Monday, December 29, 2008

Memories

Okay, they say things come full circle and I am starting to believe it. I can distinctively remember the first time I watched the movie Home Alone. Just how many countless times I have seen it since I have no clue. I think It just may be part of my generations classic movies of Christmas. While I do not think it rates all the way up there with It's a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th St(the original) but when I think of Christmas that movie does come to mind. What is funny is that I think of lines to that movie even when it's not Christmas. When the uncle says, 'Look what you did, you little jerk!' This line is always repeated anytime I hear anyone say, 'look what you did!' sometimes it is not wholly appropriate but it is there, tucked into the tiny folds of my cranium.

What was the magic of this movie? I think it was the fact that we as children always think we would be better off without our parents and siblings around. Maybe that carries into adulthood but that's fodder for another post on another day. Anyway, just like any of us the star of the movie lives it up thinking he has gotten his greatest wish. Then later when he is reunited with his family he realizes just how much he loves and needs his family.

Now my children are watching this movie with the eyes of wishful children and wondering what they would do without their parents around. I see this movie with deeper meaning now as an adult.(I am an adult right? at least as far as the legal definition goes)

What other movies from the last twenty years or so, with a Christmas theme have left a big mark on us the 'regular' public? Could it be Jim Carey's 'The Grinch"? What movies would you, my fellow stalkers want to put on a 'New Holiday Classics' list?

10 comments:

Mike said...

I can always watch two movies every year around this time. 'Miracle on 34th street' and 'It's a wonderful life'.

Ronda's Rants said...

We love it's a Wonderful life...but you asked about last 20 years...For us it is Scrooged with Bill Murray...makes me cry everytime!
Our thanskgiving movie is Planes, Trains and Automobles!
I know we aren't very serious people!

Rhonda said...

I have never seen It's a Wonderful Life, but so many people have mentioned it all over the blogosphere that it has piqued my curiosity!

My faves would be Scrooged also, with some of the Grinch and some Jack Frost. Oh, and The Santa Claus! Loved it!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

cornnut32 said...

christmas vacation! and definitely the santa clause. i also like elf, as well. when i was a kid, i watched mickey's christmas carol every single year. i also like the muppet's version.

one of my favorite favorite favorite classics is white christmas with bing crosby. and it's a wonderful life.

Dolly said...

I love Home Alone also...quite the ingenious child to fend off burglers and not get too scared. My favorite scene is when he's talking to himself in the mirror :) Ha! He's a crack-up...

EmmaP said...

one that we love at our house is "Mixed Nuts". I will be honest and say that despite an all-star cast (Steve Martin, Rita Wilson, Madeline Kahn, Adam Sandler, Anthony Lapaglia, Gary Shandling, and more) the movie did not get great reviews, and is not well-known. Additionally, it isn't all that appropriate for kids, thus the pg-13 rating. nevertheless, I love that movie and I laugh out loud every time i watch it. I figure it isn't any worse than the National Lampoons christmas - tho i guess it isn't any better either. still - one of my fav's! (does that make me a bad person?)

Rhonda said...

I need to check out emma's suggestion.

We also watched home alone this season and the kids LOVED IT!!! Especially my 7 yr old and 4 yr old! We did Elf, Miracle on 34th street and for the first time ever watched ITs a wonderful life. We also have several others but we didn't watch A Christmas Story this year and I regret that. I'm sure it was on tv a thousand times. Next year that'll top my list!

WeaselMomma said...

I have to say #1 A Christmas Story, #2 ELF, #3 Scrooged. I loved Home Alone, but the only 'thing' I took away from it was laughs.

petra michelle; Whose role is it anyway? said...

There are so many great Holiday films out there. A "new" classic Christmas movie...The Family Stone, The Holiday, or Love Actually.

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Aunt Julie said...

I'm thinking Home Alone is a good place to start. I also really like Miracle on 34th Street and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon and live versions).

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