Top 5 holiday movies of all-time according to yours truly.
Number 5: A Christmas Story. I actually don’t think this movie is particularly good. But it is so ubiquitous (TBS runs it for 24 hours on a loop from, I’m pretty sure, Thanksgiving to New Years) that it’s almost become woven into our skin. And I think the reason for this comes back to my opening statement; it’s not good but it’s so easy and non-controversial which is pretty much what everyone needs to offset every other part of the holiday season.
Number 4: Scrooged. To me this is the best telling of the “ghosts come visit me and I finally have self-awareness” story that exists. Mostly because Bill Murray is in it. Sure, “It’s A Wonderful Life” is technically “better” but as someone who already uses dated pop-culture references all the time I sure-as-shit ain’t recommending a black and white movie. Which is also why you won’t see “Miracle on 34th Street” here even though it is also excellent.
Number 3: Home Alone. Long-time readers of the blog know I’m a sucker for all things John Hughes (as is required as a card-carrying member of Gen X) but every time I get caught watching the exploits of the McAllister family I’m charmed into enjoying this movie. Are there deep logic flaws? Yes. Is there an appearance by John Candy? Also yes. Which, let’s face it, makes any movie better.
Number 2: Christmas Vacation. Long-time readers of the blog will also remember that my wife hates both Chevy Chase and his alter-ego Clark Griswold. But at the risk of angering her, there are so many funny scenes, performances and one-liners in this movie that I can’t help but giggle like a school girl every time I watch it. Listen people, there’s some heavy shit going on in the world right now. This is the perfect escape from all of it.
Number 1: Die Hard. The question here isn’t whether or not this is the greatest holiday movie of all-time (it is!) but the thread-bare argument of whether this is even a holiday movie at all. Here’s my justification which I honestly haven’t heard anywhere else. If this movie isn’t set at the company Christmas party none of it works. The entire plot depends on it. Take a moment to think about it and get back to me.
Believe it or not - and the nearly 80 degree temperatures in New York City in early November would probably have you leaning towards “not” - the holiday season is creeping upon us.
So I want to share with you my biggest pet peeve about the holidays as a showrunner of a few gyms.
But first I feel the need to say this. The holidays are important. Traveling to see family is important. Taking time to be self-reflective and engage in your cultural and religious rituals. Important. Going to 13 different holiday parties and drinking eggnog and eating copious amounts of sweet potato pie (no marshmallows on mine, thanks). Important.
So I’m not by any means saying that taking a break from your day-to-day norms to celebrate the holidays isn’t a good idea.
However, Thanksgiving dinner is three hours long. Christmas is one night and the following day. Same goes for New Years.
Why in the hell do you need to take 5 weeks off of training for these events?
Is the advice to stay consistent during the holidays self-serving? Sure, to an extent. We survive on people attending their training sessions.
But certainly more importantly is the impact it has on you, oh dear trainee. Because you’ve spent the past few months rebuilding the habit of going to the gym after a wayward August (where you swore, come Labor Day, you’d never let it happen again) and now you are letting it all slip away, only to arrive at Martin Luther King Jr. Day in mid January wondering why your pants don’t fit and your deadlift is down by 15kg.
I'm going to keep this refreshingly short (which I know you will appreciate after the last few overwrought blog posts). Make sure you continue training during the holiday season. You may have to reduce frequency. You may have to cobble something together in your parents basement rather than attending your regular, fully-equipped gym. You may even have to, God forbid, go for a quick run outside.
But, whatever it is, don’t let future you down by letting your training completely go to shit.
Because we love future you. Almost as much as we love current you.
And if you need help figuring this out, let me know.
Yippee Kay Yay!
I'd love to hear what your favorite holiday movie is, if you think Die Hard even is a holiday movie and whether or not you like marshmallows on your sweet potato pie (although, clearly, there is only one right answer to all these questions).
Hit reply and let me know your thoughts.