Rating the best, worst holiday movies
By Matt Grantz, Assistant Editor
December 13, 2011
Each holiday season heralds the entry of seasonal entertainment with plays, pageants, shows and festivals. The film establishment has contributed its share of classics and duds to help “celebrate” the season.
This year, Hollywood has given us “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas” and “Arthur Christmas.” Anything involving Harold and Kumar is blatantly awful with poor attempts at comedy, so I simply avoided that movie. As for “Arthur Christmas,” it seems as if the movie could be somewhat cute but also rather juvenile for an older audience.
Due to what I find to be a rather poor showing on behalf of current movies, I have compiled a listing of what I believe to be the best Christmas movies of all time, along with my reasoning so that you can disagree.
1. “Miracle on 34th Street”
This heart-warming tale is clearly the best Christmas movie of all time. Made in 1947, “Miracle on 34th Street” tells the story of a young girl who comes to believe in Santa Claus through contact with the jolly old man himself. This story truly touches the heart and warms the soul, and I cannot think of a happier, more seasonal story. One caution: I must warn against watching the 1994 remake. Too much had to be changed as compared to the old one.
2. “A Christmas Carol”
“A Christmas Carol” is a classic Charles Dickens tale that has been adapted to both the big screen and television formats. My preferred version is the 1984 version starring George C. Scott, though the 1999 adaptation starring Patrick Stewart is a close second. Anyway, this story is clearly another touching one as it shows the transformation of a miserly old Ebenezer Scrooge into a happy man full of the Christmas spirit. These films truly demonstrate the Christmas spirit, and I enjoy them every time I see them.
3. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”
The classic 1966 30-minute TV show is based on Dr. Seuss’s book of the same name. “The Grinch” is yet another example of a classic redemption story. The Grinch character attempts to steal the presents from Whoville’s citizens and is later redeemed through the efforts of a young girl. For the same reason that the first two movies are amazing, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” also makes the list.
 4. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1964) is a classic of a different nature. Instead of a story of redemption, this is a “zero-to-hero” story that shows a young, misfit reindeer’s journey to become Santa’s top reindeer. The film introduces an interesting cast of characters, including Sam the Snowman singing and narrating the story. With the combination of awesome story and great cast of characters, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” truly a quintessential Christmas classic.
5. “Frosty the Snowman”
“Frosty the Snowman” (1969) was adapted from a song of the same name by the same team that made “Rudolph.” It tells the story of a snowman that comes to life with the help of a magic hat and then befriends a group of children who he then plays with. This story is simply a solid family film that will certainly bring a smile to anyone’s face.
 6. “The Year Without A Santa Claus”
Yet another animated Christmas classic from the same animation geniuses behind the last two films, “The Year Without A Santa Claus” (1974) tells the story of a sick and tired Santa Claus who threatens to not work on Christmas Eve, but is eventually brought around by a young girl. This film combines a touching story with two amazing and hilarious characters, Heat Miser and Snow Miser - two forces of nature that are forced to help Santa save Christmas – to create a classic.
7. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
This is the more recently made Grinch film, which is a live-action modernization of the story. While it still has the same general plot, the adaptation is just a little strange to true lovers of the original, so 2000’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” while entertaining, is not up to par with the original.
 8. “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
Director Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is both a Christmas and a Halloween as it shows an attempt by residents of Halloween Town to take over Christmas from Santa Claus. This musical film is such an odd and unique combination, and yet very well made, that it is an automatic holiday classic.
9. “The Santa Clause
“The Santa Clause” stars Tim Allen (of “Home Improvement” fame) as a businessman who accidentally becomes Santa Claus when he dons a Santa suit, thus forcing Allen’s character to adapt to a new “career” in one of the very few good Christmas comedies. Overall, the hilarity created by this situation makes “The Santa Clause” well worth watching. Additionally, sequels to this movie were also good, though not top 10 worthy.
 10. “Home Alone”
“Home Alone” is that last movie on my list be ause it’s the only other Christmas comedy that I even find slightly amusing. This movie tells the story of a young boy accidentally left at home on Christmas when his family flies to Paris. Home alone, he must battle robbers attempting to break into the house. This story is very funny in a sweet Christmas-like way, and that’s why it rounds out my top 10.
Now with every positive there is a negative, so I had to determine what I consider to be the worst Christmas movies. Fortunately, most Christmas movies are good or at least decent, so my list is short at four movies, ordered from least bad to worst.
4. “Elf”
“Elf” stars Will Ferrell as a human named Buddy who was accidentally taken to the North Pole only to become one of Santa’s elves. Buddy eventually travels to New York to find his real family and “comedy” ensues. “Elf” was supposed to be a comedy, but it really turned out to be tear-jerker because of how awful it is. I don’t find the plot at all humorous, and I really prefer avoiding “Elf” altogether.
 3. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie”
Ladies and gentlemen, attempting to present a classic from a different point of view is a horrible idea. Classic movies should remain untouched and this horrible 1998 adaptation that has Rudolph narrating is absolutely awful. If I believed censorship was a good thing, I would suggest banning it for all eternity, simply for interfering with a classic.
2. “Frosty Returns”
“Frosty Returns” is another attempt at interference in old classic, but is far, far worse. This 1992 cartoon introduces political issues (such as global warming) into a children’s show. Additionally, it’s a Christmas movie in which the word “Christmas” never appears and is instead replaced by a “winter carnival.” I find these alterations of a children’s story to be disgusting and an abomination.
 1. “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
I know this choice will shock people, but the 1965 Charlie Brown classic bottoms out my list. I find anything involving the “Peanuts” characters to be annoying and boring. Additionally, since people hype it so much, I really cannot stand “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
Well, those are my favorite and least favorite Christmas movies. Please post yours and feel free to argue with me.
[comments] |
