Ok, let’s lay down the law here – everything I say, every opinion I give here is 100% correct and there’s no arguing with the 5 best Christmas movies I’ve selected… Of course, I’m joking and there is probably, or rather inevitably, going to be a lot of difference in opinion as to the selections I’ve made. So, make sure you get your opinions in as to how much you agree, how much you disagree, or point out any glaring omissions that I’ve made.
So, there are some rules to my selection/rating process:
1-They have to be films I have seen or at least films I have seen part of (be it a trailer or a clip)-so I’m sorry, “It’s a Wonderful Life” won’t be featuring.
2- I’ll be rating a number of criteria on a scale of 1-5, which includes: Christmassyness, Feel-Good Factor and General Movieness.
5 – THE SANTA CLAUSE (1994)
Plot/Opinion: Here’s an absolute classic to which I can truthfully attach this rare statement: “the sequels aren’t a let-down”. However there’s no beating the original film that won the hearts of many. Its warming Christmassy feel and the ultimate joy of watching a normal guy take on the comedic journey of becoming Santa, makes it one not to miss this Christmas. Fun, hilarious and definitely worthy of a place on this list.
Christmassyness: 4
Feel-Good: 2
General Movieness: 4
Total: 10/15
4 – HOME ALONE 4 (2002)
Plot/Opinion: Now, hear me out on this one. Yes, the original films with Macaulay Culkin as Kevin are brilliant and very Christmassy in their theme; however Home Alone 4 is the one which stands out for me. The usual narrative occurs: a boy is left at home, villains try to steal from him, the young boy sets up traps and ultimately the day is saved. This version is explicitly Christmas themed with lots of presents set out for said young boy and a huge Christmas tree in- what can only be described as- a huge mansion. The ultimate feel-good factor and insane narrative twist can also be witnessed here when the young boy discovers that his evil step-mother is behind the burglary and his father spends Christmas with the boy’s mother after realising the error of his ways. The definition of a fairy-tale ending!
Christmassyness: 3
Feel-Good: 4
General Movieness: 5
Total: 12/15
3 – THE SNOWMAN (1982)
Plot/Opinion: The ultimate dream of every young child-to build a snowman and watch it come to life and have wonderful adventures with your new friend. Long before John Lewis explored the idea of a mobile, emotion-feeling snowman, this short film was created (based on the picture book by Raymond Briggs). The film is slightly experimental in its style as it refrains from using any dialogue. The only sound we do hear is the famous “Walking in the Air”-a strangely emotional and thought-provoking tune. Essentially, this short film has everything: a true Christmas story with a definite feel-good factor (in the form of sheer emotion).
Christmassyness: 4
Feel-Good: 4
General Movieness: 4
Total: 12/15
2 – JINGLE ALL THE WAY (1996)
Plot/Opinion: Here’s a film which many people either tend to forget quickly or don’t include in their list of favourites, however, I’m here to fight this little gem’s corner. What’s more Christmassy and feel-good than witnessing a father’s struggle to get his son an in-demand-toy which eventually ends in success? Throw Arnold Schwarzenegger into the mix and we’re presented with a film that many shouldn’t simply disregard.
Christmassyness: 4
Feel-Good: 5
General Movieness: 4
Total: 13/15
1 – ELF (2003)
Plot/Opinion: Is there any surprise that this tops the list? I’m sure most were expecting this which speaks volumes about the pure class and global/mainstream appeal of the film. This film is simply an emotional, thrilling, Christmassy, seasonal joy-filled journey about an oversized elf who feels caught between two worlds. The mixing of the orphaned son and the Christmas narrative is genius! Sometimes it’s important to remember that this film actually came out in 2003 (not a lot earlier). What came before? What is our Christmas film world without the benchmark of Elf? Thankfully it’s something we haven’t had to contemplate since the brilliant day of its release and it’s going to be a long time before there’s anything to rival this ultimate Christmas film.
Christmassyness: 5
Feel-Good: 5
General Movieness: 5
Total: 15/15
Edited by Georgina Varley
Picture Sources
http://guardianlv.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/santaclaus.jpg
Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Santa_Clause
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingle_All_the_Way
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Snowman
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elf_%28film%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_Alone_4