In this episode of the Wicked Indulgence podcast, my co-host Kevin and I dive into the age-old debate: Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? We kick off the discussion with a passionate defense of Die Hard, asserting that it embodies the true spirit of Christmas through its themes of family, miracles, and, of course, action-packed excitement. We humorously challenge those who disagree, suggesting they "suck our butts" in jest.

As we transition into our main topic, we decide to rank our top 10 Christmas movies, starting from the bottom and working our way to the top. We agree that A Christmas Story is overrated, especially with its incessant marathon on TNT during the holiday season. Kevin expresses his preference for Hallmark Christmas movies over A Christmas Story, and we both share a mutual disdain for the film's repetitive nature.

We introduce ourselves and set the stage for our rankings, emphasizing that we will start with the number one Christmas movie rather than keeping our audience in suspense. Our first pick is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, which we both agree is a quintessential holiday film filled with relatable family dynamics, hilarious shenanigans, and a heartwarming conclusion that encapsulates the essence of Christmas.

Next, we discuss Die Hard, placing it at number two on our list. We highlight its action elements, memorable characters, and the underlying message about family and the true meaning of Christmas. We also touch on the iconic performances, particularly by Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman, and how the film has become a staple for many during the holiday season.

Moving on, we rank Home Alone (both one and two) as our third choice, praising its timeless appeal and the unforgettable antics of Kevin McCallister. We agree that the sequels that followed do not hold a candle to the original films. Following that, we place The Santa Clause at number four, lamenting the decline of the franchise after the first film and discussing Tim Allen's charm in the role.

As we continue our rankings, we delve into A Christmas Carol, noting its various adaptations and how each family tends to have their favorite version. We share our personal preferences, with Kevin favoring the classic 60s version and me leaning towards the Muppet adaptation.

At number six, we discuss Elf, highlighting Will Ferrell's commitment to the role and the film's ability to evoke the Christmas spirit. We appreciate its humor and the infectious charm of Zoe Deschanel's character.

As we reach number seven, we tackle Jim Carrey's The Grinch, acknowledging the actor's dedication to the role while critiquing the film's overall aesthetic and pacing. We express our admiration for Carrey's performance but agree that the film has its flaws.

Next, we rank Polar Express at number eight, sharing our mixed feelings about the film's animation and storytelling. We discuss the film's memorable moments, such as the hot chocolate song, while also critiquing the unsettling portrayal of the elves.

Finally, we arrive at our number nine pick, A Christmas Story, where we both express our frustrations with the film's repetitive nature and lack of a strong narrative. We share our thoughts on the characters, particularly Ralphie's father, and how the film has become a cultural staple despite its shortcomings.

Throughout the episode, we engage in light-hearted banter, share personal anecdotes, and provide our listeners with a fun and entertaining exploration of Christmas movies. We encourage our audience to join the conversation and share their own rankings and opinions on these holiday classics.

00:00:00 - Die Hard: A Christmas Movie Debate
00:01:00 - Overrated Christmas Classics
00:02:00 - Introduction to the Top 10 Christmas Movies
00:03:30 - Number 1: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
00:06:00 - Aunt Bethany and the Christmas Shenanigans
00:08:00 - Number 2: Die Hard
00:10:00 - Number 3: Home Alone (1 & 2)
00:12:00 - Number 4: The Santa Claus
00:13:50 - Number 5: A Christmas Carol
00:20:00 - Number 6: Elf
00:27:00 - Number 7: Jim Carrey's The Grinch
00:32:00 - Number 8: Polar Express
00:38:00 - Number 9: A Christmas Story
00:46:00 - Final Thoughts on Christmas Movies