"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars
and open a jar of it every month." -- Harlan Miller
Make it a real celebration of the season by making it a real event.Gather up some cozy spreads and pillows, set up a family snack shop, dim the lights, and get comfortable. Then let the movie magic weave a healing spell. To give you a start, here a few great Christmas movies to watch, as well as TV classics to check your local listings for.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
No list of Christmas films would be complete without a mention of one of the most popular Christmas Movies of all time. Yes that's right: Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" is a remarkably inspirational, feel good movie which despite it's dark underbelly is a remarkably uplifting movie. There is no doubt with the wonderful acting of James Stewart, the marvellous storyline and the warm direction of Frank Capra, the tale of George Bailey a man who's pushed to the edge of despair only to be visited by an angel is one of the most uplifting movies to have been made.
A Christmas Story (1983)
Set in 1940 Indiana, this humorous story transcends time and place, appealing to all age groups. The main story line is how young Ralphie wants a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas. However, it touches on all aspects of a youngster’s Christmas, such as the school Christmas essay, and the mall trip to see Santa. It is also full of amusing familial antidotes, such as the debate between Mom and Dad over a trophy of questionable taste. I enjoy this movie every year as it is 100% feel-good, and charmingly nostalgic. Delightfully narrated by the grown up Ralphie, it brings to the forefront the workings of the childhood mind at Christmastime. (This review is from Debra Contreras)Elf (2003)
This movie is funny entertainment, nothing heavy in this movie. It is especially appealing to the pre-teen crowd. Santa unknowingly takes an orphan boy back to the North Pole and raises him. As a young adult, Santa tells him the truth: he’s not really an elf. He returns to New York and his birth father, a successful businessman. It is a story about an innocent among some big city jaded ones. It is also a story about family, friends, and Christmas. (This review is from Debra Contreras)Fred Claus (2007)
Santa’s bitter older brother returns home to work off a debt he owes his younger brother, Santa Claus. A look at working conditions at the North Pole, and politics of Santa’s workshop, makes for some humorous moments. Those that have mixed feelings about visiting their own family will relate to the family tensions between the family members of the Big Jolly Elf. However, it all ends fairly peaceably, making it another feel good Christmas movie. Be aware that it is rated PG due to language and rude humor) so I would review it to see if it’s suitable for your younger bunch. (This review is from Debra Contreras)
Home Alone (1990)
He may have ended up becoming one of the most precocious child stars of his generation but there is no doubting that without Macaulay Culkin "Home Alone" would have never become such a successful and popular film. Telling the tale of young Kevin McAllister who having been accidentally been left home alone for Christmas, saves the day by foiling a pair of robbers, played hysterically by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, "Home Alone" certainly has that little bit of Christmas magic. But it's not just the Christmas magic which makes it so special but also the cartoon style slapstick which gets you laughing.The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992)
Every few years Hollywood always seems to make a Christmas movie around the classic Charles Dickens tale "A Christmas Carol". There are the serious, the updated and the funny which "The Muppets Christmas Carol" is one of my favourites. It's such a rich movie with full of wonderful sets, humour and song plus of course the Muppets lead by Kermit the frog. But it is also the performance of Michael Caine in the midst of all the puppetry which makes it such a wonderfully entertaining movie. It's definitely a Christmas film for children but still has enough laughs to make it fun for adults as well.The Holiday (2006)
Although many Christmas films are made for children, there are few usually romantic tales, which are made with adults in mind. One of my favourites from the last decade is "The Holiday" which manages to blend modern romantic comedy with a touch of classic Hollywood to deliver a warm friendly Christmas film. It's not so much that "The Holiday" is a true Christmas movie rather than just a romantic comedy, but the fact that it is set over a Christmas period means that it is a worthy addition for anyone looking for a romantic Christmas film.Holiday Inn (1942)
It's classic Hollywood again a journey back to the 1940's and Irvin Berlin's Christmas classic "Holiday Inn" starring the crooning talents of Bing Crosby and the dancing of Fred Astaire. It's such a wonderful musical full of memorable songs and wonderful dance routines but strangely like another classic from a bygone age. "White Christmas" is not that focused on Christmas rather has a few memorable scenes which take in the Christmas Period. Of course the most memorable is Bing Crosby sitting by a Christmas tree singing "White Christmas" making "Holiday Inn" a worthy film on my Christmas list.The Grinch (2000)
Whilst Jim Carrey has been occupied recently lending his talents to "A Christmas Carol" it is his latex aided performance from 2000 in "The Grinch" which makes it onto my list of Christmas films. Based on the popular Dr. Seuss story "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!", "The Grinch" is a frenetic, fun film which has that blend of innocent humour for younger audiences yet enough subtle elements to provide mirth for adults who end up watching it. But it is the energetic performance of Jim Carrey, the narration of Anthony Hopkins and the wonderfully imaginative set designs which really capture you as the tale is spun in a very visual manner.Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
It's hard to pick which version of "Miracle on 34th Street" which I like the most. On one hand the original 1947 has the brilliant performance from Edmund Gwenn whilst the 1994 version manages to deliver a really warm Christmassy feeling that many modern Christmas films fail to achieve. For me the 1994 version just wins because of the wonderful performance of Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle but also because that although it is seriously sentimental and overly sweet does deliver a really nice wholesome message as well as being fun for all the family.Special Note from Debra: There are some made for television classics, which run on many stations as well as being rentable, that are great for kids as well. Some of my favorites of these are:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; Frosty the Snowman; The Night Before Christmas; and Charlie Brown Christmas.
So there is my list of great Christmas films, it's certainly not a definitive list because there are so many great Christmas films to have been made. But it's a great start for anyone wishing to get in the mood with film from all eras and styles.
For more Christmas films and films in general you can read my movie reviews at The Movie Scene. By Andy Webb. Article Source: |
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