The Christmas TV Strategy Guide 2023 #14

Again, hands up here, not my favourite but its one of my eldest’s favourite Dreamworks films. No real clue why, but I guess if I’m nostalgic for Biggles: An Adventure in Time then I’m not really one to judge am I?

After the car wreck (arf) that was Cars 2 I don’t think anyone really had much time for this third film, or indeed the franchise as a whole. I think the way that it was merchandised to all hell didn’t really endear it to anyone, but then this is a good film. And it turns things around by dumping all the weird spy stuff from the second film, leaning into the sports genre and essentially remaking Rocky III. Its not a bad idea and actually pulls it off

There’s generally a day where, if you really fancy it, you can spend the whole day watching Carry On films and, well, here it is on New Year’s Eve. For my money the best two here are Screaming and Khyber but you take your pick. And you also get a random Bob Monkhouse show in the middle which should be a fun watch as well

Another absolute banger of a film relegated to the arse end of the schedules. Of that 00s trend of motion capped CG films this really was the best, mainly due to bringing forth the powers of Spielberg and Peter Jackson. The film steps away from the more realistic look of Polar Express and Beowolf and leans into the cartoon style of the source material and delivers and full on romp of an adventure film. Its brilliant, and its a crime we haven’t have like 3 sequels since this one was done

Here’s a great triple bill of family films, starting with a banger of a musical, then taking a little dip in the middle with one of Spielberg’s late 80s/early 90s missteps before a definitive 80s film. Its a great thing to settle down to and finish off whatever Christmas snacks you have left in the house

What is it with these bangers today? Honestly, this is one of the best kids films of the 90s, jet black in places with a great cast absolutely smashing it. Animal comedy may not be for everyone, but here everyone should be able to have a cracking time with this one

So here we go, the last of the Craig-Bonds and the film that was supposed to save cinema after the pandemic. And it sort of did? Its a pretty good end to Craig’s run, despite having a pretty rubbish villain. Malek is, I don’t know, just acting too much as reductive as that sounds. He doesn’t feel like a good foil for Craig, who had two of the best villains in Skyfall and Casino Royale. It ends up being a good Bond film, despite what you might think about the ending

So here we are then, at the point of deciding what to watch when midnight strikes and the New Year begins. If you don’t fancy any big show then this wouldn’t be a bad shout, a great comedy with a superb manic turn from Gene Wilder. Much superior to the remake of a few years ago.

This is the perennial “leave it on in the background” choice for most of us; its somehow comforting that Jules will be there for us every year probably from now until the end of humanity, with his rhythm and blues stylings and Vic Reeves dancing in the audience

Or there’s this, Rick Astley riding his current wave of fame that bagged his self a New Years special. Rick or Jules? What a choice that is to have.