There's just something about a great Christmas movie.
We're not talking about a Christmas episode of your fave TV show, or those (awesome) oldies like "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." A Christmas movie is, ideally, something you can really settle in to with lots of popcorn along with friends or family. A story that has a lot going on and stays with us, not just through this Christmas but year after year.
It seems like it's hard for Hollywood to come up with these nowadays. Of course, there's the cool new "A Christmas Carol" starring Jim Carrey. But then again, this tale has been told before in many wonderful ways. (Once The Muppets and Barbie have done their versions, you wonder what's next. Lego? Oh wait, that's already on YouTube.)
One new addition is Disney's "Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws," recently released on Blu-ray and DVD. If you're a fan of the Buddies movies, or of talking (and singing) dogs in general, then this tale is worth wagging for sure. It's got feel-good messages about kindness and generosity, not to mention some giggly bits. Older IML'ers might find it a little sappy and silly; but as we often say, you might like it more than you'll admit and if you have younger sibs or babysitting charges to entertain, it's a slam dunk.
At times like this, we turn to the classics. Allow us to present IML's list of the Top Five Christmas Movies for Tweens:
5) "The Santa Clause"
We love movies that take a great "what if" and turn them into a story. What if your dad turned into Santa Claus? This flick touches on issues like divorce and child custody in a way that doesn't seem tacked-on.
4) "Home Alone"
Every kid's fantasy turned nightmare turned fantasy. And lots of empowerment (despite the cartoonish violence).
3) "Elf"
How much does Will Ferrell rock in this movie? We're smiling just thinking about it.
2) "The Nightmare Before Christmas"
Is it a Halloween movie? Is it a Christmas movie? It's mostly just a great story, with great music. And great merchandising. Who knew this dark tale from Tim Burton would become such a phenomenon.
1) "A Christmas Story"
Maybe because TNT airs this for 24 straight hours and we've seen it a thousand times, but this movie (which was not a huge hit when it was first released) has become a true classic. We love the peek into simpler days gone by where issues with friends, bullies, siblings, parents, and school were not all that different than they are now. Plus, it's just hilarious.
Those are just our personal favorites. Did we leave something out? Want to tell us about your own Christmas classics? And what about movies that aren't about Christmas but explore other seasonal holidays like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's? We'd love to hear about them!
We're not talking about a Christmas episode of your fave TV show, or those (awesome) oldies like "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." A Christmas movie is, ideally, something you can really settle in to with lots of popcorn along with friends or family. A story that has a lot going on and stays with us, not just through this Christmas but year after year.
It seems like it's hard for Hollywood to come up with these nowadays. Of course, there's the cool new "A Christmas Carol" starring Jim Carrey. But then again, this tale has been told before in many wonderful ways. (Once The Muppets and Barbie have done their versions, you wonder what's next. Lego? Oh wait, that's already on YouTube.)
One new addition is Disney's "Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws," recently released on Blu-ray and DVD. If you're a fan of the Buddies movies, or of talking (and singing) dogs in general, then this tale is worth wagging for sure. It's got feel-good messages about kindness and generosity, not to mention some giggly bits. Older IML'ers might find it a little sappy and silly; but as we often say, you might like it more than you'll admit and if you have younger sibs or babysitting charges to entertain, it's a slam dunk. At times like this, we turn to the classics. Allow us to present IML's list of the Top Five Christmas Movies for Tweens:
5) "The Santa Clause"
We love movies that take a great "what if" and turn them into a story. What if your dad turned into Santa Claus? This flick touches on issues like divorce and child custody in a way that doesn't seem tacked-on.
4) "Home Alone"
Every kid's fantasy turned nightmare turned fantasy. And lots of empowerment (despite the cartoonish violence).
3) "Elf"
How much does Will Ferrell rock in this movie? We're smiling just thinking about it.
2) "The Nightmare Before Christmas"
Is it a Halloween movie? Is it a Christmas movie? It's mostly just a great story, with great music. And great merchandising. Who knew this dark tale from Tim Burton would become such a phenomenon.
1) "A Christmas Story"
Maybe because TNT airs this for 24 straight hours and we've seen it a thousand times, but this movie (which was not a huge hit when it was first released) has become a true classic. We love the peek into simpler days gone by where issues with friends, bullies, siblings, parents, and school were not all that different than they are now. Plus, it's just hilarious.
Those are just our personal favorites. Did we leave something out? Want to tell us about your own Christmas classics? And what about movies that aren't about Christmas but explore other seasonal holidays like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's? We'd love to hear about them!
