Saturday, December 14, 2019

The Reds Share Favorite Christmas Movies

RHYS BOWEN: I’ve been scouring the TV listings for any of my favorite Christmas movies and do far nothing!
Do you have a particular movie that says to you “ okay, now it’s really Christmas?”
I have several: It’s a Wonderful Life”( I always cry) Love Actually ( although it always annoys me
when Liam Nielsen lets the boy push past airport security. I think he’s going to be shot until I remind
myself that it’s London and they don’t shoot people), and White Christmas are my favorites.


I almost forgot a Charlie Brown Christmas and Linus makes me cry at the end.
I also like Scrooge with Albert Finney but it’s not often on any more.
I quite enjoy The Santa Clause, especially when the obnoxious psychiatrist goes all starry eyed
and says , “Santa?”


The only one I’ve seen so far is Rudolph and I was interested to see a piece in a newspaper blasting
The bullying. I so agree. What a message—that Santa tells Dasher he should be ashamed
for having a son who is different? And the coach won’t let him play? And only the young bucks get to fly?
  Sorry. Time to retire that one

Elf makes me embarrassed. Home Alone terrifies me,


Am I too sensitive?  So how about you? What movie do you have to see each year?
And are there any good Hanukkah movies out there?

JENN McKINLAY: I love Scrooge with Albert Finney, but also A Christmas Carol with Alistair Simm, It’s a Wonderful Life, Love Actually, White Christmas...check, check, check! We can movie buddies, Rhys! I do love Charlie Brown’s Christmas and as a child of the 70’s and 80’s,


I love A Year Without a Santa Claus (Heat Miser v. Freeze Miser) and The Grinch (animated).


And, of course, the best Xmas movie of all time...Die Hard. LOL! Come at me!

RHYS: Oh yes… I remember the Heat Miser. I’m Mr. Heat Miser, I’m Mr. Snow etc. Good one.

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: I'm not big on Christmas movies--I mean, It's A Wonderful Life, sure, but I can say it word for word,  and DIE HARD, which I adore,Jenn, every time, but I wouldn't stop what I was doing to watch it. I've never seen ELF, because it looks--too dumb. (I know, I'm jumping to conclusions.) I used to LOVE  Love, Actually, and I still do, but I made the mistake of reading an article which explained why I shouldn't like it, and it had some points. There's Thin Man, too--doesn't one of them take place at Christmas?

OH! I know, I know, and yes, you MUST all see this, seriously, find it.  It's called--The Man Who Invented Christmas. It's about how Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol. Seriously. truly, it is wonderful, and an absolute writer movie. Trust me, it's terrific. I am going to go find it right now.



LUCY BURDETTE: I am with Hank, I am not a big re-watcher of Christmas movies, movies in general I’d say. I did notice that National Lampoon’s Christmas vacation is going to be showing at the local Key West cinema. I’m kind of tempted by that.

DEBORAH CROMBIE: I absolutely must watch Love Actually. I know you can find fault with it, but I don't care, I still love it. And I listen to the soundtrack! I try to get in a viewing of It's a Wonderful Life, and I love A Christmas Story. I've even been to the house in Cleveland that was used for the set. Last year we watched Die Hard, which we hadn't seen in years, and thoroughly enjoyed it. You have to root for Bruce Willis.

But my very favorite Christmas movie is The Holiday, with Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, and Cameron Diaz, written, produced, and directed by Nancy Meyer, fabulous score by Hans Zimmer. If you haven't seen this, it's a must.

Oh, and Rhys, I'm glad to know I'm not the only terrified by Home Alone. I can't watch it!


HALLIE EPHRON:  I’ve never seen Die Hard but I do have a soft spot for A Christmas Story. And You’ve Got Mail. And of course Love Actually. But I do love to haul out ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and A Child’s Christmas in Wales for a read aloud. And the Dr. Seuss book about the Grinch. Looking forward to celebrating this holiday with our grandkids.

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I do love Christmas movies, and they’re a tradition in our family. (Watching movies together is a big thing for us year-round, and we have certain films we always and ever only see at one date or another.) I’ll suggest three: My personal fave is CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT, the 1945 original, not the dreadful 1992 remake. Glamorous, funny Barbara Stanwick has to fake being the WWII era Martha Stewart at her all-too-eager to wed boyfriend’s house in snowy, rural Connecticut - despite the fact she can’t boil water. Will her publisher find out? Will she realize the handsome war hero she’s hosting is really the man for her? Will she stick the pancake-flipping? 

My second suggestion is another romantic comedy, but of a more recent vintage - HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS. Melissa Joan Hart, the perpetual screw-up in her picture-perfect family, is so desperate when her fiance dumps her right before the family Christmas vacation, she kidnaps Mario Lopez and introduces him as her boyfriend. The screenplay actually makes the insane premise work, and along with laughs and sighs, you get fabulous winter cabin p*rn and Mario Lopez wearing nothing but a towel.


My final recommendation is THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES, which came out on Netflix last year. It’s campy and corny, but has gee-whizz special effects and an AMAZING performance by Kurt Russel, starring as a Santa you wouldn’t mind handing your stocking to, if you know what I mean, and I think you do.

RHYS: So who has a favorite Christmas movie to recommend? Who has to watch a particular Christmas movie?

85 comments:

  1. So many good Christmas movies. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE always makes me sniffle; Alastair Sims is my favorite Scrooge; I could watch A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS all month and never get tired of it. And then there’s MIRACLE OIN 34TH STREET [the 1947 original] . . . .

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  2. Let's see, my favorite Christmas movies. The Muppets' Christmas Carol, Love Always, The Holiday, A Christmas Story, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The Santa Clause (and 2), Home Alone, Scrooged, and The Christmas Chronicles (I agree, Julia, that Kurt Russell does a great Santa Claus). I would also like to put a plug in for a movie that doesn't get any Christmas love. It's The Long Kiss Goodnight with Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson. If Die Hard, and I have no trouble with it being a Christmas movies and enjoy it thoroughly, is a Christmas movie, The Long Kiss Goodnight, a Renny Harlin 1996 action-packed thriller, should be on equal footing. Now, I can't wait to see what everyone else likes and which ones I've forgotten.

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    1. I totally forgot about The Long Kiss Goodnight. It's a cheesy action film but it does fall under the Christmas banner I think. Plus Samuel L. Jackson is hilarious in it.

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    2. I agree, Jay, that Samuel L. Jackson is a hoot in it.

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  3. I haven't started watching my Christmas movies yet. Time to get to it.

    I usually watch The Santa Clause and The Muppet Christmas Carol. I think I'm going to switch things up this year and watch The Santa Clause 2 and the 1984 version of A Christmas Carol starring George C. Scott.

    Also must watches are A Charlie Brown Christmas and the animated Grinch. Those won't change for sure. I might try to watch Frosty this year. And Frosty's Winter Wonderland. I haven't seen them in several years now.

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  4. Hi, I'm new here. I learned of this amazing blog/community when I attended a Deborah Crombie book signing.

    Some great Christmas movies I can stand watching again: Meet Me in St. Louis, While You Were Sleeping, The Bishop's Wife, Holiday Inn, Miracle on 34th Street, It's A Wonderful Life.

    Also, last week I watched the Netflix original Klaus with my kids and we all really loved it.

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    1. Welcome to the JRW community Amy!

      I haven't seen it in a while but yes Meet Me In St. Louis is another great film. I have my mom's love of all things classic movie related to thank for that one.

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    2. I love While You Were Sleeping; it may be my favorite movie to watch at Christmastime.

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    3. Welcome Amy! Yes The Bishop’s Wife! SUCH an intriguing movie—and wasn’t it kind of sad?

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    4. Welcome Amy. I joined this community not after a book signing but after an afternoon in McKinney with Debs and a bottle of wine. And walking shopping. It's a kind place, and everyone loves each other, or, if they don't, it doesn't come up in conversation! I'm a read, not a writer, and I haver fail to remind the Reds that I represent their raison d'etre!

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    6. Hi Amy! Welcome to Jungle Red! So happy to see you here, and I hope you enjoy us! It's a great community.

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    7. And Ann, of course we love each other, and especially you!

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    8. Welcome, Amy! The Jungle Reds is how I start my time on the computer every day. It's like having coffee and conversation with your best friends, because we all become friends here. So many interesting topics are discussed, so many great books and authors are featured. At which book signing did you learn of the blog/community, Amy? I was just wondering if it could have been the tea in St. Louis, where we did discuss the blog.

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    9. Welcome, Amy! We get a bit crazy here at times, but we love new folks, and we always find something to say!

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    10. YES While You Were Sleeping is mandatory watching at least once a year! Also love those other old movies you mentioned. The Santa Clause is a newer one we enjoy. Mom (87) loves all the Hallmark Christmas movies of course, but I think she loves While You Were Sleeping the best.

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    11. Hank, the Bishop's Wife -- the original with Cary Grant, David Niven, and Loretta Young -- has a sad/happy ending. Dudley the Angel goes off alone to do more good. The Bishop and his wife revive their marriage. Their daughter receives an angel doll by the "magic of Christmas". The Professor finishes his book. And the Rich Selfish Lady remembering the love of her youth gives her money to house and to help the poor instead of building THE CATHEDRAL and weeps herself to smiles. So sad/happy?

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    12. Thank you all for the warm welcome! Kathy Reel, it was at the Spencer Road Branch Library in St. Peters.

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  5. I’ve never been a fan of It’s a Wonderful Life. Jimmy Stewart’s character’s desperation really bothered me. It turns out that was the first movie he made when he returned from the war and he was suffering from PTSD.
    I like the animated Grinch show with Boris Karloff narrating. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation always gives me belly laughs. A Christmas Story is nostalgic for its Cleveland scenes. We were living in NE Ohio when it was filmed. And I love Darren MacGavin. Any movie with Bing Crosby singing is a winner. I agree with Christmas in Connecticut and the original Miracle on 34th Street. And I would add The Bishop’s Wife with Cary Grant and The Man Who Came to Dinner with Bette Davis and Monty Woolley.

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    1. So interesting, Pat, about Jimmy Stuart. I do watch it, but I've always wondered why his despair seemed so real.

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    2. Wondering if that same PTSD affected Jimmy Stewart's performance in After the Thin Man? He is surely wild eyed and desperate.

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    3. He certainly was! But no. That was a 1936 movie. Maybe he was emoting!

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    4. You're right, Pat. Gray haired brain got dates confused. :-)

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  6. There are some Christmas movies I like to watch and then there are some that have a particular scene that I like watching aside from the movie itself not necessarily being all that great.

    For the latter, I like the cheesy remake of Miracle on 34th Street with Richard Attenborough. It's a bad movie overall, but for some reason the scene with him talking to the deaf girl in sign language always gets me. I also like the scene in The Santa Clause 2 when the little girl learns "Uncle Scott" is Santa Claus and then reacts with a perfectly timed realization and exclamation "...BUT DO I STILL GET TOYS?!?"

    As for Christmas movies I like, Jenn and I belong to the Die Hard fan club! I like Love Actually as a whole but the scene with Rowan Atkinson and Alan Rickman at the jewelry counter is one that I rewatch about 20 times each time I put the movie on. It's a priceless demonstration of absurdist comedy at its best.

    For manipulative dreck holiday fare that I can't help but like there's the Lifetime Christmas movie Comfort and Joy. It stars Nancy McKeon from The Facts of Life as a woman who wakes up from a car accident to find herself living a life she never had. It's formulaic to the Nth degree but somehow it works. Plus...NANCY MCKEON!!!

    For Hallmark movies, back when they actually tried to put together a coherent if formulaic script, I like the 2006 movie The Christmas Card. And their Hallmark Hall of Fame production of November Christmas. Another one that's kind of bad but I embarrassingly like is Help For the Holidays but that's more because it has Summer Glau from Firefly as an elf sent to help a family "rediscover the joy of Christmas." I've met Summer Glau and actually told her that I like the movie which she was genuinely happy to hear.

    For pure holiday classics, I love White Christmas and the Christmas Carol version with George C. Scott.

    As for the Christmas cartoon stuff, I love all of those. Each year, the first showing of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on CBS is a must view for me. I sing along (badly) to all of the songs. As for the notion that it should be banned because of the bullying, I disagree. It is of its time. I enjoy it for what it is. Besides, I'm more concerned with the murder that takes place in it right at the end.

    The Year Without A Santa Clause, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph's Shiny New Year, I'm a sap for all of those.

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    1. I remember the first time I really watched Love Actually, Jay. I thought that scene with Rowan Atkinson and Alan Rickman in the department store was a textbook example of two excellent actors upping their comic game by playing off each other. It's a classic.

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    2. That scene drives me crazy—it is so perfect and so awful!

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  7. I watched Love Actually over and over and over again in the year after my husband died. Not sure what soothing effect it had on my grief, but it's now forever connected to that time in my life, and I can't get through it without going back there, so if I watch I do it in private with a big box of tissues. A favorite, still, but one I approach carefully.

    On the other hand, I love The Holiday. Cameron Diaz is brilliant at the physical comedy without getting too slapstick. The movie also turned me into a Jack Black fan.

    And then there's Die Hard. Deb nagged me for years to watch it, since I missed the 1988 premiere. I finally did last year and, if I wanted to go back to college to get an advanced degree in literature, sociology, or maybe history, I could built a thesis around Die Hard as the perfect example of late 1980's male anxiety. It hits all the buttons of a world in transition from the safety of white male patriarchy to one threatened by globalism, liberated women, foreign terrorists, and the whole conflict of effete intellectuals v. men who may not be so educated but know how to use their hands as well as their heads. It rings all those bells. Christmas is just the final sentimental cherry on top.

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    1. And here I was thinking it was just a great way to watch Bruce Willis to blow crap up and kill some bad guys.

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  8. We’re big Christmas movie watchers in our house—and especially love the old classics. Meet Me in St. Louis is a must—Judy Garland has never sounded (or looked) more gorgeous—especially when she sings ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ in that beautiful red velvet dress to Margaret O’Brien (plus it’s got The Trolley Song & The Boy Next Door—what’s not to love?) The original Miracle on 34th St. is a must—with Maureen O’Hara & a very young Natalie Wood: ‘I believe, I believe; it’s silly, but I believe.’ Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby & the inimitable Fred Astaire—the first time we see Bing sing ‘White Christmas’ on film & Fred’s solo 4th of July number with fireworks is incredible. White Christmas is a special favorite with the combined talents of Bing, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney & Vera Ellen. So many great songs! (I performed the ‘Sisters’ duet in our 9th grade talent show ��) ‘The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing’ is one of my favorite dance numbers ever. Such talent! (And so swoony & romantic.) Rosemary Clooney & Bing Crosby are perfect duet partners on ‘Count Your Blessings’ & Rosemary smolders in the torch song ‘Love, You Didn't Do Right by Me’ in that killer black dress. Also love The Bishop’s Wife (Cary Grant!) & The Bells of St. Mary’s with Bing & Ingrid Bergman. For more ‘current’ fare, Love Actually is a fave—Colin Firth writing in France & falling for his beautiful housekeeper? So romantic. Bill Nighy is hilarious as the aging rocker, love Hugh Grant as the dancing Prime Minister, & Emma Thompson is perfection as always—the realization of Alan Rickman’s betrayal scene makes me cry every time. (Alan, how could you do that to Emma?) We also love A Christmas Story with Ralphie & the Red Ryder BB gun & quote the lines regularly (I was living in Cleveland when they filmed it & a couple of my friends atvtgecrime were extras). One movie no one has mentioned is Mrs. Santa Claus with Angela Lansbury making a trip from the North Pole to 1900s NY, a TV movie-musical (from the early ‘90s I think?) We had it on VHS, but haven’t been able to find it on DVD or streaming. Delightful. Finally, I’m not usually a Will Ferrell fan (don’t like ‘silly/stupid’ comedies in general) but Elf is hilarious! Buddy the elf’s innocence & sweetness is adorable & Bob Newhart as Papa Elf is perfect.

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    1. Okay, I confess, I've never seen Elf, but Bob Newhart as Papa Elf?! May be time to check it out....

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  9. Julia, yours is the first mention I've ever seen by another fan of Barbara Stanwyck's 'Christmas in Connecticut'. My daughter and I watch it together every December (even if we're in different cities, we simul-watch and Skype/text). I agree about your other picks too. Just watched 'The Christmas Chronicles last night. Kurt Russel rockin' his jailhouse always gets me chair-dancing!

    And for all the Die Hard fans, do you also watch the first Lethal Weapon movie? It's part of my holiday tradition with my son.

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    1. I do watch the first Lethal Weapon movie. Though I have to work hard to forget that the funny Riggs is really the dickish Mel Gibson these days.

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    2. So agree, Jay. I have a hard time watching Mel these days but he was so terrific as Riggs.

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  10. Love Actually, The Man Who Invented Christmas, Charlie Brown Christmas, and Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden. My daughter found our VCR tape and had Holly and Ivy transferred to a DVD with some other Christmas favs from her childhood.

    For some reason, we watch Pirate Radio every Christmas Eve. Great songs!

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    1. Yes! The Man Who Invented Christmas! I’m so pleased to hear you love this —I am on a personal crusade to have everyone see it!

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    2. I don't consider Pirate Radio a Christmas movie BUT it is a superb movie with a host of great scenes. My favorite being when The Count is about to say the "F" word on the radio.

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    3. I agree with you, Jay, and it's high time I watched Pirate Radio again. I think it's one of the great movies on my list. And few people know about it.

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  11. White Christmas and Meet Me in St. Louis are favorites, for all the reasons Laura mentioned. And TV shows: the animated Grinch and A Charlie Brown Christmas. I'll have to search for Christmas Chronicles as Kurt Russell was my very first crush and my inner tween still carries a torch! I was glad to see Pat D's comment on It's a Wonderful Life -- I thought I was the only non-fan in the world.

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    1. Oh,yes, Chris, The Computer wore Tennis Shoes! Sigh. He definitely still has it!

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  12. What a great topic. Reading all the comments makes me realize yet again that spending my childhood in a myriad of places not the USA, means I have seen very few of the movies listed so enjoyed the comments. However the standouts for my daughter and I are Love Actually - love all of it, and die each time over the sexy designer scene when the phone rings, and Emma T, with a straight face says, of course there was a lobster/octopus at the manger! Then no one had mentioned The Polar Express, the more I watch it, the more I enjoy it and it's messages. No Christmas would be complete without Charlie Brown or the animated Grinch.

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    1. I love the Lobster/Octopus scene so much, Celia. And my husband and I will watch the Alan Rickman/Rowan Atkinson scene over and over and then my hubby is always repeating the lines.

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    2. Oh, and The Polar Express is so wonderful, and just the thing this year for the almost-four-year-old in our family. Now, I wonder where our copy is??

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    3. Yes! The Polar Express is magical.

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    4. Celia, I do so enjoy The Polar Express. I should have included it in my list.

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  13. A Christmas Story, definitely. Animated Grinch always. Love, Actually and The Holiday. And Charlie Brown. The classics ;-) But Die Hard is inching its way up the 'need to watch' list. Is Alan Rickman the bad guy? Or is that another movie?

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    1. Flora, Alan Rickman is the bad guy. But I am huge Alan Rickman fan and it's one of my favorite of his roles. He is delicious. And I think that may have been his first major film role.

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    2. I love Alan's work. Guess Die Hard has moved wayyyy up! Have you seen Galaxy Quest? Or Snow Cake? Double bonus--both have Alan Rickman and Siguorney Weaver.

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  14. Margaret, we just watched Pirate Radio recently. What a great movie!

    And like Hallie, I've never seen Die Hard. I thought we were watching it last week (my husband was already into it when I sat down), but it turned out to be Lethal Weapon. I know. I'm a dweeb.

    Love, Actually is great, though flawed, but I don't care. And White Christmas for one thing: the duet of Sisters by Rosemary Clooney, who sang/dubbed both parts. It's one of my all-time favorite songs.

    But I would really rather read!

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    1. She sang both parts?? Oh I didn’t know that! Going to watch it again instantly.

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  15. I love a lot of Christmas movies, but I do NOT like It’s a Wonderful Life. Too dark.
    And while I don't like most made-for-TV (Lifetime, Hallmark, etc) Christmas movies, I love the rules for The Hallmark Christmas Movie Drinking Game:
    ▪ If the main plot of the movie takes place in a small town, take one drink. If that small town is in New England, take another drink.
    ▪ Is one of the main characters an outsider who ends up in that town by accident or because of an obligation? Drink up. If that obligation is a Christmas wedding, drink again.
    ▪ Has someone lost their Christmas spirit? Take a drink. If they lost their Christmas spirit because their “love” broke up with them on Christmas, take a drink. If it’s because their “love” died at Christmas, drink. If it’s because a parent left when they were a kid – at Christmas – drink again.
    ▪ Speaking of ... does someone die in the movie? This is rare and deserves four good drinks.
    Are you OK?
    ▪ Is there a love triangle? Take a drink. If one part of the triangle is a city slicker focused on a hectic career, take another drink. (Also, don’t get attached to him.)
    ▪ If there’s magic involved – a magical stocking, magical ornaments, a magical snow globe, guardian angel, etc. – take two drinks.
    ▪ If the primary male love interest is a farmer, carpenter or just someone who works with his hands, take a drink. If he drives a pickup truck or jeep, take another drink. If he wears flannel, then … never mind, we don’t want you to die.
    ▪ Is the male love interest descended from royalty and he falls for a commoner, and his family disapproves but comes to appreciate the woman’s genuineness? Two drinks. (We’ll also accept “snobby rich people” in the place of “royalty.”)
    ▪ Is there an African-American best friend or assistant? Two good drinks. Is there an African-American romantic lead character? Drain whatever is left in your glass and go get a refill.
    ▪ If one of the main characters is a handsome/beautiful single dad or mom, take two drinks. If the mom or dad is single because their spouse died tragically, take another drink. If that spouse died near Christmas time, take another drink. If the little kid from this union is a horrible brat, check your channel because you’re not watching Hallmark.
    ▪ If the adorable kid in the movie is a niece or nephew, take two drinks.
    ▪ Is there a tearful reunion involving a military veteran? Drink up, soldier.
    Better eat some cookies, because it looks like you need some food on your stomach. That reminds us . . .
    ▪ If a baking contest is part of the plot, take a drink. If it’s ice-sculpting, take two drinks. If the main character loses the contest, three drinks
    ▪ Does the small town in the movie have a big festival, Christmas parade or holiday show for which they are famous? Drink. Is that festival, parade or show in danger of not happening this year? Take another drink. If it’s because of a blizzard, drink again.
    How do you feel? Pull yourself together because another movie starts in two minutes.

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    1. And after one round of doing this drinking game...check into rehab.

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    2. Jay, liquor is optional. Hot chocolate or eggnog will do, but then you have to deal with high blood sugar. :(

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    3. This is hysterical! Thank you, Mary Robert, for the chuckle!

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    4. Mary, I'm stealing this, ok?

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    5. Yep, I've seen that game too, Mary! Too funny. I have my own, sans drinking, for House Hunters. If you hear white kitchen, soaking tub, entertain, etc. take a drink. And yes, Jay. Rehab afterwards.

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    6. THIS IS FABULOUS. I'm not a big drinker (in my old age) but this could send me into a bender! LOL!

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  16. Love, Actually is my all-time favorite--I have the DVD and the CD. And The Holiday is a close second--what's not to love? I also highly recommend Arthur Christmas, an animated movie that is nothing short of delightful--give it a try! This year my son and daughter-in-law are showing their children a bunch of Christmas movies, including Home Alone (3-year-old Henry loves it) and The Santa Clause. But my one-year-old granddaughter's favorite is The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix--she can't get enough of Kurt Russell as Santa!

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  17. It's a Wonderful LIfe makes the list of many people as one of the greatest 100 movies of all times. I've watched it many times, and even though the Seneca Falls locale theory is mostly debunked, I prefer to believe that little city was Bedford Falls.

    Our absolutely favorite Christmas movie is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It doesn't miss one hackneyed phrase, one slapstick moment, and we laugh out loud during the whole picture. Lord knows we need to laugh in this sad world.

    Die Hard is another, reintroduced into our lives last year. I'd forgot about it. And Love Actually of course.

    Rudolph is important enough to make our family calendar, and Julie sings the entire score. Yes, I know much of it is non-pc. But we are adults, and we can deal. My children grew up on it, and they tend to support social justice most of the time, so I guess it didn't ruin them. Much.

    I personally like The Nightmare Before Christmas although I haven't watched it in a while. And another favorite is Blades of Glory, not exactly a Christmas theme, but it's got a lot of ice in it, and that counts.

    Today we are off to see Knives Out. Feels right. Later tonight we are considering turning into Hallmark and playing Mary Robert's drinking game. Need to clean out the liquor cabinet and wine refrigerator anyway.

    Here's to a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and festive Festivus from upstate

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    1. Ann, let us know if you are in hospital after the drinking game tomorrow, lol!

      You will adore Knives Out! And tell Julie I would pay money to hear her sing the entire score to Rudolf!

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  18. Okay, I'm making a list (checking it twice) of all the movies I haven't seen, or oldies that I have seen but not in much too long, like Holiday Inn, Christmas in Connecticut, Meet Me in St. Louis. But we are all streaming now so without cable or satellite I'm not sure where to find the oldies. Maybe there's a Christmas streaming channel!

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    1. Search Christmas on Prime or Netflix of Roku or Apple TV or whatever device you use for streaming.

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    2. This website (they have an app, too) is great for finding where a particular movie is streaming. I use it all the time, even though I own a ton of dvds. Search for any movie in the top bar.
      https://www.justwatch.com/us/new

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  19. Christmas in Connecticut, White Christmas, and the Bishop's Wife are all favorites in our house. My personal favorite is A Christmas Without Snow. Michael Learned is a woman who relocates for a job and joins the church choir for something to do. Maybe it's because I'm a singer, but it's wonderful and quirky.

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  20. Loved this post and all of your comments!

    THE HOLIDAY with Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Jack Black and Cameron Diaz, ELF, LOVE ACTUALLY, MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, most of the HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIES and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE are among my favorites. The concept of what the world would be like if you had never been born from watching IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE makes me stop and ponder what if? I also loved CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS with the little neglected tree getting a lot of love. CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT is a movie I have never seen and I will look to see if it is available for me to watch with captions. am in the middle of watching WHITE CHRISTMAS with Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney and Danny Kaye. This is the first time I have seen this movie.

    Christmas movies are my favorite. Yes, I am a huge fan of Christmas movies.

    Diana

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  21. Shalom Reds and readers. The one Christmas movie that hasn’t been mentioned which I would love again if I could find it, is Mr. Magoo’s A Christmas Carol. It was part of a TV series, that had Mr. Magoo set in many of the classics. Besides that, I don’t watch a lot of movies these days, new or old. I do stream police drama, watching on my tablet. If I’m at friends for Christmas dinner, I will politely watch, only half paying attention, to whatever is on the screen. If I remember correctly, last year we sort of watched Ben Hur.

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  22. Looking at the lists supplied by others I realize I have lived a sheltered Christmas movie life. I absolutely hated Home Alone for so many reasons. I think it came out when I was a struggling pre-school teacher and was appalled by parents not realizing they had forgotten a child. And yes, I know that's the reason for the story but I was still appalled. The old classics of my parents'childhoods that are available on TV are my favorites though I just discovered I've lost Turner Movies on my cable so I'm a bit miffed. I like the tidbits provided by the hosts between movies. I watch way too much Hallmark because there is nothing else for my limited, lazy imagination right now. I do like Holiday. Yes, Holiday Inn was where White Christmas was first heard and the first verse/intro is missing, usually is not included in most versions that have been recorded. The story about that verse is a little heartbreaking. The original Bishop's Wife is fabulous and Cary Grant doesn't get the girl. Imagine Grant and Nevin in each other's role?

    Charlie Brown Christmas is the local guy who made good. Half hour cartoon TV seasonal special that almost make didn't it. I heard/read that CBS didn't want the Linus scene at the end. No one wanted the religion. Mr. Schulz insisted, I think it was an sticking point- no religion no Schulz. Hmm, it one an Emmy and hard to imagine without Linus walking to center stage and saying "Lights. Please. ...."

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    1. I think the Holiday movie is The Holiday, I can never get that title correct. There is also one called The Last Holiday, I think that's it's name, I enjoyed it too. I'm off to the store before I watch the Army/Navy game. More sniffles at the end of the game for me today.

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  23. Love Actually hands down even though it’s dated and cheesy!

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  24. No The Man Who Came to Dinner fans out there? Unbelievable!

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  25. Love so many of these. MSN who came to Dinner is one of my prime faves as well, Pst D. And I adore Mr. Magoo's Xmas Carol. Music by Juke Styne, very witty and fun. Aldo loved the Little Drummer Boy, animated 60s cartoon narrated by Greer Garson

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  26. A Christmas Memory, based on Truman Capote's life, has always been a favorite of mine. I watched it with my mother as a child but for years after she passed, I couldn't remember the title. The movie is never on television anymore. It wasn't until a couple of years ago when someone mentioned it in passing that I immediately went searching for a copy. Such a simple but beautiful story. Warning: Have tissues ready!

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  27. I'm makin' a list, and checkin' it twice! SO MANY GREAT MOVIES. THANK YOU! I'll be at the real movies this week, I hope, looking forward to seeing KNIVES OUT. My Christmas gift to myself.

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    1. We just got home. Fun movie. And Harlan Coben must be in hysterics over it. Little slow in places but great role by Jamie Lee Curtis, Daniel Craig and Din Johnson. Yeah. The same one forty years later

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  28. Yes,to The Man Who Came to Dinner and how about Little Shop Around the Corner and It Happened on 5th Avenue and Miracle on 34th St?

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  29. Yes,to The Man Who Came to Dinner and how about Little Shop Around the Corner and It Happened on 5th Avenue and Miracle on 34th St?

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  30. Has anyone mentioned "We're No Angels"? The original from 1955, of course, with Humphrey Bogart, Joan Bennett, Peter Ustinov, and Aldo Ray. Plus Basil Rathbone and Leo G. Caroll in supporting roles. A bit macabre with deaths, but one can't stop a poisonous snake name Adolf from biting a few bad guys, can one? Love it.

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  31. Love Actually (always). Also the animated movie The Snowman. And "A Child's Christmas in Wales" with Denholm Elliott. And "Noel" - with Susan Sarandon, Penelope Cruz, Robin Williams.

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  32. Writing in very late, but enjoying this. Laughing that Die Hard keeps coming up- not everyone's idea of a "Christmas" movie. Could it be because there are so many mystery lovers here? I do love Love, Actually in spite of some flaws and some weak stories ( glad to see I am not the only one) The strong stories/roles are so wonderful. And I have a lot fondness for The Holiday. Just fun and funny. Putting in a big "yes" for the delightful The Man Who Invented Christmas! Loved it so much I wrote a blog about it and some other movies about writers.

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  33. Many wonderful Christmas movies this season.

    Which are your favorite new Christmas movies this year?

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  34. Every Saturday and Sunday nights on the Hallmark channel and Hallmark movie channel, there are new Christmas movies. I noticed more holiday movies with the theme of military or pets or both.

    My favorite was from 2006 with Ed Asner and Lois Nettleson called The Christmas Card.

    Diana

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  35. Cannot recall if it was a TV movie or a TV Christmas Special. I saw it once when I was very young. I loved
    A Child's Christmas in Wales with Sir Michael Redgrave and Bernard Bragg (mime and actor who was mentored by Marcel Marceau).

    Diana

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