Can you believe it’s Thanksgiving already? I mean, holy crap. This month has flown by. I suspect it’s because Election Day happened on the latest possible Tuesday allowed, giving us only two weeks to recover. Plus, the fervor from this election cycle seems to have only drawn out Election Day into Election Month (as I write this, there’s yet another protest raging about 6 blocks from my apartment). Not to mention, California is still counting ballots (Seriously, people? The LA Times is reporting that a state senate race is going to be upset by late ballots). So, it was with a massive surprise that I found out that Thanksgiving is this Thursday. I haven’t even bought my tickets for Dina Martina’s holiday show yet!
For many people, Thanksgiving is a time of gathering and family. Students who study out of state return home, wayward children wander back to the fold, orphans (situational and actual) who can’t afford to return will gather with their chosen families and celebrate in their own way. There are, of course, many exceptions to the rule and this is completely dealing in American traditionalist construction. Because of the traditional four-day weekend, Thanksgiving is a time of extended vacations when people can travel and gather as a tribe (of course, with an increasing percentage of jobs becoming retail, and retailers opening on Thanksgiving, that tradition is steadily being broken by economics).
As people come together, they, inevitable, end up watching a movie or three. And, here’s where things get tricky. The mass market is meant to cater to the widest possible audience. This year, Harry Potter and Disney are going head to head while Bad Santa 2 picks up the childless crowd. The people avoiding crowds will probably be watching Nocturnal Animals or Loving. Almost Christmas fills in for this year’s Holiday Family movie.
My family used to have a movie on in the living room and cards at the dinner table in full view of the television. The movies were usually crowd pleasers, ranging from When Harry Met Sally to Die Hard, and they were a source of discussion afterward. Those uninterested could drink and play cards, or find other activities to do.
What do you watch as a family? With your friends? Does your family like watching the feel good holiday movies to kick off the season? Maybe some Hallmark Christmas movies? Or, maybe your family prefers edgier fare? Do you suggest movies that might push the political envelope a little (in any direction)?