My new web site boasts just one image and no content. For now.
The subject, however, sparks endless social media debate each December.
It started as a novel argument for friends and family who light-heartedly joked that “Die Hard,” the greatest action flick (or at least the most influential) of the previous century, is a Christmas movie.
Think “Elf,” “A Christmas Story” and “Christmas Vacation.”
Now this struck me as odd because I perceived these people to be of sound mind. Yet their belief made me think they must be slipping. Eventually their confusion led to my conviction that they were wrong.
The initial basis for my claim was simple.
Hollywood doesn’t release Christmas movies in July (“Die Hard” first hit theaters on July 22, 1988). It never happens (yes, I know about “Miracle on 34th Street” … go look up “anomaly,” OK?) and when it does it’s a gimmick.
There are many other reasons why “Die Hard” isn’t a Christmas movie.
- The source material – the film isn’t based on a Christmas novel but a book called “Nothing Lasts Forever.”
- No one’s actions are motivated by Christmas — neither the bad guys nor the good guys. It’s either greed or love and both of those exist during the other 11 months of the year.
- Just because a film takes place at or during Christmas does not make it a Christmas movie. A slasher film like “Silent Night, Deadly Night” isn’t something you’d plop down to watch with grandma and the toddlers.
- If “Die Hard” was a Christmas movie then, like most of the “Home Alone” installments and Tim Allen’s “The Santa Clause” franchise, every sequel would be one too.
After years of politely disagreeing with so many, I decided I would take a stand.
It started with memes…that evolved into arguments…which led to me being the lone voice of sanity in a sea of secularists who want to change both history and the film’s DNA.
This is a slippery cultural slope. If a movie simply has to be set at Christmas to be considered a Christmas movie then themes, messaging and intent are irrelevant. This is how we went from Klinger in the 4077th to “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
We let misguided historians, an out-of-control media, corporate greed and the erosion of our collective moral fiber to serve as the implements of destruction for what makes our country great.
Well, I don’t know about you but I love America. I can’t stand by and let it fall. It’s why I bought a domain to succinctly and definitively state my beliefs.
Here is Bruce Willis confirming that Die Hard is NOT a Christmas Movie
Sorry, the dad joke is over pic.twitter.com/KTsFPLaaUR
— Jack Poso
(@JackPosobiec) December 9, 2024
I kicked off the holiday season by launching NotAChristmasMovie.com. My goal is to produce content in 2025 to go with this. Look for something in July, you know, when Christmas movies hit theaters.
Who knows where the site will go from there. I’d like to start with a podcast, then a book to serve as a guideline for the next generation. Perhaps I’ll land a scripted series on Netflix, followed by a guest spot on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast.
As the man said… “Yippee Kay Yay!”
Alfred Hopton is a career media relations strategist for hire as well as an avid collector of coffee mugs. Along with loving his God, country, kid and dog he loves Alabama football and making hummus. Please follow Not A Christmas Movie on Instagram and X.
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