Top 20 Christmas Movies: Part II

Now for numbers 10 through 6:

*There has been a clerical error and a movie was inadvertently left off of the list. It has been reinserted as a tie for where it should be. This would necessarily remove 'Jingle All the Way' from the Top 20, which is fine by me.


10. Garfield Christmas (1987)

Where Garfield falls short on the Halloween special, it hits every right note for Christmas. It includes a down-home feel, a catchy song or two, heartwarming moments, and everything else you've ever loved about Garfield. John Arbuckle is off-beat enough, and folksy, so you end up wanting to be a part of that family, even if only just for a Christmas gathering. If you haven't seen this one yet, you need to.


9. The Santa Clause (1994)

It's pretty easy to use Tim Allen as the punch-line of many a-joke. And deservedly so (see: Starship Troopers, Man of the House, and Jungle-to-Jungle). But here, the mythology of Santa Claus is richer for having Tim Allen imagine what it would be like to be forced into becoming old Kris Kringle. That guy from Beverly Hills Cop is in it, which either improves it in your mind or denegrates it, but it's a fun picture that doesn't pander to just the children in the audience. It's good one to see, but by no means should you ever see the second or third ones.


8. (tie) Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Here is a classic, and as far as I know, the only movie on my list to be nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture. The story of a little girl who doesn't believe that Santa is real is confronted with a man who claims to be Father Christmas himself. This is a story of belief and unbelief, of family, and of the larger context of what St. Nick stands for in our culture. And a stellar ending. I prefer the original because of the overall feel. While the new movie is shot to resemble a softer, simpler time, I can't get past that little girl from Mrs. Doubtfire. Cute once, but no more. And the ending is changed - which works just fine, but feels more contrived to me. In the end, I love to see the girl's mind (and heart) changed over the course of the movie. It reminds me of the letter, 'Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus."


8. (tie) It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Here is the movie that was accidentally left out. It took considerable time for me to be able to even start liking this movie. Once I got past the depressing tone, the Jimmy Stewart squawk, and the pulsating-talking star, I started to realize the gems below the surface. I think you can't appreciate this movie until you're at least twenty. Yes, it has lines that have been beat into our storry of what happensmemory (against our wills), but the essence of the movie is what happens when people live in community with one another, when they begin to look beyond their own needs and wants. It's a great movie that , like fine wine, is better with age.


7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon, 1966)

The genius of Dr. Seuss is brought to television in this classic cartoon Christmas special. From the Who's to the heart three sizes too small to the dog-turned reindeer, what brilliantly developed characters. The narrator weaves a tale as only told by Seuss. The adorable Cindy Lou Who warms your heart and the Grinch shrivels it. And even when the presents are stolen, the trees thrown up the chimney, and the Grinch back atop the mountain, the Whos gather to sing in the words of the Who:

Fah who for-aze! Dah who dor-aze! Welcome Christmas, Come this way! Fah who for-aze! Dah who dor-aze! Welcome Christmas, Christmas Day.


6. Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

The classic tale from Charles Dickens told in the fashion of Jim Henson and the entire of the Muppets. Narrated by Gonzo and Rizo the Rat, Kermit takes on the role of Bob Cratchet and Ebenezer Scrooge is played wonderfully by Michael Kane. It's a great, cautionary tale with the comic relief of the Muppets, wonderful musical moments, and the same pogniant moral written down so long ago. This is by far the best Muppet Christmas movie and you need to make it a part of your Christmas tradition.



Look for the Top 5 Wednesday.