I love Christmas and I love movies. I love Christmas movies! I have to admit that for years I recorded all the Christmas movies that came on TV to video, that way the day after Thanksgiving the Christmas movie marathon would begin. Every year I added a few new ones. Then came my precious DVR. I had been set free! I threw away all my old VHS tapes and cleared the shelves. This year has been especially great because the TV programmers are running all the Christmas re-runs at odd hours so they don’t conflict with prime time. Bless them!!
I tried to pick a favorite to review but found I had many favorites depending on my mood and who was watching with me. My grandkids and I have already watched Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Who Stole Christmas this year. I can do that with the kids because they don’t know about the “after Thanksgiving” rule and probably wouldn’t care if they did. It’s a great family movie with lots of action, fun and holiday sentiment. For the little ones, it’s not too scary and Jim Carrey is absolutely amazing as the Grinch who was an outcast as a little one because of his green hairy body. Why is the Grinch a grouch? Little Cindy Lou takes the matter into her own hands and turns both Whoville and The Grinch’s world upside down, inside out…funny side up in her search for the true meaning of Christmas. Kudos to Oscar-winning director Ron Howard for this holiday favorite.
When Tom and Laura, my thirty-something children, were young their favorite was Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas. This movie is so very sweet even the littlest will enjoy. It has a message about love and family that even the toddlers can understand.
White Christmas is one of my favorite classics. My sisters and I still sing one of the songs, and we’ve passed the love on to our daughters. How can you go wrong with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye? A more recent holiday tradition is none other than Chevy Chase’s Christmas Vacation, still funny after all these years!
Last decade brought us Polar Express with Tom Hanks. This cinematic miracle was brought to us in 3D and was truly amazing not only for it’s message but also it’s technical delivery. I also loved The Holiday, a quirky little movie with Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black and Kate Winslet. It’s a good “cuddle up with your honey,” watch. I can’t forget my favorite Hallmark Christmas movie, Season of Miracles, to get you in the holiday spirit.
Last but certainly not least is The Nativity Story. This movie is about the birth of Christ which is obviously what Christmas is all about. If you and your family have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas, I encourage you to buy it, rent it or look for it on your TV this season. It’s definitely worth the watch every year!
No matter what your culture or religion these are great feel good movies that lift the spirit and the heart. Once again, I encourage your comments at hastings@rockcliff.com. You can find some past reviews on the www.aliveeastbay.com.
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