2w ago

The Holdovers (2023), my favourite movie of 2023 and my recommendation for you all to watch over Christmas.

m.imdb.com The Holdovers (2023) ⭐ 7.9 | Comedy, Drama

2h 13m | 12

I remember I went in to this blind when it was released because of a radio appearances by Paul Giamatti and some fascinating stories he told. It is a lot more thoughtful than the "Christmas comedy" tag would suggest and is full of amazing characters.

I'd welcome any recommendations from the community too if you have any favourite festive movies.

16 comments

Same, came into it blind and didn't know much about it. Very good movie, absolutely worth a watch.

It has quickly become a seasonal must-watch for me and my partner. The atmosphere while melancholy is bitter sweet and Paul Giamatti's arch is endearing .
It's a great film.

Some newer Christmas movies I've enjoyed:
"This Is Christmas"
"Last Christmas"
Just watched "Nutcrackers" on Hulu yesterday and I enjoyed that more than I expected.
edited to add IMDb links.
- Which "This is Christmas"? Seeing one about a train and one about a broken family.
  
  The one about the train
  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22302170/

My family and I watched it tonight and we all enjoyed it, thanks for bringing it to our attention!
I'd first seen Giamatti in Private Parts, and then spent a few years calling him Pig Vomit (as Stern called him in the movie) for a few years before realizing I was actually a fan of his.
I also have a weakness for boarding school movies for some weird reason.
The first half played out as a combination of The Breakfast Club and Dead Poets Society, and then it finally came into its own, and used all of those parts it had put into play so very, very well.
- I'm glad you liked it.

Good flick.

It was fine and enjoyable, but I don't understand why it gets such high praise. And I don't think I'd go out of my way to watch it again.
What am I missing?
- Maybe it's just not for you?
  It doesn't have an impressively high rating or anything so you are in the majority but it was my favourite film last year.
  
  Fair enough.
  When it came out (or shortly after) I remember it was getting a lot of praise and chatter about awards for the cast, script, and direction. (The performances were great all around, no shade there). So that's what I was thinking of when referring to it's high praise - But it seems overall opinion has tempered over time.
  Glad it has an audience though, cheers.

Saw it on release last year and absolutely loved it. It’s now my number one recommendation for a Christmas movie.

Adding a few more suggestions.
I really liked Violent Night. It is really bloody for a Christmas movie. I ultimately didn't mind the liberties they took with the myth of Santa. Despite it being a dark comedy/action/thriller with a lot of bloodshed, they kept the magic real.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12003946/
Better Watch Out (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4443658/) is fun, in a Christmas psychopath kind of way.
Likewise, A Christmas Horror Story (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3688406). It's multiple connected vignettes. If I say it includes Santa Claus fighting a zombie outbreak among the elves at the North Pole, I don't know if it sells it or turns folks off. Covers all the bases: zombies, ghosts, changelings, etc.
Going back to the Rom-Com Christmas, there's
Your Christmas or Mine? (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21994906/) and Your Christmas or Mine 2 (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27446495/)

Fantastic movie. Now excuse me while I get back to my copy of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

The Holdovers: https://justwatch.com/ca/movie/the-holdovers

16 comments