Image via WikipediaWhile many Christmas movies tend to start showing up on your television far too soon, it's a good idea if you have children to purchase these classics yourself and show them when you are ready to get “into the spirit” as they say. This way you can watch them when you are ready, and not a day or month in some cases ahead of schedule. If you live in South Carolina, many of these classic movies are available at your local Blockbuster for rent or sale. For a link that will help you find a Blockbuster video near you, see the *link at the bottom of this article.
A Christmas Carol
There are many good versions of this movie out there. No matter which you prefer you really can't have a true Christmas experience without it. If you think about it, this is one of the first “paranormal” movies centered around Christmas. If not the only one. What makes this movie so great, like many Christmas movies is the lessons it bestows. To be generous, and to give to those in need, especially during the holidays.
This movie is wonderful. Jimmy Stewart's portrayal of big hearted George Bailey, was sweet, sad and comical all at the same time as he works out his issues with a sweet yet goofy angel wannabe Clarence.
What makes this movie special is even today you can identify with the main characters struggles with life, family, and money problems. This movie helps us examine just what is truly important in the grand scheme of things, your family and friends.
Miracle on 34th Street
This movie captures all the magic and wonder in the spirit of Christmas and in children, with Natalie Wood starring as a youngster in her second major film. It's a must see classic, and if you are looking to establish a Christmas eve tradition with your family, make watching this movie a part of it. Warm and touching with a little magic mixed in. If you haven't seen this movie yet, you've got a good reason now, its a holiday favorite of many for a good reason.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
This stands out of one of the best National Lampoon movies. Funny, accident prone Clark Griswald, played by Chevy Chase can't seem to get the perfect family Christmas off to a good start. Try as he might, he can't seem to get going in the right direction when inlaws, neighbors, killer squirrels, bosses and Christmas lights all seem to get in the way of his perfect family holiday.
A Christmas Story
Image via WikipediaThis movie is a favorite among young and old alike. It's starts off with this one little boy, Ralphie Parker (played by Peter Billingsley) who has but one goal in life and that is obtaining a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Very much like children do today, Ralphie will stop at nothing to get this prized BB gun, including pestering his parents, having endless fantasies of shooting villains, and facing a terrifying visit with Santa. The father and mother are so easy to relate to, mom is a little frazzled and goofy, dad is the hard working, swearing bread winner, yet has a strange attraction to a lamp in the shape of a woman's leg. If you are one of the rare one's that hasn't seen this movie yet, go rent it today.Home Alone
It's hard to believe any parents could forget and leave one of their own children behind for Christmas as they make the trek to spend the holidays out of the country, yet this is exactly what happens. However, little Kevin Mccallister, (played by Macaulay Culkin) is far from defenseless as he encounters two burgulars that have set their sites on his house to rob. While mom finds a way back to retrieve her son, little Kevin gives two burgulars the worst experience of their lives and stops nothing short of torture as they become burned, tarred and feathered, and beaten down by a little boy that is by far more clever than they are. It was a huge hit in the 80's, and perhaps, one of only a few for the time era that relate to Christmas.
Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Image via WikipediaAs a child, it really doesn't sink in that Christmas is around the corner until this movie shows up on television. This cartoon is timeless and the music is also just as great as the movie. The Grinch is a terrible character that decides to masquerade around Whoville as Santa, only to steal Christmas and all Christmas related items from the innocent, if not oblivious Whos. If you have last minute packages to wrap, play this movie in for the kids with some hot cocoa and you'll find they'll give you all the time you need.Santa Claus: The Movie
David Huddleson, by far plays one of the best Santas ever in this movie. His sparkling eyes, sweet smile and robust presence make for a great Santa along with Dudley Moore, playing the perfect elf. If ever there were to be a real Santa, Huddleson would have to be him. Both do a wonderful job along with John Lithgow at providing an excellent Christmas story that answers some of those pesky little mysteries around how Santa came to be, how the reindeers fly and what got Santa all the way to the North Pole in the first place. The movie mixes old with new as it has a contemporary spin to it, with Dudley Moore playing an elf “Patches” that has big ideas about marketing magical Christmas products. It's a must see for the family.
Jingle All The Way
This movie is about a workaholic dad Howard Langston, (played by Arnold Schwarzeneggar) who tries to redeem himself in his son's eyes by going to great lengths to get his son a special super hero toy action figure, Turbo Man. As he waits until the last minute he soon discovers that he is not alone in trying to secure this sought after toy and must battle one other very determined mail man dad, Myron Larabee (played by Sinbad). Larabee, like Langston will stop at nothing to get his son this limited toy and Langston soon discovers how waiting until the last minute to buy a gift can be a huge mistake. Meanwhile, Langston's wife and son are getting plenty of attention for a divorcee neighbor, Ted Maltin (played by Phil Hartman). Maltin is the ideal dad and attentive which only makes Howard Langston look worse to his family. This is a very entertaining movie, Sinbad does a wonderful job in this Christmas movie and why this one didn't make it to the list in most reviews is surprising.
Elf
“We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.” “I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite.” This quote is one of many musings of Will Ferrell's role as the child-like elf “Buddy.” This movie is listed everywhere as one of the best Christmas movies of all time. It is a cute movie in a time when few Christmas movies are being made anymore. There are a few actors that are a blast from the past in this movie, including Ed Asner as “Santa”, and Bob Newhart as “Papa elf.” Buddy the elf begins life crawling into Santas' home and being raised by elves, only to discover later that his real father, Walter Hobbs, (played by James Caan) was alive and well in New York. Hobbs is on the “naughty” list and soon Buddy locates his less than loveable dad. It's a cute story, that gives one the view of what an actual elve's life and mentality might would be like. A unique perspective but worth watching at least once anyway.
