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Comedy Christmas Classics & a couple othersNov 06 '05 (Updated Dec 17 '05) Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line I like comedy during the holidays, and my top ten (except a couple) make me laugh out loud. I love movies and I love Christmas, and I love top ten lists! For the holidays, I seem to go for the humor, so 70% of my list are Christmas Comedies. So in order, here are MY favorite movies to watch at the most wonderful time of the year! 1. BAD SANTA - Billy Bob Thorton as Santa Claus? Whoever thought that idea up was a comic genius. This was the funniest "anti holiday" movie ever. It destroys every stereo type of holiday movies and made me laugh hysterically all the while. Alcoholic Santa and his caustic elf rob a new department store each year. John Ritter's last performance as the Department store manager was very funny, and even Bernie Mac as a serious security guard had me in stitches. The movie is full of foul language, offensive content, sexual innuendo, political incorrectness and side splitting laughs. I saw this twice at the movies, and every holiday since. Its also on my list of favorite comedies. 2. SCROOGED - Assistant on the Christmas Carol special: "I can't get the antlers on the little mice". Bill Murray as Frank Cross: "Have you tried stapling them?" I always loved this comedy take on the classic Scrooge. Keep the original and the countless remakes, I'll take this comic update everytime. Bill Murray's dead pan humor makes this holiday movie a riot, but throw in Bobcat Goldthwait, Carol Kane, and even Robert Mitchum, and you have a film that I can watch every year and still laugh. In fact it wasn't until I saw Bad Santa, that I have seen a funnier holiday movie. 3. CHRISTMAS VACATION - Well Chevy Chase can get tiresome, but I still laugh at oddball cousin Randy Quaid in this third of my favorite Christmas comedies. The scene when Chevy knocks the power out of most of the town for his holiday light display still cracks me up. 4. A CHRISTMAS STORY - This film seems like it was shot in the 40s, it has that whole 40s feel right down to the Red Rider B.B. Gun that the films protaganist wants for Christmas. (actually it was made in 1983) Young Ralphie suffers the trials and tribulations of the holiday season in the 40s midwest. Watch for the visit to Santa Claus that predates Thorton's portrayal of the child hating St. Nick! I will also bet you have never seen a tackier lamp! Done in a voice over narrative ala the Wonder Years, this is an oft overlooked gem in Christmas films, but once I discovered it, I've watched it ever since. I bet you will too! 5. ELF - I loved this film nearly as much as Bad Santa,and I got to take my nine year old son! Never offensive, just hilariously funny, this movie is as sweet as a plate of spaghetti covered in ice cream and pancake syrup. Just the picture of Will Ferrell as an elf dressed in full elf regalia meeting his real human father, played by the very serious James Caan, is a riot. Pairing Ferrel's comic against Caan's straight man was casting genius. I also enjoyed Peter Dinklage's portrayal of a children's author who does NOT want to be mistaken for one of Santa's helpers. 6. Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas - Hmm, while perhaps more of a Halloween movie, Tim Burton's highly imaginative story of what happens when the star of Halloween, Jack Skellington, decides he can do the job of Christmas results in a holiday disaster of Burtonesque proportions. The denizens of Halloween town struggle to figure out and make Christmastowns tradition their own is a sight to see, and one that could ONLY have been put together by Tim Burton. Great for either holiday and any Tim Burton fans. 7. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (original) I can't resist this classic Dr. Suess tale with songs sung by Burl Ives. It's been a favorite since I was a child. (not sure this counts as a movie, it's really more of a half hour tv show)I list this before the movie, well, because I like the original better. Its about the only childhood show I still enjoy. 8. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (Jim Carrey) I wasn't sure whether they could pull off remaking a classic Dr. Suess tale, but Carrey and company managed to pull it off. I thought this movies recreation of Whovile was spot on. As far as Carrey goes, his version of the Grinch was unforgettable. 9. It's A Wonderful Life - Darn, I should HATE this movie by now, I know EVERY SINGLE LINE, but yet, I find my self year after year WATCHING IT. There is just something about the overall uplifting theme of the value of ones life and ones choices in that life that still carry through, and prevent this movie from becoming a cliche. It is only low on my list, because it just isn't as fresh after the 100th viewing. 10. The Ref This only scores last on my list because even though it takes place on Christmas, its not really a Holiday movie. But then again, it does take place on Christmas and it stars the likes of Kevin Spacey and comedian Denis Leary. Leary is a crook who kidnaps a family who are not full of the holiday spirit to begin with. Movies I avoid year round, and not just at Christmas: Jingle All The Way - SinBad and Arnold, what were you thinking? Mixed Nuts - so many stars, so few laughs. The Santa Clause / Santa Clause Two - Tim Allen huh huh huh ugghgh! Well, I like to laugh during the holidays, so my list won't make you well up with tears for the most part, but it should have you laughing so hard, you'll forget that you still have a ton of Christmas shopping to do. My Other Top Ten Lists
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