A movie article by Jeffery Sanders
Edited by Bjørn Erik Hundland

I don’t celebrate Christmas - but that doesn’t mean I don’t love the holidays. Just cause Santa doesn’t stop by my place shouldn’t mean I can’t enjoy the sights, smells, and sound of December. The Holiday’s are about family, friends, and snow. Everyone can relate to that. A lot of movies are made that either directly or indirectly relate to the holidays. The following movies are great for getting people into the Holiday spirit. All right, maybe not all of them are appropriate for the whole family - But they are all great flicks.

15. Home Alone 3

Yeah, sure the first kid was sometimes annoying as hell. But the surprising thing is that this second sequel delivers more that the first two films. It’s funny, cute and not cloying. I really think that this is a wonderful family movie that deserves a fair try. Granted, some people do not agree with me about it, but it still deserves a shot. It is, of course, the story of a little boy fending his empty house from robbers (or in the case of part three, terrorists) during Christmas. The stunts are funny and the kid is not half as repelling as Macaulay Culkin.

14. Scream or Scream 2

These two need no introduction. But you may be wondering what it’s doing on a Holiday film list. Well, they aren’t really a holiday movies; but they were released in December and are both a helluva lotta fun! Rent em both before going to see The Faculty (The new sci-fi/horror/comedy from Kevin Williamson), which hopefully will be up to par with these two blockbusters.

13. While You Were Sleeping

The cute little romantic comedy is as light as a feather, but it flows like wine. It’s fast and comical pace make it one of the top romantic comedies out there that won’t bore the male sex. Bullock is great, and she totally shows off her girl-next-door quality as a woman who falls in love with a man she doesn’t know, saves his life, and makes his family thinks she’s his fiancée while he is in a coma. But, Uh-oh, wouldn’t you have guessed it- she falls in love with the vegetable’s brother.

12. Fargo

December means snow, and boy boy oh boy is there a lot of snow in Fargo, North Dakota. This is the Oscar nominated comedy/thriller about a kidnapping gone wrong. Hopefully you’ve already seen this masterpiece, but if not definitely check it. Amazing performances by Frances McDormand, William H. Macy and Steve Buscemi put it near the top of my favorite film list.

11. Addams Family Values

Personally, I love the Addams Family. I think that their light morbid humor is absurdly funny. I also think that, thanks to the presence of the wonderful Joan Cusack, the sequel is better than the first. Because, even thought the Addams’ are weird, they still show the same family values that we want to teach to our kids, I think that AFV makes a wonderful holiday rental. By the way, it’s hilarious.

10. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

More family values, but in a different way. This vacation is an absurdly funny spoof on family holiday get together. Very, very, very funny. This one also has the same underlying message found in the best X-mas family films, but it is presented much more humorously. Poor Chevy Chase has do deal with his psycho family, psycho neighbors and a psycho squirrel on the same night.

9. Mouse Hunt

This one sure looks Christmassy! It may look like a Home-Alone-but-this-time-with-a-mouse hack film, but it’s not. Directed with visual panache by Gore Verbinski, Mouse Hunt is the blackly slapstick tale of two brothers trying to get rich. And they would be, if it wasn’t for a cute, albeit evil, CGI mouse getting in their way. Mouse Hunt should NOT be passed up! It is FUN FUN FUN! Unfortunately it provides no positive underlying social message. Oh Well, it’s really a treat!

8. Toy Story

Who hasn’t seen Toy Story! I just can’t imagine anybody not loving this movie. I know that Dark Horizons web-master Garth Franklin has said before that he hated this movie - I dare him to email me 5 reasons that he did not like this movie. As much as I love Antz and A Bug's Life, I feel that neither script can compare to the wonderful, witty, sweet script to Toy Story. See it again, for the third time.

7. A Muppet Christmas Carol

Michael Cane stars with roughly 200 different puppets in this crowd pleasing Muppet version of a Christmas Carol. If you love the Muppets as much as I do than you’ll really appreciate how magical this is. In my opinion it’s the second best Muppet film after the original. With a funny and poignant script, A Muppet Christmas Carol is a must see for all puppet fans.

6. Flirting With Disaster

Another family tale, but this one is not exactly a movie for everyone. It’s one of the wackiest, funniest screwball films ever committed to film. An all-star cast with the likes of Ben Stiller, Alan Alda, Lily Tomlin, Mary Tyler Moore, George Segal, Patricia Arquette and the hilarious Téa Leoni. It’s about a man on a cross country search to find his birth parents. But will he like what he finds? Will he ever find them? What does this have to do with the holidays? It’s about being with family, sort of, and so is this time of year.

5. The Grinch who Stole Christmas

So what is it’s only a TV special. This Dr. Seuss fable was one amazing production when it came out in the 60's- and it still is. Every one knows the story: mean Mr. Grinch tries to ruin Christmas by stealing all the toys and presents. But by doing so he realizes the true meaning of Christmas. OK, whatever! It’s a holiday classic and a yearly must-see.

4. Planes, Trains & Automobiles

This one is more concerned with Thanksgiving than anything else. It is still about seeing your family. It is also about giving, helping out and loving thy fellow man. It stars Steve Martin and John Candy and is really funny as well as very sad. Bring out the tissues for this one. However it is not appropriate for young ones, as warm as it is.

3. The Nightmare Before Christmas

The ultimate "Holiday" film! If you love Christmas only second to Halloween than you will love this devilishly clever clay-mation film by Tim Burton. A triumph of animation and storytelling, Nightmare is about the prince of Halloween town trying to break into the Christmas biz. It’s morbid, but appropriate for anyone over eight. It’s an amazing film, with delightful character and bizarre effects. Also see the equally wonderful James and the Giant Peach.

2. A Christmas Story

My favorite Christmas movie. This is the classic about the little boy who oh so wanted a BB-Gun. You’ll blow your eye out says everyone. It’s the epic story of being a kid during Christmas in the sixties. It’s the film that inspired the classic 80’s series The Wonder Years with it’s use of adult narration. Touching and honestly funny this is THE Christmas movie to see.

1. Home Movies

This Holiday season take a look at your family’s old home movies. They’re sure to warm you up more than any real movie would. Go ahead! I’m sure you’ll find some. Home Videos are the ultimate feel-good flicks.

Note: I have never seen "It's a Wonderful Life" - nor do I really care too. I know it's a X-mas classic, but it just doesn't interest me. Oh yeah, If your peeved cause Miracle on 34th Street didn't show up that is because I just don't like it. It bores me. Both versions. Remember, this is my opinion, so please don't write me, enraged because I didn't put your fave Holiday movie on my list. Go ahead and write me to tell me what your fave holiday movie, just don't be mad about it. Thanks.

I hope that all of my readers get a chance to see all of these films. Write me and tell me what you think. If I get enough responses before Dec 18th, I’ll make a write up of ‘em and post it up. But whatever movies you see this holiday season and whether your celebrating X-mas, Chanukah, Kwanza, Dhali or nothing at all. Have a great December and a wonderful New Year!!!

Sincerely,

Jeffery B Sanders