Batman Returns (1992), a movie about the dark heart of Christmas, is a gift-wrapped box of poisoned chocolates. There's no peace on Earth, or good will towards anyone. Rather, it's a movie about violent, child-like adults and what they want -- demand -- for Christmas.

The Penguin (Danny DeVito) wants the attention, respect, and power he's done nothing to deserve. Corrupt businessman Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) wants a financial stranglehold on Gotham. Catwoman/Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) wants revenge on her former boss, Shreck, who tossed her out a window to her seeming death. Batman/Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton), Gotham's self-appointed protector, wants to save lives and property, but doesn't mind strapping a bomb to one of Penguin's goons before dropping the poor schmuck down a sewer; vigilantism in action. Bruce and Selina want each other, only to realize that each of them is far too damaged for the other.

Christmas in Gotham is the season of terrorist attacks on the public, political manipulation of the electorate, lies and deception at every level of society -- and the public's willing embrace of an authoritarian Daddy who'll step in and make everything right again (and if it's someone as grotesque and demonstrably violent as the Penguin, so what?). It's the sentimental hogwash that makes this such a terrific Christmas movie: funny, disturbing, and ultimately pretty damn bleak. It's why I stopped reading Batman comics years ago.