As the festive season is upon us, I have put together a small collection of my favourite Christmas films.
Christmas is all about great food, family time, and of course, presents, especially for the kids. But let’s not forget the time-honoured tradition of vegging out in front of the television set with our favourite Christmas movies.
Snuggling up with a real fire during cold winter days and nights watching these classics and modern classics is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. What really makes a Christmas movie is not just its theme, but instead the other special elements that are more about people rather than things as we come together. I won't be giving away any spoilers with each film, but rather a very brief summary of my feelings toward each movie.
Merry Christmas, Buon Natale, Feliz Navidad, Frohe Weinachten, Feliz Natal, Vrolijk kerstfeest, Joyeux Noël, Χαρούμενα Χριστούγεννα, Čestit Božić, 圣诞快乐, Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus, メリークリスマス, Linksmų šv. Kalėdų, 메리 크리스마스 or Happy Holidays
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Who can forget Judy Garland's journey to the land of Oz, following the yellow brick road to meet the Wizard. She meets a Scarecrow, a Tin Man and a Lion all seeking what they believe to be missing...only to find it inside themselves after all.
The child in all of us seeks to run away to find "a better place" or find "the greenest grass" and to explore where imagination has no boundaries. All of which are interesting things to do, but never forget, everything you need is with you all the time, inside yourself.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
James Stewart is going through a tough patch in life and considers suicide as a way of escaping his problems. Some people have a seemingly easy life while others less so. We all have struggles of one sort or another with it being unknown the reasons why things happen to us and the way that they do. Not recognizing the impact each and every one of us have on the world is a mistake most make, we are all important.
Some call this a life changing movie, it is without doubt, a movie that makes you think about life. I have only watched it once, over 25 years ago. I promised myself however unlikely, that if I ever felt suicidal, I would watch it again before making any final decision.
A Matter of Life and Death (1946)
David Niven plays a British airman who is about to perish as his air plane crashes. He spends his remaining time, on the radio talking to a woman from ground control. I remember watching this one afternoon on television as in those days nothing else was on. The struggle to achieve anything worthwhile in life, is the price one must pay. Today more than ever, we are not meant to question anything...this film is a good example of why we should.
Scrooge (1970)
There are countless versions of this classic, this one a brighter musical version. Featuring Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. This was one of first versions I watched starring Albert Finney. Enough to say that Charles Dicken's adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" by Leslie Bricusse is a masterpiece showing that we can all embrace change.
We can all change the direction of our lives. Were it not for a former work colleague named Diane, that told me to "get off my arse and just go for it", I would not be on my current backpacker journey, sadly, Diane left us at the tender age of 39.....Merry Christmas Diane.
White Christmas (1954)
This film was made around the song "White Christmas" - a timeless classic. This is without a doubt a musical feel-good movie in the best tradition of old school Hollywood movies, albeit with a loose plot. Just immerse yourself and go along for the ride.
Trading Places (1983)
The casting of this film is spot on. Dan Ackroyd plays an elitist stockbroker that has change forced upon him and ends up finding Jamie Lee Curtis, who has a heart of gold. The star is Eddie Murphy, who is pretty hilarious. There are a lot of themes covered by this movie, particularly how quickly one's life can hit rock bottom.
Groundhog Day (1993)
The storyline is repetitive, however, Bill Murray manages to pull off his role with ease. Another film with many themes about life being covered. Sometimes change happens without you noticing that you are going down a particular path in life, with something you didn't see coming. We can all be a better version of ourselves with enough effort and time and be genuine rather than fake.
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
This movie takes me back to when I was a stepdad, getting things ready for Christmas with my ex-wife and daughter. Richard Attenborough plays Kris Kringle and goes to court to prove he is Santa Claus. A mushy film but yet again showing that dreams do come true if you really believe. There is also a 1947 black and white original version that I would also recommend.
Sliding Doors (1998)
Another romantic comedy, starring Gwyneth Paltrow as she follows two parallel realities on her journey through life. Despite not being about Christmas, I can't help but love this film as it's based in London. This one showing, yet again how quickly one's life can change. The moral of the movie in my eyes is that our lives do indeed have multiple paths of possibilities.
Love Actually (2003)
No less than eight interrelated storylines around the subject of romantic love in my former home town of London during the run up to Christmas. It made me laugh, cry and smile...."love actually is all around"
A poignant scene among many, is when The Prime Minister tells the American President at a press event, that Britain will no longer succumb to American dictate; appropriate now as the UK is still battling the EU over Brexit terms.
Bad Santa (2003)
An alternative Christmas movie to say the least, crass, politically incorrect, crude and rude with Billy Bob Thornton playing a convicted con man that is a heavy drinker. A dark comedy with him leading a miserable life, but accidentally finding something worth fighting for.
The Holiday (2006)
A house exchange between two women in turmoil, one from a cute country cottage in the UK (Kate Winslet), the other a mansion in the US (Cameron Diaz). As some doors close, others open....never be afraid to take a chance, this simple action puts into motion unknown possibilities.
HOMEPAGE
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