My Favorite Christmas Movies: "It's a Wonderful Life"

Zach's Favorite 10 Christmas Movies:
Movie #5

It's a Wonderful Life

Directed by: Frank Capra

Starring: Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore
Rated: PG for thematic elements, smoking, and brief violence
Frank Capra's famous film It's A Wonderful Life really isn't as wonderful a people may think; it was a box office disaster when released and is only popular because television stations took advantage of the movie's failure to renew the copyright back in the 1970s. It also takes far too long (half the movie) to set up the plot. Despite it, there is something simple about it that warms our hearts and reminds us of how wonderful and powerful a simple life can be. Jimmy Stewart has had some great roles during his career, but this is my personal favorite; he transcends the story's faults and makes the movie work, just from opening up his character so we can see his many joys and failures. While it may miss the biblical reasoning for valuing life, this typical "Capra Corn" film (the nickname given to Capra's idealistic movies) has withstood the test of time simply because of it's timeless connection with humanity and the holidays.

My Favorite Christmas Movies: "Home Alone"

Zach's Favorite 10 Christmas Movies:
Movie #6

Home Alone

Directed by: Chris Columbus

Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Candy
Rated: PG

The comedic family comedy Home Alone really is that, something for the whole family. The slapstick comedy is timeless, the script witty, the characters unique, the traps Kevin sets are brilliantly fun, and its bursting with Christmas nostalgia. Add that to small themes about redemption with one's family, and you have one outrageously fun family comedy for the Christmas season.

My Favorite Christmas Movies: "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

Zach's Favorite 10 Christmas Movies:
Movie #7

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Directed by: Bill Melendez

Starring: Peter Robins, Bill Melendez
Rated: TV-G

One of the most classic of all Christmas films, A Charlie Brown Christmas was not only cutting edge for it's time, but may have the best message of all Christmas films. Like his comic-strip Peanuts, Charles Shultz infuses this animated-movie with children facing adult-like problems. Despite his young age, Charlie Brown goes to a psychiatrist for depression and is sickened by the commercialism of Christmas. These aren't your normal childhood problems, but perhaps Shultz was as concerned with communicating with his adult audience as much as with the kids. And, in the end, he points to the true meaning behind the season; the incarnation of Christ. This is what we celebrate and what defeats the depression of the holidays. And what better way to depict that than a pathetic, unloved tree Charlie Brown chooses that, in the end, is transformed into a beautiful tree that signifies the Christmas season.

My Favorite Christmas Movies: "White Christmas"

Zach's Favorite 10 Christmas Movies:
Movie #8

White Christmas

Directed by: Michael Curtiz

Starring: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney
Rated: Approved

Despite the 3-strip technicolor look, the film White Christmas feels more like a broadway musical than a play, having a very theatrical story structure and, of course, musical numbers that seemingly replace important dialogue. While I normally don't care for films like this, White Christmas has a certain nostalgia and romanticism towards Christmas that is hard to dismiss. Reminiscent of his film Casablanca, director Michael Curtiz is terrific at boiling down the grandiose events of the film to relate on an intimately personal scale without straying too far into cliches. The film is far from perfect; the two sisters don't even look like distant cousins and Bing Crosby is about as old and boring of a protagonist as one can find. However, Danny Kaye fills in his comedic side kick-roll well, the music is fun, and the whole military storyline really connects, even if you don't care if the two bachelor's find love with their showbiz partners.

My Favorite Christmas Movies: "The Nightmare Before Christmas"

Zach's Favorite 10 Christmas Movies:
Movie #9

Tim Burton's
The Nightmare Before Christmas

Directed by: Henry Selick

Starring: Danny Elfman, Catherine O'Hara, Chris Sarandon
Rated: PG for some scary images

Although Tim Burton's claymation feature may not always provoke the feelings of merriment and fellowship that traditional Christmas movies evoke, it's hard not to include this movie on the list, even if you only look at the technical aspect of the film. To think Burton made this before a real understanding of digital technology and computer animation, this movie is simply astounding. Plus, you have the musical pieces written (and performed) by Danny Elfman that are almost as good as anything Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote for Broadway; they're truly some of the best songs written for any movie, nevertheless a Christmas film. And if you can get through all of Burton's dark imagery, you can even spot some of the holiday spirit that makes a good Christmas movie. You just have to see it from the eyes of Tim Burton.

My Favorite Christmas Movies: "Will Vinton's Claymation Christmas Special"

In honor of Christmas, over the next month I'll be reviewing my 10 favorite Christmas movies of all time. To kick it off, I'm going to list my favorite Christmas TV special, which technically doesn't qualifiy as a movie.

Zach's Favorite 10 Christmas Movies:
#10 (which isn't really a movie)

A Claymation Christmas
Celebration Special
Directed by: Will Vinton
Release Date: 1987

Growing up, my favorite Christmas video was claymation-extrodinaire Will Vinton’s collection of Christmas Carols sung (or played) by his claymation (or visual effects) creatures and creations. The effects are really fantastic and the characters are just great, especially the hosts Rex and Herb. Plus, it's just a simply little TV special that is fun to watch. It totally reminds me of my childhood, and I still laugh at a few jokes, even as an adult. You can watch the whole thing on youtube, and one of my favorite songs here:

Movie Review: "The Muppets"

The Muppets

Directed by: James Bobin

Starring: Jason Segal, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Jack Black
Rated: PG for some mild rude humor
On some level, most of American culture has some connection with the Muppets; whether it’s their television show, their tv specials, their movies, or even their Christmas album, most people have at least one nostalgic memory of the Jim Henson’s iconic puppets. Obviously, producer/actor Jason Segal would agree, because that’s exactly what his new Muppet movie is; one funny and incredibly nostalgic look at the beloved characters, though it thankfully strays away from becoming too sentimental. The terrific style of the film comes from the direction of James Bobin, director of the Ali G Show and the hit HBO series Flight of the Conchords. Bobin also got one of the Conchords’ members, Bret McKenzie (of Lord of the Rings fame) to compose the terrific musical numbers, infusing the Muppets’ slapstick humor with their own quick satirical brand. Because of it, The Muppets doesn’t feel like the Muppet movies we’ve seen in the past, or even the characters from the past films. But, perhaps that’s what makes this new film work so well; it reminds us of those good times rather than trying to recreate them. Thanks to the humor of the story, the parody of the genre (“maniacal laugh”), the outrageous wit of McKenize, the brilliant direction of Bobin, a ton of cameo appearances, and a story that reminds us of the good old days, The Muppets may be the most “sensational, inspirational, celebrational, muppentational” movie of the holidays.