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Christmas Film Fest
No matter race, religion or social standing, this is a time of gathering with family and friends. During these intergenerational meetings there always comes a time when everyone gets dog tired. Since you’ve already watched that log burning on cable 10 for the last eight hours it’s time to break out some seasonal viewing. Right off the bat I assure you this is not a complete list but rather suggested viewing since there are literally thousands of films that mention Christmas. As well, this list focuses on ones ‘everyone’ can enjoy so the cult classics are visibly absent although everyone should see Santa Claus Conquers the Martians at least once.
Let’s begin by bucking tradition and unleash the best first. Christmas
Story is the greatest Christmas movie of all time and the only film on
this list I consider required viewing.
Set in the fifties it’s the story of a young boy who wants a b.b.gun
for Christmas. Funny family, relatable problems, and humorous throughout,
this is truly the finest film to capture the holidays.
For a ‘Common Man VS Christmas’ movie look no further than Christmas Vacation: Back in the day Chevy Chase created some fantastic comedy characters. One of the best of course being his nutty father figure in the Vacation series. If anyone deserves to battle Christmas it’s Clark Griswold and he does so brilliantly.
When you’ve had enough of the traditional fare and just want a funny movie that conveniently includes Christmas, Better off Dead is the way to go. Enjoy comedic hijinks as a very young John Cusak survives his nutty family in a nutty mountain town with some radical 80’s skiing to boot.
Sticking to the non-traditional Christmas movies there’s The Ref. Denis Leary kidnaps the bickersons over the holidays. What follows is some fine, forked tongue family fighting that conveniently wraps up in a nice Christmas way.
Now for a tip of the hat to the classics: White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and A Christmas Carol. Actually that last one is a whole other kettle of fish with no less than 12 different versions. I’ll recommend the most accessible and entertaining of those which is Bill Murray’s Scrooged. Perhaps the finest in the long tradition of stories focusing on turning a captain of industry from a prick to a prince.
Every year horrible films throw the Christmas title on them in hopes to be classics. Of the most recent, Elf is the only one deserving entrance to the classic category. This sweet movie’s success is made even better since it’s even enjoyable by those who ordinarily can’t stand Will Ferrell.
And no Christmas viewing list would be complete without mentioning the animated classics, so we’ll end where it began for most of us. Granted they’re more shorts then full length films so to qualify I’m throwing these three together. How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Charlie Brown’s Christmas, and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.
Merry viewing to all, and to all a good night.
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