I guess I should have done this top 5 list and my previous one before I did my Grinch vs. Gremlins article. If you've read it, then you'll already know number one on this list. Nevertheless, enjoy this final Christmas themed list on Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas readers, I will see you in the new year with lots more issues of C.C.C.!
Top Five Christmas
Movies
These are the top five movies I watch during the holidays
that put me in the Christmas spirit. If you don’t see your favourite on here,
please don’t go all bah humbug on me. These are my personal picks; I know I
left out numerous classics. Any whom, let’s get on with the movie merriment!
Honourable
mention: Home alone. Although very well known and beloved by many of
you I’m sure, it just isn’t a Christmas film I seek out each holiday season,
and it just doesn’t resonate with me as extremely special for whatever reason. It
still is an entertaining and fun film, but just not as jolly as these other
five.
5. The Santa Clause
Kicking off this list is a holly jolly Christmas comedy (some
pretty festive wordplay right there, I must say). It stars Tim Allen, who
accidently causes Santa to fall off his roof, thus making him obligated to fill
in for the big guy. This premise won over audiences and critics alike in the
holiday season of 1994. It holds some palpable significance with me as the
first film I ever saw in the theater, according to my mother any way, who
claims I (a baby at the time) slept through the whole thing. Steer clear of the
lame sequels; this family film is where it’s at. Tim Allen makes for a likeable
Saint Nick fill-in, the Christmas soundtrack is great, and overall it’s a fun
film.
4. Die Hard
If you’re not into the family friendly, light hearted
Christmas antics found in The Santa Clause, you could watch Die Hard, which is the polar opposite of
The Santa Clause, but still a
Christmas movie. Of all the movies on this list, this is the one that most
people associate the least with Christmas. It follows Bruce Willis as John
McClane, the man in the wrong place at the wrong time, his most famous role.
McClane, a New York cop, flies out to Los Angeles to meet up with his ex-wife
on Christmas Eve, but finds himself in a pickle when terrorists take over the
building. Die Hard is a genre
classic, fuelled by excellent action, clever dialogue, and mounting tension. It
doesn’t fully embrace the Christmas setting at all times, but that doesn’t
matter. Not only is Die Hard a great
movie in its own right, it’s by far one of the most exhilarating Christmas
movies you can find. The sequel, Die Hard
2: Die Harder also takes place during Christmas, but the setting is
switched from a sky scraper to an airport. I must say, I really don’t like this
sequel. Up until I saw A Good Day to Die
Hard, I always thought this was the weakest entry in the Die Hard franchise. Having said that, Die Hard 2 is one of the most action
packed holiday films around next to the original.
3. Elf
This Will Ferrell comedy, from Iron Man director Jon Favreau,
isn’t for everyone. My mom, who loves pretty much everything and anything to do
with Christmas, refuses to watch this movie. What it comes down to is if you
like Will Ferrell or not. If you don’t, then obviously this movie isn’t for
you. If you do, Elf is hard to
resist. It’s enduringly hilarious and heartfelt, and there are a couple of
concepts that are among the more original ideas I’ve seen in modern Christmas
flicks. One is that of Santa’s sleigh running on Christmas spirit, and the
other being to feature a human who thinks he’s an Elf. Will Ferrell does a
great job in the role of Buddy, who ventures to New York where he meets his
real father (played perfectly by James Caan) who is less than thrilled to find
him suddenly thrust into his life, bringing much needed Christmas spirit to
their family, and eventually all of New York. There are numerous great moments
throughout the film, but my favourite has always been Buddy’s love for
everything sweet, prompting him to lather his plate of spaghetti in syrup and
candy. I highly recommend this holiday delight; it offers humour for both young
and old, and packs a good message about Christmas in there too.
2. It’s a Wonderful Life
For many, this is the ultimate Christmas film. But, it seems
modern audiences and younger generations just brush this movie off as some
stupid, boring black and white flick their parents always watch and cry over.
I’m telling any naysayers that Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life is a timeless classic. Jimmy Stewart plays
George Bailey, a man with a good heart who faces much adversity over his life,
which we get to see first hand along with Clarence, an angel who hasn’t got his
wings yet. Clarence is shown important moments throughout George’s life, then
told if he can convince him not to commit suicide, he will earn his wings. As
George is about to plunge into the icy river on Christmas Eve, Clarence leaps off
the bridge first, prompting George to save him. Clarence then shows George what
life would be like had he never been born, and how many people he’s affected.
Although the first half of the film moves quite slowly, everything that’s shown
is shown for a reason. We see the ups and downs of George’s life, and begin to
understand why he feels so down. The audience wants George to succeed and not
kill himself, but we are powerless to help convince him. We root for Clarence
to show him the way, and when things finally come to a head in the final
minutes of the film, our emotions are soaring. Forget that the film is from
1946, forget that it’s in black and white. Sit back and enjoy this classic. It
doesn’t become a happy and uplifting Christmas film until the end, but it is
well worth watching.
1. Gremlins
How the Grinch Stole
Christmas may be my favourite Christmas TV special (see Movie vs. Movie
Issue #1) but Gremlins is my
favourite Christmas film ever. Billy Peltzer (played by Zach Galligan) receives
a mysterious gift from his father for Christmas. It’s a Mogwai—the cutest movie
creature ever. Things quickly get out of hand when the Mogwai, named Gizmo by
Billy’s father, gets wet and spawns several new Mogwai. Once the new Mogwai
consume fried chicken after midnight, they become Gremlins. The Gremlins are
nasty, hard partying creatures that turn the once quiet town upside down. This movie goes against the grain as far as a
typical holiday movie. Instead of being merry and bright, it acknowledges how
not everyone is happy during the Christmas season (the ultimate example being
why Billy’s girlfriend doesn’t celebrate the holiday, I won’t spoil it if you
don’t already know). That isn’t to say the movie isn’t fun. It’s hilarious!
It’s clear to me director Joe Dante loves the Looney Tunes, because some of the greatest moments are when the
Gremlins are just causing mayhem in the tavern, everything from swinging on the
fan to shooting each other over a game of poker. Even sound effects from Looney Tunes are used, like birds’
chirping after one of the Gremlins gets smacked on the head. In one scene near
the end, the Gremlin group leader is hiding among stuffed toys in a department
store. On one side is a plush Sylvester, on the other Bugs Bunny (and in the
middle an E.T. toy, probably put there by producer Steven Spielberg). The movie
is chocked full of great moments. It’s the perfect balance of creature chaos
and characters we care about. There is never a dull moment. Gremlins is fantastic, I cannot
recommend it enough.
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