DVDs
70 AMERICANWAY
DECEMBER 1 2008
When theweather outside is frightful, a great holidayfilm can be so delightful.We’ll help
you get through the seasonwith some of our favorite yuletideflicks. By J. Rentilly
A
HOLLYWOOD
HOLIDAY
EVER THE OPTIMIST,
singer Andy Williams reminds us each winter that the
holidays are “themostwonderful time of the year.”We’re not saying he’s
wrong
,
but there aremoments inDecemberwhenwe feel less than, well, wonderful.
That’swhenwe turn toourDVDplayers for comfort.Agoodholidaymoviecan
warm the heart and home as effectively as a fireplace framed by stockings and
Christmas cards. And a lousy one can feel like a fruitcake to the head.
“Holiday films are important because they bring us together,” says Kevin
Cuddihy, coauthor of
Christmas’sMostWanted: TheTop 10Bookof KrisKringles,
Merry Jingles, and Holiday Cheer
. “They remind us of holidays spent with family
and friends.”
ButCuddihyacknowledges thatwith somanyoptions, it canbe tough to sepa-
rate the cookies (
A Christmas Story
) from the coal (
Fred Claus
). Instead of re-
heating leftovers like
It’s aWonderful Life
and
Miracle on 34thStreet
, check out
one of these seasonal films to get you through the not-so-jolly times.
Untangling theChristmas lights…
National Lampoon’sChristmasVacation
(1989)
Betweenbouts of holiday shopping
(and subsequent dropping)…
When thekidswon’t comedownoff their
sugar high…
Whoelsecould inspireyou tobraveyourclutteredattic
and start decoratingbutChevyChase’sClarkGriswold
in this broad, puckish holiday spoof with a heart of
gold? Once you relive this patriarch’s crushed holiday
idealism and sanity-smashing family, you’ll remember
to keep a sense of humor throughout the season.
If never-ending mall lines and your rising credit card
balance have turned you into a Grinch and left you
feeling far too cynical for an earnest Dickens classic,
look no further than this postmodern riff on
AChrist-
masCarol
.WithBillMurrayat thehelm, thisfilmman-
ages to be at once irreverent, insouciant, funny, and,
ultimately, heartwarming.
With school not in session, the young ones can get to
beahandful. Sit themdown in frontof the tubeand let
Will Ferrell’s Buddy the elf keep them laughing— and
out of trouble. This film successfully mixes childlike
wonder, rambunctious humor, and a heaping dose of
yuletide spirit. It’s a fun-for-the-whole-family delight
that goes down smooth and sweet.
Scrooged
(1988)
Elf
(2003)
Afterwaitinghours for aphotoopwith
amall Santa…
When sufferinganeggnog-induced
hangover…
Substance abuse, deviant sexuality, grand larceny—
nothing is off-limits in this delectably twisted holiday
tale of Billy Bob Thornton’s derangedmall Santa on a
journeyof self-discovery. Thisflick ispitch-black, pitch-
perfect, and great fun but should bewatched only af-
ter the little ones are tucked in.
Did things get a little out of hand at this year’s neigh-
borhoodprogressivedinner?Whileyou’re still enjoying
that extra helping of holiday “spirit,” you might also
like this demented cult film in whichmartians kidnap
anunsuspectingKrisKringle. Now if onlyyoucouldget
that punch stain off your blouse…
BadSanta
(2003)
SantaClausConquers theMartians
(1964)
Feeling the late-December blues…
LoveActually
(2003)
Singingauld lang syne…
Holiday
(1938)
Whether you have a love interest this holiday season
or not, you’ll fall for this ensemble romantic comedy,
which features every variation of the L word.
Four
Weddings and a Funeral
’s Richard Curtis directs this
tender ode that’s alternately heartwarmingandheart-
wrenching.
Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn star in this often
overlooked screwball romance that takes place large-
ly in the hours leading up to January 1. This film is
swooningly romantic and sharply funny— the perfect
way to start off your new year.
Before thedreadedofficeparty…
DieHard
(1988)
Feeling like the holidays have gotten too warm and
fuzzy?LetJohnMcClanedestroy thatnotioncomplete-
ly in this electrifying thriller about a company’sholiday
party that becomes the subject of ahigh-storiedheist.
Our hero, played by Bruce Willis, must foil the bad
guys so he can make it home for Christmas on time.
And you thought your holidayswere stressful.
