I know what you're thinking. He's been focusing on his "work blog", ignoring the personal stuff, and now...he's doing a blog about Christmas movies? He's a nice Jewish kid...why is he writing about Christmas movies? Well, this blog was inspired by Eric Fischgrund's new blog entry on his favorite Adam Sandler movies and partially by a conversation I had over the weekend with my wife. I think you will find my list to be unique, so here goes...my Top Five Christmas Movies.
5. Gremlins - He should have followed the three simple rules. But Billy didn't listen and paid the price. Phoebe Cates wasn't quite as good as she was in Fast Time at Ridgemont High, but memorable nonetheless.
4. Home Alone - Does anything really say the holidays like an eight year old kicking some burglar butt? I don't think so. In my opinion, the last great work by an amazing writer, John Hughes, who defined suburban family comedy in the 80's.
3. Bad Santa - Now this is really my kind of Christmas. Billy Bob Thornton at his raunchy best, stealing, cursing, and beating up kids and midgets. RIP Bernie Mac.
2. Die Hard & Die Hard 2 - These movies sparked the conversation with my wife. She asked if I had ever seen a Christmas Story or a Christmas Carol...who knows. Anyway, my response was that my idea of a Christmas movie is Die Hard. And Die Hard 2. John McClane saves the day...in both movies...on Christmas! The first time, in LA at a Christmas party he wasn't really invited to and the second time in DC at an airport after which his wife asks, "why does this keep happening to us?". He's a modern day superhero. Sadly, the third and fourth installments of the franchise didn't have anything to do with Christmas, otherwise, they too would have made the list.
1. Rocky IV - Could there be a bigger Christmas miracle than Rocky beating the Russian giant Ivan Drago and ending the Cold War? Rocky explains democracy to the Russians (with the help of an interpreter) and then wishes his son, who's home, a Merry Christmas. My all-time favorite Christmas movie moment.
And there you have it. What are some of your favorites? Leave them in the comment section. And if you haven't checked out the "work blog", check it out at www.NeuerSpace.wordpress.com.
"It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive!"
JN
