Christmas Movies

You know you’re getting old when Christmas movies are purely a DVD dive instead of a cinema visit. They just don’t make ’em like they used to...

Here are my top five: 

The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992)
A classic within a classic. Best to view on Christmas Eve for that moment when Kermit's coming home from work and stops for a skate and a song with the penguins, and you realise it really is ‘just one more sleep til Chrissstmasss’.
Also enjoyable is the Santa Cam when we fly across the rooftops in Scroorge’s past. Can there be anything more Christmassy than Victorian chimneys in the snow?

Love Actually (2003)


Actually my partner’s favourite – it’s filled with enough humour that men need not run to the hills rather than watching this ‘chick flick’. Yes, that warm fuzzy feeling is all around and could be stomach churning for those with a high gag reflex. However, the relationships are centred in truth, often without the rose-tinted glasses, as witnessed in the Emma Thompson moment. Perfect to watch with a loved one and especially before buying gifts so you can be absolutely sure that the art of present giving is as glorious as Mr Bean would have everyone aspire to. You do need that sprig of holly, you just do.


Home Alone (1990)
The movie of my childhood. Not a great help as a kid with a phobia of spiders - what's wrong with just having a dog as a pet? But while the pranks entertain as a kid, it’s the Boo Radley/To Kill A Mockingbird theme (Kevin finding out that his neighbour isn’t the murderous freak he thought) that reminds you the true importance of family and what holidays can be about.


Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Some interesting personalities given to some of our most cliché heroes. The hormone-overloaded Toothfairy, the not-so-cute Easter bunny, the silent but saintly Sandman and best of all: the tough as nails with a big soft centre, Santa. It’s re-freshing that Santa is far from the main character and his ‘special’ elves and hardworking yetis give a new look to his workshop. Christmas is very much a time of wonder and this Santa makes us remember it.



Elf (2003)
For the little kid in you that just wants to scream in everyone’s face: OMG IT’S CHRISTMAS! This is a movie that makes your grown-up self feel like a douche for not being excited. Plenty of laughs and weirdness, what’s not to love?

More Christmas Goodness:
Santa Claus (1985) "Tinsel. Not just for decoration"
Die Hard (1988) "Now I have a machine gun Ho Ho Ho"
Miracle on 34th Street (1994) "I'm going to bed uncharacteristically early" 

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