Everyone has a list of their favorite Christmas movies. It’s A Wonderful Life? Check. Miracle on 34th street? Check How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the animated version only, please) And of course the Charlie Brown Christmas Special, that one’s a must. Here are three more that we like to watch in the Yule season:
In the dramatic comedy Tokyo Godfathers, three homeless people rescue a baby from a dumpster, and set about to find its mother. Funny but also dark and violent in places (one scene will make you think of A Clockwork Orange), the movie is ultimately heart warming and will stick with you. I’ve only seen it once, but this might be my new favorite Christmas classic.
In particular it stands out because director Satoshi Kon had to convince the studio to let him spend seven million bucks to make a movie where the three main characters are homeless people. Think about the number of movies you have seen with that distinction! (Yes, it’s available in English if you absolutely must but the original voice acting is great so I prefer the subtitles.)
Directed by Guillermo Del Toro, this one is a winter blast. Jack Frost is abducted by the Easter Bunny and taken to Santa’s workshop, where they team up with the Tooth Fairy and Sandman to face their greatest threat ever. It’s funny, action-packed, and scary in places. All the characters are perfectly cast but Hugh Jackman really shines as the Easter Bunny. Get the popcorn!
Yippie-Ki-Yea! You don’t think of Die Hard as a Christmas movie? Well, that is your privilege, but it’s an action classic that takes place on Christmas that I like to watch around Christmastime. The sheer concentration of memorable scenes and one-liner quips puts it in a class by itself.
Merry Christmas!
georgewiman 