People
seem to love Christmas Specials. Movies and TV specials
alike have often been dedicated to the holiday season
we find ourselves in right now. Unfortunately for
those that would broadcast said movies, it is weird
to the point of seeming unlawful for them to be shown
at any other time than the month of December. So it
is that this particular month is jam-packed with holiday
specials, so much so that it is barely possible to
breathe. I suppose.
Christmas
is also the one time of year that my hardened, cold-as-the-grave
heart can actually warm up just slightly because of
said Christmas-related media. The following is a short
rundown of those Christmas movies that just tug on
my heart strings:
Home Alone (1990)
If
you were in the age group that this movie was targeted
at when it was released, odds are good that you have
seen it multiple times. I know I certainly have.
If
you forget the fact that it's one of the most gleefully
anarchic family movies out there, and you forget the
fact that the burglars would most likely have died
several times over during their invasion of the house,
and you also forget that that Culkin kid grew up too
popular for his own good after the movie hit it big
- you've still got one pretty entertaining bit of
Holiday-themed entertainment. And actually, it doesn't
hurt to keep the first two points in mind either.
First
Seen: Shortly after it came out on video,
so I would have been about nine-ish. And then a number
of times afterward.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
No,
not that creepy version with Jim Carrey - though,
as a side note, I'm thinking that the direction he
got in regards to his character went like this: "Give.
Kids. Nightmares."
I
mean the animated one. This is one of those movies
that's been called a classic so many times by so many
different people, you will go to jail if you say otherwise.
There is absolutely no argument to be made here -
this animated Christmas gem is just great. There isn't
a lot else to say.
First
Seen: In its entirety? That I can clearly
recall? Ooh, tough one - probably in High School,
he admitted with slight embarassment.
Die Hard (1988)
Perhaps
not the most orthodox selection on a list like this,
but an excellent Holiday film nonetheless. It's inspiring,
it's exciting, it has those little moments of class
that just warm your heart. Plus it has Bruce Willis
getting the utter crap kicked out of him, and explosions.
Can't say that about many other Christmas movies.
First
Seen: Again, I would have to admit that the
first time I saw it in its entirety was only about
two years ago. But it will stick with me for years,
I can tell.
That's
all. If you personally have not fully experienced
any of these three movies, or The Nightmare Before
Christmas, which gets honorable mention, do. I would
hate for, uh, something bad to happen to you and yours
because you didn't...
*that
last bit was supposed to be read in such a way that
it sounds like I'm threatening you.**
**I
really wasn't, because I was kidding.***
***this
footnote intentionally left blank
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