Sleigh What? It's the Underexposed Holiday Party ❄️
With Michael Ian Black, Austin Kleon, Luke Honey, David Roberts, Ed William, Cole Haddon, Karl Straub, Colby Day, Christine Ahanotu, Schmear Hunter, Obsolete Media, That Final Scene and MORE!
Hark! ‘Tis the season of cheer and rampant overindulgence here at Underexposed. Grab a cookie, spike your nog, and let’s have ourselves a merry little movie marathon.
We’re unwrapping some overlooked cinematic gems like we do every Friday, but with a festive twist. I’ve gathered a jolly band of Substack writers to share overlooked holiday movies they think deserve a spot on your watchlist.
And since it wouldn’t be a party without you, let us hear your ho-ho-hot takes. Got a seasonal favorite that’s been left out in the cold? Drop it in the comments. Let’s deck these halls with boughs of holly(wood) and raise a glass to unheralded holiday cinema.
You know him from the iconic sketch comedy groups The State and Stella, as well as cult classics like Wet Hot American Summer and a favorite of mine, Another Period. He's also here on Substack, dishing out scathing and hilarious commentary on culture and politics.
I don't know if I can think of a particularly favorite holiday movie that isn't so obvious, but my wife goes nuts for The Family Stone, which I've seen once. If memory serves Sarah Jessica Parker is in it and there's a whole bunch of other Stones and maybe one of them is deaf (?) and somebody probably dies, which makes it all the more special that we got to spend that last Xmas with all the Stones even though some of them may have been problematic although it's hard for me to remember but you know how families are, am I right? Currently streaming on Tubi.
A recent arrival to Substack, previously built an impressive following on Instagram by dissecting the final scenes of movies. Now, lucky for us, she’s channeling that same sharp wit and curiosity into essays and podcasts that explore how the stories we watch shape worldviews and relationships. Be sure to check out her impressive holiday survival guide.
While Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks were still dreaming of AOL's dulcet dial-up tones in You've Got Mail, Ernst Lubitsch had already perfected their story in The Shop Around the Corner. This criminally overlooked holiday gem laid the blueprint for every enemies-to-lovers romance where technology bridges what pride prevents. I watch it each December, partly because Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan's charged exchanges over leather goods put modern rom-coms to shame, but mostly because no other Christmas film captures that exquisite agony of falling for someone who drives you absolutely insane. Their revelation scene in the empty shop - where pretense falls away like snow melting in warmth - gets me every time. It's a Christmas movie that remembers how the best gifts are the ones we're most afraid to unwrap. Currently on Max.
In addition to penning Spaceman starring Adam Sandler, Carrie Mulligan and Paul Dano (now on Netflix) and the upcoming In the Blink of an Eye (Searchlight), Colby chronicles his ups and downs as a screenwriter on Hollyweird. And he has generously blessed us with not one, not two, but THREE movie recs.
The Apartment. Am I stretching the limits of "underseen" by including a classic and Academy Award Winner? Perhaps. But this extremely dark, extremely melancholy holiday “comedy” is probably the best depiction of the holiday blues and the loneliness that ensues around the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite films of all time, and so until everyone sees it I will consider it underseen. Currently streaming on Tubi.
Santa Claus Conquers The Martians. This is not a good movie. But it is a good movie to put on the screen during a holiday party so people drunk off nog can find themselves hypnotized by the captivating and strange imagery of this not even B-level movie. Currently streaming on Tubi.
The Nice Guys. In the now-very-tired debate of "is it actually a Christmas movie?" The Nice Guys barely qualifies. There's a single scene set at Christmas, but Shane Black's comedy crime caper was criminally underseen at the time and remains an absolute delight. We should be getting a new Nice Guys sequel every Christmas, but instead we have this one to re-watch fondly. Available to rent on Amazon and elsewhere.
(Lifting The Curtain)
Christine is a creative executive looking to re-imagine Hollywood by sharing her thoughts on development, distribution and the best directors of all time.
Prancer. While it is certainly overlooked these days, it is a heart-warming tale of the friendship between a young girl and a reindeer that makes even the most cold-hearted believe in the spirit of Christmas again. Also - Sam Elliott hasn't aged a day! Currently streaming on AMC+.
As the NY Times bestselling author of Steal Like an Artist and Show Your Work, Austin has been championing creativity through his weekly newsletter for over a decade now. His work is a key inspiration for Underexposed, so if you’ve ever wondered who’s to blame for this, now you know.
Everybody talks about The Muppet version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, but in my family we watch A MUPPET FAMILY CHRISTMAS, originally broadcast on ABC in 1987. The Muppets surprise Fozzie Bear's mom with a visit to her farmhouse, ruining her plans to vacation in Malibu. Hijinks ensue. (My favorite part is when the Swedish Chef — in need of a Christmas bird to feed the masses — lays eyes on Big Bird for the first time.) Unfortunately, the thing that makes the special great — the crossover of characters from The Muppets, Sesame Street, and Fraggle Rock — is the very thing that makes clearing the rights tricky and keeps the special from streaming officially. Luckily, a quick search on YouTube will bring it up — there are some 1080p upscales from devoted fans, but I'm partial to the VHS rips with all the vintage commercials included. Watch it here.
Now here’s a movie perspective you’re not going to find anywhere but Substack. From 2014 until 2023, this (anonymous) writer was serving time in the slammer. Now he’s serving up slamming-good essays on arthouse flicks.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Shane Black is a writer-director who loves coming back to Christmas, even if the scripts he writes generally take place during December in snow-free California. My favorite of his is his directorial debut “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’, a labyrinthe murder mystery you’ll be eager to revisit each year. While spotted trying to steal his child’s favorite toy for the holidays, thief Robert Downey Jr. flees into the safety of a Hollywood movie audition. Somehow lucking into the part, he finds himself in L.A., studying for the role by shadowing a real P.I. played with sarcastic glee by Val Kilmer. It’s then when he ends up falling ass-backwards into an actual murder mystery involving his former high school crush. Coming after a sea of legal troubles and stints in prison, this was the movie that made Hollywood recognize, wait a second, Downey could actually be a funny, exciting and enjoyable leading man even though he’s done time. And what are the holidays if not the perfect opportunity for second chances? Rent or buy on Amazon.
David Roberts (Sparks From Culture)
Speaking of truly rare and valuable perspectives you can only find on Substack, David provides a rare opportunity to “gain a perspective about wealth, class, and capitalism from someone with generational wealth.” It's both brave and refreshing to see someone from that world engage with inequality in such a thoughtful and generous way, especially when every paid subscription goes to support the Robin Hood Foundation.
I pick Serendipity with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. They are both at the height of their young cuteness and you root so hard for them to find each other. I think it has all around good holiday vibes. It's a movie I haven't seen since it came out in 2001 and I intend to rewatch it because I remember really loving it. Has a strong supporting cast as well. Currently streaming on Max.
Kevin Pettit ( See You At The Movies)
Kevin has his finger on the pulse of arthouse movies lighting up cinema screens. He’s a diligent movie watcher and sharp writer.
The Green Knight (2021). It is possibly the most underrated movie of the 2020s; its gorgeous cinematography and snowy atmosphere make me want to bundle up around a fire for this existential fantasy adventure! Dev Patel is a fantastic lead in this Arthurian tale and I can never get enough of Ralph Ineson’s voice as our titular character! Currently available on Amazon Prime.
🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁 WINTERMISSION 🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁
You know what’s worse than fruitcake? A world without great movies like these.
Every Friday, Underexposed jingles all the way into your inbox to spotlight obscure cinematic gems, new and old. Sometimes, I even interview the directors behind them, from Academy Award-nominated director Bennett Miller (Capote, Moneyball) to Sundance and Cannes darling India Donaldson (Good One). I also publish essays like The “C” Word and We Used To Be A Serious Country With Seriously Weird Video Stores.
Subscribing to Underexposed is FREE, but for those who upgrade to a paid subscription, there’s a sleigh-load of extra videos, articles, lists, and goodies. Later this week, paid subscribers will get a special “VIP Holiday Afterparty” edition featuring my Holiday Movie Picks and other festive bonuses. Subscribe now, or give Underexposed as a last-minute gift, perfect for the movie lovers in your life.
Now, back to the party! 🎄🎁
(Dust On The VCR)
Dust On The VCR covers 80s and 90s cinema, with a dash of early 2000s. And come on, how great is that name?
The Silent Partner. Most crime thrillers could take place any old time of year, but The Silent Partner (1978) anchors itself in the holiday season to great effect. Elliott Gould plays an unassuming teller working one of his bank's busiest months—lots of people making withdrawals just before Christmas, as he says. After he expertly telegraphs a robbery by a man in a Santa costume (Christopher Plummer), he pockets most of the cash himself and winds up in a tense game of cat and mouse with the slighted outlaw. The suspense simmers deliberately throughout the streets of Toronto before finally erupting in violence. There aren't many tidings of comfort and joy to be found here, but it's great counter-programming for your December watchlist. Rent it on Amazon.
(Notes From The 10th Row)
Much like Underexposed, Jim is here to help you discover movies that are “overlooked, undervalued, or just unknown.” Check out his write-up of one of my family’s holiday favorites, Scrooge.
Comfort and Joy (1984). Set during the Christmas season in Glasgow, Scotland, Comfort and Joy is the story of Alan "Dickie" Bird, a popular local radio deejay. After his kleptomaniac girlfriend leaves him just a few weeks before Christmas, Alan's life is changed once he gets in the middle of a feud between two rival ice cream truck companies: Mr. McCool and Mr. Bunny. As their rivalry escalates and becomes more violent, Alan is able to act as a mediator and bring peace between the two competitors just in time for Christmas. The follow up to Forsyth's Local Hero, Comfort and Joy was never widely distributed here in the U.S. Yet, it shares many similarities to Forsyth's better known film: a quirky set of characters, a charming sense of whimsy, and a great score by Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler. Available on disc.
(Hot Plate)
Karl is serving up thoughtful deep dives into music, movies and more. Definitely check out Hot Plate. He was extra generous to gift us this detailed look at The Lemon Drop Kid.
The Lemon Drop Kid (1951). Modern viewers won’t have to struggle to find reasons to dismiss this film, but there’s a lot here to enjoy and appreciate. It’s one of Bob Hope’s better vehicles, which means it’s packed with jokes and moves fast. It’s dated, but for a 75-year-old film, it’s held up well. Moreover, the big things I don’t like about it are still around in 2024, and don’t seem to bother today’s audiences. Hope’s character, as always, is a cynical opportunist sarcastically commenting on everyone and everything else in the film. Hope’s been seen as a symbol of the lousiness of vintage Hollywood comedy, but I’d argue that if you squint a bit, you can see his performances in movies like this as a subversive force. This film is at times an uneasy mix of anarchy and sentimentality, but I would further argue that this approach has characterized most Hollywood comedy features ever since, including those in our current era. Tidbits to look for: Hope’s racetrack tout is based on a character from a Damon Runyon (Guys and Dolls) short story, so we get a lot of seedy-but-endearing Runyon types (including gravel-voiced curmudgeon William Frawley). Swedish wrestler-turned-actor Tor Johnson (of Ed Wood fame) has a rare appearance in an A picture. Looney Tunes director Tashlin took over from Lanfield, directing about a third of this film and contributing to the script, so he helps keep the nutty energy flowing. Soundtrack composer Victor Young held the corny “comedy” music to a merciful minimum. (“Mickey-mousing,” the Hollywood soundtrack device of telegraphing comedy, is still shamelessly prevalent today, and I’ve seen many modern comedies that rely on it far more than Young did in this Hope vehicle.) A bonus— catchy Christmas song “Silver Bells” debuted in this movie. Watch it on YouTube.
(Schmear Hunter)
Gabriel is crushing it with a weekly report that includes “curated recommendations and deep dives into what’s popular in media.” Check out his recent post on one of my favorite underexposed tv series, Somebody Somewhere.
Strange Days. Romance, noir, sci-fi, bravura filmmaking, Ralph Fiennes looking like Bradley Cooper, goddess-mode Angela Bassett, the source of a Fatboy Slim sample, and a prescient James Cameron script. This movie is real, and it’s called Strange Days—a Chinatown-meets-Blade Runner thriller directed by Kathryn Bigelow from 1995, set on the eve of the year 2000.
LA has gone pseudo-dystopian: the city is rife with police brutality, and a dark new voyeuristic augmented-reality technology is sweeping the streets. Our anti-hero Lenny (Fiennes) comes into possession of something that could shake the entire city to its core. Will he answer the call, as Bassett’s character hopes, or let his baser instincts take over?
Forget that new A24 Y2K drivel—Strange Days is the holiday movie you need. Set against a New Year’s Eve backdrop, it dives into a technophobic vs. technophilic debate and swaps “Auld Lang Syne” for a jaw-dropping, 100% real gonzo city-street rave set piece that will leave you asking, “How the hell did they pull that off?” Currently available on disc.
(Weekend Flicks)
Luke offers intelligent film recommendations “for grownups,” with a focus on lesser-known films from earlier eras. If you like Underexposed, something tells me you’ll like Weekend Flicks.
Christmas Carol (1971). Forget The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), now adored by the hip and fashionable; for me, the definitive version of Dickens' Christmas classic is Richard Williams' superb animation from 1971, for which he deservedly won an Oscar. I first saw it one Christmas on our black and white television set (at the tender age of seven) — and it haunts me still, especially Williams' depiction of the terrifying spectres, Ignorance and Want. Williams based his drawings on the engravings of John Leech and Gustave Doré: the true spirit of Victorian London is captured in all its dark, Gothic glory. A Christmas Carol (1971) also includes the talents of Alastair Sim, Michael Redgrave, Michael Hordern, Joan Sims and Diana Quick— which can be no bad thing. A class act all round. Currently streaming on Tubi.
Ryan Kindahl (Obsolete Media)
As a die-hard cheerleader for physical media, I feel right at home in the pages of Obsolete Media, where you can find special features on special features and fun essays like Why We Need Video Stores Now More Than Ever.
Catch Me If You Can. I think it’s Spielberg’s last great film, released on Christmas Day 2002. Christmas scenes reoccur throughout the film, highlighting Frank Abignale Jr’s (DiCaprio) loneliness. I could wax poetic about what makes it exceptional, but it was the first film I saw in a theater by myself, so it holds a special place in my heart. Currently available on Pluto.
(5AM Story Talk)
A former arts journalist for Village Voice Media, Cole Haddon is a screenwriter and graphic novelist whose 5AM Story Talk focuses on writing and movies - two things I love.
White Christmas (1954). I can’t imagine a Christmas passing without watching White Christmas. I think I’ve watched it ever holiday season since I was a teenager, in fact. Technicolor and VistaVision, Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney looking iconic in every scene she’s in, Vera-Ellen dancing her ass off, Edith Head’s dazzling costume designs, and that gut-punch of an ending - and I don’t mean the choral take on White Christmas either. I’m talking about the Old Man they’ll follow wherever he goes. Waterworks, every damn time. Currently on Amazon Prime.
Ed William (Rough Cuts)
Rough Cuts boasts sharp, well-researched essays like this recent favorite on the wallpaperization of cinema. He’s chosen a short film for us.
Ice Merchants (2022). A father and son silently undertake the surreal task of parachuting ice down a mountain each day. An unspoken absence shadows their routine. Though not explicitly a Christmas film, this beautifully animated short seeps with wintry nostalgia, from the hand-drawn feel of the animation to the film’s chilly, snow-capped setting. Moving and wistful without ever becoming saccharine. Only 14 minutes long and available for free on the New Yorker website.
News Reel
“Blockbuster punished customers for being forgetful; Netflix rewarded them for being mindless.” Will Tavlin unpacks the grim toll streaming has had on cinema in N+1: “Over the past decade, Netflix, which first emerged as a destroyer of video stores, has developed a powerful business model to conquer television, only to unleash its strange and destructive power on the cinema. In doing so, it has brought Hollywood to the brink of irrelevance. Because Netflix doesn’t just survive when no one is watching — it thrives.”
“It may get a little bit better, but it’s never going to be what it used to be.” As work in LA dwindles, the film industry is dispersing to other markets.
25 more films were added to the National Film Registry this week, chosen by a Library of Congress panel to be preserved for their cultural significance. Among them, Anabell Serpentine Dance, filmed at Edison Studios.
That’s it for this week’s free edition of Underexposed. Paid subscribers, the VIP Holiday Afterparty edition will be on its way to you soon. Thank you all for reading, and happy holidays!
Alex
@fromtheyardtothearthouse I was very close to picking KKBB! Glad to see it on the list!
What a legendary line-up of authors and films! I jotted down so many recommendations, my family will love me this year 😂💖💖💖 Thank you so much for including me, Alex & the generous intro.