Forgotten festive films

Lots of other bloggers have been selecting their Top 10 Christmas movies of late and there have been many excellent suggestions. Gremlins is a particular favourite, for being a darker take on the festive season - one character has an aversion to Christmas because their father died after getting stuck inside the chimney. I haven't seen Gremlins for years [even though it was on TV the other day, I still missed it], but talk about it got me thinking of other films with a frequently forgotten festive element. Here's one of my favourites...

THE SURE THING
The Sure Thing is an early Rob Reiner comedy and is chockful of young actors who would go on to greater things: Tim Robbins, Antony Edwards [who'd both be in Top Gun, thought whether or not that's a greater thing than most is up for debate], the slutty blonde woman from Desperate Housewives and John Cusack from his 80s teen idol phase. The Sure Thing is a road trip to California that takes place at Christmas and is a heartfelt hoot from start to finish. Best bit? Well, there are many: "driving with a load unsecured" is a favourite, but for festive feeling try John Cusack in a bar with some drunks singing The Christmas Song very, very badly. Altogether now: "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your toes..."