Very Merry Movies
November 30th 2007 00:26
As a kid, I loved it when the TV stations would start to screen Christmas movies. It meant Santa was on his way, and I would soon receive a jumping castle, a flying fox and/or a Mexican walking fish. Of course, Santa never did deliver, but I still continued to delight in the movies, year in, year out. Even the bad ones. As long as they were about Christmas, I was full of cheer!
And not much has changed. Here are my thoughts on a few:
Ernest Saves Christmas
I reckoned this was the bee’s knees as a kid. Giggled like mad. Jim Varney was just too funny for words as Ernest (not to mention the two other characters he poses as); a slightly insane man with a strong code of ethics, a truck full of snakes and Santa’s magic sack.
Die hard
Ernest may have saved Christmas, but Bruce Willis saved the day from gun-wielding German robbers. As John McClane, he took high-rise heroics through the roof – and sometimes off it, all to the sound of carols and C4.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947 and 1994)
Faith and benevolence overcome cynicism and greed in this classic movie and its most well known remake.
The Grinch
The Ron Howard film based on the Dr Seuss book very appropriately stars rubber-faced Jim Carrey in the title role. The story is portrayed well enough, but it’s the costume and makeup work that steals the show.
The Santa Clause
Tim Allen, as an obnoxious almost-absent father, ends up turning into a jolly fat man after Santa falls off the roof. A feel-good kids’ flick with a few trademark Allen gags.
It’s a Wonderful Life
One of Frank Capra’s best, an inspirational story of hope in the face of adversity. Despite initially being seen as a financial failure, the movie has since gone on to be listed by the American Film Institute as one of the best ever made.
Bad Santa
Not your traditional Christmas tale. Billy Bob Thornton is as seedy and slow-talking as ever in this demented comedy produced by the Coen and Weinstein brothers. With his drunken ravings and unsociable manner, Willy (that’s Billy) is the worst person to play Santa, and the best person to make this holiday flick hilarious.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Michael Caine is marvellous as Scrooge, and The Muppets are the perfect accompaniment. Made less than two years after the death of Jim Henson, it was produced and directed by his more than capable son, Brian.
White Christmas
For Bing Crosby and for the song.
So what is your favourite festive flick?
Michaelie Clark
Santa failed to deliver - Image courtesy of bullz-eye.com
Ernest Saves Christmas
I reckoned this was the bee’s knees as a kid. Giggled like mad. Jim Varney was just too funny for words as Ernest (not to mention the two other characters he poses as); a slightly insane man with a strong code of ethics, a truck full of snakes and Santa’s magic sack.
Die hard
Ernest may have saved Christmas, but Bruce Willis saved the day from gun-wielding German robbers. As John McClane, he took high-rise heroics through the roof – and sometimes off it, all to the sound of carols and C4.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947 and 1994)
Faith and benevolence overcome cynicism and greed in this classic movie and its most well known remake.
The Grinch
The Ron Howard film based on the Dr Seuss book very appropriately stars rubber-faced Jim Carrey in the title role. The story is portrayed well enough, but it’s the costume and makeup work that steals the show.
Jim Carrey plays a strange green creature well - Image courtesy of answers.com
The Santa Clause
Tim Allen, as an obnoxious almost-absent father, ends up turning into a jolly fat man after Santa falls off the roof. A feel-good kids’ flick with a few trademark Allen gags.
It’s a Wonderful Life
One of Frank Capra’s best, an inspirational story of hope in the face of adversity. Despite initially being seen as a financial failure, the movie has since gone on to be listed by the American Film Institute as one of the best ever made.
Bad Santa
Not your traditional Christmas tale. Billy Bob Thornton is as seedy and slow-talking as ever in this demented comedy produced by the Coen and Weinstein brothers. With his drunken ravings and unsociable manner, Willy (that’s Billy) is the worst person to play Santa, and the best person to make this holiday flick hilarious.
Billy Bob in all his festive glory - Image courtesy of dvdinmypants.com
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Michael Caine is marvellous as Scrooge, and The Muppets are the perfect accompaniment. Made less than two years after the death of Jim Henson, it was produced and directed by his more than capable son, Brian.
White Christmas
For Bing Crosby and for the song.
So what is your favourite festive flick?
Michaelie Clark
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Comment by tlcorbin-raginravensview
Coffee Quip
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
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I wish you a merrry Christmas and a happy New year, I was going to write more but it's too much typing, no wonder I like pictures.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Yum. You have just brought on one of my occasional overwhelming popcorn cravings. Ever had cheese popcorn? It's super. Lol.
Thank you!
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
You certainly take to the Christmas spirit I see... but I won't write more, you prefer pictures so I'll just put in this one of me being extremely cheerful:
Michaelie
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
I used to love the whole "Don't you know its Christmas Charlie Brown?" movies that suddenly appeared Xmas eve.
You never saw Santa go about his business (then again who does?) but mysteriously the whole gang wound up with smiles on their little celluoid faces come Christmas morn.
My vote for the cheesiest Santa/Xmas movie has to go to Santa Clause conquers the Martians from the mid 60's I think.
I've seen this probably 4 or 5 times - and the special effects, costumes and actors are superb
Ho ho ho . . .
MNG
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I have never seen or even heard of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians - but I just have the craziest imaginings of it now! The name alone marks it out as holiday hokey.
The only Charlie Brown I like makes dresses.
Michaelie
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Then after that, perhaps it would be While You Were Sleeping (just about the only chick flick that I actually like).
And my other all-time favourite xmas movie is The Ref with Dennis Leary, Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey. Hilarious!
I'm also a fan of Bad Santa!
I love xmas!!!!!
Comment by Aimzster
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I also like Black Christmas (1974) ...
And The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Does your Christmas go for a week too, like your birthday? Personally, I love the anticipation - all the parties and decorations and present buying that go before it.
Thanks Kylie!
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I liked Home Alone when it first came out, but Macauley Culkin really just scares me too much. The classics are always reliable - a lot of Christmas trash comes out each year, ie, Fred Claus. Blah.
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Lol. Even Christmas keeps to the nightmare theme!
I haven't seen The Nightmare Before Christmas, though being a Burton fan, I would like to.
Can't bring myself to watch a Christmas horror flick like the original Black Christmas, but it doesn't surprise me that it jingles your bells!
Michaelie
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
A Christmas Story, Directed by Bob Clark would to my list too. Its a nostalgic story of a kid who just wants a Red Ryder BB Gun off Santa.
I absolutely despise the Jim Carey Grinch film, it just has none of the essence of Dr Suess in it and feels overtly manufactured. It strikes me as something Dahl would have hated too!
The classic Chuck Jones animated version of The Grinch however is arguably the greatest Christmas show ever.
Gremlins certainly warrants some love too, I have wanted a Mogwi for Christmas ever since.
As for the whole action genre thing, most of Shane Black's films take place at Christmas and have a theme at sometime..Lethal Weapon being tops...Kiss Kiss bang bang is great too...both happen over the holidays.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Oh and I also reviewed Bad Santa last holidays, you can read that one HERE.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I will check those out soonest. I have Bad Santa on DVD and am thinking of getting it out for a run tonight. Billy Bob is entirely too suited to that role!
I didn't particularly like either film version of the Grinch - it's my least favourite Suess story, but I definitely think the Jim Carrey one is noteworthy for the costume, makeup, etc. I was very impressed by that.
Dahl, I love him, but I don't think he was too good with movies. His Bond flick wasn't the best, and he disowned Willy Wonka after he stuffed up the screen play and they had to rewrite it.
I never wanted a Red Ryder BB gun - just a jumping castle, flying fox and Mexican walking fish.
Michaelie
Comment by DeAnne
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I did just see the latest Tim Allen Santa movie - Santa Clause 3 The Escape Clause. It was OK, though probably not destined to be a classic.
Comment by Anonymous
I lurrrv Home Alone but am also not a fan of Macauley Calkin anymore. He's too freaky even for me. Bruce Willis is my favourite actor and I lurrrv all of the Die Hard movies. An oldie that I like is White Christmas with Bing. There haven't really been any recent ones that have inspired me....but there's still time!
Pamela
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I don't think I'd touch The Santa Clause 3 with a ten-foot candy cane, which is saying something, since I love Christmas movies so much I usually sit through anything!
Re: Christmas horror films - I get enough horror at Christmas with some of my relatives.
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Yes, Macauley Culkin is too creepy for me too. But Bing and Bruce - love em.
Thanks!
Michaelie
Comment by Holly Go Lightly
Movie Mage
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Michaelie
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
You have hit quite a few fun ones Michaelie. Then there is the awful, but admittedly amusing at times (in an appalling way), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation!
cheers
fog
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
National Lampoon - "awful, amusing, appalling" - I think that about sums it up.
Thanks Fog!
Michaelie
Comment by What's Your Story?
What's Your Story?
Big Day Plunge
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I know a pretty average Dudley Moore film called Santa Claus... Tells the story of how Santa came to be, and how he does all his magic.
A Christmas Story - the only one I know is the Bob Clark film about a kid desperate for a BB gun.
It's not either of those?
Michaelie
Comment by What's Your Story?
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Big Day Plunge
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Michaelie
Comment by What's Your Story?
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Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
We actually do have the Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer on tape - the kids watch it to death every Christmas.
I can't remember most of them now - there was a Frosty the Snowman type one, something with an evil ice-person - like Jack Frost or something, and one about the Little Drummer Boy I think.
Does anyone else remember these?
The kids are also quite partial to "ELF" now.
Comment by What's Your Story?
What's Your Story?
Big Day Plunge
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Anything to do with Christmas and I was over the moon, but I especially liked some of these too. I think John Doe has a couple of trailers here.
In my memory they were kind of Noddy like (the old Noddy, not the stupid new Noddy) - but I was up for them all anyway (except the Grinch, I took against the Grinch). Lol.
Thanks!
Michaelie
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Comment by Nathalie Cameron
Hellena Handbasket
It was the Muppets (love miss piggie) with the Sesame Street characters and the Fraggles all together. It was so cute!
I especially loved it when the Swedish Chef was trying to cook Big Bird...ha ha
Does anybody know of which I speak of? Sometimes I don't even know wth I'm talking about
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Bryn and JD both mentioned A Nightmare Before Christmas, so never fear, it's up there!
John McClane always makes sure my Christmas isn't short on excitment too!
Thanks Sonya, and I hope you're feeling better soon!
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Michaelie
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
Great story and they make those puppets come alive. You just accept that they're real. (Better actors than some humans!)
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
That would be A Muppet Family Christmas? Where all of them - The Muppets, Muppet Babies, Fraggles and Sesame Street characters end up having to stay in the same house because of the snow?
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Thanks!
Michaelie
Comment by Vixter
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I like going to see all the new Christmas movies - as ridiculous as they maybe - it is all part of the Christmas fun/
One of my personal faves is Elf...I am partial to a Will Ferrel Flick but this really is great!
Comment by Cibbuano
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Also, I've ended up watching Bill Murray in Scrooged almost every year. I love that movie, despite the 80s cheese.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I take it you are someone who truly understands watching complete tripe just because it's Christmas! I'm not really a fan of Will Ferrell, but a couple of people have mentioned ELF, and since my pain threshhold is much higher for festive flicks, I might - might - have to give it a go.
Yeah, get onto Miracle when your snowed in by a blizzard (I'll be frollicking in the sun), I love both versions - of course!
Thanks Vixter!
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I love Scrooged too - in fact, there are probably about five Christmas Carol film adaptations which always get me in the Christmas spirit!
Thanks for swinging by!
Michaelie
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Comment by Lilla
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Out will come Home Alone 1, The Grinch, Scrooged and Muppet Christmas Carol for another year... I must say too that there are none of the latest one's that appeal, although my youngest did watch the Polar Express a few days ago - which has now been added to the Christmas List.
Christmas with the Cranks was quickly put in the reject, recycling stocking!
I love A Wonderful Life (but my husband doesn't 'get it.')... I haven't tried the kids on it yet, as it's a bit dystopic for a 12 year old, and today's 16 year old doesn't want to know about Hitler, '...it's so morbid.' So it's just me, the mini DVD in bed and the egg nogg again, for that one.
Die Hard went down well with the 16 year old last year and may get another look in, otherwise I'd say it's the Crinch on Christmas Day, for sure.
Lilla ...
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
LOL. When I was a kid there were movies I used to watch everyday. I used to go through phases. I think I still know every single line in Grease.
Gotta love the muppets - your girl has the right idea!
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I can't handle Home Alone any more - Culkin is just too creepy! He was so scary in The Good Son, and he's bad enough in real life!
I'll bring my sleeping bag and mini puddings with brandy sauce and watch It's A Wonderful Life with you Lilla!
Michaelie
Comment by Lilla
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Enviro Warrior
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Cheers
Lilla ...
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Comment by Krystal
feelings
Some people hog all the votes, but I'll take the best looking one.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Gotta get them while I can!
Michaelie
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
ooooh I`m such a sucker for Christmas movies too - they seem to have lost their appeal as i have got older though - perhaps has something to do with having worked the past 4 Christmases
I love the magic of this time of year so Miracle on 34th Street is one of my favourites.
I remember watching a movie about Christmas when I was a kid - the story of Christmas trees - but I can`t remember what it was called. It was magical.
'Curly Sue' I could watch again...
A newly added favourite would have to be 'The Holiday' which came out last year and who can watch 'Frosty the Snowman' without a box of tissues by their side?
oooh now I want to go and look for Christmas movies! Gotta love the magic
Ash
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Poor thing, working Christmas, I would absolutely hate that. I always have so much fun on Christmas day, except for one rather folorn one, where I was severely hungover and spent the majority of it on the toilet floor...
I know there are lots of movies I've watched about Christmas as a kid, that I can't recall the names of. Some were cartoons that were probably made for TV and not real well known, but they all contributed to the magic!
The Holiday - I have mixed feelings about this film. It's pretty sappy even by usual chick flick standards. Cameron Diaz isn't at her best and neither is Jack Black, but I guess the beauty of Jude and Kate makes up for it! A few cringeworthy moments but good enough for some lighthearted, concentration free, holiday entertainment!
Thanks Ash, great to see you!
Michaelie