The Spur

Issue date: 12/7/05 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Kara: For our Christmas segment, we chose a movie that is timeless. As you most of you probably know, "Home Alone" is the story of the horrible abandonment of Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), the left out child in a very large family. Why a family of this size decides to take a holiday trip to France is beyond me, but in the hustle-bustle of running late, they forget poor Kevin. His initial reaction is minor fear juxtaposed with excitement. What boy wouldn't be thrilled to have an entire home to himself, especially one in the obsessively large suburbs of Chicago?

Jason: Kevin is fully enjoying his wish for his whole family to disappear, especially scaring a defenseless pizza boy with the likes of "Angels with Filthy Souls," until his neighborhood becomes the target of the "Wet Bandits." Kevin's ingenuity with mannequins and string and a popular Christmas song saves him from one bad encounter with the quirky burglars. Harry and Marve are enraged when they discover that they are being duked by a kid. They make a plan to return in a few nights, only Kevin has also hears the plan and decides to defend his house.

K: And this is where we discover that the cute and seemingly depressed, friendless and loveless child is really a conniving little devil. Kevin's attempts are the most juvenile tricks in the book, and somehow the entire nation has been entertained by the fact grown adults fall for his tricks. Granted, these adults are burglars, but logically, if they had managed to rob other houses in a wealthy suburb, they have to have some sense of intelligence. Thankfully, Kevin proves our initial thought wrong. Watching movies like this always made me wonder why I couldn't beat the heck out of some crazy robber, but then I took basic self defense, and realized I am quite possibly the weakest person live.

J: When I was young, I was extremely impressed by Kevin's tricks using ice, hot door handles, bee-bee guns and Christmas ornaments. He outsmarted two stupid robbers, and even made himself microwaveable macaroni and cheese before doing so. I can remember first seeing this movie, and I laughed my head off then and still do today. I'm not a fan of senseless violence in movies, but the violence in "Home Alone" is more like that of Looney Toons. Harry and Marve get hurt, but then are right back up again to experience more of Kevin's tricks and surprises.

K: Perhaps. I mean I did enjoy the film, for the most part at least. It's a cute tale, and I always wish my family would disappear during the holidays, and what do you know, they are back every year. All in all, "Home Alone" is your typical 'feel good' movie. And if you're really depressed, you can watch all eight million re-makes and you'll feel really good. My best advice for you this holiday season is to take a flask to your celebration, family is always easier to deal with when your mind is gone.

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