Independent Publishing - HAVE A MERRY MOVIE CHRISTMAS!

With Christmas upon us, we thought it would be fun to recommend some noteworthy film titles to pick up on DVD this holiday season. There are actually two lists here: One features more traditional titles while the other recommends films that many overlook during this joyous time of year. Happy viewing, but more importantly, Happy Holidays!

TRADITIONAL LIST

1. A CHRISTMAS STORY (PG)
With all due respect to It’s a Wonderful Life, I’m going with A Christmas Story as my all-time favorite holiday film. I never would have guessed that Bob Clark (the man behind the irreverent, horny teenager opus Porky’s) could be capable of such seasonal bliss. A Christmas Story is so full of memorable moments (the tongue sticking to the pole, Ralphie getting kicked in the face by Old Saint Nick, mom sucking on a bar of soap, etc.), that it would be near impossible to point them all out. My favorite aspect of the picture is its sweet natured (and surprisingly edgy) glimpse into the innocence of youth. A magical film, and one I never get tired of.

2. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (NOT RATED)
Have you ever pondered what life might be like if you were never born? George Bailey (played by the legendary Jimmy Stewart) does just that in Frank Capra’s essential holiday classic. In fact, this movie is so good, it transcends the holiday genre altogether, but Christmas is when it’s most widely viewed. What else can you say about It’s A Wonderful Life? It’s one of the all-time greats.

3. NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION (PG-13)
Christmas Vacation is required viewing amongst my family and friends each and every holiday season. This is probably Chevy Chase’s last great film vehicle (although I’ve always been a fan of the underappreciated Memoirs of an Invisible Man), and he makes the most of it. After making a mess of Wally World and taking Europe by storm, it seemed only fitting that the Griswalds would turn Christmas upside down in the final installment of the trilogy. Yes, I said trilogy. As far as I’m concerned, the series ended here. Vegas Vacation never happened.

4. MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (PG)
I adore this movie. As a kid, I viewed it religiously every holiday season. With a wonderfully warm performance by Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle, this is one of those flicks that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And Natalie Wood is simply adorable as the precocious little Susan, a youngster who desperately wants to believe in Santa Claus. A must-see. And, for what it’s worth, I’m actually quite fond of the 1994 remake starring Richard Attenborough. A solid updating of a true classic.

5. RANKIN AND BASS HOLIDAY FAVORITES (Not Rated)
I’m a huge fan of Rankin and Bass’ animated holiday favorites. Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, The Little Drummer Boy, and Nester the Long-Eared Donkey are Christmas standards, but the stop-motion animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is the title I will always hold closest to my heart. With its simple story (which features, among all things, a metaphor for prejudice), catchy songs, and holiday cheer, I’m still moved by it to this very day. What’s really great about it, though, is having the chance to experience it through my kids’ eyes.

6. NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (PG)
What better film to follow Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer than Tim Burton’s innovative Nightmare Before Christmas? This gothic take on two of our most beloved holidays is, after all, inspired by the works of Rankin and Bass (most notably the little-seen gem Mad Monster Party). With stunning tunes from Danny Elfman and breathtaking visual style, this tale of Jack Skellington’s attempt at taking over Christmas is an acquired taste, but one that I’ve grown to love through the years. On a side note, this film is re-released in digital 3-D every October. If given the chance, go see it!

7. ELF (PG)
Of the few contemporary holiday films to hit theaters in the last eight years or so, Elf is my favorite. Will Ferrell is sweet, charming, and childlike as the clueless elf Buddy. With a simplistic, fish-out-of-water story, Elf cruises along on a healthy dose of Christmas spirit. A terrific, light-hearted film for the whole family.

8. SCROOGE (Not Rated)
Actually, I recommend several versions of the Charles Dickens classic. Scrooged (PG-13) starring Bill Murray, The Muppet Christmas Carol (G), A Christmas Carol (Not Rated) starring Patrick Stewart, and Mickey’s Christmas Carol (G) are all terrific variations of this famed tale, but my favorite adaptation is Scrooge from 1970, starring Albert Finney as Ebenezer Scrooge and Sir Alec Guinness as Jacob Marley. Great performances, great songs, great movie. On a side note, check out Robert Zemeckis' current motion-capture release. A technical marvel featuring a wonderful performance by Jim Carrey (who actually appears in five roles).

9. A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (Not Rated)
This is, perhaps, the strongest of all of Charles M. Schuulz’s animated short films. Dismayed by the apparent commercialism of the most popular of holidays, Charlie Brown sets out to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Simply wonderful.

10. PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES (R)
While it is true this John Hughes comedy really takes place during Thanksgiving, it’s still full of holiday cheer. Featuring hilarious turns by Steve Martin and John Candy, this road movie features what is, perhaps, the funniest use of the “F” word(s) ever captured on screen (watch for the airport scene). What’s more, even though most of the picture plays as broad comedy, it has a sweet undercurrent that is punctuated by a truly sincere ending. I love this movie.

Honorable Mention; WHITE CHRISTMAS, HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (Animated-1966), HOME ALONE, HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, HOLIDAY INN, THE BISHOP’S WIFE, MARCH OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS (1934), and SANTA CLAUS: THE MOVIE.

UNCONVENTIONAL LIST

1. DIE HARD (R)
When terrorists seize a Los Angeles high-rise, it’s up to New York City cop John McClane to save the day. And save the day he does, but not before he takes out several windows and launches a massive body-count in the process. Did I mention the movie takes place on Christmas Eve? Well it does. This is an exciting ride, and I guarantee it’ll get the adrenalin pumping.

2. LETHAL WEAPON (R)
Like Die Hard, Lethal Weapon is an adrenalin-pumping action yarn. It also takes place during the holidays, and while it is dark and gritty, Mel Gibson’s high-energy antics keep the proceedings decidedly light. A top-notch action adventure from director Richard Donner.

3. BLACK CHRISTMAS (R)
Nothing brings in the holiday like a great slasher film. Actually, Black Christmas is an early, underground favorite, and predates slasher landmarks such as Halloween. Black Christmas came out in 1974, but never really caught on until years later. Strangely enough, this slice of holiday horror (it features a psycho terrorizing a sorority house during Christmas time) was directed by Bob Clark, the same man who would go on to make A Christmas Story. How’s that for weird? On a final note, avoid the awful remake at all costs.

4. THE REF (R)
Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis are stellar as the bickering couple cat burglar Denis Leary takes hostage one stormy Christmas Eve. For whatever reason, this edgy Christmas film from the late Ted Demme opened in February of 1994. It has been raised to cult status on DVD, and deservedly so. Foul-mouthed but extremely funny.

5. ICE HARVEST (R)
This was one of the most underrated films of 2005. Not at all the kind of film I expected from director Harold Ramis. This is more Fargo than Groundhog Day, and the noir-style screenplay by Richard Russo and Robert Benton (based on a book by Scott Phillips), is witty and edgy. Billy Bob Thornton, John Cusack, and Connie Nielsen are solid in the leads, but supporting player Oliver Platt steals the show as a big-mouthed drunk. A clever black comedy.

6. EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (PG-13)
Tim Burton’s magical film answers the age-old question: “Where does snow come from?” Featuring a stunning performance from Johnny Depp as the title character, this wonderful fairy tale is simply stunning. It remains my favorite of Tim Burton’s films and sits comfortably right alongside the underrated Ed Wood.

7. GREMLINS (PG)
Cute. Clever. Mischievous. Intelligent. Dangerous. And so reads the tag line for Joe Dante’s hilarious live action homage to Loony Tunes cartoons. Produced by Steven Spielberg, this gem of a movie features destructive little creatures wreaking havoc on an unsuspecting town during the holidays. Gremlins has a soft, cuddly side, but it’s the mean-spirited tone underneath the surface that gives the movie its real kick.

8. BATMAN RETURNS (PG-13)
Batman Returns marks Tim Burton’s third film on this list. When this movie opened, it wasn’t well received, but I actually prefer it to the first film because, for me, it feels more like a Tim Burton picture. The idea that Batman’s adversaries are social outcasts rather than villains makes for an interesting story, and the relationship between Batman and Catwoman has real depth. An underappreciated film.

9. WAR OF THE ROSES (R)
It’s Die Hard meets Divorce Court as Oliver and Barbara Rose (played by Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner)demolish virtually everything in their path while battling it out in a bitter divorce. This black comedy from director Danny DeVito (who also co-stars in the film) is a reality check and cautionary tale for those who can’t resolve things amicably. For the rest of us, it’s damned hilarious – in a dark, twisted sort of way.

10. BAD SANTA (R)
Quite clearly the most irreverent holiday movie ever made. Essentially, this is a Christmas movie for folks who don’t like Christmas movies. It wears its “R” rating proudly, but in its own eccentric, offbeat way, it smacks of the holiday spirit. Billy Bob Thornton is at his ever-loving worst, but it’s Brett Kelly who steals the show as the young boy who wins over Thornton’s cold heart.

Honorable Mention; TRADING PLACES

SO BAD THEY’RE GOOD!

SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS (Not Rated)
This is considered one of the worst movies of all time, and that’s exactly why I’m recommending it. For reasons I can’t really explain, I believe a truly bad film can be just as enjoyable to sit through as a really good one. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians is a perfect example of this. It’s next to impossible to find, but if you can locate a copy, buy it! On a side note, this movie was once featured on Mystery Science Theater.

STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL (Not Rated)
As is the case with Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, good luck finding this one. I found it on eBay. Long considered the black sheep of the Star Wars universe, The Star Wars Holiday Special aired once in 1978, never to be heard from again. Spectacularly bad, it features cameos by Bea Arthur and Art Carney, and has a ten-minute stretch presented in Wookie (with no English subtitles to help you out). You have to see it to believe it. George Lucas should get off his high horse and release this disaster on DVD immediately.