review of CHRISTMAS movies

well...I didn't know what to blog about. I was going to start the A-Z thing like Jen did, but I decided not to start that yet as I am not as creative as she was! So, since we are inthe holiday season, I thought I would review some holiday films in case you were unsure of what to watch.



ELF- Will Ferrel as Buddy the Elf. You know, "buddy the elf, what's your favorite color?" The elf obsessed with syrup and Santa Claus. He even spots the fake one at Gimballs, and accuses him of smelling like "beef and cheese". I love this more-modern holiday film. I have even watched it in July! It is sure to make you laugh as Buddy travels through the seven levels of the Candy Cane Forest, encounters his dad (singing him a "christmas-gram"), falls in love, and leads the New Yorkers in real Christmas cheer (by singing loud for all to hear.). I love the innocence of Buddy as he encounters modern-day NYC. Watch this movie. It never gets old!


It's A Wonderful Life- This holiday classic features James "Jimmy" Stewart as George Bailey. He questions his importance in this life, and by the visitation of an angel, learns what life would be like without him. Not only was it voted the #1 inspirational film of all time in AFI's "100 Years, 100 Cheers", but it was also ranked as the #1 Most Powerful Movie of All Time by the American Film Institute. And it is no wonder why this film received those acclaimed titles. When I watch this movie, it makes me realize that each life is important to someone in someway.

Holiday Inn- A 1942 classic, Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire sing as a singing and dancing duo. Astaire always happens to fall in love with the girls that Crosby loves. Intertwined into this romance is wonderful music and amazing dancing. This was actually the first film that featured Irving Berlins famed “White Christmas”, which in 2007 remained the best-selling music single ever. This show is in black-and-white, but I think it just adds to its magic!


White Christmas- Debuting in 1954, another holiday classic was born. I will admit to a small obsession with Bing Crosby. I love his velvety voice, and this movie was no exception to his talent. That’s what first attracted me to this movie. White Christmas was originally written to reunite Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby, but Astaire was retired, and refused the role. But Danny Kaye, who took Astaire’s place, is a hilarious sidekick to Crosby (who plays Bob Wallace). Wallace and Davis (Kaye) are a singing/dancing duo who perform for various clubs, and meet up with two sisters (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) and of course, each one falls in love with a sister. The four work together to produce a show for a retired General of Wallace and Davis. The music only adds to the splendor of the film, which is one of the first holiday films to be in color. And, and interesting note, Vera-Ellen, who played Judy Haynes (one of the sisters) did not actually sing at all in the movie, her voice was dubbed!


Santa Clause- Starring Tim Allen, I am sure many of you have seen this holiday comedy. Tim Allen becomes Santa Clause when he finds that the old Santa had fallen off his roof. Without noticing the Santa “Clause” (which states that if you put on the suit, you become Santa), Allen begins to physically morph into Jolly Old St. Nicholas, which causes problems between his ex-wife and her new husband. This movie is funny, witty, and has a good lesson. While at the North Pole, Allen learns from Judy the Elf that, “Seeing isn’t believing; believing is seeing.”

Mr. Krueger’s Christmas- I grew up watching this movie. This quality film is only a half-hour long, but covers everything a worthwhile movie needs. Willy Krueger (Stewart) is a lonely janitor is a basement apartment. He hears carolers, and invites them in for some much-needed company. One of the carolers is a little girl, Clarissa, who befriends Krueger. She accidentally leaves behind her mittens. Krueger begins to reminisce of his wife who had died, and realizes the true meaning of Christmas. Meanwhile, Clarissa realizes she left her mittens, and once the carolers return, Mr. Krueger is invited to carol with them, which presents him with a chance for some company for a change. This holiday film will make you teary-eyed, and help you appreciate what Christmas is all about.

PS...After I wrote this, I realized this could make a good column for the newspaper. So, I actually turned it in to my boss :) Yay! Blogs=work=money