Tuesday, November 30, 2010

The Top 10 Holidays Movies of All Time


A great movie doesn’t have to be a classic and it doesn’t have to be a movie that you watch over and over again. It just has to be a movie that touches you the minute you watch it and then sticks with you from that moment on. With that said, here are my picks for the 10 greatest Christmas movies of all time:

1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
An angel helps a broken-down man on Christmas Eve who has lost sight of how lucky he really is by showing him what the world would have been like if he never existed.
My dad and I watch this movie every Christmas Eve, so naturally it has a special, nostalgic place in my heart. But not only does this movie contain brilliant performances and memorable scenes, its storyline and vibe have allowed it to stand the test of time. This movie is guaranteed to be remembered forever and be a favorite Christmas movie for years to come.

Memorable Quote:
George: Help me Clarence, please! Please! I wanna live again. I wanna live again.

2. A Christmas Story (1983)
Ralphie has to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect gift for Christmas.
There is absolutely nothing spectacular about this movie, which is exactly what makes it so great. It is about an average family that attempts to have a typical American Christmas only to have almost everything go wrong. Just about every person can relate to some part of this movie. Not to mention, thanks to TNT, you can watch 24 hours of A Christmas Story on Christmas Day.

Memorable Quote:
“You'll shoot your eye out.”

3. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Charlie Brown tries to find the true meaning of Christmas after realizing that he has lost sight of what Christmas is all about.
With animation technology having gotten so high-tech these days, it’s nice to sit down and watch the simplest form of animation. From the music, to the adorable way Charlie Brown and his friends walk around, this story is sure to make you feel warm inside.

Memorable Quote:
Charlie Brown: I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy. I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel.

4. Home Alone (1990)
Kevin is accidentally left behind while his family flies to Paris for Christmas and is forced to defend his home against incompetent burglars.
It is impossible for this movie to get old. Every time I see Kevin set up all the traps and then watch them wreak havoc on the unsuspecting burglars, it’s like I’m seeing this movie for the first time all over again.

Memorable Quote:
Kevin: This is my house, I have to defend it.

5. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
In this installment of National Lampoon’s Vacation Series, Clark is determined to have the best Christmas ever; however, his attempts to a prefect holiday lead to an array of disasters.
There is no way I can even begin to describe the brilliance of this movie (you’ll have to watch it yourself to find out). All you have to do is say “SQUIRREL!” and I can’t help but cry with laughter.

Memorable Quote:
Eddie: If that cat had nine lives it sure used 'em all.

6. A Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
This movie turned the classic Charles Dickens tale into a loveable children’s musical.
Growing up, this was the movie to watch on Christmas. But even now, my eyes are glued to the screen when it comes on. There is just something so entertaining about humans interacting with singing puppets.

Memorable Quote:
Gonzo: I am here to tell the story.
Rizzo: And I am here for the food.

7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Based on the book, The Grinch by Dr. Seuss, the story follows a green, mean creature who despises Christmas so much that he hatches a plan to ruin Christmas for the town of Whoville.
No offense to the animated version, but there is something fascinating about seeing the world of Woville come to life in the non-animated adaptation. If this retelling doesn’t put you in the Christmas spirit, I don’t know what will!

Memorable Quote:
The Grinch: Hate, hate, hate. Hate, hate, hate. Double Hate. LOATHE ENTIRELY!

8. While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Lucy, a lonely Chicago subway employee has had a crush on a regular commuter, Peter for the past three months. While working the Christmas shift, Lucy saves Peter after he is pushed off the platform and onto the tracks. At the hospital, Lucy is mistaken for Peter’s fiancé and is immediately embraced by his family—except for Peter’s brother Jack, who is not convinced that she’s the real deal.
In my opinion this is one of the most underappreciated Christmas movies of all time. Though this might be considered a “chick flick,” it’s still a great movie and I’m sticking by it.

Memorable Quote:
Jerry: You're born into a family. You do not join them like you do the Marines.

9. Elf (2003)
A man raised by elves travels from the North Pole to New York City in search of his biological father.
You just can’t go wrong with an awkward, gangly looking Will Ferrell walking around New York City in an elf costume. If anything, you’ll be mildly entertained by the ridiculous lines and crazy situations Buddy the Elf gets himself into.

Memorable Quote:
Buddy: You sit on a throne of lies!

10. Scrooged (1988)
This film puts a modern twist on the classic Charles Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol. In this version, a selfish TV executive gets haunted by eccentric three spirits on Christmas Eve.
Bill Murray more then embodies “Scrooge” in this movie; the lines that come out of his mouth will shock you.

Memorable Quote:
[referring to a mouse]
Props man: I can't get the antlers glued to this little guy. We tried Crazy Glue, but it don't work.
Frank Cross: Did you try staples?


Honorable Mentions: Miracle on 34th Street (1947), The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974), Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970), and Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964).

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