THE "BEST" CHRISTMAS MOVIES REVIEWED

For the holiday season I decided to review the top Christmas flicks of all time according to Entertainment Today, mainly from the viewpoint of the underlying moral of each. Of the top 20, these (given in descending order) are the only ones I have actually seen or remember anything about. I find it interesting that these movies represent all sorts of different genres from rom-com to action to cartoon to horror. The bottom line is that a good Christmas movie does not necessarily translate to a good Christian movie.

It's a Wonderful Life

This is listed as #1 on the list, but for the life of me I can't see why. Except for a few minutes at the start and end of the movie, it is one of the most downbeat stories you can imagine. The intended moral seems to be that if we just all put a little more trust in the goodness of one another, everything will work out alright in the end. Not exactly a biblical principle. Whatever was intended, the only real moral I could detect is that you shouldn't trust a drunken relative with money. Also, God could have done a little better job in choosing an angel for an important job. My wife and I agree that this is one movie we will never watch again.

A Christmas Story

I must admit that this is one of my guilty pleasures to watch, and it is one of my son-in-law's favorite movie. But the only morals one could possibly get out of it are (1) don't play with guns or you will shoot your eye out and (2) don't choose the time when you are playing baby Jesus in a Christmas play to satisfy your sexual curiosity.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

This is the only movie on the whole list which could be called in any meaningful way a true Christmas movie. Linus reciting the Christmas story right out of Luke's Gospel remains the heart of the whole story and puts all the glitz and commercialization of the holiday back in its place. When my wife and I were first married and didn't have a lot of surplus cash, we even went out on Christmas Eve once and
“adopted” one of the only remaining Christmas trees on the lot – practically a duplicate of the Charlie Brown tree, shedding needles and all.

Elf

This is really a charming and heart-warming movie with the ever-popular theme of a hardened person turning his life around at Christmas time. And Will Farrell is perfect as the naïve and overgrown “elf.” But one would have to look hard for a biblical theme appropriate to the season.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Another perennial Christmas story in which the bad guy suddenly repents on Christmas Day. In this case, his change of mind is apparently brought about by the sight of the Who's of Whoville jopyfully singing some incomprehensible lyrics even though their presents have all been stolen from them. And then the Grinch's heart grows to abnormal size as he struggles to save his own dog, which he has been unmercifully treating up to that time. So once again, love conquers all at Christmas Day, even if it is left a bit vague as to whom that love is properly directed.

Bad Santa

The less said concerning this disaster of a “Christmas” movie the better.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

For the most part, this movie stays rather close to the original Dickens' story, and Michael Caine does a masterful acting job considering that most of his co-stars are Muppets. I didn't quite buy Gonzo in the role as the author Dickens, but he and his rat accomplice do offer a lot of comedy relief. As with the original, the underlying moral appears to be that love and good will conquer all, especially after you have scared the main character half to death with ghostly visitors all night long. And apparently, Scrooge becomes so good-hearted after his transformation that he is willing to give a large check to the charity that has been taking care of the many people Scrooge kicked out of their homes when they were overdue on their exorbitant payments. What a prince!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

The moral of this perennial favorite is that you shouldn't pick on someone who looks different from you or has a disfiguring birth defect. He may end up being your leader at work one day.

Home Alone

I will admit that I enjoyed this movie for its “male humor” although a little of Macaulay Culkin goes a long way. However, the villains are great enough to make up for this deficit. The message of the movie is that if you find yourself in an unloving family who has deserted you on Christmas, the best way to get even with all adults is to torture and maim any of them who come into your clutches.

Trading Places

It is a real stretch to consider this a Christmas flick other than one brief scene in which a Santa costume is featured. But if you like revenge movies, this is a good one with the heroes getting even with two utterly despicable old men by becoming even more devious than they are. So much for a Christmas message.

White Christmas

Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye are paired up with two female singers for a sentimental story about some GI's helping their old commander who is unsuccessfully attempting to start up a vacation hotel in the mountains. Fortunately, the plot doesn't really get in the way of some good singing and dancing. As for the moral, it is rather a wishy-washy one of one good turn deserving another.

Miracle on 34^th Street

I would have to rank this one as second just after “A Charlie Brown Christmas” as a truly Christmas movie, as long as one translates the concept of believing in Santa Claus into the idea of believing in the divinity of Christ. With that shift in perspective, it is a great Christian example in several ways. First, it shows how traumatic circumstances in some people's lives can easily lead to a loss of faith and turn one bitter and cynical. And how that attitude can easily rub off on one's children.

In addition, it is useful in revealing the different manner in which various classes of people come or don't come to faith. The hero is naturally optimistic and good-natured, and so has no trouble accepting the truth of something which appears to be unbelievable to others. A judge and attorney only accept the truth of the unbelievable when it suits their political purposes. And a doubting Thomas such as the heroine is only convinced when she can see the proof with her own eyes.

Besides, Edwin Gwynn is great as usual, in the central role of Kris Kringle himself.

Die Hard

O.K. Now we come to the bottom of the pack in terms of the true Christmas spirit, even though it is a fantastic movie. But then, I am a sucker for anything Bruce Willis is in. I guess the moral of this story is never say die and never run out of bullets.

Gremlins

Even the horror genre finds its way into the most popular list. It is a well made and entertaining movie to watch even if Christmas time may not be the most appropriate time to do so. The best scene is set to the the tune of the Christmas classic “Do You See What I See?” I am afraid that once you see it, that wonderful carol will never have the same meaning for you. No expects much of a moral out of such movies, but if there is one it is: When confronted by intruders in your house, head immediately to the kitchen, which is simply loaded with useful weapons you can defend yourself with. And don't forget the microwave oven!

Christmas in Connecticut

This movie did not make it to the top 20 on any official list, but since I just saw it again a few days ago I will throw it in for good measure. Barbara Stanwyck portrays a popular writer of homey family recipes in a woman's journal who also writes about her perfect husband and baby and their life on the farm. The problem is that she is unmarried, no child, lives in a city apartment, and can't cook. But she gets roped into hosting and cooking Christmas dinner at her non-existent farm for the rich owner of the company who owns her magazine.

The problems multiply when a wounded veteran is also invited to the get-together and she falls in love with him at first sight to the chagrin of her fiancee, who owns the farm she has to borrow for the occasion and has to pose as her husband and father of her child (also borrowed for the occasion).

It is a lot of silly fun with enough plot for two or three movies, but when all is said and done, there is really only one message that is conveyed: If you are clever and devious enough and are a good enough liar, you will end up with the right man and even get a raise from your boss.