i just rewatched a shop around the corner which i first saw a few years ago at the TIFF bell lightbox, sitting next to a very old woman.
as i often did when i lived in toronto, i went to the theatre alone, but after entering the sparsely occupied screening room, the old woman and her friend immediately sat right beside me. i was now accompanied. she told me about seeing the movie in theatres as a child (it was released in 1940) and shared her popcorn with me. “i’m a member, i get it for free,” she insisted. it wasn’t long after the movie started that she nodded off.
the memory makes me feel warm. now let’s look at today’s recommendation request.
victoria, i would love to do just that! here’s a handful of recommendations:
new girl, “the 23rd” — this show is all about The Family That You Choose and what better place to showcase that than in a holiday episode?! new girl has a few holiday eps but this is my favorite because it falls during both the michaela watts and justin long episode arcs. the major drama of this episode is that jess doesn’t want to get serious with long’s character, clearly because she’s in love with nick… a beautiful christmas miracle.
dickinson, “there’s a certain slant of light” — this episode encapsulates the very best of dickinson, the apple tv+ i have been known to push on everyone who bothers to have a conversation with me. if you ask me, jane krakowski was made to play the role of emily’s mother in this show, and this episode — in which she gets drunk on christmas eve, disappointed that her husband can’t be in town for the holiday — is the perfect showcase for it. the episode also contains a little moment between emily’s sister and her 19th century himbo crush. as a cherry on top, zosia mamet appears as a quick-witted louisa may alcott.
living single, “living kringle” — much like the new girl example, this is a very heartwarming, we’re-all-in-this-together type episode. synclaire is distraught when she realizes the rest of the group isn’t quite as excited about the holidays as she is, but she finds a way to get through to them, all while spreading cheer to the rest of the neighborhood. synclaire’s trademark ineffable kindness serves as the perfect anchor for a lovably saccharine christmas episode.
chilling adventures of sabrina, “a midwinter’s tale” — this holiday special is a good choice if you’re looking for something that veers far away from a heartwarming tone. i can’t say i think of this show often, but when i do, i think about the evil mall santa who figures prominently in this episode.
GLOW, “a very GLOW christmas” — the ladies perform a christmas carol in the ring on this ep, yet to me the real pleasure is in the last three minutes. as everyone is heading out of vegas for the holidays, debbie (betty gilpin) chases ruth (alison brie) through the airport and gushes to her about how she’s about to become a network exec. ultimately, ruth isn’t as into the news as debbie, but it’s such a satisfying moment for the arc of their relationship. just rewatching it now gave me chills. all i want for christmas is another season of this goddamn show!
also, the OC chrismukkah episodes are classic, though they feel a little obvious so i chose not to go into ‘em too much.
all i want for christmas is some more recommendation requests! click the above image to fill in the form.