It’s the first day of December and coincidentally it’s also the first day of ‘The James Proclaims Advent Calendar of Christmas(ish) Films’
And what do we have lurking behind door 1?
Why it’s only Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
Which is one of a number of Christmas(ish) films attributable to writer/director Shane Black, a man who thinks that Christmas and violence go together like icing and marzipan.
And who are we to argue? Kiss Kiss Bang Bang certainly has much to enjoy. It’s a fast-paced, action-packed romp with film noir undertones, that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Robert Downey Jr., Michelle Monaghan and Val Kilmer spark off each other well, with the latter delivering some of the movie’s most quotable lines. It’s not the most original of plots, but the film has no pretensions of originality. Indeed much of the ‘fourth wall’ breaking (attributable predominantly to Downey Jr.’s Harry) alludes to the many tropes within the film and makes them ‘sort of’ OK in the process.
All in all it’s an agreeable way to pass 103 minutes. It is, sometimes, a little too ‘meta’ for it’s own good, but it’s also funny, expeditious and never boring. You can probably work out ‘whodunit’ in the first five minutes but that isn’t to the detriment of the entertainment value of the film.
Score for Christmasishness:
I mean it’s set at Christmas. There are, I think, sleigh bells to be heard as the music plays to the opening credits, but it’s hardly a central theme. There are a few references to the festive period at the beginning. Downey-Jr.’s ‘Harry’ is involved in a heist-that-goes-wrong, where he appears to be attempting to steal a Christmas gift for his nephew. There’s also a fairly witty monologue from Monaghan‘s ‘Harmony’ about how she feels that Rudolph is a victim of ‘reindeer racism’. Then the festive theme largely disappears, aside from decorations in the background and a weird, ‘not-very-Christmassy’ Christmas party in the middle of the film.
James Proclaims! 
14 responses to “The James Proclaims Advent Calendar of Christmas(ish) Films – Door 1”
Happy first day of movie advent!! I’m doing the same. But not ish movies, real movies! lol
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I might do some ‘real’ ones as we get closer to the big day. But it’s be very much ‘ish’ for the first week or so…
Will head over to yours and check out the reviews shortly. I read your day 1 already though – sadly I’m not a fan of Elf but I suspect I’m in the minority there. Then again I genuinely love some truly awful Christmas films so my opinion is probably fairly worthless on that score…
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Actually I think the majority of my friends don’t like Elf so don’t sweat! I like the ish-ness of it! I’m waiting to see if you include my favourite ish movie! *fingers crossed*
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Let me know if I do!
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Definitely will!!
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I love your word “Christmasishness.” I’m going to start using it immediately!
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Please do – I think it’ll catch on…
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Been to see Murder on the Orient Express today. They had snow!
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I’ll take it under consideration…
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All the movies on TV now are Christmas ones. I hate them. I guess they have only a month to squeeze in every Christmas movie ever made.
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There’s one channel over here that’s been showing (really bad) Christmas movies since about mid-October. Like every day. I’ve got no idea who’s watching them – it seems way too early.
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[…] Door 1 – Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Door 2 – Iron Man 3 Door 3 – Lethal Weapon Door 4 – Reindeer Games Door 5 – Ghostbusters 2 Door 6 – Batman Returns Door 7 – LA Confidential Door 8 – The Long Kiss Goodnight Door 9 – The Last Boy Scout Door 10 – The Ice Harvest Door 11 – The Nice Guys Door 12 – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service Door 13 – Gremlins Door 14 – The Bourne Identity Door 15 – In Bruges Door 16 – Trading Places Door 17 – Eyes Wide Shut Door 18 – Prometheus Door 19 – Rocky IV Door 20 – First Blood Door 21 – Enemy of the State Door 22 – 12 Monkeys Door 23 – Brazil Door 24 – Die Hard […]
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[…] Door 1 – Kiss Kiss Bang Bang […]
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[…] Door 1 – Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Door 2 – Iron Man 3 Door 3 – Lethal Weapon Door 4 – Reindeer Games Door 5 – Ghostbusters 2 Door 6 – Batman Returns Door 7 – LA Confidential Door 8 – The Long Kiss Goodnight Door 9 – The Last Boy Scout Door 10 – The Ice Harvest Door 11 – The Nice Guys Door 12 – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service Door 13 – Gremlins Door 14 – The Bourne Identity Door 15 – In Bruges Door 16 – Trading Places Door 17 – Eyes Wide Shut Door 18 – Prometheus Door 19 – Rocky IV Door 20 – First Blood Door 21 – Enemy of the State Door 22 – 12 Monkeys Door 23 – Brazil Door 24 – Die Hard […]
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