Baumer's 50 Best Christmas movies of all time

[Kalo]

3 hours ago, Christmas Baumer said:

#32

The Nativity Story (2006)

Directed by Catherine Hardwicke

Starring:  Keisha Castle Hughes, Oscar Isaac

Box office:  37.6 million

 

The Nativity Story is by no means a commercial portrayal of the Biblical story. I'll admit this. The power of the film and what, in my view,makes it a terrific Christmas film is that it is indeed a realistic portrayal of human emotions.

I'm not sure of my religious beliefs. I like the idea of Christianity and all that it is supposed to represent. So even though I think I'm more agnostic than anything else, at Christmas, I love a good story about the birth of Jesus, this is one of the better ones.

Castle-Huhghes has acquired the maturity and intellect that was essential in playing such a prestigious role.I loved how the film acknowledges that Mary was only a child when she became the mother of Jesus, and the movie shows the emotional transformation of Mary. During her pregnancy Mary had experienced the power of bravery, the depth of kindness, the miracle of life and the profoundness of love. As a result she had grown from a frightened and unaccepted child to a woman. 

What I find to be the most brilliant about the film is that it is as nonreligious as possible. The movie is in many ways a gritty love story about a couple and their growing relationship through times of tragedy. Catherine Hardwicke has a reputation for directing films that portray the gritty teenage essence, and she takes her talent of amazing depictions of the teenage nature to the story of the beloved Virgin Mary. This is an excellent Christmas film and I encourage everyone to see it.

 

 

 

This movie is sorely underrated. It was also the first film I've seen with Oscar Isaac in it, and he is great in it. 

[Kalo]

The Holliday is amazing, one of my favorite movies to watch around Christmas actually, any chance of it showing up on here @Christmas Baumer?

 

It has a great score my Hans Zimmer too. 

 

 

[filmlover]

46 minutes ago, Kalo said:

The Holliday is amazing, one of my favorite movies to watch around Christmas actually, any chance of it showing up on here @Christmas Baumer?

 

It has a great score my Hans Zimmer too. 

 

 

That movie is a big time guilty pleasure.

[baumer]

1 hour ago, Kalo said:

The Holliday is amazing, one of my favorite movies to watch around Christmas actually, any chance of it showing up on here @Christmas Baumer?

 

It has a great score my Hans Zimmer too. 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately I haven't seen this one.  

[filmlover]

2 minutes ago, Christmas Baumer said:

 

 

Unfortunately I haven't seen this one.  

Wut?! You watch everything. How have you avoided this for the last 10 years (geez, way to feel fuckin' old, filmlover)?

 

If Nancy Meyers movies are your cup of tea, dive on in.

[baumer]

I like Nancy Meyers and all the talent involved.  I have no idea how I missed it.  I will find it and watch it.

 

Thanks for reminding me.

[Kalo]

19 minutes ago, Christmas Baumer said:

I like Nancy Meyers and all the talent involved.  I have no idea how I missed it.  I will find it and watch it.

 

Thanks for reminding me.

 

 

WATCH IT NOW!

[ShouldIBeHere]

Another christmas movie that isn't exactly great but that I enjoy watching whenever it is on around christmas time... forgot that it was even nominated for an Oscar.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyeux_Noël

[GiantCALBears]

On 12/7/2016 at 7:05 PM, Christmas Baumer said:

#37

Jingle All The Way (1996)

Directed by Brian Levant

Starring:  Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, Phil Hartman, Jim Belushi

Box office:  60 million

 

There's a terrific message in this film and although it's a typical one in Christmas movies, if it's done right, it never gets old.  It starts off with Arnold running all over town to get his alienated son, the most popular toy on the market.  In the end, everyone learns that family is more important than material things.  Its certainly cliched but when you are making a Christmas movie, you don't try to reinvent the wheel.  It's a beautiful film and one that I have watched with my nieces and my brother.  My mom used to love it as well.  

 

Sinbad is at his best in this type of role (another top hit is his cameo in Always Sunny as himself). Arnold... well it always made me laugh thinking of him as a regular dad in suburbia. 

[Dementeleus]

The best Christmas movie is called HARD TO BE A GOD.  

[baumer]

#30

Elf (2003)

Directed by:  Jon Favreau

Starring:  Will Ferell, James Caan, Mary Steenbergen

Box office:  173.3 million

 

Will Ferrell stars in this Christmas comedy known as Elf. Buddy lives his whole life as a misfit Elf helping out Santa in the North Pole. One day Buddy, who is taller and clumsier then the other Elves, realizes he is not a real Elf and decides to go out and search for his real dad. Only knowing how his life was back at the North Pole it was a huge change in his life when Buddy traveled to the big city of New York. His journey is conveyed by hilarious humor when Papa Elf has to explain to Buddy that the, "yellow snow was not for eating and the gum under the railings was not free candy." This movie contains comedy and romance and is good for all ages.

Hidden beneath all of the comedy was a lesson in which although someone like Buddy may be unique, they still can fit in and belong somewhere in the world.

Will Ferrell was born to play Buddy. The way he can act like a kid is phenomenal. Few other actor could have made Buddy the Elf come to life and walk us through his journey as a misfit, sheltered Elf at the North Pole.

It's a terrific Christmas film and of course at the end everyone learns their lesson and Buddy's dad, who was on the naughty list redeems himself. Elf is a great film to watch with kids.

This movie is worth seeing. An adventure, a love story and Santa Clause all mixed together in a delightful holiday treat. Will Ferrell helps make this a movie that is sure to be enjoyed with your family each Christmas.

 

 

[baumer]

#29

Lethal Weapon (1986)

Directed by Richard Donner

Starring:  Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey

Box office:  65.2 million

 

Here's one of the few films on the list that is not a true Christmas movie but rather a film that takes place at Christmas.  I love the original so much that it has to appear on the list.  Christmas is really represented nicely here and there's a lot of scenery, decorations, songs and everything else that this film absolutely belongs on the list.  The opening starts with Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms and then morphs into a beautiful young blond girl as she jumps off the 15th story balcony into a car below, killing herself.  It's quite the juxtaposition.  From here we are introduced to Martin Riggs, played of course by Gibson, as he is doing a drug bust at a Christmas tree lot.  We have Christmas carols being sung by a choir of police officers and perhaps the best part of the film is the last 15 minutes where Gary Busey breaks into Danny Glover's house which is decorated with Christmas decorations and a beautiful tree, only to have Riggs take him outside and ask him if he would like a shot at the title.

 

Joel Silver produced this film and he seems to like the Christmas theme as he has done it in more than one film.  Lethal Weapon is a lot of fun and one film that is watched every year at Christmas when I am visiting my brother.  

 

[filmlover]

Elf is a gift from above.

[Ethan Hunt]

Elf makes me depressed for a number of reasons

[baumer]

#28

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Directed by Bill Melendez

Starring:  Peter Robbins, Chris Shea

Box office:  TV movie

 

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" is so simplistic and yet so beautiful and perfectly illustrates what Christmas is supposed to be all about. Also, for those of us dismayed with the commercialism of the holiday, the message resonates with us. Its also a film with much wider appeal than the average Christmas film, probably because of the message. .

From the beautiful and airy-sweet 'brushed' sound of Vince's music, on the skating scene, to the over-commercialization of the season, to Linus's reading about the new born baby Jesus Christ. Then on to the Hymm, Angel's singing and the New born King. This was and still is amazing. My niece got to see it for the first time last year and now she keeps begging me to watch it with her again. “Uncle Danny, when are we going to watch Charlie Brown Christmas again?” I can't imagine if this little, 'Bright shining gem' would have been refused it's entry into greatness and History. People could argue and say, 'It's just a cartoon, what's the big deal.' And if someone doesn't get it, I would ask them to, "Check themself for a pulse." It's truly fantastic.

 

 

[baumer]

#27

It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947)

Directed by:  Roy Del Ruth

Starring:  Anne Harding, Don Defore

Box office:  Unknown

 

You know how there are some movies that you just wish they would never end? Well this is one of those special Christmas classics that has a great story line, albeit a predictable one, that keeps you glued to your seat wanting more and more of this special Christmas spirit to warm your heart and infuse your memory with your own special Christmas moments. 

Victor Moore who was 71 when he played the part of the squatter named Aloysius T. McKeever who moves in each winter to the vacated home of the second richest man in the world. Gradually he opens up his heart and his winter squatting home to a few army veterans and their families because they have no where else to go.

Don DeFore plays one of the army veterans named Jim Bullock who has a personal beef with the rich homeowner Michael J O'Connor played by Charles Ruggles. What Jim doesn't know is that he is falling in love with the rich mans daughter Mary O'Connor played by Ann Harding. There are also terrific on screen performances between Charles Ruggles (the wealthy Michael J O'Connor) and Victor Moore (the poor and homeless Aloysius T McKeever). Consider the reverse roles of the Prince and the Pauper storyline, but this movie takes place during that magical time at Christmas in New York city.

 

 

[baumer]

#27

Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

Directed by:  Peter Godfrey

Starring:  Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Syndey Greenstreet

Box office:  Unknown

 

II greatly loved this yuletide film, with excellent performances by Barbara Stanwyck and Sydney Greenstreet, and fine direction by Peter Godfrey. Had they a stronger actor in the lead than Dennis Morgan, it would be a perfect film, but it's still a wonderful Christmas perennial and favourite to watch. The Oscar-winning short Star in the Night, directed by Don Siegel and a bonus on this DVD, is even better...Very charming film is more a straight romantic comedy than a Christmas film per se,but it still has a nice Christmas setting and hits all the right notes.  I'm not much of a film connoisseur on films and actors before the 70's but I do know that Stanwyck is a legend and here she kind of knocks it out of the park.  This is another film my mother used to love watching at Christmas and it just kind of stayed with me.  

 

[75Live]

Wow a few are already showing up that I thought would show up later. But good list so far.  Nice to see some of  the older ones show up too  

[junkshop36]

A Christmas Story is my all time favorite holiday time movie! 

[RascarCapat]

On 01/12/2016 at 6:28 PM, Christmas Baumer said:

Unless you are watching JJ's Star Trek or some German existential film noir, this is you all the time

 

 

Haha wp

 

You should have this as your Avatar Tele.

 

Thanks for the list Baumer, it's looking good.

Having seen most of those older films, I might watch them later on.

 

I know you're not an enormous fan of animated movies but what are your views on stop motion ?

The Nightmare Before Christmas is my N°1 Xmas movie.