Christmas truly is a special time of the year. It's got its flaws for sure, but let's be honest, if you really allow yourself to get into the Christmas spirit there's a lot of love and beauty to be found. Of course given the multicultural backing of my followers I probably should say Holidays, then again I never believe in talking down to the people around me so, oh well :).So as you plan out your Christmas watching list, here's a bit of a guide from the Uni man himself, my Top 10 Christmas Films:
10. The Polar Express (2004)
- A beautiful tale of several kids' journey to the North Pole via a special express train is a fun and exciting tale about the transformation of the Christmas Spirit. Of course Tom Hanks never hurts.
9. The Santa Clause (1994)
- Another guilty pleasure of mine, watching Tim Allen as he transforms into the modern Santa Clause is a fun and vibrant tale. Filled with great lesser known actors, and memorable scenes to put you on the floor laughing, it's a definite must!
8. White Christmas (1954)
- Some films are just made to be enjoyed, White Christmas is one of them, no argument what so ever. Bing Crosby lights up each scene with wonderful songs, great routines, and just pure unobstructed entertainment from beginning to end.
7. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
- Oh come on! If you don't like this movie I move to motion that you're dead inside! That's right dead! With Kermit as Bob Cratchit and Michael Caine as Scrooge, matching scene for scene, it's just brilliant!
6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966/2000)
- I know I couldn't decide which one I like more! One's movie status may be arguable, but they are both pure fun and joy and a true testament to what the season is all about.
5. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
- A true and undeniable guilty pleasure of a mine, and the tale of a father trying to give his kids the best Christmas they've ever had, even with the relatives around. The ending is totally absurd but I love it so!
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
- Part Halloween story, part tale of finding the beauty of giving, The Nightmare Before Christmas is Tim Burton and Henry Selick's true cinema masterpiece. A film so well crafted and executed it should be a crime!
3. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
- A great and just pure fun story about a young girl and the trials (literally) of the real Santa Clause. The movie stars a very young Natalie Wood in what I would consider one of her most memorable performances.
2. A Christmas Carol (1984)
- There's a lot of different versions of the classic Dickens' story, but this one is my absolute favorite. With George C. Scott at the helm, the movie flies through the bounds and leaps off the screen into a powerful statement of how far a little bit of good will take you.
1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
- Is it as campy as they come? You betcha! And you know what I wouldn't dare have it any other way! A beautiful film that deals with a wide array of issues, this Capra/Stewart pairing is the one legendary Christmas gems.
Alright I know my list is a bit generic, but it's just something about this time of the year I get all excited for campy entertainment, I can't help myself! Then again, perhaps we should all take some time to enjoy pure campy entertainment every now and then :).
The End.
7 better thoughts:
Solid list! I'm watching White Christmas at this very moment and enjoying it very much. Love the classics during the holidays, Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life are definite required viewing. An underseen one that's also a gem is The Bishop's Wife, it's absolutely charming.
The fact that A Christmas Story is not on your list is probably a crime against humanity! It's the only Christmas film that actually gets played for 24 hrs straight on Christmas, and you've shafted it from your list. tsk tsk. I really ought to change my 1001 Movie pick to A Christmas Story (which is on the list) now.
@Shannon I've seen the remake of Bishop's Wife, but not the original. I need to check that out.
@MVP I've tried watching that movie a hundred times a hundred different ways, absolutely sure that there's something I missed, but every time I end up just not caring about it. It just does nothing for me, never has, probably never will. I know lots of people like it, but much like you and Requiem for a Dream, I don't see why :)
I'll give you that, but don't compare crack heads to "You'll shoot your eye out kid". Requiem for a Dream is not nearly as widely loved as A Christmas Story, they don't play 24hrs of a Crackheads Dream! A Christmas Story is basically the staple of the holiday season everyone knows the movie, I know plenty of people who have never heard of Requiem.
@MVP I'll stand by the comparison and it not being on my list :). You should put up your top 10 Christmas films that way people can compare and contrast :).
Wow, I didn't even know there *was* a remake of The Bishop's Wife.
Interesting to see why A Christmas Story isn't on the list, that's a first I hadn't heard of anyone not diggin' it but kudos for sticking to yer guns! I know I really have no love for the original A Christmas Carol - in fact, I think it's a little scary!
@Shannon Yeah it was made back in the late 90's called: The Preacher's Wife, in which Denzel Washington plays the angel and Whitney Huston the wife.
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