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It's getting near to that time of year again, the time when telly turns trashy and you expect the next run of The Great Escape or Wizard Of Oz, so what Christmas movies are you going to watch to get you in the mood for that turkey and the visit from great aunty Elsie this year?
6) The Santa Clause
Plot
Tim (tool man Taylor) Allen is a divorced father who finds that he has killed Santa while trying to impress his son. In his jacket he finds a note which tells him that he must take Santa's place. Not really believing it, he forgets all about it until he wakes up the next morning with a fluffy white beard and beer belly. More hilarity ensues as he finds himself learning to be Santa and at the same time trying not to lose his visits from his son.
Verdict
It's corny, it's full of schmaltz, so it's also perfect for Christmas viewing and yes, it will get you in the mood.
Score: 4 out of 10
5) Miracle on 34th Street
Plot
A little girl who doesn’t believe in Santa finds magic in a department store Santa Claus who believes he is the real thing. It’s a heart-warming tale (so it is) that gives us the message that we shouldn’t lose the magic we have. Both versions are great, with the new one having the benefits of special effects and the old one the better acting.
Verdict
A very warm Christmas film that could be a little too sickly sweet for some, but still remains a classic in either version.
Score: 6 out of 10
4) Santa Claus the Movie
Plot
Dudley Moore as an elf? Well, it had to happen and though Duds doesn't get the subtle humour of his other films, he still shines in this one. He plays an elf that loves inventing, but after Santa dismisses his self-powered sleigh and magic flying candy inventions he decides to go it alone and approaches a big and (you guessed it) evil corporation to sell his stuff to children.
Verdict
This film is really a classic and still stands the test of time. Moore is great as the innocent elf just trying to do right and you'll laugh out loud at some of the results.
Score: 7 out of 10
3) It’s a wonderful Life
Plot
George Bailey is a husband and father who finds himself fed up with life. It’s only when Clarence, a friendly angel, shows him what his life has meant to others that he sees the full picture.
Verdict.
Simple, yet very effective, this film has possibly some of the best shot scenes and best acting of any film, let alone Christmas. The problem is that it can be a bit too sickly sweet for some. Still up there with the best though.
Score: 8 out of 10
2) Scrooged
Plot
Frank Cross has a TV station to run. Not only that, it’s also Christmas Eve and he needs to have the most viewers on his network. Cross will stop at nothing (including stapling the antlers on hamsters to make them look like reindeer!) to get what he wants and knocks everyone, including the only love of his life, out of the way. In classic scrooge style, he soon finds himself visited by three ghosts…
Verdict.
Bill Murray is just perfect for this role, he oozes that Scrooge charm and is equally good at the frightened look as the character revisits his awful past and even more awful future. It’s the ultimate modern version of A Christmas Carol.
Score: 9 out of 10
1) Muppet Christmas Carol
Plot
It's Dickens like you've never seen it before. Gonzo plays the narrator, Dickens, as alongside Rizzo the Rat he takes us through the story of Scrooge and his penny pinching ways. Great performances from all the muppets and from Michael Caine as Scrooge himself.
Verdict
It's Muppet fun all the way. The best christmas songs, the best jokes and singing vegetables, what more could you want to get you in the Christmas mood?
Score 10 out of 10.
6) The Santa Clause
Plot
Tim (tool man Taylor) Allen is a divorced father who finds that he has killed Santa while trying to impress his son. In his jacket he finds a note which tells him that he must take Santa's place. Not really believing it, he forgets all about it until he wakes up the next morning with a fluffy white beard and beer belly. More hilarity ensues as he finds himself learning to be Santa and at the same time trying not to lose his visits from his son.
Verdict
It's corny, it's full of schmaltz, so it's also perfect for Christmas viewing and yes, it will get you in the mood.
Score: 4 out of 10
5) Miracle on 34th Street
Plot
A little girl who doesn’t believe in Santa finds magic in a department store Santa Claus who believes he is the real thing. It’s a heart-warming tale (so it is) that gives us the message that we shouldn’t lose the magic we have. Both versions are great, with the new one having the benefits of special effects and the old one the better acting.
Verdict
A very warm Christmas film that could be a little too sickly sweet for some, but still remains a classic in either version.
Score: 6 out of 10
4) Santa Claus the Movie
Plot
Dudley Moore as an elf? Well, it had to happen and though Duds doesn't get the subtle humour of his other films, he still shines in this one. He plays an elf that loves inventing, but after Santa dismisses his self-powered sleigh and magic flying candy inventions he decides to go it alone and approaches a big and (you guessed it) evil corporation to sell his stuff to children.
Verdict
This film is really a classic and still stands the test of time. Moore is great as the innocent elf just trying to do right and you'll laugh out loud at some of the results.
Score: 7 out of 10
3) It’s a wonderful Life
Plot
George Bailey is a husband and father who finds himself fed up with life. It’s only when Clarence, a friendly angel, shows him what his life has meant to others that he sees the full picture.
Verdict.
Simple, yet very effective, this film has possibly some of the best shot scenes and best acting of any film, let alone Christmas. The problem is that it can be a bit too sickly sweet for some. Still up there with the best though.
Score: 8 out of 10
2) Scrooged
Plot
Frank Cross has a TV station to run. Not only that, it’s also Christmas Eve and he needs to have the most viewers on his network. Cross will stop at nothing (including stapling the antlers on hamsters to make them look like reindeer!) to get what he wants and knocks everyone, including the only love of his life, out of the way. In classic scrooge style, he soon finds himself visited by three ghosts…
Verdict.
Bill Murray is just perfect for this role, he oozes that Scrooge charm and is equally good at the frightened look as the character revisits his awful past and even more awful future. It’s the ultimate modern version of A Christmas Carol.
Score: 9 out of 10
1) Muppet Christmas Carol
Plot
It's Dickens like you've never seen it before. Gonzo plays the narrator, Dickens, as alongside Rizzo the Rat he takes us through the story of Scrooge and his penny pinching ways. Great performances from all the muppets and from Michael Caine as Scrooge himself.
Verdict
It's Muppet fun all the way. The best christmas songs, the best jokes and singing vegetables, what more could you want to get you in the Christmas mood?
Score 10 out of 10.
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The film with Dudley Moore in it is perhaps one of the crappest films I've ever seen, not far behind Pearl Harbour. It's just aweful in every respect.
pb wrote:
> 1) Muppet Christmas Carol
> Score 10 out of 10.
My mum makes me watch this every year.
*Groans* It can't be that time of year again already :(
> 1) Muppet Christmas Carol
> Score 10 out of 10.
My mum makes me watch this every year.
*Groans* It can't be that time of year again already :(
Flux wrote:
> Jingle All The Way rocks! Santa Clause is pure shitee.
Ah, such a well organised and backed-up statement ;-)
So why are they making a sequel to Santa Clause and not Jingle All the Way? No, they are both corny films, both fit for the Christmas spirit, but I would personally watch Santa Clause over JATW, as I think Arnie's performance is painful. I know Allen's isn't that much better, but the film suits the mood more.
> Jingle All The Way rocks! Santa Clause is pure shitee.
Ah, such a well organised and backed-up statement ;-)
So why are they making a sequel to Santa Clause and not Jingle All the Way? No, they are both corny films, both fit for the Christmas spirit, but I would personally watch Santa Clause over JATW, as I think Arnie's performance is painful. I know Allen's isn't that much better, but the film suits the mood more.
Vice wrote:
> You missed a few, ...Back To the Future 9/10 - A Fantastic Film where the great Michael J.
> Fox makes a memorable triumph in the film industry as the teenager
> marty mcfly Christopher Lloyd is again fantastic as the mad proffesor.
> One of the great films of the 80's.
> E.T. 8/10- Poor little alien abandoned on earth. boring in places but
> still a spielberg classic.
> Platoon 9/10 - Possibly the greatest war film ever made making a star
> of a young charlie sheen, also starring a young Johnny Depp. Willem
> Defoe is exceptional in this movie. A true war film. A directorial
> triumph by Oliver Stone, putting his own experiences in to film. DON'T
> MISS!!! New year's day 10pm BBC2
> Planet of the Apes...
Um, I was only doing Christmas films, not films on at Christmas. Still, thanks for the list of what's on at Christmas!!
> You missed a few, ...Back To the Future 9/10 - A Fantastic Film where the great Michael J.
> Fox makes a memorable triumph in the film industry as the teenager
> marty mcfly Christopher Lloyd is again fantastic as the mad proffesor.
> One of the great films of the 80's.
> E.T. 8/10- Poor little alien abandoned on earth. boring in places but
> still a spielberg classic.
> Platoon 9/10 - Possibly the greatest war film ever made making a star
> of a young charlie sheen, also starring a young Johnny Depp. Willem
> Defoe is exceptional in this movie. A true war film. A directorial
> triumph by Oliver Stone, putting his own experiences in to film. DON'T
> MISS!!! New year's day 10pm BBC2
> Planet of the Apes...
Um, I was only doing Christmas films, not films on at Christmas. Still, thanks for the list of what's on at Christmas!!
pb wrote:
> The Glorious Teng wrote:
> Anyway, I couldn't see Jingle All The Way in that list. That's
> certainly more deserving than that Tim Allen Santa movie.
>
> Hm. Arnie trying to be funny vs Tim Allen...nope, got to go for Santa
> Clause over that one.
>
> Nightmare before Christmas I class as more of a Halloween movie,
> that's when I tend to watch it rather than christmas.
Jingle All The Way rocks! Santa Clause is pure shitee.
> The Glorious Teng wrote:
> Anyway, I couldn't see Jingle All The Way in that list. That's
> certainly more deserving than that Tim Allen Santa movie.
>
> Hm. Arnie trying to be funny vs Tim Allen...nope, got to go for Santa
> Clause over that one.
>
> Nightmare before Christmas I class as more of a Halloween movie,
> that's when I tend to watch it rather than christmas.
Jingle All The Way rocks! Santa Clause is pure shitee.
You missed a few, also i gave my opinion on some of the films:
Wonderful Life 10/10 - Jimmy Stewart Classic. Obviously every1 will watch it christmas day.
Harvey 10/10 - Jimmy Stewart Classic again, STAY UP AND WATCH ONE OF THE GREATEST FILMS EVER CHRISTMAS DAY 1.05am on ITV i.e. when santas putting the pressies down. This is prolly one
Scrooged 9/10 - Hilarious Bill Murray Film, excellent entertainment it also on around christmas not sure when though
The Great Escape 7/10 - Obviously the music is good and for the first hour the movie is brilliant but after a while a drags on a bit. But still very thrilling and good entertainment
The Greatest Story Ever Told 7/10 - Charlie Heston is amongst other big named stars including a younger Angela Lansbury, Sidney Poitier and cameos from the like of John Wayne this does tend to drag out (a bit like the book)but still a credible epic.
Muppets Christmas Carol 8/10- You can't really go wrong with the muppets, starring alongside michael caine in their best movie. some funny stuff
The Snowman 9/10 - This is by far britains best loved and most accomplished animated film and attracts all ages for both the story and the music.
Miracle on 34th street (The remake) 5/10- Dire remake of the early classic. not even attenborough helps this one
Oliver! 9/10 a very accomplished film version of the novel becomes quite funny due to the poor effects in places but none the less a christmas classic.
Ernest Saves Christmas 6/10- Average Lowbrow entertainment. worth watching
Back To the Future 9/10 - A Fantastic Film where the great Michael J. Fox makes a memorable triumph in the film industry as the teenager marty mcfly Christopher Lloyd is again fantastic as the mad proffesor. One of the great films of the 80's.
E.T. 8/10- Poor little alien abandoned on earth. boring in places but still a spielberg classic.
Platoon 9/10 - Possibly the greatest war film ever made making a star of a young charlie sheen, also starring a young Johnny Depp. Willem Defoe is exceptional in this movie. A true war film. A directorial triumph by Oliver Stone, putting his own experiences in to film. DON'T MISS!!! New year's day 10pm BBC2
Planet of the Apes 10/10- Another Cult Classic, again charlton Heston proving why he is one of the greatest actors of all time. definetly a film to watch. thrilling!
Wonderful Life 10/10 - Jimmy Stewart Classic. Obviously every1 will watch it christmas day.
Harvey 10/10 - Jimmy Stewart Classic again, STAY UP AND WATCH ONE OF THE GREATEST FILMS EVER CHRISTMAS DAY 1.05am on ITV i.e. when santas putting the pressies down. This is prolly one
Scrooged 9/10 - Hilarious Bill Murray Film, excellent entertainment it also on around christmas not sure when though
The Great Escape 7/10 - Obviously the music is good and for the first hour the movie is brilliant but after a while a drags on a bit. But still very thrilling and good entertainment
The Greatest Story Ever Told 7/10 - Charlie Heston is amongst other big named stars including a younger Angela Lansbury, Sidney Poitier and cameos from the like of John Wayne this does tend to drag out (a bit like the book)but still a credible epic.
Muppets Christmas Carol 8/10- You can't really go wrong with the muppets, starring alongside michael caine in their best movie. some funny stuff
The Snowman 9/10 - This is by far britains best loved and most accomplished animated film and attracts all ages for both the story and the music.
Miracle on 34th street (The remake) 5/10- Dire remake of the early classic. not even attenborough helps this one
Oliver! 9/10 a very accomplished film version of the novel becomes quite funny due to the poor effects in places but none the less a christmas classic.
Ernest Saves Christmas 6/10- Average Lowbrow entertainment. worth watching
Back To the Future 9/10 - A Fantastic Film where the great Michael J. Fox makes a memorable triumph in the film industry as the teenager marty mcfly Christopher Lloyd is again fantastic as the mad proffesor. One of the great films of the 80's.
E.T. 8/10- Poor little alien abandoned on earth. boring in places but still a spielberg classic.
Platoon 9/10 - Possibly the greatest war film ever made making a star of a young charlie sheen, also starring a young Johnny Depp. Willem Defoe is exceptional in this movie. A true war film. A directorial triumph by Oliver Stone, putting his own experiences in to film. DON'T MISS!!! New year's day 10pm BBC2
Planet of the Apes 10/10- Another Cult Classic, again charlton Heston proving why he is one of the greatest actors of all time. definetly a film to watch. thrilling!
The Glorious Teng wrote:
> Anyway, I couldn't see Jingle All The Way in that list. That's
> certainly more deserving than that Tim Allen Santa movie.
Hm. Arnie trying to be funny vs Tim Allen...nope, got to go for Santa Clause over that one.
Nightmare before Christmas I class as more of a Halloween movie, that's when I tend to watch it rather than christmas.
> Anyway, I couldn't see Jingle All The Way in that list. That's
> certainly more deserving than that Tim Allen Santa movie.
Hm. Arnie trying to be funny vs Tim Allen...nope, got to go for Santa Clause over that one.
Nightmare before Christmas I class as more of a Halloween movie, that's when I tend to watch it rather than christmas.
BEARDS. wrote:
> The Nightmare before Christmas Those.
Is that on around Christmas? I still need a seasenal TV guide to find out which movies and comedy specials I'll be weatching over the next few weeks.
> The Nightmare before Christmas Those.
Is that on around Christmas? I still need a seasenal TV guide to find out which movies and comedy specials I'll be weatching over the next few weeks.
pb wrote:
> 3) It’s a wonderful Life
> Simple, yet very effective, this film has possibly some of the best
> shot scenes and best acting of any film, let alone Christmas. The
> problem is that it can be a bit too sickly sweet for some. Still up
> there with the best though.
>
> Score: 8 out of 10
>
Yup, it's too sickly sweet for me. Although Jimmy Stewart makes it just about bearable.
Anyway, I couldn't see Jingle All The Way in that list. That's certainly more deserving than that Tim Allen Santa movie.
> 3) It’s a wonderful Life
> Simple, yet very effective, this film has possibly some of the best
> shot scenes and best acting of any film, let alone Christmas. The
> problem is that it can be a bit too sickly sweet for some. Still up
> there with the best though.
>
> Score: 8 out of 10
>
Yup, it's too sickly sweet for me. Although Jimmy Stewart makes it just about bearable.
Anyway, I couldn't see Jingle All The Way in that list. That's certainly more deserving than that Tim Allen Santa movie.
I hate musicals, they bore me (especially live ones, ie. plays) so Muppets loses a LOT of marks for all the singing involved. Therefore, Scrooged wins the battle. Scrooged rules.
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