With the holiday season in motion, it’s a time for families to spend time together. What better way to celebrate than watching some good old Christmas movies? These picks are no doubt charming and entertaining in their own special ways.
HOME ALONE
Released in 1990, directed by Chris Columbus, and both written and produced by John Hughes, Home Alone is the definition of an oldie but goodie. The movie follows the young Kevin McCalistar (Macaulay Culkin), who, after wishing for his family to disappear, finds himself home alone on the holidays after his family forgets him. It’s all fun and games for him until two home burglars (Daniel Stern & Joe Pesci) lurk around, alongside the looming mystery that is the “South Bend Shovel Slayer”. It’s up to Kevin to defend his house until his family comes back. Kevin takes matters into his own hands in order to outsmart the foes and comes to learn how much family matters. Despite the movie being 3.5 decades old, it remains a fun and entertaining watch for the family time and time again, and a strange nostalgic feeling even if you weren’t around in the 90s. In real life, the McCalistar family would be charged with child neglect and child endangerment, but sometimes, to enjoy a movie, you have to turn off your brain and have a laugh at the ridiculous misfortunes the burglars find themselves in.
HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK
Released in 1992, this sequel takes the concept onto a whole new level, again setting Kevin in a vulnerable state. Kevin loses track of his family at the airport, ending up on a flight to the Big Apple. Along his travels, he uses his father’s credit card to book a hotel room. Before long, two old acquaintances arrive, ready to rob a toy store before Christmas. As with the first movie, Kevin finds himself at odds with the situation, even more dire. There is a mysterious pigeon lady, taking the role of the old man from the first film. It’s also hilarious to see a child outsmart a bunch of hotel workers and police in the dumbest ways imaginable. Just like the previous movie, Kevin learns yet another valuable lesson; this time, it’s about giving to others less fortunate. The movie has tons of funny moments and sad but wholesome ones, too. Again, Daniel Stern & Joe Pesci are the highlights of the film, playing as Harry and Marv like the last movie, making audiences laugh and laugh again at their shortcomings. It’s yet another classic for the family to enjoy.
THE POLAR EXPRESS
Released in 2004, directed by Robert Zemeckis, is a CGI-animated Christmas movie adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg’s book by the same name. Because the movie is an adaptation of a relatively short children’s book, the movie, of course, took creative liberties in order to flesh out the world a little bit while still keeping the original source material intact. The plot revolves around a young boy (Daryl Sabara) finding himself on a train headed toward the North Pole, accompanied by many other children, two of whom (Nora Gaye) & (Peter Scolari) will soon become friends with him. Along the way, he learns the true spirit of Christmas. Many believe the movie is unsettling due to some unnerving scenes, mostly to children, and how the characters look and are animated. There is also the ridiculous lack of physics and inaccuracy when it comes to the use of rail transportation. Again, though, the audience should suspend their disbelief and enjoy a charming story about friendship and giving to others.