‘The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.’ – Buddy, Elf
Elf (2003)
You either love it or you hate it (which means you’re either right or wrong…) Thanks to Will Ferrell’s earnest performance as the elf who takes three decades to realise he’s human, this is a modern classic and beloved favourite of many. Immensely quotable (‘I like whispering too!’ ‘Ooo, he’s an angry elf!’ and ‘Congratulations! You did it! World’s best cup of coffee!’ being just three), hilarious and endearing.
The Holiday (2006)
In recent years this film has become something of a cult classic, for reasons that are both easy and hard to pinpoint. It’s the kind of film that falls apart in spectacular fashion when thought about for too-long, it’s filled with plot holes, ‘twists’ and dodgy dialogue. And yet… it has some excellent actors (Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black in leads with support from Kathyrn Hahn, John Krasinski and Rufus Sewell to name but three) doing festive things in a way that is alarmingly watchable.
Gremlins (1984)
What can be said about Gremlins that hasn’t been said already? An ’80s Christmas comedy/fantasy/horror/hybrid written by Christopher Columbus (who had a hand in some of the early Harry Potter movies) that may scare some little ones. Darker and snarkier than most holiday movies, an antidote to the schmaltz!
Serendipity (2000)
I am an appreciator of John Cusack. His tenure as ‘leading man in a romantic movie’ was a good one (from Say Anything to this, via Grosse Pointe Blank and High Fidelity) proved him to be an unconventional lead and become beloved by many. Kate Beckinsale as immensely watchable as leading lady. There’s also a whole thing about books and bookshops, which is always a plus for me!
A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas.
An R-rated Christmas movie that’s more for watching with friends than family. If you’ve seen the previous two films then you’ll know what to expect – a stoner comedy that is pretty hit and miss. But when it hits it is very, very funny. Fun fact – LAIKA provided the animation sequence.
Charlotte Sometimes 