One of the great things about the holiday season is that after Thanksgiving every channel is scrambling to fill their timeslots with as much Christmas as possible. TV Land is showing the holiday episodes of every show they air, ABC Family started early with a Countdown to the 25 Days of Christmas Countdown, I think Fa-la-la-la-Lifetime is still happening, even Spike is getting in on the action by playing all three Jaws movies on Christmas Eve (not quite sure how that relates, but it's Spike). While I won't be watching Jaws 2 on repeat, I will be watching the score of other holiday movies that will be on. These are my top 5 modern holiday films that I can't wait to watch in syndication.
Can you believe this movie has been around for over 10 years now??? It's probably one of the oldest on my modern movies list, come to think of it. We all loved the animated classic of this story, but putting Jim Carrey in a ridiculous green costume took it to a whole new level. Not to mention the adorable Cindy-Lou Who and the wonderful song "Where Are You, Christmas?" - it's no wonder this is becoming a holiday staple.
This movie is full of wonderful actors, a fairly believable plot (as far as Christmas movies are considered), and a whole lot of charm. You've got the single dad with two little girls, the charming elderly gentleman next door, and Jack Black being his hilarious self. Compared to other holiday movies it doesn't touch on Christmas much but happens to take place over a holiday. I always enjoy watching it.
If you can name a popular British actor, chances are they are in this film. Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman - not to mention American actors like Claudia Schiffer, Billy Bob Thorton, January Jones, Laura Linney, and Kiera Knightly. There are about 6 different intertwining plots all happening at the same time (some better than others) but somehow you manage to follow all of them and have a really great time doing so. I have a feeling this is what inspired Hollywood to create the new star-filled New Year's Eve (which is suspiciously similar to Valentine's Day...)
I owe my fondness of this movie to my college roommates. We watched it a lot, even when it wasn't Christmas. It stars Ryan Reynolds as an awkward kid who was made fun of in high school and goes on to be a music mogul in California. Stir in a high school sweetheart, a weird family, and Ana Ferris as a crazy Britney Spears-like pop diva and you can pretty much guarantee a fun movie. Actually this movie drives a lot of people I know crazy, but I love it anyway.
1. Elf (2003)
You really can't get much more Christmasy than this new favorite. It has more holiday cheer than any single movie should. Buddy the Elf believes so whole-heartedly in Christmas and Santa and all that goes with it that anyone with a normal affinity for the holidays looks like Scrooge by comparison. On the surface it looks like just another ridiculous Will Ferrell movie, but it touches on family, belief, loyalty, and the arts in a way that makes all the insanity charming. And if the season goes by without someone answering my phone call with "Buddy the Elf, What's your favorite color?" I'm going to be very, very dissapointed.
