Tis the season for the annual barrage of annual Christmas movies and TV shows that frequent our TVs following Thanksgiving. And I don't know about you, but the time between watching them seems to be shorter and shorter each year! At least it feels that way.
So here are my top five favorites, and again, I'm not claiming they are the best ever made. But just five I try to watch every season!
1. Miracle on 34th Street (1948): Classic, entertaining, feel good story about a man who claims to be the real Santa Clause, and those who don't believe him and try, and fail, to disprove it. The story begins on Thanksgiving when "Kris Kringle" (Edmund Gwenn) replaces the intoxicated Santa riding in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, which leads him to be hired by Macys. Kringle slowly grows on two Santa unbelievers, Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara), the Macy Parade organizer, and her young daughter Susan (Natalie Wood) to the point where they question their disbelief. This is in part to the film's brilliant ending, which basically leaves the door open to all possibilities.
Gwenn was so convincing as Santa Clause, that he won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1949! The film also garnered writing Oscars for best screenplay and best original story, as well as a Best Picture nomination.
2. The Christmas Chronicles (2018): The newest film on the list, this is a Netflix original which stars Kurt Russell as a very likeable and very appealing Santa who crash lands in Chicago after two kids hide out in his sleigh on Christmas Eve. The story involves the search for Santa's reindeer, who have scattered on Michigan Avenue, as well as bailing out Santa from jail after he crashes a car while trying to elude the police. I know, it sounds pretty far out there, and nothing to do with Christmas. But it really does, as a back story involves helping a lost teenager regain his faith in Christmas, and mend wounds following his father's recent passing.
The movie is very entertaining with some funny moments spread throughout. Russell's portrayal of Saint Nick is one of the best ever. Definitely check it out if you have Netflix. The 2020 sequel is pretty good too.
3. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (2000): This rendition of the 1964 animated classic with Boris Karloff received mixed reviews when it came out, but I've always thoroughly enjoyed Jim Carrey's portrayal of the Grinch, as well as director Ron Howard's vision of Whosville. I've always thought that Carrey's performance was under appreciated, as there really isn't anyone else who could have pulled off what he did. With the possible exception of Robin Williams if the film was made about 10 years earlier.
But Carrey was quite amazing, considering the extensive make up he had to wear throughout the filming. The movie also provided some very memorable lines, including the Grinch's "I'm leaking" comment after witnessing himself cry for the first time. Hiring Anthony Hopkins to provide the monologue was also a great choice, as he helped in providing an authentic "Dr. Seuss" experience. At least I thought so!
4. A Christmas Carol (2009, 1984, 1951, 1938): I've watched many versions of this classic Charles Dickens story throughout the years, but three stand out the most to me. The 1938 and 1951 versions are considered the two classics, but the 1984 version with George C. Scott that I just discovered last year may be my new favorite. Scott was the perfect Scrooge, which he was awarded for by being nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal.
And I can't discuss "A Christmas Carol" without mentioning Disney's 2009 animated version, once again starring Jim Carrey. Disney's rendition is the closest of the four in following the actual Dicken's story. And using animation to tell the story really helps during the portrayal of the three ghosts that visit Scrooge on Christmas Eve. It's very hard to do just using actors and cheesy special effects, which the older ones do. The Disney version is also the darkest of the four, as there are several scenes really not appropriate for younger audiences, as they are quite frightful. In fact, I had a friend who took his seven year old daughter to the film thinking it was a typical children's Disney film, but had to walk out after his daughter was frightened following a couple of scenes. He was upset with Disney for quite a while because of that! But as an adult, it's a very enjoyable and graphically pleasing version of the classic.
5. Home Alone (1990): A classic that everyone remembers as being hilarious when watching young Kevin McCallister, portrayed by Macaulay Culkin, fend off would be burglars Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern while waiting for his family to return after they inadvertently left him at home. But what is sometimes forgotten is the warm and moving side story between Kevin and his misunderstood elderly neighbor, aptly named "Marley". Their evolving story is very moving and a definite highlight of the film.
Honorable Mention: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, The Polar Express, Love, Actually, A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation
And I love to watch all of them with you!
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