Saturday, December 18, 2010

Top Ten Christmas Movies

Its Christmas time!! And what better way to celebrate than hitting up the Redbox and nabbing a few movies before the cold freeze settles in. So pull up a chair and a blanket and have a gander at the Top Ten holiday movies to keep you cozy.

1. A Christmas Story
“He looks like a pink nightmare,” that has got to be my favorite line from the whole movie. How can you not love this movie when it has such quotable quips like this? This is a story as old as time. This movie is a flashback of one particular Christmas of in the life of Ralphie. Christmas is rolling around and Ralphie wants a toy that he’s been told he can’t have. Does this derail little Ralphie. Nope, not even the school bully can detract young Ralphie from his quest for a bebe gun. Filled with the internal dialogue of Ralphie, the young protagonist this is a classic movie that is sure to have the entire family rolling from laughter.

2. The Santa Clause
There are a million and one movies out there about Santa Claus, but few actually infuse the story with modern sensibilities. Now Tim allen is not my favorite actor on the big screen but he manages to tone down the stupid antics to deliver a sweet story of a divorced day who through his surprise of Santa actually kills the Big Red guy. Putting on his coat to finish up his deliveries he in-advertly takes over the reins. No pun intended, no seriously that was totally unintentional. on his roof. Well his son is thrilled, I mean what kid wouldn’t want their day to be Santa Clause, I mean I had my list already made at the thought, but his ex-wife thinks he has gone totally crazy and has his court ordered visitation revoked.

3. Scrooged.
We are all familiar with the story of Ebenezer Scrooge. And this story is slightly different because its my favorite adaptation of the Dickens classic. I like the Bill Murray version because Murray is classically funny. If he can’t make you laugh then I would see a doctor quick. Murray plays a TV executive that schedules the reenactment of Charles Dickens tale on Christmas Eve. He is chased through the building but a disgruntle employee and a shotgun as the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Add this to your egg nog and enjoy.

4. Bridget Jones’ Diary
Now this is for the older people and maybe its not a good thing to watch alone if you are single, but its still a classic holiday movie that everyone should enjoy. Based on the bestselling novel of the same name. The movie opens up with a Christmas celebration at the childhood home of Bridget Jones, a soon to be middle aged Londoner publicity worker at a flailing book company. After realizing that the man catching tactics she has employed for the first 30 years of her life haven’t worked she sets out to start a diary to record the whole truth about Bridget and maybe figure out why she can’t keep a man. With the choose begin between the delish Colin Firth and the polished Hugh Grant its a wonder she has a hard time choosing between the two. Its a great holiday movie to enjoy with a group of friends or by yourself. And that kiss Firth plants on Renee at the end is enough to roast my chestnuts any day of the week.

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Those Whos down in Whoville will agree that the Grinch is what makes Christmas cookies worth baking. Those cartoon has been delighting generations of men, women, and children across the globe. Its been translated into more than 20 different languages. The Grinch is possible Dr. Seuss greatest tale and it reminds us all of the true meaning of Christmas. And I know I’m not he only one that sings along with “You’re a Mean one Mr. Grinch.” And I have found that properly achieve the infamous Grinch grin one just needs to consume my sister’s cooking.

6. Charlie Brown Christmas
It seems the Peanuts gang celebrates the holidays the best as this is the second time they have landed on my holiday movies lists. But you can never have too many Peanuts. This one find Charlie Brown depressed about all the goings on during Christmas. The gift giving, the cards, the neighborhood light competition. So he sets out to right all the wrongs. He takes over the director chair for the school Christmas play and tries to fend off the others trying to Glee up the Naivety story. He dismisses Lucky’s insistence on a fake aluminum tree. In the end the gang and Snoopy find the true meaning of Christmas and we get another classic tale to add to the DVD collection.

7. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
This year the Griswolds are staying home for Christmas and the in-laws are stopping by to break bread. And what ensues with the in-laws, the cousins, and the dog is nothing short of Holiday Mayhem. Its a movie that is sure to tickle the holiday funny bone and it will bring the whole family to the couch. If I had a cousin like Eddie I would move to Montana and live in the mountains. He takes mooching to an all new level and he makes it an art form.

8. Miracle on 34th Street (the 1947 version)
Now I know some of you will disagree with me that the remake was better, but I’m sorry something is classic for a reason and the original capture the magic perfectly the first time, and the remake just tried to reinvent the wheel and failed. Here we have a movie where Santa Clause himself is put on trial to prove his existence. Is he really Kris Kringle like he claims? Or just a deluded old man in a funny beard and read suit. Well watch the movie to find out!

9. Die Hard
What’s a little Christmas without Bruce Wills hanging on the side of a building and terrorizing a group of thieves. This isn’t a holiday movie that will teach you the true meaning of Christmas, though if you don’t pick up the subtle hint not to mess with Willis during Christmas Eve then you might need to go see a doctor about that. I mean what is better than watching Wills dangle down the side of a building cursing about not remembering to wear shoes?

10. The Home Alone Franchise
How can it be Christmas without an eight year old concocting a house full of hilarious horrors for two bumbling would be thieves. I included all three films because I honestly couldn’t choose which one was funnier. I love all three films, just make sure the little brother is out of the room. We don’t want to go giving him any ideas.

So folks I hope you are able to at least see half of this list and I hope it goes a long way to make your holidays merry and brights. Season’s greetings!!