It's the most wonderful time of the year.....for watching television. These are my favorite Christmas shows in no particular order.
White Christmas: How can you not fall in love with a movie produced in technicolor and VistaVision? This movie is a classic because of the many different messages it spreads to the world; music heals,friendships endure, love prevails, and eating disorders have been around for a long time. Have you seen the teeny-tiny waist on Vera Ellen? Poor Rosemary Clooney she couldn't take it any longer so later in life she ate her. Never mind about that, it doesn't really portray the Christmas spirit. What I love most about the movie is it's philosophy. It's a belief I've had all my life. When things get rough and you need help....put on a show! Maybe, just maybe that's the answer for our struggling economy.
The Preachers Wife: Lord have mercy, but this is the best Christmas movie soundtrack of all time. Whitney Houston is joined with the Georgia Mass Choir to bring the steeple down. There are two types of music which always fill me with happiness unleashing tears of joy: Christmas Carols and Gospel music. This movie has both and did I mention Whitney Houston can sing? I wish she would go back to her musical roots.
The movie is great too. The reverend is losing faith and prays for help. His prayers are answered in the form of an angel named Dudley. All the problems are worked out in the end, even the town scrooge played by Gregory Hines comes around. The whole cast is perfect. The movie ends with the best version of Joy To The World ever sung. If the Christmas spirit doesn't consume you during this song and you aren't standing up in your living room singing along, check your pulse. You might be Jacob Marley, dead and shackled by chains. Not Bob Marley, dead but a reggae legend.
Smokey Mountain Christmas: I don't care if this movie is cheesy, it has another singing diva, Dolly Parton. Hey, Whitney and Dolly both sang I Will Always Love You. They are divas. I like the music in this movie, but I really love the cabin in the mountains. It's perfect, it's one of my many dream homes.
There are cute orphans, a scary smokey mountain witch, paparazzi on a donkey, and a mountain man aka The bionic man. If you remember have a connection to him, if not you can read about it here. Another happily ever after story.
It's A Wonderful Life: What a gift to see what the world would be like if you weren't in it. I'm gonna get preachy for a second, but wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone had this opportunity? If everyone knew just how important they were and the ripple effect our actions caused would make the world so much better. End of sermon. It really is a Wonderful Life.
A Christmas Carol: I love every version, including VH1's A Diva's Christmas. One of my favorite versions is Bill Murray's Scrooged.
This is the story of redemption. No matter how much you suck, you can always turn your life around! I love Dickens England almost as I love the mountains. I don't know what it is about this time or place, but it's magical to me. God bless us, everyone!
The Nativity Story: The story of Mary, Joseph and the birth of Jesus. The original Christmas story.
Elf: This is a fun movie filled with Christmas Joy. I love Will Ferrell in this role. My very favorite part is when he bursts into the meeting his dad is having with the midget. He's twirling and chanting, "I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!"
I have a thing for twirling. You can't be angry, bitter or unhappy if you're twirling. Don't believe me? Give it a shot. If you're reading this odds are you are probably alone at your computer, so get up and do a few twirls. If this doesn't make you smile or feel good inside, again, check your pulse. You might be Jacob Marley, dead and shackled by chains. Not Bob Marley, dead but a reggae legend.
Home Alone: This was a great movie. It had action, comedy, and Christmas spirit. It's also one of my dream homes. One day I will do a movie dream home list. Oh yeah, and keep the change ya filthy animal!
Miracle on 34'th Street: I believe. I believe in miracles, but I really, really believe in Christmas miracles. One thing I know for sure is the house I live in is on 33rd. It's not quite a Christmas miracle but there was definitely divine intervention in bringing me and my husband to this house. My life changed forever with the words "sold" on the for sale sign.
There are so many more I could go on and on and on.
Here's a short list
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
Christmas in Connecticut. (both versions)
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.
A Charlie Brown Christmas.
The Santa Clause.
Every Christmas movie ever made.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!