Top 20 Christmas Movies: Part III

At Last....

The Top 5 Christmas Movies of all time. First, let's review where things stand:

6. The Muppet Christmas Carol
7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon)
8. (tie) Miracle on 34th Street
8. (tie) It's a Wonderful Life
9. The Santa Clause
10. A Garfield Christmas
11. Love Actually
12. White Christmas
13. Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer
14. Frosty the Snowman
15. Home Alone 2
16. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (live action)
17. Polar Express
18. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
19. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
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5. Elf (2003)

When this premiered just five years ago, it became an instant classic. Will Ferrel's portrayal of human-turned-Elf-turned-disillusioned-not-Elf is classic. There are so many classic one liners. In fact, there is an entire Facebook group devoted to answering the phone like Buddy the Elf for a day. "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?" This movie weaves together the over-the-top ridiculous Ferrel is know for and the magic of Christmas lore. A great cast (James Caan, Mary Stienburgen, Zooey Deschanel, Ed Asner, and Bob Newhart) helps fill out a well balanced script that isn't dependent on any one character's performance. The duet between Buddy and the shop girl (Zooey) of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" is wonderful-slash-hysterical. And the stor manager-turned Santa fill-in...ha! This is always the first movie I watch with friends to kick off the season. "G'bye Buddy...hope you find your dad" - The Norwall.


4. Home Alone (1990)

Chances are, you either love this one with a disturbing addiction, or you don't really care for it all that much. This is by far the Christmas movie I've watched most in my life. Perhaps it's because I was about the same age as Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) when it came out. Or perhaps because it's just amazing. Again, a slew of memorable quotes and one-liners fill up the script. Another wonderful cast (Catherine O'hara, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern and a cameo by John Candy) pulls of this less-than-believable scenario. But it is every kids dream! The soundtrack is wonderful as well (check it out!) and many of those songs bring instant images of this movie to mind. It has hi jinx, heartfelt moments, and the hopes and dreams of every child strewn about. Seriously, what eight year-old doesn't want to make his own ice cream sundae, set up booby traps, do his own shopping, use (memorably) aftershave, and cut down his own tree? So much greatness here, I'll have


3. A Christmas Story (1983)

That this movie is played for 24 hours straight on TNT every Christmas Eve-into-Day should tell you how popular and wonderful it is. It's set in Indiana, has the glean of years-gone-by, and includes more hopes and dreams of little boys at Christmas time. Again, as with all of the Top 5, there are too many memorable scenes and moments to outline them all here. That being said, remember the point were Ralphie beats the crap out of the bully? Or how about his dream sequence when he uses his Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle (BB Gun) to shoot the bad guys in the backyard? Of course, the mantra 'you'll shoot your eye out' rings so true to life. And the dirty department store Santa kicking Ralphie down the slide. And the Chinese restaurant rendition of Jingle Bells (Fa ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra). I love the "Wonder Years"-esque voice over - it adds so much. And just like Home Alone, there is so much for little boys to relate to in this one. Who hasn't been tortured with that ridiculous present from an aunt, that your parents seem to love so much? And we all learned that you really shouldn't stick your tongue to a metal pole when it's freezing outside.


2. Christmas Vacation

A lot of people may be confused how this one can be anything but first. True, it is the quintessential Christmas movie and probably the last thing any of us saw Chevy Chase in. I know I'm repeating myself, but just like the last two movies, the reality presented is startling and reassuring all at the same time. The Griswolds represent the everyman and the ridiculousness know as family gatherings. It is comforting to see other families (fictional, though they may be) are as dysfunctional as our own. A wonderful cast, great music, and the "Hap-Hap-Happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny *** Kaye. Cousin Eddie and that awful green dickie under the shear, white turtle neck. The neighbors. "I don't know Todd." Aunt Bethany's Jello, wrapping the cat, and saying grace (who died thirty years ago). What makes a movie so wonderful, memorable, and worthy of the top spot is it's ability to make you see yourself in the movie, and to go on for YEARS quoting it. This is that movie. This is a masterpiece that must be watched, over and over and over. Of course, Clark Griswold is the inspiration for so many outdoor light displays. Someday, I'll do it....someday.


1. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

The only reason that 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' beats out the other worthy Christmas movies is because of the scene where Linus tells the true meaning of Christmas on stage.



It is a great movie for a host of other reasons. The soundtrack is the best Christmas album, bar none. I listen to it year round. The usual Peanuts gang is doing their usual things. The themes of over-commercialization appear, seeming to be the reason Charles Schulz made the show in the first place. Lost of great lines, lots of great moments and feelings conjured up here. Watching this show is a holy experience for me - I don't want to talk, I don't want to move. I just want to sit and watch and take it in. For years, I've contemplated owning it on DVD, but the idea of being able to watch it at my leisure, over and over, seemed somehow unbecoming the nature of the story. Maybe I'll cave at some point, but for now, I'll set aside time each season to take in the true meaning of Christmas through the immortal storytelling of Charlie Brown.