Looking back at 2014, my best memory is
seeing Eminem live on stage in Cape Town. Other than Eminem and a couple of
other amazing concerts, this year was pretty much a turd for most people.
Filled with heartache, loss, disappointment and outrage, this year kicked our
asses all up and down the street.
We had entire planes disappearing, Oscar
Pistorius getting a light sentence that can only be described as a vacation
from being a celeb, Dewani getting away with murder, wars, beloved stars dying,
even more beloved stars under scrutiny for rape and child molestation, the
racist attacks by police officers in Ferguson, girls being kidnapped in
Nigeria. It’s like humanity just refused to get its shit together in 2014.
Ugliness everywhere you looked. And then we also got the Ebola virus. EBOLA!
The motherfucking Ebola virus! I didn’t even know Ebola still existed. Is that
not enough to prove how undeniably shit 2014 has been? EBOLA!
At least we were given a few good movies to
distract us from all the kakness. I could list them all but the one that stood
out for me at the time I was writing this was Lego Movie. Probably not the
best, probably not the most thought provoking (there were some brilliant
disturbing dramas this year) but you know what, it was by far my favourite
distraction and it flat out told kids that there is a veil that blindfolds
society – a veil called “Everything Is Awesome”. Best part is the message at
the end. HOPE.
That reminded me of a lecture I attended at
a mosque a couple of years ago. This American dude sat there and started
talking about what I expected to be a boring religious topic, but it was so
much more than that.
He said that religion is a concept, an
idea. Call it whatever you want, in any language you want, but ultimately, this
way of life comes down to one concept. It’s not a Christian concept. It’s not a
Jewish concept. It’s not an Islamic concept. Shit, it’s not even a religious
concept. It’s something universal that everyone from the Dalai Lama to the most
militant atheist believes in. It’s the idea that there is a light at the end of
the tunnel. Hope. The very existence of man is derived from hope. It’s the core
of our being and we won’t get up in the morning without it. Whether you believe
in praying to a cloud in the sky, doing a tiny good deed for someone else, or that
adopting that orphan and raising him or her in a loving home with two good
parents will contribute to the betterment of tomorrow, it still comes down to
hope. It separates us from the animals and it should be the thing that brings
us together, regardless of what we believe.
With that said, Ramzee & The Jillybean
sends you all the compliments of the season, a happy and safe new year and one
wish… That 2015 brings everything you hoped for.
'Tis the season, and that
means we'll be inundated with hoards of
shoppers, Boney M and Mariah Carey Christmas albums and social media Grinches
hating on the cheese covered mielie that is the festive season.
I actually love this time
of year even though I don't celebrate Christmas. It's just a time of year
that's fun, colourful and most people making a bit of an effort to not be
completely shit. Also, let's face it, who doesn't love the look of wonderment
on children's faces this time of year?
This is also the time
when TV shows and films get into the spirit and try to shove the yuletide
mushyness down your throats like you're being force-fed fruit cake and gammon
as if you're the victim in a Saw movie. Christmas movies miss the mark most of
the time and are hated by most, but every once in a while a little gem slips
through and leaves you with a warm-hearted feeling of fuzzyness that you can't
deny. Our list is dedicated to the little gems that made us fall in love with
these holiday season films.
5. While You Were Sleeping
This was my grandmother's
favourite movie. She would watch it every time it came on TV and make me and my
sisters watch it with her. I loved the film each time we watched it and still,
I don't get tired of watching it.
Sandra Bullock is at her
most 90's Meg Ryan in this cute film. She falls in love with Sandy Cohen
without having spoken to him and when he slips into a coma after an accident at
the train station, his family mistakes her for his fiancee whom they'd never
met...and of course, she just goes with it. Consequently, she bonds with her
new family and they fall in love with her. She falls in love with the down to
earth brother of Sandy Cohen which complicates matters in the best possible
way. Everything in this film is formulaic Christmas-movie-romantic comedy, but
it is done with such sweet charming innocence that you will fall in love with
it too.
4. The Family Man
Before Nicholas Cage lost
his marbles, he was actually a pretty good actor and was Hollywood's go-to guy
when they needed a likeable leading man that was a sure thing with audiences.
This film was one of those times when the not-yet-crazy Nic Cage made us want
to watch his movie till the end.
The Family Man is a
modern day cross between It's A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol. They
pretty much took two of the greatest Christmas stories and threw in Nicholas
Cage, an angelic Don Cheadle and an excellent performance from Tea Leoni. This
one will have you appreciating the little things.
3. Die Hard
I know, this isn't
exactly a typical Christmas movie. I tossed this one in the mix because
Christmas actually plays quite a big role in the movie as a backdrop and just
because it isn't a comedy or drama or has some little boy praying for a
Christmas miracle, it doesn't change the fact that John McClane saved
Christmas...and from a German terrorist named Hans Gruber, no less.
After watching this,
you'll be a little more vigilant and realise that the fat guy in the red suit
breaking into your house is not Father Christmas but a burglar trying to steal
more than the milk and cookies you left out. Grab the cricket bat under your
bed and go save Christmas from Santa Claus. Yipee Ki Yay Mother Fucker!
2. Home Alone 2
This made number two on
the list simply because I owe it to my childhood self.
McCauley Culkin once
again gets left behind while his negligent parents go off on holiday, this time
in New York. Seriously, how did those guys get to the sequel without being
reported to child services?
The best part of this
film is seeing McCauley Culkin channel his inner McGuyver and thwart the sticky
bandits (formerly known as the Wet Bandits), played to hilarious idiotic perfection by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern.
In the end, of course, it's all about the warmth and love you experience when
you spend Christmas with your family.
1. Love, Actually
I could write ten pages
on all the things I love about this movie. Don't worry, I won't, but this is
why this is my all-time favourite Christmas movie.
The cast is amazing. It's
a who's who of British talent and each actor/actress is on top form. Every
relationship from two best friends or porn stars to a father and son or the
Prime Minister's feelings for his assistant is captured beautifully. The movie
is so great that I can't even name a "best part". The entire movie is
a "best part". Filled with laughs, tears, aaw moments, a little girl
singing All I Want For Christmas and Rowan Atkinson stealing the scene in an
excellent cameo. It all comes together in a neat little gift wrapped package, tied
up with a big red bow and leaves you wanting to spend the holiday with the ones
you love. Also, much like copious amounts of alcohol, this film acts as a magic
potion that makes your annoying relatives a little more tolerable.
PS. The soundtrack is AMAZING!
The Jillybean says:
5. Elf
Played by the hilarious Will
Ferrell, his child-like charm is perfect for the role of Elf. Santa accidentally brings a stowaway baby
back in his toy bag during his Christmas Eve rounds. Years
later an over
grown full-sized man is noticeably different to the other elves and finds out
the truth that he is not a born elf. He outgrows The North Pole and is then
sent back down to his place of birth, New York, to find his father. A place
where he does not understand why people do not share the same love for
Christmas as he does. His Elvin charm eventually wins over his family and
manages to bring the simple pleasure of believing in the spirit of
Christmas!
4. Love, Actually
The casting alone makes me want to run to the cinema and
watch it for the 10th time. This
holiday themed romantic comedy, portrays various relatable relationships, each
equally deserving recognition, bound by one emotion ‘’love’’ . When all these contrasting subplots are finally
rolled together, Love Actuallyprovides enough happy endings to make
the audience believe that true love actually exists. Utterly charming.
3. Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands
Agreed, not your conventional Christmas film. However,
the final act is set during the festive season. Played by pure talent of a
melancholy Johnny Depp. The framing device of this entire story is a
grandmother telling her grandchild why it always snows on Christmas. It follows
the sorely naïve, manchild who has scissors for hands. Infatuation, admiration,
curiosity and awkwardness drives the story. And not to forget, that it
ultimately answers the question ‘’where does snow come from?”
2. Dr Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole
Christmas
Who can resist the gladdening rhymes of Dr Seuss? The
story is based on an outcast, misunderstood green creature of a small town
called Whoville. Where the Who’s have belittled and rejected the Grinch all his
life, thus, making him want to steal the very happiness of the Who’s –
Christmas. Until one (little) Who changes his heart for ever.
1.Tim Burton’s The Nightmare before
Christmas
Pure enchantment.
Merry Christmas
everybody.
That is all.
Special thanks to our guest Jillybean, Miss
Tarquin McKie.
