By Penny Theodorakopoulou,
Christmas. One word, a thousand pictures. Some of the pictures that come to our minds at the sound of that word are carols, festivities, snow, mistletoe, presents, holidays, decorations and, the most important thing of all, quality time with our loved ones. Christmas is the time of joy and happiness, and, if I say so myself, the perfect time to binge-watch classic —and new— movies that take place at Christmas. After my short list of the 5 movies that I personally suggested you should watch on Halloween (available here), I just feel obliged to present to you a list of another 5 all–time classic movies that we all have probably watched in the past but we just cannot have enough of them and this jolly season!
1. Elf (2003)
Directed by Jon Favreau and written by David Berenbaum, the 2003 movie Elf recounts Buddy’s life (Will Ferrell) that was raised as an adult among Santa’s elves after being unintentionally sent to the North Pole as a youngster. In quest of his real father, the adult Buddy journeys to New York while dressed as an elf since he can’t get rid of the sensation that he doesn’t belong. This is Walter Hobbs, a cynical businessman played by James Caan. Once a DNA test establishes this, Walter grudgingly makes attempts to connect with the innocent Buddy, with more chaotic outcomes.
2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Is it really a Christmas marathon without this masterpiece? Turning 22 this year, Dr. Seuss’s well-known children’s story is brought to life in this movie, with Jim Carrey playing the lonely green Grinch, who seeks to spoil Christmas for the merry people of Whoville. The Grinch leaves his hilltop home and reluctantly enters the village, accompanied by his helpless dog Max (Kelley), in order to steal everything Christmas-related from the Whos. But the sour grump’s ambitions are derailed when he meets the adorable Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen).
3. The Polar Express (2004)
Oh, come on, do not tell me that you have not watched The Polar Express at least once! If you live in Greece, it is on the STAR channel every year, be it Christmas or not, so I think you have at least glanced at it!
The inspirational adventure The Polar Express, based on the well-known children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, reunites Tom Hanks and filmmaker Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, 1994; Cast Away, 2000). A little child with doubts experiences an astonishing train journey to the North Pole, which leads him on a voyage of self-discovery and demonstrates to him that for those who believe, the wonder of life never fades.
4. Jack Frost (1998)
To whoever I talked about this movie, they would look at me in a confused way, as if it were the first time they have heard about the movie. So, in case you too have wondered “What is that movie?”, well, now is your chance to watch it!
Old rocker Jack Frost (Michael Keaton) never had much time for his wife Gabby (Kelly Preston) and little kid Charlie because he was a touring artist clinging to aspirations of glory (Joseph Cross). Charlie plays a somber song on his father’s harmonica a year after Jack tragically perished in a vehicle accident on Christmas Day. The elder Frost is magically revived as a snowman in the Frost family yard, much to his surprise. Charlie and Jack strive to make up for the lost time when given a second chance.
5. The Holiday (2006)
Christmas is a quite romantic holiday — at least the way I see it. So, as the hopeless romantic person that I am, I wanted to finish this article with a romantic tone. And I admit it: I had not heard of that movie until recently. I know, I know, shame on me. Truth be told, I was thinking of adding Love Actually (2003), but I found The Holiday‘s plot way more interesting and unique (at least as unique as a Christmas cliché movie can get). Sorry, Love Actually lovers — you will get your chance another time!
Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet), a writer for a newspaper in London, has an unrequited crush on her coworker Jasper Bloom. Her life is turned upside down when she learns that Jasper is engaged to marry a different coworker close to Christmas. The director of movie trailers Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz) recently broke up with her unfaithful boyfriend Ethan and wants to move on. For the holidays, Amanda impulsively switches her mansion through a home exchange service for Iris’s cottage in Surrey. While visiting Surrey, Amanda meets the book editor and Iris’s brother, Graham (Jude Law), and the two instantly fall in love. Iris, meanwhile, meets Miles (Jack Black), the movie composer, with whom she falls in love, and Arthur, a 90-year-old screenwriter who helps Iris regain her self-esteem.
Christmas holidays will be before we know it — we are 6 days before Christmas Eve —, so do not squander any time this winter browsing streaming websites or channel-swiping. Instead, simply save a copy of the comprehensive list above to your computer and refer to it later when you are deciding what to watch. And when the time comes, prepare some hot cocoa, pile yourself up in lots of blankets alone or with your loved ones — we strongly recommend you choose the second option —, and have a very merry Christmas!
References
- The Best Classic Christmas Movies of All Time, townandcountrymag.com, available here
- You Need to Watch These 14 Can’t-Miss Classic Christmas Movies This Holiday Season, parade.com, available here
- Elf movie review, rogerebert.com, available here
- Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas [2000], gr.ign.com, available here
- The Polar Express, imdb.com, available here
- Jack Frost Movie Synopsis & Plot, filmjabber.com, available here
- The Holiday (2006) review — The verdict on the popular seasonal romcom, halifaxbloggers.ca, available here
