Christmastime Is Here!
Did just a little decorating…
Did a little baking…
…and have a little bit of Sherlock Holmes books to tide me over…
…so there’s a good bit of Christmas cheer in the air here, and that’s the way it ought to be!
If you don’t celebrate, that is of course perfectly fine, as we a re all different people with a wide variety of differing tastes, and that is fine, too!
There’ll Be Scary Ghost Stories and Tales of the Glories…
With the passing of my best friend Randy this last year, he joins my Uncle and brother in ghosts of Christmases past. All good memories with each of them, of course, but certainly a time of sorrowful reflection and nostalgia. Yet, of course, still in a good way, just sad. Still, and I’ve written so before, the fact I have those wonderful memories speaks volumes on the love for each of them that is still deep within my soul.
A Movie-ing Christmastime
I am certain we all have our certain favorite Christmas movies. Some of those that used to be our top three movies have paled over time and moved down the list, I am sure, but there always seems to be those we never go a holiday season without watching, right? Here is my sort of Top Ten, for what they are worth:
10) This is a tie (I did write ‘sort of’) between:
‘Lethal Weapon’, 1987
and ‘The Santa Clause’ 1994
I know most people feel that ‘Die Hard’ is more a Christmas movie than ‘Lethal Weapon’, but I guess I’m just different. Mind you, I like them both, but LW edges out DH for me. TSC ranks strangely equal with it not because they are like movies, other than the Christmas connection, but because it’s stil a fave, even thought the recent Disney+ series has diminished it for me.
9) ‘A Christmas Story’ 1983
This seems to be one of those movies that one either likes or hates. Myself, having read In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd (who also narrates Ralphie’s Christmas) this has become a fun and wonderful staple of Christmas viewing pleasure!
8) ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ 1989
This is THE one movie I just can’t imagine hasn’t been seen by everyone, it just has That Feeling about it. 🤷♂️ Again, another (or it wouldn’t be on this list!) of those movies that just must be watched damn-near religiously every Christmas! Hilarity ensues!!
7) ‘Scrooged’ 1988
It may be a little weird to have this particular rendition of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ one such entry on this list, what with the likes of Reginald Owen, Alastair Simm, George C. Scott, Patrick Stewart and Jim Carrey portraying Scrooge, but this holds a special place in my heart as my brother Doug and I loved to quote this one back and forth, even living at great distances apart, and I mean every year, even unto mimicking how Cross ‘pours’ TAB into his vodka!
6) “A Muppet Christmas Carol Carol’ 1992
Again, a ‘non-serious’ approach, and a musical, at that, to the Classic tale, but, I mean: Muppets!! I think that is enough to be said! If you haven’t, see it!
5) ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ 1946
Yeah, it’s sappy to a point, but the lesson in this failure of a movie during its original release is one for us all! We may never know just how positively we have affected those around us or those we have known in the past, but it is sure certain we have! Hopefully, we will never have to get to the point that George Bailey does to recognize it! Another one that if you have never see, you really should! And keep listening for the bells!
4) ‘We’re No Angels’ 1955
Wait; a Christmas movie with Humphrey Bogart?? Yep! This is one that I have found very few people are aware of, and that is a damn shame! A comedy, believe it or not, of three convicts trying to escape Devil’s Island on Christmas in the year 1895. This is so very much worth the watch!
3) ‘The Loin In Winter’ 1968
The year is 1183, Christmas and King Henry II has gathered his family together, even his imprisoned Queen, Eleanor, to celebrate the Season. With the likes of Peter O’Toole and Katherine Hepburn, this fictional account of such a gathering is a delight to watch, and we find that even royal families can have their…difference during the Holidays.
2) ‘The Bishop’s Wife’ 1947
This little gem is a wonderful and charming (Well, it does have Cary Grant in it!) movie of a bishop that asks for help from Above, and receives it…but is it the right kind of help? Well, you should watch this fun movie and find out (and do not bother with the remake of ‘The Preacher’s Wife’).
1) ‘White Christmas’ 1954
Bing Crosby made the song popular in 1942 in the movie ‘Holiday Inn’ (a dated but good movie, as well!) and the prolific director Michael Curtiz directed this movie about two buddies brought together during WWII form a singing duo who write and produce heir own shows. As you might imagine, this is a musical and a comedy with Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney (George’s aunt!). Another funny and heart-warming Christmas movie.
Any and all of these are recommended and were you to visit me one or all of them would gladly be shown to you!
