Phew.

With Slade, Wizzard, and bloody Bob Geldof dominating the office playlist, and the rivers of mulled wine flowing at previously unprecedented levels, at Best For Film Christmas is definitely upon us. Every family has their own take on the Christmas traditions. Charades or the Queen’s Speech? Presents before or after lunch? Turkey and sprouts at lunchtime or at dinner? But one tradition that we know remains the same in all households is the Christmas film. In honour of this cinematic contribution to the festival of merriment, we have for your delectation: The Christmas Film Drinking Game. ‘Tis the season to be jolly well drunk.

It looks like John Carter is going to fall fast and land hard at the box office. Costing a cool $250 mill’ to make, based on a cherised collection of sci-fi novels, featuring the most sophisticated CGI Disney could afford and being the live action debut of director Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, Wall-E plus writing credits on the Toy Story trilogy), John Carter looked like a shoe-in to be one of the year’s toppermost earners. Right now it looks like breaking even worldwide would be a hopeful return. Which got us thinking….

This is it – the final window on the Best For Film Advent calendar is about to swing open. Have you been naughty this year, or nice?

Christmas. It’s a time of unbridled joy. Ecstasy, even. But lest we all forget ourselves, strip naked and begin cavorting around the tree, driven mad with pure bliss, BFF has taken the time to compile a list of the top ten film moments that will make you remember the truth: that life is actually a sad, lonely, painful dredge. And that Christmas sucks. Just ask James Van Der Beek. He’ll give it to you straight.

Significant other forget to buy you an Advent calendar again? Never mind, darling, we’re here to dry your tears. Every day from now until we get bored Christmas Eve, you can open a fresh window and find cinematic treats behind it!

At the age of 23, Kenton Bartlett has written, filmed, directed and produced a feature length film. Whilst taking some time out from making the rest of us feel inadequate, Bartlett has kindly agreed to give us the inside scoop on the making of Missing Pieces. This is one for all you budding directors out there – but be warned, making a film isn’t as easy as it looks…

Good films are our favourite kind of films, and it’s pretty hard to make a good film out of a rubbish script. As a result, most good films have pretty good scripts. But sometimes, even in the very best films, there are lines so arse-shatteringly dreadful that they cause nearby birds to explode. Here’s some of those.

African sci-fi, French costume drama, Hollywood Gold or perhaps a screening of one of the best loved comedy action films ever? Check out what alternative film events are coming to a cinema near you.

You can um and ah about what to order for your viewing pleasure this Christmas, but there really is only one list – and we’ve got it. You can thank us later, for now; grab a fresh piece of paper, get your stocking ready and pray you’ve been good this year. Santa is on red-alert for the ultimate Christmas wish-list.