Monday, December 20, 2010

Traditional or Unusual? Favorite Christmas Movies



Oops!

Its not that I forgot it was my day to blog, its just that last night I drifted away into sleep from a confused fog, overloaded with sugar cookies and little people exposure. After a weekend with my kids and my sister's kids, I wanted to do nothing more than sleep. But it was fun! We baked and decorated sugar cookies (and they didn’t ridicule me when I got the icing recipe wrong). Drove around looking at Christmas lights in the nearby neighborhoods. And watched most of the Christmas movies I own. Everyone played well together, and I even got some work done. All in all, a good weekend.

Speaking of Christmas movies, I’m finding myself addicted this year. I watched them in my office while I made Christmas presents and the kids and I have been watching them each evening when we sit down for dinner. I’ve got Home Alone (the original, although I also love Home Alone 2), Frosty, Rudolph, Christmas Vacation, Miracle on 34th Street… We also watch Christmas specials from some of the kids favorite shows, like Phineas and Ferb and Backyardigans.

I’ve noticed a lot of “favorite Christmas movie” posts on Facebook lately. All the classics are usually mentioned, but I’ve never seen anyone talk about one of my favorites. Maybe because it is a little off the beaten path in Christmas sentiment. The Ref, starring Dennis Leary, is about a couple on the verge of divorce who are taken hostage by a thief who ends up playing marriage and family counselor for the evening. Totally adult. Totally irreverent. Makes me laugh every time.

So let’s talk favorite Christmas movies and/or specials. Seen any good ones this year? Any I should add to my “To Buy” list?

Angel

13 comments:

Linda Winstead Jones said...

I love The Ref, but I never think of it as a Christmas movie. Hmm. Maybe I should! :-) My favorite is the original Miracle on 34th Street. I also love White Christmas. Obviously I go for the traditional!

LJ

PM's Mother said...

I don't really have a favorite Christmas movie, but last night I watched "Prancer" for the very first time. It could easily be a favorite for me.

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

Of course I love al the cartoon specials and classics like White Christmas and Miracle on 34th Street (although I prefer the 90s remake). Non traditionals? Love Actually.

I'm going to catch heat for this, but I hate Its A Wonderful Life.

LeaAnnS said...

While You Were Sleeping.

And thanks for watching the kids. :) Love ya!

WV: "slammell"
Isn't that one of the words in the theme song to "Laverne and Shirley"?

Alicia Hunter Pace (aka Jean Hovey and Stephanie Jones) said...

May favorites are the Jim Carey Grinch, Love Actually, and A Christmas Story.

I also like to watch the Buffy Christmas episodes.

alinaduffer said...

Hi Angel! My favorite Christmas movies are all 3 Santa Clause movies and White Christmas. We watch them every year. I am also a big fan of the Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas movies, but those bad boys suck you in and you could lose the whole day watching, lol! I must admit I really loved the Phineas and Ferb Christmas special too!

Have a wonderful Christmas!!!

Playground Monitor said...

The reindeer who played in Prancer is from Huntsville. Well, he's from more northern areas originally but a local company has reindeer they rent to movie companies and Christmas displays.

I've been watching a lot of Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel and one of my favorites is "A Season for Miracles" based on the book by the same name by Marilyn Pappano. It's a romance about the magic of Christmas and believing that anything is possible. I'm all about Christmas magic. Hallmark also has "Mrs. Miracle" and "Call Me Mrs. Miracle" based on Debbie Macomber's books.

I like the old faves like White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street too.

Kira Sinclair - AKA Instigator said...

I'm an old school girl - love all the Charlie Brown Christmas specials. We've also gotten addicted to the Phineas and Ferb special. We watch it every time it comes on now.

I do not like the one with the red rider bb gun. Zilla and my mother love it...I am not a fan. However, we end up watching it anyway when it's one for 24 hours straight.

Instsigator

Lois said...

Well, my most untraditional one is the Pinky and the Brain Christmas Special. Still tear up at the end when Pinky gives the Brain, well, the world (key chain). Sigh.

Lois

PM's Mother said...

Hi SP,

I'll take the heat with you -- I don't care for It's a Wonderful Life either. Like you, I prefer the 90's remake of Miracle on 34th Street. John Payne is a little too pretty, but I didn't think so when I was much younger!

Angel said...

I'm glad I'm not alone in my sometimes unusual choices. I remember our dear friend Barbara Vey saying that she and her son got together at Christmas and had a Die Hard marathon (the first 2 are set at Christmas time). My husband said that was a Christmas tradition he could really get behind. :)

The hubs also wants to watch A Christmas Story this year. He wants to know what the deal is with the lamp. We've never actually watched it before.

I completely forgot While You Were Sleeping. Cute movie!!!

Angel

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

Matt will like a Christmas Story. It's twisted. I forgot while you were sleeping, too. Love that movie!

Katherine Bone said...

Oh! My favorite has to be Santa Claus is Coming To Town, but you simply must see The Christmas Card!! It is fabulous and coming from a military background, the BEST movie ever. And then there is Jingle All The Way with Arnold Schwarzeneger. So funny!