Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Top Ten Festive Films

I know, I already have an entry for today, but .. I wanted to do another one.

As much as I loathe Christmas, one of the few things that makes it enjoyable for me, is the festive movies .. you know the ones, they're played EVERY year - repeatedly, on multiple channels, for multiple days ... starting on Thanksgiving?

Yep Those.

Here are my top ten choices - for Favorite Festive Films.


10) Santa Claus - The Movie

9) Frosty The Snowman (the first one)

8) Miracle on 34th Street (the original)

7) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

6) It's a Wonderful Life

5) A Christmas Story

4) The Year Without A Santa Claus
3) Santa Claus is Coming to Town

2) Home Alone

1) The Santa Clause (the Original one)

Now, I know you're going to be asking why - and what's so great about THESE 10 that some of the other "Greats" didn't make the cut ... let me tell you - Elf, The Grinch and the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas are easily 11, 12 and 13.   That's not even counting Charlie Brown, or National Lampoon, or any of the other "classic" Christmas movies that were popular back then, and remain popular today.  These 10, however, they stick out a little more.

I have great memories of watching those Claymation movies when I was a kid, and we even went so far as to buy one of the "Christmas Classic Combo Pack" DVD sets so Emily could enjoy them too.

Here's my reasoning breakdown:

10) Santa Claus - The Movie
Simple reason:  Dudley Moore - as an Elf .. No really, if you've never seen this movie, or even heard of it - please go out and find it - if only for one viewing to tell me that you did.  The first time I saw this movie, I remember thinking how fantastic it was and how REAL it made Santa to me.
  
9) Frosty The Snowman (the first one)
Aside from the obvious, DUH best song Ever - I love the innocence this movie shows.   It makes me realize, while watching Emily watch it - that the magic, and innocence and fun plays out perfectly on her face.  Not only that, but I LOVE love love Jackie Vernon as Frosty, and Jimmy Durante as the narrator - just .. perfect voice matches for a perfect cartoon.


8) Miracle on 34th Street (the original)
There really is no other explanation needed than this exchange from the movie itself:
District Attorney: What is your name?
Kris Kringle: Kris Kringle.
District Attorney:  Where do you live?
Kris Kringle: That's what this hearing will decide.  
Judge Henry X. Harper: A very sound answer, Mister Kringle.
District Attorney: Do you really believe that you're Santa Claus?
Kris Kringle: Of course.
District Attorney: [long pause] The state rests, your honor.

and of course, this:
Alfred, Macy Janitor: Yeah, there's a lot of bad 'isms' floatin' around this world, but one of the worst is commercialism. Make a buck, make a buck. Even in Brooklyn it's the same - don't care what Christmas stands for, just make a buck, make a buck.

and my favorite:

Kris Kringle: Oh, Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind... and that's what's been changing. That's why I'm glad I'm here, maybe I can do something about it.


7) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
One Word:   Island.of.Misfit.Toys - of course that's more than one word, but it works just the same - and really - I mean, Hermey, the Elf?  What's better than that?!


6) It's a Wonderful Life
There are some great lessons in this movie - not just lessons about enjoying the Holiday season, and what not - but lessons about enjoying what you have, and being thankful for what, and more importantly WHO is around you.
As Clarence said:  You've been given a great gift, George: A chance to see what the world would be like without you.


5) A Christmas Story

You're gonna shoot your eye out!  I have to admit, I only saw this movie in its entirety, in 2007.   I know, FOR SHAME!   Every year, this movie is played on a 24 hour Marathon on TV.  I've missed the beginning, and the end, but finally - FINALLY - got the chance to watch the whole thing through - and let me tell you - I laughed through almost the entire thing .. how can you not?   Each of us has most definitely gotten some sort of embarrassing gift from a well meaning family member, and most of us has probably wished for ONE gift that was either "dangerous" for us to own, or "not proper" (I'm a girl, and mostly wanted boy type toys growing up) ... Ralphie is a hero to us all.

4) The Year Without A Santa Claus
Five Words:   Mickey Rooney as Santa Claus ... and really --- the Miser Brothers .. come on!!

Snow Miser's Men: He's Mister White Christmas, he's Mister Snow. He's Mr. Icicle, he's Mister 10 below.
Snow Miser: They call me Snow Miser, whatever I touch turns to snow in my clutch. I'm too much.


Heat Miser's Men: He's Mister Green Christmas. He's Mister Sun. He's Mister Heat Blister. He's Mister Hundred-and-One.
Heat Miser:  They call me Heat Miser. Whatever I touch starts to melt in my clutch. I'm too much.


3) Santa Claus is Coming to Town
One of the best Claymation movies, ever.  I stand by that.  Burgermeister Meisterburger ... Tanta Kringle ... and again, Mickey Rooney, and Fred Astaire!  COME ON .. Classic.  


2) Home Alone
To see a 10-yr old boy defend his home, in such a slapstick happy go-lucky, get the bad guys in the end, and the Happy Family Ending, makes me smile every time.


My MOST Favorite Line EVER (and one of the main reasons I love this feel good film) :
I took a shower washing every body part with actual soap; including all my major crevices; including in between my toes and in my belly button which I never did before but sort of enjoyed. I washed my hair with adult formula shampoo and used cream rinse for that just-washed shine. I can't seem to find my toothbrush, so I'll pick one up when I go out today. Other than that, I'm in good shape.


1) The Santa Clause (the Original one)

Tim Allen = Santa ... priceless
And also - because when My sister Katie and I were younger, we had a babysitting job ... EVERY Time we babysat, we watched this movie, and ate market basket brand bbq chips (which are fantastic BTW) ... It never fails to make me smile, and laugh, and remember

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