Baumer's 50 Best Christmas movies of all time

[robertman2]

On 12/1/2016 at 9:51 AM, filmlover said:

I'm pretty sure Krampus visited all of us on November 8 this year so there's really no reason to watch the movie. lmao.

Hilary Clinton was pretty scary. 

On 12/1/2016 at 10:32 AM, filmlover said:

Is The Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween or Christmas movie?!

 

The recent Honest Trailer they did for it is the most accurate one they've ever done.

Thanksgiving

On 12/1/2016 at 0:26 PM, La Binoche said:

Hmmm 

 

Die Hard 
Lethal Weapon 

Elf 

Love Actually 

Trading Places 

Scrooged 

The Nightmare Before Christmas 

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 

Bad Santa

Gremlins 

 

My faves, off the top of my head

Wasn't expecting a list like this from you

[Porthos]

14 minutes ago, IronJimbo said:

 

Well I'll be damned, how can these films have the exact same name when released so close to each other.

 

*Googles*

 

*Reads Wikipeida Entry*

 

Huh.

 

*Reads entry on the SEQUEL*

 

Double huh.

 

Well, learn something new every day.

[robertman2]

19 minutes ago, IronJimbo said:

 

Well I'll be damned, how can these films have the exact same name when released so close to each other.

Because Avatar is awful 

 

Nah, its probably just a coincidence

[narniadis]

3 hours ago, Christmas Baumer said:

I'll never understand the cynicism towards Jack Frost.

 

Me neither! But I like sentimental sappy Christmas films lol.

[baumer]

#23

Holiday Inn (1942)

Directed by Mark Sandrich

Starring Bing Crosby Fred Astaire

Box office:  unknown

 

"Holiday Inn" is the story of singer/dancer entertainers (Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Virginia Dale) who work together in New York. As the group splits up, one seeking a more tranquil life style, a third entertainer comes on the scene as a young aspiring singer/dancer (Marjorie Reynolds). Hoping to break into the business, she meets and begins work with one of the successful members. Relationships develop and change. This film is considered an American classic. The music is excellent with performances of "White Christmas" and "Easter Parade." Both singing and dancing is very good (and what else could you expect with Astaire and Reynolds) and singing with Crosby. It is a warm, romantic film which depicts the celebration of many holidays. We use "Holiday Inn" as a staple, showing it several times during the Christmas season. This is a great "feel good" film with a fantastic cast and it has one of the all time classic Christmas songs making its debut (White Christmas).

 

[TalismanRing]

Holiday Inn is also a  favorite of mine but that's a still from another fave - White Christmas (1954) with Crosby & Danny Kaye.

 

 

[baumer]

#22

Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

Directed by Les Mayfield

Starring:  Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, JT Walsh

Box office:  17.1 million

 

The 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street was updated by writer and producer John Hughes already flying high with his Home Alone films and he manages to snag Richard Attenborough who was coaxed out of acting retirement a year earlier by Steven Spielberg for Jurassic Park.

The original is regarded as a classic in America.

Hughes has followed the story of the original film with a department store executive Dorey Walker (Elizabeth Perkins) and her young daughter Susan (Mara Wilson) who do not care much for the spirit of Christmas. Dorey hires a venerable old man Kriss Kringle (Richard Attenborough) at the last minute when the usual Santa is found drunk. Kriss quickly becomes popular even if it means by always telling the truth that he directs people to rivals stores for toys because it would be cheaper there.

The store is subject to a hostile takeover from a rival and part of the shenanigans means that Kriss believes that he really is Santa Claus and finds himself in court to be declared insane.

It's a terrific remake and a beautiful Christmas story.

 

[baumer]

#21

The Santa Clause

Directed by:  John Pasquin

Starring:  Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold

Box office:  144 million

 

Scott Calvin is played by Tim Allen in the Santa Claus films and he does that on a really classic and unforgettable way. The Santa Clause is about Scott Calvin who is a divorced business man and happens to be not very good at being father. The relationship with his son isn't very good but they have to spend Christmas together. But when Scott kills Santa accidentally everything is going to change for him.

A lot of Christmas films have been made and a lot of times the role of Santa has been played but nobody ever captured that role as Time Allen did. He did very remarkable and very unforgettable job playing him. His acting is what makes this film partly so successful I think but also the scenes he has with his son on screen Eric Lloyd. The scenes between them father and Son are filmed really strong and is what makes the film good as well. For me Tim Allen will always be "Santa" it was a tradition for me at home to watch the Santa Claus films with the whole family on TV at Christmas every year. And I think it can truly be mentioned as one of the greatest Christmas films ever made.

Of course with a Christmas movie you always wait for that special magical thing to happen. And the story really develops to that moment. When you, as an audience, see the home of Santa with the Elfs it gives you really as an adult a happy feeling. It truly has something magical and it doesn't get boring with every movie. I rate this film 8 out of 10; The story has been told brilliantly on screen, the performance of Tim Allen and Eric Lloyd was wonderful.

 

[aabattery]

Baumer lists are my favourite lists. Great write ups!

[baumer]

#20

The Nutcracker (1993)

Directed by Emile Ardolino

Starring:  Macauly Culkin, Kevin Kline, Jessica Lynn Cohen

Box Office:  2.1 million

 

Both visually and musically stunning. A treat for both the eye and the ear. The quintessential Victorian element of the opening sequences were completely enchanting, helping to create a Christmas scene of which Dickens himself would have been justifiably proud. Technically the production is visually stimulating and the special effects are both imaginatively devised and creatively achieved in a traditional stage setting. The dancing of many of the lead artistes is breathtakingly good. The photography and lighting are first class and the sound recording admirably matches the overall high level of technical skills employed. A great film for all the family at Christmas time and a most delightful discovery which will withstand multiple viewing. Unfortunately this was all but ignored upon its release, but if you can find it and you like the Nutcracker mythology, you might find some good in this.  I saw the Nutcracker ballet when i was in high-school and it has always been a bit of a pleasure of mine.  This is a great Christmas treat to all who appreciate it.

 

[Chaz]

I've never heard of this one. 

[TalismanRing]

I love The Nutcracker.  Like A Christmas Carol  it's almost impossible to screw up.  My favorite is the 1977 version with Baryshnikov and Kirkland & The American Ballet Theater filmed for PBS.  I watch it every year,  though now on DVD.

 

 

 

[baumer]

I will be continuing this in about 30 minutes. Hoping to get another 5 done tonight. That will put us on Pace to be done by Christmas Eve.

[baumer]

#19

Scrooge (1951)

Directed by Brian Desmond Hurst

Starring:  Allastair Sim

Box office:  unknown

 

partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him to change his ways or be doomed to eternal damnation. The ghosts of Christmases past, present, and future to show him the error of Scrooge's ways and show the people who are able to keep Christmas in their hearts 365 days a year. Easily the best adaptation of the Dickens classic which can be attributed to several reasons. Sim's performance transcends all description of greatness. Hurst's direction evokes the ideal emotions at all the right moments. The rest of the cast remain faithful to the Dickens' characterizations. A perfect film to watch during the holiday season.

 

 

[baumer]

#18

Holiday Affair (1949)

Directed by Don Hartman

Starring:  Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh

Box office:  Unknown

 

Holiday Affair is more than an entertaining romantic comedy set during the Christmas season. The film embodies an almost subversive sense of individualism and anti-corporate attitude, in the person of Robert Mitchum as Steve Mason. As a hero who tried the "man in the grey flannel suit" life-style--and found it empty and meaningless--Steve, instead, follows a dream. He "doesn't want to be President of the First National Bank"; he only wants to build boats. His aspiration isn't portrayed as googly-eyed idealism, but as a unique, individual response to a world becoming more and more Madison Avenue. Connie Ennis, as richly acted by Janet Leigh, must confront her own fears about security and safety versus passion and non-conformity. Wendell Corey and Gordon Gebert round out an excellent cast. Holiday Affair is a witty, romantic and top-notch commentary on the neurotic Post-War world, passion and individualism, and the love of a little boy for a Red Rocket Express. A wonderful Christmas film.

 

 

[baumer]

#17 White Christmas

Directed by Michael Curtiz

Starring Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney and Danny Kaye

Box office:  Unknown

 

"White Christmas" is guilty of many of the sins catalogued by other commentators: its got a sappy story line, predictable plot twists, it plays outrageously for sentiment and patriotism (not your usual Christmas theme!). But I confess to having loved it when I watched it as a kid.  I, too, like many, make it a point to view it every Christmas season,  I think, contrary to many folks, that Danny Kaye succeeds in the second lead role better than Fred Astaire did in "Holiday Inn," and while he isn't given an opportunity for his patented zaniness, he adds a thoroughgoing charm to the role that sometimes the rather stiff Astaire lacks. 

Rosemary Clooney is lovely in the rather thankless role of the practical sister and was at the peak of her genius as a pop singer, Vera-Ellen does her usually charming thing, and Crosby! The master implants his genius in virtually every frame. In supporting roles veteran character actor Dean Jagger is splendid as the general, while Mary Wickes steals every scene she's in as the nosy hotel housekeeper, Emma. The singing and dancing are first-rate (even without Astaire), and the songs by Irving Berlin are among his very best, including a number of tunes written especially for the film. One that never ceases to charm me is the trifle, "Snow," sung by our four stars in the dining car of the railroad train bound from Florida to Vermont. What a magical moment, among many in this thoroughly delightful, if flawed, jewel.  It's another favourite  of my lte mother.

 

[baumer]

#16)

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Directed by George Seaton

Starring:  Maureen O'Hara, John Payne

Box office:  2.6 million

 

Every Christmas Eve, one cable channel or another has this movie on all day and night. The "Miracle on 34th Street" marathon is as much a part of Christmas eve as any other Christmas film, if not more. I like the original black and white version the most. "Miracle on 34th Street" is a story about what Christmas should really mean to all of us, and that Santa Claus does in fact, exist as a paragon for humanitarianism. This movie incorporates commercialism as the culprit to losing sight of what Christmas is suppose to be. It also stresses a lot of the positive aspects of faith and kindness towards your fellow man. You, the movie viewer, realize that an idealistic figure such as Santa Claus serves as a symbol who nurtures our quest as individuals to be better people.. Without question, one of the main themes in the film is that it's better to give than to receive.   "Miracle on 34th Street" embraces traditional values, and at the end of the day, that's all we want from a Christmas movie.  

I thought the acting by Maureen O'Hara and John Payne was extremely well thought out, as well as very entertaining! The movie "Miracle on 34th Street" is very delightful to watch, especially on Christmas Eve where it is as much a part of Christmas Eve as are the presents. goodwill towards friends and family.

 

[TalismanRing]

Edmund Gwenn is such a marvelous Kris Kringle.  His performance in Miracle on 34th, Alistair Sims as Scrooge and Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey are my go to Christmas performance trifecta.

 

 

 

 

[baumer]

All the heavy hitters are coming up.

[baumer]

#15

The Polar Express (2004)

Directed by Robert Zemekis

Starring Tom Hanks and Leslie Zemekis

Box office:  185.5 million and counting

 

absolutely love this movie. It is one of the best movies to teach children, and adults alike, about the spirit of Christmas. This also might help kids to understand how the "magic" of Christmas is possible and how Santa Claus is able to visit all of the good children around the world in one single night. If you truly believe, then you will hear the bell too. Do you still hear the bells of Christmas? What would you do if on Christmas Eve you heard the sound of a train, the Polar Express, outside your window? Would you go and investigate? Would you climb on board? This is exactly what the hero in the movie does. While he feels he is too old to believe in Santa Claus, he climbs on board the Polar Express anyway. While on board he meets several other kids who are going to the North Pole to see Santa Claus as well. While he still does not believe, he finds it harder and harder to keep up with his beliefs that Santa Claus is not real. This is the kind of Christmas movie that families should sit down and watch together.