I know that every movie site out there is either doing a Top Ten of 2009 List, or a Decade in Review List, or even the Best Christmas Movies List, so I wanted to go against the grain and tell you what my Favorite Movies that I like to watch at Christmas are. Some will be Christmas related obviously, but these are just the films that I find comfort in watching around the holidays.
1) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
I don’t think I really need to go into detail about why this is a Must Watch for me at Christmas time. I know that a lot of families have traditions with either It’s a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th St. but for me, it’s Christmas Vacation. This is Chevy Chase’s best film in my opinion and hearing that opening song always makes me think of this wonderful classic. I think this film will always hold up to any comedy that comes out from here on out. It’s timeless. Can we ever get this kind of line-up back? Has there been a comedy that’s come out in the last decade that’s marveled the brilliance of the National Lampoon series?
2) Home Alone
This is another movie that really gets me in the holiday spirit and is like a benchmark for me when it comes to knowing that Christmas has officially started. I wouldn’t classify myself as a true lover of pure physical comedy, but I laugh so hard when the criminals get what’s coming to them. There’s just something so hilarious about a kid putting together all of these torture devices made from everyday household products. I know that a lot of it has to do with the fact that it’s a kid. We can all picture ourselves having to survive without our parents and having to go “to war” at our home. Daniel Stern made this movie for me, he was genius!
3) Little Women
Alright, I hope I don’t lose my man card for this one, but when my wife introduced me to this film, it instantly became one of our traditions. Sure, at first, I didn’t like this film and just passed it off with my “manly” hand as a chick flick that I’ll never like. There’s just something nostalgic and warm to see a family pull together during some of the harshest of times and truly show unconditional love towards one another. The standout for me in this film was a young Claire Danes. Man, I don’t know when in her career she did this film, but I think it was a huge role for her to break out from. We also are graced with a very young pre-Dark Knight, pre-Batman Christian Bale.
4) Scrooged
Bill Murray is one of my all-time favorite actors and this is one of his greats! I know that Christmas time should be merry and happy, but I love the darker take on the classic Dickens’ tale. Murray does an excellent job of playing “Scrooge” in a more modern, yet 80′s, context. One of my favorite characters is the ghost of Christmas Present played brilliantly and violently by the great Carol Kane. I love how much she kicks the crap out of Murray’s character. Some other notable performances include Bobcat Goldthwait, Karen Allen, and the crazy cab driver David Johansen. It’s hard to believe that this came out in 1988, a full 21 years ago!
5) Lord of the Rings
This has nothing to do with Christmas time per se, but this is my favorite time to watch all three of the films. Every year for the last three years I have sat down and watched all three films back-to-back including the extended footage. We’re talking about 12 hours of amazement! Maybe it’s because I have off of work and actually have the time to sit down to watch them that’s included my in Christmas list. Anyone else watch the Lord of the Rings Trilogy at Christmas time?
There’s my list, now what’s your list? What movies do you watch every holiday season? I know I left out a lot of films, but like I said, this isn’t my “Christmas Movie” list, it’s just the films that I love to watch around this time. What are yours?
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Ryan
I think that Christmas Vacation is the It’s a Wonderful Life of our generation. I think that people will still be watching it 20 or 30 years from now.
Home Alone has the same effect, but only for a select group of people who are about our age.
Out of respect to you and your lovely wife I won’t comment on movie no. 3
I don’t know that I’ve ever seen all of Scrooged
I can’t do LOTR. Maybe it’s because I got sick during the midnight showing of the last one. People tell me I would like it, what with my enjoyment of Narnia. Just never got into it.
My main yearly film is Jingle All the Way with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad.
If I think about it, I’ll watch Nic Cage in The Family Man – the rare dramatic gem in Brett Ratner’s action/comedy resume.
December 24, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Dan
Ryan, I am finding it hard to hold back absolutely destroying your “I can’t do LOTR.” Are you kidding me?! How are we friends? Seriously?! Just never got into it is NOT going to cut it my friend.
The Truth On Cinema management team is currently reviewing your Truth On Cinema staff position because of this startling fact.
Jingle All the Way is a good one, not a great one, but the great Phil Hartman plays a great role.
Ryan, let’s talk.
December 24, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Ryan
RE: Phil Hartman and Sinbad together in a movie – can’t go wrong with House Guest.
LOTR – here’s the deal. I want to like it. I am a bit upset that it has risen through the ranks of evangelical Christendom to sit beside Braveheart, the Matrix, and Gladiator as a go-to for sermon illustrations. I think that the whole thing could be cut down considerably – though the movies did spare me the 50 pages of tree descriptions that halted my reading of the books. I was distracted watching the first one in Nashville while working on an album, I watched the second one when I was lonely in Portland and I got sick watching the third one and spent 30 minutes in the bathroom then went back to re-claim my seat on the floor of the Sundance 11 (which we all know is a horrible place to watch a movie). So, that’s the story. And I don’t have the 12 hours to spare to watch it all again.
December 25, 2009 at 1:18 am
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December 25, 2009 at 3:02 pm
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December 26, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Roger Butner.
1. Christmas Vacation
2. Elf
3. Christmas Vacation
4. Christmas Vacation
5. It’s a Wonderful Life
6. A chick-flick starring Winona Ryder (Just Kidding!)
December 28, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Dan
So, basically what you’re telling me is that you like watching Christmas Vacation during the holidays?
December 28, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Roger Butner.
Something like that. : ] It’s pretty much the I Ching. Pound for pound, greatest comedy of all time. What say you?
December 28, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Roger Butner.
Dan & Ryan,
I just took the time to read the dialogue concerning LOTR. I’m with Dan on this one. Amazing films through and through, best viewed in the extended versions, which come closest to capturing the epic depth and richness of the books.
Given my daily need for grace, however, I’ve got no problem overlooking the LOTR squeamishness and chick-flick adoring ways of the Truth on Cinema team leaders. Seriously, even though I haven’t posted many comments, I have been a faithful follower of your blog for some time, and I greatly appreciate the work you guys do – being the ardent movie lover I am.
Have a Happy New Year!
December 29, 2009 at 7:37 am
Dan
Roger, thanks for backing me on the LOTR debate. It’s beyond me how anyone can find LOTR not interesting or epic, even just given the scope of the project involved it deserves such praise.
I have enjoyed your comments thus far Roger and am glad that you are a part of our community. I hope that 2010 will bring some amazing cinematic moments that we can talk about and continuous blessings to you and your family. We look forward to more of “Roger” in 2010 here at Truth On Cinema!
December 29, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Ryan
I’m not saying it isn’t interesting. Under the right circumstances, I’m sure that it could be. I’ve just not found myself in those circumstances and I’m not sure that I will. And I’m not really concerned if I don’t. Thought it was listed at Screen Rant as one of the 10 movie events that shaped the decade. Good Article!
December 29, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Donna
My top 5 would be different as I am a “bit” older and remember some movies from awhile back:
Its a Wonderful Life
White Christmas
The Bishop’s wife (the Cary Grant one)
Scrooged (its my favorite of all them for this story)
Miracle on 34th street
December 30, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Dan
Ryan, when we move into our house and we are all settled, I will have you over for a weekend of just watching LOTR. It will be dedicated to the movie and we will do nothing else but watch it. The environment and circumstances will be all set for just watching LOTR.
We can even live blog the whole experience. Judah and Vivian can stay at your house for the weekend so we can have the privacy we need.
Deal?
December 30, 2009 at 6:22 pm
johnny thunders
elf, die hard and a christmas story need to be on that last.
those, along with home alone, are my favorites.
December 31, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Steven
We watch The Muppet Christmas Carol every year. It is greatness.
Possibly only because of the tradition. Also, it’s a musical.
January 1, 2010 at 12:28 pm