What's your favorite Christmas movie?

RoyalScam · 04 Oct 2006

Walter P wrote:

I almost forgot...on the subject of Christmas specials, there's also "John Denver & The Muppets - A Christmas Together" which definitely deserves a DVD release.

Oh....YEAH!!!! :clap:

Michael Hovey · **Joined:** 07 Oct 2006 **Posts:** 1040

I think what creeped me out the most about the Polar Express was that spirit/ghost type person who kept on appearing and then disappearing throughout the movie, and the doubting/dolls sequence, and Tom Hanks performing Hot Chocolate on the train, and the way the North Pole looked when the kids were by themselves looking around. Really the only stuff that didn't bother me was the breathtaking scenery while they were still on the train (by far the best part of the whole movie) and the way the three other kids acted, not the annoying one. I know tons of people loved the Polar Express, but definitely not me.

Rokin Robin of Locksley · 20 Oct 2007

Those old black and white "A Christmas Carol" movies (1938 with Reginald Owen, and 1951 with Alastair Sim) are classics, and the recent color one (1984) with George C. Scott is pretty good, too. Turn out the lights and beware of spooks! Which is the most faithful to Dickens?

The original TV debut (movie) of the Waltons, "The Homecoming: A Christmas Story" (1971). A wonderful story that has it all, old-times, humor, drama, quirky neighbors.

The Christmas episode of Claire Danes' series "My So-Called Life" (1994) featuring rocker Juliana Hatfield acting & singing. Pass me a tissue, Tito...

Smiff · 10 Aug 2006

Glenn S. wrote:

I avoided A Christmas Story when it first came out as I was a big fan of the Jean Shephard stories that inspired it, and I was afriad they would mess it up. Of course my worries were for nothing. It's a great movie.

Another one I like which is far less known is Comfort & Joy, a 1984 comedy about a disc jocky trying to make sense of his life after a breakup, and somehow getting in the middle of a turf war between rival ice cream sellers. It takes place during the Christmas season and as you might have guessed from the description, is a bit quirky ... just as you would expect from the director of Local Hero and Gregory's Girl. I love it. Last I checked, though, it was not available on DVD in the states, and if you see it in the TV listings it usually turns out to be a totally different movie with the same title. Worth looking for, though.

I saw this in college and loved it...the Dire Straits references were a gas.

stevef · 05 Aug 2006

It's A Wonderful Life never fails to entertain. Classic.

No love here for Bad Santa...?

Happy Holidays!

Blackstar · 01 Jan 2007

Jimbo wrote:

A Christmas Story actually flopped when it was released in 1983, but has become a beloved classic after infinite airings on TV.

It's not fair to call the film a flop since the budget was $4 million and it grossed $19 million during its initial release. Not a Christmas blockbuster, but definitely not a flop either. I saw it during its theatrical release and loved it. I remember a year or so later Leonard Maltin, on ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, reevaluated his original review of the movie being an "8" and changed it to a "10" saying he didn't know why he didn't give it a ten the first time.

I caught the last 20-minutes or so of the original MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947) and still thought Sir Edmund Gwenn made a great Santa Claus. It's not as overtly sentimental as IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE and I think that helps 34th St.

Michael Hovey · **Joined:** 07 Oct 2006 **Posts:** 1040

I thought Bad Santa was a pretty good movie with some decent laughs and some surprisingly tender moments between him and the boy but that's about it.

Glenn S. · 30 Oct 2006

Quote:

I remember a year or so later Leonard Maltin, on ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, reevaluated his original review of the movie being an "8" and changed it to a "10" saying he didn't know why he didn't give it a ten the first time.

My general rule of thumb with Maltin's reviews are to deduct a star if it's something animated and add a star if it's something quirky.

What's your favorite Christmas movie?

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