Favorite Christmas Movies

Ahhh, Christmas. A time for family, worship, gorging, music, parties, and debt. Where children's faces beam waiting for their new toy to jump out from under the tree on Christmas morning. A time where, for whatever reason, we get presents because of Jesus' birth, as South Park's Cartman so eloquently put it.

Seriously though, this is my favorite holiday. (Real original, right?) And part of the wonder and excitement of Christmas for me is annual viewing of Christmas movie classics. In recent years, Hollywood has been spitting out four or five Christmas movies every year around this time, and all of them follow the same formula: Something bad is happening/someone hates Christmas, something good happens, person thanks "Spirit of Christmas"; all the while, Chuck Berry's "Run Run Rudolph" plays during opening scenes of running around fighting with loved ones and Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" fills the silence of the redeemed sitting around a fireplace/Christmas tree with his loved ones. While these formulas begin to wain over the years, the films which serve as influence hold enough power to still bring us a new seasonal classic to view with friends and family each year. So snuggle up, turn on Harry Connick Jr.'s When My Heart Finds Christmas (still the best Holiday album ever, in my opinion), and enjoy this list of my favorite Christmas films, past and present.

NOTE: I am going to start putting the results from the previous poll at the bottom of each new blog.

10. SCROOGE (1951) (Brian Desmond Hurst) - The classic Christmas tale of money-grubbing, Christmas-hating Ebeneezer Scrooge (Alistair Sim) and his ghostly visits that change his life forever...PLEASE TELL ME YOU KNOW THIS STORY! Just to warn you, this is only the first of three very different versions of Charles Dickens classic story. However, it is the only one that is purely a retelling of the book and not some new-fangled, high-falutin' modern version of it (you will see what I mean). Anyways, I watched a total of SEVEN DIFFERENT VERSIONS of this story, and this is by far the...third best. And while the Ghost of Christmas Future is the most terrifying in the 1984 version with George C. Scott, Sim is the all time best Scrooge ever, and Glyn Dearman is untouched as Tiny Tim. This usually comes on every year as some point on the old boob-tube, so look out for it. FAVORITE SCENE: I can't get Sim's portrayal of Scrooge's transformation out of my mind. When he is asking a young boy on the street to pick up a goose for the Cratchit's Christmas dinner, their banter is absolutely perfect. CAUTION: There are some scary images of ghosts throughout, but nothing serious.

9. ELF (2003) (Jon Favreau) - A human who has been raised as an elf (Will Ferrell) eventually ends up in New York City on a quest to find is real father (James Caan) and spread Christmas cheer. One of very few good Christmas movies to come out since the new millennium, and the only one in my top ten. Ferrell is hilarious as always, playing a similar type role as Tom Hanks in Big to equal effect. Although not actually mentally young, the boyishness and naivety of Buddy the Elf is funny and endearing. FAVORITE SCENE: When Buddy, who is told to sit still while his father works in his office, answers an important phone call by saying "Buddy the Elf! What's your favorite color?" CAUTION: PG for a couple of mild cuss words and some accidental, humorous drunkenness. Probably okay for the wee ones.

8. MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947) (George Seaton) - A man, who claims to be Santa Claus (Edmund Gwenn), renews the faith of an uptight business woman (Maureen O'Hara), a skeptical little girl (Natalie Wood), and the rest of New York City. Oscar nomination for Best Picture and a win for Gwenn as Kris Kringle. This year was the first time I saw this version of this story (the '94 version with the guy from Jurassic Park is a nightmare) and I was surprised at how well it stood the test of time (which I cannot say for White Christmas or Christmas in Connecticut). Gwenn and Wood are spectacular and it is so fun to watch their relationship grow. FAVORITE SCENE: I am a sucker for courtroom dramas so I loved the scenes where Kris is fighting for his freedom, chuckling the whole way there.

7. THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (1992) (Brian Henson) - The Muppets take on the yuletide classic...by the way, what does 'yuletide' mean? Okay, so this may be a sentimental pick more than anything since I grew up with it, but watching it again I stilled laughed out loud. Michael Caine gives a brilliant take on Scrooge and plays it with realism that the older ones didn't quite get (although Sim's is still my favorite). Also, Gonzo as "Charles Dickens" narrating, and Rizzo the Rat as his partner, steal the show for me. And the songs are catchy and fun. FAVORITE SCENE: I love the "Marley and Marley" song, played by the two hecklers, Statler and Waldorf ("Doh, ho ho ho!") CAUTION: Again, just some mildly scary images of the Marley brothers and the Ghost of Christmas Future.

6. THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993) (Henry Selick) - A stop-motion animated musical about Jack Skellington, the king of Halloweentown, who tries to take over the festivities of Christmas...but his old habits of spooking and scaring come back to haunt him and the children of Earth. Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for Best Visual Effects and Best Score. For years I wasn't allowed to watch this movie, and that was probably a wise decision on my parents half. Having said that, this is NOT a horror film. Okay, so it's filled with goblins, ghouls, and ghosts, but it isn't scary or gory in anyway. The music, composed by the wonderful Danny Elfman, who is also the singing voice of Jack, is gorgeous, hearkening back to movie scores and classic symphonies of the past. The stop-motion visuals are stunning; you should probably see it twice, since the first viewing you mostly spend marveling at how tedious everything must have been. FAVORITE SCENE: "What's This?", a song of Jack's initial encounter with Christmastown, has become one of my favorite Holiday songs. CAUTION: PG - Like I said, there are some scary images. Probably too much for kids younger than 10.

5. MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1945) (Vincente Minnelli) - Set in 1904, this is a musical capturing a year in the life of a big family as they prepare to move from their beloved hometown of St. Louis. Multiple Oscar nominations for Music, Cinematography, and Writing. Ok, so this is barely a Christmas movie, but an important part of it does revolve around the family's struggle with leaving during the holidays. Not to mention the perennial classic "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was written for this film and sung by the amazing Judy Garland. By the way, that song is wicked sad. Having said that, the movie is actually really funny. The youngest daughter, Tootie (Margaret O'Brien), is completely irreverent and hilarious, and the rest of the ensemble act as if they really have been a family for years. FAVORITE SCENE: Six-year-old Tootie singing a song for a big family party ("I was drunk last night, dear Mother; I was drunk the night before. But if you forgive me Mother, I'll never get drunk anymore.")

4. DIE HARD (1988) (John McTiernan) - John McClane (Bruce Willis) flies to LA to visit his wife at her Christmas Eve office party when a group of terrorists take over the building and their only hope is McClane and his "yip-ing" and "kayay-ing". Four Oscar nominations for Sound and Visual Achievements. This is the man movie to end all man movies. If you are a guy and you do not love this movie, go check and make sure you've got your gender right. Freakin' hairs bears! Hanging in elevator shafts from machine guns?! Jumping from exploding buildings?! One man taking down an entire terrorist group?! Not to mention Alan Rickman is the man. Oh, and it all happens at Christmas. What I want for Christmas? A shirt that says, "Now I have a machine gun. Ho, ho, ho." FAVORITE SCENE: Rickman's character tricking McClane into thinking he is one of the hostages. The tension is crazy awesome! CAUTION: R - pretty strong R. Some unnecessary nudity, lots of violence, and some harsh language.

3. SCROOGED (1988) (Richard Donner) - ANOTHER version of Christmas Carol starring Bill Murray as a television producer who needs to rethink his...thoughts...on Christmas. Oscar nomination for Best Makeup. It's really hard for me to put this as number 3 because it is probably one of my favorite comedies of all time. So really this is the first of three number one's. This is by far Murray's best 80's performance and captures his pitch-perfect sarcasm to great effect, giving me, my brother, and my aunt and uncle quote upon quote to claim as our own so people will think we are funny. ("Would you please, for the love of God, and your own body, hold the hammering!" "Right. It's crap. Lose it, I don't want it on the walls." "It's a bone, ya lucky dawg!") Find it! Watch it! It's funny! FAVORITE SCENE: The opening scene of all the different Christmas specials and Murray's reaction to them is classic. CAUTION: PG-13 for some bad language, mild sexual innuendo's, and some scary images.

2. HOME ALONE (1990) (Chris Columbus) - Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is left home alone on Christmas to defend himself and his home from two bumbling burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) while his family is on vacation in Paris. Golden Globe nominations for Best Comedic Movie and Best Actor (Culkin). They just don't make kids' movies like this anymore. One of the unsung heroes in this (an many other films including Waiting for Guffman and Orange County) is Catherine O'Hara, who is phenomenal as Kevin's mom. But John Candy, John Hurt, Pesci, and Stern all turn out great performances to make this the "second of my number ones." What is there to say? You've probably seen this already, so I will shut up about it. FAVORITE SCENE: The pizza dinner scenario is perfectly chaotic and captures the craziness of big families in one house amidst the fun of Christmas. ("Fuller! Go easy on the Pepsi!") CAUTION: PG for Some language and mildly troubling scenes involving a little kid.

1. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) (Frank Capra) - Everyone knows the "I wish I was never born" part of this Christmas classic, but most of this PERFECT slice of Americana is about George Bailey (James Stewart) trying to find a purpose in his life. Multiple Oscar Nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor (Stewart), and Best Director. What can I say about this that hasn't already been said? Unfortunately, the more I talk to people, the more I encounter those that have never seen it. Stewart is, as always, a flawless symbol of humanity and never shows that he is acting. The screenplay is heartbreaking and redemptive, and Capra's execution is flawless. What is Christmas without this movie? "Oh, daddy?!" FAVORITE SCENE: The scene that always makes my mom cry...and me too when no one is looking: "A toast to my big brother George: the richest man in town."

RUNNER'S UP:
A Christmas Story (1983), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Christmas Vacation (1989), The Santa Clause (1994), Holiday Inn (1942)

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Pick the Funniest Christmas Movie!
Christmas Vacation - 9 (47%)
Scrooged - 5 (26%)
Home Alone - 2 (10%)
Elf - 2 (10%)
A Christmas Story - 1 (5%)
Bad Santa - 0 (0%)
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York - 0 (0%)
Eight Crazy Nights - 0 (0%)

Movies I Saw in November, 2008

So after a slow month in October, I finally got back to my old friend the silver screen for some good old-fashioned Hollywood entertainment. Nothing great, but definitely nothing terrible either. November definitely presented some easy ways to be entertained. Having only seen two movies, I missed some sequels that I'm sure will be classics (Madagascar 2, Transporter 3), and there were some critical and box-office successes that I wished I could see (Quantum of Solace, even Bolt got good reviews). So I will continue adding some movies that you should throw on your Netflix queue or pick up at Blockbuster.

ROLE MODELS (David Wain) - Crude and politically incorrect, yet hilarious and (gasp!)heartwarming. To keep from going to jail, friends Danny (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (Seann William Scott) must act as "big brothers" to two troubled youth (Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bobb'e J. Thompson). One of the few movies I paid to see twice in a long while. Quite possibly the funniest movie of I've seen this year, although it is NOT for everyone. Wain makes his major-studio-directorial debut with this, previously making the now cult classics Wet Hot American Summer and The Ten. He also happens to be one of the creators of an extremely underrated and short-lived Comedy Central show, Stella, which you should leave this blog to look up RIGHT NOW! Moving on, Thompson absolutely steals the show upon first viewing as a foul-mouthed 10 year old. However, the relationship between Rudd and Mintz-Plasse, of McLovin fame from Superbad (which was highly overrated in my humble opinion), is so genuine and funny that you forget you are watching an R-rated "shcoker"-comedy. Also, Jane Lynch as the manager of the big brother program grabs more of the limelight that she usually gets, and hopefully will get a vehicle to show off more of her dry wit. Some of the gross-out stuff was stupid and unnecessary, but a great rental for sure. FAVORITE SCENE: The film ends with a giant, medieval role-playing game called LAIRE...Simultaneously hilarious and engaging. CAUTION: Fairly strong R: Two scenes of nudity (go with a girlfriend and stare at her during the morning-after scene in a tent and the party scene in a bedroom...thanks Jake and Julie!), and tons of bad words...definitely not for kids. Kind of a shame since it's so good.

AUSTRALIA (Baz Luhrmann) - Entertaining enough for 2 hours and forty minutes, although not short on the "gag-me"-factor. During World War II and Japan's attacks on Australia, a woman (Nicole Kidman) is trying to save her deceased husbands cattle ranch and help the people living and working there accompanied by the help of a wild cattle-wrangler (Hugh Jackman). Luhrmann, best known for his visually stunning films Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge!, takes a more mainstream turn in this obvious love letter to his homeland. I went into this one skeptically, and came out...surprisingly pleased. It features one of the best "you-love-to-hate-him" villains since Joaquin Phoenix's Commodus in Gladiator. Sure, the romance between Jackman and Kidman begins somewhat hastily. Okay, so the romantic dialogue between the two of them hinges on idiotic. And maybe parts of the story are so sappy and fairy-tale-ish that it loses some realism. However, it is a fun throwback to epics of 30's and 40's era cinema. Not nearly as bad as many of the reviewers out there would have you believe. FAVORITE SCENE: An amazing scenic shot of a stampede of 2,000 precious cattle about run off a cliff. Luhrmann's cinematography is absolutely breathtaking. CAUTION: Fairly mild PG-13. There is one quick and discreet scene of seex (I know how I spelled it!), and one F-word, used to good effect. The rating seems to mainly be based on a few scenes of tasteful, violent images.

RENTALS!

Stevie (2003) - A documentary of a filmmaker going back to visit a troubled man who used to be his "little brother". Not the most pleasant of stories, but extremely intriguing.

High Fidelity (2000) - A comedy starring John Cusack and Jack Black about a record store owner and his trouble with women. A favorite for any musician or rock-n-roll lover.

Being There (1979) - Peter Seller's last film. A naive and kind gardener is released into the world for the first time in his fifty years of life, and his simple ways are considered so profound that he eventually becomes an advisor to the president.