12 FILMS OF CHRISTMAS
The Yuletide Season is upon us and for the countless grand holiday traditions many of us hold dear, nothing says “Merry Christmas!” quite like the perfect Christmas movie. Of course, there are many Christmas films to choose from so for the sake of this article, let me be your guide and share a small but affectionate list of 12 of my very favorites with you, the wonderful reader.
Before getting to it, just to have a little fun with the proceedings, these titles have been broken up into two lists of 6. “Traditional” and “Not-So-Traditional”.
TRADITIONAL LIST–
“A CHRISTMAS STORY” (PG)
Perhaps the only film I’ve seen more times in my life than “A Christmas Story” is “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” I can’t make it through a holiday season without watching it at least once. This nostalgic tale of young Ralphie Parker and his crusade to obtain the ultimate Christmas gift is a wonderful celebration of the rambunctious spirit of youth. It’s a warm, funny, and altogether Christmasy take on the beloved memoirs by the undeniably energetic (and descriptive) humorist, Jean Shepherd (who also narrates the film.) Shameless plug; This is a movie I love so much that I jumped at the chance of directing St. George Musical Theater’s current stage production of the musical! It runs through Saturday, December 20th at The Opera House. It should also be noted that FMASU will be presenting a free screening of this film at The Electric Theater on Tuesday, December 16th.
“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE” (Not Rated)
Have you ever taken a moment to consider what the world might be like if you didn’t exist? That’s a dark thought to be sure and it’s this hook that’s at the very heart of this straight up classic from the legendary director, Frank Capra. Featuring an iconic performance by every man, James Stewart, this is a film that is synonymous with Christmas itself, and it boggles the mind to consider that “It’s a Wonderful Life” wasn’t a hit upon its initial release. Of course, now, it’s recognized as the rightful classic it was destined to become.
“NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION” (PG-13)
The third time was absolutely the charm in a film that would find the Griswald Family staying home for the holiday season where they would host the ultimate family gathering. Of course, no “Vacation” movie would be complete without a series of hilarious mishaps (i.e. a squirrel in the Christmas tree, a frustrated Clark locked in the attic, the world’s largest string of Christmas lights, an unexpected visit from a forever eccentric cousin Eddie, etc.) and this laugh out loud romp certainly has no shortage of those. Written by the great John Hughes, “Christmas Vacation” might just be the strongest of the series.
“MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET” (PG)
As is the case with “It’s a Wonderful Life,” this magical seasonal favorite is virtually synonymous with the holiday that inspired it. This classic from 1947 features a young girl (played by Natalie Wood) who bonds with the one and only Santa Claus (memorably played by Oscar nominee Edmund Gwenn) over the course of a fateful holiday season. It’s the courthouse movie to end all courthouse movies. An enduring holiday gem. And for the record, the 1994 remake starring Mara Wilson and a wonderful Richard Attenborough as Santa is every bit as magical!
“A CHRISTMAS CAROL” (G)
Based on the famed tale by Charles Dickens, this might just be the most remade Christmas property of all time. While many amazing actors have taken on Scrooge (Alastair Sim, Patrick Stewart, George C. Scott, Albert Finney, Henry Winkler, Will Ferrell, Jim Carrey, and Bill Murray, just to name a precious few), my personal favorite adaptation of the source material is probably “The Muppet Christmas Carol” featuring a delightfully cantankerous Michael Caine as a selfish man who would be visited by 3 ghosts on Christmas Eve. Another shameless plug; Encore Performing Arts has a production of this show currently playing at The Electric Theater. It ends on December 20th and it’s a must-see!
“ELF” (PG)
It was really tough narrowing this list down to 6 titles. How else could I justifiably leave something like “Home Alone” off the list? Alas, with its charming and altogether Christmasy fish-out-of-water story, 2004’s “Elf” was such a charming and unexpected surprise that it simply had to make the cut. Will Ferrell is at his affable best as Buddy the Elf and his rapport with “The Godfather” legend, James Caan, is off the charts hilarious. Directed by Jon Favreau, this is one of the few modern Christmas movies that lives up to its reputation.
NOT-SO-TRADITIONAL-LIST–
“DIE HARD” (R)
The argument as to whether or not this is a Christmas movie (even Bruce Willis says it isn’t) will rage on but for yours truly, this is an epic actioneer that smacks of holiday cheer. “Die Hard” features a wisecracking Willis as John McClane, an off-duty police officer who wages a war with terrorists (led by an unforgettable Alan Rickman) who have seized an L.A. high-rise on Christmas Eve. True, the movie didn’t even open during the holidays (it was released in the summer of 1988) but I’m sticking to my guns here; “Die Hard” IS a Christmas movie!
“THE HOLDOVERS” (R)
This is the best Christmas movie of the last twenty years and what’s more, it’s even a movie that will most likely appeal to those who don’t like Christmas movies. From Alexander Payne comes this bittersweet story of a grumpy New England boarding school history teacher who bonds with both a student (with a chip on his shoulder) and a campus cook (struggling with depression brought on by a devastating tragedy) over the course of a chilly Christmas break. “The Holdovers” is a beautifully executed character piece bolstered by outstanding performances by Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. It’s moving in ways you may not expect it to be.
“BLACK CHRISTMAS” (R)
Perhaps the most interesting bit of trivia surrounding this holiday-inspired slasher is that it was directed by Bob Clark, a filmmaker who–nine years later–would direct a little movie called “A Christmas Story.” Of course, the similarities end there. Again, this is a slasher film and it is of the very R-rated variety but it’s incredibly effective and also has the distinction of being one of the first slasher films. It opened the same year as “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and predated John Carpenter’s “Halloween” by four years. A must-see for horror fans and for those who like their Christmas movies with a little more bite.
“THE REF” (R)
Released in March of 1994, this irreverent, righteously hilarious dark comedy weaves its story around a cat burglar (played by Denis Leary) who–during the holidays– breaks into a house owned by a bickering couple (Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis) who happen to be on the skids. It isn’t long before this particular burglar wishes he broke into an entirely different house. Directed by Ted Demme (brother of “Silence of the Lambs” director Jonathan Demme), “The Ref” is an underappreciated gem that wears its R rating proudly on its sleeve.
“GREMLINS” (PG)
“Cute, clever, mischievous, intelligent, dangerous” read the tagline for this comedy-laced creature feature from executive producer Steven Spielberg, director Joe Dante, and screenwriter Chris Columbus. “Gremlins” would go on to become one of the big box-office hits of 1984 and it would also go on to help usher in the PG-13 rating. Taking a cue from Looney Tunes cartoons, Dante would ingest a heaping dose of fitting dark humor into this story of a town that is besieged by an army of creatures that multiply if you get them wet. And in case you’re wondering, yes…The movie takes place during the Christmas season. Sidenote; Over 35 years after its underappreciated sequel, Columbus is gearing up to direct a third film. Here’s hoping it incorporates practical effects rather than resorting to an overabundance of CGI.
“WAR OF THE ROSES” (R)
It’s “Die Hard” meets “Divorce Court” in this jet-black comedy from director Danny DeVito. “War of the Roses” follows a married couple as they navigate through a bitter divorce. The film stars Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Devito. All are in top form in a movie that plays as a cautionary tale for those who refuse to end a relationship amicably. Sidenote; This film was recently remade by Jay Roach as “The Roses” starring Olivia Coleman and Benedict Cumberbatch. I have yet to see this retelling, but I doubt it reaches the fittingly over-the–top stylings of this underrated (albeit dark) 80s gem.
*Again, I only had room for 12 titles in this article. The real list goes on and on and on! Happy Holidays, everyone!
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