Holiday Favorites
- Gregory
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 4:07 pm
I'll Be Seeing You is another one set against a Christmastime background, which I'm curious about but have not had the chance to see. I want to see it because Dieterle at his best was a force to be reckoned with. However, this was not Ginger Rogers' best period. If anyone's inclined to comment on this one, I'd be interested.
Last edited by Gregory on Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
- emcflat
- Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 7:12 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
- TechNoir
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 10:32 pm
Besides the usual Christmas Story, and Its a Wonderful Life, my other two must see every Christmas films are, Silent Night Deadly Night (NAUGHTY!), and Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas, perhaps one of the most overlooked of Jim Henson's productions. I get as much of a kick out of it now, as i did when i was a child.
- kieslowski_67
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:39 pm
- Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland
- godardslave
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 4:44 pm
- Location: Confusing and open ended = high art.
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- Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004 11:41 am
- Location: Florie-dah
- Polybius
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 10:57 pm
- Location: Rollin' down Highway 41
Among the Peanuts specials, It's Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown has always been my favorite. Popcorn and toast on a ping pong table 8-)
As far as films, I also have to catch A Christmas Story (a film that has become a staple via seasonal TV reruns after an initially unsuccessful theatrical run, much like It's a Wonderful Life) and I have to see Diner.
Christmas, Colts football, Carol Heathrow, the Ponderosa in color...it's all of a wonderful Yule piece for me.
As far as films, I also have to catch A Christmas Story (a film that has become a staple via seasonal TV reruns after an initially unsuccessful theatrical run, much like It's a Wonderful Life) and I have to see Diner.
Christmas, Colts football, Carol Heathrow, the Ponderosa in color...it's all of a wonderful Yule piece for me.
- Lino
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 6:18 am
- Location: Sitting End
- Contact:
Anything with Audrey Hepburn in it is always a holiday favorite chez moi. I've just finished watching Two for the Road and it always leaves me in such a good mood, it's unbelievable. Maybe it's Mancini's music or Audrey's smile or even a combination of both. Finney is top notch in it, too and the film wouldn't have the same power without him.
Michael, do check it out if you can.
Michael, do check it out if you can.
- Fletch F. Fletch
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 3:54 pm
- Location: Provo, Utah
I feel that way about Hepburn in Charade. She has such great chemistry with Cary Grant. The dialogue is so good and everyone in the cast delivers it with such skill. I also like the look of the movie, the atmosphere that is created is so magical. I don't know if I'd classify it as a holiday movie but I enjoy it nonetheless.Annie Mall wrote:Anything with Audrey Hepburn in it is always a holiday favorite chez moi. I've just finished watching Two for the Road and it always leaves me in such a good mood, it's unbelievable.
- Max von Mayerling
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:02 pm
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
I watched Fanny & Alexander last year around Christmas without thinking of it as being appropriate to the season, and now I'm feeling like I want to watch it again this Christmas. I'm glad to hear others are drawn to watch it during the holidays. The atmosphere of family celebration in the early part of the film is really overwhelming. It makes me feel like I've been invited to participate in this very private tradition.
Of course, you then have to contend with the rest of the film... but you know, a little holiday catharsis can be nice.
Of course, you then have to contend with the rest of the film... but you know, a little holiday catharsis can be nice.
- cdnchris
- Site Admin
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 2:45 pm
- Location: Washington
- Contact:
Started up the Christmas movie viewing season with Lethal Weapon yesterday. Nothing rings in the holiday season like a sequence with Jingle Bell Rock playing in the background, ending with a half naked woman falling 40 floors onto a parked car. Merry Christmas!
Tonight it's The Ref. "Don't eat the penis. It's just garnish." Then it will probably be Christmas Story.
Tonight it's The Ref. "Don't eat the penis. It's just garnish." Then it will probably be Christmas Story.
- Dylan
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:28 pm
"Nightmare Before Christmas" is a great holiday film. I also have a fondness for "Edward Scissorhands," which nobody has mentioned yet.
I too watched "Fanny & Alexander" for the first time around last Christmas and now that I think about it, I'm also more than due for another viewing.
I suppose if I had to choose one favorite, I'd go with one of Woody Allen's greatest films (and for my money, one of the greatest films ever made), "Hannah and Her Sisters," which is bookended by Thanksgiving gatherings, and has such a wonderfully warm feel throughout. A beautiful, funny, romantic film.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Dylan
I too watched "Fanny & Alexander" for the first time around last Christmas and now that I think about it, I'm also more than due for another viewing.
I suppose if I had to choose one favorite, I'd go with one of Woody Allen's greatest films (and for my money, one of the greatest films ever made), "Hannah and Her Sisters," which is bookended by Thanksgiving gatherings, and has such a wonderfully warm feel throughout. A beautiful, funny, romantic film.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Dylan
- Schkura
- Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2005 1:48 pm
- Location: Mississippi
'Tis the season for schlocky sentimentality. For every holiday classic out there that temporarily restores my faith in the goodness and altruism of humankind, there are no less than 20 that leave me wishing for a loaded gun and some face-time with the president of Lifetime Television. Please take a moment to consider these, the films that make you want to beat someone down with a yule log, and share your stories below.
I'll get you started. Anyone ever seen Once Upon a Christmas starring the irrepressible Kathy Ireland (Alien from L.A., Mom and Dad Save the World) as the daughter of Santa Claus tasked with saving Christmas (whaaaa?) from the icy grasp of cynicism and commercialism (and all the while shilling for Ireland's new line of clothes)? G-NEE-US. It took 35 consecutive viewings of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer that year to stave off a conversion.
The very next year? You guessed it: Twice Upon a Christmas.
I'll get you started. Anyone ever seen Once Upon a Christmas starring the irrepressible Kathy Ireland (Alien from L.A., Mom and Dad Save the World) as the daughter of Santa Claus tasked with saving Christmas (whaaaa?) from the icy grasp of cynicism and commercialism (and all the while shilling for Ireland's new line of clothes)? G-NEE-US. It took 35 consecutive viewings of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer that year to stave off a conversion.
The very next year? You guessed it: Twice Upon a Christmas.
- Dylan
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:28 pm
I actually do remember "Once Upon a Christmas," though I never watched it. And it's from the director of "The Gate" films and another low budget horror romp "I Madman." After I was ten I pretty much stopped watching any "new" or "Made for TV" Christmas fillms, so I haven't seen the worst of them, but I have a rather mediocre one to throw in. Anybody remember thr 1996 "Christmas Every Day?" It's been nine years and I was only ten at the time, but if memory serves me correctly it's one of those 'be in good behavior and help others' films that's just immeasurably obvious (meanwhile, it's also one of the surprisingly few rip offs of "Groundhog Day").
Here's another question: what was the last half-way decent Christmas film? I can't think of anything other than "Nightmare Before Christmas," which is my favorite of them all.
And just while I'm here, when I was little I too watched all of the Rankin/Bass stop-motion Christmas films dozens of times (as well as their Halloween-themed "Mad Monster Party," which is definitely the best of their work).
Ah yes, "The Snowman." I remember being very, very impressed by this as a kid, probably moreso than I was with Rankin/Bass; wasn't it all oil painting/pastel animation?
Dylan
Here's another question: what was the last half-way decent Christmas film? I can't think of anything other than "Nightmare Before Christmas," which is my favorite of them all.
And just while I'm here, when I was little I too watched all of the Rankin/Bass stop-motion Christmas films dozens of times (as well as their Halloween-themed "Mad Monster Party," which is definitely the best of their work).
Ah yes, "The Snowman." I remember being very, very impressed by this as a kid, probably moreso than I was with Rankin/Bass; wasn't it all oil painting/pastel animation?
Dylan
- Dylan
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:28 pm
I'd certainly see it again, particularly if it snows in my parts this year. I also really enjoy oil pastel/crayon animation, and it also seems like it would take an eternity to accomplish. I remember watching "The Snowman" with my father and throughout we were floored by the amount of effort that must have gone into it (this was maybe nine or ten years ago). I remember the music being pretty as well. I believe it won many awards.
Similarly, I remember a creative snow-themed short that used paper cut-out silhouettes, and that was quite nice as well.
Dylan
Similarly, I remember a creative snow-themed short that used paper cut-out silhouettes, and that was quite nice as well.
Dylan
- stockton
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:03 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Contact:
Just curious if anyone counts Mr. Krueger's Christmas among their holiday favorites? My guess is, uhh, 'No'. It's a made-for-TV film from 1980, starring Jimmy Stewart, produced by the Mormon Church. I've never seen it and had never heard of it until i saw it being peddled by the church on TV. Has anyone ever seen this? I'm really curious to hear what this is like. Is it super preachy? If so, is it just pushing the Jesus (it is a Christmas movie after all...) or is it pushing the Mormon church (besides the reference to the Tabernacle.) More importantly: was Jimmy Stewart a Mormon? crazy.
Last edited by stockton on Sun Nov 27, 2005 11:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- ben d banana
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 8:53 pm
- Location: Oh Where, Oh Where?
Here's the place to check on all of your favorite Mormons.
Kathy Ireland is also a pro-life crusader.
Kathy Ireland is also a pro-life crusader.
- stockton
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:03 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Contact:
Thanks ben d. That site is amazing. Unnervingly thorough. No mention of James Stewart being an LDS actor though. Anyway, maybe i'll pick up the 25th anniversary edition of Mr. Krueger's Christmas hereben d banana wrote:Here's the place to check on all of your favorite Mormons.
for $2.00 (or 50 for $50!). Who knows, perhaps it will be the film that finally knocks off A Christmas Story for the title of 'Best Holiday Film of All Time'.
- Polybius
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 10:57 pm
- Location: Rollin' down Highway 41
And my personal favorite of his embarrassment-of-riches oeuvre.Dylan wrote: I suppose if I had to choose one favorite, I'd go with one of Woody Allen's greatest films (and for my money, one of the greatest films ever made), "Hannah and Her Sisters," which is bookended by Thanksgiving gatherings, and has such a wonderfully warm feel throughout. A beautiful, funny, romantic film.
- cdnchris
- Site Admin
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 2:45 pm
- Location: Washington
- Contact:
My family rented Christmas with the Kranks while I was visiting them. Wow! That may single-handedly be the worst Christmas movie I have ever seen. The message was especially cheerful:
Don't be an individual, conform with your neighbours. As well, I also took out of it that if you don't celebrate Christmas because of your faith, well, fuck you!!
I can't believe I made it through the whole damn thing.
Don't be an individual, conform with your neighbours. As well, I also took out of it that if you don't celebrate Christmas because of your faith, well, fuck you!!
I can't believe I made it through the whole damn thing.