HOLLYWOOD—The journey from “Merry Christmas,” to ”Happy Holidays,” began long before Bill O’Reilly or Fox News detected an anti-Christian conspiracy among militant secularists in the media and in commerce. It seems that O’ Reilly and Fox have revisited the “war on Christmas,” in a seasonal ritual that has become as predictable as Christmas Eve performances or listening to Christmas songs on Thanksgiving.
Thomas Nast, the legendary illustrator, included Charles Dickens, in the reinterpretation of the Christmas story for non-believers, for children, and for those of little and perhaps no faith. Nast popularized the image of Santa Claus in the pages of Harper’s Weekly, one of the 19th century’s most-influential periodicals. His first Santa illustration appeared back in 1862, the so-called “war on Christmas,” began. Thus, a holy day transformed into a holiday. The world’s 2 billion Christians will celebrate the ancient story of a child born to a Jewish couple in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago.
Hollywood is getting ready for Christmas at the box-office. It’s usually a tradition for many families to go to the movies on Christmas Day. Whether they don’t celebrate the holiday or just want to escape the house after too much togetherness, there’s nothing better than a blockbuster to distract you from seasonal stress. So the Christmas countdown has begun. Last year, Christmas week took in more than $200 million at the domestic box-office from some of the top-grossing films led by “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and box office newcomers “Django Unchained” and “Les Miserables;” the three of them combined ranked in $149 million for the holiday week.
Back in 2011, Christmas week raked in over $300 million, with “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol,” ” Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked,” accounting for over $161 million of the total. The biggest Christmas week came in 2009, when “Avatar,” “Sherlock Holmes,” and ” Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel,” helped the box-office soar to more than $430 million.
This year the movie “Frozen,” looks like a holiday season movie despite not being set at Christmas. The holiday themed ones are: “A Madea Christmas,” “Black Nativity,” and “The Christmas Candle.” They don’t make many Christmas movies and when they do, it’s not like in the heyday. In the past decade, we had some good Christmas movies like: “A Christmas Carol,” a visually stunning, imaginative, entertaining film, worth watching. “The Polar Express,” among the best Christmas films for the family, magnificently executed. “Arthur Christmas,” a smart and funny film. Back in 2003, “Elf,” warmed the heart starring Will Ferrell. I truly enjoy watching “Elf,” it’s a good-natured family comedy full of yuletide cheer.
Christmas is coming early this year for fans of Ron Burgundy. “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues,” the long awaited film will be released on December 18. According to Sky news, Will Ferrell said, he might have pursued a career in journalism if he had chosen not to enter comedy and film. The new film sees Ferrell’s TV newsman Ron Burgundy, as a TV newsman on a channel called GNN. The film also stars, Steve Carell and Christina Applegate.
On Christmas Day, there will be plenty of movies to choose from including, “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” “Justin Bieber’s Believe,” ” August Osage County,” “Labor Day,” “The Invisible Woman,” and “47 Ronin.”
Rose’s Scoop: Lady Gaga has chosen New Jersey to kick off the final leg of her Monster Ball Tour. ArtRave begins in Florida on May 4, and also stops atMadison Square Garden on May 13. She will be touring to support “Artpop,” her third full-length set.
