Is it a bit early?
I've moaned for years that the advertising & lights show up earlier with each passing year but I've decided to embrace it this year.

I am a BIG (HUGE) MOVIE Fan (of all types)

So with my FAVOURITE Time of the YEAR just around the CORNER (oh alright then & a little around the corner after that ) i figured I would list MY FAVOURITE TOP 10 CHRISTMASY Movies (these are movies that involve Christmas)

This was brought about by reading Rotten Tomatoes TOP 25 List here which SURPRISED ME with SO MANY of my favourites either missing or well down this list, I could ONLY agree with the NUMBER 1 SPOT.

editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-...p=TWRT_Top_Xmas_1112

So starting at 10 down to 6

10) WHITE CHRISTMAS...No 25!!!! on Rotten Tomatoes....REALLY??? it's old fashioned to be sure but it's kind of why I like it, well that, the brilliant chemistry (i'm a fan of DANNY KAYE) & the WONDERFUL Music Numbers & I'm not really a MUSCIAL FAN but it's a nice story too...We'll FOLLOW the Old Man wherever he wants to GO...Delightful, Introduce it to a NEW Younger Generation.


9) GREMLINS
The 1980's were AMAZING for MOVIES & even when SPIELBERG was not directing them he was producing them & this is a DARK but FUNNY film, SET during Christmas, we get the father looking for something a little more unusual & quirky for his son...he certainly gets it!
We have the lights, the tree, the Christmas background in general but we also get GIZMO
This rated only 20 on tomatoes!


MIRACLE on 34th STREET.
I CAN NOT BELIEVE that this did not even make the 25!!! WHAT!!!
It's probably an ERA thing? I've seen the original 1947 B/W movie with a young NATALIE WOOD, it's charming but just not for me, this is catapulted by the two performances of MARA WILSON (adorable) & an enchanting one by Richard Attenborough.


7) SCROOGED
I am a huge fan of Bill Murray (Ghostbusters, Caddyshack, Stripes & Groundhog Day are BIG favourites of mine as well as this)
Like Gremlins it's a little DARKER than your usual Christmas take of the DICKENS tale.
It also stars the delightful KAREN ALLEN (Raiders of the Lost Ark & Starman 1980's films so as a teenager she was a sight to behold)


And Finally & ONLY just Missing out on one of my TOP 5 Spots is...

6) THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL
Who would have thought a MUPPET movie could be THIS GOOD, it's actually quiet EMOTIONAL & has plenty of ATMOSPHERE.
Michael Caine is another of my favourites (And NOT A LOTTA PEOPLE KNOW THAT one for the UK readers there!)
Again, did not make it into the TOP 25!!! it's a strange top 25 in my eyes!


BACK TOMORROW with My Top 5...SEE YA THEN...

And here's my AD BREAK...I think you'll like it & the QUALITY is LOVELY...

ENJOY



Now that's one dapper SNOWMAN

MY TOP 5 CHRISTMAS(Y) Films ARE...

5) THE POLAR EXPRESS
I know some don't like this? the story is slight but charming but it's the MOTION CAPTURE that many don't like (and to be honest upon first seeing this I agreed with them, it's a little weird) but over the years I have now seen this about 5 or 6 times & for me it gets BETTER with each passing viewing!
You get used to this offbeat early motion caption animation & enjoy Tom Hanks ticket conductor & the kids adventure on a train to SANTA's HOME.
But the real reason I love it is that it reminds me of childhood memories & when you work in the 3D version blown on up on to a screen measuring some 150 inches wide it ACTUALLY FEELS like your TAKING THE TRIP WITH THEM & that is Thrilling!


4) NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION.
Charming, Funny, Nice, Thrilling (car vs truck BEGINNING) Amusing, NOSTALGIC & yes even MORAL, it's everything a GOOD CHRISTMAS FILM should be.
Doesn't even show up in the 25!!! unless I somehow missed it? NOPE don't think so, CRAZY!
Great SOUNDTRACK too...bit Christmasy
"I Pledge allegiance to the Flag"


3) ELF
SANTA!!!
Great cast, enchanting, a big grown up kid brought up by ELVES heads back to the real world looking for his father.
WILL FERREL is amazing here! a role tailor made for him.
JAMES CAAN is a tough guy who I loved in 'ROLLERBALL'
ZOOEY DEDCHANEL is CUTE & DARLING...take the hand of your loved one & run down the street as they do here
I LOVE IT! RottenTomatoes Rated down in 19th!!!


2) A CHRISTMAS STORY
In America this is huge...they ADORE IT...perhaps it's an AMERICAN THING? but I don't think so.
You would not believe the amount of things throughout this film that pretty much happened to me & my family as a young child which is probably why I hold it DEAR to MY HEART.
Each & every person involved in this movie should be rightly proud...it's HUMAN NATURE seen at it's most FUN & BEST.
Utterly CHARMING, VERY FUNNY & Wonderfully Old Fashioned.


And at

No 1) IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
I have loved Jimmy (JAMES) Stewart since I was a young child & the more I heard & read about him the MORE I LIKED HIM.
An actor but so much more, a THROUGHLY decent HUMAN BEING & WAR HERO...the poem to his DOG (on various chat shows is both wonderful & heartbreaking) I LOVE THE MAN...a shining beacon of HUMANITY.
The CAST is PERFECT...I am in LOVE with DONNA REED & her CHARACTER here, beautiful, nice, the WIFE every man DREAMS OF.
Henry Travers as CLARENCE the ANGEL is pure perfection with WIT to SPARE, his talks back up to the folks up there are ENDEARING.

It really is a WONDERFUL MOVIE a pleasant movie & an EMOTIONAL one (it gets me EVERYTIME...I really can't help myself)

THIS is HOW I DREAM 'ALL' HUMAN BEINGS will become one day which is basically just NICE PEOPLE (DIFFERENT but nice) FOLKS TREAT PEOPLE the WAY they hope to be TREATED or in the CASE of GEORGE BAILEY even if they are NOT & are treated BADLY....

I do love the scene with Mr Gower with George as a young child given a prescription that Gower fills out wrong & gets hit for, it's emotional impact gets me EVERYTIME but there are plenty of such moments throughout this film BUT IT HAS A 'DARK SIDE' that helps it become one of the BEST FILMS EVER MADE...I rate it a PERFECT 10...and with this dark side comes a TERRIFIC VILLIAN in the form of MR POTTER (BOO BOO) he is smarmy, sneaky (poor Uncle Billy) but in the end it's the family unit.

Sometimes you just don't know what you've got! and most of us have got it GOOD...look around you, like GEORGE BAILEY you want better, we had dreams (unfulfilled) but what HE & I dare say WE don't realise is that for the most part it really is A WONDERFUL LIFE.



NOT just My favourite Christmas Time Movie BUT RATES very highly up in MY FAVOURITE MOVIES of ALL-TIME.

Next Up...MY TOP 10 CHRISTMAS FILMS that are not so much set during Christmas Time (although a few are) but one's that are TRADITIONALLY Great Viewing during this time.

BACK SOON

MY TOP 10 (OTHER) Films I LOVE to WATCH at CHRISTMAS.

In GREAT BRITAIN many of these are a TRADITION now...I LOVE Every One of Them!

10) THE SOUND of MUSIC
I am but a SOFTIE at HEART...it's a beautiful film with GREAT MUSICAL Numbers & of course JULIE ANDREWS (WHAT a WOMAN!!!)


9) MARY POPPINS
I just LOVE the FUN & FANTASY LAND Setting here & JULIE ANDREWS (WHAT a WOMAN!!! a BRITISH Movie Legend!)


ALADDIN
A truly BEAUTIFUL LOOKING Film that's lots of FUN & with GREAT MUSICAL Numbers (for someone that is NOT really a musicals fan I am listing enough of them...but CHRISTMAS is PERFECT for this kind of film)
The Great Robin Williams voices THE GENE like no one else could do!


7) SOME LIKE IT HOT
I do NOT like Men dressing as Women...there i've said it, just my own point of view (if you do or even IF YOU DO ) then no worries but I don't & yet this is a favourite of mine!
It is probably the only film I can stand in which they do so & that's probably down to the plot (it's needed) & these guys (CURTIS & LEMMON) who are a JOY even as women, it probably helps that the film is in BLACK & WHITE...it helps I think.
A WONDEFUL FILM.


6) WHERE EAGLES DARE
Yes I realise this is a strange film for CHRISTMAS Viewing but here's why...
Back in the late 70's? possibly early 1980's? I was but a child & my father looked through the Christmas Edition of the RADIO TIMES and noticed that both 2001 & WHERE EAGLES DARE were airing during Christmas...having never seen them he told me to watch them & I became a FAN of each upon viewing them (2001 not really a Christmas film & I watch this often but WED brings back memories of seeing it for the 1st time at Christmas)
I have no doubt that will happen to other children this Christmas, who will see a film for the 1st time & LOVE IT & will remember seeing it during Christmas with the TREE lit up in the Corner.
BURTON & CLINT EASTWOOD (of whom I am a HUGE Fan) just watch EASTWOOD at the top of the stairs machine gun in hand casually facing the other way as the NAZI's head up the spiral staircase...he simply sweeps around gunning them down...TAKE THAT....you NASTY NAZI's.
Plenty to enjoy here including the FINAL REVEAL...
"Do I have a choice?" to which BURTON replies "If you WANT it" or something close to this (it's actually a good few years since I watched it at Christmas...must do so this!) this BOYS OWN STUFF & it's BRILLIANT with a GREAT SOUNDTRACK...can hear those drums now.


BACK with MY TOP 5 (Other) CHRISTMAS FILMS Tomorrow

ANOTHER AD BREAK...COMING SOON...CHRISTMAS 2018

Will it be as GOOD?

At least it is NOT a REMAKE but rather a CONTINUATION...that to me gives this a GOOD CHANCE & I like the lady in the lead role.

She seems well SUITED wouldn't you say ?

I'm OFF to FLY A KITE

And so to my TOP 5 (OTHER) MOVIES I love to WATCH around CHRISTMAS TIME...

5) HARRY POTTER (this is a bit of a CHEAT as it's NOT 1 film in the series...I kinda LOVE them ALL)
I have ALWAYS loved STRANGENESS, FANTASY, ALIENS (no NEVER Chris!!! who'd have thought ) & MAGIC & Harry & his Chums are simply WONDERFUL, a terrific series of films (IF? you like these you'll also LOVE "Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find them" PERFECT for CHRISTMAS!)
So here is the TRAILER for the FINAL PART of DEATHLY HALLOWS but one in which we see CLIPS from other films in the series.
I do MISS not seeing a new HARRY POTTER film...WHO doesn't LOVE these?


4) THE GREAT ESCAPE
I will be SHOCKED if this does not air on one of the MAIN CHANNELS this CHRISTMAS.
You would think we'd tire of it? but we BRITS don't, it's a STAPLE CHRISTMAS Film & it's GLOURIOUS!!!
I love EVERYONE in it...I am a HUGE Steve McQUEEN & JAMES GARNER fan but seriously have you seen the CAST??? Wow!
Based on an actual real story! GOOD ON YA FELLA's.

Many SUPER MOMENTS to pick out but it will be MCQUEEN's Attempted Motor Cycle Escape that MOST remember...and so here it is
My father had a Motor Cycle, I LOVED Motor Cycles & I visited BELLE VUE Speedway regularly but unfortunately whilst still at this young age a close neighbour lost his life...my mother pleaded with me NEVER to HAVE a Motor Cycle & to PROMISE Her, even now getting closer to 50!!! I gave that promise & shall FOREVER KEEP IT but I live my DREAMS of such things through MOMENTS LIKE THIS...


3) DIE HARD
It's set during Christmas!!!
It is ONE of (if not THE) BEST Action FILMS ever made with an almost unknown actor in the lead role (I think he'd only done MOONLIGHTING on TV up to this point) BRUCE WILLIS is BRILLIANT here!!! wisecracking his way to SAVING THE DAY.
Thrown in ALAN RICKMAN as the BRITISH BADDIE (you won't find too many better VILLIANS than our sadly departed ALAN here) who plays it with WONDERFUL panache.
Order a Pizza
Yippee Kayee here is the TRAILER, it's a FELLA's MOVIE to be sure...


2) THE WIZARD of OZ
Saw it when I was young child (memories are formed as a child which is why I HOPE the kids out there get shown something GREAT this CHRISTMAS on whatever platform...Cinema, on Blu-Ray, Download, SKY SELECT or on TV) as I did the original 1933 B/W 'King Kong' & the LOVE for it has never left me.
It's a rather simple film but WITH a BRAIN, HEART & some COURAGE
I shall NEVER tire of it.


WHAT COULD IT BE at NUMBER 1 ???

Well again it is something I saw as a child aged about 9 & it again had an effect on me & I try to watch it EVERY SINGLE CHRISTMAS...

It's uplifting, optimistic & magical & is something I hope to live long enough to see for myself...it is...

1) CLOSE ENCOUNTERS of THE THIRD KIND.
I wouldn't mind becoming the real life Roy Neary (RICHARD DREYFUSS's character) daunting though it would be i think i would TAKE THAT TRIP....

I am so VERY CURIOUS & I still smile at the SCIENTISTS / PROFESSORS & other EXPERTS who TODAY still turn out very unintelligent excuses for WHY thee are NO SUCH THINGS OUT THERE.
If they are proven correct i shall BOW DOWN to THEM..."THEY ARE NOT CORRECT" they ae right above your head...just look up (you may not see them but they are UP THERE)
What for some REASON these intelligent folks don't seem to be able to grapple with is that surely there are NUMEROUS Ancient ALIEN Civilizations out there & MANY DID SURVIVE the dangerous ERA TIME ZONE (we are currently existing within...I HOPE WE MAKE IT OUT in TACT?) some probably didn't even need too?
And they have been around for many THOUSANDS of YEARS, perhaps hundreds of thousands of years OR even MILLIONS of YEARS so WHEREVER they are FROM? and some of them may well NOT even come from OUR OWN GALAXY, some might NOT even come from OUR OWN UNIVERSE (think about that for awhile?) but seriously if THEY are THAT OLD?
YOU don't think that at least ONE of these ALIEN SPECIES over MILLIONS of YEARS haven't already been ALL AROUND HERE??? & know of us?

OF COURSE they DO & the GOVERNMENTS of the WORLD (which one's you might ask? the PUBLIC FACE of GOVERNMENT we know & see & vote for? or the DARK GOVERNMENT's of PLANET EARTH? that are a LAW unto themselves?) well you might well ask? but whichever it is...THEY KNOW but ARE NOT TELLING...the SECRETS OUT THERE are HUGE!

MOST OF us WOULD LIKE THE TRUTH...GOOD or BAD...but your not getting either! that to me is CURIOUS.

Well you can see how much this SUBJECT interests me...IT WILL EVENTUALLY OCCUPY the MINDS of EVERY LIVING HUMAN BEING, i hope for GOOD.
Forget the wonderful films like "INDEPENDENCE DAY" & "MARS ATTACKS!" Entertaining though they are i do hope & expect these CREATURES to be much MORE like this film here (CLOSE ENCOUNTERS) i see NO REASON why a HIGHLY ADVANCED Alien Civilization WOULD WANT to KILL, DESTROY or UPSET US...we get enough of that from OUR OWN (SAD) KIND.

Should THIS DAY ever come about...it should OPEN DOORS to things & places we can hardly imagine, just learning about ONE of these SPECIES would be interesting but if there are as many out there as has been suggested then we'll have our work cut out for us...and i for one would DEARLY LOVE to LEARN ABOUT THEM....CLOSE ENCOUNTERS is a Brilliantly directed SPIELBERG film with the ENDING at DEVIL's MOUNTAIN something imprinted in MY BRAIN from those early cinema visits.

OH & if you have the SPECIAL EDITION you'll get the BONUS of 3 VERSIONS...a shorter version (saw that last time) the SPECIAL EDITION version (one in which we see ROY enter the huge DEVILS MOUNTAIN Spacecraft) i'll watch this version this year! and a 3rd version a SPECIAL TV CUT with various scenes from both of these...NEVER SEEN THIS ONE YET! that's for another YEAR.

IT GIVES ME HOPE & i DO WISH UPON a STAR



I WATCHED it LAST CHRISTMAS (hey that's a good title for a SONG!) & i shall DO SO again on BLU RAY projected up onto a Screen (OK specially painted wall) approx. 150 inches across & it will HOLD MY ATTENTION from start to finish.

KEEP WATCHING THE SKIES