Day 12 (Merry Christmas!!): Elf (2003)

Charles 12 Days of Christmas Movie Reviews, 2016, Classics, Reviews Leave a Comment

It’s Day 12 of our 12 Days of Christmas Movie Reviews and I’m closing it out with Elf!! I’m not sure where we’re at as far as how many movies on our list could be considered NOT Christmas enough, but not only do I not care, it doesn’t apply to Elf at all anyway. This is a Christmas movie through-and-through. No ifs, ands, or butts. And not only are there are many references to classic Christmas films (including a Burl Ives inspired snowman), it’s a great original story about Santa Claus and Christmas magic as well. But Elf is really about, well, an Elf. His name is Buddy (played with …

Day 11: How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Topher 12 Days of Christmas Movie Reviews, Reviews Leave a Comment

Today for Day 11 of our 12 Days of Christmas Movie Reviews we will take a look at Ron Howard’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000).  This is the live action remake of the 1966 cartoon of the same name.  There is much to say about this movie, from consumerism to bullying to animal cruelty.  But lets start with a quick recap. The film takes place in Whoville, which is populated by the Whos.  The Whos love Christmas, but what they really love is buying presents.  The title character, The Grinch, was born in Whoville but never quite fit in.  This may be because he inexplicably has green skin and …

Day 8: Gremlins (1984)

Charles 12 Days of Christmas Movie Reviews, 2016, Classics, Reviews 3 Comments

It’s Day 8 and that means it’s time for Gremlins!! Depending on whether you agree with Topher’s review on White Christmas and it NOT being a “Christmas movie” or Kelley’s review of It’s a Wonderful Life and it NOT being about Christmas, Gremlins might be the third non-Christmas movie on our list. Personally, I think they’re all Christmas films, but the argument could be made that if you can replace Christmas in a film with any other holiday and have little or no change on the plot, then it’s not really about Christmas and thus not a true Christmas movie. To me, this is akin to colorizing a black-and-white film. …