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Favorite Christmas Films
	Topic by: Battie Posted: December 5, 2009 - 8:27 PM PST Last Reply: December 23, 2009 - 10:08 PM PST

author	topic: Favorite Christmas Films
Battie	post #1  on December 5, 2009 - 8:27 PM PST   Hey, we have favorite Halloween films as a thread! Actually, I don't have an ultimate favorite or anything. I generally like to catch Home Alone and Jingle All the Way for some childhood nostalgia. Right now, I'm stuck on the TSO's Christmas Canon (thank you, PBS). I think it might become my favorite 'film.' It makes me sentimental and happy. And it's pretty awesome all-around.
Battie	post #2  on December 5, 2009 - 8:30 PM PST   Er, not Christmas Canon. Just Christmas Eve in Sarejevo. Or something.
IronS	post #3  on December 7, 2009 - 1:42 PM PST   "A Christmas Story" for sure. "You'll shoot your eye out." (although the film was incorrect in protraying Chinese speakers as incapable of pronouncing their r's - it's the Japanese - some people from Beijing tack r's onto words that otherwise would not have them - kind of like Bostonians with their "bananer")
Cinenaut	post #4  on December 7, 2009 - 2:50 PM PST   The Snowman. "Father Christmas" (on the same DVD) is a hoot. It's kind of the flip side of "The Snowman," but the two films intersect at the north pole.
weezy	post #5  on December 8, 2009 - 12:31 PM PST   Ditto on a Christmas Story! I have a soft spot for Love, Actually, and, wow, I just noticed 2 GC members called it "Crap Actually" in their reviews. S'not for everyone I guess! This year, I can't wait to watch A Christmas Tale and the wacky Mexican Santa Claus vs. the Devil Santa Claus, from the latest MST3K set.
weezy	post #6  on December 8, 2009 - 1:59 PM PST   We've posted our list of Holiday Movies that Don't Suck! and would love your suggestions. It's definitely incomplete for now but we'll continue to update it.
kraigpdx	post #7  on December 8, 2009 - 8:15 PM PST   I have been trying to think of a good film to queue up for the holiday season. Something nostalgic and at least has some snow. Ha! So... it will be Gremlins (1984) How could I have forgotten the speech about the fathers death! I don't think I actually saw the film until years later... that dreaded PG-13 rating. Still, nostalgic, dark humor and... snow! A better choice then re-watching any of the Adams Family, which was my other idea. The "Holiday Movies That Don't Suck" does have a few of my faves... "The Ref" and "A Christmas Story" Might also watch "Home for the Holidays" don't think I have seen it... eh... it is based around Thanksgiving and that is close enough.
kraigpdx	post #8  on December 8, 2009 - 8:22 PM PST   Oh, and if Christmas horror is on your list... don't forget "P2". I actually didn't want to like the film so was pleasantly surprised. Tho, if I woke up, tied to a chair and some reasonably attractive guy had made me dinner... my first thought would be "It must be my birthday" not "I'm trapped in a horror film" ;)
Battie	post #9  on December 8, 2009 - 8:32 PM PST   I 2nd Gremlins. This is the TSO thing: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0228332/ Too bad y'all don't have it. What about Black Adder's Christmas?
IronS	post #10  on December 9, 2009 - 11:43 AM PST   > On December 8, 2009 - 12:31 PM PST weezy wrote: > --------------------------------- > Ditto on a Christmas Story! I have a soft spot for Love, Actually, and, wow, I just noticed 2 GC members called it "Crap Actually" in their reviews. S'not for everyone I guess! > I like "Love, Actually" as well although mostly for Thomas Sangster (he's also the voice of Ferb in Disney's "Phineas and Ferb").
DLeonard	post #11  on December 9, 2009 - 12:55 PM PST   Greencine's list of holiday films that don't suck has "Diner" on it, which I've never really thought of as a holiday film. But since all the action takes place during Christmas week, then sure why not. So, that would be a big fave. Around the same time was a curious movie with Mary Steenburgen and Harry Dean Stanton called "One Magic Christmas". Kind of darker than your usual holiday movies. Favorite holiday show/movie would probably have to be the old Rankin-Bass Rudolph with the horrifying (to a 6 year old) Abominable Snowman.
DLeonard	post #12  on December 9, 2009 - 1:01 PM PST   Wait a minute, no-one has mentioned "Nightmare Before Christmas". Big time favorite.
underdog	post #13  on December 9, 2009 - 4:14 PM PST   Hah, sometimes you forget that certain films count as holiday/Christmas movies. Weezy reminded me that ROCKY counts as one, too! As far as darkly funny ones go, I second the Gremlins recommendation. A Christmas Tale. A Christmas Story. I burned out on It's A Wonderful Life a long time ago after my sister insisted on watching it every XMas holiday but after a long break I may be ready to appreciate it again. Charlie Brown Christmas, does that count? Speaking of classics, how about two from Michael Curtiz: White Christmas and We're No Angels?
troublemaker	post #14  on December 9, 2009 - 9:25 PM PST   Not really a X-mas story, but I've always been a fan of watching Groundhog Day during the holidays. Maybe it's seeing all that snow that never occurs here in California that puts me in the proper spirit.
underdog	post #15  on December 10, 2009 - 12:44 PM PST   > On December 9, 2009 - 9:25 PM PST troublemaker wrote: > --------------------------------- > Not really a X-mas story, but I've always been a fan of watching Groundhog Day during the holidays. Maybe it's seeing all that snow that never occurs here in California that puts me in the proper spirit. > --------------------------------- It's definitely the best movie about groundhog day! ;-) Well, it's better than many Christmas/winter holiday movies too, for that matter. Love it. Btw, we update our Holiday Movies That Don't Suck list slightly, added a few more titles... eliminated one. Wish there more good Hanukkah choices.
DLeonard	post #16  on December 10, 2009 - 4:25 PM PST   > On December 10, 2009 - 12:44 PM PST underdog wrote: > --------------------------------- > Btw, we update our Holiday Movies That Don't Suck list slightly, added a few more titles... eliminated one. Wish there more good Hanukkah choices. > --------------------------------- Hopefully it was that Grinch movie with Jim Carrey that was eliminated.
troublemaker	post #17  on December 12, 2009 - 2:00 PM PST   A friend reminded me of this, but what greater holiday X-mas film is there than.. Die Hard. Ho Ho Ho.
underdog	post #18  on December 22, 2009 - 12:27 PM PST   How about least favorite? We just made up a sort of Bah Humbug poll... vote for the worst, or write in your own.
weezy	post #19  on December 23, 2009 - 10:08 PM PST   I realized like Diner and Trading Places, it may not be a "Christmas movie" but I always like to watch "Coming to America" around the holidays. I like watching any films around this time that are funny, easy to watch and make me feel nostalgic. I always make it a point to watch Rocky with my brothers when I'm home during the holidays. Not a big Elf fan... and I never understood why my friends were so bananas for it. How did everyone like "A Christmas Tale"? New holiday art-house classic?