12 Days of Festive Faves: It's a Wonderful Life

 

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IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)

THE GIST: It's Christmas Eve and George Bailey (James Stewart) isn't very happy with his life. He's in financial trouble with a job he never wanted in the first place. He's sacrificed his own happiness to make others happy. He can't take it anymore and he's ready to take his life. But with Heaven watching, a guardian angel is sent down to stop him. Though before the angel can stop George, the angel needs to find out a bit more about the man he's trying to save.

NAUGHTY OR NICE: A bit of both. It's nice in the sense that it gets at a much deeper meaning to Christmas, though takes a bit of a dark, albeit realistic, route to get there.

WHY IT GETS US IN THE SPIRIT: This film is the ultimate Christmas classic. If you have any feeling for the season, you need to see this.

MAGIC MOMENT: The scene when George and Mary Hatch (Donna Reed) fall in love on George's brother's graduation night, walking home in the only clothes they could find after falling into the high school pool. It's so real, it's so charming.

SANTA SIGHTING: No Santa, but a few starry angels.

ACCOMPANYING CAROL: "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." Not only is this the song George's daughter constantly plays leading up the film's climax, but it's obviously got metaphorical meaning to the film. And it too is a classic.

PERFECT PRESENT FOR: Those who countdown the days to Christmas on their calendars.

12 Days of Festive Faves: Gremlins

 

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GREMLINS (1984)


THE GIST: When Billy's inventor dad picks up a obscure-yet-cuddly creature named Gizmo from Chinatown to give Bill as a Christmas present, he has no idea what kind of hilariously horrifying holiday hijinks his son is in for. You see, when Rand bought the Mogwai, the seller told him to make sure he followed three very important rules: don't expose it to bright light, don't get it wet, never, ever expose it to bright lights. But of course, all three end up happening, causing Gizmo to spawn a bunch of mischievously monstrous critters called - you got it -  Gremlins! 

NAUGHTY OR NICE?: Naughty by nature. I mean, it is about a group of impish creatures whose main goal is to wreck havoc on the lives of early 80s icons (Phoebe Cates! LITTLE COREY FELDMAN!).

WHY IT GETS US IN THE SPIRIT: With it's creepy killings and cheeky innuendos, Gremlins certainly isn't your typical festive fare. But that's why it's so much fun. Sure, Christmas is supposed to be all about love and family but what about the families who love cheesy horror movies just about as much as they do each other?  

MAGIC MOMENT: When the Gremlins invade a local multiplex to catch a showing of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Let's just say they love them some classic Disney sing-songs to death. 

SANTA SIGHTING!: The jolly gift givers in this holiday-themed horror classic are well, horrifying. Especially for the still-believing set. One impersonator gets mauled by a gaggle of Gremlins - while the cops watch! And another meets what remains one of the most nightmare-inducing off-screen killings ever.  Four words: Always check the chimney.

ACCOMPANYING CAROL: Speaking of chimneys..I can't think of a better seasonal song to go with this slasher than "The Chimney Song." Just Google it.  

PERFECT PRESENT FOR: Your anti-Christmas tweenage brother. Within an hour and half, he'll transform from Grinch to giggling geek boy.

12 Days of Festive Faves: Go

 

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GO (1999)

THE GIST: Ronna (Sarah Polley) works at the grocery store and she's not making enough to cover rent, so when her co-worker Simon (Desmond Askew) offers up his shift on Christmas Eve so he can go on a Vegas trip, she takes it. And then when two guys (Scott Wolf and Jay Mohr) come up to her register during the shift and asks for Simon, their ecstasy dealer, she sees yet another opportunity to make cash. Though unbeknown to her, they're actually on a sting operation for a cop. Meanwhile, Simon runs into his own trouble in Vegas.

NAUGHTY OR NICE: Pretty naughty. Obviously.

WHY IT GETS US IN THE SPIRIT: It's a refreshing change from the jolly, merry flicks that rerun on television all week. Though it's not exactly centred around Christmas, it still hints at the season with Santa hats and decorations. And after all, the rave Ronna deals at is actually Christmas-themed.

MAGIC MOMENT: The Miata scene when all narratives intersect, but I won't give that away.

SANTA SIGHTING: The closest is drug supplier Todd (Timothy Olyphant) in a Santa hat as some warped "gift-giving" version of St. Nick.

ACCOMPANYING CAROL: "I Won't Be Home for Christmas" by Blink-182. Although it's about Christmas, it's kind of not really. And it's so late '90s.

PERFECT PRESENT FOR: Grandma. (Please, don't take that seriously.)

12 Days of Festive Faves:The Nightmare Before Christmas

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THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993)

THE GIST: Jack Skellington may be the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown - where ghouls, goblins and various garish creatures creep around, obsessively preparing for the day after Devil's Night - but his removable skull head (excellent for reciting Shakespearean quotations) is filled visions of sugarplums. You see, after taking a philosophical stroll in the graveyard one night, he stumbles upon a door which leads him to Christmastown. Having grown so tired of the same old scary things, Jack instantly falls for the heartwarming holiday and decides to take over it himself!

NAUGHTY OR NICE?: Naughty and nice. Although it's definitely suitable for the Santa-loving set with its sweet underlying message and endlessly quotable songs, it's still a Tim Burton film. In other words, it's the Kanye West of Christmas movies. It's a beautiful dark twisted fantasy - filled with creepy crawlies - and clowns with tearaway faces.


WHY IT GETS US IN THE SPIRIT: There's a reason why this film made it on both our Halloween and Christmas lists. It manages to represent both holidays in a awesomely original way. Whereas it brings some new lighthearted loveliness to everyone's favourite candy and costume fest, it infuses Christmas -  the most sacredly saccharine holiday ever - with some brilliantly bitter dark humour. The result is like hot cider and freshly baked sugar cookies after a day of outdoor decorating to horror fangirls (and Burton buffs!) like us.

MAGIC MOMENT: The scene where Jack discovers Christmastown. Totally taken aback by the winter wonderland, its cheerful residents and their peculiar traditions ("There's children throwing snowballs instead of throwing heads! They're busy building toys and absolutely no one's dead!"), Mr. Skellington bursts into the film's best song, "What's This." As he investigates the sights, sounds and smells of the festive season, he begins to feel a warmth brewing inside of his lanky, lifeless bones - and so will you.
  
SANTA SIGHTING: In order to take full control of Christmas, Jack kidnaps the jolly old soul, who he genuinely believes is named "Sandy Claws."

ACCOMPANYING CAROL: There are a stocking full of sweet songs in this stop-motion seasonal fave but"What's This" really is the one to put on your Christmas playlist.

PERFECT PRESENT FOR: Your friend who prefers All Hallow's Eve to Christmas Eve. If this gothic take on the holiday doesn't get them in the spirit, we don't know what will.

12 Days of Festive Faves: Elf

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ELF (2003)

THE GIST: All his life, Buddy (Will Ferrell) thought he was an elf, despite being more the twice the size of the rest of the residents at the North Pole. That is, until one day he overhears two elves talking about him behind his back. Then Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) admits it: Buddy is human. He was adopted as a baby. But, although Buddy's real mother is no longer around, his dad (James Caan) lives just in New York, so Buddy sets off to find him, only to find out the hard way that the "real" world is nothing like home.

NAUGHTY OR NICE: Nice, but not in the corny true-meaning-of-Christmas kind of way. Instead, this flick pokes fun at the way we celebrate Christmas, only to raise the holiday spirit at the end.

WHY IT GETS US IN THE SPIRIT: This film was an instant, modern holiday classic. It's hilarious and steers clear of most clichés. Aside from the gift-giving and turkey, it gives you something else to look forward to every season.

MAGIC MOMENT: OK, in the spirit of Christmas it should maybe be something else, but when Buddy joins Jovie (Zooey Deschanel) mid-song in the locker room, she tells him not to look at her and get out, so he covers his eyes and runs. Right into a wall of lockers.

SANTA SIGHTING: In one of the more cheesy moments of this flick, Santa Ed Asner makes his appearance and gets a crowd in Central Park singing a cheery carol to give his sleigh the power it needs to fly. Like I said, really cheesy.

ACCOMPANYING CAROL: "Baby, It's Cold Outside." Do Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel know that they make a pretty good singing duo?

PERFECT PRESENT FOR: Anyone who refuses to grow up. Which is pretty much any Will Ferrell fan.

12 Days of Festive Faves: Jingle All the Way

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JINGLE ALL THE WAY (1996)

THE GIST: Before he took over Cali, the Governator decided to try his hand at conquering the X-mas movies circuit. Hence this guilty pleasure of a G-rated gift, which has Arnold doing whatever it takes to get his little boy the hot toy of the season (Turbo-Man!) - including constantly battling like-minded mailman (played by Sinbad, obviously), and Ferris Bueller-ing the local holiday parade!

NAUGHTY OR NICE?: Naughty. In the sense that it's a total stinker that really shouldn't exist. But does. And goes great with awful eggnog.

WHY IT GETS US IN THE SPIRIT: It's one of the genre's most easy-to-swallow slices of fruitcake. You know it's awful, but you kind of can't resist it. 

MAGIC MOMENT: Arnold literally becomes Turbo-Man at one point. Florescent orange ski mask and faux-tin burgundy body suit and all.
 
SANTA SIGHTING!: James Belushi  - as a Mall of America Santa who makes toy knock-offs in his off hours! I am dead serious.

ACCOMPANYING CAROL: "Jingle Bells." I mean, duh.

PERFECT PRESENT FOR: Your friend with the worst taste. (I'll love it!)

12 Days of Festive Faves: The Muppet Christmas Carol

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THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (1992)

THE GIST: If you don't know the Dickens story, here's a quick rundown: Ebenezer Scrooge hates Christmas. Everyone hates Scrooge. But one night, the ghost of his former employer comes to him and tells him that he needs to change his ways, as he was once as rotten and stingy as Scrooge and now pays for it beyond the grave. So Scrooge is visited by three ghosts who show him Christmas of the past, present and future, attempting to change his heart. The story's been retold countless times. This time, with the furry, floppy, silly Muppets. And Michael Caine.

NAUGHTY OR NICE: So nice. Almost sure to tame any Scrooge, if you can get him to watch the film.

WHY IT GETS US IN THE SPIRIT: It's all about "the true meaning of Christmas," as corny as that may be. It's also perfect to watch with the fams; everyone has their favourite Muppet.

MAGIC MOMENT: Meeting Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit. You wait for it the entire film and yes, it's worth it. Plus, she's got two piggy daughters with Kermie and they're just as air-headed.

ACCOMPANYING CAROL: Anything but a song from this film. Really. They're the only times this film will make you cringe.

PERFECT PRESENT FOR: Anyone who hasn't read the Dickens classic and doesn't plan on it. Much painless approach.

12 Days of Festive Faves: To Grandmother's House We Go

To Grandmother's House We Go (1992)

THE GIST: Two twin girls -  Sarah (Mary-Kate Olsen) and Julie (Ashley) - decide to run away from home and bike to Grandma's after they hear their single mama call them a "handful." But as they soon figure out, hitchhiking isn't easy -  and Granny isn't quite as close as they thought. So they enlist some help from a sorta-friendly delivery dude. But then his truck gets stolen by a pair of old-age bandits (Rhea Perlman and Jerry Van Dyke), who decide to put the girls up for ransom! It's basically "Green and Red Riding Hoods". Without all the weird gender-confused wolf stuff. And with a whole lot more neon pants.

NAUGHTY OR NICE?: Way nice. I mean, it's an early MK and A movie. Not one of Mary-Kate's current indie pet projects (where make-outs with middle-aged knights are a must). And it was made for TV.

WHY IT GETS US IN THE SPIRIT: It might not have the same effect on older generations - but for anyone who grew up with the Olsens, it's an awesome reminder of our earliest Christmases -  when neon pastel snowsuits were THE COOLEST (or is was it the hottest?), scrunchies were WAY en vogue and Full House was everywhere you looked - and you liked it. (See next item!)

MAGIC MOMENT: Danny Tanner and Aunt Becky make cameos. Need I say more?

SANTA SIGHTING!: Unless you count the bandits - who creepily claim to be "Santa's Elves." EWW.

ACCOMPANYING CAROL: Any song from THIS.

PERFECT PRESENT FOR: The 90s kid in your fam. If you can find it on DVD!

12 Days of Festive Faves: How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

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HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! (1966)

THE GIST: Above the sweet little town of Whoville full of Whos lives the Grinch at the top of Mt. Crumpit, a crooked cliff of a residence. On Christmas Even, the wicked, green grump decides he's going to try to stop Christmas, because he's hated it for nearly forever. So, he decides to disguise himself as Santa and sneak down the chimney, not to deliver gifts, but to steal them, and the trees and stockings too, tugging his little dog Max along in reindeer antlers. But when Christmas morning comes anyway, the Grinch has, let's say, a change of heart.

NAUGHTY OR NICE: Well, isn't that the point of the film? Is the Grinch actually a naughty holiday-thief, or is he deep down under that green fur a sweetheart? OK, it's Dr. Seuss. Now, what rhymes with "nice"...?

WHY IT GETS US IN THE SPIRIT: It's such a kiddie classic for all generations; it's almost sure to remind you of how magical Christmas seemed when you were in Grade 2.

MAGIC MOMENT: Could it be anything but bellow of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" as the Grinch nabs every candy cane and ornament in Whoville? No, it could not.

SANTA SIGHTING: Well, wide-eyed Cindy Lou Who's sighting of Santa, who is actually the rotten Christmas crook in disguise. He tells her an evil lie and sends her to bed. You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.

ACCOMPANYING CAROL: I've named it twice already.

PERFECT PRESENT FOR: The sweetest little Cindy Lou Who you know.

12 Days of Festive Faves: Home Alone

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HOME ALONE (1990)

THE GIST: Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is supposed to be in Paris with his huge family for Christmas. But instead, they forget him at home. Alone. Of course, that's just what he wanted all along - for his family to disappear. And when two crooks, or should I say "Wet Bandits," think the house is empty for the holidays and try to break in, Kevin thinks he can handle it on it his own and booby-traps the entire place. Meanwhile, his mom realizes partway through her flight that it's not that they forgot to close the garage door that's making her uneasy, it's her missing son.

NAUGHTY OR NICE?: Santa would say naughty. I mean, Kevin watches mobster flicks, eats ice cream for dinner and tells his mother after she's grounded him in the attic, "I don't want to see you again for the rest of my whole life!" But in reality, it's far more nice than naughty.

WHY IT GETS US IN THE SPIRIT: What kid wouldn't love to live by his own rules for Christmas? Rummaging through his brother's things, eating junk all day, jumping on the bed. Haven't we all wanted that? Ah, the Christmas gift of ultimate freedom at an age when we most want to break the rules.

MAGIC MOMENT: The staged Christmas party, psyching out bandits Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern). When Kevin finds out he's being watched, he sets up a faux party scene behind his living room curtains and blares the Christmas music to trick the crooked duo into think everyone is still home. And it works. For a bit.

SANTA SIGHTING!: The Santa in this flick is actually unnerving. He's a wreath on the door that rattles when the wind howls, as the electricity flickers out and the full moon rises, while Kevin sleeps alone in the creepy attic. So not Christmas-y.

ACCOMPANYING CAROL: How could it not be the classic "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee, Kevin's song of choice for his fake party. It's not possible to hear the song and not be reminded of this film.

PERFECT PRESENT FOR: Your cousin Fuller. A bit nerdy, a bit goofy, but you know you love him.

12 Days of Festive Faves: Christmas Vacation

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CHRISTMAS VACATION (1989)

THE GIST: Having made it to Wally World, Europe and back, the Griswalds (Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo and this movie's Audrey and Rusty - Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki) decide to take a good ol' staycation for the holiday season. But of course, Christmas chaos and unwanted visits from Uncle Eddie (Randy Quaid - pre-Canadiana craziness) still ensue.

NAUGHTY OR NICE?: More or less naughty. Like when Clark takes a private trip to the lingerie department and gets way-too-friendly with the counter girl. Or when he fantasizes about a Phoebe Cates-lookalike sauntering out of their imaginary pool. But otherwise it's pretty PG-13. And when I say PG-13, I mean the '80s version of PG-13.

WHY IT GETS US IN THE SPIRIT: As most of us know by now, contrary to what these cartoon TV specials told us as kids, Christmas isn't really the most wonderful time of the year. In fact, most of the time, it's just a source of extra stress. Especially when your extended (and highly eccentric) fam is around. So a movie that expresses that is more than welcome come in our households come Christmas Eve.

MAGIC MOMENT: There are countless festive funnies (the extra dry turkey, the window-crashing tree, the extreme toboggan trip) in this yuletide yukfest. But my personal favourite has to be the Christmas lights fiasco. When his 25,000 rooftop bulbs fail to turn on again (it's a constant battle for Mr. Griswald), Clark goes a bit nuts, attacking a plastic Santa. But then he goes inside, plays with a switches and voila! He illuminates the entire city - and brownsout the entire country.

SANTA SIGHTING!: Clark dresses up as Old Saint Nick to try and convince Eddie's kids that the big guy still exists.

ACCOMPANYING CAROL: Why the Christmas Vacation theme song by Mavis Staples, of course!

PERFECT PRESENT FOR: Your overworked mom (or dad), who should be taking a break over Christmas but just seems to be getting wrapped up in over-gifting, overdecorating and all-around over-preparing.

12 Days of Festive Faves: Love, Actually

 

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Love, Actually (2003)

THE GIST: An assortment of  once-burned Brits (and a few imported Americans) - including a privately pining prime minister (Hugh Grant!) and his sweet-hearted secretary, a widower (Liam Neeson) and his lonely loner of a stepson, a self-appointed local sex god and his American wet dreams, an aging rocker (Bill Nighy) and his agent BFF, Colin Firth and his language-challenged crush, a selfless workaholic (Laura Linney) and nerd-sexy office stud (Rodrigo Santoro), and, hold onto your broomsticks, Trelawney and Snape (!!)  - show us that Christmas 'tis the season for lovin' - of all kinds. Think Valentine's Day with UK slang and sleigh bells. And WAY better writing/acting.

NAUGHTY OR NICE?: It's got a sweet seasonal message, but there are some definite not-suitable-for-Santa-shipper moments. Case in point: the entire sidestory about sex scene standins who may or may not be made for each other.

WHY IT GETS US IN THE SPIRIT: This bittersweet flick reminds us that, despite what the big box stores tell us, Christmas really is about spending times with the ones you, well, you know.

MAGIC MOMENT: Okay so it has nothing to do with December 25th - but you can't help but keel over when Hugh Grant randomly lip synches for his life to the Pointer Sisters' "Jump for My Love."

SANTA SIGHTING!: No Mr. Claus here. But you do get to see some super-toned semi-naked chaps rockin' his hats. And the first lobster! (Watch and giggle incessantly.)

ACCOMPANYING CAROL: "Christmas is All Around" by the great Billy Mack. Or Olivia Olsen's "heavenly" cover of "All I Want For Christmas Is You." Both are out-of-control awesome.

PERFECT PRESENT FOR: The Bridget Jones in your life. Or rather, any 20-something girly girl who likes to party with Ben, Jerry, Hugh and Colin too.

12 Days of Festive Faves

The Cinefilles are back just in time to rein in the holidays, and what better way than with our 12 Days of Festive Faves.

To get you in the spirit over the next two weeks, we'll bring you our top picks of the season, from heart-warming classics for the family to crack-up Christmas disasters for Scrooges. The holiday countdown begins tomorrow!

P.S. Let us know what your faves of the season are!