It might seem a bit contradictory to write a holiday themed post centered on angry movie rants but I think you’ll agree.
CHRISTMAS VACATION
Clark Griswold’s rant is among the best angry rants of all time and certainly the best Christmas rant. Clark dreams of building a pool for his family using his annual Christmas bonus. The anger that ensues when he opens his 1 Year Jelly of the Month Club Membership is absolutely hilarious.
A classic Christmas movie moment. Here’s a transcript I found online courtesy of IMDB:
Hey! If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I’d like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey shit he is! Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where’s the Tylenol?
Each and every year, I look forward to watching those precious Christmas classics that have become traditions in my family.
Everyone has a favorite. A holiday movie we ONLY watch one a year. A film you simply can’t miss as Christmas approaches.
It differs from person to person but we all hold certain films close to our hearts. Movies shared with family and friends. Movies that embody the Christmas spirit.
Christmas classics are a perfect example of how films can become a treasured part of a family.
Here are 10 of my personal favorites:
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
I remember looking in the TV guide for the Christmas Specials every year. Shows like Charlie Brown, Garfield and Frosty the Snowman. Yet Rudolph stands out as the one I loved the most growing up. Creepy animation or not, it’s a cherished tradition in my house.
A Christmas Story
I have a confession. I have never seen this movie before. When I was talking with some co-workers about this issue, I was on the receiving end of some pretty bad insults about my taste in movies. Why did the film make this list? Enough people I spoke with considered it amongst the all time classics. It’s now on my must see list. Mostly so I can avoid a similar roasting next year but also because if it’s a classic, I need to see it.
The Santa Claus
This is plain and simply an entertaining movie.
Home Alone
If I had to describe this movie using only 1 word it would by fun. This movie is on the list for anyone who has every placed both hands on their cheeks and screamed. We’ve all done it. Admit it… Lets move on.
Elf
Was there really any doubt that a Christmas movie starring Will Farrell as an elf wouldn’t be on this list? I rest my case.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
This film gets the 10 Flicks award for catchy tunes.
“It’s in the singing of a street corner choir, it’s going home and getting warm by the fire. It’s true wherever you find love, it feels like Christmas…”
Don’t act like you haven’t seen this movie and never caught yourself humming that tune.
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
How can you make a list of classics and leave The Grinch out? There was some debate on whether or not to include the cartoon or the Jim Carrey version. I think everyone eventually agreed that the cartoon has been with us far longer and deserves to be on the list.
A Muppet Family Christmas
I have another 10 Flicks award to give out. This yearly tradition gets the award for program everyone loves but can never find on TV or DVD. I’ve gotta find a copy of this.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol
One of the greats. It really is one of the best Christmas cartoons of all time and certainly one of the best Dickens adaptations we’ve ever seen.
Rainy Sundays was one of the first features I created for this blog.
It was about appreciated those lazy days when you put on your favorite movies and escape.
Who doesn’t love a good Sunday afternoon indoors watching movies?
Personally, my ideal Rainy Sunday includes a good drama, a comforter, a massive sandwich or pizza and some form of candy. It’s even better when there’s enough time to sneak in a double feature.
What movies do you love to watch on rainy days?
After more than 30 picks, I’ve decided to move on so this will be the FINAL Rainy Sunday post.
Below you’ll find the complete Rainy Sunday Series.
Perhaps, I’ll resurrect the feature someday but I think I’ve made my point. There’s nothing like a good movie on a lazy day.
With the holidays around the corner, there really wasn’t another option for this week’s Rainy Sundays pick: Christmas Vacation.
National Lampoon’s classic is a tradition in millions of homes around the world. Just last week, AMC ran a week long marathon of double features. Let me explain that in detail. During primetime hours, this network ran Christmas Vacation back to back for a week! They get it. I’d love to see the ratings they achieved that week.
A friend of mine at work brought the marathon to my attention and we started quoting the movie like the characters were friends of ours. To many people, they really are friends. We grew up with the Griswolds. As our conversation about the movie continued, more people joined in to talk about their favorite scenes and traditions. It’s a Christmas phenomenon and easily my favorite Christmas movie of all time.
Here is where the debate begins. Some people might disagree and name a different film they feel is the best christmas movie of all time. My point in this case is that regardless of what movie is your favorite, it’s the tradition that’s important. You may not put on Christmas Vacation every year but you probably watch something. The Santa Claus? It’s A Wonderful Life? Starship Troopers?
I love the holidays. It’s nothing but family, meals and laughter and for two hours once a year, Christmas Vacation provides those laughs.
This week’s Rainy Sunday pick is a no brainer, Christmas Vacation.
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