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When it comes to holiday down-time, folks usually choose seasonally appropriate flicks to get them in the mood for merriment. Most of these traditional holiday movies are great, but you can watch a humiliated kid try on a pink bunny suit<\/a> <\/span>only so many times. And, the truth is, many of the best seasonal flicks encourage you to have a complete emotional meltdown before the final credits roll. <\/span>Be honest: have you ever watched Judy Garland sing \u201cHave Yourself a Merry Little Christmas\u201d<\/a> in Meet Me in St. Louis<\/i>without completely losing it? A<\/span>re you able to maintain stoicism when Clarence the Angel explains to George Bailey in<\/span> It\u2019s a Wonderful Life<\/em><\/a> that his wished-for nonexistence in an alternate universe cost many soldiers their lives <\/span>(<\/span>\u201c<\/span>Every man on that transport died. Harry wasn’t there to save them, because you weren’t there to save Harry!\u201d)? Of course not! It\u2019s the saddest line in the most emotional Christmas movie imaginable. And who wants to break down and cry during the holidays? Anyway, that\u2019s what visiting with relatives is for.<\/span><\/div>\n
For these reasons, some like to go rogue when it comes to watching yuletide flicks. My friend Gina\u2019s recent text message to me reminded me of one of my go-to Christmas staples: <\/span>Zack Snyder\u2019s 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead<\/a><\/i> (\u201cWhen are we going to watch it?! <\/span>I need to get in the Xmas mood!\u201d she pressed). <\/span>Sure, George Romero\u2019s original is amazing and, truthfully, didn\u2019t need a makeover. Also, Dawn of the Dead <\/i>2004 is gruesome, bloody, and contains zero references to sleds, reindeer, snow, elves, fruitcake, or Santa whatsoever. Still, I find that enjoyable movies are also very comforting–even those that depict an action-packed zombie apocalypse, wherein the human race speeds stealthily towards its doom.<\/span><\/div>\n
Other staffers at Langsdale Library have ideas about their favorite non-holiday holiday movies. <\/span>Reference librarian Lindsay Simmons and technical services library technician Nick Richards both cite Edward Scissorhands<\/i> as a film they think brings on good cheer. Besides, admits Nick, \u201cI\u2019m obsessed with Johnny Depp.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
The Simpsons<\/i> are the festive choice of Adam Shutz (class of \u201911, administrative assistant): <\/span>\u201cOver the holidays I spend a lot of time with my cousins, and the only thing we can agree on to watch are DVDs of The Simpsons<\/i>. <\/span>We end up watching one episode after another.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
Head of reference, Michael Shochet, is partial to The Princess Bride<\/a><\/i>. Why? Michael explains: <\/span>\u201cBecause it is about true love, which is, of course, the greatest thing in the world. Except for a nice M.L.T.–mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich, when the mutton is nice and lean, and the tomato is ripe.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
Circulation library Erin Toepfner is fond of watching the Back to the Future<\/a><\/i> trilogy. \u201cIt\u2019s one of my favorite movies,\u201d gushes Erin, \u201cIt\u2019s one I can watch over and over again.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
Book and Document Delivery\u2019s reserves coordinator, Brian Chetelat, will be treating himself to a screening of Harold and Maude<\/a><\/i><\/span><\/span>, citing the quirky 1972 film as \u201cmy all-time favorite.\u201d Brian continues, \u201cEven though it ends with Maude\u2019s death, there are so many uplifting messages, and the Cat Stevens’ soundtrack is the icing on the cake.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Am\u00e9lie<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/i> is a favorite of reference librarian Catherine Johnson. Said she, \u201cWhile it\u2019s not a holiday movie, Am\u00e9lie<\/i>\u2019s fantastic worldview and dedication to making things better for the people around her is a good reminder to be kind to the people around us and that sometimes even small gestures can make a big difference.\u201d <\/span>How uplifting!<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201c<\/span>The holidays are as good a time as any for \u201890s nostalgia,<\/span>\u201d <\/span>opines special collections librarian Aidan Faust, citing his choice of the off-color \u201choliday classic\u201d Pulp Fiction<\/em><\/a>. He continues, \u201c<\/span>I don’t tend to re-watch movies much, but this one’s an exception. Never gets boring.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Langsdale wishes you a wonderful winter break. See you in 2014!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Cast of “White Christmas” (via Smithsonian.com) When it comes to holiday down-time, folks usually choose seasonally appropriate flicks to get them in the mood for merriment. Most of these traditional holiday movies are great, but you can watch a humiliated Continue reading I’m Dreaming of a Non-Christmas<\/span>