Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Once again, it is Christmas time, and the McCallister family is planning another vacation, only this time they are bound to go to Miami, Florida. Unfortunately, at the airport, Kevin separates from the rest of his family and goes to New York City. Kevin will soon realize that he will not only be alone in a big city with a luxury suite at the Plaza. He will also reunite with his rivals Harry and Marv, who are planning to rob a toy store. Kevin plans to defeat the bandits once and for all by using traps to defeat them and save Duncan's Toy Chest. Following the events of the phenomenal classic: Home Alone (1990), we are reunited with the whole cast who return with a brilliant sequel. Writer John Hughes and Director Chris Columbus also return alongside the magnificent composer John Williams who all worked on the first film. Just like the last movie this one manages to delight and entertain audiences once again, me especially. I loved this film just as much as the first as it delivered some amazing comedic scenes, heartfelt moments and an overall exciting Christmas adventure. Although this film gets some bad reviews, I tend to pay no mind since despite its few faults, this movie is just so good and doesn't deserve all the flack it gets. Kevin's family must have the worst parents in cinema history ever because why would you go on another family vacation at Christmas again after the traumatic repercussion of the first film? To do it again a year later just seems so bizarre as if they hadn't learned their lesson, especially when they sleep in once again. However, things do go okay, to a point. Kevin makes it much further but accidentally boards the wrong plane at the airport. With his father's card, he checks in at the Plaza hotel where we are introduced to a set of great characters and moments. The Hotel Staff add a whole extra level of humour to the film, especially since Tim Curry plays the Plaza Hotel concierge and every scene he is in just stupendous. He has some of the best facial expressions and deliveries ever and this film was no exception. I particularly love the sequence where Kevin uses a gangster spoof movie (similar to the way he used it in the last one) to trick the Hotel Staff. The whole ordeal is just incredible and everyone's reactions to the situation are priceless. Alongside making some enemies Kevin does make some friends in the form of toy shop owner Duncan and the Pigeon Lady. Kevin helps them out and comforts them as they help him with his issues. However, once again the highlights of this film are the return of Harry and Marv and the onslaught of traps used against them. There are some unbelievable traps used in this film, which are deadlier than the last and I would go as far as to say even funnier. Even though there are some repeated traps, there are a few twists to them and changes. For example, in the previous one, Kevin throws two paint cans attached to a rope at the two intruders down the stairs, which is repeated however with an added third part catching the bandits off guard. I will never get over one of the traps that has never ceased to leave me in side-splitting agony from laughter being the moment when Marv tries to use a tap at a sink which Kevin has electrically charged. The moment he touches it he starts his marvellous scream we all know from the first film and as he does his hair stands on end. Kevin turns it up to the point where Marv's skeleton is shown and still screaming before being released and returning to normal. Comedy at its finest. Overall, this film is a decent sequel that adds more whilst referencing the previous instalment. It has a combination of a heartwarming story and rich amounts of comedy laced throughout making it ideal viewing for the entire family during the festive season. There is also a none connected 3rd follow-up with a new family in Home Alone 3 (1997).

Runtime: 2h

Director: Chris Columbus

Genre: Adventure / Comedy / Crime / Family

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Home Alone (1990)

It's Christmas time and the McCallisters are preparing for a vacation to Paris. Eight-year-old Kevin is frequently mistreated in the house. He is picked on by his siblings and cousins, and his parents are annoyed by his antics. Kevin finds himself forced to sleep on the third floor of the house after causing an issue at dinner. The next day, the McCallisters accidentally sleep in and barely make it to their flight, but when airborne they realize they forgot Kevin. As his family desperately tries to get back to Chicago, Kevin is thrilled to have the house to himself. However, a pair of burglars, Harry and Marv, have robbed several houses in the neighbourhood, now with their sights on the McCallister house. It's up to Kevin to thwart them. Home Alone is quite possibly the definition of a Christmas Classic. This movie was written by the legendary John Hughes, who I adore for the countless incredible films he has produced and written. This one was just another delight from his huge roster of classics. During this festive season, who doesn't want a bit of family fun and laughter? What better way to supply it than by having a child use booby traps in his house to fend off two burglars. With most films, child actors can sometimes be quite annoying however this was not the case with Macaulay Culkin who played Kevin. I thought he was great in this as well as in his others films. He was funny, had some witty quick deliveries and frequently got some chuckles out of me. We the audience also feel a great deal of sympathy for Kevin since he is constantly picked on by his family and treated unfairly. His parents then go on to forget him when they leave for Paris. We don't blame Kevin for being so happy at his family's disappearance and partaking in crazy fun activities since he did want them gone after the way he had been treated. From jumping on the bed eating popcorn, eating lots of unhealthy food, watching older rated movies and sledging down the stairs, he gets up to all sorts of mischief he couldn't do before. Little did he expect he would then have to battle against two crooks attempting to rob his house, thinking that the whole family has left. It is from here that this film excels. The amount of unbelievable traps Kevin sets in place will more than likely kill you in real life, however in this film Harry and Marv just keep getting back up. Although, not entirely unscathed, of course. The film takes a slapstick approach to the action, which was an amazing choice. Seeing people take an iron to the face, having their hair set on fire or slipping on the ice, falling down some stone steps and continuing to keep going is just ridiculous entertainment. Knowing full well these traps are incredibly lethal, I found myself wincing or nearly looking away just at the thought of how they would feel. One of the funniest parts and my favourite is the screams and agonised muttering from our thieves Harry and Marv. Harry is more the brains of the two and frequently argues with the dumber Marv. Marv has some of the best screams in the movie that are instant laughs they are so good. Throughout, Kevin is taught a lesson about family. Despite enjoying their being gone, he eventually wants them back. No matter how much you have differences or fight, you always make things right with your loved ones because deep down we always care for one another. Not only does he learn this, but he even helps others to learn this too. Overall, Home Alone is just pure enjoyment for the whole family with a lovely message to tie it all together. It will never get old seeing a young boy battle crooked adults and triumph in saving Christmas. Give this phenomenal classic the check over this December for sure. If you liked this film, also check out Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992).

Runtime: 1h 43m

Director: Chris Columbus

Genre: Comedy / Family

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)

Harry Potter is an average eleven-year-old boy who has lived with the Dursley family ever since his parents died in a car crash. For some reason, the family has always mistreated him, even making him work around the house as some sort of slave. On his eleventh birthday, a giant man named Hagrid hands him a letter telling him that he has been accepted as a student at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry learns that his parents were wizards and were killed by the evil wizard Voldemort, a truth that was hidden from him all these years. He embarks on his new life as a student, gathering two good friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger along the way. They soon learn that something very valuable is hidden somewhere inside the school and Voldemort is very anxious to lay his hands on it. The Philosopher's Stone is the first instalment in the Harry Potter franchise and is based on the best-selling book series. I have such fond memories of this fabulous fantasy film, which has become such a staple in pop culture and the movie industry being the first of 8 thrilling adventures. I have always loved the Harry Potter novels and read them during my school years, where I became enthralled with this magical world. My love only grew with the series of films that felt just as magical as the books. Alongside the abundance of amazing visuals for the time, one of the highlights of these movies has to be the actors who each did a phenomenal job in their roles. Of course, in regards to all the younger actors, their performances can be a little off but after all, they are children and as they get older they only improve and develop. I enjoyed how we get to see all the children grow up with every new feature. With Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) growing up with each new school year, it was great seeing these actors age alongside each instalment both in terms of becoming so experienced to actually getting older. Supporting actors were integral to the story too and Alan Rickman as Severus Snape was sheer perfection giving some chilling performances that completely stole the show. He is so careful and calculated with every single word. I also like all the other characters and I can't think of any I disliked. From Hagrid, and McGonagall to Dumbledore, each of the characters is so entertaining, charming and funny. They are equally loveable and it is pretty obvious why they are such fan favourites. The world-building in this film is exceptional and well-executed. From the grand-scale buildings to even the tiniest of details, they all make this world all the more magical. From the wondrous castle of Hogwarts with its infinite rooms and halls to the shop windows in Diagon Alley displaying brooms or wands, this world feels lived in and so alive. Undoubtedly, Hogwarts became the most popular school in movie history with so much to explore with many background details to notice mainly with the moving portraits. John Williams composed the mystical music of the first two instalments which are so surreal and are some fantastic pieces. My favourite has to be 'Hedwig's Theme'. It is so enchanting and displays Williams' musical genius which had been proven long before in his other projects like Star Wars, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) and Jurassic Park (1993). His magnificent pieces elevate the story and moods, I would even go as far as to say that without his music, this film would never have had the charm we have come to recognise and love. The mystery of the Philosopher's Stone makes for an exciting story that is truly intriguing as pieces to this puzzle slowly start to unravel for our trio to uncover. Overall, this is a fascinating start to the Harry Potter franchise, which continued to deliver exciting entries showing great development and character growth throughout each one, bringing so much lore behind it to make a believable world. This film is great family viewing that will forever stand the test of time as a perfect adventure for people of all ages to delve into. Check out the next film: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), to continue the following chapter in the chosen one's years at the wizarding school.

Runtime: 2h 32m

Director: Chris Columbus

Genre: Adventure / Family / Fantasy

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