True Holiday Films

Everyone loves a good Christmas movie, but what is it that sets the good ones apart from all the others out there? When you think about holiday films what comes to mind? Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, or Santa Baby 2? (side note: part 2 is as terrible as part 1 and an equal waste of time)

I love the classics. They are classic for just that reason; you can watch them every year and not be tired of them. Charlie Brown's Christmas is a favorite because when it was made it was revolutionary. Children doing cartoon voice overs were a rare thing and for them to be in a television special was something unusual. The stop animation films are chock full of character due to the fact that they are chock full of characters. Who could forget the Charlie in a box or the Winter Warlock or even the background personality of Joshua the camel from The Little Drummer Boy shining into the forefront? These short films have become as much apart of our holiday celebrations and traditions as decorating the tree or fruitcake.

Let us not forget to recognize the newer Christmas favorites such as A Christmas Story, Edward Scissorhands, Muppet Christmas Carol, The Nightmare Before Christmas, or Elf. These movies have also become classics in their own right. Tim Allen's Santa Clause 3? Not so much.

This holiday season I know it can be easy to turn to Lifetime for a horribly crafted drama centered around a holiday. Before you go down that road, ask yourself "will I want my kids to enjoy this for generations?" If the answer is no, I encourage you to change the channel or perhaps pop in that old VHS tape of Frosty The Snowman you recorded ten years ago. You hung on to that VCR for something.