Best Christmas Movies


Christmas movies, and specifically which are the best, is a deeply personal thing. There are as many different lists as there are people. But, 'tis the season for Christmas films as we head into the final weekend before holiday revelry begins. So below are my five favorite Christmas movies in order.

There are plenty I enjoy, including classics like "It's A Wonderful Life," "Home Alone," and "Holiday Inn." But these are the ones that I think of when I think of watching a Christmas movie.

5. A Christmas Story (1983)
About: My wife doesn't care for this movie, so I don't watch it as much as I used to. But I love the classic story of Ralphie, his family and the Christmas present he schemed to get only to have it literally bite him in the face. This is a close entry, as I considered "Love Actually," another film my wife doesn't like, in this slot. But "A Christmas Story" really captures the heart of the season and a different era in America.

4. Elf (2003)
About: I'm not a huge Will Ferrell fan, but he's talented and when he finds the right character, it can be magic. Buddy the Elf might be his finest work. This is a goofy sweet film that makes you smile whenever you see it. It's about Christmas cheer, and that's what it brings, too. And it's fun for the whole family.

3. Christmas Vacation (1989)
About: We're all Clark W. Griswold, right? We want to create a beautiful and perfect holiday, and inevitably things go wrong. The holidays can be a stressful time, and "Christmas Vacation" captures that magic in an iconic way. Chevy Chase is great in the role and, though this is the third film in a series, this is probably the best of the "Vacation" films. And no Christmas season is complete for me without seeing it at least once.

2. Die Hard (1988)
About: First, yes, it is a Christmas movie. It takes place on Christmas Eve at a Christmas party. It's not a successful party, but that happens a lot at work Christmas events. Well, not the terrorist part, but you take my meaning. And second, it's just a great movie. No time of year is a bad time for "Die Hard." It's one of my all time Top 10 favorite films, and it features a number of iconic moments and performances. In fact, some have called it the Greatest Christmas Story Ever Told.

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
About: I love Charlie Brown. And, if I'm being honest, I really love all the animated Christmas classics that air beginning after Thanksgiving. I usually watch Frosty, Rudolph and the Grinch each year. But none thrills me more than Charlie Brown. This is a busy and frenzied season. It can be easy to lose the reason for the season. But Charlie Brown, and more specifically Linus, help put the focus back where it belongs. This one is pure joy, and will always be my favorite.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve
Read more