My Five Favorite Holiday Movies

It’s that time of year again and I am reminded of my favorite holiday movies. These are the movies that I can go back to every year. They never get old for me.

I dedicate this list to everyone who seem to enjoy taking this holiday season and make into a call to arms to protect their own versions of what this season means. PEOPLE SNAP OUT OF IT!! Instead of looking at all of differences in our beliefs we need to look at the similarities. Remember what each of our different religions teaches about love, respect, honoring life and family. I hope that the messages in these movies can help you put the arguing aside and focus on the important things they teach us.

There is a Doctor Who episode that involves Charles Dickens. Mr. Dickens asks “You're from the future, tell me Doctor. Do my books last”? The doctor looks at him in amazement and says “oh yes. Forever”. A Christmas Carol is one of my favorite stories. That’s why there are two versions of this story on my list.

Scrooged – This is one of the first movies I saw in the Army when I was stationed overseas. I was having a hard time dealing with being out on my own and this movie gave me what I was looking for. It’s a modern retelling of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. I am a sucker for a good redemption story. Bill Murray makes a great scrooge. He is just enough of a jerk but not too much of one that we don’t like him.

His transition from jaded cynic to a person who really feels the spirit of the season is great. I love the end monologue, in the typical Murray style, he drives home the point that this is not just a once a year thing, but it can happen every day if we choose it.

My personal favorite line from this movie is “The bitch hit me with a toaster!”

The Muppet Christmas Carol – The Muppets went through a phase of capturing classical books and putting it on film. This one is my favorite. They give the respect to the story that is needed and they add their unique flare to the story without taking anything away. They cast each of the characters perfectly. And adding Michael Caine as Scrooge is perfect.

This telling is one that is great for the whole family, the muppets appeal to both the kids and the kids at heart. They blend song and show together in a nice mix. They tell the story and keep it light and meaningful. If you have not seen this version of the story I recommend it, if you are one who has not seen any Muppet movies this one is a great one to start on.

My personal favorite dialog from this movie comes from Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present. Ebenezer: You're a little absent-minded, spirit. Ghost of Christmas Present: No, I'm a LARGE absent-minded spirit!

It's a Wonderful Life – Makes me Cry every time I see it. Like clockwork right when Zuzu’s petals come out I start to tear up and I am in a full-on cry when everyone in town is pitching in to save Geroge. This story is one that starts off my Holiday thoughts. It’s just not the Holidays unless I get to see this movie at least once.

The main message is that your life is a gift and even if you don’t see it. You have an impact on all the lives you come into contact with. We tend to get wrapped up in our own heads and forget that there are other people out there. And even if we don’t realize it we have made a difference in the world.

My personal favorite line from this movie comes from Clarence. “Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he”?

A Christmas Story – I saw this movie at my Aunt’s house while I was housesitting and it was on HBO. I remember laughing out loud at some of the hijinks in this film. The movie has so many memorable moments the “double dog dare” the “Major award” and who can forget the “Red Rider carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle”.

This movie takes place in the past but everyone has had some of the same feelings or experiences during the holidays. What I like about this format is the narration and how they blend in the imagination and memories of Ralphie. I also liked this style in Arrested Development. The narrator guides us through the hilarity.

My personal favorite line from this movie comes from Ralphie’s narration right before going to see Santa, “Let's face it, most of us are scoffers. But moments before zero hour, it did not pay to take chances.”

Die Hard – People overlook this as a Christmas movie, and yes this does not have any particular underlying Christmas movie message. It is a slice of awesome and it takes place at a Christmas party so it fits into the holiday movies category if you ask me. People also overlook the fact that Lethal Weapon and Gremlins all took place during the holidays.

This is just a fun movie. How can I not add this to my favorites with Bruce Willis setting the standard for badass heroes? I have lost the emotion narrative with this last pick but I think that the value on family and how people can come together can still be felt in this film. Remember the holidays are about fun as well as meaningful connections and a renewing of spirit.

My personal favorite line from this movie comes from McClane in the air vent. “Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs...”

I hope that I have at least entertained you with these picks and you can enjoy the holidays however you like. With that, Happy Holidays one and all, may you all be safe this season.

What are your favorite holiday films? Let’s talk about them.

It’s a matter of character

The movies that move me are ones where a character changes and grows through the story. I am going to examine a few of my favorite movies and some of the characters they focus on. Films that fail to deliver a good character I am quick to dismiss. I don’t find them as entertaining as the ones that have a rich character that I enjoy taking the journey with. Let me explain by showing you some of the movies I like.

Rick from Casablanca

Rick starts off as a recluse who does not engage in relationships with his cliental. He, as he says,”Sticks his neck out for no one”. We see him at the opening of the movie playing chess against himself. Rick is a person who has been beaten by life and is alone in his bar that just happens to be the most popular and the most crowded. Through the story he opens up as his old girlfriend and her fiancée need help to escape, he takes huge risks to help them escape and we see him sacrifice his needs for the woman he loves and sends her away with another man, because it’s what is best for them.

Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan from The 13th Warrior

Ibn starts out a very pompous person who was exiled because of an indiscretion. He ends up being a champion of the north men who asked for his help. What I like about him is his change of attitude and his education in the ways of the Norsemen. The scene where he learns their language by listening is great. I really like the bond that he has with the other men who fought with him. At the end of the movie you can see the change in his demeanor and his view of the people he fought side by side with. He is one character that I would not mind watching more stories from.

Han Solo from Star Wars

Han Solo is a great example of someone who is a rogue at the start of the journey and ends up a hero. He starts of as a smuggler who is only out for himself. He looks at everything from a “how can I get money from this” point of view, and then at the end he sacrifices his safety for the good of the cause. He had his reward and was on his way to pay off his debt when he has a change of heart and swoops in and saves the day. No matter how many times they change the story, Han will always be the one who shot first. If he didn’t, his journey is cheapened.

Sky Masterson from Guys and Dolls

Sky Masterson is an excellent example of someone who changes his values. Sky is a person who is a gambler by nature and will do anything to collect a bet. He has a reputation of being someone who will take wild bets, and wins. Betting is not his main focus but winning is. His reputation is also very important to him. Sky transforms into someone who takes the reputation of Sister Sarah Brown over winning the bet. Having a loss on his spotless record in exchange for her was a huge change in him.


What are some of your favorites?

My Top 5.. so far.

Some people have asked what my favorite movies are. I have several for different reasons but these are the ones that I find myself watching again and again. In no particular order they are...

Seven Samurai
This is the story of a poor village that is being terrorized by bandits. They plan to get some samurai to come and defend them. They hire a wise Samurai who recruits more to the cause. Together they go and give their blades and their lives to defend this small village of farmers. It’s a story of friendship and camaraderie, Courage and loss, redemption and enlightenment.

I have always loved this movie. Its three hours long and an epic one to watch but I can easily curl up on the couch and watch it over and over again. I love this movie for its humor and its ability to take me though several emotions during the story. Two movies have been modeled on this film, one is The Magnificent Seven and the other is and A Bugs Life.

Casablanca
This movie takes place in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II, an expatriate runs a saloon and an old acquaintance comes back into his life and with her some complications. This movie has politics, humor, sacrifice, adventure and friendship. Through the adversity the characters are reinvigorated with life and find themselves with new perspectives.

I saw this movie in the theaters on its anniversary, it was such a wonderful experience that I had to watch it again, and again. I think during that weekend I took four other people to that movie. I really love the growth of the characters and the humor involved. It pains me to say this but it too has been redone in a movie called Barbed Wire. I am glad that Casablanca has not been tarnished because of the other fiasco of a film. This is proof positive that just because something worked before does not mean you should do it again.

Blade Runner
This is a futuristic Noir film. A detective hired to find rogue androids and terminate them. The androids break away from their work in a bloody escape to find out how long they have to live. All androids were programed with an end date. They want to live and find a way to extend their life. The detective known as a Blade Runner has to track them down before they harm the population.

This is one of the movies that turned me into a Sci fi junky. I love the setting and the messages and the performances in this film. Over the years there have been a number of different versions or re cuts of this film, one of my favorites is the director’s cut that takes out the voice over by Harrison Ford. To my understanding the studio said the test audiences did not know what was going on so they had the voice over created to explain the story. I think the movie is better without it.

The Jack Bull
A horse trader who has been wrongs takes matters in his own hands and seeks vigilante justice on a rancher who has been causing problems. This story surrounds what happens when the law fails to protect the people it was created for. In the end Justice is served but the journey is a costly one and the common good is upheld at a great price. This movie was adapted for the screen by Dick Cusack, John Cusack’s father. This is one of my favorites because of the performance from John Goodman.

“Well, I worry about you and me, Judge Wilkins. I swear to God I do, 'cause if this country gets ruined... it'll be ruined by people *like* you and me. This is a territory of unimportant people; most folks around here... [laughs softly] can't even write their name. You and me... we're the important people. Trouble is, there's not enough of us important people to go around - we're spread thin, so sometimes, important things get ignored or don't get said. Like... take care of the little feller; see to it that he don't get ignored or cheated or insulted; make sure that his dignity does not get trampled on. Now you're feelin' bad right now, and by God, you ought to... seein' as what just happened to a decent man. Myrl Redding did *not* fail the law...the law failed Myrl.”

I know its a TV movie but it was so well done it would have been a plesure to watch it on the big screen.

The Way
A father who is going overseas to recover the body of his estranged son who died while traveling the “El Camino de Santiago” from France to Spain, decides to travel in his son place, and learns much about himself and his traveling companions along the pilgrimage.

This is a new one to my list as I have just seen it this past weekend. I enjoyed many aspects of this film. Please read my review of this film in detail here The Way

Coming soon…Part two

Just like the movies, movie trailers have to be viewed and given a rating by the MPAA. They will dole out a green or a red band rating depending on the content of the trailer. Check out the Wikipedia article on Trailer for what qualifies for a green rating.

It’s important to note that a green band trailer can be shown in any theater, where as red ones will only be shown in movies that are rated R, NC-17 or are unrated. This reduces the number of people who can view the trailer.

Production companies have changed the elements in some scenes to make sure that the clips used are going to get them a green rating. Is this misleading to the viewers? Is it selling one thing but giving us another? I think in retail parlance this is called a bait and switch.

ANTZ changed a line in the movie I am assuming that it was to get the green rating. The line in the movie was “Call me crazy, but I have a thing about drinking from the anus of another creature.” In the trailer he says “caboose”.

I think that line was funnier with the word caboose. As a viewer I was a bit let down with the fact that the scene was just not as funny without the word caboose. Caboose is a much funnier word overall. Say it with me CABOOSE, CAAAABBBBOOOOSSEE. I am sorry but anus is just not as funny.

The movie In & Out with Kevin Kline had a change that was obvious in the trailer. The scene at the end of the trailer when he is replying to a masculinity audio tape has been altered. If you look at his arm it looks cut off with a bad CGI effect. I think they were going for hand in pocket, but they missed. In the movie he is holding his crotch, I am guessing they had to do something to change that for the trailer.

I am the type of person that will be drawn to odd things in films. That arm does not look natural. I asked the people I went to the movie with if they noticed it and they said “Jon, why are you looking at his crotch”? Being the quick thinker that I am I replied calmly with “It was Kevin Kline, who wasn’t looking at his crotch”. (I think they bought it) The point is that something in the trailer was changed to fit a category that changed the context of the scene.

The last example I have is from Chicken Little. This is a case of something in the trailer that was pulled from the edited parts. The Trailer has Chicken Little’s dad saying “in about three seconds I am going to scream like a little girl”

Not in the movie at all.

Mike, Thank you for re-watching the movie to verify this last example. His opinion was that it was somewhat anoying that it was not in the movie. I agree, I feel a bit cheated. I don’t know why it was not in the film. I do know that people sometimes used trailers to judge if they are going to see the movie. Isn’t it wrong to change things in the movie if the viewer has a different idea of what is in the movie from the trailers?

Am I the only one who notices these things? Is it wrong? What are your thoughts?