ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Reviews: Christmas Movies
by Holly McClellan & Becca Powlus
Elf
Chances are you’ve seen this movie at
least once, if not a hundred times. “Elf” has
quickly become a favorite, must-see Christ-
mas movie since its release in 2003. Will Fer-
rell plays Buddy, a human raised at the North
Pole by elves, who travels to New York City in
search of his real father. Scene after scene will
leave you laughing out loud as Buddy discov-
ers the world around him and ultimately dis-
covers himself. “Elf” centers on the themes of
family, friendship, love and acceptance, with
heartwarming sincerity and, at times, hilarity.
This film is sure to bring a smile almost a large
as Buddy’s: “I just like to smile. Smiling’s my
favorite.”
It’s a Wonderful Life
It’s become a tradition in many homes to
watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” every Christmas
season. George Bailey, played by James Stew-
art, is a compassionate, yet frustrated and de-
pressed man who had big dreams that he never
achieved. After a series of events and a visit
from an angel, George is given the opportunity
to see what life would have been like if he had
never been born. “It’s a Wonderful Life” cap-
tures the audience’s sympathies and leaves the
viewers with a deep appreciation for life, fam-
ily and purpose. Bringing laughter as well as
tears, this film is one each person should see at
least once, if only to be reminded of the value
of every life.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
While it may not be the most popular
Christmas movie, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
is a simple, entertaining Disney production
that is well worth watching. Starring Jonathan
Taylor Thomas and Jessica Biel, the movie
involves a college student’s frantic race to get
home for Christmas in spite of a parade of
humorous obstacles. “I’ll Be Home for Christ-
mas” is an enjoyable film about growing up,
going after what you want and discovering the
importance of family.
How the Grinch Stole
Christmas
In all its vintage animation glory, this blast
from the past tells the familiar story of the ul-
timate Christmas curmudgeon (other than
Scrooge), who mistakenly believes he can stop
the celebration of Christmas simply by mak-
ing off with the
trappings. But of
course in the end,
the indomitable
community spirit
of the pointy-
noised
towns-
people
warms
the Grinch’s two-
sizes-too-small
heart with a mes-
sage about as
altruistic as you
can get without
overt reference
to the Bethlehem
story. Re-watch-
ing this holiday
classic provides
all the fun of Dr.
Seuss’s linguistic
magic
without
the white-knuck-
led terror in-
curred by the Jim
Carrey-helmed
live-action ver-
sion.
Unfortu-
nately, some things just can’t be unseen.
White Christmas
This 1950s classic probably falls into one
of two categories: either a vibrant part of your
childhood without which no Christmas cel-
ebration is complete or just that one old movie
you flip through quickly as you surf the chan-
nels over Christmas break. No matter which
category it fits into for you, this song-and-
dance spectacular deserves a second look. Bing
Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera Ellen and Rosemary
Clooney star as entertainers dealing with the
ins and outs of falling in love and putting on
a show. Though every turn of the admittedly
thin plot is simply a reason to sing another
song, there’s little room for complaint when
the songs are as good as they are. The scenery
alone is enough to put you in the holiday spirit
– and if Bing Crosby’s sonorous voice doesn’t
inspire some manner of emotional stirrings,
there may be something legitimately wrong
with you.
The Nativity Story
This
visually
stunning and emo-
tionally affecting 2006
release is undoubtedly
one of the best rep-
resentations of the
birth of Christ, lend-
ing humanity to what
can often become just
the story we read each
year before tearing
into presents. Its ex-
ploration of the lives
of Mary and Joseph
before and during that
fateful trip to Beth-
lehem gives modern
viewers a taste of the
truly shameful cir-
cumstances surround-
ing the Savior’s birth,
and the strength and
faith required of His
earthly parents. Well-
acted and beautifully
rendered, it’s an excel-
lent film for escaping
the holiday madness
and remembering the reason we celebrate.
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17
December 2011
