The Top Ten Christmas Movies Ever Made!

It has been two years since my Top Ten Christmas Movies of All Time blog. Some of my opinions have changed. Several movies received high marks for being classics, but I no longer go out of my way to see them. Others were newer and are starting to be time tested favorites. So here is the new list:

10. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Yes, this was only a television special. It was not on my previous list for that very reason. However, this just seems wrong. It is time tested and great. You can even buy inflatables and Charlie Brown Christmas trees years after its release. What other Christmas movie had a song that is so readily played on Christmas radio stations? It is classic and is here to stay.

9. A Christmas Carol (2009)

The best of the Christmas Carols by far. I had not seen this when I made my first list. Although, if we could make a perfect version it would have Kermit as Bob Cratchit, George C Scott as Scrooge, Goofy as Jacob Marley, and be done in the style of the Jim Carrey version. 

8. Die Hard (1988)

Yes, it is a Christmas movie. And I will be watching it again this year!

7. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Great! and unlike other Christmas movies, it is surprisingly original in its storytelling.

6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

It is worth watching simply for the back story of the Grinch's descent into obscurity. A back story that seems to have been copied in part by MegaMind. 

5. Miracle on 34^th Street (1947)

Definitely the Superior of the two "Miracle" movies.

4. The Santa Clause (1994)

Tim Allen's best work by far. It is too bad that they kept making these, because one was perfect. It would serve better as a stand alone movie than in an sub-par trilogy.

3. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

I LOVE this movie! Last time I had it as number one, but it is a little long. It also seems to be slipping in popularity. It must be the modern attention span. I still think it is Jimmy Stewart's best role.


2. Home Alone (1990)

Home Alone was the best Christmas movie that came out when I was a kid. Perhaps that is why it has stuck with me all of this time. The hijinks of Stern and Pesci as the inept wet bandits never gets old.

1. Elf (2003)

Elf is HUGELY funny and highly quotable.

"Smiling is my favorite"

"You sit on a thrown of lies!"

Need I say more? Elf has become my favorite Christmas movie, simply because it is one that constantly makes me laugh. It is an added plus that my wife and kids love it as well.

Didn't see your favorite? Comment below.

The Next Three Days

This past weekend there were millions of people lined up to see the new Harry Potter movie.  Where was I?  I was seeing The Next Three Days along with eight other people who happened to be in the theater on Saturday night.  I went home afterwards and read some reviews to see if I could find out where the crowds were.  The critics attacked it as too slow and not enough action.

I think what they mean is not enough "action".  The action we have grown accustomed to is over the top CGI explosions and unrealistic fight scenes.  The Next Three Days was a well acted, realistic nail biter of a movie.  It is a mix between John Q. and Taken.  If you are looking for a movie that could actually happen- a romantic action flick with a lot of drama and a feel good vibe about the triumph of the human spirit, then The Next Three Days is for you.

The only drawback is that Liam Neeson only does a short 5 minute cameo, when the trailor made him seem like a main character.  It does not matter though because Russell Crowe carries the film.

It was a breath of fresh air after the far fetched action movies that have come out this year.  If I still had the money I spent to see movies like Predators and The Expendables I could go back several more times to see The Next Three Days.  My advise:  Ignore the critics on this one.

Star Wars in 3D, its Finally Official!

Lucasfilm announced yesterday that they would be re-releasing all six Star Wars films in 3D. The proposed date will be in 2012 and all signs point to February. This has long been rumored and discussed among fans, but now it is finally going to happen. I have never been a fan of 3D movies. Avatar's affects were good, but then there was the Clash of the Titan's and Alice in Wonderland debacles.

I would be excited if Star Wars reentered the Theater in 2D or even with no picture as a digitally converted version of the radio dramas. Industrial Light and Magic is overseeing the project and has said they will take their time to do the job right.

It turns out that 2012 will not be the end of the world, but rather a dawning of an era where there are 3D films that actually have a great original story (sorry Dances with Wolves, ahem, I mean Avatar). I can't wait to see: the Death Star trench run, pod-races, lightsaber duels, asteroid fields, light-speed, the Rancor, and the Millennium Falcon in 3D.

If you have never seen any of the films, this would be a great time to give them a chance. Star Wars never had the chance to be released with the modern ticket prices and inflated 3D prices that propelled Avatar, The Dark Knight, and The Titanic past the greatest film of all time. I say it is time to reclaim the top spot. I myself will see it at least three times.

Now we can start crossing our fingers for 3D releases of Braveheart, The Matrix, and Fifth Element. I would much rather see great movies come back to the theater (3D or not), than new movies that are weak in story and rely on 3D alone for special effects.

The Top Ten Christmas Movies of All Time!

Here are the Top Ten Christmas Movies of all time (according to Randumblog).  Let me begin by saying that I am aware that A Christmas Story, The Polar Express, and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation are not included.  If there were fifteen they would be (but so would Gremlins).  I also realize that A Charlie Brown Christmas is not listed.  It is a special and not a movie or it would  definitely be in my top ten.

10. The Family Man (2000)

This may be the most underrated Christmas film of all time.  It doesn’t help that it came out at the same time as How the Grinch Stole Christmas which is the highest grossing Christmas film of all time.  The Family Man is a modern twist on the story from It’s a Wonderful Life.  Instead of dealing with what would happen if Jake Campbell (Nicholas Cage) had not existed, it deals with an alternate path that life would have taken him if he had chosen his girlfriend over his career.  If you have not seen this movie, you should rent it soon.

9. Die Hard (1988)

What more could one want from a Christmas movie besides time off from work, reconciliation with family, and a Christmas party?  Oh yeah, did I mention terrorists, explosions, and NYPD officer John Mclain (Bruce Willis)?  Die Hard brings in the holiday with a bang that makes me want to say Yippie Ki Yay Merry Christmas!

8. A Muppet’s Christmas Carol (1992)

Most people disagree as to which “Scrooge” movie is the best.  I happen to believe that it is the Muppet rendition.  Michael Caine would be a great Ebenezer Scrooge in a serious film, which makes it even better that he is acting along side of the Muppets.  Kermit is the best Bob Cratchit that I have ever seen.  On the comedic side, Statler and Waldorf are hilarious as Jacob and Robert Marley.

7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

I loved the original animated version of the Grinch.  This was an improvement in every area except the rhyming.  It has grown on me ever since.  Jim Carrey does an outstanding job of bringing the Grinch to life.  This movie is a feast for the eyes.  Whoville is a set design that makes Willie Wonka’s Factory look like a sad joke.  I also love the back-story on why the Grinch moved to Mt. Crumpit in the first place.

6. The Santa Clause (1994)

This is hands down the winner for fastest beard growth, with Evan Almighty and Teen Wolf as honorable mention.  Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is hilarious as the witty would be Santa.  It is a touching story of a boy believing in his father when no one else will.  It is a shame that the two sequels for this film were not up to par.  Actually, it is a shame that sequels were made for this movie period.

5. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

I am surprised at how many people still have not watched this movie.  It is the greatest clay animation movie of all time.  Most of the people I talk to think that it is supposed to be scary.  This is simply not true.  It is a whimsical fairy tale about someone who wants to bring Christmas to Halloween Town.  The people try, but end up messing up Christmas for our world.  It is up to Jack Skelington to take Santa’s place and save Christmas.  The music is amazing.  Disney originally released it under their Touchtone Pictures label until they saw how great it was and quickly put the Disney brand on the movie.  Coincidentally, this is the only Christmas movie that is applicable to two holidays.

4. Miracle on 34^th Street (1947)

The original is definitely the best when it comes to Miracle on 34^th Street.  I am still scratching my head as to why the proof for Santa in court was changed from the letters that the post office had, to the In God We Trust motto on the dollar bill.  Were the makers of the modern film trying to say that God is a fictional character?  It doesn’t really matter though since the original is king.  Edmund Gwenn is the best Santa that I have witnessed in any film.  I love how Santa sends the business from Macys to Kimballs and it actually increases the business at Macys.  It would be great to see businesses (and churches) operate in this manner today.

3. Elf (2003)

Elf is destined to become a perennial favorite for years to come.  It is one of those movies that keep getting funnier each time I watch it.  It really helps that there are great quotes within the film. “You stink. You smell like beef and cheese! You don't smell like Santa.”  I am not a big Will Ferrell fan, but I am glad that he was cast in this role, because he was perfect for it.

2. Home Alone (1990)

Home Alone always seems to start the Christmas holiday for me.  I know that Christmas is about Jesus, but the feeling of Christmas and the freedom Christ brings always hits at certain times.  Home Alone is that time for me.  I could have the lights up, the shopping done, and be baking cookies and still not feel like the season has started until I watch Home Alone.  I know it sounds weird, but the sooner I see this, the sooner I begin focusing on the true meaning of Christmas.

1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Classic, classic, classic!  Did I mention classic?  This movie has it all; great acting, a dynamic story, and the universal moral truth that each life matters.  It also has Jimmy Stewart who is good in any role.  Who would have thought that we would still be watching this annually over fifty years after it was made? I will close with this, “Merry Christams Mr. Potter, Merry Christmas, Emporium! Merry Christmas, you wonderful old Building and Loan!”--and Merry Christmas to everyone reading my blog, regardless of your opinion on the best Christmas movies.  Grab one you like, someone you love, and some popcorn and have a great Christmas! 

An updated list for 2011 is available here

Blu-ray and DVD on One Disc?

When I saw Disney re-release Snow White earlier this year with a Blu-ray disc and DVD in one package, I thought it was a good idea.  Beginning in January, Universal Studios Home Entertainment will release a GREAT idea.  They have begun production of the "Flipper", which features Blu-ray and DVD on opposite sides of the same disc.  The first release will be the Bourne trilogy.  

I still do not own a high definition TV, and will not in the near future.  As a movie lover the prospect of starting over is not an appealing thought.  Sure Blu-ray players can play both formats, but for how much longer?  Is this just to ease our transition?  How many DVD/VHS combos do you see nowadays?  That transition cost me a pretty penny.  What if I want to watch it on my computer, in another room, or just let a non-Blu-ray owning friend borrow a movie?  Do I have to buy a machine for every TV and an extra for friends to borrow?  No, I do not.  All I need is to purchase future movies on the "Flipper" disc, and even if Blu-ray goes under like HD-DVD did (which an Xbox 360 can still play, but is no longer considered a feature) then my collection is still safe.  For now I will keep my analog TV and DVD collection, but come January I may own my first Blu-ray disc.  I will enjoy the DVD side and all of my friends can borrow it regardless of their machine choice.