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Using data to determine if Die Hard is a Christmas movie

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Re: Using data to determine if Die Hard is a Christmas movie

#3
post #2

I wasn't aware this was even an argument. Is this a joke or an American thing? I must admit my initial reaction was bof but now I'm slightly intrigued. Maybe it's a meme?

Seriously, does anyone actually think Die Hard _isn't_ a christmas movie?

Re: Using data to determine if Die Hard is a Christmas movie

#4
This is only an argument because of different ways of defining what a "Christmas movie" is, which aren't mutually exclusive:

a) Whether the movie is unambiguously set during Christmas, and if so whether that's clearly an artistic choice, or as much of a coincidence as a movie that has nothing to do with the weather being set in the summer or winter.

b) Whether the movie is aimed at the "Christmas movie market". I.e. released around Christmas, this'll usually coincide with a movie being more Christmas themed.

The article weaves between criteria that'll fall under one or the other, without ever really acknowledging the difference between the two.

Die Hard meets a) but not b), but the article doesn't mention whether or not skipping b) was intended.

The studio had a hard time casting the protagonist. Was it initially meant for a Christmas release, but ended up slipping into July without the script being changed to de-Christmas theme it?

More importantly, is there a reason to avoid b) without a)? Do mildly Christmas-themed movies such as Die Hard (it's not integral to the plot) get penalized in the market as a result? Why don't we see more of them?

Re: Using data to determine if Die Hard is a Christmas movie

#5
post #2

I wasn't aware this was even an argument. Is this a joke or an American thing? I must admit my initial reaction was bof but now I'm slightly intrigued. Maybe it's a meme?

Seriously, does anyone actually think Die Hard _isn't_ a christmas movie?

The author lost me when he said that “Last Action Hero” is not a great movie, so I wouldn’t take anything he writes about movies as serious. John McTiernan is a genius.

Re: Using data to determine if Die Hard is a Christmas movie

#6
post #2

I wasn't aware this was even an argument. Is this a joke or an American thing? I must admit my initial reaction was bof but now I'm slightly intrigued. Maybe it's a meme?

Seriously, does anyone actually think Die Hard _isn't_ a christmas movie?

I had this very argument two weeks ago at a party and I was in the "it's not a Christmas movie" corner. After reading the (beautifully researched) article, I have now changed my mind. I now think it's a Christmas movie -- mostly because the writers intended for it to be one :D

Re: Using data to determine if Die Hard is a Christmas movie

#7
post #2

I wasn't aware this was even an argument. Is this a joke or an American thing? I must admit my initial reaction was bof but now I'm slightly intrigued. Maybe it's a meme?

The joke was popularized by an American TV show. It’s become one of those things people know they can trot out for easy upvotes, likes, etc. Most Christmas movies are family-oriented but Die Hard is an action movie so saying it’s one’s favorite Christmas movie is meant to demonstrate the distinctiveness of one’s personality. It’s like how people made jokes about sporks and “le earth”. Maybe in a few years it’ll come full circle and big data will help us to determine if sporks are closer to spoons or forks.

Re: Using data to determine if Die Hard is a Christmas movie

#8
post #2

I wasn't aware this was even an argument. Is this a joke or an American thing? I must admit my initial reaction was bof but now I'm slightly intrigued. Maybe it's a meme?

It's definitely also a meme, whatever else it is. As an American, I haven't heard much about this debate before this holiday season. Definitely enjoying it, though.
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