We’ve received two Christmas movies to watch recently and neither of them have gone down well in our house. Contrary to popular opinion and movie reviewers everywhere we didn’t like It’s A Wonderful Life. Cue readers throwing their arms up in the air and shouting at their screens. Sorry, I know it’s considered a timeless classic, a heart-warming masterpiece and one that has just celebrated its 65th anniversary release. It has also been nominated for five Academy Awards and voted the most inspirational film of all time, but it just didn’t do it for me.
In my defence, it’s all a matter of personal taste. I like films to be modern, funny, light-hearted and something we can watch as a family. I found It’s a Wonderful Life far too dated, even though I watched the new colourised version, and one that IJ simply wasn’t interested in watching.
A more modern film we received was A Christmas Princess starring Sir Roger Moore and Katie McGrath, although that didn’t really do it for us either. It was very watchable, but just the once. The plot was a little complicated for IJ to follow, and I felt it was very slow in parts. It also lacked that happy, smiley Christmas feeling right up until the very end when of course the main character finds her prince and they all live happily ever after. But it’s set in a cold a rather dreary British castle and overall we found the film a little grey.
We have had a lot more success with Marley and Me: The Puppy Years. Although not exactly a Christmas movie, it has been released in time for Christmas. IJ loved it and it would certainly make a good present and you don’t necessarily have to be a huge dog lover to enjoy it.
It’s the prequel to the original movie starring Jennifer Anison and Owen Wilson Marley and Me and tells the story of Bodi who enters Marley in the Ultimate Puppy Championship. After weeks of training and hard work, Marley and his team the ‘Ragga Rascals’ are readyto take on their competitors, which include a group of pigs, a camp of Australian cattle dogs and a group of intimidating Doberman pinchers. Although Certificate U, there is one dog scene that younger children might find a little scary, where the Dobermans threaten Marley and his friends, but apart from that IJ loved the whole film.
So after watching two Christmas films that we simply didn’t rate, I found myself wondering what the ingredients were for a great Christmas movie, and did what anyone would do in these circumstances – I asked Twitter. Here are the results:
@nurturestore: Snow and a happy ending.
@ vwallop: It’s got to be suitable for all ages, anything with slapstick humour is good for littlies, and something more subtle for adults too.
@swhittle: It's got to be sentimental, funny and not take itself too seriously, in my book.
@PippaD: Any film can be a great Christmas movie it depends on who you watch it with and when in life.
@OnlyDads: In our house Polar Express has everything. The girls just love it. It’s perfect for a Christmas evening on the sofa.
@treasuretoad: Something all the family can watch together, that has the Xmas spirit, feel good factor, snow, and a happy ending.
@essexwriter: It's that thing that gets the whole family interested, humour, innocence, a new take on the idea.
So this year we’re sticking with the modern, feel good factor films that we know and love: The Polar Express, Nativity and Elf.
Are there any others you would add to our list? What do you think makes a great Christmas movie?
Love Christmas films. My favourite is Miracle on 34th Street and Home Alone, not forgetting Scroged.
Posted by: Susan Mann | December 19, 2011 at 01:06 PM
Thanks Susan. We don't have any of those films. *rushes off to buy*
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | December 19, 2011 at 01:17 PM
Muppets Christmas Carol!!! Brilliant! Saw it the other day after....It's a Wonderful Life. The original, black and white and sorry, but have to disagree with you about it being dated. We have a Potter Government in at the moment, people are killing themselves left right and centre and next year, with cuts abounding, watch how many people lose their homes (if the right wing press bother reporting it). I wouldn't think my son would like it, admittedly, but the message within it, and a Christmas carol..well, very topical if only the wealthy would take it on board...
Posted by: Stigmum | December 19, 2011 at 04:08 PM
I agree, Stigmum. The economy is in a dreadful state. Many of us are struggling now and will face further challenges next year. But I still don't like the film.
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | December 20, 2011 at 01:00 PM
Miracle on 24th Street for the family, and The Holiday or Love Actually for Christmas Eve couples over the last vestiges of wrapping - can't wait!
Posted by: Actually mummy... | December 20, 2011 at 06:04 PM
I'm SO glad to have found someone who doesn't like "It's a Wonderful Life". I found it boring, slow-moving, and a bit smug. I'm probably the only person on this side of the Atlantic who has only ever watched it once.
I love "Elf". I laugh out loud - but I guess you have to be in the right mood. I think "Polar Express" is potentially a bit scary for small children. Yes, "Home Alone" is good fun. Does IJ like the "Buddies" series? If so, there's always "Santa Buddies", which my daughter loves (and I fall asleep in - but a nap movie is sometimes what you need).
Happy Christmas, Rosie. Glad I got to meet you this year.
Posted by: Iota | December 24, 2011 at 04:25 PM