I’ve still got a week or so to go until I’m free from work to enjoy Christmas, but I’m already planning my couch potato time.
The Goonies
“Hey you guys….” One of my favourite films, ever! A gang of misfits, a treasure hunt, Corey Feldman… What’s not to love? I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen this over the years, yet I never tire of it. And to top it all off, we’ve got Cyndi Lauper singing in the background. “It’s good enough. It’s good enough for me. Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah….”
I still gasp every time I see the first shot of One Eyed Willie’s pirate ship.
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Titanic
I never mean to sit down for all three hours or so of this film, but often find it difficult to get off the couch after Christmas dinner and go search for the remote. So the family ends up watching Kate and Leo on their first and last cruise together. Fifteen or so years later, I still enjoy the romance.
But why couldn’t they just take turns on the door instead of Leo freezing his ass off in the Atlantic? They should have asked the guy with the brandy for a sip. Maybe then they’d have both survived and gone on to have beautiful babies. Sigh.
The Sound of Music
This usually airs on St. Stephen’s day mid afternoon when we’re sitting around digesting a feast in my sister’s house. I do like to sing along to the Von Trapp family, and Christopher Plumber is quite a handsome man in this, very fanciable indeed. The Sound of Music is a Christmas treasure.
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The English Patient
For some reason, I ended up watching this practically ever New Year’s Eve night when I was a teenager. Fortunately I get out more now and catch it on a different day. This tragic love affair has reduced me to tears on more than one occasion. I think it must be Ralph Fiennes’ passion for Katharine that pulled me in when I was a young girl.
I know I studied the novel as part of an English course in college, but I can’t really remember the book. Must have a look for my paperback and give it another read.
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ET
A couple of hours spent with Elliott and the ugly little extraterrestrial is time well spent. Is there anyone out there who hasn’t seen this film?
Please tell me the answer is No.
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Christmas Themed Movies:
The Family Stone
I adore the ensemble cast in this one. Rachel McAdams cracks me up with her bratty performance, and I think Sarah Jessica Parker did such a good job in this. You’d never think of Carrie while watching her awkwardly attempt to get through Christmas with her boyfriend’s parents. This film has its sad and cringey moments – the conversation around the dinner table anyone?
But I find their home warm and real, chaotic and all about the family.
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Love Actually
Even if you wanted to avoid this one, it’s nearly impossible. It usually airs several times on the UK, Irish and American TV channels I get, so it’s hard to miss. But that’s okay, because I love it.
There are lots of different stories and characters, and I appreciate how it doesn’t shy away from showing how difficult Christmas can be for some people. Did you recognise Rick from The Walking Dead as the guy in love with his best friend’s girl, Keira Knightley?
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All I Want for Christmas
Set in New York, Thora Birch is cute as a button and Ethan Embry (credited in this film as Ethan Randall) is charming as he schemes to get his divorced parents back together on Christmas Eve. Enjoy a singing performance by Lauren Bacall and Leslie Nielson in a cameo as Santa.
A bit on the corny side at times, but I love it.
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What movies will you be watching this Christmas?
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Emma's Ramblings on Supernatural Fiction 
Great minds think alike! I have my holiday films set to post this Friday… but one film I can’t live without is National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. I have to watch it every year!
I’m looking forward to reading what else you mention on Friday. You know I don’t think I’ve ever watched National Lampoons Christmas Vacation from start to finish, something to fix this year. 🙂
Another reason why I love you so, Emma…you had me at Goonies and ET! You’ve inspired me to write up a list of movies to watch with my kids while they’re on break. I think the last Harry Potter will be at the top of the list since I feel like I haven’t seen it nearly as many times as the other 6 (or is it 7?) movies. My favorite Christmas movies are Elf, Scrooged, A Christmas Story, and as Tiffany said, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. May have to watch the second Gremlins as well…I thought of that movie while in New York last week! 🙂
I knew I’d have you at The Goonies. 🙂 Only 6 or 7? Come on, Jen, sort yourself out.
Elf has been on a lot the past couple of weeks, love it. Gremlins and New York – ha.
I’m planning to watch Before Sunset and maybe one other in my Netflix queue–the Best Man or Breakfast Club. I’ve never seen The Family Stone. Will have to check that out
Is Before Sunset the first or the sequel? I’ve only seen the first film. I can watch Breakfast Club or any of the 80s brat pack films over and over. I hope you like The Family Stone.
My little sister and I used to watch All I Want for Christmas when we were little kids. I hadn’t seen it in years, but found a copy at my library and rented it so my mom, little sister and I watched it on Thanksgiving evening 🙂
Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story are two of my favorites, plus I have always loved the classic Christmas movies, like Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life!
I’m so happy someone else remembers All I Want for Christmas. Usually when I mention that film, I get blank stares. I haven’t seen Christmas Vacation or A Christmas Story, but I’ll look out for them this year. Thanks, Amanda.
Great Question Emma! Here goes: Sound of Music, a given! Poor Baroness Schrader, Maria weasled her way in there good and stole the Captain 😉 I would also have to say Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory-the original! Brilliant festive viewing! 🙂 Then, The Holiday with Jude Law, Kate Winslet & Cameron Diaz. 🙂 Love Actually – you know how I love Alan Rickman – but what a bastard he was, with the whole necklace/CD incident!!! 🙂 The Family Stone – I feel sorry for SJP in this, how awkward, she meant well! And the end….don’t get me blubbing now! 😦 The Princess Bride for me has to get a viewing – a classic for anyone! Finally I would have to say Santa Claus the Movie! Dudley Moore, the vendegums, the snow, North Pole……I could go on and on but I won’t! Nollaig Shona daoibh go léir! 😀 (Happy Christmas to the non-gaeilgeoirs!)
Laura, you’ll have to give blogging another go so you can share all your favourite films, music and TV shows. I did feel a tiny bit sorry for the Baroness, but only a teeny tiny bit. 🙂
It’s been years since I watched Willy Wonka. I loved the original version. The Holiday – yep, every time I watch it, I wish I owned Kate Winslet’s cottage. Alan Rickman, -mmm, he has a great voice!
You are obsessed with The Princess Bride.
I really tried to watch Love Actually, but I just found it too raunchy for my taste. I got tired of seeing those two people pretending to have sex for a film.
I always have to watch The Christmas Card (which I found out was written by my friend Joany Kane!), and at least one version of A Christmas Carol, which I haven’t seen yet this year. I love a lot of other ones, but those two are must sees.
Yeah, those scenes are quite embarrassing. I usually go make a cup of tea when those two are at it if I’m watching with the family. 🙂
You’ve mentioned The Christmas Card before, and I made a note last time to watch it. If it’s on the TV schedule this year, I’ll sit down. Thanks.
My go to Christmas movies have always been The Grinch, Bridget Jones’s Diary and Serendipity. They get me every time. 🙂 I too never tire of Titanic, maybe a bit too sad for me at Christmas though!
I was only thinking about Bridget Jones’s Diary today. Will definitely have to add that to my list this year. Love it, and Mark Darcy in his reindeer jumper. 🙂
Some great choices, Emma. I always love to watch ELF at the holidays and I’m still a sap for Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and The Grinch. My favorite thought is A Christmas Carol. I’ve got my DVR set to record it tomorrow night. I just love that story!
I missed ELF when it was first out years and years ago but I love it now. You know, I think I have The Grinch somewhere on DVD, but I’m not sure if I’ve sat through the entire film. Hope you enjoy A Christmas Carol. Thanks for stopping by, Mae.
I don’t plan that far ahead. I try to stay flexible and keep my options open. Looks like you have a great selection to keep you busy. Of course, I will watch A Christmas Story at least once. ^_^
It’s good to be flexibile. Work has been stressful this week so the thought of relaxing with my favourite films helped get me through. 🙂
Thanks, Sherry.
The only must see Holiday movies for me are: Die Hard (the first one), It’s a wonderful life (one year friends and I tried drinking a shot every time a bell rang in the movie. I don’t recommend that, lots of bells in that movie), and A Christmas Story. Otherwise I catch bits and pieces of other films when they’re on.
Enjoy your Holidays.
We catch Die Hard every year. I might give that drinking game a go, sounds fun. Have a lovely holiday.