Three films for the Christmas season
By LEONARD BINNING on December 3, 2020.
I cannot believe that December is upon us already. Seems these last several months in isolation have flown by. It has been a year I think most of us would like to forget; however, that might be easier said than done. A glimmer of hope is on the horizon with a few vaccine announcements from multiple companies. Sadly, I feel that will be many months away before we see and feel the results.
I wonder how the Christmas season might play out this year with all the restrictions and limitations many will face. We hope that a few things will not change – namely the enjoyment of the many holiday themed movies we have. This Friday we open four very different holiday films for the enjoyment of the community.
First is the timeless classic from 1946 starring Jimmy Stewart, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” a tale about an angel sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed. This film is 130 minutes in length and is rated PG. It is scheduled to play daily, starting Friday at 12:10 p.m.
Next up is a film that gets a lot of opinions as to whether it is a Christmas movie. “Die Hard” was a pivotal film in the career of Bruce Willis. Released in 1988, it tells the story of a New York City Detective in Los Angeles who must save the day from a group of terrorists who have seized a building on Christmas Eve. This film is rated 14A and has a violence and not recommended for young children warning. It is 130 minutes long and will show daily at 12:20, 6:40 and 8:40 p.m.
A younger Bill Murray stars in “Scrooged.” This comedy was also released in 1988 and tells the story of a cynical, selfish TV executive who is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve. It is rated PG and is 101 minutes long. It will play daily at 3:30 and 8:30 p.m.
Finally, a live-action version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” starring Jim Carrey (a role he was destined for). Released in 2000, it is a great collaboration of the classic Seuss tale of the Grinch and Cindy Lou at Christmas time. This film is rated PG and is 110 minutes long. It will show daily at 1 and 3:40 p.m.
Hoping these help to get you in the holiday frame of mind, and perhaps put the day-to-day worries behind you for a couple of hours. We are anxious to invite you to an almost normal experience of watching a movie with just a few others while enjoying all the safety we have to offer! Please consider enjoying a safe outing to your local theatre – we promise to do our very best to ensure your time will be safe and enjoyable. Above all – stay safe, everyone. Hope to see you at the movie theatre!
Leonard Binning operates the Movie Mill and is a past president of the Motion Picture Theatre Association of Alberta. His column appears Thursdays.
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