Alt-Xmas at the Brattle Theatre

The Brattle Theatre takes an alternative look at Christmas cheer this year with it's Alt-Xmas series, running December 17 through 19. The mini-fest features four of the movies least likely to come on after A Christmas Story, including a Die Hard/Die Hard 2 double feature and a slightly belated homage to the unlikely pairing of Hanukkah and ‘70s blaxploitation films. Here’s our handy rundown:

City of Lost Children (1995)
This oh-so-magical film features Ron Perlman as a carnival strongman who befriends a street-smart orphan girl while searching for his missing little brother. Together, the unlikely duo uncovers a mad scientist's bizarre plot to kidnap children and steal their dreams. Nothing like a little dystopia to warm the heart—and co-directed by Amélie auteur Jean-Pierre Jeunet, no less. Friday Dec. 17, 9:30pm.

Die Hard (1988)
Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker. Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) only has one wish for Christmas: to spend it with his recently estranged family. However, a group of terrorists led by Hand Gruber have their own ideas. It seems they've taken an entire office building hostage, including McClane's wife. This, of course, forces McClane into full-on tank top-wearing, head-busting action! Saturday Dec. 18, 9:30pm

Die Hard 2 (1988)
Could it get any more ridiculous for John McClane? It's only been a year since he had to go ballistic to rescue an office building full of hostages, and now he's faced with an entire airport held hostage. As if that wasn’t enough, his family is stuck in a plane from LA circling above. What's a resourceful NYC cop to do? Saturday Dec. 18, midnight

The Hebrew Hammer (2003)
The Hebrew Hammer is a fly Jewish superhero (“Part Man. Part Street. 100% Kosher.”) living in a blaxploitation-infused world. With the help of some equally hip friends, the Hebrew Hammer has to take down Santa's evil son who has knocked off his famous, bearded dad and is trying to destroy Hanukkah once and for all. Sunday Dec. 19, 9:30pm