Christmas Classics

So lately I've been watching a lot of Christmas movies, seeing as the holiday is coming up real soon.  And it has got me thinking about the classic movies.  People always think of The Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, and It's a Wonderful Life as the classic movies, and my family even has a tradition of watching some of these movies every year.  But what will our generation have to offer to the list of classic holiday entertainment?  Well there have definitely been a lot of Christmas movies over the past few years, but I don't really think that Christmas with the Kranks really deserves classic status.  So what does? Well I think I've come up with a list of Christmas movies I know I for one will be watching for years to come.

1) Elf.  Undoubtedly one of the cutest and best Christmas movies ever, Elf features Buddy the elf's struggle to fit in it New York City after spending his entire childhood in the North Pole believing he was an oversized elf.  Buddy has more Christmas spirit than anyone I've ever seen before, and his cheer makes me light up.  He makes me wish I could call a major corporation and I would be greeted with, "Buddy the elf, what's your favorite color?"  Throughout the movie Buddy attempts to make his father from whom he was separated at birth (who is on the naughty list) love him and embrace the Christmas season as a magical time, while also convincing everyone else that Christmas cheer is one of the most powerful things in the world.  It can even make Santa's sleigh fly.  My go-to holiday movie, and favorite comedy pick for the winter season is, without a doubt, Elf.

2) The Polar Express.  I grew up reading the originial picture book every year around Christmas time, and when a feature-length film came out I was excited beyond words.  Tom Hanks is the voice of six characters in the movie, including Santa Claus himself, making this movie a shoo in for classic status.  Although it deviates from the plot of the book (how could it not, it's based on a picture book), the movie is still fantastic.  It's filled with adventure from the moment the little boy decides to board the Polar Express.  The musical numbers throughout the movie highlight the characters overall cuteness and good qualities, and the movie is filled with an underlying suspense.  Whether I'm concerned about the poor little girl getting her ticket back, the train making it safely to its final destination of the North Pole, or the lonely boy finally getting a Christmas gift, I'm always at the edge of my seat waiting to see what will happen next. I love when the staff of the train sings about hot chocolate or the sweetest little girl and lonely boy singing "When Christmas Comes to Town".  The Polar Express makes Christmas feel like the most exciting time of the year, and all I really want is to find a train in front of my house on Christmas Eve.  To finish off the most enchanting Christmas movie I've ever seen, there is a sentimental bit at the end about the true believers of Christmas taken directly from the picture book.  I love the sincerity.  The Polar Express is a definite classic in my eyes.

3) How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  Another movie based on a children's book (by Dr. Suess also titled How the Grinch Stole Christmas) and embellished with details, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a classic holiday movie about the true meaning of Christmas.  Most of the movie takes place from Cindy Lou Who's point of view, following the life of the notorious Christmas hater, the Grinch.  From the beginning of the movie it's implied that we are to hate the Grinch, but little Cindy Lou Who learns about the Grinch's past and comes to pity him.  The Grinch hates Christmas so much that he dresses up as Santa and attempts to steal Christmas from Whoville at the bottom of the mountain, but even after stealing all the gifts he finds he cannot steal the joy from the little town.  Everyone gathers around in the square, happy to be together, and sings even though there are no gifts to enjoy.  The Grinch learns that Christmas isn't about material things, but about the spirit and love involved with the holiday.  In the end his heart grew three sizes, and the Grinch returns all thet presents to the Whos.  It's quite heartfelt.  Also a musical, How the Grinch Stole Christmas grabs your heart and makes you think about the real meaning of Christmas and really makes you thankful for everything, and will probably leave you singing "Fah who for-aze".  So How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a classic holiday movie I'll continue to watch every December. 

All of these classic movies make me optimistic that people will continue to produce quality Christmas movies I'll want to watch over and over again.  People still know how to make the Christmas spirit come to life on film, and I'll always have proof.