The Best Christmas Movies Ever
By: Sam Roberts |
Wednesday December 12, 2007 |
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| A Charlie Brown Christmas: Format: DVD A Charlie Brown Christmas is the quintessential Christmas Special. Originally airing on CBS in 1965, it has come to be an annual Christmas tradition. Telling the story of the Peanuts gang preparing for their big Christmas pageant, it has everything that everyone loves about Christmas- ice skating, Christmas trees, Christmas carols, and the true meaning of Christmas, as told by Linus. In our age of over-commercialization, where Christmas is all about presents, his word's remind us of what Christmas is truly about- the birth of Christ. The music, by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, is excellent, offering fun, upbeat Christmas music that can be heard on mall speakers across the nation. Although Charles Schulz has passed on, his legacy lives on, offering us a reminder of what life is really about through the eyes of children. A Christmas Story: Format: DVD, HD-DVD, and Blu-Ray “You'll shoot your eyes out!” “Oh, Fudddgee!” The infamous leg lamp. And a tongue frozen to a pole. With classic moments like these, A Christmas Story has become a Christmas tradition for many Americans, and, for the 11th year running, will be a 24 hour marathon on TBS, which normally has at least 1/6th of the nation watching at some point during the day. While BB guns and footie pajamas may not be culturally relevant in today's tech age, A Christmas Story is a timeless tale for everyone in the family. Get the family together, pop some popcorn and cringe at the misadventures of Ralphie and his family. Deck the Halls: Format: DVD WARNING: This is a list of the Best Christmas movies of all time, but I just watched this one and wanted to warn everybody NOT to watch it. It is another bad Christmas movie, as two rival dads fight to see who is more Christmasy and then end up realizing the TRUE meaning of Christmas, of course. If you want a movie for that, stick with It's a Wonderful Life. This movie should only deck the halls of movie rental and sales stores. How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Format: DVD While Jim Carry did a good job with the live-action version, nothing can top the original 1966 animated classic. Based on the Dr. Seuss book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas follows a Grinch who, with his heart that is two sizes too small, HATES Christmas! One Christmas, he decides to stop Christmas forever, ruining it for all the Whos down in Whoville. In the end, Cindy Lou Who teaches the Grinch about the true meaning of Christmas, and the Grinch joins in the celebration, even getting to cut the Roast Beast. Another timeless Christmas classic. (Yes, I have said a lot of these are Christmas classics... but it is a list of Best Christmas Movies, so I would hope that they would be classics) It's a Wonderful Life: Format: DVD The James Stewart classic, It's a Wonderful Life was a complete flop upon its release but over the years it has grown to be a Christmas classic. (Yes, it is another classic!) A heartwarming story that follows James Stewart as he learns about how he already has a Wonderful Life, even though everything seems to be going wrong. The acting could be too much for today's audience, as saying its over the top is an understatement, but there is no denying the story's heartwarming core. Anyone who isn't moved by it most likely has a heart two sizes too small and is best watching the Grinch over and over again. Jingle all the Way: Format: DVD For a change of pace, Arnold Schwarzenegger decided to take a break from making action movies to make a family movie, this time battling relentless parents rather than terrorists and bad guys. Starring across Sinbad, Jingle all the Way follows Scwarzenegger as he tries to get the Turbo Man action figure for his son, Jake Lloyd. (That boy always seems to cause trouble... he goes from selfishly wanting an action figure to helping rule the galaxy with an iron fist in Star Wars.) While that sounds like a recipe for disaster, it turns out really well. While this movie isn't a classic, it is still a good Christmas movie. Plus, is there any other time that you can watch Arnold get into a fight with a bunch of Mall Santa's? It is worth watching for that alone. A Muppet Christmas Carol: Format: DVD A Muppet Christmas Carol is the Muppet's take on the classic story of Ebeneezer Scrooge. Gonzo plays the narrator, Charles Dickens, with Micahel Caine as Scrooge, and Kermit as Bob Crachit. The Muppets put their own spin on the story- Statler and Waldorf's turn as the ghosts of Christmas past is perfect for the pair, and their song fits them well, too; and Gonzo and Rizzo are great narrating the story together, as their interactions are hilarious. The movie is a musical and has some great songs, such as “Scrooge.” While the Muppets haven't made an appearance in some time, this movie stands the test of time. Another holiday classic that is fun for the whole family. National's Lampoons Christmas Vacation: Format: DVD and Blu-Ray Poor, poor Griswold family...the year they decide to finally stay home for the holidays, chaos still comes a knocking. A too-big Christmas tree, trying to put up 25,000 lights, and, of course, who could forget good old Cousin Eddie. Hilarity ensues, filled with lots of typical National Lamppon hi-jinx.. After watching this movie, you will begin to think your family is angelic. Another Christmas classic. Santa Clause 1,2, and 3: Format: DVD: 1, 2, 3 Blu-Ray: 3 Tim Allen's original Santa Clause came out in 1994 and offered a different take- Tim Alen kills Santa Clause,and because of that he must become the next Santa Clause. A mildly depressing start to a Christmas movie, but what follows is an entertaining ride as Tim Allen adjusts to life as Santa. He gets fat, grows a beard, and only wants sweets. He resists at first but grows to love his role as Santa. 8 years after the original, in 2002, a sequel was released, Santa Clause 2: The Mrs. Clause, in which Tim Allen must find a wife. If he can't find one by Christmas Eve, then Christmas will die forever! Then, in 2006, a third sequel was released, Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, in which being Santa becomes too much and Tim Allen just wants to quit. The first one is the best, of course, but the second and third don't disappoint, following the spirit of the original. The second one has a funny love story, and Martin Short, as Jack Frost, does a great job in the third one. These are all family friendly movies, with something for kids and parents alike, and all come highly recommended. White Christmas: Format: DVD “I'm dreaming of a White Christmas. “The Old Man” “Sisters.” White Christmas has some of the most well known Christmas songs ever created that continue to be popular today. Starring Bing Crosby, with music from Irving Berlin, White Christmas tells the story of two World War II vets who become entertainers after the war, and how they eventually use their show to help their old General's Country Pine Inn become a success during Christmas vacation season. White Christmas is another holiday classic. |
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