel. Do you want to feel those things at Christmas time? Ideally not, but the dissonance between those sets of feelings is what makes this a good time. It is a look at a lived-in New York City, as well. This is perfect counter-programming to the traditional fair.
Final GPA: 2.775 (C+)
The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Two shop workers in Budapest try to navigate the Christmas season, and each other, …
Characters
Stellar work in this department. There is a small role for a young teen to just be weird and funny; there is an older man here to be a nice friend; there’s a father-figure/son-figure relationship; there’s a romance. Every character has motivations. They nailed this.
A
Christmas Spirit
The themes are here, the setting is Christmas, it is located mostly in a beautiful store preparing for Christmas sales, they talk of a lovely Christmas dinner, and the emotional arcs of the story and characters are befitting the season. Another job well done.
A
Is it fun?
This is a rom-com. It is a little romantic, and it is definitely a comedy. It is weirdly set in Budapest, but every character speaks English and no details about a single object or event seem to match that supposed setting. That’s fun! There is a twisty plot, silly characters, and an ageless Jimmy Stewart being very Jimmy Stewart. This movie is fun.
B+
Is it moving?
There are two primary relationships that are put under stress, and they bend far. They might break, the might not. Other relationships are lasting and rock solid, their importance revealed. There are lows, and there are highs, and the movie wants you to learn something. This is, effectively, moving.
B
Story/Idea
Both of these are clear, here, and the presentation is good. It is so good, in fact, that this movie would be remade not once but twice. The screenplay, I’d argue, has a couple of quirks that I might consider qualms, but the movie does solid here.
B+
Rewatchability
The deep cast of characters, the romance, the comedy, the ups and downs, a classic central performance, and it’s great Christmas spirit all make this a very rewatchable movie. I just had my first rewatch, and it was marvelous.
A-
That Special Something
This one is unique to me, and unique to a first watch, but I did not know that this movie was remade into a great modern rom-com that I knew and loved. The shock and delight I felt when I realised what was going on was immense, and it is leading me to not reveal what that remake is. You might already know, and most plot synopsis give it away, but if you can watch this movie without knowing anything about it, I advise it. Otherwise, it definitely has some other great oddities and oldities that make it special.
B
Someone Gave a Shit
It seems like Jimmy Stewart has never not given a shit in his performances. The screenplay is multi-faceted, the direction is adept, and the movie is good. People gave a shit. Except whoever decided this movie, where everyone speaks English and the three lead actors are all American, should be set in Budapest. I don’t know what that person was on about.
A
I only watched this movie for the first time two years ago, and I fell in love with it in probably 30 seconds. It is a rewarding watch, especially if you give it your full attention. This is a great chance to learn that movies this old can be fun for anyone, a great eye-opener and gateway drug to cinema classics. Treat yourself to something old this holiday season, or, if you’ve seen it before, dive back in. The water is still warm.
Final GPA: 3.54 (B+)
Gradebook
The Shop Around the Corner (1940) - 3.54
Blast of Silence (1961) - 2.775
Nutcrackers (2024) - 2.25
Hot Frosty (2024) - 1.2