IIt’s that time of year again when our spirits soar and daily dopamine is on a spike because of the holiday season. Popular culture heralds the first season—think Christmas lights, a shopping spree for gifts, Santa figurines, carols, and most importantly, movies.
A guilty pleasure for many, Christmas movies have been an intrinsic part of the season, and the latest have only suited the times. But have you ever wondered why the same formulaic script of a family reunion, celebration with loved ones, or a classic romantic quest with some mystery and magic seems to work over and over again? Movies like this are made in heaps around this time; While some are good, many of them are not. Then why do we love and hate them?
In the case of most Indian audiences, for whom Christmas is not the main religious or cultural festival, the genre still has a large audience. More often than not, it’s the generations of the ’80s and ’90s that would agree. The popularity of these movies owes much to the pre-OTT era in Indian television, where channels like HBO, Star Movies, Movies Now, Romy Now streamed them exclusively. More often than not, you had to sit in an urban household with some decent knowledge of English and share subtly ‘smart’ jokes.
Can we say that celebrating Christmas is considered ‘modern’? Is it the bandwagon of westernization on which the Indian millennium has stalled? I believe what is primarily working here is our voyeuristic consumption of Western popular culture. Celebrating the season by gifting our loved ones or the idea of a fabulous Christmas dinner spread is something we – as Indian kids – have only seen on screen while growing up. Watching these movies somehow makes us believe that we are celebrating Christmas just like the characters. For adults, there is a reward in place, as these movies become a safe haven from the winter blues. So when the cold becomes unbearable and we refuse to toe outside, even the most cringe-worthy movies are watched with gusto.
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The Neuroscience of ‘Christmas Cheer’
According to Ollie Robertson, a doctoral researcher in psychology at Kiel University, ‘the evidence forchristmas cheerIt was found inside the human brain during a study conducted at the University of Denmark in 2015. It was found that the Christmas stimulator lighted up a network of brain regions, leading the researchers to conclude that they were the center of Christmas cheer. “Every time we encounter Christmas-related objects or ideas because of our past, our brains create a sense of ‘Christmas cheer,'” Robertson writes. While scientists have not been able to provide a definition for this phenomenon, Christmas cheer can be understood in basic terms as a spontaneous reaction or emotion.
holiday style is made a success
The holiday genre, which is usually set within the traditional iconography of the season, continues to be one of the highest grossers at the box-office. while classics like it’s a wonderful life, The home alone Chain, screwed, or elf Remaining a seasonal staple, new ones continue to attract visitors of all ages each year.
A typical Christmas movie should have a somewhat festive setting – Christmas lights, decorations, and of course, your ideal Christmas tree. It also has to be packed with some of the quintessential elements—be it the amusing heroism of Kevin McCallister. home alone, Buddy’s childish shenanigans in elf, or the thrill of swapping the houses of two girls holiday, all tip-off feelings of joy and pleasant feelings. An important feeling that runs through these films is that of nostalgia. This often gives adults a window to ‘be children again’ and become deeply immersed in it. in movies like a christmas story or home alone, we see the world through the eyes of a child protagonist, thus going back to our childhood experiences with shared memories.
Another powerful ingredient is magic. Whether you admit it or not, there is some part in each of us that wants to believe that ‘anything is possible’ – it’s a fascinating belief and one that the Christmas spirit catalyzes. As we grew and lost the magic of the great white-bearded jolly man giving you gifts, an element of faith and hope remained throughout the holiday season. For adult audiences, for whom practicality and responsibility worlds abound, watching these Christmas movies is a reminder of the immoral, non-cynical belief in the grand scheme of things.
The theme of hope and the possibility of change and redemption, named after the spirit of Christmas, is the prototype for this genre. Christmas Carol Serves as a perfect example, as does the cold-hearted, tough, and clingy Ebenezer Scrooge soft on Christmas Eve. Even the Grinch, finally rejoicing at Christmas with the rest of Whoville Dr. Seuss ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’, there’s someone we’ve got hold of. The truth is that we instinctively believe or want to believe that we can do better than we are, and it is human for us to only hope for a better world.
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Much is forgiven in the name of Christmas
Unlike most other genres, tropes and cliches are welcome in holiday movies. There’s a comfort in familiarity, and that’s why formulas and repetitive topics work.
A lot is also forgiven in the name of Christmas. The over-the-top acting, along with the chaotic plot and predictability of the characters, serve as ingredients to craft a bad holiday movie. However, as long as it falls under the Christmas umbrella, our decision doesn’t give much credibility to the actual film. christmas celebration love the coopers The humor in an otherwise average film inflates. Today, with the advent of OTT platforms, reaching audiences is easier than ever, and filmmakers with money-making bonanza plans are flocking to push films, which are, for the most part, terrifying. princess switch Series comes to mind.
Not every Christmas movie is ‘cheerful’
While Christmas is primarily associated with positive emotions, for many it is regret and loneliness. A time for family reunions and excitement turns into deep contemplation, and individuals take stock of where they see themselves in life. Family celebrations become a source of tension, as most of us would relate to the deteriorating relations between our own families. Psychologists have called this lack of Christmas enthusiasm “Bah Humbug” Syndrome, The Grinch syndrome is perfectly depicted in many films. The words “bah humbug”, expressing hatred and contempt, were originally spoken in the novel by the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. Christmas Carol (1843) by the English writer Charles Dickens. A person with Bah Humbug either hates or opposes the celebratory mood of the season.
There are many Christmas movies that depict and deal with these universal themes of family – longing for one, celebrating one, the famous trope of looking for a home, and what it means to be home during the holiday season. In stepmom, Jackie’s children’s realization of their mother’s gravely ill is as hard as the joyful reunion of the two sisters Accumulated, Despite the sweet tone, and when important and difficult realities are being dealt with, restoration is always provided to keep the Christmas spirit.
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all’s well That ends well
Simply put, no Christmas movie will have a sad ending. Consider this as a rule of thumb that has long been adopted in the algorithm of holiday film-making. Christmas is seen as an opportunity for people to resolve their conflicts and strengthen their ties, and it also appears in movies. from kevin home alone becomes more attached to his family as he learns of the folly of his ways, and the latter realizes how badly they treated him.
The Christmas spirit is ubiquitous, and everything magically works out in the end. Reconciliation comes to mind, and if there’s one thing that drives viewers away, it’s that even though life seems bleak and unpredictable right now, all will be well in the end.
(Edited by Likes)