Best and Worst Holiday Movies

[Stargazer]

I actually found The Polar Express to be difficult to watch the first time through because I found the animation kind of creepy feeling, because the faces seem quite empty. I loved the story and loved the song that the little girl sings (Believe, which Josh Groban sings later). Watching it again, I got as completely swept up into it as I did with the book. It's quite fascinating.

Just out of curiousity, was that strange "bum" (ghost?) character in the book as well? It seemed weirdly out-of-place. Also, the Santa seemed a little too intimidating for my taste. Santa shouldn't be scary, for goodness sakes. :nono

[Broadway]

Hmmmmm.... you know, it's been awhile since I've actually read the story so I'll have to peek at Jordan's copy to answer that. I believe he was, but....

[dagwood]

I finally saw Polar Express this weekend. I am going to have to add it to my hated it list. The animation creeped me out and Santa was incredibly scary. I forgot to add the elves were even creepier than Santa. They weren't something I would like to come face to face with.

[rt1ky]

You can buy some Rankin Bass figurines.

http://www.misfittoys.net/sclaus.htm

Are these specials only famous in the US?
I have some of the films on DVD, but I would love to have all the ones I enjoy.
I didn't like Pinochio's Christmas.

[Stargazer]

My daughter has TONS of Rudolph toys and collectables. She adopted the movie as her favorite when she could barely walk and has stayed loyal to it ever since. She doesn't confine her obsession to December, either. We have it on dvd and she watches it all year round. I hear that song so much I could hurl. She was born just a few days before Christmas (a month early! ) so maybe she just knows she's a Christmas baby.

[chipnreichenfan]

Miracle On 34th Street
One Magic Christmas
Scrooge (Alistar Sims)
Rudolph
Frosty the Snowman
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Twas The Night Before Christmas
Little drummer Boy
Any Rankin and Bass Production..

[ArchieComic Fan]

(quietly tip-toeing in to post dumb statement)

I'm certainly old enough to remember the Rudolph, Frosty, etc. movies but I've never heard them referred to as Rankin and Bass Productions - same with the music. I've noticed several people here using that descriptor. I'm clueless! Am I the only one who's never heard of that name?

(quietly tip-toeing out)

[Newfherder]

I normally don't like A Christmas Carol, but the George C. Scott version is quite good.

How is it that Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964) hasn't shown up on anyone's list yet? It's so horrible it's hilarious

[Stargazer]

I always think of George C. Scott as the Scrooge.

I thought of another one that isnt' a classic Christmas movie, but I always love to watch it around the holidays. When Harry Met Sally. It focuses a lot on New Years and Christmas and always makes me think of love, friends, and the promise of a new year.

[femme fatale]

I remember a cartoon shown in a Disney Christmas special. It’s about a young boy living with his evil step-father (well we don’t really get to know this but the man is cruel and Disney likes the step-father aspect) and the boy’s only friend is his donkey. But the family is poor and don’t have the money to keep the donkey, so if he doesn’t get rid of it by nightfall, they will kill it. OK, I’m using Spoiler tags since I will give away the plot and ending.

I guess I will place it in the Best category, but I really don't want to see it, it's just that sad.

Any FORTers out there who have seen it?