Our Movie of the Day series returns this week with what I like to think of as some "alternative" Christmas movie titles. I've already posted my traditional ten favorite Christmas movies on the December movie page, so this week here are some darker, weirder, but nonetheless Christmas-themed films to watch at the holidays. Bad Santa is one of the best, a hilarious and hilariously dark comedy starring Billy Bob Thornton in what's probably my favorite performance of his ever. He's fall down drunk and small time crook Willie T. Stokes, partnered with Tony Cox to rob department stores during the holidays by posing as Santa and his elf. He puts not even the minimum effort into it of course and insults and depresses everyone he meets, even a mentally handicapped kid. There are no holds barred with the crudeness of it all, and without compromising a single ounce of the black comedy hilarity (he even beats up some junior high bullies and is proud of himself for it), a sweet and heartwarming message is preserved in the end, if in a rather perverse way. I love this movie, even though it's not for everyone- it never fails to make me laugh. The great cast includes the late Bernie Mac and John Ritter.
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