Fun movies each holiday season satisfy any taste without the turkey
By Maureen Inouye
Christmas is my favorite holiday. Even though Thanksgiving just ended, my Christmas CDs are out, my snowman mug is on my desk and my list of presents to buy is growing. There's something magical about this time of year, even for those of us from California where a "white Christmas" never happens.
Despite the lack of snow, however, my idea of a perfect evening is being bundled in a big blanket watching a favorite Christmas movie. During the rest of the year, I like romantic comedies and thrillers, but at Christmas I love to indulge in sappy films made to help us appreciate those we love. Here are some of the best Christmas movies for all occasions.
...For Family Time: "It's a Wonderful Life"
This classic film with Jimmy Stewart, is the one you watched with your parents and will watch with your kids. The timeless plot revolves around George Bailey and his life in a small town. Growing up, Bailey is unaware of the positive influence he has on those around him. Only when he is only on the verge of suicide, and he is visited by an angel, does he realizes his life actually is wonderful. This is probably Jimmy Stewart's most famous role.
...For Music: "The Muppet Christmas Carol"
We've all heard the "Christmas Carol" story a hundred times, but the Muppet twists, including songs and Gonzo's role as Charles Dickens, make this movie a delight. The Muppets are hilarious, as always, and Michael Caine interacts convincingly with his fellow puppet actors, who play the three ghosts of Christmas. If you want a few songs, like "Scrooge," and a lot of corny jokes, this is a great film.
...For Guys: "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
If you like gags and questionable humor, or if you have to watch a movie with your younger brother, this is the Christmas movie for you. Chevy Chase plays the father in this tale of an offbeat family's Christmas mishaps. Despite a few random moments (squirrel attack anyone?), this movie is full of the holiday spirit that brings families together.
...For the Young at Heart: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
Even though this movie was created in the 1960s, the magic of the claymation is still real. Your little cousins may not have seen this yet, but you should introduce them. Along with Rudolph, there is a dentistry-obsessed elf, a lot of talking toys and an abominable snowman. This is a tale of true friendship and tolerance. Plus, they sing! What more could you want?
...For Santa: "The Santa Clause"
Tim Allen stars in this more recent Christmas classic. A father struggling to connect to his young son, Allen's character Scott Calvin puts on a Santa suit and becomes Santa for the world - and his son's hero. Everyone thinks Calvin is crazy, but eventually he accepts his new position and embraces the Christmas spirit. The North Pole in this movie is beautiful and the elves make great supporting characters.
...For Romance: "Love Actually"
Amorous couples abound during the holiday season in London. Viewers meet a large cast of seemingly unrelated characters that all end up being connected by the end. From the Prime Minister to the American cowgirl, this movie is full of great actors (including my personal favorite, Colin Firth) and touching moments. This may be a girly movie, but boys, you can indulge your girl friends for a few hours and I promise you'll like this too.
...For Laughs: "Elf"
Starring Will Farrell, this movie tells the tale of an orphan boy raised at the North Pole who comes to believe he is an elf. Later, in his return to the real world to meet his father, this elf teaches everyone around him the true meaning of Christmas and kindness. Like other Farrell movies, this is full of slapstick comedy, but still heart-warming. This film will be shown in the Buckley Center Auditorium this Friday and Saturday at 10 p.m.
...For Theaters: "This Christmas" and "Fred Claus"
If you've decided to venture out into the December cold for a movie, "This Christmas" tells the story of the Whitfields, the perfectly dysfunctional family we all love to watch. Full of witty comebacks and hilarious scandals, the family members all remember by the end that they love each other.
Vince Vaughn's mouth never stops in his movies, and "Fred Claus" is no exception. Playing the brother of Santa, Vaughn's character Fred is the prodigal son sent to jail and bailed out under the conditions that he work at the North Pole until Christmas. This turns out to be a bad idea when everything he does turns disastrous - but funny.
