Post by Sweeney Terrier on Dec 5, 2014 8:28:03 GMT -5
This is simply a thread I felt like making, in which, if you like, you can list and/or briefly describe Christmastime films you enjoy a lot, (and maybe include an actor, director, or producer's name if you like). Also, it has to be Christmas or winter-themed, (so Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd, which came out I think on Christmas Day doesn't count).
Polar Express - The main actor being Tom Hanks playing a variety of roles, mainly just the older form of the unnamed narrator, and the train conductor essentially. The theme of it is essentially the song "Believe", and this film is just heart-warming in my opinion.
The Grinch (both forms) - Simply a classic, when referring to the Boris Karloff one and even the Jim Carrey one is rather humorous at times or sweet and nice, (such as when "Where Are You Christmas?" is being sung), though personally I'd slightly prefer the Karloff animated classic. (As in he did the narrating and Grinch's voice at least in it).
Disney's Christmas Carol - Mind you I'm referring to the recent, I think CGI-animated one that starred Jim Carrey as least Scrooge and maybe also the Jovial Ghost of Christmas Present, but unlike his Grinch film, it's not because of comedy necessarily that I enjoy this film, but rather it's essentially the only Christmas Carol film I saw that most closely represents the original source material, (Mrs. Dilber and Joe are in it for one thing, and they're almost never specifically mentioned in other Christmas Carols I've seen), but it does have some moments of humor or fun at least, such as Fred's party, the Fezziwig party, or so on.
Home Alone 1 & 2 - I'll admit this is mostly for comedic reasons, and also because the first two HA's were the best. I'm honestly not sure who was funnier, Joe Pesci as Harry or the guy who played Marv. I'd say maybe Harry for the first one perhaps since he screamed in agony when his hair was set ablaze, (but didn't notice the 2nd time until he looked in a mirror), and Marv for the 2nd one, (despite the spider bit in the 1st one), perhaps mainly because of the brick-throwing bit among other things.
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas - A bit of a classic for me, (that I haven't seen often), though personally, I still like it mainly because one of the 3 stories involved is clearly based on a lovely, short Christmastime classic, "The Gift of the Magi", in which two lovers of the lower class, lacking the money to properly purchase something for their spouse, sacrifice the materialistic item that is most important to them in order to buy an item that would go great with the treasured belonging of the other person. (Heck, even Sesame Street referenced that tale now that I think about it in their Christmas VHS several years ago least back when I was still a child, with Bert & Ernie).
Muppet's Christmas Carol - I simply love it for the comedy, music, and heart, but mostly the music, and in turn the heart or emotion, such as with songs like "When Love Is Gone", "Thankful Heart", or so on. Fact: "When Love Is Gone" was actually not included in the original theatrical release of this film, because it was possible the younger audience, (as in children), might not have understood the setup or concept of the song or what it was talking about…..a love that was once passionate, committed, and true, replaced by "an idol……a golden one". (Also, that scene sometimes brings tears to my eyes. )
Nightmare Before Christmas - Obviously a good film cause if you don't like it during Christmas, how can you like it during Halloween? I'd have to say it's namely the music and heart/emotion of it that I enjoy most, (the heart mostly coming out in songs such as "Sally's Song" "Poor Jack", "Jack's Lament", and the little duet Jack and Sally sing at the end). Also, this is a big favorite of my sister's.
Various Rankin/Bass Winter specials - It'd be simpler to say that than explain each individual one but I will specify which ones I like most with no particular order, but the final one being my favorite. "Frosty the Snowman", "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town", "Year Without a Santa Claus", (I mainly like it cause of the Miser Brothers), "Rudolph's Shiny New Year", and "Little Drummer Boy", (it's my favorite, I believe simply because there are times it brings tears to my eyes, namely at the end when the Drummer Boy's lamb is run over and the lamb might die, which brings him to playing that wonderful song in front of the Baby Jesus Christ.)
Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! - I'll admit this isn't one I've watched much or at all for some years, but memories of the plot and scenes still stand strong in my mind, (such as when Snoopy is acting out all those animals and just messing with Lucy who at another point pretends to be a psychiatrist simply for the sake of money, or how no one listens to Charlie Brown, who's the director, except Linus. But the most memorable scenes would have to be when Charlie gets the small, frail tree, everyone decorates it later, and then when Charlie Brown returns, they all sing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing".
For now, that's all I can think of for the moment.
Polar Express - The main actor being Tom Hanks playing a variety of roles, mainly just the older form of the unnamed narrator, and the train conductor essentially. The theme of it is essentially the song "Believe", and this film is just heart-warming in my opinion.
The Grinch (both forms) - Simply a classic, when referring to the Boris Karloff one and even the Jim Carrey one is rather humorous at times or sweet and nice, (such as when "Where Are You Christmas?" is being sung), though personally I'd slightly prefer the Karloff animated classic. (As in he did the narrating and Grinch's voice at least in it).
Disney's Christmas Carol - Mind you I'm referring to the recent, I think CGI-animated one that starred Jim Carrey as least Scrooge and maybe also the Jovial Ghost of Christmas Present, but unlike his Grinch film, it's not because of comedy necessarily that I enjoy this film, but rather it's essentially the only Christmas Carol film I saw that most closely represents the original source material, (Mrs. Dilber and Joe are in it for one thing, and they're almost never specifically mentioned in other Christmas Carols I've seen), but it does have some moments of humor or fun at least, such as Fred's party, the Fezziwig party, or so on.
Home Alone 1 & 2 - I'll admit this is mostly for comedic reasons, and also because the first two HA's were the best. I'm honestly not sure who was funnier, Joe Pesci as Harry or the guy who played Marv. I'd say maybe Harry for the first one perhaps since he screamed in agony when his hair was set ablaze, (but didn't notice the 2nd time until he looked in a mirror), and Marv for the 2nd one, (despite the spider bit in the 1st one), perhaps mainly because of the brick-throwing bit among other things.
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas - A bit of a classic for me, (that I haven't seen often), though personally, I still like it mainly because one of the 3 stories involved is clearly based on a lovely, short Christmastime classic, "The Gift of the Magi", in which two lovers of the lower class, lacking the money to properly purchase something for their spouse, sacrifice the materialistic item that is most important to them in order to buy an item that would go great with the treasured belonging of the other person. (Heck, even Sesame Street referenced that tale now that I think about it in their Christmas VHS several years ago least back when I was still a child, with Bert & Ernie).
Muppet's Christmas Carol - I simply love it for the comedy, music, and heart, but mostly the music, and in turn the heart or emotion, such as with songs like "When Love Is Gone", "Thankful Heart", or so on. Fact: "When Love Is Gone" was actually not included in the original theatrical release of this film, because it was possible the younger audience, (as in children), might not have understood the setup or concept of the song or what it was talking about…..a love that was once passionate, committed, and true, replaced by "an idol……a golden one". (Also, that scene sometimes brings tears to my eyes. )
Nightmare Before Christmas - Obviously a good film cause if you don't like it during Christmas, how can you like it during Halloween? I'd have to say it's namely the music and heart/emotion of it that I enjoy most, (the heart mostly coming out in songs such as "Sally's Song" "Poor Jack", "Jack's Lament", and the little duet Jack and Sally sing at the end). Also, this is a big favorite of my sister's.
Various Rankin/Bass Winter specials - It'd be simpler to say that than explain each individual one but I will specify which ones I like most with no particular order, but the final one being my favorite. "Frosty the Snowman", "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town", "Year Without a Santa Claus", (I mainly like it cause of the Miser Brothers), "Rudolph's Shiny New Year", and "Little Drummer Boy", (it's my favorite, I believe simply because there are times it brings tears to my eyes, namely at the end when the Drummer Boy's lamb is run over and the lamb might die, which brings him to playing that wonderful song in front of the Baby Jesus Christ.)
Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! - I'll admit this isn't one I've watched much or at all for some years, but memories of the plot and scenes still stand strong in my mind, (such as when Snoopy is acting out all those animals and just messing with Lucy who at another point pretends to be a psychiatrist simply for the sake of money, or how no one listens to Charlie Brown, who's the director, except Linus. But the most memorable scenes would have to be when Charlie gets the small, frail tree, everyone decorates it later, and then when Charlie Brown returns, they all sing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing".
For now, that's all I can think of for the moment.