When it is time for holiday movies, and it is right now, you can’t go wrong with two of my favorites. One is very old and a must see if you’ve never seen it before. The other is only a couple years old but as holiday classics go I highly recommend it.
The first is of course is “It’s a Wonderful Life,” made in 1946. Jimmy Stewart’s personal favorite film you can watch it over and over and really never miss a beat. It’s long, perhaps too long for today’s audience, but you can’t help but shed a tear when the final bell rings and the angel Clarence gets his wings.
This film starred Stewart, Donna Reed as lovely as she ever was, Ward Bond and a host of other unforgettable characters who live on forever. It’s a Wonderful Life never gets hokey and the good folks of Bedford Falls never tire of bringing you joy.
If you have never seen it, draw up a chair and watch it with a friend, or by yourself. You won’t regret it. Watching it with a friend is preferable because remember this; it is Christmas.
The second film I cherish mainly because it is the most upbeat and loveable lark of a holiday film I’ve ever seen. “Love Actually” stars just about every modern day British actor of note from Hugh Grant to Alan Rickman to Emma Thompson to Colin Firth. Liam Neeson even has a role as a single dad and Keira Knightly is also along for the ride. Billy Bob Thornton, believe it or not, has a small role as a lecherous US President, huh huh.
This film has its down moments but they are just about all uplifted and brought back to life throughout the picture, and the music is wonderful. The travel scenes are cool and it is just a wonderful holiday flick. It is one of those films when you walk in on the middle, you stay to the end. The scenes featuring Firth going to find his one true love, Sienna Guillory, to propose are particularly touching and extremely funny. And everybody is extremely pleasant to watch for one reason or another.
A new holiday classic this is one that is truly a date night film for just sitting by the fire and popping in the DVD with your best love. Actually. Both of them are.
Enjoy and happy holidays! |
