Wiles Films: 10 of Our Favorite Holiday Movies!
10 OF OUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY MOVIES
By John Nathan
It’s the Holiday Season and that means time for wall-to-wall holiday films in prime time! So what’s your favorite holly, jolly movie? We’ve put together a list of our 10 favorite films for this time of year – check it out and see if your favorite made the list!
10. THE REF – In Touchstone Pictures’ hilarious 1994 film, Dennis Leary plays “Gus,” a thief at the end of his rope who kidnaps a couple (Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey) on the brink of divorce. What begins as a temporary setback soon evolves into a life-changing event for all.
9. DIE HARD – In addition to being the standard by which all action movies are measured, 20th Century Fox’s 1988 classic “Die Hard” puts all the paradigms to good use. “Good versus evil”, “David versus Goliath,” and the idea that one man can save us all from destruction make for some of the thematic layers at work in this film. Oh yeah, and there are some pretty intense explosions and fight scenes in it, too! Yippee ki-yay…
8. THE PREACHER’S WIFE – Soul-stirring and upbeat, this 1996 remake of the classic film The Bishop’s Wife, puts Whitney Houston and Courtney B. Vance as a couple in need of some heavenly help – which comes in the form of Denzel Washington as the loveable angel “Dudley.” The film is infused with gospel, good tidings and messages of grace, generosity, family and love.
7. ADAM SANDLER’S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS – Actor/comedian Adam Sandler shows off his singing style in this 2002 animated comedic ode to Chanukah. The redemption theme abounds as Adam Sandler’s character, “Davey,” must perform community service to atone for his sins over the 8 days and nights of the Festival of Lights. In this clip, Davey shows his growth by taking responsibility for the harm he’s inflicted on the loveable, unassuming character “Whitey.”
6. NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION – The Griswolds return for this 1989 holiday-themed favorite and, as usual, the antics are endless. If you’re fighting the holiday blues this season, laughter is a great cure. And this film may provide just the pick-me-up you’re looking for!
5. A CHRISTMAS STORY – In this family holiday favorite from 1983, we follow the obsession of “Ralphie” – a young boy in Indiana – and his relentless quest to get a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas.
4. CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS – Iconic, timeless and heartwarming, nearly 50 years after it first screened in 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas continues to inspire audiences across generations and get us into the holiday spirit.
3. A CHRISTMAS CAROL – There have been many incarnations of the Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol. One of our favorite versions is the 1938 installment starring Reginald Owen as Ebenezer Scrooge. Check out this Fireside Chat hosted by Lionel Barrymore introducing what was, at that time, the greatest version of the film ever made!
2. MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET – Young Natalie Wood teaches the adults around her to renew their faith in Santa Claus as a Macy’s department store Santa Claus named Kris Kringle seeks to prove his true identity – in a court of law. The great Maureen O’Hara also stars as her mother in this 1947 film.
1. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE – With the help of an angel named “Clarence,” “George” (James Stewart) and” Mary” (Donna Reed) learn and teach us to remember the important things in life. Directed by the great Frank Capra in 1946, It’s A Wonderful Life is one of the most endearing and enduring holiday films of all time.