Ahhhh tis the season. Smiles on children’s faces, a glow in everyone’s heart… and A LOT of telly! Don’t know how to navigate all of the film choices that will be before you over the festive period? Fear not! Here are my top 5 films that mean Christmas for me.
5 – Elf (2003)
I was pretty late to the Will Ferrell party. I think quite a few years of ‘Elf’ enjoyment passed me by before I got on board with what a funny guy Will Ferrell is. In my defence, a human baby raised by Father Christmas’ elves – who then goes in search of his real parents, didn’t feel to me like my kind of Christmas film (I do like a streak of darkness in most things). But what we have here is a beautiful family film that is already a Christmas Classic. It makes you feel great and Will Ferrell is hilarious. My favourite bit – When Buddy first finds out Father Christmas is visiting the shop he is working in.
4 – Home Alone (1990)
Kevin McCallister A boy at war with his parents and unappreciative family, is left at home for Christmas, where he can do anything he likes! What could go wrong? Well… plenty. Kevin soon realises that it’s hard being a grown-up, and the World can be a scary place. Whether it’s his creepy next door neighbour, the monster in the basement or hapless burglars Marv and Harry (The Wet Bandits) Kevin has a lot to deal with. Home alone screams Christmas, and what kid doesn’t want to see a boy getting the better of the adults. Best bit – Marv gets a tarantula on the face!
3 – Gremlins (1984)
If you haven’t seen this one, a word of warning. It’s not for kids. Striking a perfect balance between Christmas, comedy and horror, Gremlins is unlike any other festive film offering. In places it is very dark (Kate’s story about her dad and Father Christmas or when Billy’s mum first finds the Gremlins in the house for instance). It is also very Gorey at times, though the Gremlins blood is green so they seem to get away with it. At it’s core though this is a film about family and supporting each other and everyone in the community at Christmas. And despite all of the horror, it actually makes you feel good and remember that Christmas isn’t just about getting the best present. Some presents are better left unopened. Keep them out of sunlight, don’t get them wet and never feed them after midnight! Favourite part is Gremlin in the Christmas tree.
2 – Scrooge (1951)
My absolute favourite adaptation of the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. For me Alistair Sim is Scrooge, no one else comes close. This adaptation oozes Victorian Gothic, and if you can, it’s best viewed in its original black and white format. Even though this film isn’t my number one, it is the only one on the list that I must watch every year. It is a tradition for me to watch it late on Christmas Eve when everyone is in bed, preferably ending just after midnight. I have never seen Scrooge done better than this. Best bit – when Scrooge won’t pay for more bread!
1 – Scrooged (1988)
My number one Christmas film is Scrooged. Bill Murray at his finest. This is a modern update of the character very loosely based on a Christmas Carol, where Scrooge is replaced by wicked and ruthless TV executive, Frank Cross. Frank is visited by 3 ghosts throughout the course of Christmas Eve, though not just at night, and the Dickens ghosts are push overs compared to these ones. Bill Murray is brilliant in this role, with his very dry humour and deadpan face. This is a Scrooge for today. His journey to redemption is believable, and his treatment of his family is one that unfortunately we all recognise from time to time. Its triumph though outside of the comedy is the ending. Heartfelt and powerful, Bill Murray is teary eyed when he delivers his closing speech when he realises that mankind should have been his business. Best bit… all of it, but Frank Cross vs the Ghost of Christmas present.
Merry Christmas all!
Chris
@cw_stagg
