“When Harry Met Sally”
Follow Harry and Sally through years of their awkward and platonic relationship and see what happens. The amalgam of holiday films, “When Harry Met Sally” was made famous by the iconic diner orgasm scene, which actually wasn’t Nora Ephron’s idea (take that, haters). Talk about awkward, especially if watching with your parents; that scene is probably why mine kicked me out of the living room whenever they were watching this holy grail of rom coms. But now that you’re the holder of a bonafide adult card, don’t let your parents kick you out of the room. This film captures the holiday essence perfectly; from the scenes of Central Park in full-on autumnal magic to the film’s NYC NYE finale, “When Harry Met Sally” will transplant you in New York City for the holidays.
“A Christmas Story”
Who doesn’t want to relive the pains/perils of childhood during the holidays? The unfairness of your parents (who you’re convinced will leave you out in the cold when it comes to the gift you’ve been coveting for FOREVER), the travails of walks to school made hell by that bully you hate and the triple-dog dares of legend (the time that kid got his/her tongue stuck to a frozen pole) all become familiar again with “A Christmas Story.” The film follows average American kid Ralphie, who plots to convince everyone in his life that he needs the BB gun of his dreams, despite the naysayers (“You’ll shoot your eye out!”). Watching this holiday movie with your family beats singing raunchy versions of Christmas carols, guaranteed.
“A Very Sunny Christmas”
It wouldn’t be an awkward holiday season without the crew from the saddest excuse for a bar and it’s sociopath crew. In the 2010 “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” Christmas special, the Paddy’s gang ups their antics to epic proportions. The jaded Dee and Dennis plan to make Frank’s Christmas a living hell by contacting his former business partner, whom he screwed over; Mac reminisces about his childhood Christmas morning break-ins and Charlie finds out the true meaning of the Santas that visited his mother every Christmas. “Merry Christmas, bitches!”
Trading Places
“Trading Places” was THE bromance before bromances were a thing. When Dan Aykroyd gets played by two old yuppies, Eddie Murphy (con man Billy Ray Valentine) takes Aykroyd’s position on Wall Street. Aykroyd and Murphy soon team up with a very chesty Jamie Lee Curtis to get money and kick the rich brothers out for their wrong-doings. Nothing screams holiday cheer like foiling the devious plot of heartless yuppies. Off-color (albeit hilarious) jokes supply the awkward factor.
