Friday, December 12, 2003

It's about that time...

Here's Brent's Official Recommended Christmas Television Viewing Guide:

It's A Wonderful Life: Arguably one of the finest motion pictures ever made. And Jimmy Stewart didn't even win "best actor" at the Oscars (TM) that year. Best Moment: The walk home from the dance...the chemistry between Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed is amazing. He promised her the moon and she took it.

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas: Not the Jim Carrey live-action movie but rather the cartoon. Best Moment: When the Grinch is heading down the hill on the sled and his dog/reindeer winds up behind him and waves.

A Christmas Story: I saw an advertisement for the 20th anniversary version on DVD, so it is obvious that this movie stands the test of time. I was in high school working at the theatre when it was released and loved it even then. Best Moment: When the father "wins a major award" which is actually a leg/lamp and places it in the window, which Ralphie, in the narrative, refers to the "glow of electric sex" coming from their living room window. Runner up: The end seen with the waiters at the Chinese restaurant (after Bumphus' dogs next door wrecked the turkey) singing "Deck the Halls." (Fa ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra)

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Sometimes I think that the early criticisms of Charles Schultz's work are on target (rudimentary drawings, poor story telling, etc.) but there can be no question this cartoon is above all those things. Best Moment: Right after all the kids are seen dancing to Schroeder's piano playing during rehearsal and ignoring the director's request to get on with the practice, Linus quotes from Luke 2 and defines the real meaning of Christmas. Americans should all take notes upon which they write: Focus on the Shepherds, not the Wise Men.

See them all...But pace yourselves, kids. Don't O.D. on them all at once, okay?

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