With the Holidays Upon Us - Fav Christmas Films by Shinygoodguy

Hey 11th Hour, I'm with you on 4,5 & 6.
Charlie Brown, Rudolf and the Grinch (original versions) are the way to go - no question. But to have the original commercials as well, that would make me feel like the Pillsbury Doughboy. Boris Karloff's naration in the Grinch makes my holiday. The peanut gang dancing to Schroeder's jazz piano and Rudolf's adventure. Only thing better is Zuzu's pedals.

That would be a near perfect Christmas. What would make it perfect you ask. Well, I'm glad you asked - finding "Saffron" under the tree in the morning wearing nothing but some ribbon, Jayne's hat and holding a mug of "Irish" hot chocolate.
Now that's a perfect Christmas.

Atta boy, Clarence!

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008 2:03 AM

FLATTOP

Favorite Christmas movies in no particular order:
It's a Wonderful Life
Nighmare before Christmas
Miracle on 34th Street (original b&w)
Scrooged ("Oh look, it's a TOASTER")
A Chrismas Story
White Chrismas
Grinch (The new one)

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008 2:16 AM

Die Hard 1 & 2
Lethal weapon

And last but never least,

GREMLINS!!!!

The warped Chrisisall

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008 6:58 PM

JEWELSTAITEFAN

The Santa Clause.
I also knda like Michael around this time.

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Sunday, November 30, 2008 4:57 PM

STOWEAWAY

I agree with pretty much all of the above movies.
But I'd like to add:

-- The Bishop's Wife (1948) with Cary Grant and David Nivens.

I truly truly love Cary Grant. And it really is a touching story.

--------------------------------------------------
Check out http://www.americasfunniesttshirts.com for hilarious shirts at a great price.

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Tuesday, December 2, 2008 1:44 PM

KWICKO

Have to add one to my list:

Love Actually. I just love it, actually. :)

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Tuesday, December 2, 2008 1:54 PM

Edward Scissorhands - I know it isn't technically a Christmas film, but the characters are preparing for it, so the atmosphere is there.

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Tuesday, December 2, 2008 2:27 PM

WHOZIT

Ya can't go wrong with "A Christmas Story"

I'm going to microwave a bagel and have sex with it - Peter Griffin

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Tuesday, December 2, 2008 3:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
Edward Scissorhands - I know it isn't technically a Christmas film, but the characters are preparing for it, so the atmosphere is there.

That movie makes my cry like a little girl.

The baby Chrisisall

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Tuesday, December 2, 2008 3:08 PM

TRAVELER

A Christmas Story
Lemon Drop Kid
Battle Ground
Bell, Book and Candle
Toy Story

http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=28764731
Traveler

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Friday, December 5, 2008 1:01 PM

Good choice, Sleepy. I love this movie, from the storytelling aspect to the wonderful soundtrack - Danny Elfman's music is magical.

Yes, it does prepare one for the holiday. Technicalities? We don't need no stinking technicalities!

If it gives the Christmas spirit....well, gorramit, it belongs on this list. Now you've done it, now I gotta see it. Today!

No worries!

Tawabawho?

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Friday, December 5, 2008 1:13 PM

Hey, who let in the crybaby, Kwai Changisall?

That movie makes my cry like a little girl.[i/]
_____________________________________________

Truth be told, my eyes do get a little moist in the Edward-making-snow scene and Winona dancing about.

Okay, now I need a kleenex! You know, a piece of dirt went into my eye

Tawabawho?

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Friday, December 5, 2008 2:48 PM

FREMDFIRMA

Irving Berlin's White Christmas.

Watching Vera-Ellen dance just makes my heart go pitter patter, I tellya... *sigh*

That kind of magic is all but forgotten now, but she was the very best of it.

-Frem

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Saturday, December 6, 2008 12:01 AM

Originally posted by chrisisall:

Quote:
That movie makes my cry like a little girl.

And so it should. It is a minor masterpiece, and becomes better with age.

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Saturday, December 6, 2008 12:07 AM

Originally posted by Shinygoodguy:

Quote:
Good choice, Sleepy. I love this movie, from the storytelling aspect to the wonderful soundtrack - Danny Elfman's music is magical.

Yes, it does prepare one for the holiday. Technicalities? We don't need no stinking technicalities!

Good to hear we don't need technicalities. I love this film too. It's just about perfect. Wonderful visuals, great characterisations, VINCENT PRICE!!!! and arguably just about the best damn score ever written. Danny Elfman cemented his genius with this one, and it's certainly Burtons best picture yet. Only thing that lets it down for me is (Ryders) acting - she's just a little behind everyone else. But that's nitpicking. Edward Scissorhands has the best fitting ending to a film (relative to it's story) since Cyrano De Bergerac.

If you like this you'd like BIG FISH. You seen Big Fish?

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Saturday, December 6, 2008 1:15 AM

SIMONWHO

Not many of you will know it but there's an old BBC series called The Box of Delights that's wonderful to watch this time of year. Takes me back to my childhood anyway.

Die Hard, Gremlins are good ones to get the blood pumping, It's A Wonderful Life for a bit of sentiment (though not as much as you might think if you haven't watched it already) and for late night indulgence, Santa Claus versus the Martians, preferably the MST3Ked version.

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Saturday, December 6, 2008 6:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
You seen Big Fish?

It was great. Big Lebowski great.

The Cohen Chrisisall

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Saturday, December 6, 2008 6:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SimonWho:
Santa Claus versus the Martians, preferably the MST3Ked version.

If I were Obama, I'd make the networks show it every Dec. 24th.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Sunday, December 7, 2008 2:54 AM

Elfman's score is what makes this movie a masterpiece, without it it's just great. Just to be clear, this does remind me of Christmas and the way I felt when I was a kid on Christmas Eve.

Everytime I watch it, especially around this time of year I feel truly special.

"arguably just about the best damn score ever written." I cannot argue with that. Beetlejuice and Scissorhands are the 2 best, with Scissorhands being the best. As far as Ryder's acting, well, anyone next to Depp in this film pales in comparison. He was the movie and breathed life into Edward. Dianne Wiest came close, she had very good chemistry with Depp. Winona's perf was servicable, Kathy Baker was scrumptious as the next door neighbor, but Michael Anthony Hall almost ruined it for me in his over-the-top bully mode. (Am I being to nitpicky here? I could never tell).

I agree about the ending, bittersweet and fit absolutely perfect. Not everything has to end with a neatly wrapped bow. For me, the storytelling made the journey - masterfully wonderful.

I too like Big Fish for the same reason I love Scissorhands. The whimsical storytelling. Albert Finney was masterful in his perf. You could feel his presence throughout. Good choice again.

My turn - not too long ago there was a French movie called Amelie with Audrey Tatou. Inventive storytelling and solid perfs all around by some gifted actors.

Tawabawho?

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Sunday, December 7, 2008 3:07 AM

Hey Chrisisall,

Great choice, my son and I love that movie. It's been some time since I've seen it, but it nonetheless is a great movie. What a cast - from Sam Elliot's narrating, John Turturro wacky bowler, Steve Buscemi, John Goodman - well a virtual cornucopia of character actors. And one of the best dream sequences, next to a Clockwork Orange, in the movies.

How;s this for a wacky Coen Brothers choice - Raising Arizona (Turn to the right!,You never leave a man behind!)

Good times!

Tawabawho?

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Sunday, December 7, 2008 4:21 AM

Originally posted by Shinygoodguy:

Quote:

My turn - not too long ago there was a French movie called Amelie with Audrey Tatou. Inventive storytelling and solid perfs all around by some gifted actors.

Hey Shiny - looks like you and I may share some remarkbly similar tastes in cinema styles. I love Amelie. I saw it in the cinema, I bought the DVD and later when I met my girlfriend I bought it for her too. It is an amazing film. So much invention in every flickering frame it's incredible clearly made by a man who loves the cinematic medium. And again, what a cracking score! Great design, acting, dialogue and winsome script.

Have you seen his [Jean-Pierre Jeunet's] other work: Delicatessen, and CIty of the Lost Children?

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Sunday, December 7, 2008 6:21 AM