The countdown to winter break has started, and we’re only a couple more finals away from packing up our bags and heading home without the stresses of work for the month. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Dongzhi, or just the comfort of a restful winter, you’ll probably have a generous amount of time on your hands for a cozy late night movie screening. If you’re seeking a different sort of winter story, look no further! We’ve put together this short but sweet compilation of newer, alternative cinematic experiences that tell of a unique and poignant holiday affair that we believe are well worth your time.
“Tangerine” (2015): 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes
You’ll enjoy this if you: have been looking for a raw and honest story offering a refreshing break from the glamor of Hollywood. Set on Christmas Eve on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd and Highland Ave, this candid journey shot on three iPhone 5s smartphones tells the story of a transgender sex worker that will make your heart wrench and leave your head spinning.
“Carol” (2015): 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes
You’ll enjoy this if you: have been waiting for a movie showcasing the tenderness and struggles of a queer relationship. This vulnerable film sheds light onto the suffocation that society often imposes on forbidden relationships. Beautiful not only in its storyline but in its cinematography, the stunning and clever use of colors will draw you into Carol and Therese’s world of the early 1950s.
“Christmas, Again” (2015): 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes
You’ll enjoy this if you: have ever struggled with holiday loneliness and heartbreak. Beautifully-shot on 16-millimeter film that saturates the film with holiday winter colors, this movie follows the Christmas tree seller protagonist who meets a young woman passed out on a bench, telling a poignant and touching story of love and loss.
“Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang” (2005): 85 percent on Rotten Tomatoes
You’ll enjoy this if you: are a fan of the private eye genre and are interested in seeing a young Robert Downey Jr. in action. Funny and good simple fun through and through, watch “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang” for a thrilling and laugh-filled undercover adventure.
“Tokyo Godfathers” (2003): 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes
You’ll enjoy this if you: would like to step out of mainstream media and take a journey down the anime avenue. Immerse yourself in snowy Tokyo with three peculiar protagonists and a stranded baby without a home, and re-discover the nuances of life that make our lives worth living.
You know the feeling of being stunned or at a loss for words after watching a rousing movie? These are the ones you’ll be mulling over. Again, like our previous cuffing season movie recommendation list, let us know if you’ve exhausted this list and we’ll be back with more.
Staff writer Jane Mok can be contacted at jane.mok@columbiaspectator.com. Follow Spectator on Twitter @ColumbiaSpec.
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