This weekend marks the start of the insanity that is Christmas cooking.
And, as such, it’s that time of year to sit back, toss in some “holiday” movies to watch as you make far too many cookies.
Not all of the movies on my list, however, are what one might expect.
The more normal among them:
A Christmas Carol, AKA Scrooge. The 1951 Alastair Sim version remains the best version to watch. Hoping I can find it to rent somewhere. The key to a good Christmas Charol lies in the Ghost of Christmas Future, and this one is superb. Simple and effective. The often lauded George Scott version is acceptable, but Christmas Future comes off awful goofy with wierd humps and bad design. It does get bonus points for the having a VERY creepy Christmas Present, though.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This show is absolutely a joy. At least up until the crap where he takes all the stuff back. Oh, how I love the grinch. And it’s even narrated by Frankenstein. Don’t even think about the horrendous live action film, though.
Miracle on 34th Street. The 1947 version. Not that crapola of a remake. Best Santa movie ever made, and Kris is always top of my mind when envisioning Santa.
On to the less obvious…
Die Hard. “Now I have a machine gun. Ho. Ho. Ho.” Enough said.
Leathal Weapon and Leathal Weapon 2 While the first film is more obviously “Christmas” in nature, what with the tree lots and fighting through christmas decorations. The second one stands out more in my mind as a holiday favorite. And, it’s all my brother’s fault. It was not often my older brother and I got to go and do things together. But, it was Christmas 1989 when he took me out to see Leathal Weapon 2. I still remember how the theater showing it played no previews, and it just jumped right into the film, with that great opening scene, and a pace that never seemed to slow. Have to watch it for those memories alone.
Gremlins. YES. Christmas at it’s finest. THIS is a show to get behind. Horror and humor in equal parts. Great for keeping little kids up all night, worrying about every little sound. If you’re especially evil (like me), you even sneak down outside their room, scratch on the wall, and do your best Spike impersonation.
Edward Scissorhands. I like a lot of Tim Burton’s movies, and Edward just fits in with the Yuletime festivities.
Black Christmas The 1974 version, can’t speak to the remake, though I plan on renting that this year. This film is better known here in the States by the title “Stranger in the House”, which it saw plenty of air time on cable in the early 80s. So, for those of you trying to remember, here it is. One of the better slasher movies out there that manages to not be quite so mind-numbingly idiotic as the standard fare of the genre… All gift wrapped for Christmas, even.