Think of all the Christmas classics: It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Elf, White Christmas, A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, Jingle All the Way. Alright Jingle All the Way is not a classic, but I still end up seeing it every Winter. There’s a solid half-dozen Christmas films put out each year, but becoming a perennial holiday favorite is rare and elusive. What makes a Christmas movie endure? It’s a Wonderful Life quite famously wasn’t a hit in its own time, only achieving its towering status as an All-American Christmas masterpiece much later, through reruns on television. It takes a certain kind of magic that I’m not sure can really be qualified or broken down into anything tangible. Perhaps that could be something to ponder as I start my self-directed challenge. To the point: I plan on watching 25 Christmas movies over the next 55 days, and writing a review, as well as adding some personal details about how I watched it and my experience, for each one. Like most people, I have my Christmas favorites that I’ll likely mix in, but I would like to focus on ones I either haven’t seen or have only seen once. It’s my way of getting into the spirit of the holidays. Yes, it is a bit early, but I’ll need the extra time if I want to achieve this goal. Fifty five days gives me basically two per film and review, which I think is lofty enough to keep myself motivated, but also manageable. Here’s a short list of Christmas films I’ve made. These are ones I’m less acquainted with, if at all:
The Christmas Prince (2017)
The Polar Express (2004)
A Christmas Carol (2009)
This Christmas (2007)
Four Christmases (2008)
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992)
Scrooged (1988)
The Bishop’s Wife (1947)
Meet Me in St Louis (1944)
Any other suggestions? Watching these with my regularly slated lineup of films should put me over my goal of 25. It starts now.
-Walter Tyrone Howard-