Film
|
|||||||||||
|
Film Holiday Movies by Tyler Hurst with additional reporting by Don Crossland It’s that time of the year again. It’s time to give thanks, it’s time to reach out to our loved ones, it’s time to celebrate the onset of a new year and it’s time to, well, sit down with those we care about—or can put up with—for hours on end with seemingly little to do. The solution? Watch some movies. Not just any flicks, mind you, but holiday-themed films that take us back to our childhood or remind of us of times where life seemed a little bit easier. So grab a holiday drink—see our story for some great recommendations and throw in a DVD (or VHS for those of you not quite up to par with modern technology). Here are a few of our favorites for your viewing pleasure. Let the watching begin. Home Alone We all remember this one and most everyone likes it. Sure, it spawned a few terrible sequels and Macaulay Culkin turned into quite a funny-looking dude, but this film by John Hughes is terrific. The laughter will flow as the pizza guy runs for his life after hearing the dialogue from the gangster movie. A chuckle or two might escape your mouth during the home invasion scenes and misty eyes will be abound when the scary neighbor reunites with his son and granddaughter after years apart. It’s a classic, it’s not THAT cheesy and it’s all ages. Go watch it again. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Quite possibly the funniest holiday movie EVER made. Nearly everyone watching can relate to at least one instance or comment from their own holiday experiences—not that we’ve ever burnt a tree down, kidnapped our boss or actually made a reindeer fly—ensuring this movie a timeless quality. Dennis Quaid and Chevy Chase shine in this flick, making it one of National Lampoon’s best offerings (Animal House and Van Wilder round out my top three). Watch it and be thankful YOUR holiday experience is nothing like it.
We all know the story of Charles Dickens’ immortal “A Christmas Carol”, along with the dozens of remakes that have been produced throughout the years. One, however, stands out. Take a fairly believable premise—ghosts notwithstanding—and add the comedic genius of Bill Murray in his prime and you’ve got Scrooged, one of the more entertaining holiday flicks. Part Network and part telling commentary on the demise of morality on prime time TV, this is one flick anyone in your family will find entertaining.
Director Ron Howard brings us this live-action update to the classic Dr. Seuss How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Love him or hate him, most agree that there is no one who could have played the Grinch better than Jim Carrey. The hours spent in the make-up chair before each day shooting transforms Carrey into a very convincing Grinch. Channeling his inner Jimmy Stewart, the Grinch proceeds to wreak mischief among Whoville as he attempts to destroy Christmas while Cindy Lou Who launches into an investigation about the Grinch and what Christmas is really about. Jim Carrey is hilarious and keeps the movie entertaining for kids and adults. Ron Howard creates a world as true to the Dr. Seuss book as any live action movie can be. This one is an instant classic and a must-see holiday treat.
Tim Burton put his Christmas stamp on Halloween with the Nightmare Before Christmas but not before bringing a little Halloween to Christmas in Edward Scissorhands. In his first of many collaborations with Johnny Depp, Burton creates a unique world which would later become his trademark. Depp, fresh from his teen heart-throb roll on 21 Jump Street, is almost unrecognizable as Edward Scissorhands. He shows the beginnings of his versatility as an actor in his first of many diverse movie rolls. The cast includes Winona Ryder as Edward’s young blonde love interest as well as Dianne Wiest, Alan Arkin, Anthony Michael Hall, Kathy Baker and Vincent Price in his last acting appearance. Edward Scissorhands is an entertaining movie for Tim Burton fans and Johnny Depp fans. A Christmas Story You know it, your parents know and your grandparents probably know it. A classic tale filled everything from hope (the Red Rider BB Gun) to betrayal (did she or didn’t she break the leg lamp?) and confrontation (beating up the bully) to togetherness (nothing like fresh duck on Christmas), A Christmas Story will be on TV time and time again, just like it is year after year. Somehow, quite inexplicably, it never seems to grow old. One of the few true timeless classics, this flick transcends generations to tell tale fit for the ages. So let’s tune in to see what Ralphie has in store for us this year. |
LISTINGS this is where it's at
SITE SEARCH find anything
Listings SEARCH
NEWSLETTER stay informedSign up for our newsletter and get it!
ADVERTISE be seen
Be a part of our magazine. People will hang on to these babies for a while so you can't go wrong!
download media kit  |
||||||||||
|
|