CNN’s Jake Tapper spoke with author and film expert Jeremy Arnold on Friday to discuss his book “Christmas in the Movies,” although at one point Tapper admitted the “real reason” he brought Arnold on was to discuss “Die Hard.”

After an introduction and a discussion of Arnold’s book, which includes chapters on Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life“ and even a James Bond film, Tapper turned to “Die Hard.”

“Let’s get to the real reason I had you here, which is just the definitive proof. You have settled the argument. “Die Hard” is in this. It gets its own chapter. “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie. I’m glad it is now official. Explain why in your view. Because there are I don’t know what to call them skeptics. Let’s let’s be polite and call them skeptics who say “Die Hard” is not a Christmas movie. Obviously, it is. Explain why,” Tapper asked.

“Well, first of all, when people say “Die Hard” is not a Christmas movie and the other side must be insane for thinking it is,” Arnold replied, adding:

What that dispute is really about is definition. Both sides are defining the term Christmas movie very differently. And so for someone, it may really not be a Christmas movie, and that’s fine for them. But for the rest of us, it is. And the reason I think it is that it begins as the most common type of Christmas movie, which is some version of a dysfunctional or estranged family trying to reconcile on Christmas. In this case, John and Holly McClain.

“Holly, I’d like to note. Her name is Holly,” Tapper interjected.

“Yes. Changed from the source material, right? Her name was Stephanie. So that is the story that is happening before the terrorists come and take over Nakatomi Plaza. And what that does is it grounds the audience to see the whole movie that follows through the prism of this Christmas-time family reconciliation story,” Arnold replied.

“And a Christmas miracle if I might say,” Tapper added.

“Right, there are references to Christmas all throughout the movie and the dialog and the visuals on the soundtrack. Sound Effects. Christmas,” Arnold responded.

“Oh, no, I’ve got a machine gun,” added Tapper, agreeing.

“Exactly. Christmas, I think, does a lot to lighten the tone of “Die Hard 2.” It’s a violent movie, but it’s not cruel or unpleasantly violent. It’s it’s cheerful and joyful, and that connects it to the season too,” Arnold noted, as Tapper then rolled a clip from the movie.

After the clip, Tapper added, “So one other point I’d like to make about the “Die Hard,” it being a Christmas movie. And honestly, I could do 2 hours just on this topic, is the key moment of the film where John McClane is, and again this movie’s been out for a little while, so I’m sorry, but spoiler alert, when John McClane saves the day, saves his wife, kills Hans Gruber and another bad guy, he’s only able to do it because of the presence of presents. There are Christmas presents there and he uses the tape. I’m not going to give more than that away, but obviously definitionally this could not have happened, this miracle. Any other holiday.”

“Right. It definitely makes us aware of that connection in that moment,” Arnold replied, adding:

And here’s the thing. If “Die Hard,” we’re set at another time of year. The story could still work. You could still have this story. But what Christmas does it, it enhances all these emotions and rituals that we recognize as linked to the season and intensifies them. You know, Christmas does that to the highs and the lows. It’s A Wonderful Life is powerful because the despair that Jimmy Stewart feels is so greatly enhanced by the fact that he’s feeling it at Christmas time. “Die Hard.” It could work on a day other than Christmas, but it would not be the same movie.

“Well, if it were Arbor Day, then he wouldn’t have had the Christmas tape,” Tapper jested, wrapping up the interview.

Watch the full clip above via CNN.

The post Is ‘Die Hard’ a Christmas Movie? CNN’s Jake Tapper Declares the Debate Settled Once and For All first appeared on Mediaite.

from Mediaite https://ift.tt/uf1isKn