The Christmas spirit can be a polarizing subject – some people can’t get enough of the holiday jingles and television specials, and some can’t shut them off fast enough.
Regardless, they keep coming back each year. To celebrate the resilience of all things Christmas, the North Wind staff took a moment to reflect on their favorite movies of the holiday season.
Photo editor Kristen Koehler
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is a holiday comedy that never fails to entertain. Chevy Chase portrays Clark Griswold, a father determined to create the perfect old-fashioned Christmas for his family.
It becomes apparent early on their holiday will be far from traditional when Griswold attempts to string thousands of Christmas lights on the roof and clumsily staples himself to the storm gutter instead.
More hilarious mishaps ensue, most of which are self-inflicted by Griswold. A severely-overcooked turkey taints the Griswold’s holiday feast and one family member even swirls a slice of meat in their water glass in hopes of rehydration.
Christmas Vacation is filled with many more amusing holiday disasters that everyone can relate to during this time of year.
News editor Hannah Fermanich: Disney’s “The Muppet Christmas Carol” has had a special place in my family for as long as I can remember. Michael Caine, playing the grouchy old Ebenezer Scrooge, joins the Muppet gang in their humorous spin on this holiday classic.
This light-hearted film, complete with musical numbers, still brings the message of the true meaning of Christmas to light. This film is one of my favorites because of its silly humor and storytelling. It always manages to bring a smile during the holiday season.
Sports editor Jon Young
My favorite Christmas movie of all time is “The Christmas Story.” This movie embodies the excitement and imagination of being a child around Christmas time.
Despite the many subplots, the movie focuses on the main character, Ralphie, getting an “Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle.”
But of course the lame adults don’t understand the need of a nine-year-old boy to have a BB gun and repeatedly inform him, “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” Ralphie, not easily deterred, makes it his mission to obtain the gun. This isn’t the only action he faces as he has to avoid local bully Scut Farkus, angry parents, bank robbers and triple-dog dares. Good news for fans, the movie runs for 24 hours straight on TBS during Christmas.
Opinions editor Lee McClelland
Lee McClelland has had his fill of traditional Christmas movies. One of his treasured holiday movies is “Santa’s Slay” (2005), a cheesy B-movie where Santa is actually a demon who lost a bet with an angel over a curling match.
As punishment, he must deliver toys to girls and boys for 1,000 years. After the bet is over, Santa gets naughty before the New Year. It is an unconventional twist for those who are sick of “A Christmas Story.”
Editor-in-chief Shaina James
The classic “Home Alone” is the greatest Christmas movie for kids and adults alike. An 8-year-old boy (Macaulay Culkin) is responsible for guarding his house from burglars, after his parents accidently left him behind when they travel to France for Christmas.
This entertaining movie will leave its audience on the edge of their seats, as this boy sets up booby traps and fends off the burglars.
Features editor Nolan Krebs: “Jingle All the Way” is hands down the greatest Christmas movie of all time. The 90-minute masterpiece is completely devoid of self-awareness, and it continually reaffirms for its pre-pubescent audience that the role of suburban Daddy (Arnold Schwarzenegger) on Christmas is to cut down those who stand in the way of obtaining the material possessions that the spoiled suburban child feels strangely entitled to.
When Daddy misses kiddo’s karate recital, he becomes hell-bent on getting his son a Turbo-Man doll. Over the course of the film, Arnold beats his way to victory, halting only momentarily to thoroughly decimate the villain, played by Sinbad.
If you’re feeling disillusioned about the air of insanity surrounding Black Friday and Christmas, watch “Jingle All the Way” to remember it’s all sort of a weird joke.
Copy editor Saige James
I would have to say my favorite Christmas movie is definitely “Elf.” There are so many funny one-liners that make me laugh no matter how many times I watch it. “Bye Buddy, hope you find your dad,” has to be one of my favorite quotes from the movie.
I am not sure if it is the fact that an older man, which just so happens to be one of my personal favorite actors Will Ferrell, believes he is an elf that makes it so enjoyable or all the light humor throughout. Either way this movie will never get old.
Copy editor Marcellino Signorelli
My favorite Christmas movie is Tim Burton’s “A Nightmare Before Christmas.” The animation always fascinated me as a child and I actually enjoy the music as well. I like the plot, with the story of Jack and Sally falling in love, but also Jack learning about a brand-new world. He experiences and embraces the world of “Christmas” even though all he was used to was Halloween.
Layout/online editor Ben Stewart
My favorite Christmas movie is also Tim Burton’s “A Nightmare Before Christmas.” After being forced to watch “A Christmas Story” every year in grade school, I was fed up with wholesome holiday movies.
“A Nightmare Before Christmas” is as far from wholesome as it gets, and I have always been intrigued by Tim Burton’s style of animation and direction. It takes dark, scary characters and juxtaposes them into the happiest environment of the year: Christmas time. “Elf” is a close second as far as entertaining Christmas movies go, but nothing compares to Jack and Sally’s horrific holiday tale.
