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| Yes, I know this isn't from an actual film lols. HERE'S SANTA |
1. Edward Scissorhands
Simply put one of the most finely made cinematic fairytales of all-time. The ending certainly hits hard, perhaps a bit too much to nurture one's joyous Christmas spirits, but the beauty of the cinematography, music, and above all the amazing central performance by Johnny Depp, so incredibly minimalistic and nuanced and yet packing such a punch, makes it well worth a Christmas (re) watch.
2. Gremlins
I think the above two clips give a good idea about the tone of this film about the titular miscreants (and one good apple, the ADORABLE Gizmo) as they lay siege to a small suburban town. Equal parts absolutely endearing and macabarely funny, it has its fair share of scary moments but never to the extent that it's not pleasurable holiday viewing. That mechanical chair scene is one of the movie scenes I've felt worst about laughing at.
3. The Shop Around the Corner
I'll get more onto Jimmy Stewart and Christmas films at some later point, but this is another superb romantic comedy of his, directed with aplomb by the incomparable Ernst Lubitsch. The 'Budapest' setting just gives the film a sense of magic to the distinctly comical tones, and Stewart and on-screen sparring partner Magaret Sullivan have fantastic chemistry that cover beats of holiday love in the air wonderfully, while Frank Morgan handles the darker aspects of the storyline with equal dexterity.
4. Love Actually
I used to think this was a guilty pleasure of mine. Now as the years go by it hits me harder and harder just how good a reflection of the human spirit come holiday time it really is. It's a delightful comedy at points, and heartbreaking at others, but one thing that's constant throughout is that sweet tone which never abides. I love this film, and I have no shame in saying so.
5. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Some of the most quotably morbid Christmas songs come from this Tim Burton-produced masterpiece. Cracking tunes aside the twisted and yet oddly sweet edge it gives to the holiday spirit of Christmas is really quite masterful in itself, as we're both drawn and endeared into this unique little world of Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon/Danny Elfman) which could've otherwise been a bit off-putting.
6. Scrooge (1951)
There have been many adaptations of A Christmas Carol. The 1970 musical and 1984 television film are all solid in their own right (I'll hold back discussion, future Head-to-Head perhaps?) but my favourite of them all by far is the 1951 version. It's both faithful to the book while adding on some nice little flourishes of its own in terms of direction and artistic licence, and that ending is rendered so uplifting by its quiet yet very impactful sense of happiness it infuses on the viewer.
7. Miracle on 34th Street (THE 1947 ONE)
Watch this scene without welling up into tears. Okay, so maybe not everyone's as much of a weepie as me. But Miracle on 34th Street is just simply put one marvellous Christmas film. Edmund Gwenn is the definitive Santa, you couldn't ask for a better supporting cast of lovely, quirky and endearing fellows and lasses (especially a terrific young Natalie Wood) to support them, and overall this is a perfect family film to watch come festivities.
8. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Credits: Eliona Lorex
One of the best comedies of all-time, Shane Black's Kiss Kiss Bang Bang may not be to everyone's tastes, but I do recommend this terrific dark comedy for anyone wanting a bit of edge to their Christmas viewing, or just enjoys watching a cracking crime-cum-mystery story with Robert Downey Jr. just doing Robert Downey Jr. things (Michelle Monaghan and Val Kilmer are excellent too, and that script throws pop culture references quicker than you can say...ah, Black would think of something clever to say here).
9. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (both versions)
Credits: Movieclips and Leroux Louisiana
The original animated version is a classic. Boris Karloff reading out Dr. Seuss Christmas folklore, what's not to like? But the 2000 Jim Carrey version gets much more hate than it deserves. It's not perfect, but Carrey is absolutely brilliant in his character creation of the green meanie and the ending actually packs quite an emotional punch, perhaps even more so than the original, with the benefit of added backstory.
10. The Holly and the Ivy
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| Ralph Richardson and Celia Johnson provide strong, nuanced leading turns in this 1950s Christmas drama about an enstranged family getting together come Christmas time, but it's Margaret Leighton's unsparing, hearbreaking but ultimately uplifting portrayal of a listless, alcoholic single mother that really leaves an impact |
I love The Snowman, and if you haven't seen it you really should.
Here it is.
Watch.
12. Bad Santa
Credit: Movieclips
One of the most crass, offensive and downright dirty comedies I've ever seen, and I love it. It's like a subversive Miracle on 34th Street with Billy Bob Thornton showing off his highly underrated comic chops as the titular Bad Santa. The supporting cast is all stellar, with particularly the late Bernie Mac giving a wonderful deadpan performance, but this is really Thornton's show as he bites into every hilarious line with such gusto. Apparently this film was conceived first by the Coen brothers. Guess they like a couple sex jokes every now and then, too.
None of the rights to the above clips belong to me, but rather their respective production companies etc.
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