Holiday Movies: The Christmas Edition

My Boxing Day Agenda With Kurt Russell & Little Steven . . .

My take on Boxing Day is simple. Schedule is everything when it comes to planning the perfect Boxing Day adventure. Or maybe it’s the lack of a rigid plan that makes everything come together in the best possible way.

Know your taverns, when they open and the all-important availability of their kitchens! A proper pub crawl requires an equal amount of sustenance! A walk through the village on a chilly holiday afternoon requires equal portions of cocktails and cuisine. Wander the shops, catch a movie, read a book and have an espresso, take a look at Sylvia’s take on Boxing Day over here, on her blog!

Open all day from lunch through dinner

• Rowdy Hall: An English Pub with a bit of French Bistro added for good measure
• Citta Nova: Our local trattoria with excellent Milanese cuisine and pizza

Opening for cocktails and dinner later in the day – I always recommend the pubs, taverns and bars because they are what Boxing Day is all about!

• The old speakeasy downstairs Tavern at the 1770 House offers the dining room menu as well
• The Bar at The Palm is a favorite for gatherings with a quaint old bar and a few banquettes

With no schedule in mind, being a bit thirsty and somewhat hungry, you are all set for a proper Boxing Day.

Cheers . . . Gary

I just watched The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix. It’s new for 2018 and taking the streaming arena by storm. Kurt Russell and his real-life partner Goldie Hawn team up to tell a different kind of Christmas Story. It seems that this Kris Kringle is determined to dismantle many a Santa Claus stereotype.

Music is extra ‘Holiday Special’ for me as my NJ favorite, Little Steven Van Zandt, is together with his band, the Disciples of Soul. And this is certainly a holiday ‘family movie’ – Steve’s partner Maureen Van Zandt also appears onscreen. Kurt Russell shows another of his talents as he performs lead vocals for ‘Santa Claus is Back in Town’ backed up by Little Steven and the band.

Oh, by the way, Wolfie [Little Steven] and Santa Claus are spending some time in the hoosegow due to a misunderstanding with the local PD when the music takes over the screen.

This is a must-watch Christmas story: ‘Sister and brother, Kate and Teddy Pierce, whose Christmas Eve plan to catch Santa Claus on camera, turns into an unexpected journey that most kids could only dream about.’   

Polar Express 2004

Take a seat on a Christmas Eve magical train that’s headed to the North Pole. A young lad’s adventure on his way to Santa Claus’s home becomes and extraordinary trip. Tom Hanks as the  Engineer of the Polar Express takes us to a place where anything is possible. You just need to climb aboard for the adventure of a lifetime.

The Holiday 2006

A Christmas love story set in Los Angeles and Surrey England finds its beginnings in a home swap for the Holidays. Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet trade homes on a website. Then they meet Jude Law and Jack Black. The unfaithful boyfriend is dispatched and the next-door neighbor is love at first sight. Due to become a Christmas Classic.

A Charlie Brown Christmas 1965

Christmastime is here. Happiness and cheer. A Christmas tree that seems to be lacking in Holiday cheer. The writing of Charles Schulz and the music of Vince Guaraldi help Charlie Brown find the true meaning of Christmas.

“I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy. I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel. I just don’t understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I’m still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed.” Charlie Brown and the gang have the answer for you!

Something newer from the world of Charles Schulz: Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales 2002

Babes in Toyland 1961

Start with Tom the Piper’s Son, Mary Quite Contrary, Little Bo Peep and Barnaby. Add a few evil henchmen, and a double-cross allows our heroes to escape to the other Mother Goose characters in Toyland.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas 1966

“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” Who lives atop a hill overlooking Whoville with his dog Max. Of course Mr. Grinch sees the error of his ways as the Whos rejoice on Christmas morning even after all their presents, food, and decorations have disappeared. It seems the Whos understand what Christmas is really all about!

The Jim Carrey version with Ron Howard in the directors chair: How The Grinch Stole Christmas 2000

Miracle on 34th Street 1947

Edmund Gwenn and Maureen O’Hara give life to the fantasy that the Santa at Macy’s may actually be Kris Kringle. An Oscar-winning performance that is timeless Christmas Magic.

It’s a Wonderful Life 1946

Jimmy Stewart meets an Angel who convinces him that his life has had a great impact on all his neighbors. This Dickens short story has a message for everyone during the Holiday Season. We are all important and matter, sometimes much more than we know.

A Christmas Carol 1951

Again, a classic Charles Dickens tale that has been told many times over on stage, TV and the big screen. Everyone knows the story but this version with Alistair Sim sets the standard.

Elf 2003

Actor, Writer, Director Jon Favreau teams up with Will Ferrell, Edward Asner, James Caan, Bob Newhart and Zooey Deschanel in a story about an Elf who is actually a man raised at the North Pole by Santa Clause. Will Ferrell as the Elf wreaks havoc within the elf community.

Holiday Inn 1942

Music magic by Irving Berlin with Bing Crosby as the crooner Jim Hardy, and Fred Astaire as the suave stepper Ted Hanover. A love triangle is completed with the absolutely wonderfully lovely Marjorie Reynolds as Linda Mason. As I have said before, Jim’s Holiday Inn is the inspiration for The Mill House Inn. Now about dinner and entertainment . . .

White Christmas 1954

Holiday Inn inspired another Christmas classic starring Bing Crosby set in a romantic Vermont lodge where there is almost always a “White Christmas”. Crosby, along with Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney team up to help Dean Jagger [General Waverly] with his Inn’s Christmas Show.

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer 1964

Burl Ives narrates this TV Christmas Classic that has allowed the child in all of us to believe that Santa and his Reindeer will find all of us, each and every Christmas. Of course, there is a lesson in this ever so special tale. Just like Rudolph’s red nose, we should celebrate the differences that make us all unique.

Lagniappe [lan-yap]: Cajun for a little something extra . . .

It’s not only the big screen that brings us Christmas stories that touch our hearts. Those recurring characters in the TV series that we follow often tell tales that make us smile, laugh and fall in love with each other all over again.

From Cosmo to Esquire there are lists of the very best all-time episodes. I promise it’s worth having a look, there is something here for everyone.

• Cosmo’s Choice #3 is “Black Mirror – White Christmas” a slightly darker epic
• Variety’s #1 Choice is Alec Baldwin in a 30 Rock  “Christmas Special”
• Indiewire’s #2 Choice is Mad Men in “Christmas Waltz”
• Esquire tapped one of the best sitcoms in history: Cheers’ “Christmas Cheers”

Enjoy,

– Gary