Every year for Christmas I break out my extensive Christmas movie collection and watch all of the classics. Not only does it help me get into the holiday spirit, but it's also a tradition that I look forward to and enjoy. There's something about a good movie that makes me feel at home. And doesn't everyone want to be home for the holidays? And even though I may have seen them more times than I can count, I am still entertained by them as if it were my first viewing. Some make me laugh, some make me cry, some make me sing loud for all to hear. So here's a list of some of my top of the top favorites!
Home Alone
How can anyone not love this movie?! A hilarious children's movie with Macaulay Culkin as a smart witted vigilante fighting against Goodfella Joe Pesci and dimwit Daniel Stern. With the unlikely addition of a tarantula mascot and a ice cream sundae any kid would give their left foot for, it really brings out my inner child, jumping and screaming for Christmas and Santa and all those Christmas feelings.
Elf
I can distinctly remember the first time I saw this hilarious holiday comedy. I went to see it in theaters with one of my dearest college friends, Page, and the two of us were sore from laughter by the time we left the movie. Buddy the Elf is such a sweet and hilarious protagonist you can't help but laugh at him and love him at the same time. A perhaps the makers of this film took a page from Home Alone and decided to include another famous cinema mobster, James Caan. Plus, it gave me the wonderful Christmas expletive, "Son of a nutcracker!"
Scrooged
Every year my sister and I are fortunate to spend the holidays together, we go out of our way to watch this classic comedic retelling of A Christmas Carol. Bill Murray plays a wonderful Scrooge that you love to hate and the three Christmas ghosts are wonderful and amusing additions. Not nearly as serious as Dickens's original, it still brings about that "gift of giving" moral ending that makes everyone remember the true meaning of Christmas.
The Family Stone
Dr. Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Though this is only a short Christmas film, it's still a classic that shows a few times a day on most American television stations. Who doesn't love Dr. Seuss and his memorable rhymes? Who doesn't love the Grinch and his adorable dog, Max with that lone antler tied to his noggin? Who doesn't get the Whos of Whoville's song of welcoming Christmas stuck in their heads? Only Dr. Seuss could create such an iconic Christmas character as the Grinch, green fuzz, cow-lick, heart two sizes too small and all.
It's A Wonderful Life
This Christmas classic is so classic it's not even in color. But who needs it when you have Jimmy Stewart prancing around with an angel all Christmas answering that question of what it would be like if you hadn't existed? I certainly wish that God would send an angel down for me to lend me some irrefutable guidance and tell me what I should do with my life. Alas, we can't all be Jimmy Stewart. I'll just have to settle for watching his charming self through my TV screen and try not to cry too much.
A Muppet's Christmas Carol
I couldn't make this list and not include Jim Henson's wonderful rendition of Dickens's classic tale. It's Grant's absolute favorite and something we always watch when Christmas comes around. And who doesn't love puppets? And with the classic, lovable cast of Ms. Piggy, Kermit, Gonzo, Rizzo the Rat and all the rest of the gang, it's always a guarantee for a good show. Henson, as always, is able to bring together comedy for adults and a story appropriate for children in such a seamless way that the entire family can enjoy this merry, song-filled, muppet Christmas! And I must say, Henson's Ghost of Christmas Present is kind of my hero. Fat, jolly, always living in the moment, and surrounded by decorations and food.
I always watch home alone during the Christmas season! But that's sort of because they play it on TV ;)
ReplyDeleteBtw, thanks for visiting my blog! Pastry school sounds like fun ...haha- are you a pastry chef now? To be honest, I don't have a clue as to what a perfect macaron is!! Thanks for the tip too- I'll remember to tap the tray next time! ;)
Right now I'm enjoying what Paris has to offer since I ended my internship at a small pastry shop here. I plan on continuing with my pastry passion once I return to the states and look forward to a kitchen where they speak English!
ReplyDelete