Jack Frost

Now if this film doesn’t get you sobbing I honestly don’t know what will. Every time I get to the end of Jack Frost I am a sobbing wreck and to be honest near enough at the beginning as well. It really is one of those heart-breaking films you just can’t take your eyes off.

From the beginning you fall head over heels for fun-loving band member, Jack Frost, I mean every girl loves a guy in a band ay! So from the word go you’ve got that instant fondness for him. As the story plays out this relationship is reflected onto Jack's family and as an audience you begin to love them all as a great family unit. The moment this is torn apart and Jack dies in a car crash I know personally I’m struck with such sympathy and sadness. Which for a Christmas film you would think really wouldn’t work. Who would watch a sad Christmas film, which in fact as a whole Jack Frost really is, as a story of a young boy loosing his father. For some reason though this film works, it may leave you heart broken but weirdly content as well.

The tear jerking plot sees an unreliable father killed in a car crash before getting the chance to make it up to his son after all the broken promises. He then gets his second chance to do this when he comes back as a snowman. This is probably why I at least am left feeling so content at the end of the film crying both happy and sad tears. He rebuilds the once broken relationship with his son as their growing love for each other just tugs at the heart strings.

I really don’t understand why it received such negative reviews. This is definitely one of my most favourite Christmas films as it’s a different take on the holiday season but really has a comical but meaningful story line. Make the most of each day and appreciate everything and everyone that comes with it. 

Fact File

Release date: February 12, 1999

Run time: 101mins

Age rating: PG

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Lead actors: Michael Keaton, Kelly Preston and Joseph Cross

Review: Roger Ebert wrote: “it’s the kind of movie that makes you want to take the temperature, if not feel for the pulse, of the film makers.”

Plot summary

Father, Jack Frost, is a member in a band and in turn an unreliable dad. From missing his son’s hockey games to coming close to bailing on Christmas day to try and get a record deal. In a moment of reflection Jack changes his mind and heads home to his family for Christmas but ends up crashing his car and losing his life. One year later he returns in the form of a snowman his son, Charlie, has made. Jack gets his second chance as a dad and their relationship grows culminating into an emotional goodbye as winter comes to an end and the snow begins to melt.

Cool Runnings

As it is December first I thought I would ease us into the festive period with a film that is always shown around Christmas time, Cool Runnings. Personally one of my favourite feel good films there is about. It is one of those films that put you in a right good mood after you have watched them. In my case I tend to end up dancing about annoying my friends singing "nuff people say they know they can't believe, Jamaica we have a bobsled team."

Now the fact that the story of the Jamaican bobsled team debut is based on a real one really gives the film that added bonus. You can’t help but get sucked into the team’s journey from the team nobody has faith in at the butt of every joke, to the team that takes the limelight winning everyone’s hearts. You can’t help but end up rooting for them.

There is no denying that the comedy aspect is what makes this film. There is never a dry moment throughout you always know that around the corner something is about to leave you in hysterics. From practicing in the bath to Sanka’s timely quotes. “Sanka ya dead?”… “Ya man”

The great mix of characters in the Bobsled team along with coach ‘Irv’ complete the team greatly. With Derice, the serious athlete with will and determination. Junior, the rich kid defying his father, which in turn only makes him proud. Yul, the guy determined to make a name for himself and lastly Sanka, the happy go lucky guy who kisses an egg for luck every time he races.

All in all this film promises ups, downs and tons of laughter, you can’t go wrong! 

Fact File

Release date: February 25, 1993

Run time: 98mins

Age rating: PG

Genre: Comedy

Lead actors: John Candy, Leon Preston Robinson, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis and Malik Yoba

Award wins: A BMI Film Music Award for Hans Zimmer and for a Golden Screen award.

Review: BBC movies wrote: “The considerable warmth, humour and persistence of the cast soon have you rooting for these underdogs.”

Plot summary

A comical tale loosely based on the true story of the 1988 Winter Olympics debut for Jamaica’s national bobsleigh team. When Derice Bannock fails to qualify for the Olympics 100 yard sprints he is determined to still go to the Olympics. After finding out previous Bobsleigh coach Irving Blitzer is leaving close he creates Jamaica’s first bobsledding team. Faced with humiliation and disbelief the team have a rollercoaster journey to prove themselves.