Christmas Movies

My favorite Christmas movies of all-time:

1) Crimes & Misdemeanors--I'm not even a big fan of Woody Allen, and this is not really a Christmas movie in any sense. It is about God, however. Particularly, it is the realization of one very deeply flawed man that we are always before the eyes of God. Allen, for all his faults, understands sin.

2) Fanny & Alexander--The scene where the children and adults dance in a seemingly endless parade through the tiny apartment is one of the most glorious depictions of how reality is perceived by kids. It is a gorgeous film in every way.

3) Elf--Yes, we've watched this dozens of times and the kids can quote every line. Sentimental? Yes. Hokey? Yes. Secular to the hilt? Yes. But terribly, terribly funny.

4) The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh--How this movie became an Else tradition at Christmas I'll never know. Stockard Channing as an astrologist and Dr. J as...a basketball star. What??? It is the basketball version of Slap Shot and a great Christmas treat.

5) It's a Wonderful Life--Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. A quaint but moving epic. I've probably seen this movie ten times, but I'm not sure I've ever watched the whole thing straight through in one sitting.

6) A Christmas Story--I certainly resonated with young Peter Billingsley's quixotic quest for a Red Rider B.B. gun. A wonderful written and beautifully engaging movie.

7) National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation--(Sigh.) How can we explain this one to the children. Julie and I have watched this movie every year since we were married, usually with her siblings. Irreverent, crude, and absurdly funny.

8) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer--Wonderfulness. This movie was Christmas for much of my childhood.

9) Frosty the Snowman--Not on par with Rudolph, but a sign of Christmas in its own right.

10) Die Hard--What does this have to do with Christmas? Oh, right, the story takes place during Christmas. In Los Angeles. In a high rise. With bad guys and lots and lots of shooting.