National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) Chevy Chase

A must see movie, from the series of National Lampoons.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation [Blu-ray]

Here's the Editorial from Amazon:

"The third installment of the Griswold family saga is a significant improvement over their previous vacation (National Lampoon's European Vacation). Disaster-prone dad (Chevy Chase) discovers just how dangerous the Christmas season really is, as the Griswolds' old-fashioned holiday celebration turns out to be more "Bah! Humbug!" than Christmas cheer. Chase is right at home with the outrageous slapstick and often cheerfully tasteless humor, and John Hughes's script is stuffed full of classic Christmas movie references, but Randy Quaid practically steals the film as the unemployed relative with his malicious grin and mooching lifestyle. Not exactly a holiday classic and a bit spotty, but this gag-filled comedy is just obnoxious enough for the Scrooge lurking inside everyone. And fear not, a happy ending awaits all. Watch for future star Juliette Lewis as Chase's teenage daughter. --Sean Axmaker "

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The Family Man

The Family Man (2000), with Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni.

The Family Man is about Jack Campbell (played by Nicholas Cage), a Wall Street Tycoon who enjoys his wealth, beautiful women and the single life.

On Christmas eve, in a convenience store, Jack meets Cash (Don Cheadle) and tries to diffuse a confrontation between Cash, in full thug-life regalia, and the Korean store owner. Jack trys go give advice to Cash , declaring finally that "everybody needs something." Cash turns the question back on Jack, but Jack firmly believes he has everything he could ever want.

And that's where the "fun" begins. Jack goes to sleep in his penthouse but wakes up in a crowded house in Téaneck, New Jersey, wakes up next to his high school sweetheart (Tea Leoni), in 12 years mariage with 2 kids. He no longer drives a Ferrari but a minivan.

Jack is given the opportunity to see what his life would have been like if he had followed his college sweetheart back in 1987. Although this film follows themes like "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Christmas Carol" you will enjoy seing Cage's character change throughout the film, going from the rich snobbish playboy to the FAMILY MAN. It is definately one worth seeing.

Home Alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Home Alone is the story of a boy who is left home alone during the Christmas Holidays.

After a fight with his older brother, Buzz, over Little Nero's pizza, in front of the rest of the family, results in him being sent up to the third floor for the night, Kevin McCallister (Culkin) wishes that his family would simply disappear. After a power line failure during the night which resets all the alarm clocks, the rest of the family rushes to leave to go on a Christmas vacation to Paris, France. During the confusion, Kevin is accidentally left at home by himself and experiences what it is like to be independent for the first time, but two burglars, Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), plan to break-into his house. But Kevin sets up traps out of household items. The intruders are caught, and Kevin is reunited by his family who came back.

I never get tired of watching Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York are classics you must have in your collection.

Although 2 more sequels where made (Home Alone 3 and Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House) I've always prefered the Originals with Macaulay Culkin.

Frosty the Snowman, A timeless Clasic

I'm sure you've heard of Frosty the Snowman. This made for TV animated in 1969, is a must watch by the whole family during the Holiday Season.

Frosty the Snowman, is the story of a snowman who was brought to life by a magic hat discarded by a very bad magician who, when he realized that the hat was magical, tried to take the hat away. The story of how the children saved Frosty is a timeless tale of love and friendship.

I'm sure we all remember the theme song:

Frosty the Snowman
Was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal

Frosty the Snowman
Is a fairytale they say
He was made of snow
But the children know
How he came to life one day

There must have been some magic
In that old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around

Frosty the Snowman
Was alive as he could be
And the children say
He could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me

Frosty the Snowman
Knew the sun was hot that day
So he said let's run
And we'll have some fun
Now before I melt away

Down to the village
With a broomstick in his hand
Running here and there all around the square
Saying catch me if you can

He led them down the streets of town
Right to the traffic cop
And he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler stop

Frosty the Snowman
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye
Saying don't you cry

I'll be back again some day
Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Look at Frosty go

Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Over the hills of snow

Miracle on 34th Street

Miracle on 34th Street

In the original (1947) Miracle on 34th Street, Edmund Gwenn is Kris Kringle, a nice old man who is institutionalized for claiming that he really is the real Santa Claus.His employer Doris (Maureen O'Hara) and her daughter Susan (Natalie Wood) don't believe that he is who he claims to be. But Doris's friend Fred (John Payne) does believe the old man, and, as Fred happens to be a lawyer, he's just the one who can arrange the legal hearing to let Kris prove himself. This undisputed Christmas classi, Miracle on 34th Street, was nominated for four Academy Awards and two Golden Globes in 1948.

Any Christmas movie list wouldn't be complete without Miracle on 34th Street, which features a jolly Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) on the DVD cover of the 1947 film, which somehow manages to make the film even more essential to the holiday season.

The spirit of Christmas was portrayed really well, this was one movie that one couldn't help but feel warm and toasty after viewing. I find even the remake versions of Miracle on 34th Street are enjoyable and can be fun to watch with the whole family.

Complicating what would otherwise be a Macy's Employee of the Month performance by Kringle is the fact that he holds onto the truth that he is the actual Santa Claus. In modern American fashion with a 1940's spin, the bearded one ends up in a courtroom trial defending his sanity, while some courtroom watchers hold onto the hope that they are in the presence of the most giving celebrity on earth. The film challenges us to think about Christmas beyond corporate greed, commercialism, and modern day Black Friday sales (if we took the film into the Internet age).
If you're looking for a break from online shopping and long lines filled with scam-artists at retail customer service desks, you might not have to look any further than 34th Street to be reminded of the true spirit behind the holidays.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Dr. Seuss

How The Grinch Stole Christmas - Dr. Seuss

The animated television classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas was directed by Chuck Jones, written by Dr. Seuss. It's the story of the Grinch, who cannot bear the joy and noise of the Whos down in Whoville at Christmas,. The Grinch tries to keep Christmas from coming in this classic "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". His failure opens his eyes and enlarges his heart.

Enjoy Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!