Christmas Movies, Pt. 1


"I don't know what to say, except it's Christmas and we're all in misery." — Ellen, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."

So, we're in the shadow of Christmas. It's a time when we prepare for family, fun, food, and all the trappings of the most commercial holiday there is. In that spirit, over the next bit until Christmas, I'll be adding reviews of classic films that make the holidays bright.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Starring: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, and Juliette Lewis
Synopsis: This classic film — released in 1989 and a follow up to the classic "Vacation" film — has a lot of memorable holiday moments. It also has a theme we can all relate to — no matter what your plans, family always makes things interesting. Poor Clark Griswald (Chase) just wanted to have a grand Christmas celebration for his extended family. He makes big plans and he hopes to surprise them with news of a pool, based on his holiday bonus. Of course, things don't go according to plan. This series of misadventures dogs the Griswalds all the way through Christmas Eve. But that's part of the fun and truth of this film. Despite the madcap events and the minor disasters, everyone still comes together and embraces the idea of family. It's easy to forget that the holidays are about more than presents, parties, and decorations. The holidays are a time to stop, take a minute and appreciate all the special people in our lives. That seems an especially strong sentiment given the events of Friday, and it's something that "Christmas Vacation" has been espousing for years. It's not the deepest film, but it's fun and full of plenty of memorable moments.
Rating: PG-13
Verdict: Two stars out of Four

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