Greatest Christmas Movies Ever: Take Two – What to See from It’s A Wonderful Life to Die Hard (??)

Note: Deadline presents the 45th episode of its video series Second try, in which Pete Hammond and Todd McCarthy explore the artistry of movies that hit theaters every weekend. Each has spent decades reviewing and writing about the craft, and has built up a remarkably broad knowledge of films past and present. When we asked them, we were hoping for a concise, mature and thoughtful conversation similar to what we saw from Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel.

The so-called “Christmas movie” has become a genre in its own right, a seasonal filmmaking exercise that continues to grow with studios and streamers filling their stockings with new ones every year, and places like the Hallmark Channel selling them like Amazon packages on ‘ an assembly line. If you think it’s all a bit too much, an overwhelming selection that seems endless, you’re probably right, which is why this week’s edition of our video series, Second try aims to separate the true classics and the treasured holiday-themed dishes from the mundane that seem right everywhere.

So of course we look into it It’s a wonderful life, miracle on 34th street the various iterations of A Christmas song and the like, as well as some certified classics brought to life over the past few decades, including, believe it or not, So difficult which some swear is as much a Christmas movie as it gets Father Christmas. We have our own thoughts on this. But if you’re going on a long vacation, we hope this review warms your heart — or not (yes, you are, Evil Santa) – is our gift to you. Happy festive season and I hope you feel like celebrating on film too.

Click the link above to watch our conversation.

Hammond has been a columnist for Deadline’s Awards for the past decade, covering the Oscar and Emmy seasons year-round. He is also Deadline’s chief film critic, having previously reviewed films for MovieLine, box office Magazine, BackstageHollywood.com and maximumlike Film Guide by Leonard Maltin, for which he was an editor. In addition to writing, Hammond also hosts the KCET Cinema Series and the network’s weekly series Must see movies.

McCarthy is a veteran film critic, columnist and reporter who has also written several award-winning books and documentaries. He served two terms on staff diversity and The Hollywood Reporter and internationally acclaimed film festivals for both publications. his video Visions of Light: The Art of Cinematography won the best documentary award from the New York Film Critics and