The Daily Beasts

For theme projects (like #Kaijuly, #Mocktoberfest, and #SeasonsBeatings—for example),
a new film/show is profiled every day by a different writer.

Heather Wixson 12/31/21 Heather Wixson 12/31/21

LETHAL WEAPON (1987)

Heather Wixson on how Richard Donner’s direction and Shane Black’s writing helped redefine the action hero in the 1980s.

Rob Dean 12/30/21 Rob Dean 12/30/21

ABRAXAS, GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE (1990)

This blundering action/sci-fi movie starring Jesse Ventura (and found in the public domain) is incredibly inept, but has its charms and its lessons to teach.

Mary Kay McBrayer 12/29/21 Mary Kay McBrayer 12/29/21

DIE HARD 2 (1990)

In celebration of the Christmas sequel to the Christmas action film, Mary Kay McBrayer looks at the Top 5 Bureaucratic Heroes of DIE HARD 2: DIE HARDER.

Heather Wixson 12/28/21 Heather Wixson 12/28/21

SANTA WITH MUSCLES (1996)

Hulk Ho-Ho-Hogan Spreads Holiday Cheer In This Much Maligned Children’s Holiday Movie.

Mary Kay McBrayer 12/28/21 Mary Kay McBrayer 12/28/21

DIE HARD (1988)

Or, 7 Ways to Improve Your Corporate Holiday Party—According to DIE HARD (1988)

Olivichii 12/27/21 Olivichii 12/27/21

HOME ALONE (1990)

HOME ALONE endures not just due to nostalgia and madcap violence, but also its embrace of the fantastic and moods of the holidays.

Matt Wedge 12/24/21 Matt Wedge 12/24/21

RENT-A-COP (1987)

A trainwreck of genres and ideas, Jerry London’s holiday-set film feels like everyone is in their own movie—no matter how it clashes with those around them.

Lor Gislason 12/23/21 Lor Gislason 12/23/21

TOKYO GODFATHERS (2003)

A beautiful Christmas tale of family and forgiveness, with the proper amounts of car chases, parkour sequences, and other madcap action sprinkled throughout.

Kiley Fox 12/22/21 Kiley Fox 12/22/21

ROBOCOP 3 (1993)

Fred Dekker’s third entry in the series has so much promise, but mistakes were made. But hey, Kiley wrote a poem about it—so it all works out!

Eric Langberg 12/22/21 Eric Langberg 12/22/21

BETTER WATCH OUT (2016)

An adventure in babysitting combines action and horror with enough seasonal psychosis and holiday hilarity to keep folks glued to the screen.

Rafael A. Ruiz 12/21/21 Rafael A. Ruiz 12/21/21

ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE (1969)

Christmas comes early again for James Bond as Rafael Ruiz looks at the sixth film in the series that promised a lot of change for the icon.

Robb Antequera 12/20/21 Robb Antequera 12/20/21

DEATH WISH V: THE FACE OF DEATH (1994)

A look at the last of Bronson's vigilante saga—set at Christmastime and in the fashion world—where Paul Kersey truly becomes the sadistic force for vengeance.

Aundria Parker 12/15/21 Aundria Parker 12/15/21

Holiday Movie Mood Board

Not sure what to watch this holiday season? Aundria Parker has compiled some choices to fit whatever mood you’re in.

Rafael A. Ruiz 12/14/21 Rafael A. Ruiz 12/14/21

IRON MAN 3 (2013)

A Christmas Carol in the merry Marvel manner, the holidays weren’t complete until Shane Black and IRON MAN 3 showed up to lend their fireworks to the MCU.

Amber R.W. Knapp 12/13/21 Amber R.W. Knapp 12/13/21

THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT (1996)

Memories can define who we are and our relationship to what we like. These ties remain and cast significance, even with popcorn films like THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT.

Andres Guzman 12/10/21 Andres Guzman 12/10/21

BATMAN RETURNS (1992)

The holidays are a perfect time to reflect on the past and look to the future as Andres Guzman hopes for a return to the Batman of Tim Burton’s second outing in Gotham.