White Christmas

Dear Erica,

1. White Christmas

At one time I found this movie a little dry and even a little boring. Now that I am older, I cherish it in a way that I do no other film. Every single frame speaks to me on a level that I simply cannot explain. Its many joys go beyond Bing Crosby's beautiful voice, Rosemary Clooney's sincere smile, Danny Kaye's hilarious physical antics and Vera Ellen's incredible ability to bend in ways nobody else can. I can't explain what makes it so special, but I suppose it's enough that I know it is.

The entire movie is made up of hundreds of "favorite moments." To pick out a musical number as my favorite would be impossible, but here are a few standouts:

The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing - There is something about watching Vera Ellen and Danny Kaye dance this number that brings tears to my eyes. It's an upbeat moment in the film, but I have found myself needing a tissue on more than one occassion. The reason it makes me cry is Vera Ellen. It's a rare instance that you get to watch someone doing exactly what they have been born to do, and that is exactly what happens during this number. Vera was born to dance and the reason I cry is because there's a glint in her eye shows me that she knows it.

Counting Your Blessings - Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney are two of the best singers of all time. Who knew they could both act so well? The scene where they each "count their blessings instead of sheep" is a master class in both singing and acting, and we are lucky enough to be there for it.

Mandy - Vera Ellen is the best dancer that ever worked in the movies. This number proves it. Her acting is only so-so, but who cares when she is capable of doing back flips down a staircase without even looking.

Sisters - Crosby and Kaye in drag. Enough said.

Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me - This number not only made George Chakiris a star, but it is also the best one in the movie. It's just about as glamorous as a movie musical gets and Rosemary Clooney nails every phrase. And of course there's that dress. Wow.

So after years of gradually climbing my list of favorites, White Christmas not only ranks number one on my Christmas list, but is coming close to taking the top slot on my list of all-time favorites. Watch out Woody Allen and Alfred Hitchcock...there's a holiday flick on your toes and it's gaining ground every day. Or at least every Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Till next year,
Bradley

It's a Wonderful Life

Dear Erica,

2. It's a Wonderful Life

This one fills me to overflowing with the Christmas spirit. Jimmy Stewart's discovery that he really does matter is a moment of genuine thrill that carries over long after the movie has ended. I can't think of my life without this movie. I really cannot.

Till next time,
Bradley

A Christmas Story

Dear Erica,

Only a couple of days until Christmas, so let's move closer to the top of the list...

3. A Christmas Story

"You'll shoot your eye out!" And so it goes. The story of little Ralphie and his family as Christmas draws near is quite possibly one of the best movies of all time. Virtually a series of vignettes tied together with shiny ribbon and a lot of heart, there is not one single moment that we cannot relate to our own childhoods. From eating a bar of soap to licking a frozen flagpole, we have all been there and done that. I cannot say I ever ate Chinese food on Christmas, but there is always time for a new, unexpected moment to transform into a lifelong memory. I can't wait to see what this Christmas has in store...

Till next time,
Bradley

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Dear Erica,

Next on the countdown...

4. A Charlie Brown Christmas

There is just nothing more special that hearing Linus tell the story of the true meaning of Christmas. He nails it, encouraging Charlie Brown to march to the beat of his own drummer. It's retro, it's funny, it's classic.

Till next time,
Bradley

The Polar Express

Dear Erica,

I will now begin the countdown for my top 5 Christmas movies or specials, beginning with (what else?) number 5.

5. The Polar Express

Despite the somewhat eerie motion capture animation in its earliest phase, the story of The Polar Express makes it a special experience that sweeps you away into the brain of a child. I was skeptical that Robert Zemeckis could turn a short childrens' picture book into a feature length film, but I was blown away by each and every frame he had to offer. The creepy human faces aside, it is a visual enchantment that never ceases to be endlessly entertaining.

Every detail, from the enormous Christmas tree at the North Pole to the freckles on the children, comes together in a playful and surprising way. I have said before that being surprised at the movies is something to be cherished. Well, there is much to be cherished here, and should be year after year after year.

Remember that feeling you had a child on Christmas Eve? The one that kept you awake long past your bedtime? The one that woke you before the sun came up? That's exactly the feeling that is evoked by The Polar Express, and is the reason it will someday be regarded as a classic. It may not be the movie Robert Zemeckis is most revered for; that would be Forrest Gump or Back to the Future. But mark my words, when he dies and volumes of books are written about this period in film history, it will be the one he is remembered for. And for good reason. It's our generation's Wizard of Oz. And that one took a while to become the classic it is today.

Till next time,
Bradley

50 Posts

Dear Erica,

I just hit 50 posts and cannot believe I have not missed a day! What's even more surprising is that I still have more movies to watch than there are days left. How does this happen every year? I was being so good and ambitious this time around. I even spent extra time writing about it. Oh well, it has been great fun and I guess some will have to wait for next year.

I am taking today off from Christmas movies in favor of work and then shopping, but since tomorrow is only 5 days from THE BIG DAY, I am going to start a countdown of my top five favorite Christmas movies. Everyone loves lists, including me, so stay tuned for number FIVE tomorrow....

Till next time,
Bradley

A Garfield Christmas

Dear Erica,

It's hard to believe that it was almost 30 years ago that Garfield took over the world. He was everywhere. Newspapers carried his strip at the top of the page. He had books in every gas station. He had calendars, T-shirts, posters and dolls. He was stuck to far too many car windshields. So what happened?

The 90s, that's what. He was a passing fad, replaced by The Far Side and Calvin and Hobbes. But both of those comic strips have long since died. So why, oh why, and HOW, is Garfield still being drawn? It isn't funny. It never was funny. I loved it as a child, but looking back on it, I have no idea why. Garfield is stupid and ugly. Jon is stupid and ugly. Odie is...well, he's pretty cute. But stupid. I am sad to report that I owned almost all of the Garfield treasuries as a child. I honestly don't know what happened to them, but I can only guess that they hurled themselves into a Hefty bag out of absolute shame.

What I am getting at is that no matter how bad the actual comic strip was, and is, they also made a TV version on Saturday mornings. Garfield and Friends was my version of Must-See-TV. And you know why? It's actually funny. It's actually cute. It's actually a good cartoon. I think you really need to hear Garfield's voice (the fabulous Lorenzo Music) for his sass and snark to come through.

A Garfield Christmas is the very best of all the TV episodes. Not only is it gut-bustingly funny, but it also has some of the sweetest family moments I have ever seen. There is a scene in particular that is genuinely touching because it is played with nary a hint of schmaltz; Grandma sits in her rocking chair with Garfield on her lap, wistfully reminiscing about the last Christmas with her husband. I can barely get through writing this sentence without bursting into tears. And I rarely cry.


This is when Garfield is at his very best. He does not make a snide comment, but instead sits patiently on Grandma's lap and does what only a cat can do. He really shouldn't be starring in newspaper comic strips, but he can leap into my lap any time he pleases.

Till next time,
Bradley