With Thanksgiving just around the corner and a brisk chill in the night air, the holiday season is finally upon us. If you like to celebrate the merry time of year with a cup of hot cocoa and a classic Christmas movie, Max has got you covered with a handful of films that relay the meaning of Christmas — dabbling in the serendipitous and saccharine.
‘A Christmas Story’ | 1983
Based on the writings of the well-known storyteller, radio personality, and humorist Jean Shepherd, A Christmas Story follows youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bratty bully and fantasizing about his ideal Christmas gift — a “Red Ryder air rifle.” With a doting mother who somewhat compensates for his cantankerous father, Raplhie struggles to make it to Christmas day with his spirit (and glasses) intact. Boasting a touch of childhood wonder and a nostalgia-filled atmosphere, the ‘80s flick takes viewers to a small town in Indiana in the 1940s, where the joys of Christmas were not yes as commercialized. The story is at once funny and sentimental, making it a beloved Christmas classic.
‘Four Christmases’ | 2008
Definitely more of a modern classic, Four Christmases features an impressive star-studded ensemble, including Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Chenoweth, Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Mary Steenburgen, Tim McGraw, Dwight Yoakam, Jon Voight, Robert Duvall, and Sissy Spacey. The premise is simple: unmarried couple, Vaughn and Witherspoon, spend their holiday trudging around to a series of family get-togethers when their plans for an exotic vacation fall through.
Brad (Vaughn) cannot wait to escape the mayhem, as Katie (Witherspoon) begins to question her choices and her family’s sanity. Filled with ridiculous shenanigans — that give way to haphazard physical comedy — and a couple of sincere and silly bickering matches, the performers do their damnedest to elevate a somewhat hackneyed script…and sometimes succeed. It’s got slapstick. It’s got spirit. It’s got sentiment. It’s utterly predictable, but it isn’t trying to be Shyamalan.
‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ | 1989
The ‘80s classic follows Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) who wants a perfect family Christmas — and will go to any lengths to ensure it. He pesters his wife and children, as he works to dot all his i’s and cross all his t’s. His plans go awry when his cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) shows up with his family and starts living in their camper on the Griswold property. And to make matters worse, Clark’s employer reneges on his holiday bonus.
A mix of slapstick and absurdist comedy — with a happy heaping of crude cracks tossed in — the movie uses humor to address the unrealistic expectations that can accompany Christmas. Chevy Chase excels as the well-intentioned yet hapless patriarch who catalyzes chaos when he means to channel cheer. His deadpan delivery and physical comedic chops make this one of the most memorable comedy Christmas films.
‘Elf’ | 2003
The whimsical and lighthearted Elf is a family-friendly classic with a standout performance from Will Ferrell as Buddy. Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler, where he was raised by Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the sense that he doesn’t quite fit in (literally and metaphorically), he travels to the Big Apple in full Elf uniform in search of his biological father. It just so happens that DNA Daddy is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman who is reluctant to nurture the son he deems (with justifiable elf-themed evidence) “certifiably insane.” The film emphasizes the importance of childhood wonder, and Ferrell excels as the fish-out-of-water, wide-eyed protagonist whose comedic chops are on full display in the movie. He’s central to the film’s ceaseless charm and moving tone.
‘A Christmas Carol’ | 1938
As classic as classic gets, 1938’s A Christmas Carol follows the crotchety Ebeneezer Scrooge (Reginald Owen), who detests Christmas and mistreats his employee Bob Cratchit (Gene Lockhart), who is a devoted family man. However, a visit from a couple of ghosts (including a former business partner) may possess the power to change his ways.
Based on the Charles Dickens classic, the ‘30s film features a balanced mix of somberness, warmth, and eventual redemption. It immerses the audience in the Victorian era. The film captures the hardships of the times, yet juxtaposes a poverty-stricken, dark and dreary London with the transformative power of the Christmas spirit. The message: it’s never too late to change.
‘The Polar Express’ | 2004
Based on the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, the film follows a doubting young boy who takes a train ride to the North Pole, embarking on a literal journey and a more personal one of self-discovery in tandem. Utterly enchanting. the animated film reminds us to never give up on the extraordinary. Never stop believing in the wondrous. Hanks also brings multiple characters to life, changing his voice with each one and proving his undeniable versatility.
‘Christmas in Connecticut’ | 1945
War hero Jefferson Jones (Dennis Morgan) grows familiar with the writings of columnist Elizabeth Lane (Barbara Stanwyck) while he’s recovering in a hospital. She pens the series “Diary of a Housewife.” Jeff’s nurse notices his interest and arranges for Jeff to spend the holiday at Elizabeth’s bucolic Connecticut farm with her husband and child. There’s just one catch: the whole column is a sham. Elizabeth is no housewife. So, Lane’s publisher quickly sets up a ploy, placing the single, utterly non-domestic Elizabeth on a country farm to fool Jeff.
The romantic comedy is lighthearted and cozy and boasts quite the festive atmosphere as a result of the snow-covered landscapes and traditional holiday decorations. With a little old-school acting and over-the-top charm (and romance that’s just a bit too good to be true), the movie will find its way into your heart and snuggle up there.
‘Jack Frost’ | 1998
Jack Frost (Michael Keaton) is an aging rocker holding onto dreams of stardom that, with each passing year, become more unattainable. He’s never had much time for his wife (Kelly Preston) or his son (Joseph Cross) since his job keeps him on the road.
A year following Jack’s tragic death in a car accident, his son plays a mournful tune on his late father’s harmonica, which, to his surprise, brings his father back to life as a snowman on the front lawn. With a second shot at life, can Jack do better this time around? The comedic drama shifts seamlessly from chuckle-inducing moments to more tender emotional exchanges. The heartfelt film examines love, loss, and the power of reconciliation with a nuanced and endearing performance from Keaton (who manages to be just as fatherly in snowman form with sticks for arms).
‘Fred Claus’ | 2007
Of the Claus Brothers, Fred (Vince Vaughn) is the no-good troublemaker, while Nicholas (Paul Giamatti) is the saintly and selfless one. When Fred’s criminal ways land him in the slammer, Nicholas bails him out but forces him to work at the North Pole to repay his debts. Crises mount for ol’ St. Nick who must deal with his mess of a brother and an efficiency expert who has come to evaluate Santa’s workplace. Vaugn excels as the sarcastic pessimist with a quick tongue and a difficult-to-please disposition up against Giamatti’s determined and worrying Nicholas. Yet, Fred will definitely annoy his brother so much that Nick’s jolly ways will sink down the drain (or should we say chimney?) as the film progresses. Though critically condemned for being overly sentimental and contrived, Giamatti and Vaughn, at times, make it worth a watch (even if you do lose interest here and there).
