REPOST: AV Treatment for the Christmas Blahs.

(Yeah, it’s a repost from last year.  But I’ve added one new selection and and linked to the proper Netflix pages.  Don’t say I never do nothing for you.)  

Christmas got you down?  Yeah, me too.  Here’s some stuff to keep you going.

FUTURAMA EPISODES “Xmas Story”(Ep. 208.) & “A Tale of Two Santas”(Ep. 402). In the 31st Century, Santa Claus has become a Robot that through a programming glitch, considers everyone to be naughty with homicial results. Both of these shows are high water marks in the “Futurama” run but I’ll give the edge to “Two Santas” for a harilous song by Ken Keeler and Bill Odenkirk and Coolio as the Kwanzaa-bot. Plus how can you not love a Christmas cartoon where a little girl gets hit with a flying bicycle? Come on!

 

MONTY PYTHON’S LIFE OF BRIAN & MONTY PYTHON’S THE MEANING OF LIFE. Both Directed by Terry Jones.

Yes, nothing says holiday cheer than a broad burlesque inspired by the Gospels. Surprisingly enough, the film doesn’t make fun of Jesus Christ but saves it’s barbs for most of His followers. (Eric Idle points out in the commentary on The Criterion edition that the Pythons combed through Jesus’ writings and found they couldn’t poke any holes in his teachings. Idle referred His writings as “Very strong and very Buddist.) The film follows Brian (Played by Graham Chapman.) from his birth in the manger adjoining Jesus’ to his Crucifixion Thus making it perfect holiday viewing for both Christmas and Easter. (I’m sorry, I’m a stranger here. What is this “hellfire” you speak of?)
“Meaning of Life” while not a Christmas movie, has a great closing number called “Christmas in Heaven” which reimagines heaven as a cheesy resort with a Vegas-like showroom. And the rest of the movie is a hoot too. (And if you’re having trouble getting rid of your relatives, the Mr. Creosote scene will clear the house in a heartbeat.)

A VERY VENTURE CHRISTMAS: (On disc two of “The Venture Bros. Season One.”)

At eleven minutes, it’s the shortest thing on my list. But it’s still a potent little geek bomb aimed at the heart of Xmas. The Monarch tries to blow up the Venture’s with a Nativity scene. Hank and Dean, while trying to find a tale to tell during storytime, accidentally release a Germanic demon. And Dr. Venture has two dreams about the holiday. Extra geek points for recreating the old CBS holiday special graphic and name checking the Wookies’ Life Day.

A CHRISTMAS STORY: Directed by Bob Clark.

Yeah, it’s a lazy choice but I don’t care. You got bullies, teachers, indifferent store Santa’s, The Old Man’s “Major Award”, the Bumpuses’ dogs and the Holy Grail of Christmas Presents, The Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle! (You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.) Only a Scrooge would deny it’s power.

AND NEW FOR 2010:

Mystery Science Theater 3000: “Santa Claus”. (1959.)

Santa battles the Devil while multicultural child labor is forced to do his bidding in his sky castle.  Cute children wrestle with the darkness in their souls.  Hell is a bad community theater production of “Jigoku”.  This 1959 Mexican film may be one of the only pieces of cinema that makes Mike and
the Bots redundant.  But that doesn’t stop them from ladling on the gags.

What about you, guys? What gets you though the holiday? Let me know below.