THE most wonderful time of the year would not be the same without seasonal films to watch while tucking into a mince pie- although some festive flops may compel you to finally wash up after Christmas dinner.
Reporter Ryan Smith looks at some Christmas classics you should watch with your loved ones and a few ‘turkeys’.
BEST- White Christmas
Bing Crosby was the king of Christmas long before Michael Buble and his 1954 effort ‘White Christmas’ is the perfect festive film.
After being hilariously introduced to singing act the Haynes sisters, old army friends Bob Wallace and Phil Davis team up with the duo to put on an all-singing, all-dancing Christmas show to help boost their old General Waverly’s failing hotel business.
The score is a glorious helping of legendary musical composer Irving Berlin’s greatest hits, the addition of singing talents Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney and Danny Kaye make for a truly beautiful two hours.
Crosby’s laid back yet heartfelt performance of ‘What do you do with a general’ in tribute to his old army colleague always brings a tear to my eye and the final Christmas show encapsulates the love and kindness synonymous with the holiday season.
WORST- Deck the Halls
I remember watching ‘Deck the Halls’ after decorating my own house but immediately never wanted to see another Christmas light again.
The concept of Danny DeVito’s Buddy trying to make his house viewable from space through Christmas lights is bonkers but offers scope for very funny satire.
There is, however, hardly any creative thinking into how to make the premise remotely work.
DeVito’s Buddy and Matthew Broderick’s Steve as neighbourly rivals come across as obnoxious, unlikeable and very mean spirited – not much festive cheer in this one.
How the pair are forgiven by their families after causing untold damage and blowing insane amounts of cash to be crowned ‘the Christmas guy’ I’ll never know.
BEST- Miracle on 34th Street
I’ve regrettably never seen the original version of this holiday classic, but its 1994 remake is among the most thought-provoking and wonderful pieces of cinema I’ve ever watched.
Richard Attenborough radiates all the warmth, wisdom and kindness you would want from Kris Kringle, and his touching scene where he speaks in sign language to a wide-eyed young deaf girl is my favourite Christmas movie moment.
Elizabeth Perkins gives a stunning, understated performance as the deeply reserved and insecure Dorey Walker, and her struggle to rediscover her faith both in Santa, her loved ones and herself is captivating and incredibly heartwarming.
Mara Wilson gives one of the best child acting performances I’ve seen as Susan Walker, dealing with such complex emotions and themes at such a young age is incredible.
WORST- Home Alone 3
The first two Home Alone films, while iconic, were basically the same product repackaged twice, so if the franchise was going to continue an extra dimension was needed.
As the minutes tick on painfully slowly, it becomes increasingly apparent they shouldn’t have bothered.
People underestimate what an incredibly mature and layered performer Macaulay Caulkin was for someone so young, and while Alex D Linz does not do a bad job, Caulkin’s charm is missing.
Focusing the plot around a high-tech computer chip the villains have to steal was baffling and unnecessary and the gags where Alex ‘gets the baddies’ aren’t staged or executed as well as the beatings Harry and Marv took in the first two films.
BEST- It’s a Wonderful Life
It’s a Wonderful Life’ may just be the best-written script in cinematic history.
George Bailey’s descent from a confident, ambitious young man to a broken and battered father worrying about crippling debt is captured masterfully by James Stewart and his eventual realisation of the impact the life he has had on so many others speaks to us all in a way few films can.
Donna Reed’s Mary has excellent chemistry with Stewart’s George and their well-fleshed-out love story serves as the anchor for this film to flourish.
There’s just something magical and soul-soothing about the black-and-white wide shot of George running through a snow-covered Bedford Falls without a worry in the world.
WORST- Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
The first two Santa Clause films were my go-to festive favourites as a child and I was only eight when this sequel was released but even then I felt something wasn’t quite right.
Tim Allen as Santa seems half asleep for much of the runtime, and Martin Short is too likeable to convincingly play the villainous Jack Frost, coming across more as a pantomime meanie than any real threat.
A lot of the dialogue comes across as flat and awkward too, especially in scenes involving Santa’s in-laws, and the build-up to Frost’s evil scheme is contrived and lazy.
