Advent Blog Day 5: My Favorite Christmas Movies

On my review blog which I haven't used in a while, for a couple of years I did Christmas movie marathons in December. It was more of an advent thing where I watched a movie a night and then reviewed it. I watched a lot of Christmas movies, the good ones, and the bad ones. And there are some pretty bad ones out there. I thought it might be fun to make a list of my favorites. None of this is in order because my mood changes. But here are some recommendations. Most of these you'll know, but there might be something new to you. I'll also link to my review of it. A Muppet Christmas Carol - Who knew that a bunch of puppets could tell this classic tale better than anyone? The really brilliant part was casting Gonzo as Charles Dickens the narrator. Plus there's some pretty good music in it. It's a Wonderful Life - Christmas isn't Christmas without the classic Jimmy Stewart tale. Now as an added bonus I'll give you a link to the remake. There was a remake? Why yes there was. It starred Marlo Thomas taking the Jimmy Stewart role. It was called "It Happened One Christmas."

The Santa Clause - I swear I wrote this when I was 12. It was a story about me taking over Santa's duties and the problems I had getting down chimneys and getting around the world in one night. You can't go wrong with this Tim Allen treat which gave birth to two following movies (avoid that third one). The Gift of Love - This is a movie very loosely based on O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi. It stars Marie Osmond and Timothy Bottoms in a visually beautiful New York City. Interestingly, the same year, Debby Boone came out with The Gift of the Magi as a musical. I have been unable to find it. And I have not found any other versions of the Gift of the Magi.

The House Without a Christmas Tree - A lovely story about a young girl yearning for the love of her father. It was first shown on tv in the 70's and has stayed with me ever since. The Polar Express - Amazing animation. It turns out I did not review this movie. But it's a treat for the eyes.

The Bishop's Wife - Cary Grant and Loretta Young tell the tale of an angel who comes to earth to help a trouble's bishop. This movie was redone in the 90's as The Preacher's Wife with Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington. Although I love the music of the second, it's the first one that I find truly magical. The Holiday - Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black. Two women at crossroads in the lives, one in a small English town, and the other in glamorous Hollywood, exchange houses for their Christmas vacations. Funny, romantic, and Jude Law is totally drool worthy. Plus there is a lovely story involving an aging screen writer. Miracle on 34th Street - The original with Ed Gwynn, Maureen O'Hara, and a very young Natalie Wood. Santa comes to New York and makes friends with a single mom and her unbelieving daughter. Remakes have been done although I admit I never watched the last one. Christmas In Connecticut - Screwball comedy with Barbara Stanwyck as a homemaking columnist who doesn't have a single homemaking skill. This one is lots of fun and a classic. But wait! Where is a classic Christmas Carol? It looks like another blog post on the way. For more movie and book reviews you can go to Views From Hobbit Hole.