I am a big film lover and I am quite the Christmas elf, so of course I do have a, not so secret, love of Christmas films. I think there is no avoiding that festive films are a love them or hate them thing- and also fairly kitsch. Films I love at Christmas are also not necessarily the ones I would enjoy at any other time of the year. But hey that's why I like Yule I guess.
These are The Times' top 20 Christmas films.
Mine are a mixture of the classic and the eclectic. They are in the order I work up to Christmas Day. That doesn't mean they are in favourite order, just in the vague order I might watch them in if I had as much time as I would like!
The Family Stone: Not particularly well received when it came out, in this country anyway. I can't totally put my finger on why I like this one except that it features a lovely but slightly eccentric family which I always like at Christmas. It features some good, understated performances and isn't smaltchzy. It's quiet but very festive and I just enjoy it. I never fail to smile when Sarah Jessica Parker is singing repeat the sounding joy under her breath at the end.
The Holiday: I think this is a bit like the Family Stone. One that I really can't help liking against my better judgement. I think Kate Winslet's likeability is a big factor but Eli Wallach steals the show.
Miracle on 34th Street:the original and the Richard Attenborough version. Really if you like Christmas and are a little, or big, kid what is not to like about this tale of Chris Cringle proving he is real. I believe.
The Polar Express: I am actually not that keen on the early stages but it's all made up for when they get to the Pole. I can hear the bells.
Elf : I think this might be fast becoming my favourite! Will Ferrel as an Elf (genius), Zooey Deschanel as fabulous as ever, Santa in peril and needing us all to sing.
Love Actually: It's not as good as it could be and there are stories I could live without but it's set in London at Christmas and it just makes me smile.
It's a Wonderful Life: This is the Christmas film, as good and as relevant every year.
The Snowman: Perfection. From David Bowie to the score, to the illustration. When it begins the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and I am always transfixed for the entirety. Proof that to have an impact a film need not be long or have a very complex narrative. I am in floods of tears by the end every single time.
Santa Claus the Movie: This really is camp as Christmas. It has some quite bad effects and is really strange in some ways but it came out when I was a child and I remember it being on every Christmas eve and it just *has* the Christmas spirit.
Joyeux Noel: A dramatisation of the laying down of arms on Christmas Day in 1914. This could be very try hard poignant but it isn't.
Finally Christmas wouldn't be Christmas to me without the proper Dickens A Christmas Carol. My favourite is the Patrick Stewart and Richard E. Grant version but I like them all (especially the Muppets!)
It's a Wonderful Life poster on www.allposters.com
Love Actually: http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/image/love-actually-1.jpg
The Snowman: http://photos.thefirstpost.co.uk/arts/2005/07/images/071213snowman.jpg
12 comments:
I sometimes use Raymond Briggs' "The Bear" as an example of graphic storytelling...I love his stories as they appear on paper. Will need to find the film version of The Snowman.
The Muppets rock A Christmas Carol. :)
And while I'm good with just about everything on the Times list, your list highlights my hiatus from film watching...must find Love Actually, The Holiday, and The Family Stone.
Great post- One film that I love (that probably isn't all that popular in Europe) is Chevy Chase's National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It is SO funny and brings me holiday cheer every year.
I also love It's a Wonderful Life. This year I actually went to see a hilarious stage musical called "It's a Stevie Wonderful Life" that set the classic story to Stevie Wonder songs... so funny!
Thank you Rose - i am going to have a movie marathon tonight after reading your list. xv
Hi Scentscelf,
Yes Raymond Briggs is wonderful. I personally love the Snowman that has David Bowie at the beginning but there are different introductions. The word wonderful is over used but I really think the Snowman film is, it's the music together with the illustrations.
Ooh I hope you like the more modern films if you catch them.
Hi Daily,
I haven't seen National Lampoon's Christmas but I have heard of it and think maybe it is on here sometimes but not at peak times. I will look out for it! thanks for the recommendation!
It's a Stevie Wonderful Life sounds hilarious!
Hi Vicki,
Excellent, I'm glad I got you in the movie mood.
Rose...
Side note; I'd been waiting for you to "discover" it, but looks like the folks at Fragrantica have not yet notified you. You have been nominated for their blog awards...
:)
Scentscelf, wow that is so exciting. Thank you so much for nominating me, that brought a massive smile to my face.
You're welcome...though of course I should have, seeing how many smiles and pleasures your blog brings... :)
I loved the SJP movie "family stone" too! I felt so sorry for her (I get that from my in-laws - too different for them I guess) so I loved it because I could really feel for her.
Here is another movie I love at Christmas time - its a quirky one but I think you will love it too - "Mixed Nuts"
Hi Lady Jicky,
I think in- laws are often a mind field! I thought the film expressed quite well that sometimes people don't get on but not necessarily because there is anything wrong with either of them. Anyway it all worked out well in the end! Glad to know someone else enjoyed it! I loved the bit with SJP giving them all their present
I haven't heard of 'Mixed Nuts' will look it up!
Oh yes, the present giving and then they had to eat their words about her!
I hope you can find "Mixed Nuts" - its a few years old but still great!
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