And thus I present to you, the world, the galaxy and the universe my Top-10 Christmas films of all time*, which can be watched leading up to Christmas. In fact, I intend to watch one a day too.
10) "A Charlie Brown Christmas" - Never have seen this, though I must admit there is a good chance I did as a child and do not remember it. I feel obliged to include this and am eager to watch it on Dec. 15.
9) "Scrooged" (1988) - Starring Bill Murray, Karen Allen and many other SNL actors.
Woa! Nearly forgot this one. It has been a long time since I have watched this gem but it really is a great modern raunchy re-telling of "A Christmas Tale" with Bill Murray playing Frank Cross, a tv-exec who is haunted by three spirits on Christmas Eve. Carol Kane as the Ghost of Christmas Present is especially hysterical.
8) "White Christmas" (1954) - Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney (yes, George's mom), Vera Ellen.
Many of these are films I have not seen in a while but this is a film I saw once as a child. So long ago I need IMDB.com to give the fast summary. "A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general. Plus, you can't go wrong with Bing Crosby.
7) "The Santa Clause" (1994) - Starring Tim Allen, Eric Lloyd, Wendy Crewson, Judge Reinhold
I read a Facebook status the other day - by someone I can't recall - that said something to the effect of, " ... would like to thank 'The Santa Clause' for teaching an entire generation of children how to incorrectly spell Santa's name." I found that brilliant, as is this one where Tim Allen kills Santa, dons the suit, the guy from "Numbers" is a helpful elf and Judge Reinhold hates Santa because he never got an Oscar-Mayer weenie whistle. Wow, was this REALLY 15 years ago?
6) "A Muppet Christmas Carol" (1992) - Starring Michael Cane (and the Muppets!)
Charles Dickens and the Muppets? What could go wrong with that? The answer? Nothing!
5) "Elf" (2003) - Starring Will Ferrell, James Cain, Bob Newhart, Mary Steenburgen, Zooey Deschanel, Daniel Tay.
Before there was "Anchorman" or "Talledega Nights" Will Ferrell donned a pair of yellow tights and became a human adopted-elf in search for his real father in Manhattan. Of course it was the same year "Old School" came out, but he was not THE STAR of that one. I never have not laughed while watching "Elf" and after my recent first-time-ever trip to New York City I really realized I was like Buddy as he explores the city. Oh ya, Zooey can sing. And she is perrrrty.
4) "National Lampoons Christmas Vacation" (1989) - Staring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo and Randy Quaid
The laughs over the last few days are over as "Christmas Vacation" shows what a Christmas comedy truly is with the help of the almost-always funny Chevy Chase (and always funny in the 1980s) reprising his role of hard-working family-man Clark Griswald. It has been some time since I have sat down to watch the entire film and I can not wait to laugh my backside off throughout the sledding scene. To be honest, "Elf" very well could be no. 4.
3) "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946) - Starring James Stewart, Donna Reid, Henry Travers
I have seen this movie once. I believe maybe in high school at my sister's friends' house. I remember it was a great film and I feel obliged to put it up in the top-three. James Stewart plays George Bailey, who wonders what the world would be like if he never existed. When it comes to a classic Christmas drama, this is to what any one should strive to reach.
2) "Die Hard" (1988) - Starring Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson and Severus Snape, errr Alan Rickman
"Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs ..." Nothing like spending a great Christmas Eve gearing up for the big day by watching John McClane battle Hans Gruber and his merry men in the Christmas Eve takeover of Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles. If you are looking for a moral tale look no further than the epic battle between good and evil, America and Germany, cops and robbers and feet and broken glass. "Yippie-ki-yay-mother-fucker" indeed.
1) "A Christmas Story" (1983) - Starring Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin and Peter Billingsley.
What Christmas Eve and Christmas Day would be complete without at least two viewings while broadcast on a 24-hour marathon on TBS? Sure, there is no tough-luck having James Stewart in this film or angels getting wings ... but still, it put's the ice cream on top of the pie that is Christmastime for me. All the kid wants is an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. But there is so much more: fighting a bully, using his first curse word (and the ensuing soap in the mouth), dogs, turkey, snow, triple-dog dares and of course, the leg lamp.
Merry Christmas gang. Don't drink too much eggnog.
*Of course, one discussion with either Brad Bagby or David Allen could shift this list. In reality it is more my own favorites I suppose.
