December 23, 2020 · 8:00 AM

Your 12.23.20 Playpen

Simple question:  is Die Hard a Christmas movie?

148 Comments

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148 responses to “Your 12.23.20 Playpen”

  1. ugafidelis
    December 23, 2020 at 8:03 AM

    Absodamnlutely. Ho. Ho. Ho.

    Liked by 3 people

  2. ugafidelis
    December 23, 2020 at 8:03 AM

    Absodamnlutely. Ho. Ho. Ho.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. 79dawg
    December 23, 2020 at 8:04 AM

    “The Ref” is the best Christmas movie…

    Liked by 1 person

  4. BeardDawg
    December 23, 2020 at 8:08 AM

    Yes. And Rickman’s delivery of “ho, ho………ho” is perfect!

    Like

  5. gurkhadawg
    December 23, 2020 at 8:11 AM

    Got the Trump Vaccine yesterday. Thank you Mr President.

    Liked by 3 people

  6. chicagodawgfan
    December 23, 2020 at 8:19 AM

    If you have to ask…actually, the American Film Institute lists Die Hard on the Best 100 Holiday Films of All-Time, so yippee kay yeah motherfucker;-)

    Liked by 1 person

  7. dudemankind
    December 23, 2020 at 8:21 AM

    Yes, and for the record, so is Gremlins.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Corch Irvin Meyers, New USC Corch (2021)
      December 23, 2020 at 9:46 AM

      Nope. The plot of Gremlins could work as Billy’s birthday, thus the plot is not dependent on it being Christmas. It’s not a Christmas movie.

      Like

      • theorginaldawgabides
        December 23, 2020 at 10:15 AM

        With that logic, Ralphie could have just as well wanted a Red Ryder for his birthday also.

        Liked by 1 person

        • Corch Irvin Meyers, New USC Corch (2021)
          December 23, 2020 at 11:13 AM

          No, you need to go deeper than that. Everything else that happens in the film is dependent on the holiday setting. The Bumpus’s dogs eating the Christmas dinner forcing them to go out to a restaurant but every restaurant in town is closed but the Chinese restaurant. That could only happen at Christmas in the 1940’s. There’s other stuff, too. Like the visit to Santa Claus, or the essay assignment. Those plot points could only happen at Christmas.

          Plus, it meets the overriding criteria for not needing to be subject to this logic: A Christmas Story literally IS a Christmas movie.

          The logic I’ve laid out only applies to non-traditional Christmas movies. Like Die Hard.

          Liked by 2 people

          • dudemankind
            December 23, 2020 at 11:21 AM

            Disagree. The whole point of the gremlin was that he was a Christmas gift. The girlfriend has a terrible Christmas memory of her Dad beeaking his neck playing Santa, and the Gremlins tear up a brightly Christmas decorated town.

            Liked by 1 person

            • Corch Irvin Meyers, New USC Corch (2021)
              December 23, 2020 at 11:24 AM

              Shit, you know what? You’re right. 100%.

              I totally forgot about Phoebe Cates’s amazing Christmas monologue. Damn. How did I forget that?

              I stand corrected: Gremlins could ONLY happen at Christmas, and it’s not because the Mogwai was a gift (like I said, Gizmo could be a birthday present), but because of that monologue. One of the best black comedy moments ever, and it can only be at Christmas.

              Liked by 2 people

              • mddawg
                December 24, 2020 at 5:54 AM

                Two people engaging in a calm, respectful discussion on the internet and one of them changes their mind? It is indeed a Christmas miracle.

                Like

  8. Biggen
    December 23, 2020 at 8:26 AM

    I love arguing for this to people who have never seen the movie.

    It’s a damn Christmas miracle of movie magic.

    Like

  9. Granthams Replacement
    December 23, 2020 at 8:27 AM

    Yes Hans.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. mragin83
    December 23, 2020 at 8:34 AM

    I watched it last night and decided it’s not a Christmas movie. But I’m happy to watch it every Christmas just to check!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. jsteph1967
    December 23, 2020 at 8:35 AM

    Yes, building empty because of holidays, less security because of holidays and the guy in charge is in the building with fewer security guards making it easier for Hans.

    Like

  13. mddawg
    December 23, 2020 at 8:37 AM

    My top 3 Christmas movies, in no particular order, are Die Hard, Gremlins, and Scrooged. I think Scrooged is criminally underrated as it hardly ever seems to come up in the “best of holiday films” discussions, but I absolutely love it. Other holiday favorites include A Christmas Story, Home Alone, and Lethal Weapon.

    Liked by 3 people

  14. Hogbody Spradlin
    December 23, 2020 at 8:42 AM

    It has my vote. Welcome to the party Pal.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. PTC DAWG
    December 23, 2020 at 8:46 AM

    Yes, along with Trading Places..

    Liked by 3 people

    • Corch Irvin Meyers, New USC Corch (2021)
      December 23, 2020 at 9:44 AM

      Nope. Trading Places is a movie that happens to be taking place during the holidays, but it is not a Christmas movie because its plot could take place during any holiday season that delays a quarterly report, like Memorial Day.

      Like

      • PTC DAWG
        December 23, 2020 at 11:48 AM

        I’m convinced you would argue with a stop sign.

        Liked by 5 people

        • Corch Irvin Meyers, New USC Corch (2021)
          December 23, 2020 at 11:49 AM

          Provide a reason for discussion, and I’ll discuss. It’s not argument, it’s a disagreement.

          Liked by 1 person

          • 79dawg
            December 23, 2020 at 12:29 PM

            When Billy Ray is learning about trading pork belly futures, he obviously hones in on the other traders’ desire to sell so that they can afford to buy their sons’ the GI Joe with the kung-fu grip.
            Winthorpe’s Santa disguise is the plot device which causes the Duke brothers closing out their bet (which is overheard by Billy Ray), and which ultimately causes Billy Ray and WInthorpe to ensnare the Dukes…

            Liked by 1 person

      • bigjohnson1992
        December 23, 2020 at 11:08 PM

        Trading places is a Christmas movie. And planes trains and autos is a thanksgiving movie. They coulda taken place during other holidays, but they didn’t.

        Like

  16. Bay Area Dawg
    December 23, 2020 at 8:53 AM

    Top Five:

    #1 Christmas Vacation
    #2 Home Alone
    #3 Die Hard
    #4 Scrooged
    #5 Bad Santa

    I did watch The Christmas Chronicles last night with my wife and kids and it was pretty good. If anyone is looking for a new Christmas movie I would highly recommend it.

    We’re going to watch The Christmas Chronicles 2 tonight.

    Liked by 5 people

  17. Dawglicious
    December 23, 2020 at 8:54 AM

    Yes! And Iron Man 3.

    Like

    • Corch Irvin Meyers, New USC Corch (2021)
      December 23, 2020 at 9:43 AM

      Nope. Iron Man Three is a movie that happens to take place at Christmas, but it is not a Christmas movie. See my explanation on the differences below.

      Like

      • RangerRuss
        December 23, 2020 at 12:01 PM

        Is How The Grinch Stole Christmas a Christmas show?
        Asking for a Horndawg Hans.

        Like

        • Corch Irvin Meyers, New USC Corch (2021)
          December 23, 2020 at 12:05 PM

          Of course. By it’s very nature as being a Christmas movie / television short film, like A Charlie Brown Christmas, it does not bare scrutiny under this rule, which only applies to those which are unconventional Christmas movies.

          Like

          • RangerRuss
            December 23, 2020 at 1:55 PM

            Alright then. Who am I to argue with a Marine when it comes to Christmas? Everybody knows The Corps is Santa and Jesus’ favorite branch.

            Like

  18. scottrollins
    December 23, 2020 at 8:57 AM

    I will be glad when Trump is an afterthought. Yes about Die Hard, but Bad Santa is better

    Liked by 3 people

  19. jabo052
    December 23, 2020 at 9:36 AM

    Yes. It’s 3rd behind Miracle on 34th Street and Elf. All these get watch at least once between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Corch Irvin Meyers, New USC Corch (2021)
    December 23, 2020 at 9:42 AM

    Die Hard is a Christmas Movie because its plot, the takeover of the Nakatomi tower, could only specifically happen at Christmastime, or in this case, the Christmas Eve Company Party. That plot does not work on Labor Day or Independence Day or Memorial Day, etc. Hans Gruber’s “terrorists” could only attempt that that heist on that day in those circumstances. Also, it’s the only chance for them to intersect with John McClain, who is only in L.A. and at that party to try to reconcile with his wife for the sake of his kids.

    Die Hard is unequivocally a Christmas Movie.

    On the other hand, Lethal Weapon is not a Christmas Movie. The plot of that film is not dependent on the day or season itself. Riggs would still be depressed and suicidal over his wife regardless of what time of year it is. Murtaugh could retire at any point of the year. The villain’s plot is not dependent on the holiday.

    Lethal Weapon is a movie that happens to take place at Christmas.

    So that’s the rule. If a non-traditional movie that takes place during the Christmas season’s plot is completely dependent on it actually being Christmastime, then it is a Christmas movie. If it is a movie whose plot could happen any other time of the year, it’s just a movie that takes place during the holiday season.

    Liked by 2 people

  21. Russ
    December 23, 2020 at 9:43 AM

    My wife and I like this Christmas movie, “The Long Kiss Goodnight”.

    Liked by 3 people

  22. eethomaswfnc
    December 23, 2020 at 9:45 AM

    Yes, Die Hard is a Christmas movie. Yes, it’s a great movie, but no, it isn’t a good Christmas movie.

    Elf is my favorite Christmas movie. I believe there is a making of Elf on Netflix and it was really informative. Will Ferrell is hilarious, and James Caan was great.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Corch Irvin Meyers, New USC Corch (2021)
      December 23, 2020 at 9:47 AM

      Elf is the most overrated, saccharine film. Outside of a weirdly hot blonde Zooey Deschenel, there’s not much redeeming value there.

      Like

    • Russ
      December 23, 2020 at 9:49 AM

      Yeah, Elf is hilarious every time. Will Ferrell cracks me up.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Got Cowdog
        December 23, 2020 at 11:58 AM

        Ferrell’s shticks start out funny then get so overboard it kills the humor for me. Jim Carrey is the same way.

        Liked by 1 person

        • Corch Irvin Meyers, New USC Corch (2021)
          December 23, 2020 at 12:03 PM

          Yeah, will Ferrell’s comedic energy is very specific, and he needs someone else to bounce off of, otherwise he becomes ridiculous. He doesn’t have that in Elf, and I think you do a great job of describing why I don’t like the movie. It’s just TOO MUCH.

          But a movie like Talladega Nights or Step Brothers, where he has the amazing John C. Reilly to bounce off of? Or the first Anchorman where Paul Rudd, Steve Carrell, and David Koechner make him seem somewhat the straight man? Yeah, that completely works.

          Like

        • Russ
          December 23, 2020 at 12:09 PM

          I can see your point. His other movies are funnier but I still enjoy Elf just because it’s a sappy Christmas movie with Will Ferrell.

          Like

        • RangerRuss
          December 23, 2020 at 12:14 PM

          That’s right, Got. And I know Santa. Will Ferrell doesn’t know Santa.

          Like

          • Got Cowdog
            December 23, 2020 at 7:58 PM

            Me and Santa are fucking tight, RR. He used to sub a lot of his assembly out to me. A Barbie dream house, at least six bicycles, two gas powered mini 4-wheelers that Santa thought it would be funny to print the instructions in Chinese, and the capper was a Thomas the Train Deluxe set that took until I heard little footsteps on the stairs to complete, talk about a deadline! I’m getting even, though…Thomas the train is stored in a safe place until my first Grandchild comes along and then the original recipient gets to tackle it on his own.
            Merry Christmas GTP’ers. Happy Holidays however you celebrate and I wish you all the best for the future.
            P.S.: Word on the street is Santa is bringing me a new tractor…

            Liked by 2 people

  23. Russ
    December 23, 2020 at 9:48 AM

    Any Bill Murray fans? If so, check out “A Very Murray Christmas” on Netflix. Weird in a Bill Murray way, but I was entertained for an hour.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. TripleB
    December 23, 2020 at 9:51 AM

    Simple answer: Hell yeah! Kippy-yi-yeah mother$&!/?)… Merry Christmas!

    Like

  25. DawgFaithful
    December 23, 2020 at 9:53 AM

    Yes. Watched Lethal Weapon last night. There’s another one. Die Hard 2 also qualifies as a Christmas Movie.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. spur21
    December 23, 2020 at 10:12 AM

    Not specifically Christmas but it is holiday based so – Trains Planes and Automobiles gets my # 1 vote.

    Liked by 4 people

  28. ASEF
    December 23, 2020 at 11:00 AM

    Co-worker’s uncle went to the barber. Barber asked him if he wanted the barber to wear a mask. Uncle said, “Up to you.” Barber did not.

    Barber called 2 days later to tell the uncle he had tested positive.

    And 14 days after that, the uncle was dead.

    It’s not just that people are dying. It’s the rank stubbornness and denial that small things can and do make a difference.

    Former generals strutting around calling for martial law. Mask deniers acting like not wearing a mask makes them Captain America, elevator scene.

    The party I used to belong to has gone stark raving mad, worships a dangerous loon, and seems determined to hit more than half a million dead in a 12 month period.

    I can’t see my mom for Christmas. Her care facility had a couple of positive cases, so they’re shut down to visits through the end of the month.

    I’m trying to channel the spirit of Christmas. But this year, it’s just hard.

    Peace and good tidings, y’all.

    Liked by 6 people

    • Reservoir Dawg
      December 23, 2020 at 11:24 AM

      It’s Festivus. Let’s all air some grievances. This year I’ve buried two (younger) fraternity brothers and my old roommate is now in a long term care facility after 20 days in ICU on a tube. None of them were believers (except in Trump) and all actively mitigated against masks. I hate that they paid the price for that. They will be missed. Happy holidays y’all!

      Liked by 4 people

      • DawgFlan
        December 23, 2020 at 11:39 AM

        Damn. Sorry to hear this.

        Liked by 1 person

      • RangerRuss
        December 23, 2020 at 12:32 PM

        My buddy and former neighbor for 17 years is in the latter stages of Alzheimer’s. His twin sister recently died from the same. Therefore we won’t be blaming the disease on Agent Orange, JP-4 or Cordite fumes, C-Rations, PTSD or being burned over 70% of his body when he got shot down at An Loc in 72. Recovered and flew Longbow Apaches in the First Gulf War. One of the original CW5s. A fine gentleman and a genuine hero. His wife is going through a rough time.
        Merry Christmas ya’ll.

        Liked by 5 people

        • spur21
          December 23, 2020 at 2:09 PM

          We suffered through that for over 10 years with my FIL. May be the most insidious diseases know to mankind. His passing was truly a blessing.

          An Loc – spent the better part of a year just south of An Loc in Quon Loi. Pretty rough AO.

          Liked by 3 people

          • RangerRuss
            December 23, 2020 at 2:30 PM

            My heart goes out to you, spur21. It’s a bit amusing at first. Nice folks become sweeter. But then the gravity of the situation hits you full in the face and their passing is a relief.

            As always you have my thanks for being there for the grunts. Mr Perry was shuttling ammo in and wounded and KIA out when he went down. Balls the size of Crisco cans.

            Liked by 2 people

    • Napoleon BonerFart
      December 23, 2020 at 12:43 PM

      Wear the magical masks, people!! Stop paying attention to data that shows masks don’t work and just obey harder!

      Stubbornness in service of individual liberty and limiting lock down deaths is terrible. Stubbornness in service of ignoring data and obeying our benevolent overlords is a virtue.

      Like

    • debbybalcer
      December 23, 2020 at 7:20 PM

      Praying that your mom stays well. My mother I. Law is here until the 26th. Her place finally has one cases. I am headed to Arkansas Jan 6th for a graveside service for my dad. Stay safe everyone.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. spur21
    December 23, 2020 at 11:23 AM

    Not wearing a mask isn’t a political issue – more like stupidity.

    Liked by 5 people

  30. jdawg108
    December 23, 2020 at 12:15 PM

    The real question is… Can any other movie call itself a Christmas movie AFTER Die Hard?

    Liked by 1 person

  31. DawgFlan
    December 23, 2020 at 1:27 PM

    Anyone that wants to hail the great leadership of Trump and Operation Warp Speed should read this March 16, 2020 press release from Moderna announcing they had begun dosing human participants in Phase 1 of their clinical trial:

    https://investors.modernatx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/moderna-announces-first-participant-dosed-nih-led-phase-1-study

    “On January 11, 2020, the Chinese authorities shared the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus. On January 13, 2020 the VRC and Moderna’s infectious disease research team finalized the sequence for the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and Moderna mobilized toward clinical manufacture. The first clinical batch was completed on February 7, 2020 and underwent analytical testing; it was shipped on February 24, 2020 from Moderna and delivered to NIH from the Company’s manufacturing facility in 42 days from sequence selection.”

    Operation Ward Speed was announced May 15, 2020, just 3 days before Moderna sent the below announcement that Phase 1 was completed with positive results.

    https://investors.modernatx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/moderna-announces-positive-interim-phase-1-data-its-mrna-vaccine

    Operation Ward Speed would be analogous to Trump holding a press conference at halftime of the Peach Bowl last year to give LSU a motivational speech, then placing an $18B bet midway through the 3rd quarter that they would win the game, then taking credit for LSU’s win after the game.

    Liked by 3 people

  32. Munsoning
    December 23, 2020 at 1:37 PM

    I guess “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie but we don’t watch it at Christmastime. We watch “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Last Crusade,” and the first three “Star Wars.” Christmas is Christmasy enough without Christmas movies.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Napoleon BonerFart
      December 23, 2020 at 3:00 PM

      Exactly! Except for Belgium, Italy, Bosnia, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Spain, Moldova, United Kingdom, Czechia, France, and Bulgaria, Sweden has the highest rate of C19 deaths in Europe! Lock it down! Lock it all down! Starve the Africans! Live off your family trusts for a few years!
      #CompassionateScience

      Like

  35. MudCat's Mechanic
    December 23, 2020 at 3:35 PM

    Sí, el senator, sí.

    Like

  37. Dawg19
    December 23, 2020 at 11:53 PM

    Yes, it’s a Christmas movie.

    And so is “Better Off Dead”.

    Like

  38. RangerRuss
    December 24, 2020 at 6:20 AM

    I was thinking about the real difference in the major elections. It’s not about the two assholes running for POTUS. It’s about dignity. The ability to manage one’s own affairs without interference from some nameless entity. To raise your children to believe what you think is right and not some cockamamie, PC chickenshit that contradicts common sense rammed down your throat from people who never hit a lick at a snake. To be able to protect your family and property from the baser elements of society without having to depend on an incompetent, poorly trained, underpaid police. To earn a living and rise as far as your ambitions and ability will take you without soul-crushing paperwork and mindless regulations that saps productivity with little benefit to safety and destroys profit. To be able to purchase property and retain it to pass on to your heirs without worry of losing it to redundant taxes. A person with a job, property and a gun has dignity and will to work through life’s difficulties.
    The alternative is free shit without dignity. Juuuuuuust do what the state tells you, obey and be woke and they’ll make sure you get your cell phone and mindless entertainment and a check.
    That’s basically the two choices.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Illini84
      December 24, 2020 at 6:47 AM

      With all due respect, bullshit.

      Like

      • RangerRuss
        December 24, 2020 at 6:59 AM

        Great respect to you, sir. I wouldn’t expect and am not insulted that we don’t agree on that. It’s the timeless dichotomy between Grunts and persons other than Grunts. I’m sure we agree on more than we disagree. I’ve found that I can fish with my polar opposite friends and have a wonderful time as long as politics and football aren’t a topic.

        Liked by 1 person

        • Illini84
          December 24, 2020 at 10:18 AM

          I have no idea what an mos has to do with this? I have plenty of grunt buddies who are hated “liberals”. One here in Athens who was in the 101st and got stitched across the chest by an AK walking across a paddy, one who was a tracker who got hit in the chin and chest by a 60 in Cambodia and one that was a Khe Sahn Marine also Purple Heart. You have a perspective but don’t assume that because you were whatever gives you some kind of corner on what is right and wrong. I can’t imagine you, spur or ghurka approve of this jerk freeing people who massacred civilians but who knows, you’re pretty convinced “liberals” are communists who want to take away your “freedoms” so you might.

          Like

          • gurkhadawg
            December 24, 2020 at 11:53 AM

            I may have missed a previous exchange, but who are the “people who massacred civilians” you speak of?

            Like

            • Illini84
              December 24, 2020 at 11:58 AM

              The four convicted Blackwater dudes.
              “Among the pardons made by President Trump this week, the pardon of four former guards for Blackwater has been regarded by some as particularly galling.

              Nicholas Slatten, Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard were convicted six years ago in the killing of 14 Iraqi civilians and the wounding of 17 others. Witnesses described how the American men ambushed the civilians unprovoked, firing on Baghdad’s Nisour Square with heavy gunfire and grenade launchers.

              The massacre took place in 2007, when the four were working as guards for Blackwater, a private military contractor, on an assignment in Baghdad. They claimed they were fired on, but prosecutors said the Blackwater guards opened fire first. Slatten, whom prosecutors said started the shooting, was sentenced to life in prison

              Like

              • RangerRuss
                December 24, 2020 at 1:01 PM

                I read that version of events in Baghdad too. That’s how the MSM and the virtuous Shiites reported the killings. We know those folks never lie. I also read another version. You know, the one where those four contractors were in fear that their families would be next seeing them on TV hung from a bridge as their contractor buddies in Fallujah or dragged through the streets as in Mogadishu. I tend to believe former servicemen over the enemy. Because that’s who they were. The enemy.
                It must just suck having someone you voted against supporting the military instead of our adversaries, eh? For the record the only party I despise more than republicans is dimocrats.

                Like

              • RangerRuss
                December 25, 2020 at 12:32 AM

                Do a bit of research and you’ll find that Gallagher was acquitted of all but a charge of posing with a corpse. The medic, Corey Scott, admitted to killing the PW instead of Chief Gallagher. You’ll also find the Navy prosecutors under scrutiny for malfeasance. When you base your opinions on biased, military-hating publications rather than facts you’ll confirm your own biased, military-hating, emotional world view. Far left outlets such as the Guardian and NY Times depend upon the gullibility of their readers to stay in business. Did it ever occur to you that your sources were blatant liars (Shiites) or that the SquEALs allegations were part of an agenda?
                Tell your buddy Garwood that Russ says hey.
                Merry Christmas.

                Like

  39. SoCalDawg
    December 24, 2020 at 7:28 AM

    yes, it is a xmas movie

    Like

  40. 1buckheaddawg
    December 24, 2020 at 5:13 PM

    100% Christmas movie.

    Like