Part 2
#1 “Wonka” (2023)
Where to Watch: In theaters
Genre: Fantasy/Musical
Rating: PG
Length: 1 hour and 56 minutes
IMDB Score: 7.3 out of 10
Synopsis: With dreams of opening a shop in a city renowned for its chocolate, a young and poor Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) discovers that the industry is run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers. He teams up with newfound allies, navigates unexpected betrayals, and strives to overcome adversity to realize his dream.
Zack’s Review: There have been many prequel origin movies over the last few years such as Bumblebee (2018), Cruella (2021), and The King’s Man (2021) to name a few. Usually, these kinds of movies are based on a prior character’s success and fall short of the original film as they are purely fan service and fail to deliver that special spark that made the original so successful. “Wonka,” though, is the exception. While I love “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (1971) starring Gene Wilder as the famous chocolatier, somehow “Wonka” surpasses the original. The European city in which young Willy arrives is cold, colorless and a poor town. Even the town fountain has frozen over from the winter’s frigid touch. “Wonka” explores how Willy transforms his town (and later the world) to become bright and full of life through his passion and delicious sweets. I teared up several times at the end of “Wonka” due to its emotional finale and I thoroughly enjoyed it the entire time. It certainly needs to be #1 on your winter break watchlist.
#2 Star Wars Episode V:
“The Empire Strikes Back” (1980)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Genre: Sci-fi/Action
Rating: PG
Length: 2 hours and 4 minutes
IMDB Score: 8.7 out of 10
Synopsis: The adventure continues in this “Star Wars” sequel. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) face attack by the Imperial forces and its AT-AT walkers on the ice planet Hoth. While Han and Leia escape in the Millennium Falcon, Luke travels to Dagobah in search of Yoda. Only with the Jedi master’s help will Luke survive when the dark side of the Force beckons him into the ultimate duel with Darth Vader (David Prowse).
Zack’s Review: “Empire Strike Backs” (ESB) opens on the icy planet Hoth where it’s so snowy and cold, that Luke needs to cut open a wampa and use it for warmth to avoid dying from the freezing temperature. “ESB” is far and away the best Star Wars film and Star Wars is the greatest franchise of all time. Needless to say, “ESB” is one of my favorite movies ever and makes for a fantastic movie night for the family. If someone you know has never seen it before and doesn’t know the big twist, when you show it to them, make sure to record their reaction (with consent, of course)!
#3 “Round and Round” (2023)
Where to Watch: Peacock
Genre: Romance/Comedy
Rating: TV-G
Length: 1 hour and 30 minutes
IMDB Score: 7.2 out of 10
Synopsis:
Rachel (Vic Michaelis) attends her family’s Chanukah party, where she receives a cherished dreidel from her grandmother. However, she wakes up the next day stuck in a time loop, reliving the night of her parents’ Chanukah party repeatedly. With the help of Zach, the “nice boy” her Grandma’s trying to set her up with, Rachel attempts to break free from the loop and make it to tomorrow.
Zack’s Review: Last year I included one of my favorite movies of all time, “Groundhog Day,” in the winter break activity guide movie recommendation. Similarly, in “Round and Round,” Rachel is also stuck in a time-loop and she is stuck reliving her family’s seventh night of Chanukah party over and over again. I recently watched “Round and Round” with my wife, Ahuva, because we were curious how they would incorporate Chanukah themes into a rom-com movie, and it certainly surpassed our expectations. While no one is an Orthodox Jew in the film, “Round and Round” for the most part gave a fair pass at incorporating Chanukah traditions as a vital part of the film’s story. It was a very funny and enjoyable watch, and the chemistry between Rachel and Zach was great. I definitely recommend giving it a watch over the break even though Chanukah is over.
#4 “Beauty and the Beast” (2017)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Genre: Romance/Comedy
Rating: PG
Length: 1 hour and 41 minutes
IMDB Score: 7.1 out of 10
Synopsis: An arrogant prince (Dan Stevens) is cursed to live as a terrifying beast until he finds true love. Strangely, his chance comes when he captures an unwary clockmaker, whose place is then taken by his bold and beautiful daughter Belle (Emma Watson). Helped by the Beast’s similarly enchanted servants, including a clock, a teapot and a candelabra, Belle begins to see the sensitive soul behind the fearsome facade. But as time runs out, it soon becomes obvious that Belle’s cocky suitor Gaston (Luke Evans) is the real beast of the piece.
Zack’s Review: I might be a Disney fanatic, but I gotta admit that the live-action Disney remakes have generally been subpar. The animated classics are pretty much always better. Except for “Beauty and the Beast,” which is far and away my favorite live-action Disney remake. This counts as a winter film since the Beast’s castle is generally covered with a blanket of snow since the film takes place in the winter (or it’s just the witch’s spell making it an eternal winter; either way, works for me). I really enjoyed this live action since it kept most of the original soundtrack, improved them, and added around an hour of runtime which I felt enhanced the film’s story and character development. Check it out if you haven’t seen it yet!
#5 “Die Hard” (1988)
Where to Watch: AMC+, Hulu
Genre: Action/Thriller
Rating: R
Length: 2 hours and 11 minutes
IMDB Score: 8.2 out of 10
Synopsis: New York City policeman John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) and two daughters on Christmas Eve. He joins her at a holiday party in the headquarters of the Japanese-owned business she works for. But the festivities are interrupted by a group of terrorists who take over the exclusive high-rise, and everyone in it. Very soon McClane realizes that there’s no one to save the hostages but him.
Zack’s Review: Is “Die Hard” a Christmas movie? That debate could go on for days, but everyone agrees that it’s certainly a winter-time film. “Die Hard” is one of the best films ever made and has spawned four sequels. The original “Die Hard” is an action-packed film full of suspenseful scenes, great one-liners, and gunfights/explosions. Definitely add this one to your watchlist if you’re old enough to watch it. Yippee-Ki-Yay.
#6 “Iron Man 3” (2013)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: PG-13
Length: 2 hours and 10 minutes
IMDB Score: 7.1 out of 10
Synopsis: Plagued with worry and insomnia since saving New York from destruction, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is now more dependent on the suits that give him his Iron Man persona – so much so that every aspect of his life is affected, including his relationship with Pepper (Gwyneth Paltrow). After a malevolent enemy known as the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) reduces his personal world to rubble, Tony must rely solely on instinct and ingenuity to avenge his losses and protect the people he loves.
Zack’s Review: “Iron Man 3” is criminally underrated as an MCU film. I think most people were a bit disappointed during their initial viewing due to the Mandarin’s disappointing twist. However, upon a rewatch (or two), most of my friends and I agree that “Iron Man 3” is a great film. Tony Stark’s story is complex and mature, showing a lot of character growth. Tony is at a low point in his life, as evidenced by the film’s setting in wintery Rose Hill, Tennessee around the holiday time, and he must find a way to climb back up against a seemingly unstoppable enemy. However, he doesn’t quit and uses his smarts to stop his nemesis. Superhero fatigue doesn’t exist in my book; just bad superhero fatigue does. “Iron Man 3” is certainly not bad and is a really fun and powerful film.
#7 “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993)
Where to Watch: Prime Video (Rent for $3.99)
Genre: Romance/Comedy
Rating: PG
Length: 1 hour and 45 minutes
IMDB Score: 6.8 out of 10
Synopsis: After the death of his wife, Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) moves to Seattle with his son, Jonah (Ross Malinger). When Jonah calls into a talk radio program to find a new wife for his father, Sam grudgingly gets on the line to discuss his feelings. Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), a reporter in Baltimore, hears Sam speak and falls for him, even though she is engaged. Unsure where it will lead, she writes Sam a letter asking him to meet her at the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day.
Zack’s Review: Last year I included my favorite rom-com starring Meg Ryan in my winter break movie list. Well, this year I am going to include my second favorite one: “Sleepless in Seattle.” This film’s climactic finale takes place on Valentine’s Day in February so this counts as a winter film to me. If you are a helpless romantic, then “Sleepless in Seattle” is the perfect film. Both Sam and Annie are feeling lost and looking for true love, and fate pushes the two of them together. I really love the film and it is one of my favorite rom-coms.
#8 “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001)
Where to Watch: HBO Max
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Rating: PG
Length: 2 hours and 32 minutes
IMDB Score: 7.6 out of 10
Synopsis: Adaptation of the first of J.K. Rowling’s popular children’s novels about Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), a boy who learns on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. He is summoned from his life as an unwanted child to become a student at Hogwarts, an English boarding school for wizards. There, he meets several friends who become his closest allies and help him discover the truth about his parents’ mysterious deaths.
Zack’s Review: “Harry Potter” takes place during the school year and when I think school, I think winter. Plus, much of the film takes place during the cold seasons and it has a very wintery vibe with many candles and fireplaces all over the castle. I just wrote down the first Harry Potter film, but really all eight of them are great, with the fourth one (“Goblet of Fire”) being my favorite. “Sorcerer’s Stone” is a fun one as well, with many classic scenes such as Harry versus the giant troll, Harry’s early Quidditch days, and when Hagrid first tells Harry that he’s a wizard. (Where he responds, “I’m a what?” which my friends and I frequently quote.) I hope to see the Broadway show “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” which is a sequel to the films in New York in February, so I will try to rewatch some of the film in preparation.
#9 “The Grand Budapest Hotel” (2014)
Where to Watch: Prime (Rent for $3.99)
Genre: Comedy/Crime
Rating: R
Length: 1 hour and 39 minutes
IMDB Score: 8.1 out of 10
Synopsis: Set in the 1930s, the Grand Budapest Hotel is a popular European ski resort, presided over by concierge Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes). Zero (Tony Revolori), a junior lobby boy, becomes Gustave’s friend and protege. Gustave prides himself on providing first-class service to the hotel’s guests who stay there. When one of Gustave’s lovers dies mysteriously, Gustave finds himself the recipient of a priceless painting and the chief suspect in her murder.
Zack’s Review: Arguably director Wes Andersen’s best film, “The Grand Budapest Hotel” is one of the most peculiar yet exciting films I have seen. The hotel’s pink facade looks stunning with the backdrop of the snowy mountain tops in the background. It’s an engaging murder mystery film with many twists and laughs along the way. It also has a cast of stars who truly seem to be having a great time acting in this film.
#10 “Abominable” (2019)
Where to Watch: Hulu, Prime (Rent for $3.99)
Genre: Adventure/Fantasy
Rating: PG
Length: 1 hour and 32 minutes
IMDB Score: 7.0 out of 10
Synopsis: After discovering a Yeti on the roof of her apartment building, teenage Yi and her two friends embark on an epic quest to reunite the magical creature with his family. But to do so, they must stay one step ahead of a wealthy financier and a determined zoologist who wants to capture the beast for their own gain.
Zack’s Review: I wanted to include one children’s film in this list, and “Abominable” seemed like the perfect one after “Frozen” and “Ice Age,” which I included last year. Whenever I play code names with Ahuva and she asks me what a Yeti is, I try to tell her that it’s an abominable snowman. She doesn’t know what that is either, but maybe once I show her this film she’ll finally get it. This film has positive reviews and is made by the same studios that brought to life the “How to Train Your Dragon” franchise, which is great, so I am sure “Abominable” is a banger too.
*For reference, last year’s rankings were in the following order: 1) “Home Alone” (1990); 2) “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986); 3) “Frozen” (2013); 4) “National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983); 5) “The Family Man” (2000); 6) “Groundhog Day” (1993); 7) “When Harry Met Sally…” (1989); 8) “Miracle” (2004); 9) “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021); 10) “Ice Age” (2002)
