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|
(in
no particular order) |
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A Christmas Story
(1983)
|
 Do
I even need to say that it's the
greatest Christmas movie ever? A holiday
season without it is only slightly more
painful than shooting your eye out. |
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|
Elf (2003) |
|
 A
concept that is pure genius: Will
Ferrell as Santa's adopted son, who
doesn't realize he's not an elf.
Delusional behavior at its most
hilarious.
 |
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|
Bad Santa
(2003) |
 Even
the yuletide season has a dark side, as
evidenced by this raunchy comedy
featuring Billy Bob Thornton as a
drunken mall santa whose life is changed
marginally for the better by the world's
creepiest child. Not for grandma or the
kids, but sick, twisted fun for everyone
else.
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|
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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
(1989)
|
|
 Can
we all be honest and admit that, more
than any other movie, this one shows
what the Christmas season is really
like? Peace on Earth, good will toward
men, and Cousin Eddie emptying his RV's
septic system into the street.
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|
Love Actually
(2003)
|
 Not
technically a Christmas movie, but since
the whole thing takes place at
Christmas, I'm including it anyway. A
series of mini-stories about the various
forms of love, this picture gives you a
case of the warm-and-fuzzies and makes
you want to cuddle with your special
person underneath the tree. Wrapping is
optional. |
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The Polar Express
(2004)
|
 Sure,
all the computer-animated people looked
dead in the eyes. But if you can get
past that, you'll find a true spectacle
with mind-blowing visuals. Plus, Tom
Hanks extols the virtues of hot
chocolate in song! |
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Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
(1964)
|
|
 Okay,
not really. I just wanted to see if you
were paying attention.
|
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|
The Nightmare Before Christmas
(1993)
|
 Santa
is hijacked by a skeleton and some
goblins who are jealous that their
holiday (Halloween) isn't as beloved.
Great animation, great music, and a nice
reminder that Oct. 31 is pretty cool
too. |
|
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|
Home Alone
(1990) |
 Macauley
Culkin warmed all our hearts as the
little boy who foiled two burglers with
sadistic traps on Christmas Eve. That
little boy probably grew up to be Jigsaw
from the "Saw" movies. |
|
| |
|
Die Hard (1988)
|
 Again,
not technically a Christmas movie, but
December 24 + Bruce Willis + Hans Gruber
in a skyscraper = first rate
entertainment!
|
|
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|
Shrek the Halls
(2007)
|
America's favorite ogre begrudgingly
celebrates the holiday with his bride
Fiona and best pal Donkey. Although
made-for-TV, this is still a worthy
off-shoot of the popular animated film
series.
|
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Gremlins (1984)
|
 Worst...Christmas...present...EVER.
(Except for moviegoers, who got a
wickedly nasty treat.)
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The
Ref
(1994)
|
 Denis
Leary plays a yuletide burgler who gets
trapped in the home of a bickering
married couple. Through heavy doses of
abuse, he teaches them the true meaning
of peace on earth. One of the funniest
movies ever made.
|
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|
The
Star Wars Holiday Special
(1978) |
 The
only place to find it is bootlegged on
the black market, but if you can find
it, go ahead and break the law! Where
else are you going to see Bea Arthur
singing in the Mos Eisley cantina? |
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|
The Nativity Story (2006)
|
 "Twilight"
director Catherine Hardwicke takes on
the story of the Virgin Mary. Actually,
I wish this movie was a little more
lively than it is, but I'm including it
because it's the rare Christmas movie
that actually deals with the birth of
Christ.
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