Christmas is approaching, which means it is time to put on your pajamas, make yourself a hot chocolate, turn on Netflix and watch some iconic Christmas films. I myself for Christmas will be watching my four favourite Christmas films of all time: ‘Elf’ (2003), ‘The Grinch who Stole Christmas’ (2000), ‘Deck the Halls’ (2006) and ‘Scrooged’ (1988).
‘Elf’, with Will Ferrell playing the main character, Buddy, is a great family and comical film, that explores an orphan human who was adopted by elves, travelling to New York to find his biological father. While there, Buddy gets himself into controversy when he reveals that the store Santa is not the real Santa. Buddy, who is very naïve and childlike due to his upbringing, is an embarrassment to his biological father Walter, who initially lies to him about the DNA test. Eventually, Buddy and Walter make up, then Buddy helps the real Santa save Christmas and Buddy falls in love, marries his love interest, Jovie, with who he has a daughter. If you are creating a Christmas movie list, ‘Elf’ should definitely be added to it.
‘The Grinch who Stole Christmas’, is an iconic film. Everyone loves a reformed villain, such as the Grinch. The Grinch was certainly misunderstood and was an abused person, hence his dislike for Christmas and all things festive. Cindy Lou Who, the heroine of the film, views the Grinch differently from the rest of the village and helps him to love Christmas again. This is a very popular film at Christmas time.
‘Deck the Halls’, another comical film that inspired outdoor decorations around the world. Who doesn’t love Danny DeVito? DeVito’s character, Buddy Hall, aimed to have his decorated house seen from space, which unfortunately annoyed his neighbour Steve Finch, played by Matthew Broderick. Steve and Buddy were both vying to have the best-decorated house in the neighbourhood, but Buddy went a little bit overboard. Eventually, Steve and Buddy forget their rivalry and Buddy’s house is indeed visible from space.
‘Scrooged’, a classic Christmas film, retelling Charles Dicken’s story, with Bill Murray playing the main character, Frank Cross. Cross, a self-centred, miserly, workaholic boss, who made his staff work throughout the Christmas holiday, is visited by three ghosts of Christmas. One aims to revisit Cross’s past, the other his present and lastly his future. This experience influences Cross to change his self-centred, capitalist views and eventually Cross grows to love Christmas. Produced in the 1980s, ‘Scrooged’ remains a well-loved film among all lovers of Christmas movies, especially students.
Christine O’Mahony
Image credit: Town & Country