Christmas movies

It’s a lazy afternoon, it’s minus three outside and I’m loving a bit of Christmas movie binge watching while I am super excited to be back in Edinburgh for the holidays. No better moment to write about my favourite Christmas movies and share them with you, plus ‘Bedknobs and Broomsticks’ is playing in the background.

Angela’s Christmas

This animated movie is set in Limerick, Ireland, it has a beautiful story and pictures. Angela, the main character, is a witty kid determined to keep the local church baby Jesus warm. An original story with some lovely characters and Irish accent.

Score: 4/5

Klaus

An animated movie that stole my heart last year. The lazy son of the Royal Mail Manager is sent to a northern location to work as a posteman. Here he becomes a close friend to an older toymaker who lived isolated for years. This has become one of my fav Christmas movies as the pictures are beautiful and the story is different from the usual Santa’s cartoons.

Score: 5/5

Fantasia

Fantasia is a Disney music masterpiece released in 1940. A movie for everybody, with astonishing classical music accompanied by enchanting pictures for each music segment, and the famous Mickey impersonating a magician as well as so many extraordinary movies within the movie. A must watch.

Score: 5/5

Home Alone

The only movie I would be surprised anybody never heard of or watched. New York, Christmas, and a witty Macaulay Culkin fighting thieves while being left home alone by his parents.

Score: 5/5

The Elf

A human man who grew up with elves is on his way to the big city, New York, to meet his real dad. Dressed as an elf and a real Santa believer, he will put his dad in some awkward situations. A real laughing out loud kind of movie, I love it! This movie’s quotes will stuck with you forever.

Score: 5/5

The Grinch

Jim Carrey is the Grinch, who lives on the top of the town’s mountain, isolated and hating everything and everybody. Circumstances will change his mind eventually. Not my fav, but still a classic.

Score: 3/5

A Christmas Carol (Mickey Mouse)

This cartoon is the reason that prompted me to write this post as I was surprised of how many people I talked to, never watched or heard of the movie. The Mickey Mouse version is just one of the several versions taken after the classic Charles Dickens’ novel. This is one of the best childhood memories I have, and the movie remains one of my favourites. Last night we watched what must be the latest version of the dear Dickens’ novel, showing Will Farrell and Ryan Reynolds. ‘Spirited’ is the name of the novel new take. I’ll let you watch it and comment.

Score: 5/5

Love Actually

The Christmas movie for excellence. British, Christmassy, tons of good vibes, set in London, fantastic actors, touching relationships, Hugh Grant, what else. When I’ve watched Love Actually, I know Christmas has started.

Score: 10/5

The Holiday

Together with Love Actually, this movie embraces that Christmas feeling I long every year for. Two heartbroken girls decide to homeswap to get away from it all. It is in an idyllic English cottage and a Californian big mansion that they find love. Jude Law, Jack Black, Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz together for this other classic.

Score: 4/5

Bridget Jones

Aaw Bridget Jones, I love her! Awkward English woman in her thirties, drinking, smoking, and looking for her soulmate gaff after gaff. Who has not watched it?

Score: 5/5

Polar Express

On a snowy Christmas eve, a shy kid jumps aboard the Polar Express, a magic train look after by train officer impersonated by Tom Hanks. A total Christmas magical experience that make you feel like a child again.

Score: 4/5

Scrooge (1951)

A masterpiece movie showcasing Alastair Sim, Edinburgh-born actor known for his outstanding performances, impersonating Scrooge, the greedy main characther of Charles Dickens’ novel, a Christmas Carol. Scrooge is visited by three ghosts who show him his past, present and future as the greedy man he is. He then redeems himself when waking up from what seemed just like a terrible nightmare. I watched it this year for the first time and absolutely loved it. It’s a black and white movie, intense (I’m a sensitive soul I must admit), and definitely a more complete version than the Mickey Mouse one.

Score: 4/5

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

A heartwarming, beautiful musical with gorgeous colourful costumes telling the story of a toymaker who stopped making toys until his granddaughter brings back hope.

Score: 3/5

***edit, the day after.

Two hand-drawn animated movies I adore and forgot to mention are The Snowman and The Illusionist. I remembered of these two gems thanks to an advertisement poster I saw today while strolling around the city and really wanted to add them here.

I hope you enjoyed the read and I’m curious to read any comments in regard to Christmas movies.

Thanks for reading as always.

S.