Anyone who knows anything about me knows I'm a movie junkie, and the cold winters of Wisconsin leave you no shortage of opportunities to shun the outdoors for a warm blanket and a movie you've seen a thousand times. Below are some of my favorite holiday movies.
You may notice that some of your staple holiday movies aren't on this list, but that's the beauty of sharing holiday movie ideas. Everyone's list is different, having been built by happenstance and solidified by years of enjoyment. The movies are loved just the same.
Since a lot of these movies are older, they may not be easily found in stores. However, they are all cheap and can be purchased online, rented through your local video store or watched online. Be sure to go online to our Facebook page - facebook.com/monroetimes - and share your favorite holiday movies with us. In the meantime, here are my favorite holiday movies.
"Dutch" (1991)
Blue-collar man Dutch (Ed O'Neill, of "Married with Children" and "Modern Family" fame) drives across the country to pick up his girlfriend's snotty son, Doyle, from private school so he can bring him home for Thanksgiving, much to Doyle's disapproval. A classic two-guys-in-a-car comedy, the laughs are frequent but are complimented nicely by the son's maturation story as he learns there is a lot more to the world than money and his privileged life, giving him much to be thankful for. - Rated PG-13
Favorite scene: When Dutch and Doyle first meet
Favorite line: Every time Dutch gets Doyle's name wrong (Dale, Dwight, Dobsy, etc.)
"Planes, Trains and Automobiles" (1987)
A series of unfortunate events keep the paths of two men (John Candy and Steve Martin) continuously crossing, as each tries to make it home in time for Thanksgiving. The two grow on each other's nerves aboard every mode of transportation but find they need each other to make it home. So many hilarious scenes and memorable lines, I lose track. Like "Dutch," this one was written by movie legend John Hughes (best known for "The Breakfast Club"). It's both gut-bustingly funny and heartwarming - Hughes' trademark. - Rated R
Favorite scene: John Candy singing Ray Charles' "Mess Around" while driving down the highway
Favorite line(s): (paying for a hotel) "Do you have 17 dollars and a good watch?" ... "No I don't. I have uh... two dollars... and a Casio..."
"The Nutcracker Prince" (1990)
Never heard of it? Don't feel bad. The only reason I know about this animated beauty is because my parents just happened upon it at the store once when I was a child and probably thought it would be a good movie to keep my sister and me occupied and out of trouble. It did, and it still does. It tells the story of "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," which is the short story the "Nutcracker" ballet is based off of. The animation is quaint, and it sometimes it feels like you're watching a painting in motion. The music, which is straight from Tchaikovsky's suite, really puts you in the Christmas spirit. - Rated G
Favorite scene: When the two kids run home from the clockmaker's shop at the beginning of the movie
Favorite line(s): "Yes, I'm fine. But I'm so small" ... "One gets used to it, my dear."
"A Christmas Story" (1983)
I'm going to go out on a sarcastic limb and say you've heard of this one. Most people have heard the story of Ralphie and his Red Ryder BB gun, especially because it's hard to avoid this movie on Christmas Eve since TBS plays it 24 hours straight. Ralphie's struggle to get his parents to recognize what he wants most for Christmas is the centerpiece of this classic tale set in a small-town in the Midwest. Even after watching it every year since I was a child, "A Christmas Story" is as comfortable and familiar as any other movie. You can go through the whole thing, quoting every line - "You used up all the glue on purpose!" - and it would still be as enjoyable as the first time you watched it. - Rated PG
Favorite scene: Shopping for the Christmas tree and the car drive home
Favorite line(s): "My little brother had not eaten voluntarily in over three years."
"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" (1989)
Another John Hughes movie - he's got a knack for the holidays. Bumbling father/husband Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) has his heart in the right place as he puts himself through hell trying to put together the perfect Christmas for his family, and his family doesn't make it easy on him. Since this comedy chronicles several days in the Griswold household and covers all the Christmas season events - getting the tree, shopping, putting up decorations, the meal, etc. - it's perfect for enjoying at any time. - Rated PG-13
Favorite scene: Clark gets stuck in the attic and watches old family movies
Favorite line(s): "Eddie, if I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised than I am now."
"Home Alone" (1990)
Two thieves plan to rip off several houses in a neighborhood that are uninhabited with families away on Christmas vacation. However, one house has a lone occupant standing guard: Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), who got left home alone by his family on accident. When I was young, my parents were hesitant to let me watch this one due to young Culkin's language and attitude in the movie. But, I knew where the movies were stashed and how to keep the volume on the TV low, so my love for this timeless comedy was allowed to grow.
Favorite scene: The montage of Kevin booby-trapping his house
Favorite line(s): "We didn't forget him, we just miscounted." ... "What kind of a mother am I?" ... "If it makes you feel any better, I forgot my reading glasses."
"The Santa Clause" (1994)
A divorced Tim Allen is legally obligated to assume the duties of Santa Claus, after the man in the red suit falls off his roof. He doesn't take to the idea of becoming Santa Claus very well or his physical transformation into the jolly old man, but his son loves it. He obliges, and his strange behavior and transformation concern the people around him, especially when his son explains to deaf ears that his father is Santa Claus. Allen is naturally hilarious, sprinkling in enough adult humor to entertain parents watching with their kids. - Rated PG
Favorite scene: Allen's interactions with Sarah: a little girl who sleeps on the couch waiting for Santa and questions him when he arrives.
Favorite line(s): "Whoa, Dad! You're flying!" ... "It's okay, I'm used to it. I lived through the '60s."
"The Muppet Christmas Carol" (1992)
It's got great musical numbers and that classic Jim Henson wit, plus a darn-fine portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Scrooge goes to bed on Christmas Eve and is visited by the ghosts of Christmas, who show him what he was, what he is and what he will be, all in hopes of making him realize and change his angry ways. All the Muppets have their parts, but Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat serve as narrators. The movie delivers the fine message of Charles Dickens' original story, which is all the more impressive when you think that the film consists mostly of puppets. Another great movie for both children and adults. - Rated G
Favorite scene: Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of two former employees, played by Muppet critics Statler and Waldorf.
Favorite line(s): "God bless us, everyone."
You may notice that some of your staple holiday movies aren't on this list, but that's the beauty of sharing holiday movie ideas. Everyone's list is different, having been built by happenstance and solidified by years of enjoyment. The movies are loved just the same.
Since a lot of these movies are older, they may not be easily found in stores. However, they are all cheap and can be purchased online, rented through your local video store or watched online. Be sure to go online to our Facebook page - facebook.com/monroetimes - and share your favorite holiday movies with us. In the meantime, here are my favorite holiday movies.
"Dutch" (1991)
Blue-collar man Dutch (Ed O'Neill, of "Married with Children" and "Modern Family" fame) drives across the country to pick up his girlfriend's snotty son, Doyle, from private school so he can bring him home for Thanksgiving, much to Doyle's disapproval. A classic two-guys-in-a-car comedy, the laughs are frequent but are complimented nicely by the son's maturation story as he learns there is a lot more to the world than money and his privileged life, giving him much to be thankful for. - Rated PG-13
Favorite scene: When Dutch and Doyle first meet
Favorite line: Every time Dutch gets Doyle's name wrong (Dale, Dwight, Dobsy, etc.)
"Planes, Trains and Automobiles" (1987)
A series of unfortunate events keep the paths of two men (John Candy and Steve Martin) continuously crossing, as each tries to make it home in time for Thanksgiving. The two grow on each other's nerves aboard every mode of transportation but find they need each other to make it home. So many hilarious scenes and memorable lines, I lose track. Like "Dutch," this one was written by movie legend John Hughes (best known for "The Breakfast Club"). It's both gut-bustingly funny and heartwarming - Hughes' trademark. - Rated R
Favorite scene: John Candy singing Ray Charles' "Mess Around" while driving down the highway
Favorite line(s): (paying for a hotel) "Do you have 17 dollars and a good watch?" ... "No I don't. I have uh... two dollars... and a Casio..."
"The Nutcracker Prince" (1990)
Never heard of it? Don't feel bad. The only reason I know about this animated beauty is because my parents just happened upon it at the store once when I was a child and probably thought it would be a good movie to keep my sister and me occupied and out of trouble. It did, and it still does. It tells the story of "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," which is the short story the "Nutcracker" ballet is based off of. The animation is quaint, and it sometimes it feels like you're watching a painting in motion. The music, which is straight from Tchaikovsky's suite, really puts you in the Christmas spirit. - Rated G
Favorite scene: When the two kids run home from the clockmaker's shop at the beginning of the movie
Favorite line(s): "Yes, I'm fine. But I'm so small" ... "One gets used to it, my dear."
"A Christmas Story" (1983)
I'm going to go out on a sarcastic limb and say you've heard of this one. Most people have heard the story of Ralphie and his Red Ryder BB gun, especially because it's hard to avoid this movie on Christmas Eve since TBS plays it 24 hours straight. Ralphie's struggle to get his parents to recognize what he wants most for Christmas is the centerpiece of this classic tale set in a small-town in the Midwest. Even after watching it every year since I was a child, "A Christmas Story" is as comfortable and familiar as any other movie. You can go through the whole thing, quoting every line - "You used up all the glue on purpose!" - and it would still be as enjoyable as the first time you watched it. - Rated PG
Favorite scene: Shopping for the Christmas tree and the car drive home
Favorite line(s): "My little brother had not eaten voluntarily in over three years."
"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" (1989)
Another John Hughes movie - he's got a knack for the holidays. Bumbling father/husband Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) has his heart in the right place as he puts himself through hell trying to put together the perfect Christmas for his family, and his family doesn't make it easy on him. Since this comedy chronicles several days in the Griswold household and covers all the Christmas season events - getting the tree, shopping, putting up decorations, the meal, etc. - it's perfect for enjoying at any time. - Rated PG-13
Favorite scene: Clark gets stuck in the attic and watches old family movies
Favorite line(s): "Eddie, if I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised than I am now."
"Home Alone" (1990)
Two thieves plan to rip off several houses in a neighborhood that are uninhabited with families away on Christmas vacation. However, one house has a lone occupant standing guard: Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), who got left home alone by his family on accident. When I was young, my parents were hesitant to let me watch this one due to young Culkin's language and attitude in the movie. But, I knew where the movies were stashed and how to keep the volume on the TV low, so my love for this timeless comedy was allowed to grow.
Favorite scene: The montage of Kevin booby-trapping his house
Favorite line(s): "We didn't forget him, we just miscounted." ... "What kind of a mother am I?" ... "If it makes you feel any better, I forgot my reading glasses."
"The Santa Clause" (1994)
A divorced Tim Allen is legally obligated to assume the duties of Santa Claus, after the man in the red suit falls off his roof. He doesn't take to the idea of becoming Santa Claus very well or his physical transformation into the jolly old man, but his son loves it. He obliges, and his strange behavior and transformation concern the people around him, especially when his son explains to deaf ears that his father is Santa Claus. Allen is naturally hilarious, sprinkling in enough adult humor to entertain parents watching with their kids. - Rated PG
Favorite scene: Allen's interactions with Sarah: a little girl who sleeps on the couch waiting for Santa and questions him when he arrives.
Favorite line(s): "Whoa, Dad! You're flying!" ... "It's okay, I'm used to it. I lived through the '60s."
"The Muppet Christmas Carol" (1992)
It's got great musical numbers and that classic Jim Henson wit, plus a darn-fine portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Scrooge goes to bed on Christmas Eve and is visited by the ghosts of Christmas, who show him what he was, what he is and what he will be, all in hopes of making him realize and change his angry ways. All the Muppets have their parts, but Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat serve as narrators. The movie delivers the fine message of Charles Dickens' original story, which is all the more impressive when you think that the film consists mostly of puppets. Another great movie for both children and adults. - Rated G
Favorite scene: Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of two former employees, played by Muppet critics Statler and Waldorf.
Favorite line(s): "God bless us, everyone."