So, this is Christmas…
We’re only a few sleeps away from the big day and as I prepare to ramp up my christmas film watching having worked through the Star Wars franchise in recent days (for obvious reasons), I wanted to lay out my top ten christmas movies…
…Let me know what you think, and have great Christmas.
10. Holiday Inn – 1942. The film that gave us ‘White Christmas’ features both Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, and is worth watching for the song alone.
9. The Muppet Christmas Carol – 1992. Kermit, Miss Piggy et al take to the ‘A Christmas Carol’ remake with Michael Caine starring as Scrooge.
8. Trading Places – 1983. Not a traditional christmas film but the seasonal setting of the film’s story of the experiment of two eccentric brokerage owners as they swap a street hustler (Eddie Murphy) and well-to-do company director (Dan Aykroyd) is littered with some classic moments.
7. Polar Express – 2004. Animated christmas classic which sees Tom Hanks as the conductor on the train heading straight for the North Pole, whilst reminding us about the magic of christmas.
6. Elf – 2003. Will Ferrell as a human, raised as a Christmas Elf. Hilarity ensues as he attempts to locate his original family and cope in New York.
5. Love Actually – 2003. Richard Curtis’ festive multi character tale with the festive spirit drizzled throughout. The editing of the film alone is to be commended but its now become a staple of the christmas film menu. Colin Firth’s tale is my favourite in it.
4. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation – 1989. For a Chevy Chase fan like myself, its sad to admit that this is the last good film that he has made. 26 years ago. Nevertheless, it remains the perfect summary of the christmas family traditions, and serve as a reminder to us all about the potential mishaps of sliding down snowy hills on greased metal bowls.
3. Scrooged – 1988. The christmas classic which whilst being a remake of Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’, it was much the perfect vehicle for Bill Murray to deliver arguably his funniest performance.
2. Die Hard – 1988. The christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza is interrupted by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) and co, with only NYPD cop John McLane (Bruce Willis) on hand to save the day.
1. Its a Wonderful Life – 1946. For me, this isn’t even close. This is the greatest christmas film of all time. One of the greatest performances by James Stewart. There is magic in those film reels.
