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Comment by ChrisSD | Hacker News Reader

I wasn't aware this was even an argument. Is this a joke or an American thing? I must admit my initial reaction was bof but now I'm slightly intrigued. Maybe it's a meme?

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Seriously, does anyone actually think Die Hard _isn't_ a christmas movie?

The author lost me when he said that “Last Action Hero” is not a great movie, so I wouldn’t take anything he writes about movies as serious. John McTiernan is a genius.

It's a great movie but none of my friends agree with me about it which makes me sad.

Metahumor is underappreciated

I feel like you had to be 8-10 years old when it was released for the necessary imprinting to happen.

I never understood why that movie bombed. 1993 was a huge year for blockbuster movies, so I think it just got lost in the shuffle. Anyway, underrated flick.

It's a Hollywood story cliche. There are so many continuity problems in that movie, but if I recall, they were designed to be that way. Here's a decent write up about the whole preposterous nature of the movie: https://film.avclub.com/why-last-action-hero-failed-and-why-...

I had this very argument two weeks ago at a party and I was in the "it's not a Christmas movie" corner. After reading the (beautifully researched) article, I have now changed my mind. I now think it's a Christmas movie -- mostly because the writers intended for it to be one :D

Was it an office Christmas party you were at?

Was it attacked by terrorist/bank robbers?

It's definitely also a meme, whatever else it is. As an American, I haven't heard much about this debate before this holiday season. Definitely enjoying it, though.

Die Hard being regarded as a Christmas movie has been growing in popularity in the culture for many years now. I did however first hear about it being discussed in a TV show, although I can't remember which.

The article also touches on another meme that has been growing for the past few years, Thanksgiving and its lack of associated songs. I remember first noticing that due to Bob's Burgers mentioning it constantly in their Thanksgiving episodes, but have now noticed that SNL has been bringing up the fact there are no Thanksgiving songs for the past couple years as well.

Was the show Brooklyn 99?

With all the Die Hard references, it almost certainly was.

The joke was popularized by an American TV show. It’s become one of those things people know they can trot out for easy upvotes, likes, etc. Most Christmas movies are family-oriented but Die Hard is an action movie so saying it’s one’s favorite Christmas movie is meant to demonstrate the distinctiveness of one’s personality. It’s like how people made jokes about sporks and “le earth”. Maybe in a few years it’ll come full circle and big data will help us to determine if sporks are closer to spoons or forks.

> It’s like how people made jokes about [...] “le earth”

What is that?

A corruption of "but i am le tired." A line from a flash video from a site called Albino Blacksheep. Called 'THE END OF ZE WORLD' by Jason Windsor in 2003. ABS was known for flash videos/animations (occasional theft of content from other creators) and attracting a juvenile/college audience

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=84Ud3V9NPw8

Which show? I ask because it’s been a joke at my house for 25 years.

Several discussions of Die Hard being a Christmas movie happen in the show Brooklyn Nine-Nine, as Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) is obsessed with the movie.

I’m in the UK and it’s been an ongoing debate amongst my friends for many years. (Yes it is)

Its a meme. Started a few years ago.

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