Friday Top Five: Christmas Movies

I figured I should post a Christmas movie list this week since I don't think I'll be able to post a Top Five next Friday. And then week after that, I plan on beginning to use this Friday Top Five spot as a place to count down my best and worst of 2013. So, for now, tis the season and all that. (Also: A disclaimer: My favorite Christmas movie of all time is a little movie you probably never saw called A Very Brady Christmas. I'm not even kidding. But there's no way it's one of the best Christmas movies out there, so I'm not including it. It's pretty terrible and cheesy, actually, but I still love it).

05. Miracle on 34th Street (George Seaton, 1947)
I know there are a few different versions of this movie, but I'm talking about the one with Maureen O'Hara and a young Natalie Wood. This movie takes place at Macy's in New York, where a new store Santa claims to be the real deal and even manages to convince a few cynical people, including young Susan. To say it's a holiday classic is sort of an understatement. Maybe I love this movie because of the clothes. Women were so dressed up just to go shopping - gloves, hats, dresses, heels! Last time I went shopping, I wore sweatpants. Or maybe it's just because this is a really sweet movie, that even the most cynical, Christmas hating person (I'll admit, sometimes that's me... after ten years of working retail, I still get anxious around Christmas) can love. It has a sweet message and also encapsulates that whole "magic of Christmas" sentiment that is now a staple in every holiday movie.

04. Elf (Jon Favreau, 2003)
What can go wrong with a sweet love story featuring a 6 foot tall Elf who wreaks havoc on New York City and falls in love with a sardonic store elf? Absolutely nothing! Elf is hilarious, sweet and just plain enjoyable. Starring Will Ferrell (who, as far as comedy goes, can do no wrong) and Zooey Deschannel, Elf is a damn modern classic. Plus, there's a great supporting cast including Bob Newhart, Mary Steenburgen and James Caan. While it is a Christmas movie, it's also just funny enough that you can honestly watch it any time you want to. Plus, try not to quote it. Anytime you see a mall Santa, try not saying, "I KNOW HIM!"

03. White Christmas (Michael Curtiz, 1954)
If you love musicals, then you'll love White Christmas! A song and dance duo (Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye) become involved with a singing sister duo as they join together to put on an all-singing-all-dancing-EXTRAVAGANZA to save the failing Vermont inn owned by their former Army general. Sure, the movie has a lot of plot that merely exists just to move characters along into whatever contrivance the screenwriters thought up. Sure, it's sort of cheesy and doesn't really have much depth. But, it's also a damn entertaining movie that is sweet and downright enjoyable. Also, this is the movie where Bing Crosby sings White Christmas and nails it, obviously.

02. It's a Wonderful Life (Frank Capra, 1946)
Probably the most depressing movie ever to become a heart-warming holiday classic, It's a Wonderful Life is still damn near perfect. Our main character is depressed and contemplating suicide. An angel shows him what life would be like had he never existed. Obviously, he has a change of heart and realizes how lucky he is and embraces his family and life. It's a Wonderful Life is sort of like a life-altering experience, that's how perfect and well done it is. Even if it's sort of depressing at times, it's a holiday masterpiece for a reason.

01. A Christmas Story (Bob Clark, 1983)
Perhaps it's not as meaningful as Miracle on 34th Street. I guess it's not as high brow as It's a Wonderful Life. I'm assuming it can't be considered a "masterpiece," but I will watch A Christmas Story for 24 hours straight without getting bored. I grew up with this movie, and have seen it more times than I can count, and I never get sick of it. I never not want to watch it at Christmas time. A Christmas Story is iconic, a modern day classic, with ridiculously quotable dialogue and hilarious performances, especially from Darren McGavin. A Christmas Story is wonderful in every sense of the word, and I still get giddy when it comes on TV.