Xixax Film Forum

Film Discussion => News and Theory => Topic started by: modage on December 01, 2003, 08:20:18 AM

Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 01, 2003, 08:20:18 AM
i'm starting this thread because over the course of the next month i will be watching about 20 christmas type movies so i thought after each one i'll write in with a little something and anyone else who wants to comment about that film, please do.  it might be good inspiration for everyone to get in the holiday spirit a little as well and watch/re-watch a few of the good ones.

1st up on the Holiday Extravaganza...

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A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993)
Tim Burton has said the original poem was inspired after seeing Halloween merchandise display in a store being taken down and replaced by a Christmas display. The juxtposition of ghouls and goblins with Santa and his reindeer sparked his imagination.

    i can still remember going to see this in the theatre when it came out and just having rabidly anticipating it.  at this point tim burton was the greatest guy making movies for me.  he was on a string of awesome: Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns, and then this was "Tim Burtons..." after all (and being 11 years old, i didnt know he didnt direct it at the time.)  anyways, i remember liking this movie and thinking it was really cool looking but being a little offput by the dreary neverending score.  
    over the last decade having revisited the fim a number of times, i find that the movie as well as the score has really grown on me and now i can really appreciate it for how different it is.  the songs are really memorable and the animation is really really incredible.  one of the only problems for me now is when to watch it.  halloween or christmas?  probably the best time i guess is in between: november (like when it was released).   so that's why after Planes, Trains, & Automobiles, this is first on Christmas Movies that have to be watched.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Redlum on December 01, 2003, 09:15:02 AM
Great idea.

Does anyone know the title of a christmas movie where the boy in it gets a BB Gun for Christmas and goes off shooting in the snow and a icicle falls from the rooftop and nearly blinds him? It kind of felt like a feature-length, christmas Wonder Years. I remeber staying up past midnight one christmas eve watching it on a tiny black and white tv, I'd really like to see if I could get hold of a DVD.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: SoNowThen on December 01, 2003, 09:21:45 AM
A Christmas Story

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334/
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Redlum on December 01, 2003, 09:36:10 AM
Ta very much
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: molly on December 01, 2003, 12:35:27 PM
I like that christmassy music in those movies. I really feel like I'm a little girl again.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gloria on December 01, 2003, 02:37:38 PM
Quote from: SoNowThenA Christmas Story

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334/

In my opinion, that is the best Christmas movie, hands down.
I also like The Santa Claus, Elf, and Christmas Vacation.  I admit....I even liked Jingle All the Way.  

I love Christmas specials as well:
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Muppet Family Christmas
Frosty the Snowman
Garfield Christmas (oooohh ahhhhhh)
The Tick Christmas episode
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Sleuth on December 01, 2003, 02:39:04 PM
Christmas movies, especially A Christmas Story, make me feel like a real man.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 01, 2003, 02:48:30 PM
Quote from: Gloria
Quote from: SoNowThenA Christmas Story

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334/

In my opinion, that is the best Christmas movie, hands down.
I also like The Santa Claus, Elf, and Christmas Vacation.  I admit....I even liked Jingle All the Way.

in my opinion as well, a christmas story is the greatest christmas movie ever, followed closely by christmas vacation.  but, thats why those are saved for christmas eve and christmas eve eve. dont feel bad i liked jingle all the way as well, and will get to that this month too.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: MacGuffin on December 01, 2003, 02:53:26 PM
Quote from: GloriaI love Christmas specials as well:
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Muppet Family Christmas
Frosty the Snowman
Garfield Christmas (oooohh ahhhhhh)
The Tick Christmas episode

Not a fan of Charlie Brown?

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Quote from: themodernage02
Quote from: Gloria
Quote from: SoNowThenA Christmas Story

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334/

In my opinion, that is the best Christmas movie, hands down.
I also like The Santa Claus, Elf, and Christmas Vacation.  I admit....I even liked Jingle All the Way.

in my opinion as well, a christmas story is the greatest christmas movie ever, followed closely by christmas vacation.  but, thats why those are saved for christmas eve and christmas eve eve. dont feel bad i liked jingle all the way as well, and will get to that this month too.

Can you believe they attempted a sequel  (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110168/)of sorts?
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: SoNowThen on December 01, 2003, 02:57:12 PM
I too love Charlie Brown and Christmas Vacation...
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Sleuth on December 01, 2003, 03:02:37 PM
Quote from: MacGuffin
Quote from: GloriaI love Christmas specials as well:
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Muppet Family Christmas
Frosty the Snowman
Garfield Christmas (oooohh ahhhhhh)
The Tick Christmas episode

Not a fan of Charlie Brown?

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.phillyburbs.com%2FMongol%2Fspecials%2Fcharliebc.gif&hash=585e82221f7e593c962d8e367e37cd490c43e44e)

Quote from: themodernage02
Quote from: Gloria
Quote from: SoNowThenA Christmas Story

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334/

In my opinion, that is the best Christmas movie, hands down.
I also like The Santa Claus, Elf, and Christmas Vacation.  I admit....I even liked Jingle All the Way.

in my opinion as well, a christmas story is the greatest christmas movie ever, followed closely by christmas vacation.  but, thats why those are saved for christmas eve and christmas eve eve. dont feel bad i liked jingle all the way as well, and will get to that this month too.

Can you believe they attempted a sequel  (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110168/)of sorts?

I actually saw that on Comedy Central a long time ago.  The only returning actor was the teacher
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 01, 2003, 03:04:56 PM
any opinions on Nightmare Before Christmas? (before we get too ahead of ourselves!  we dont want to spoil christmas, do we?!?)
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: SoNowThen on December 01, 2003, 03:14:07 PM
yeah, that flick's great as well

but it's so even Halloween / Christmas split, I dunno if I can call it a pure Xmas movie...
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gloria on December 01, 2003, 03:22:50 PM
Quote from: MacGuffin
Quote from: GloriaI love Christmas specials as well:
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Muppet Family Christmas
Frosty the Snowman
Garfield Christmas (oooohh ahhhhhh)
The Tick Christmas episode

Not a fan of Charlie Brown?


I can't believe I completely forgot about Charlie Brown. Yes, I like Charlie Brown, but I forgot to add him to my list.   My humblest apologies.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: aclockworkjj on December 01, 2003, 04:23:03 PM
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Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: cine on December 01, 2003, 05:11:20 PM
My all-time favourite Christmas film:
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Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Redlum on December 01, 2003, 06:06:17 PM
Quote from: themodernage02
Quote from: Gloria
Quote from: SoNowThenA Christmas Story

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334/

In my opinion, that is the best Christmas movie, hands down.
I also like The Santa Claus, Elf, and Christmas Vacation.  I admit....I even liked Jingle All the Way.

in my opinion as well, a christmas story is the greatest christmas movie ever, followed closely by christmas vacation.  but, thats why those are saved for christmas eve and christmas eve eve. dont feel bad i liked jingle all the way as well, and will get to that this month too.

I love the dvd cover for Jingle all the Way, I dont think I've ever seen the film all the way through but every time I pass the 'J' rack in HMV, I always look it up and laught at the cover.

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.amazon.com%2Fimages%2FP%2F6305168784.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg&hash=30880cd2998bd23946014ae7b2cefbb256eed56c)
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 01, 2003, 07:07:03 PM
Quote from: CinephileMy all-time favourite Christmas film:
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that is my all time favorite film period, and what i watch on christmas eve after i watch a christmas story.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gold Trumpet on December 01, 2003, 07:24:44 PM
I use to make A Christmas Story a yearly event, but after 10 to 15 years it, I'm just sick of it. It isn't a movie, but a repeated knock on the head of everything nostalgic with christmas. These movies really have their limits so my choice of the christmas movie to watch is Die Hard. Its entertaining as something other than the nostalgic, but yet it understands Christmas in the most fitting humor for a humble agnostic.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 01, 2003, 09:53:06 PM
#2

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PRANCER (1989)
Roger Ebert says, "The best thing about "Prancer" is that it doesn't insult anyone's intelligence. Smaller kids will identify with Jessica's fierce resolve to get Prancer back into action, and older viewers will appreciate the fact that the movie takes place in an approximation of the real world."
   
    i'd never seen this before i watched it tonite, which is odd since it came out when i should've been the right age to see it, but somehow i guess it slipped through the cracks.  i probably would've thought it was too boring, so i guess its just as well.  so, i thought this was okay, but not at all what i expected.  a very low key story about a girl and her family.  the reindeer really doesnt have a whole lot to do with the story except acting as a reason for the actions to take place.  but the christmas spirit elements seem to be a metaphor for what the town is going through and less about cheezing it up.  which, i guess is admirable that they didnt try to cram it full of magic and goofy jokes and stuff and really just told a little story about people.  personally, it was a little too quiet for my tastes but a watchable movie nonetheless.  i've seen worse, MUCH worse.  anyone have anything for/against this one?
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gloria on December 02, 2003, 01:09:42 PM
Never cared for Prancer. I saw it when it came out in theaters and I remember it being kind of a downer.  It was not at all what I expected, but I agree that I'm glad it didn't try to cram in the christmas cheesiness.  I think it could have lightened up a bit, though.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 02, 2003, 02:27:51 PM
Quote from: GloriaNever cared for Prancer. I saw it when it came out in theaters and I remember it being kind of a downer.  I think it could have lightened up a bit, though.

yeah, kind of a downer.  definitely could've used some more light moments i thought.  oh well.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: classical gas on December 02, 2003, 09:01:54 PM
I have a friend who has never seen "A Christmas Story".  Sorry I felt the need to share that with you people, but it just blew my mind.  He lives with me now, and I'm going to make him watch it all day on Christmas eve, like I used to do.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: ᾦɐļᵲʊʂ on December 02, 2003, 09:11:30 PM
Quote from: The Gold TrumpetI use to make A Christmas Story a yearly event, but after 10 to 15 years it, I'm just sick of it. It isn't a movie, but a repeated knock on the head of everything nostalgic with christmas. These movies really have their limits so my choice of the christmas movie to watch is Die Hard. Its entertaining as something other than the nostalgic, but yet it understands Christmas in the most fitting humor for a humble agnostic.

I know what you mean...for a few years I was burnt out on the Goonies.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 02, 2003, 09:29:59 PM
#3

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THE FAMILY MAN (2000)
Thats right, Brett Ratner baby...
   
    family man is a movie i did see in the theatre and enjoyed and have tried to watch for the past few years in december for a few reasons.  1.) i love nicolas cage and 2.) the movie is essentially a modern day its a wonderful life (my favorite movie ever), IN REVERSE.    
   
    i think it has a lot of funny moments, and the characters are very likable and somewhat believable.  jeremy piven has some good lines as the best friend, especially when nicolas cage first enters pivens basement looking bewildered and piven mentions how he moved a chair and its freaking everybody out.  but there are some really good lines here.  and a whole lot of sentimental stuff that makes this worth watching right about now.
   
     SPOILERS AHEAD< you shouldnt read if you havent seen it... the fundamental problem however, in doing it's a wonderful life in reverse, is by design the ending is going to be a letdown!  what if the movie had ended with jimmy stewart not existing?!  thats really kind of whats happening here, and nothing bums me out more than getting to the end of the movie and seeing nicolas cage alone and rich.  his wife not having seen him sinec he left her years ago and his 2 kids not even existing!  that bums the shit out of me!  other than that, and the fact that the film is about 15 minutes too long (with too many twists and ups and downs in teh middle section of the film), i really enjoy this movie.  

    if anyone hasnt seen it and decides to watch it, let me know what you think.  anyone else like/dislike this?
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: cine on December 03, 2003, 12:34:55 AM
Quote from: Donald Darko
Quote from: themodernage02anyone else like/dislike this?
I fucking loathe it.

Hey, a movie opinion.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Sleuth on December 03, 2003, 12:36:09 AM
Quote from: Cinephile
Quote from: Donald Darko
Quote from: themodernage02anyone else like/dislike this?
I fucking loathe it.

Hey, a movie opinion.

Well, he does have a point.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gloria on December 03, 2003, 11:28:00 AM
I really liked The Family Man.  I thought it was really sweet and Nic Cage was so much fun to watch.  I seem to be in the minority, but I really thought this movie was charming.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gamblour. on December 03, 2003, 12:29:25 PM
Holy shit! Did y'all realize that the mother in A Christmas Story is Rose Gator in Magnolia??!? This blew my mind:

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Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Sleuth on December 03, 2003, 12:58:02 PM
I didn't really notice it until I heard her speak a bit
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 03, 2003, 10:03:10 PM
#4

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ERNEST SAVES CHRISTMAS (1988)
Knowhatimean?

tonite i watched the cinematic classic Ernest Saves Christmas.  which, honestly must be one of my top 3 favorite Ernest films of all time, (the other two being ...Goes To Jail, and ...Goes To Camp, for all you wondering).  Jim Varney was a pretty funny physical comedian and in this adventure dresses up in no less than 3 disguises (an old lady, an uptight politicians aid, and a redneck snake handler) which help to show the many faces of ernest.  along the way he helps santa claus find a replacement and saves christmas.  i wouldnt recommend this for everyone, but for ernest fans it's good viewing this year.
if anybodys still here, i'm getting to the good stuff. it must be saved and built up to in this crazy christmas crescendo!  its not that i am unaware of the good ones, they just have to wait their turn...
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gloria on December 03, 2003, 10:19:17 PM
That is definitely a Christmas guilty pleasure.  I admit that I enjoyed this movie as well.  I used to watch this movie all the time when I was little. I've always loved Jim Varneyl  He was a really talented and funny man.  He is very missed  :(
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 04, 2003, 09:31:12 PM
#5

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I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (1998)
It gets better than this, i swear it does...

alright, by now everyone has stopped reading this entirely unpopular thread anyways except for Gloria who i am having a lovely time conversing with about these. so i will continue what i set out to do!  it only gets better i swear it.  you have to have the holiday cheese to appreciate the good stuff.  these are appetizers...
but, c'mon what the hell is this right?  when i worked at the movie theatre when i was in high school and this came out i thought it was about the worst looking thing i'd ever heard of.  but, somehow down the line i ended up watching this out of my familys enormous christmas movie collection and discovered that its 'good bad.'  jonathan taylor thomas (jtt, to those in the know) plays Jake who has everything all figured out, (think Zack from saved by the bell).  buut, sinec his mom died he hasnt been home for the holidays in a while.  so to get him home his dad offers him a porshe if he can be there by christmas time.   did i mention jessica biel was in this?  anyways what follows is like a disney-fied version of planes trains and automobiles (without the trains and laughs) where Jake does everything he can to just get home.  it actually does have a few funny moments, and in the end is pretty enjoyable cheese.  i'm a sucker for christmas movies, and this ones not bad.  ebert called it "unrelentingly corny".
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gloria on December 04, 2003, 10:03:07 PM
Oh gosh....this movie was soooo bad!  What ever happend to jtt (yes, I'm in the know) anyways? He actually wasn't bad, but I really could not get into this movie.  I am usually pretty lenient when it comes to christmas movies, but this one was just not my kind of 'so bad its good' movie.  I forgot that Jessica Biel was in it, but I dont think I want to remember much of this movie...
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: aclockworkjj on December 04, 2003, 10:51:32 PM
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edit:sorry, didn't realize GT mentioned Die Hard.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 07, 2003, 10:00:16 PM
#6

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HOME ALONE (1990)
Joe Pesci's character, Harry Lime, is named after Orson Welles' character from the film The Third Man

boy did i LOVE this movie when i was 8 or 9 years old.  didnt everyone want to be left 'home alone' when this came out?  granted as a 22 year old, the movie doesnt hold up as well as it did when i was 9 years old but there are still quite a handful of enjoyable john hughsian moments throughout, as well as the infamous 15 minutes of pain finale.  also littered with christmas spirit in the sntk., and on tv (miracle on 34th st, its a wonderful life, the grinch, etc.)  good john williams score.  seems pretty whimsical for a kids comedy though, and more like it would belong in Harry Potter or something.  also noticed Hope Davis has a small role as the french airport woman behind counter.  
Harry: Why the hell did you take your shoes off?
Marv: Why the hell are you dressed like a chicken?
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gloria on December 08, 2003, 10:21:54 AM
I've always liked Home Alone. I agree that it doesn't hold up with age, but it is still an enjoyable romp. It took slapstick to the extreme and it had so many likeable leads.  I always remember the mom saying "Kevin!" and passing out.  I loved the subtle interaction between the family members. The tarantula and 'bedwetter' are funny highlights.  Actually, Home Alone 2 was pretty good as well.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 08, 2003, 09:21:24 PM
#7

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ONE MAGIC CHRISTMAS (1985)
The "21 Grams" of Christmas movies.

had never seen this one before either, although it is in my family christmas collection, i'd never sat down to watch it till tonite.  it was very low key, kind of like Prancer, not like the market-researched movies of today where everything is targeted to make sure it appeals to everyone perfectly.  back when even giant corporations like Disney would make a movie because they thought it was a good story, and not because they could sell toys.  so, i respect the movie for being that.  it was another twist on the Its A Wonderful Life glimpse into another future type thing when Mary Steenbergen doesnt seem to have any christmas spirit.  and boy does she pay for it.  

BIG SPOILERS

if i got anything from this movie, its this: it doesnt matter how badly things are going or how poor you are, DONT skimp on the christmas spirit or you're gonna PAY for it.  'cause man, santa and those angels will do whatever it takes to make sure you are in full-on christmas mode.  they will kill your husband, they will kill your kids, they will do whatever it takes.  dont try to skimp on the presents or the good cheer.  cause they are ruthless.

END BIG SPOILERS

but, overall the movie was enjoyable.  if for nothing else having the courage to just be what it is, and not what people want it to be.  makes you long for the simpler times in moviemaking.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gloria on December 08, 2003, 09:29:13 PM
Unfortunately, you hit one I haven't seen (or even heard of).  Maybe, if I can find it somewhere, I'll give it a shot.  I'm always up for new Christmas movies.  Also, thanks for the big spoilers warning.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 08, 2003, 09:32:53 PM
yeah watch it. i wanna know what you think.  (its definitely the OPPOSITE of I'll Be Home For Christmas.) and definitely dont read the SPOILERS till after.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Alethia on December 08, 2003, 10:16:48 PM
to grandmother's house we go
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Sigur Rós on December 09, 2003, 09:51:03 AM
Quote from: SoNowThenChristmas Vacation...

...and a little bit of The Nitemare before Xmas should get me going
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Jeremy Blackman on December 09, 2003, 09:55:34 AM
Quote from: ®edlum(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.amazon.com%2Fimages%2FP%2F6305168784.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg&hash=30880cd2998bd23946014ae7b2cefbb256eed56c)

This is how I knew Episode I would be a lost cause.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Sigur Rós on December 09, 2003, 01:21:03 PM
^
 l
 l
 l
"Oh no, I forgot to pickup to stupid doll!"

Love that scene where he fights all the elves and santas though!
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: phil marlowe on December 09, 2003, 03:16:15 PM
come on evryone, every second of that movie was beautiful.

'i'm not ah perrvert, i wass just lohking for ah turrbo mann dohll!'
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 12, 2003, 12:31:12 AM
#8

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SCROOGE (1970)
Albert Finney was only 33 years old when he played the role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

had never seen this one before either, and i thought it was okay.  Albert Finney was good as Scrooge but unfortunately it was about 20 minutes too long and the songs werent all that memorable.  it was a musical and sometimes the numbers tended to drag.  in the opening some of the camera movement seemed to be a little odd, and therefore noticable.  but there were some good moments.  it is Charles Dickens.  however the ending where Scrooge puts on the santa suit and leads the entire town in a giant like 12 minute opus of a song and dance number was more than a little silly. still, with its flaws it was still a pretty good adaptation of the book.  (although there are still a few i need to see.)  my favorite is probably Mickeys Christmas Carol, but the George C. Scott one is up next.  ill see if thats any better.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Ghostboy on December 12, 2003, 12:37:57 AM
The very best one, and the only one I catch perenially, is the one with Alastair Sim from 1951, but I have a fondness for that musical version too (and the George C. Scott one, and also the Muppet version).
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 12, 2003, 12:39:08 AM
yeah my grandad has the alastair sim one, (which i've also never seen), AND i've never seen the muppet one which i was just talking about this week.  maybe ill hunt it down.  also, my dad prefers the George C. Scott one, so thats the one we have, although we did just pick up this Finney one.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Ghostboy on December 12, 2003, 12:50:13 AM
I've just now gone back and looked through the rest of this thread. Man, the memories.

My dad took me to see Prancer when it was in theaters, the first year we moved to Texas. My reaction was about similar to the ones posted. I loved Home Alone 1 and 2 with a passion, and for a few weeks put buckets of water at the top of the door (I got my sister good once). The Mickey's Christmas Carol still brings tears to my eyes -- they used to (or perhaps still do) show it on TV with another short about Goofy going skiing, and one with Donald Duck too (he made a battleship out of ice, but I don't remember much other than that). Of course, Nightmare Before Christmas (can you believe it's ten freaking years old? We're all OLLLLDDD!!!) is a classic now too.

I love Christmas. Reading this thread is the first hint of Christmas spirit I've felt all year.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gloria on December 12, 2003, 08:49:19 PM
Quote from: Ghostboythe George C. Scott one, and also the Muppet version).

I also enjoyed these two.  In the muppets, when the rats sing "This my island under the sun"  I laugh every time. George C. Scott always scared me after watching him as Scrooge, and I don't know why.  I havent seen the Albert Finney one.

Quote from: GhostboyI love Christmas. Reading this thread is the first hint of Christmas spirit I've felt all year.

Thats awesome!  I felt all Christmasy just reading that.....
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 14, 2003, 09:51:25 PM
#9

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SCROOGED (1988)
Bill Murray=Funny.

now we're getting into some good stuff.  i love this movie and can still remember my parents taking me to the theatre to see it when i was 7 years old.  its not always a good thing when classics are 'updated' but this is an instance where i think it can stand on its own as a good modern/80s twist on A Christmas Carol.  Bill Murray is hilarious as Frank Cross, the Scrooge-like character who is the president of a television station that needs some christmas spirit.  so he gets visited by the three ghosts and sees the error of his ways.  along the way theres a whole bunch of great lines for Murray, as well as a great Danny Elfman score.  and the scrooge promo at the beginning of the film is hilarious too.  for anyone who's seen this, do you have any favorite scenes to share?  and if you've never seen it, you should do so.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gloria on December 14, 2003, 10:03:56 PM
Quote from: themodernage02and if you've never seen it, you should do so.

I need to find a new rental place, because the one I go to doesn't even carry this movie!  I have always wanted to see it......also, hasn't it been on TV a couple of times?  I hope they run it this year so I can see it.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 14, 2003, 10:11:17 PM
DONT WATCH IT ON TV!  the scrooge commercial at the beginning has been completely edited out, (and is like i mentioned one of the highlights of the film!)  along with some other dialogue thats been 'cleaned up'.  you should really get a new rental place and SEE THIS MOVIE! its a good one.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: MacGuffin on December 14, 2003, 10:21:32 PM
Quote from: themodernage02now we're getting into some good stuff.

It's about time!  :yabbse-wink:

This is one of my faves. Murray is the perfect Scrooge.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: ©brad on December 14, 2003, 11:37:35 PM
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the best.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: coopxr on December 16, 2003, 12:24:50 PM
Hands Down, Best Holiday movie of all time is Eight Crazy Nights.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Pubrick on December 16, 2003, 12:26:59 PM
Quote from: coopxrHands Down, Best Holiday movie of all time is Eight Crazy Nights.
hey, u must be like an adam sandler fan or sumthin.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: molly on December 16, 2003, 12:35:25 PM
any movie with a happy ending and nice music will do for me around christmas, with or without the usual xmassy characters and snow
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: bonanzataz on December 16, 2003, 07:00:42 PM
eight crazy nights was so awfully bad i wanted to puke. and i love adam sandler movies. i even loved mr. deeds and the waterboy.

i just got a bootleg of an obscure xmas movie from spain called "Santa Claus vs. Satan." can't wait to watch it. it looks hilarious.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 16, 2003, 09:42:18 PM
#10

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JINGLE ALL THE WAY (1996)
I'm not a pervert! I was just looking for a Turbo Man doll!

this movie is another case of good bad.  if you've never seen it, try to picture ahnuld in his thick austrian accent playing a 'regular dad' type and you begin to open the door to the hilarious possiblilities contained herein.  i cant imagine whoever sat down to write the script had anybody like Arnold in mind for this part, but his casting has made the movie into something pretty funny it might not've otherwise been.  although some of the best scenes belong to Phil Hartman as an annoying single neighbor whos trying to get close to Arnolds wife.  "You can't bench press your way out of this one."  also, the movie seems to have a somewhat new idea in presenting another side to the christmas season; which is the sometimes manic shopping that goes on and most people can relate to.  i remember a buncha years back when Power Rangers came out and i had to find one for my brother when they were NOWHERE to be found.  so by taking a more modern occurance and adding the John Hughsian touch of piling bad situations on top of worse ones, you get this gem of holiday cheese.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gloria on December 16, 2003, 10:28:15 PM
Guilty as charged.  I really enjoy this move.  My favorite part is probably Arnold taking on "santa" and his elves.  I understand why some people find this movie annoying beyond rational thought, but I found it harmless, christmas fluff.  I also think that Phil Hartman has the best scenes in this movie.  I saw this movie in theaters and it came out the same year as Tickle-me-elmo, right? It gains whole new meaning when you can actually imagine some of these desperate attempts happening.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 17, 2003, 10:39:31 PM
#11

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MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1994)
Macy's department store refused permission for its name to be used in this remake.

a pretty faithful remake of the classic original.  and another john hughes involved holiday movie, (he produced and co-wrote), he's all OVER the damn season!  this was only my 2nd time watching it.  this story is familiar: cute little girl is told not to believe in santa claus until she meets the real thing and he makes a believer out of everyone.  the cast is good and likable, including the little girl who is so cute you just want to rip her cheeks off.  the movie does a good job of trying to stay away from anything that will date it making the clothes and design of the film pretty vague so it could pretty much take place anytime.  that i really appreciate.  unfortunately where the movie strays from the original is pretty lame: the whole store across the street with super melodramatic music playing during the bosses scenes, the jailing of santa for punching some dude out, and most unfortunate the changing of the classsic mailbag ending.  however there are a share of good moments in this, some heartwarming family stuff and Richard Attenborough is good as Claus.  but really, a pretty harmless remake but in the end completely unneccesary.  as i said in another thread i believe, the only reason to remake this is that the first one is good, but kids dont like black and white.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gold Trumpet on December 17, 2003, 10:44:02 PM
I gotta say, for the length thread goes in covering an entire genre, its a damn good thread.

Christmas movie wise in the warm and fuzzy sense, I admit admiration for The Family Man. Yes, a fucking Brett Ratner film. I seriously can't turn the channel when that movie is on. I've only recently been able to flip A Christmas Story off.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Ghostboy on December 18, 2003, 01:25:52 AM
I really dislike the Miracle On 34th Street remake. You're right, it's mostly innocuous, but the new ending is TERRIBLE. Ugh.

I do like The Family Man well enough to recommend it, though.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gloria on December 18, 2003, 02:12:25 PM
I didn't care for the remake either.  I found it really boring at times. I admit, the little girl is cute and Elizabeth Perkins does her best.  I found that this one seemed to be missing the spark that made the original so charming. Harmless, but I agree it was an unneeded remake.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 20, 2003, 12:30:36 AM
#12

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THE GRINCH (2000)
The Whoville set was built mostly on the backlot of Universal Studios behind the still-standing Bates Motel. During a break in filming Jim Carrey surprised and scared tourists on the Universal Backlot Tour by running out of the hotel wearing a dress and brandishing a knife. Nobody recognized him, and the tour guide at Universal Studios will tell you the story when you pass by the hotel on the Backlot Tour.

sort of torn on this one.  i actually enjoy this as well, although its not 1/1000th as good as the cartoon which is A CLASSIC, its still entertaining for what its worth.  jim carrey is good as the grinch and there are certainly some funny moments, including my favorite dialogue....

THE GRINCH: The nerve of those Whos! Inviting me down there--and on such short notice! Even if I wanted to go my schedule wouldn't allow it. Four o'clock, wallow in self pity; 4:30, stare into the abyss; 5:00, solve world hunger, tell no one. 5:30, jazzercize. 6:30, dinner with me. I can't cancel that again! 7:00, wrestle with my self-loathing; I'm booked! Of course, if I bump the loathing to 9 I could still be done in time to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling and slip slowly into madness. But what would I wear?

and you cant forget the impact, (pre-cat in the hat with mike myers) that this was the first ever live action big screen translation of dr. seuss, which was pretty incredible to see at the time.  (only three years ago), but still i was impressed.  the attention to the swirly details and such is pretty wonderful to look at.  too bad the movies best scenes are carrey seemingly going out on his own or scenes copied right out of the damn cartoon.  the pop music throughout is pretty obnoxious, especially when faith hill belts out the theme over the end credits, because if anything doesnt fit the mood of THAT movie its that song.  (and if anyone else is thinking about rhyming 'changing' with 're-arranging' EVER, ill puke.)  still, with its flaws, and like i said although INCOMPARABLE to the chuck jones cartoon with the perrfect boris karloff as the grinch, its still something i enjoy watching.

also, does anyone else remember when the film was released on all the posters and in the trailers the movie was simply titled "The Grinch".  but when it was released on video all promotional items were changed to match the books title "How The Grinch Stole Christmas".  isnt that weird?  i wonder why they didnt just use the full title to begin with, or furthermore, why if they didnt use it they decided to go back and change it and not just stick with their decision?
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 20, 2003, 10:44:30 PM
#13

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1984)
So many versions of this damn story.

this was my first time seeing this version, which as i said earlier is my dads favorite and the one we own.  obviously the story is familiar at this point but some things that stood out about this version to me were 1) George C. Scott played the most sympathetic version of Scrooge i've ever seen.  he didnt really seem all that nasty.  he seemed more human and less like a sunuvabitch.  which was interesting, and certainly a different take on the character.  also, the story in this, (which i was told is closer to the book) was different than any previous versions i'd seen.  certain scenes in the past and towards the resolution of the film played out differently than any other version i know.  looks like i wont have time to see the Alastair Sim or the Muppets version this year but 2 scrooges is good enough for one year.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gloria on December 20, 2003, 10:58:21 PM
Shoot! I'm falling behind.

I never cared for the Grinch with Jim Carrey.  It just made me realize how wonderful the cartoon version was.  I don't think it was a good idea to try to make a feature length film out of such a little story.  The cartoon was perfect, but I found the movie long and kinda boring.  It had unneeded additions to the story.

For A Christmas Carol....I like the George C. Scott version a lot.  I agree that he made the character a lot more human and not quite the cliche mean man.  The last ghost used to scare me when I was little.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 20, 2003, 11:02:54 PM
#14 :yabbse-thumbup: ONE OF MOD'S TOP FIVE CHRISTMAS MOVIES OF ALL TIME :yabbse-thumbup:

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MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947)
Despite the fact that "Miracle On 34th Street" is a Christmas movie, studio head Darryl Zanuck insisted that it be released in May because he argued that more people went to the movies during the summer. So the studio began scrambling to promote it while keeping the fact that it was a Christmas movie a secret.

this is a classic.  a great, funny, heartwarming classic christmas movie.  and tonite i saw it for the second time ever.  unfortunately it wasnt one that i had grown up with and didnt see until last year but it has now become one of my FIVE FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER.  and watching this tonite reminded me of the many ways the 94 version screwed up the original.  basically all of the changes werent really a good idea, but tis the nature of remakes.  anyway, if you've never seen this one before it is highly highly recommended.  i'm sure someone else can probably describe it more intelligently than myself.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: MacGuffin on December 20, 2003, 11:32:43 PM
Quote from: themodernage02#14 :yabbse-thumbup: ONE OF MOD'S TOP FIVE CHRISTMAS MOVIES OF ALL TIME :yabbse-thumbup:

I'd put it in my top two. One of the best movies to put someone into the Christmas spirit.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Ernie on December 21, 2003, 01:28:58 PM
Hmmmm, I don't think anybody has mentioned "The Santa Clause" yet so I guess I'll have to. Along with "A Christmas Story", "The Nightmare Before Christmas", "Home Alone 1 & 2" and the Rankin-Bass movies....that is the Christmas classic in my house. It's one of the movies I have really vivid memories of seeing in theatres. It still makes me laugh everytime I watch it every year too. Tim Allen is a funny man. I still actually haven't seen the second one. I'll have to rent that this coming week.

And then I have to mention Edward Scissorhands cause, even though it's not technically a Christmas movie, a good portion of it does take place during Christmas and I for one always have to watch it around this time of year. It's a great great GREAT movie for any season but it's especially fucking awesome right around now, it's a classic masterpiece.

I also have to mention Elf and Bad Santa, I'll definitely be revisiting those each year from now on. 2003 really was a year of instant classics with those plus All the Real Girls, School of Rock, Kill Bill, and Lost in Translation....it's the best year in awhile I'd say.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Tommy Both on December 21, 2003, 10:26:57 PM
My #1:

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HARD EIGHT

I don't care if it's only because of the end credit song Christmastime on the dvd... But, geez, that movie has just that 'christmas' vibe/feeling to it... Especially the score... Boy, a wonderful score by Penn and Brion.. I'm just puttin' that second commentary on during the holidays, just for the music.... the 'christmastime' theme still beats it all... especially paul's murming of it on the commentary..
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Alethia on December 21, 2003, 10:42:41 PM
i always like to watch adventures in babysitting around christmas time
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Pubrick on December 21, 2003, 10:47:57 PM
only christmas movie i'll be watching this year..

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Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gamblour. on December 21, 2003, 11:11:17 PM
Quote from: Ponly christmas movie i'll be watching this year..

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I wish I had the unedited version with no cg black robed cock blockers.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 22, 2003, 12:35:40 AM
Quote from: tommy_bothMy #1:
HARD EIGHT
oh get outta my thread with that noise.  we have a whole forum for paul drooling.  hard eight has no dominion here.  

Quote from: ebeamanHmmmm, I don't think anybody has mentioned "The Santa Clause" yet so I guess I'll have to.
funny you should mention that cause....

#15

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THE SANTA CLAUSE (1994)
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! When I get home, I'm getting a CAT scan!

ebes, i have to agree and thats why i saved this for one of the last ones. i think The Santa Clause is the best christmas movie of the past 15 years (since Christmas Vacation), and one of my favorites ever as far as xmas movies.  its funny, there are lots of jokes tim allen throws in for adults (as in, will go over kids heads), plus has a pretty new idea to throw out there as far as the story.  althought its almost funny how similar the opening scenes are in this and Jingle All The Way.  (too busy dad is working last day at office during huge christmas party, is late for meeting with son, is stuck in/says is stuck in traffic on way to meet him.  eerie)  but if you've never seen it Tim Allen plays Scott Calvin, divorced dad of Charlie who lives with mom and psychiatrist stepdad Neil, who wants Charlie to be based in reality.  on christmas eve santa claus falls off allens roof and he ends up having to fulfill his duties.  it may not sound like much, but if you like christmas movies its pretty good.  it doesnt spend too much time pandering to kids or dumbing things down and ends up being pretty clever for it.  recommended for fans of christmas flicks.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 22, 2003, 12:48:08 AM
Quote from: ebeamanI still actually haven't seen the second one. I'll have to rent that this coming week.
although on the flip side of the coin....

#16

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THE SANTA CLAUSE 2(2002)
ONE OF THE WORST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER!!

i think anyone reading this thread can see that i have a pretty high tolerance for what i'll put up with as far as these types of movies.  but let me say that this movie is not only ONE OF THE WORST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER, it is also ONE OF THE WORST SEQUELS OF ALL TIME and maybe even ONE OF THE WORST MOVIES I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.  i cant even begin to describe how bad this movie is, and how it fails on so many levels.  let me say that i actually saw it last year in theatres only to my shock and horror.  i told my family that they could NEVER see it for it could only tarnish the memory of the first and that it was too bad for words.  then when it came out on dvd i realized that no amount of describing its awfulness could ever do it justice.  in order to know the pain that is The Santa Clause 2; it must be viewed.  so i told my family that they should have to watch it, just once, so they too could know the horror.  so tonite after we watched the first one, the second one we saw was coming on pay-per-view in a few minutes and we knew it was fated to be.  after a brief synopsis of the plot my mom had already left the room, 40 minutes into the film my dad could stand it no more.  only my sister and brother were brave enough to stick it out to the end with me.  this movie is bad on a biblical scale.  without further adeiu, the plot...

the movie opens and we discover that santas son charlie has ended up on the naughty list because he is now a delinquent who 'tags' up the walls at school.  also, that there was a !2nd clause! that said that santa must have a wife.  (forget that this is completely illogical because why 10 years later must he have a wife?  and when the first santa fell off a roof where did his wife go? did she disappear?  did the elves kill her?)  but it gets better.  because santa must go find a wife and doesnt want the elves to be alarmed that if he doesnt find one his magic will run out and he wont be santa anymore, a fake santa is created and put into place at the north pole.  not just any fake santa but a fake Robot Santa that turns out to be a Facist Dictator!  complete with facist outfit!  he creates an army of wooden soliders who enslave all the elves and force them to make coal for everybody because he's evil and convinced that all kids are naughty.  can you even believe i'm typing this?  (also, whats worse is that people went to see this.  like, it made A LOT OF MONEY.  and i've read a few reviews who said it was good.  what the hell were they watching?!)  anyways, like i said, thats the basic setup which results in a giant battle at the north pole at the end between soliders and elves and santa and evil dictator robot santa where tim allen utters lines like "honey, i'm home!" for absolutely no conceivable reason before jumping from reindeer to reindeer in a midflight battle.  

i could go on, but if this hasnt been warning enough, you'll have to see it for yourself.  because like i said, no amount of me describing it can do it justice.  everyone watching it with me admitted at the close of the film that they didnt take my words seriously but only then did they understand.  otherwise AVOID THIS AT ALL COSTS.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Alethia on December 22, 2003, 08:06:07 AM
i agree with the last two posts.......

has anyone mentioned a charlie brown christmas?   i really love watching that.......
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gamblour. on December 22, 2003, 11:14:20 AM
Now I truly do have to see Santa Clause 2. It sounds on par with Troll!
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Pubrick on December 22, 2003, 11:20:32 AM
Quote from: Gamblor du JourNow I truly do have to see Santa Clause 2. It sounds on par with Troll!
haha, that's true man. out of all these suggestions, santa clause 2 is the only one i'm considering checking out now. great review mod!
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: mogwai on December 22, 2003, 11:23:59 AM
Quote from: Gamblor du JourI wish I had the unedited version with no cg black robed cock blockers.
i can provide you with some caps from that scene if you want.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gamblour. on December 22, 2003, 11:32:13 AM
Quote from: mogwai
Quote from: Gamblor du JourI wish I had the unedited version with no cg black robed cock blockers.
i can provide you with some caps from that scene if you want.

That'd be great. In the name of science, I need to see what the MPAA didn't like (which I surely will like).
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Pubrick on December 22, 2003, 11:50:45 AM
it's just sum energetic doggy and table top orgy-thons. i wouldn't call it titillating, but it goes a long way in improving the mood of the film, and the whole mansion sequence. sorry to temporarily hijack the thread mod. back to u..
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Pwaybloe on December 22, 2003, 12:05:48 PM
Quote from: Gamblor du JourThat'd be great. In the name of science, I need to see what the MPAA didn't like (which I surely will like).

I hate to steal Mogwai's thunder and mess up Modern's thread, but you can check out the scene here (http://www.ifilm.com/filmdetail?ifilmid=2405207) in a video format.  

Regardless, I'm sure Mog's screen caps are much better quality.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: mogwai on December 22, 2003, 12:18:18 PM
Quote from: PawbloeI hate to steal Mogwai's thunder and mess up Modern's thread, but you can check out the scene here (http://www.ifilm.com/filmdetail?ifilmid=2405207) in a video format.  

Regardless, I'm sure Mog's screen caps are much better quality.
first of all, i'm sorry to hijack modernage's thread and his favorite xmas movies. second, i've added the caps at this thread (http://www.xixax.com/viewtopic.php?p=103433&highlight=#103433).
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: rustinglass on December 22, 2003, 01:34:06 PM
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Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 22, 2003, 05:14:30 PM
you've all sullied christmas's good name.  but i'll be back tonite to clean it up with another favorite of mine...
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Ghostboy on December 22, 2003, 05:56:17 PM
Quote from: themodernage02and when the first santa fell off a roof where did his wife go? did she disappear?  did the elves kill her?

Ha, that's hilarious!

Actually, I saw this one too (I liked the first one back in the day -- I watched it and Demon Knight back to back at the theater that day -- fun times). I actually thought it was good -- well, the parts with Tim Allen back in the real world were good, but I very much disliked everything that had to do with the North Pole, for the reasons you pointed out. But the scene where he takes the teacher on a date -- that was a good scene! Very Christmas-y!
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 22, 2003, 09:15:38 PM
#17 :yabbse-thumbup: ONE OF MOD'S TOP FIVE CHRISTMAS MOVIES OF ALL TIME :yabbse-thumbup:


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WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954)
The original idea was to reunite Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby, as they had been successful in Holiday Inn (1942). Astaire refused, as he had "retired" at the time, so the part was reworked for Donald O'Connor. O'Connor pulled out, and the part was reworked for Danny Kaye.

this movie is great.  and every one of you PTA heads who has Singin' In The Rain in their collection and hasn't seen this should WATCH THIS IMMEDIATELY!  directed by the great Michael Curtiz (Casablanca, Adventures Of Robin Hood), this is two hours of great snappy dialogue, (between odd couple Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye who are hilarious in their roles), as well as song and dance numbers like the classic "sisters", "snow" and the big "white christmas" finale at the end.  its funny, its romantic, and its a great movie to watch right now.  its not even THAT focused on christmas with the exception of the song being placed in the movie twice, so its a good movie to watch even if you arent into christmas movies.  VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Ghostboy on December 22, 2003, 09:17:55 PM
Hey, I watched White Christmas with my family tonight. What a coincidence!
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 23, 2003, 05:19:44 PM
#18 :yabbse-thumbup: ONE OF MOD'S TOP FIVE CHRISTMAS MOVIES OF ALL TIME :yabbse-thumbup:


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NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION (1989)
Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no! We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here! We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye! And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse!


i'm actually writing in with this one before we watch it tonite just because i dont want to have to think about what i'm going to write in about it and take anything away fromt the film.  basically i can only assume that all of you have seen this movie by now, but just in case...  this is one of the funniest movies i've ever seen in my life. there are so many great lines in this movie its hard to catch it all in one sitting which is why it gets funnier every year. (see imdb quotes page for a long list of them http://imdb.com/title/tt0097958/quotes )  this is my favorite 'vacation' and probably my favorite thing john hughes ever wrote.  not only is it funny, but also manages to capture so much of modern american christmas experience that it makes it (in my house atleast) a classic classic film.  everyone who celebrates christmas should try to squeeze this one in, and quick!
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: ᾦɐļᵲʊʂ on December 24, 2003, 12:57:02 PM
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If that dosen't spell X-Mas, I don't know what does.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 24, 2003, 01:49:55 PM
Quote from: aClockworkWalrusIf that dosen't spell X-Mas, I don't know what does.

#19 :yabbse-thumbup: ONE OF MOD'S TOP FIVE CHRISTMAS MOVIES OF ALL TIME :yabbse-thumbup:


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A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983)
The old man stood there, quivering with fury, stammering as he tried to come up with a real crusher. All he got out was... "Notafinga!"

again, i'm writing in with these last two before i watch them tonite because i dont want to have to think during them.  this is, like it probably is for most people, my favorite christmas movie of all time.  i've watched it every year since i was little and it never loses anything.  something about the attention to period and how clever the writing is in particular makes this such a classic film.  jean shepard narrating as an older ralphie looking back (a device stolen for the also great show 'the wonder years') is something that adds such a unique point of view to the movie.  (Jean Shepherd's book "In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash", which the film is partly based on, is a collection of short stories that Shepherd wrote for "Playboy" magazine during the 1960s.)  so many of the situations in the movie have seemingly become part of pop culture from flick getting his tongue stuck to the pole, the 'major award' leg lamp gleaming of electric sex in the window, and of course, ralphies red ryder bb gun.  and again, like christmas vacation i cant even begin to count how many great lines are in this movie.  for me, it wouldnt feel like christmas if i did not watch this movie, and i can only assume everyone has already seen this by now, but if you havent for gods sake what are you waiting for?!?!  seriuosly, this isnt just a christmas movie, its a great great film.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: ᾦɐļᵲʊʂ on December 24, 2003, 02:25:43 PM
Other than the obvious, I think American Psycho comes in a close second...
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 24, 2003, 06:38:40 PM
#20 :yabbse-thumbup: ONE OF MOD'S TOP FIVE CHRISTMAS MOVIES OF ALL TIME :yabbse-thumbup:


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IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1947)
Ironically, after the initial flop of the film at the box office, its popularity grew after its copyright expired due to a clerical error and it was shown repeatedly on American television (especially at Christmas) without any royalties going to Frank Capra.

well it looks like we've come to the end here, and what a way to end it.  this is quite simply my favorite movie of all time, without rival.  it contains everything i could ever want in a movie and is to me, perfect.  since i was the only person to vote for it during the recent dekapation, in the next few days i urge those of you who have seen it to watch it again and remember, and those of you who havent to watch it and discover something great for 2004.  merry christmas and happy holidays, mod
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: ᾦɐļᵲʊʂ on December 24, 2003, 06:44:55 PM
Does it seem foolish to anyone to purchase the Christmas Story?  It's on 24/7 (almost literally) around Christmas time, so you could just tape it...unless the DVD has some spiffy features, I'll just enjoy the TV glory.

Wonderful Life rocks on so many levels, far surpassing your general Christmas Spirit film.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: pete on December 24, 2003, 08:43:46 PM
Go
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this is a japanese movie about a korean immigrant growing up in Japan, his run-ins with the local thugs, his dealing with the national identity, and his love.  It's pretty badass and it's a movie that's real young at heart.  My only complaint was the stupid trendy editing tricks it threw in.  But the movie is rock solid, badass and tender all at the same time, and even poignant at parts.  The hot chick from Battle Royale was in it.

here's a trailer:
http://www.asianfilms.org/japan/go/clip1.html

oh yeah, it's a Christmas film too.  It ends like one anyways.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: ᾦɐļᵲʊʂ on December 24, 2003, 09:06:17 PM
How is that a Christmas film?

I suggested American Psycho because it happens during X-mas, but am I missing somethign with yours?
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: pete on December 24, 2003, 09:57:28 PM
the whole climax of the film takes place on Christmas eve.  it's a Christmas film like Die Hard is a Christmas film.  Take a look.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 05, 2004, 11:33:03 PM
rise old thread, rise!

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CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS (2004)
During filming, it was reported that the cast and crew had ingested over 10 pounds of fake snow.

saw this today, despite pretty scathing reviews.  on a tim allen christmas movie scale, it was nowhere near as good as the Santa Clause, but nowhere near as bad as Santa Clause 2.  so thats to say it was not very good, but not SO TERRIBLE you could have a lot of fun with that.  actually it made me appreciate elf a little more, although despite good intentions and cast, thats really only a little better than this.  its silly and ridiculous and occasionally funny but mostly predictable and not very good.   odd rock christmas sntk. featuring Ramones, the Raveonettes, Chesterfield Kings, etc.  the idea is a good one, and could've been mined for potentially new comedy about how obsessive everyone is about christmas and the sort of trouble someone who usually throws the good party gets into if they decided to skip it.  but they take it REALLY cartoon over-the-top and then try to pound home a bunch of sentiment at the end which doesnt fit at all and too many story threads come out of nowhere.  i really cant see how John Grisham wrote a book about this.


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ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS (1991)
Humphrey Bogarts wife + SNL star + little girl from Ghost World = ?.

had never seen this one before, even after several years of being pestered by my girlfriend to do so.  so it was on HBO a few days ago and we watched it tonight.  it was not very good, sort of like a christmas parent trap featuring thora birch being a cute little girl (like in monkey trouble) and ethan embry overacting his way onto the cover of teenbeat.  haha, actually it wasnt that bad, its just the film didnt have that much to do with christmas actually.  i think one of the main factors was that although it had falling snow and santa visits etc.  there wasnt wall to wall christmas music in it like most christmas movies have to remind you you're watching a holiday spectacle.

also, plan on hopefully watching the Alastair Sim and Muppet Christmas Carol's this year because i havent seen either.  and possibly that movie Noel http://imdb.com/title/tt0383534/ which aired on TV last week.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: 03 on December 06, 2004, 02:04:16 AM
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Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 06, 2004, 09:44:52 AM
yeah!  i've never seen the bear, but i love the snowman.  its even got a kicking live action introduction by david bowie!  (how bout that, neon?)  and the animation is just beautiful as well as the story.  i hope to watch that again this year.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 12, 2004, 12:25:28 AM
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1951)
Another version down, 1000 more to go...

watched this last week.  it was good, but almost kind of hard to judge a story told so many times so similarly.  i'll say that this wasnt my favorite, and that the quality of the dvd was pretty poor so i dont know that this would be the version i revisit.  the flashbacks are very extended with very little of scrooges observations on what he's seeing like in most other versions.  "whats that spirit?" - that kind of stuff.  this also dwelled more on the death during childbirth angle than i've seen before (and could swear is not in most versions i've seen although my dad says i'm crazy).  the first appearance of ghost 3 is pretty great, shot very cool.  and interesting that scrooge doesnt show up at tiny tims place on christmas like a handful of versions do and waits till the 26th to reveal to them that hes a nice guy now.  the highlight of the film though was seeing the great Dr. Pretorius from Bride of Frankenstein as an undertaker.  he looks even creepier older.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Bethie on December 12, 2004, 11:23:06 PM
Quote from: themodernage02#20 :yabbse-thumbup:

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1947)
Ironically, after the initial flop of the film at the box office, its popularity grew after its copyright expired due to a clerical error and it was shown repeatedly on American television (especially at Christmas) without any royalties going to Frank Capra.

well it looks like we've come to the end here, and what a way to end it.  this is quite simply my favorite movie of all time, without rival.  it contains everything i could ever want in a movie and is to me, perfect.  since i was the only person to vote for it during the recent dekapation, in the next few days i urge those of you who have seen it to watch it again and remember, and those of you who havent to watch it and discover something great for 2004.  merry christmas and happy holidays, mod


It's a Wonderful Life is my favourite film of all time. I saw it earlier tonight on the big screen baby. I made my Mom go with me. I was so excited to see it in a theatre on the big screen. I'm glad I had the experience because it was amazing.

You know in the film where the bank examiner says, "I want to spend Christmas in Elmira with my family" Yeah, thats where I live. The audience cheered when he said that. Seneca Falls (right near Seneca Lake, 30 min from me) is thought to be the inspiration for the town in the film, Bedford Falls. Last weekend Seneca Falls held a festival that celebrated the film. I wish I would have known. Karolyn Grimes, who played Zuzu was in attendance.


stupid story- The film was supposed to start at 7 o'clock and my mom and I got there RIGHT on the dot. I didn't want it to start without me so I was rushing. I let her off in front of the theatre to purchase tickets while I found a parking spot. The theatre had a good turn out so it was difficult to find a spot. When it was over...we had to walk to the car...walking...more walking... like 3 blocks. My Mom says to me, "What did you do, run to the theatre?"   :oops: hehe. Maybe.  hey, I got there in time though. They didn't even start it until 7:10.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: ono on December 12, 2004, 11:38:34 PM
In the spirit of the season, here's David Cronenberg on It's a Wonderful Life:

CRONENBERG: To them [Rotterdam], I'm a total sell-out Hollywood mainstream moviemaker, because they show Chilean underground films, beyond art films, films seen by five people at most.
DAVID BRESKIN: Things that would make Stereo look like It's a Wonderfilm Wonderful Life.  (My typo, for your amusement.)
CRONENBERG: Yeah, exactly.  Although that is a very strange movie, It's a Wonderful Life.  You know, two hours of torture for one minute of catharsis.  I'm not sure it's a trade-off.  People who think it's a wonderful, warm comedy, I don't know what they're seeing.
BRESKIN: It's a vicious movie.
CRONENBERG: It's fucking vicious!  And it betrays a mind that really is, I think, misanthropic.  That truly is misanthropic.  That's been more critical of human beings and America than almost all of William Burroughs, in a way.  It's just so nasty.  And what a weird approach most people have: what a wonderful Christmas picture!
BRESKIN: See, it's the payoff.  We go back to catharsis, because if you didn't have that--
CRONENBERG: If you didn't have that, you'd see the movie as it really was.  That's a fake!  That's a fake!  The movie's not a fake, but the ending is a fake.

I like the movie, but I still thought that was amusing.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Bethie on December 13, 2004, 12:16:30 AM
I'll tell ya what's amusing, ME kicking Cronenberg's ass!  (https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.click-smilies.de%2Fsammlung0304%2Fsauer%2Fangry-smiley-026.gif&hash=b0c1c273533c36a612abcb5bc0133a15f10ec135)
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 13, 2004, 10:04:57 AM
yes, its quite dark but thats what makes it ultimately life affirming.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Weird. Oh on December 15, 2004, 06:24:59 PM
Anyone ever see a christmas move called Christmas Every Day. Obviously, from the title you can see that it's like Groundhog's Day (much less funnier) only for Christmas. I used to catch it on Fox Family Channel or whatever it's called. Anyhow, it's a sappy movie. Anyone else ever seen it?
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Bethie on December 16, 2004, 12:46:23 AM
That's a movie for 12 year old girls.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Weird. Oh on December 16, 2004, 01:22:34 AM
Quote from: BethieThat's a movie for 12 year old girls.

well I'm not a girl, but I watched it when I was 10 or 11. So. oh well. I suck.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: MacGuffin on December 24, 2004, 01:18:59 AM
BB-Gun Maker Shuns Christmas Publicity

The Red Ryder BB gun is "the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts," according to young Ralphie Parker, who pines for one in the movie "A Christmas Story" But Daisy Outdoor Products, which makes the Red Ryder, is shying away from any publicity that represents the gun as a toy.

Joe Murfin, Daisy's vice president of marketing, was emphatic that BB guns, even if they've been turned into celluloid holiday icons, are not playthings.

"They are not purchased by children and should not be used by young people without adult supervision," Murfin said in an interview in which he answered only limited questions about the gun. "A BB gun or an air gun is an appropriate Christmas gift assuming the parent making the gift is willing to take the time to work with the young person and teach them gun safety and marksmanship."

Toy consultant Chris Byrne isn't surprised that Rogers, Ark.-based Daisy doesn't boast about the gun's popularity.

"They are a classic American brand, but anytime you talk about selling guns to kids in today's society, they are pariah," he said.

The gun, named for the comic strip cowboy Red Ryder, remained a favorite among children for decades and was the inspiration for 1983's "A Christmas Story," about a young boy in the 1940s who longs for "an official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, Range Model air rifle with a compass on the stock and this thing which tells time."

In the movie, little Ralphie dubs the gun "the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts" but is admonished by numerous adults (his mother, his teacher, even a department store Santa) that "you'll shoot your eye out!"

Despite the cult popularity of the movie, and the zest for Daisy and Red Ryder memorabilia among collectors, the company has for years shunned publicity.

Recent negative news could contribute to the company's desire to keep a low profile. Last year, Daisy settled a lawsuit brought by the government that alleged defects in 7.5 million high-velocity, multi-pump pellet-BB rifles marketed to shooters age 16 and up.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said BBs could get stuck in some models of the air gun, leading users to think that they're empty and posing a potential hazard. At the time, the commission said at least 15 deaths and 171 serious injuries had been associated with the alleged defect.

As part of the settlement, the company agreed to launch a $1.5 million safety campaign and put additional warning labels on its high-powered guns.

Harry Wilson, who teaches political science at Roanoke College in Salem, Va., and is writing a book about gun-control policy, said there is no upside for Daisy to seek widespread publicity. He said Daisy's tactics are similar to those of firearm manufactures who target their niche in trade magazines and on outdoor channels.

"They think people who have nostalgia for the BB guns will still go buy them and they don't want to stir up the other folks," Wilson said. "It's part of our culture now that (firearms manufacturers) feel that they have to fly below the radar screen."

Daisy collector Neal Punchard, who wrote a retrospective coffee-table book to mark the company's first century, said it is a shame that such a venerable American institution has gotten overlooked because there is such an anti-gun backlash. "But then, anyway you slice it, they're selling guns to kids," he said.

Wilson sees some irony in the situation, noting that violent video games continue to grow in popularity but BB guns have come under fire.

"There's no question that, with video games, the level of violence has been ratcheted way, way up. Shooting aliens on a plasma TV is a lot different than shooting a tin can with a BB gun," he said.

Byrne said the toy industry has become so anti-gun that water guns are no longer called guns, "they're called blasters now."

"We have all these abstract concepts saying kids shouldn't play with guns," he said. "But if you look at kids playing with laser blasters, as long as we show guns giving power to the powerless, you will see it showing up in play."

"A Christmas Story," based on the book "In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash" by humorist Jean Shepherd, ends with Ralphie snuggled in bed with his Red Ryder, nicknamed Old Blue.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Myxo on December 26, 2004, 07:23:49 AM
Just saw a Christmas Story for the first time ever.

Really, really funny and very cool movie.
Title: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gamblour. on December 26, 2004, 01:58:42 PM
Quote from: MyxomatosisJust saw a Christmas Story for the first time ever.

Really, really funny and very cool movie.

But more importantly, let's thank god you were rescued from that rock you were under.
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 03, 2005, 11:07:33 PM
Quote from: modage on December 05, 2004, 11:33:03 PM
rise old thread, rise!
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SURVIVING CHRISTMAS (2004)
Released to DVD just nine weeks after it opened in theaters.

bad.  but not as bad as it could've been.  it could've been/looked HILAROIUSLY  bad, but it was a lukewarm bad and not a bad that scorches your eyes.  the premise is extremely farfetched, but could've been actually funny if they had a better script to flesh it out (4 credited writers), a better director and had somebody actually funny in the lead.  affleck is probably the biggest problem in the film (if that comes as any surprise), he flounders in the lead comic role as a guy who pays a family $250,000+ to pretend to be his family for the holidays.  but it gets even sillier as he makes them read from scripts and hires a random old guy to be his grandfather etc. so had they hired anyone who might've been able to navigate the funny a little more successfully (ben stiller, vince vaughn, owen wilson, jack black, etc.) it would be a more watchable bad movie atleast.   
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: Pubrick on December 03, 2005, 11:40:25 PM
i hope this revives the time-honored holiday tradition of bethie pwning people.
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: Reinhold on December 12, 2005, 11:01:18 AM
Quote from: Myxo on December 26, 2004, 07:23:49 AM
Just saw a Christmas Story for the first time ever.

Really, really funny and very cool movie.

the book's as good, and goes into a lot more detail about other parts that the movie doesn't mention.
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: MacGuffin on September 27, 2006, 02:00:13 PM
New Scrooged Set Due
Murray's Xmas masterpiece returns in an edition yule definitely love.

On October 31, 2006, Paramount Home Entertainment will release Scrooged in an all-new Yule Love It Edition on DVD. The Christmas classic, starring Bill Murray as a miserly television executive, will feature improved picture and sound as well as an expansive spate of bonus materials. The single-disc set will be available for the MSRP of $19.99.

The Scrooged: Yule Love It Edition will feature the following content:

Widescreen Version Enhanced for 16:9 TVs
Audio options: Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, English 2.0 Surround; French 2.0 Surround
English Subtitles and closed-captioning for the hearing impaired
Commentary by Director Richard Donner
Christmas to Remember
Updating Ebenezer
Bringing the Ghosts to Life
The Look of Scrooged
On the Set with Bill Murray - Part 1 and Part 2
ShoWest Message from Bill Murray
Theatrical Trailer

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It's A Wonderful DVD
Jimmy Stewart's Christmas classic turns 60.

On October 31, 2006, Paramount Home Entertainment will release It's A Wonderful Life (60th Anniversary Edition) on DVD. The double dip into the James Stewart masterpiece about redemption at Christmas time will feature along with bonus materials and extra features. It will be available for the MSRP of $19.99.

The It's A Wonderful Life (60th Anniversary Edition) DVD will feature the following bonus materials:

The Making of It's A Wonderful Life
A Personal Remembrance - A special tribute to Frank Capra narrated by his son Frank Capra Jr.
Original Theatrical Trailer

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Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: MacGuffin on December 23, 2006, 10:57:14 PM
Behind the scenes of 'It's a Wonderful Life'
The holiday fixture is a film classic, but the production wasn't always angelic.
Source: Los Angeles Times

It is arguably one of the most magnetic moments ever captured on film. This enduring celluloid juncture from 1946's "It's A Wonderful Life" can be summoned to mind by merely mentioning "the prayer scene." In it, a tearfully reduced George Bailey — played by Jimmy Stewart — sits at a bar and contemplates taking his own life, then clasps his hands and quietly asks for God's intervention.

And while filming this key moment, this pivotal point in the picture, Frank Capra goofed — big time.

Despite a reputation for being fastidiously well prepared, the veteran director had no idea that his star would turn on the waterworks and deliver such an impassioned, intimate performance on the first take. It was something overwhelming even for Stewart himself.

So the cameras rolled, the music and bustle in the bar erupted, and the scene played out — but when it was over, Capra realized his angle was too distant. And he had failed to capture a close-up of the emotionally draining scene. Capra apologized and asked his Oscar-winning star to replicate it, but a spent Stewart knew he'd nailed it and couldn't fathom a re-creation as effective as the one he'd just poured out.

To remedy the situation, during postproduction the director and his editor manually and painstakingly moved in — frame by frame. It created what appears to be an optical zoom.

Luckily for Capra, the result was near perfection.

It's no mystery why this year the American Film Institute named Capra's postwar classic "It's a Wonderful Life" the most inspiring motion picture ever made.

To most, it's an enriching, sentimental Christmas favorite not to be missed — almost sacrilege when viewed during any other season.

It's all the more remarkable that this homespun movie, which was not initially envisioned as a "holiday" film, has become so entrenched in popular culture, such a beloved tradition for families to share.

Oddly enough, the film was unceremoniously released during Christmas week of 1946. Never mind the yuletide flavor, the wintry snowdrifts in Bedford Falls and the holly wreath George Bailey carries slung around his arm — this Jimmy Stewart-Donna Reed romance was originally scheduled to open in January 1947. But RKO Studios knew it had something special and rushed it into theaters a few weeks early to meet the deadline for Academy Award consideration that year.

Capra shot much of the film on a specially constructed quaint-town set located at RKO's ranch in the San Fernando Valley — a site that has long been overtaken by property development. In media interviews at the time, Capra did not portray it as a holiday film. In fact, he said he saw it as a cinematic remedy to combat what he feared was a growing trend toward atheism and to provide hope to the human spirit. In a moment of possible revisionism decades later, Capra said that he also realized that with the holiday season comes an inherent vulnerability in all humans, and that this uplifting tale might just ride on that sentiment.

Without question, however, is the fact that audiences trusted Capra to deliver such patriotisms, all neatly wrapped with a ribbon and bow. Like "Meet John Doe" (1941), about a lie that sparks a political movement. Some critics accused Capra of presenting a "naive" faith in the common man within a syrupy-slick presentation. So skillful in his flair for filmmaking and eliciting emotion, his titles were once called "Capra-corn."

But the Oscar-winning director has had the last laugh.

"It's a Wonderful Life" keeps popping its way back into homes on television, in commercials, on DVD, routinely broadcast twice each season on NBC. (It's being broadcast Sunday night.)

Capra, an Italian-born filmmaker who gave us such early classics as "It Happened One Night" and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," died in 1991, but not before witnessing "It's a Wonderful Life" take on iconic wings of sort when television began airing it regularly in the 1970s.

The movie transcended time and soared well beyond his imagination.

"It's the damnedest thing I've ever seen," Capra told the Wall Street Journal in 1984. "The film has a life of its own now and I can look at it like I had nothing to do with it. I'm like a parent whose kid grows up to be president. I'm proud ... but it's the kid who did the work. I didn't even think of it as a Christmas story when I first ran across it. I just liked the idea."

In probably his best-loved role, and a dark one at that, Stewart plays selfless everyman George Bailey through a tumultuous timeline that climaxes in near suicide on Christmas Eve. In answer to his desperate prayer at the bar, George is rescued by an unlikely angel with a smiling marshmallow face — a little fellow named Clarence — who convinces him that life is precious and that each man's life touches another with untold influence.

"I think, as the story unfolds," Stewart explained years ago, "it becomes clear that the movie is about hope, love and friendship."

There has been no shortage of fans of that message over the years, including director Steven Spielberg, who once said: " 'It's a Wonderful Life' shows that every human being on this Earth matters — and that's a very powerful message."

The actress and comedian Carol Burnett once said of the prayer scene: "That scene is one of the finest pieces of work that anyone has ever done on the screen. That moment, at that bar, it's indelible in my mind. He realized that he has lost everything. The money is missing. It's Christmas Eve. And he sits there and starts to cry. He is so in tune with that character and that writing that he and George Bailey are one."

As holiday classics go, "It's a Wonderful Life" has become the American version of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Scrooge is portrayed in the form of blowhard heavy Henry Potter (the great Lionel Barrymore); Clarence the Angel (Henry Travers) can be considered the ghostly visitor who illustrates to George what life would have been like without him; and Zuzu Bailey (Karolyn Grimes) is a more sprite version of Tiny Tim, casting cheer into the night as the story comes to a triumphant close.

It's interesting to note that James Maitland Stewart, who died in 1997 at age 89, was indeed a man of faith, a practicing Presbyterian, and himself a firm believer in heavenly help, as his grave marker in Glendale's Forest Lawn cemetery attests: "For He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways."

According to his daughter, Kelly Stewart Harcourt, that engraved passage from Scripture was something Stewart's father had pointed out to him when the young actor went off to war and served as a fighter pilot.

One who reaffirms this very message and other bits of wisdom found sewn in the movie is Grimes, now 66, who portrayed the little tyke who asks her daddy to repair her fallen rose petals. Today, Grimes travels the country making personal appearances, tends to her website (www.zuzu.net) and greets enthusiastic fans at nostalgia shows and screenings of the movie. She has no idea how many times she's written out her most famous line on photos and Christmas ornaments: "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings."

Having appeared in another Christmas classic, "The Bishop's Wife" starring Cary Grant, this time of year is obviously Grimes' busy season.

"There have been adverse things happen in my own life," she said, "but there are balances out there. And the movie itself has affected my life so much because I have George Bailey's philosophy ... that friendships and caring and loving will carry you through anything."

Produced on a relatively small budget of $3 million, "It's A Wonderful Life" was generally heralded by American critics while the British found it to be bloody awful.

Over time, the tale evolved into a brilliant holiday gem for American moviegoers, a sparkling ornament.

Even with its naysayers and flaws — and yes there are a few snags — all is forgiven by the time the opening chorus of "Auld Lang Syne" begins. Be sure to hang on to the last seconds. In the finale, you can spot Zuzu attempting to fake the lyrics to "Auld Lang Syne."

"If you watch closely," Grimes says of her most embarrassing film moment, "Jimmy Stewart is holding me tightly and he looks at me and begins to laugh because he knows I'm not singing the right words."
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: Ravi on December 28, 2006, 01:20:15 AM
FBI Considered "It's A Wonderful Life" Communist Propaganda (http://www.wisebread.com/fbi-considered-its-a-wonderful-life-communist-propaganda)
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: last days of gerry the elephant on December 17, 2007, 05:15:55 PM
I'm reviving this thread.
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: Sunrise on December 17, 2007, 05:24:51 PM
Eye's Wide Shut has been mentioned before but it really can't be mentioned enough.

Two more Christmas favorites: Brazil and My Night at Maud's
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gamblour. on December 18, 2007, 12:17:19 PM
This is weird, I could've sworn that I've talked about movies set at Christmastime not about Christmas. Sunrise just listed some great ones.

Die Hard is a favorite, so is Gremlins. Hudsucker Proxy.

But in terms of Christmas films, avoid Black Christmas. It's not even "so bad it's good" bad. Just stupid. I'm talking about the remake.
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: modage on December 07, 2010, 09:10:50 PM
I came here to admit something:

I think Brett Ratner's The Family Man is probably my favorite Christmas Movie of the last decade. 

There, I said it.
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: Gloria on December 07, 2010, 10:14:28 PM
Quote from: modage on December 07, 2010, 09:10:50 PM
I think Brett Ratner's The Family Man is probably my favorite Christmas Movie of the last decade. 

Awww, I think it's an underrated film!  I hope you feel like a weight has been lifted.  :yabbse-wink:. 

However, my favorite Christmas movie from the last decade would have to be Love Actually....or maybe Elf.
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: squints on December 07, 2010, 10:56:08 PM
Bad Santa, hands down.
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: Stefen on December 07, 2010, 11:26:04 PM
I gotta go with Love, Actually if we're talking last 10 years. It's delightful.

Now if we're talking all-time, then it's Die Hard.
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: SiliasRuby on December 07, 2010, 11:30:27 PM
I'm with Stefen. Definitely 'Die Hard'
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: ᾦɐļᵲʊʂ on December 08, 2010, 12:28:54 AM
One of my favorite Chicago institutions, The Music Box, a great revival theater (though sometimes they get into a glut of just reviving Rocky Horror, The Room, Repo and otherwise predictable fare (obviously their biggest nights, so they need the money, it's forgivable)) are doing a Christmas movie night on Christmas of Die Hard and Gremlins.  Die Hard has been recognized, but let's not overlook the beauty of Gremlins as a Christmas movie.  Unless it's already been suggested in the past 9 pages.  If so, I apologize for being redundant.
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: 72teeth on December 08, 2010, 02:37:43 PM
Scrooged, since forever
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: Champion Souza on December 08, 2010, 10:25:33 PM
My favorite Christmas movie of the past few years is Cooper's Camera.  It stars Samantha Bee and Jason Jones from The Daily Show.  It didn't get a proper release and is just a take on National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  But I enjoyed it very much.
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: Tictacbk on December 09, 2010, 07:54:57 PM
Muppet Christmas Carol all the way.

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crystalarrow.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F12%2FThe-Muppet-Christmas-Caro-001.jpg&hash=c12868aaf05321eec36b9509d86e3788356dd7b0)
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: Reel on December 19, 2010, 09:48:17 PM
I watched some of Scrooge today. Man, those first scenes with the ghost were scary as hell to me! It's funny, I've been exposed to that image of the white ghost wrapped in chains my whole life, because of all the inevitable copies of that (usually for comic effect) but seeing the real thing struck a cord with me. The rest of the movie got kinda boring, if there's any more cool ghost stuff lemme know.
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: mogwai on December 20, 2010, 12:19:36 AM
I watched Lethal Weapon last saturday but it's more action than involving any sentimental christmas message. But Scrooge and Christmas Vacation is still hands down two of the movies I'd chose to watch. Here in Sweden they usually air the five hour version of Fanny and Alexander during the holiday. Don't really understand it though, some swedes love to have anxiety to be happy. :wink: Not to through dirt at the movie which I see as a masterpiece.
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: 03 on December 22, 2013, 02:47:53 PM
some awesome holiday shorts for you guys! merry krampus!!

Treevenge:

-
SANTA:

-
Zombie Holiday instructional video:

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Black Santas Revenge:

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My name is Kris Kringle:

-
The Winter Stalker:
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: Jeremy Blackman on December 22, 2019, 01:28:14 PM
https://twitter.com/jackdwagner/status/1208174810066350080
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: polkablues on December 24, 2019, 02:02:59 AM
For all the ways in which that clip was the worst thing I've ever seen, I'm honestly kind of impressed with how they did the explosion. Nice mix of practical and VFX, from the looks of it. Shame it was used to help illustrate the theme "The true meaning of Christmas is war."

Anyway, here's my Christmas movie submission:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfWIfwKJ7vA

The trailer is terrible, but the movie is equal parts fun, silly, catchy, purely enjoyable, and at times genuinely moving. It's so beholden to Shaun of the Dead that it borders on plagiarism, but it does ultimately bring something of its own to the table. And there will be at least two or three songs that get stuck in your head for a month.  It's currently available on Amazon Prime streaming, and there are far worse ways to spend an hour and a half.
Title: Re: Christmas Movies
Post by: Robyn on December 24, 2019, 05:31:15 AM
Quote from: polkablues on December 24, 2019, 02:02:59 AM
Anyway, here's my Christmas movie submission:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfWIfwKJ7vA

The trailer is terrible, but the movie is equal parts fun, silly, catchy, purely enjoyable, and at times genuinely moving. It's so beholden to Shaun of the Dead that it borders on plagiarism, but it does ultimately bring something of its own to the table. And there will be at least two or three songs that get stuck in your head for a month.  It's currently available on Amazon Prime streaming, and there are far worse ways to spend an hour and a half.

I'm usually a big fan of these types of movies you recommend, so this is going straight to my watchlist.

Quote from: polkablues on December 24, 2019, 02:02:59 AM
Shame it was used to help illustrate the theme "The true meaning of Christmas is war."

The Christmas short I finished this december ends with bombs dropping from the sky, so I guess i'm guilty for this too.