Tis the Season
18-Dec-06 1:23 PM by kgagne, filed under Films.I was at a Martina McBride concert last night, shortly after being in the closing performance of A Charles Dickens Christmas. Take this as you will, but my favorite part of the concert was intended only to distract us from the scene change, when they showed a video montage of my favorite holiday films: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, It's a Wonderful Life, and others (though not National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation). It made me realize there are several other films in the holiday genre I've not yet experienced — among them, Irving Berlin's White Christmas and Bob Newhart's Elf (which, oh yeah, I think also has Will Ferrell).
Since there's not yet snow on the ground here, I need some help getting into the holiday spirit. What are your favorite Christmastime movies, and why?
Tags: Christmas, Christmas Vacation, Elf, Frosty, holiday, Irving Berlin, It's a Wonderful Life, Martina McBride, National Lampoon, Rudolph, Santa Claus, White Christmas
18-Dec-06 2:16 PM
Christmas Story
Home Alone
Gremlins
19-Dec-06 10:15 AM
Wow, I can't believe you haven't seen White Christmas! Irving Berlin's songs, Bing Crosby crooning, Danny Kaye gagging and dancing, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. It's schmaltzy, but it works!
It's probably my all-time favorite Christmas movie (not that I have that many others, to be honest). Make it your priority this year!
I don't about being a "favorite", but have you seen the visually spectacular Polar Express? It might technically be animated, but the Tom Hanks character is obviously Tom Hanks and the scenery is stunning! Anyway, it's another one worth watching!
19-Dec-06 12:40 PM
Elf was cute but not my thing. My favorite Christmas movie is Die Hard. Followed probably by Home Alone.
22-Dec-06 4:57 PM
I saw Elf last night. It was typical Will Ferrell fare and reminded me why I don't usually watch his films (though The Producers and Stranger than Fiction were both brilliant). But I very much liked the last half hour, though (or because) it was a bit clichéd, with the Grinch's heart growing three sizes culminating in clapping to bring Tinkerbell back to life.
29-Dec-06 10:18 PM
On Christmas night, I watched The Family Stone. It was far more dramatic and less comedic than I expected, to the point that several scenes were extremely uncomfortable (either in the awkward situations in which the characters found themselves, or in their similarity to actual family holidays). Still a good film, just not what I was expecting.
04-Jan-07 2:06 PM
On New Year's Day, I watched White Christmas. It struck me as more of a film set during Christmastime, than an actual Christmas movie — but that's an observation, not a complaint.
Having discovered Danny Kaye only two years ago, I'd never seen him in a musical before. He struck me as a very Donald O'Connor-ish character; and the DVD's bonus features revealed that the role was originally offered to Mr. O'Connor. Small world?
The conflict between Bing Crosby and his love interest was a bit too soap-operaish for me. These kids just need to sit down and talk through their differences!
The most significant moment for me was when the general re-appeared in uniform and was escorted to the party. The granddaughter's awe was made more powerful by the almost complete silence: no background music, few words spoken. When we're used to seeing only one side of them, it's hard to recognize our family members as the heroes they once were, and still are.
A fun film!