Five Fav's of Christmas Movie Magic

Movies are a huge part of my Holiday Season routine. This year (like many years) the Holiday movies start coming out in Theaters in November to capitalize on the poorly marketing Thanksgiving being overshadowed by Christmas. We have ABC Family's annual 25 Days of Christmas. Some movies may be more aimed toward kids but they still manage to knock out some Christmas classics. December also starts the big OSCAR push- love it. Not to mention the Kehoe Family Christmas Day Movie Tradition. This year- Sherlock Holmes.

I guess the only downside is that beside this two month stretch, I never really watch "Christmas" Movies. The following list is comprised of films that I love to watch around the Holidays (whether being affiliated with Christmas or not):

(In no particular order)

1. Elf

The only Will Ferrell movie that I genuinely love, Elf brought back the wonder and magic back to Christmas flicks. No matter your age nor your taste in Will Ferrell, this movie is for everyone. Ferrell's Buddy brings out the kids in all of us, more so because his character is basically a child. My favorite scene is when Buddy decorates Gimble's Department Story for "santa's arrival."

Overall, a great feel good movie to pop in the dvd player this time of year. Also, it has been brought to my attention that is also serves as a stylish new drinking game movie. Have a nip after each time the words "Buddy", "elf" or "Christmas" are said. Goes great with some Egg Nog.

2. Love Actually

Yes, it falls into the chick flick catagory- so what? It is a great ensemble cast full of characters with individual stories that are intertwined together. Each character deals with their own struggles around the Holiday season and its hilarious to see how they all pan out. Did I mention Keira Knightly is in it? 'Nuff reason for me to watch it.

There is the young couple that meets while "standing in" for actors in movies. The foul-mouthed Bill Nighy's aging rocker looking for a come back at all costs proves to serve as one of the best characters in the picture. Most of the characters have some type of evolution from start to finish, finding themselves and finding the solution to their predicament. My favorite scene is undoubtedly when Andrew Lincoln's Mark character shows up to Keira Knightly's door. One of those scenes that every guy wishes they could have thought of. And lastly, Hugh Grant proves effective and surprisingly powerful as the Prime Minister (p.s. nice punk on Billy Bob Thorton). I watched this movie last night and I am sure I will watch it a few more times before the 25th.

3. Lord of the Rings Trilogy

My first movie that does not have one single aspect of Christmas in it at all! I think these movies always make a come back for me around the holidays because of the movies original release dates. From December 2001 to December 2003, each holiday season had a new LOTR chapter for us to gush over. Some good memories of those openings. Most notably(and hilarious), Blake Hreha taking his shirt off during the midnight showing of Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers because the Apple Valley Carmike movie theater auditorium (theater #8 for anyone interested) was so damn hot due to the maximum capacity crowd.

The midnight showings were always a bit rough since the movies were pushing 3 hours. I also think back to seeing LOTR: Return of the King and heading to one of the first Christmas sweater parties (back when the venue was at a small Duplex on the U of M campus rather than Sally's Bar- 9th and 9th?). Least to say, some great memories around these movies all culminating with the complete sweep of the 2004 Oscar telecast.

An amazing journey with brilliantly developed characters and loads of heart. I always try to do the LOTR Trilogy one-day marathon, but clocking in around at least ten hours it may prove to be one heck of a day.

4. National Lampoon's Chirstmas Vacation

This Christmas classic reminds me of my buddies The Vogel Brothers. Both Nick and Dan are huge Christmas guys and I know they love this movie. Nick, Dan and their older brother Joe are in the armed forces are will be away from their families this Christmas. This is a shout out to them. Let us wish they a safe and merry Christmas. Looking forward to having you guys back soon! My favorite of the Chevy Chase vacation movies. Side splitting antics and loads of holiday cheer.

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Ron Howard, Jim Carrey and Christmas. Does it get any better? In my opinion, the only Dr. Seuss adapted movie worth spending money on. Its got everything we wanted from the original animated movie (even the song!). With narration by the incomparable Sir Anthony Hopkins, the movie is brilliant. Also worth mentioning Rick Baker's astounding make up work on Whoville's people. They at first look like rodent's but they are some amazing customes, sets and effects in the film. The movie makes you wish Mount Krumpet was an amusement park for the winter season.

I couldn't end this with out a few shout-outs/honorable mentions. They are too many movies out to put in a top 5 because they are so many great ones. And also some darn right bad ones:

3 close calls:

-The Christmas Story (did you know the guy who played Raphlie is produced IRON MAN and directed COUPLES RETREAT?)

-A Christmas Carol (Jim Carrey's remake, see review)

-Home Alone 1 & 2

3 Awful Christmas Movies:

- Fred Claus

- Four Christmases (sorry Vince Vaughn, your Xmas movies suck)

- Black Christmas (a holiday horror? please)

I aim to netflix BAD SANTA because I heard its hilarious. I recently bought The Polar Express for $3 at Target(thank you black friday) and I enjoyed it! I was trying to look for a way to sneak in The Dark Knight, but honestly there is nothing holiday cheery about that movie.

See you at the Sweater Party!