“Shane Black & The Christmas Action Movie”

Patrick H. Willems is easily one of the best video essayists about film working today. While I don’t always agree with his conclusions (one day we shall meet and debate the question of change in the MCU!!!), it is impossible to deny how much time, energy, and thought goes into every minute of his videos.

His channel is full of great dives into specific artists, genres, and mechanics of filmmaking, all done with the soothing style of your favorite This American Life contributors (I feel like if he wasn’t a filmmaker himself, Willems would be behind one of the biggest podcasts in the world).

If looking for narrative theory, movie history, and even specific information about cinematography and other techniques, Willems is a terrific crash course that can inform striving directors, filmmakers, editors, and more on how to improve their game and better understand the medium.

His video essay below is on writer/director Shane Black’s recurring use of Christmas in many of his action movies. Whether it’s LETHAL WEAPON, THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT, KISS KISS BANG BANG, and more, Black uses the holidays as a way to heighten the story through aesthetics and ironic inversion. Enjoy the essay and be sure to follow Patrick H. Willems on Twitter and subscribe to his Patreon if able/interested.

(Also prepare to read more about some of these titles in the coming weeks…)

Special thanks and hat-tip to Michael Scott for hipping me to this video essay. Follow him on Twitter or risk my wrath.