12 Days of Unchristmas

The Big Short puts your going-over-budget into perspective.

A still of a cheque from 'The Big Short' (2016).

The Big Short is an irreverent yet also no-nonsense deep dive into the housing market crash of 2007.

While subprime mortgages and synthetic collateralized debt obligations don’t seem like something that would draw cinemagoers in their hordes, this film does work.

Hindsight is an interesting friend to watch a film with; it raises the stakes, makes the atmosphere more tense. You know what’s going to happen, but there’s something about these men on screen who make you think they might somehow fix the problem this time. Inevitably, the bubble bursts in each and every rewatch, leaving you sweaty and with the same creeping worry that you get after maxing out your credit card to buy everyone personalised baubles from Etsy.


Get inspiration for your New Year good intentions with Cool Runnings.

Three Jamaican athletes try their hand at a Winter Olympic event in this sporting family classic.

After a failed attempt to qualify for the regular Olympics, Derice Bannock (Leon Robinson) decides to try out for an unfamiliar Caribbean sport: Bobsleigh.

Up against unfamiliar weather, societal backlash, and a lack of experience, it looks like Derice has led his men into disaster. But his team are plucky, resilient and not opposed to wearing Lycra – all the things you’ll need if you’re considering a January gym membership.

Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, with Cool Runnings.


Yes, you have to do it all again. This thing happens every year. Palm Springs.

Palm Springs Review

In this daft time loop comedy, Nyles (Andy Samberg) is stuck living through a wedding (a social event equally as stressful as Christmas) time and time again. After using his endless days to prat about, he starts to fall head over heels for another guest, Sarah (Cristin Milioti). Andy Samberg is as affable as you would expect, while J.K. Simmons is a delightfully deranged addition.

The air shimmers with heat (a distant memory for UK residents), as the story plays out. While the premise might lead you to believe it’s doing something different, Palm Springs is a rom-com, though a satisfying, slightly less predictable one. Boy meets girl, over and over and over again in this new holiday rerun for you to enjoy.

Recommended for you: 10 Excellent Non-Christmas Films Set at Christmas


Forgo the so-called traditions of the season and enjoy these films instead – a film per day to replace the 12 days of Christmas with movies that can be described as being more… you. Enjoy!

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