Ever find yourself getting into one of those impromptu debates on which movie is better than another? Or even start to list which are your favorite films by a certain director, actor or actress? For yours truly, this is a common occurrence, which is why I wanted to start this column. But, let’s face it, even those that haven’t got stuck in one of these endless cinematic wormholes, I bet they are starting to now. How could you not, given so many films we were looking forward to have been put on the back burner for a later date.
Figure this pandemic has made 2020 a year to forget and certainly we all feel for those who are struggling or have already lost loved ones. But as we move forward through this holiday season and hopefully past COVID-19, there is enough history in film to look back on. Especially this week, where a litany of Christmas films will sure to be airing. Only question is, which ones do you have ranked high enough to watch each year?
This was a tough list to put together because you typically only think about these films once a year. So while I had no problem coming up with top three, it was a whole different story for the remaining two. Because as I would find one, I would then find another and so on and so forth. It turns out there are way more of these films than you think when you actually start making a list. And no, I’m not talking about all the movies that are currently airing on Hallmark, as that’s really just the same story being played over and over again, just with a different cast each time. I’m speaking of movies based on or around Christmas that help get you in the mood.
#5 – ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ (1993) – I can’t believe this not any higher, but when I really thought about it, this is not one of those films you leave on the background unless you want to only hear Danny Elfman’s incredible soundtrack. You miss way too much, but that’s the brilliance behind it and why Tim Burton deserves so much credit. Not only did he create this film from a poem he wrote while first working as an animator, he made it unlike anything we have ever seen before. Even today, the stop-motion animation holds up given the texture and detail put into everything. But, more than that, the story holds up and to me that’s where Burton took it to another level. It’s one thing to wow the audience with animation. Even back in the 90’s, that was somewhat easy. It’s a whole other to bring in a story that not only takes you into a different world visually, but reminds you of what the true spirit of Christmas is when curiosity gets the best of you.
#4 – ‘Home Alone’ (1990) – A film virtually everyone reading this probably forgot about, but one that certainly deserves to be on the list given how entertaining it was. Even to this day, you can get stuck watching this film and all the chaos that consumes it. I just can’t believe it came out thirty years ago. That’s crazy to think I was in middle school when this came out, ironically a perfect time to become an instant fan of it. Yes it’s cheesy and the humor is over the top, but who cares. That’s precisely what is so cool about it, plus you get to see Joe Pesci stumbling around and getting pranked. It’s great and in the end, the story does find a way to touch your heart, which is a bonus. Produced by the late-great John Hughes and directed by Christopher Columbus, it goes to show you that Christmas movies used to be held to a higher regard as far as talent back in the day.
#3 – ‘Die Hard’ (1988) – Many will wonder why or how this film made the list. Quite simple. It took place on Christmas Eve. Plus it just gets me fired up to see this kind of old-school action that we don’t really get anymore unless Dwayne Johnson is involved. See, back in the 80’s and 90’s, we got action-adventure films like every other month. No, we are lucky to get a couple a year. So, when this makes the list, it makes it for all those forgotten action flicks with corny dialogue and one-liners. These films might have never been taken seriously over the years, but who cares when they manage to entertain you like this. I mean, who doesn’t like a good terrorist takeover film. Truth is, we almost need this type of mindless entertainment right now, so the more the merrier from where I sit. Plus anytime we can see Bruce Willis in an action flick where he literary is walking on broken glass to go kill the next bad guy is a must-see event.
#2 – ‘A Christmas Story’ (1983) – Any film that can be played on a loop for 24 hours deserves to be lifted up. I mean, that’s iconic level and quite frankly something we all should stop and think about for a second. This film is watched so much during Christmas that they tend to put it on two separate cable channels. That’s ridiculous, but part of what makes ‘A Christmas Story’ part of the holiday tradition each year. And what’s great is how simple the story is, allowing for all the natural humor to fill in where needed. Truth is, this film reminds so many of us what it was like to want that one thing for Christmas so much that you would do anything to get it. But even more than that, it offers up a chance to see and feel what Christmas was like in the late 70’s/early 80’s. That alone is worth turning it on every year and why it easily will make most ‘best-of” lists.
#1 – ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ – (1989) – Imagine that, another John Hughes flick finds its way into this famed list. For a guy known more for films like “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” it’s crazy to think he was also the mind behind this hilarious series as well. Talk about a legend no one ever talks about. With so many things to talk about with this film, much less series, it’s hard not to without the name Chevy Chase. Sure, Hughes dreamed it up, but Chase put it all to life in only the way he can, by smiling and making an ass of himself. To date, I don’t know that I would put anyone above Chevy Chase in regards to how to deliver a line with subtle humor. He is a master and no matter how many times I have watched him in this film, he makes me laugh. That’s a real comedy to me and something no one ever talks about, but rings true this time of year. Great comedies are timeless and at least for this holiday, no film ranks higher than this one for yours truly. So as you lift up that mug of egg nog this year, remember to toast Clark Griswald, one of the best to ever do it.