The great Christmas movie debate
By Karyn Bowman
Every year someone writes the Top Ten Christmas movie list. And other people then comment on what treasured movie or another was left out. Holiday movies are a very personal issue.
I haven’t done one for a long while for that reason. Plus, I am always forgeting something that should have been there. However, this year I am giving it a go and then all of the readers can debate where I was wrong, where I was right and what should have been there instead. You could even leave a comment here or stop me in the grocery store the next time you see me.
I do have a few honorable mentions that are more in the romatic comedy genre with a holiday theme. Those are: Christmas in Conneticut (1947), Love Actually (2005) and While You Were Sleeping (1995). I also think Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Santa Claus is Coming to Town TV specials belong in honrable mentions as well. If my husband had his way, the segment of Bing Crosby and David Bowie singing The Little Drummer Boy would end up there, too.
Just so there is no mistake, this is in numerical order. Perhaps your order is different.
10. Polar Express (2004) has a beautiful soundtrack along with great voice work and tremendous cgi animation that is almost as beautiful as the book. Tom Hanks plays a variety of roles and makes it work.
9. Prancer (1989) tells the story of a young motherless girl who believes she is healing the leg of Prancer, who has gotten lost from the rest of the Santa’s helpers. It makes you want to believe.
8. White Christmas (1954) stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as a song-and-dance team who help out their former commanding officer save his Vermont inn with a classic “Lets Put on a Show” routine with Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen.
7. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) is one of those Christmas specials that stick out because it reminds us about the true meaning of Christmas without getting preachy. It tells the story and does it well. Plus, that scraggily Christmas tree has become an icon.
6. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) allows us to spend time with Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo and the whole gang one more time for Christmas misadventures. You will laugh so hard you will have tears forming as your guts is spasming in pain. And you won’t care that you are laughing that hard.
5. The Nativity Story (2006) directed by Catherine Hardwicke took me by surprise on the beauty of the cinematography and quality of acting. This re-telling of the Christmas Story will make you cry and realize how much this young couple had to overcome in order to bring God’s son into the world.
4. A Christmas Story (1987) Ralphie wants a very special Christmas gift but everyone around him tells him that he will shoot his eye out. That doesn’t stop Ralphie and nor should it you from enjoying this great slice of life movie about Christmas in the 40’s with an irascible dad and a long-suffering mother. The ‘tongue on the pole’ scene alone is worth the rental fee.
3. A Christmas Carol (1951) with Alastair Sim is the definitive version of this movie. He makes Dickens’ story of the miser who learns the true meaning of Christmas full of spirit and joy.
2. Miracle On 34th Street (1947). So, you have an old guy state his name is Kris Kringle and he is the best store Santa, ever. Do you believe because of his unfailing kindness and ability to make you smile no matter what or do you doubt because of an unfeeling, cynical jerk tells you to.
1. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946). Let Jimmy Stewart charm you as the guy who wanted to get away from his small home town but instead builds it up throughout the years. When doubts get the better of him on Christmas Eve, Clarence the Angel helps him find his way back home with a little trip to what might have been. Bring the tissues along.
Karyn Bowman is also known as Mom Goes to the Movies and wrote for the Daily Journal as their movie reviewer for over seven years. She lives in Kankakee County with her outdoor writer husband and four children.
