What makes a Christmas classic?

from NewsTribune_Holiday Life_102922

Flavors of the Season

A deeper dive into holiday movies

Story by David Cook

When it comes to Christmas entertainment, it’s a safe bet to say we’ve all seen the first dozen or so movies that would come to mind if asked to create a Christmas movie list. If you’re looking for something different to watch this Christmas season, we’ll dig a bit deeper to find some new holiday favorites.

This isn’t to say the most famous flicks aren’t good – they’re classics for a reason.

“Our family has always enjoyed Christmas movies because they tend to be full of good feelings and without violence,” Princeton Public Library’s Lisa Shields said.

Some of the following titles are well-known classics, but if you’re not a big film buff or your family has traditionally watched the same few movies each year, this list will hopefully help guide you towards a new favorite.

“I like holiday movies and seeing how they’ve evolved and twisted the common narratives,” said Jacqui Margowski of Mendota.

See MOVIES page 6

PHOTO BY DAVID COOK If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary when trying to find a Christmas movie to watch this holiday season, these movies will give you a break from watching White Christmas or A Christmas Story for the hundredth time.

Movies

FROM PAGE 5

To make it more comprehensive, this list includes both newer and older movies, and all titles were easily obtained through a local library.

A HOLIDAY AFFAIR (1949)

This movie raised the question of “Is this really a Christmas movie?” Starring Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh, it’s set during the season, has several scenes of shopping in a crowded department store, a young boy excited for the approaching holiday, and a toy train set which features significantly into the plot. So, it looks like a Christmas movie – but it didn’t feel like the typical one.

Leigh is a war-widowed mother of a young boy and is in a two-year relationship approaching marriage. Perhaps it’s because of an association of Mitchum with his great villainous roles in other movies, but his character seems a sleazy kind of homewrecker who sort of strong arms his way into her life uninvited. It all ends happily enough, but this one missed the mark for that holiday warmth many people associate with Christmas movies.

THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (1940)

Starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullivan, this romantic feature is set in a small European leather goods shop in the time leading up to Christmas. It’s the story of two co-workers who are irritated by each other and also unknowing mysterious romantic pen pals. Perhaps this one gets overshadowed by Stewart’s other holiday movie, but this is a deserving classic that’s worth a watch.

JOYEAUX NOEL (2005)

This is a fictionalized telling of the real-life Christmas truce of World War I. The Christmas spirit would not be denied in 1914 when troops facing each other across the deadly no-man’s land left their trenches and called an unofficial truce. It began with singing from one side and applause and musical accompaniment from the other. Gifts were exchanged, and assistance was promised to help deliver news to loved ones stranded on the other side. Leaders were not amused, and punishment quickly followed the day of peace. This is a powerful anti-war drama for when you’re in the mood for a serious Christmas story.

DECK THE HALLS (2006)

Critics and audiences hated this one, but it was fun. Matthew Broderick stars as the local ‘Christmas Guy’ who likes everything orderly and on schedule. He’s involved in every aspect of his town’s holiday events and his world is upended with the arrival of the new neighbor across the street.

Played by Danny DeVito, the neighbor decides he wants a Christmas light display visible from space. As the impressive display grows in size, so does his popularity, which increasingly irritates Broderick’s character. This will never be a classic, but it was entertaining enough to watch once,

LOVE ACTUALLY (2003)

This is almost a Christmas movie by default. It’s set during the holiday season and a few of the many threads weaved by the large ensemble cast pass through Christmas story territory, but the others don’t. That’s not to the detriment of the movie, though, because the narrator states in the beginning that the story is about the many forms of love, and it succeeds in that. The fact that Christmas is involved is secondary, but that’s okay because it’s a feel-good movie and the Christmas-y moments make it worthwhile, especially Bill Nighy’s role as a rock star making a holiday comeback despite his best attempts to derail it.

LAST HOLIDAY (2006)

This is a movie that looks and feels like a Christmas movie, but really isn’t. Set during the season and in a posh European resort, the production values are luxurious, yet there’s nothing inherently Christmas-y about the story of a woman who mistakenly receives a terminal diagnosis from a doctor. Being frugal and prudent her entire life and believing she’s only got weeks to live, she cashes in all her investments and savings and decides to go out in style.

Queen Latifah’s charm and beauty easily carry this likable movie, and it has the standard happy ending, so watching it was enjoyable. There’s also a good 1950 British version of this story that’s much closer to noir than being any kind of Christmas film.

TOKYO GODFATHERS (2003)

This animated Japanese feature begins in Tokyo on Christmas Eve when three homeless people who’ve begrudgingly become their own kind of family discover an abandoned baby in a trash dump. They rescue the baby, declaring it a Christmas miracle. Desperate to satisfy a maternal instinct, one member convinces the others that they need to find the baby’s mother to know why someone would do such a thing.

The mystery lasts until the new year, and their adventure sees them the recipients of several more small miracles. Each of the character’s painful back stories that drove them to homelessness is explored, and all find redemption and safety. This is a great story and highly recommended.

KRAMPUS (2015)

This Christmas horror story stars European holiday legend Krampus, the ‘or-else’ flip-side to Santa’s generous gift giving. Adam Scott and Toni Collette are parents hosting relatives who aren’t exactly welcome. Eventually, the dysfunctional teasing, fighting, and overall discord, as well as the dismissal of warnings from their old German grandma, result in attracting Krampus and his underlings.

This is PG-13 level horror, so it’s more creepy than gruesome, and it’s even sometimes funny. The friction between the adults is humorous and relatable, and they’re all talented actors, so they nail the dramatic parts.

If you’re unfamiliar with the story of Krampus, there’s a nice animated bit as the grandma tells the story of her childhood encounter with him in their little village that explains everything. With a happy ending and all the appropriate holiday feelings in place, as well as a touch of menacing surveillance by Krampus, this was one I’d be most willing to watch again next year.

Kid-friendly holiday movies & cartoons adults will also enjoy

By Shannon Serpette

If you feel you could recite every word of the usual cartoons and movies your children watch during the holidays, try introducing them to these lesser-known titles and old favorites.

Cranberry Christmas: This 30-minute cartoon came out in 2008, and it features catchy music by Barry Manilow. The plot focuses on mean, old Cyrus Grape, who doesn’t want local children skating on his iced-over cranberry bog. The children’s friend, Mr. Whiskers, and young Maggie team up to help make the skating area accessible to all the children by finding out who rightfully owns the property.

Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town: Frosty the

Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer tend to get the spotlight each winter. And with good reason – both of those animated adventures are amazing and highly entertaining. But they can sometimes push Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town to the wayside, and that’s a shame. This television movie made in 1970 explores the origin of Santa Claus and will tug at your heartstrings.

Yogi’s First Christmas: This 1980 television movie starred Yogi Bear and Boo Boo, along with many of Hanna-Barbera’s other favorite characters. Snagglepuss, Huckleberry Hound, Augie Doggie, and Doggie Daddy all make appearances. It’s fun for kids to see Yogi and Boo Boo experiencing their first Christmas instead of hibernating through it.

A Flintstone Christmas: This 1977 gem was an-

other great Christmas television special made by Hanna-Barbera. When Santa suffers a minor injury and catches a cold, Fred and Barney have to fill in, delivering presents all around the world. Even kids who have never watched The Flintstones should enjoy this one.

Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer:

This Christmas television special was released in 2000, and the title and story come from the 1979 song we’ve all come to know and either love or despise. Since I don’t want to give the plot away, I’ll just say that this one is great fun for kids anywhere from 5 to 12 years old. My kids haven’t watched it in years, but they still remember its catchy music and talk about how much they liked it.

VILLAS Single Family Homes

• Spacious 2 and 3 Bedroom

Floor Plans • Attached Garages • Lawn Care & Snow Removal

LIBERTY ESTATES Elegant Retirement Apartments

• Month to Month Rental • Weekly Housekeeping • Special Social Events

HAWTHORNE INN Assisted Living

• Elegant Dining Atmosphere • Social & Recreational Activities • 24 Hour Assistance

MANOR COURT Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Center

• Medicare Certified • Skilled Nursing Care • Geriatric Nutrition Program

MEMORY LANE Fitness for the Mind ®

• Exercising the Brain • Enhancing Memory • Maintaining Independence

BOUNCE BACK

• Rehab • Recover • Return Home

SM-LA2016621 www.libertyvillageofperu.com • 1101 31st St. • Peru • 815-224-2200

Handles Like A Dream, Gives Snow Nightmares.

Power Clear ® 518ZE

Model 38473 $579

• Throws Snow up to 25' • 18" Clearing Width • 2 Year Full Coverage Warranty Snowmaster 724 QXE

$1099 Model 36002 • Clearing Width 24" • Ideally used to clear 6-12" of snow at a time on a driveway made of concrete or asphalt surfaces that can park up to 4-10 cars