Top 10 - Favorite Christmas Movies

I love Christmas, it’s my favorite holiday. Spending time with family, having dinner, play games AND watch movies. Often the same ones me and my family chooses. And I don’t always like th most traditional Christmas movies. Here is a list of my 10 favorite Christmas (or set during Christmas) movies (not necessarily the best by the way).
 

10. Krampus (2015)
A Christmas horror film. Krampus is the devil-variant of Santa Clause, taking all the bad children. A satirical, Christmas horror, I’m so in. Full review HERE
 

9. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Always referred to as ‘that one with Chevy Chase’ in our household. My dad’s favorite Christmas movie of all-time. Even though we have seen this movie together a gazillion times, we (especially my dad) laugh so hard over all the things going wrong during the Griswold’s family Christmas. And everything that can go wrong, goes wrong. Somehow other people’s sorrow is fun to us….
 

8. Elf (2003)
Buddy grew up as an Elf, but really is not one. He is send to New York to find his real father and realizes that the true spirit of Christmas is disappearing. Will Ferrell as Buddy is just adorable and hilarious at the same time, such an enjoyable no-brainer of a Christmas movie.
 

7. A Muppet’s Christmas Carol (1992)
This had been my favorite before, but somehow I prefer 7 other Christmas movies now. The Muppets can not do anything wrong, they always bring joy to every family. It’s a musical, fille with all of our favorite Muppets, telling the classic Charles Dickens story.
 

6. Love Actually (2003)
The best romantic Christmas movie in my opinion. We follow several love stories in the weeks leading to Christmas. With a star-studded cast and many memorable scenes, this is such a lovely, heart-warming film.
 

5. Home Alone (1990)
It’s not Christmas without “Home Alone”. And still fun after so many rewatches. The young Kevin is accidentally left home alone right before Christmas. Two burglars have had their eye on the house, thinking no one is home. When they realize someone IS home, but it’s just a young boy, they think it’s a walk in the park. Think again. Super fun film, always a joy to watch with the family during Christmas. HERE you can read my full review. 
 

4. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang  (2005)
I believe this is one of those crime murder mysteries that people seem to forget about. And it’s set during Christmas, so, adding it to my list. High, because this one (and the three after this) are also on my 100 favorite movies of all-time list. Petty thief Harry Lockhart is on the run from the police and accidentally lands a role in a Hollywood movie. To gain some experience, he tags along with private detective Perry. They get involved in a murder mystery. A crime comedy, with a film noir style and a murder mystery going on. Full review HERE
 

3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Macabre stop-motion animation that follows the adventures of Pumpkin King Jack Skelington who has had enough of his dark Halloweentown. He discovers Christmastown by chance and want to celebrate Christmas. The ongoing discussion whether this is a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie may never end, but that’s for me a reason to watch this film at least twice a year. A magnificent stop-motion film, that amazes me every time I watch it. Read my full review HERE
 

2. Die Hard (1988)
New York police officer John McClane travels for Christmas to a party in the Los Angeles skyscraper where his wife works. Unfortunately, a gang of terrorists led by the German Hans Gruber has planned a hostage-taking operation that very night. “Die Hard” is a classic action film, with the cynical, lone hero McClane. And even though Bruce Willis himself says that “Die Hard” isn’t a Christmas movie, it’s a top favorite for me and my family during the holiday season.
 
1. Gremlins (1984)
A film that is always my first choice when it comes to the Christmas movie I pick. It wasn’t marketed as a Christmas movie, but it’s set during this holiday and a big part of the film as well. A rock solid mix of dark humor and horror, with an ironic Christmas atmosphere. And with the cutest movie creature to be ever created: Gizmo.  Full review HERE
 
Honorable mentions: It’s a Wonderful Life, The Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special, Jingle All the Way, The Shop Around the Corner, Happiest Season, Violent Night, Bad Santa, Scrooged, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Last Christmas

Rewatching My 100 Favorite Movies - Update 12

I decided to rewatch my 100 favorite movies of all-time. What those are, you can check HERE. I watch them in random order, there is no rhyme or reason there, just watching those movies I love so much.
 

39/ 100: Gremlins (1984)
Chris Columbus wrote the script of this cult classic. The film has dark humor, not-too-scary horror and an ironic Christmas atmosphere. With that, cinema got the cutest movie creature ever. The film about the little Mogwai, which is not allowed to get wet, be exposed to light and can’t eat after midnight, is my all-time favorite Christmas movie and one I never get tired of. Read my full review HERE
 

40/ 100: Mystic River (2003)
As young boys, Dave, Jimmy and Sean suffered a terrible trauma when one of them was kidnapped and sexually abused. Years later, they are now adults and married, the nineteen-year-old daughter of one of them is found murdered. Dave is one of the suspects, as on the night of the crime he came home in a confused state and with bloodied hands. Soon old wounds are reopened. Strong, somber whodunit, worthwhile mainly because of the character building, excellent direction by Clint Eastwood and performances by Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Marcia Gay Harden and Laura Linney. HERE is my full review.
 

41/ 100: The Big Lebowski (1998)
Bowling and blowing Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski is the laziest man of Los Angeles. Bandits who mistake him an old rich guy with the same name play a prank on him, whereupon The Dude goes to seek redress with the Big Lebowski. The out-of-control situation is splendidly portrayed, with stron, humorous characters, hallucinogenic dream sequences and wonderful dialogue. One of the best film in the impressive oeuvre of the Brother Ethan and Joel Coen. Read my full review HERE
 
Still to watch: 59

80s Movie Review - Gremlins

Director: Joe Dante
Genre: Comedy/ Horror/ Fantasy
Runtime: 106 minutes
Year: 1984
Starring: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Frances Lee McCain, Judge Reinhold, John Louie, Keye Luke, Don Steele, Scott Brady, Dick Miller, Arnie Moore, Susan Burgess, Corey Feldman

Description: A boy inadvertantly breaks 3 important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.

Review: Films like “Gremlins” are such a joy to watch, no matter how many time you see them. For someone from the eighties, “Gremlins” is a piece of nostalgia, but for today’s viewers it’s also a fun film. A classic in its genre, because who doesn’t know Gizmo?
Billy gets a new pet from his dad, a so called Mogwai. There are three very important rules: don’t let him get into the light, don’t get him wet and don’t feed him after midnight. Billy doesn’t manage to live up to those rules and all hell breaks loose in an American town.
Gizmo is without a doubt the cutest, most adorable and heartwarming movie creature ever created. And that’s exactly how bad and scary the Gremlins are. But all of it is entertaining to watch and causes you to laugh.
The movie was made before the era of computer animations. With this thought, Joe Dante did a great job on “Gremlins”. The creatures look really good and detailed. And it still holds up. That makes “Gremlins” a timeless classic, especially for those who grew up with this film.

Rating: 5/ 5
 
 

Top 5 Thursday: Christmas Movies

I love Christmas! It’s such a lovely time and I enjoy spending it with my family. What I also love is the Christmas movies. Every year the same, but still I’m entertained. So here is how I ranked them: movie which get me in the Christmas mood. Here are my favorites.

5. Love Actually
My guilty pleasure… I secretly swoon when I watch this movie. Don’t you just melt when Andrew Lincoln is showing his cue-cards, or smirk whenever Hugh Grant starts to dance. And what about that cute kid trying to win over the girl of his dreams by learning to play the drums. Filled with romance and the true spirit of Christmas!

4. Gremlins
Jolly good times I’ve had while watching this movie. Great film, so much fun and also a bit scary. It’s fascinating that a creature as cute as Gizmo, can turn into such a horrible green monster. They do know how to show the Christmas spirit though.

3. Die Hard
OK, not your mood setter, but it is Christmas. I also watch it when it isn’t Christmas, but when I think of this holiday I also think of “Die Hard”.

2. Home Alone
I stopped counting, that’s how many times I have already seen it. And still it cracks me up every single time and I just love how Kevin outsmarts those burglars every single time.

1. The Muppet Christmas Carol
There are so many movies based on the most famous Christmas story, but this is without a doubt the people’s choice. Well, it’s my choice!

They Almost Made the Top 5: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, In Bruges, Life of Brian

Top 5 Thursday: Movies from 1984

I found someone doing lists like this online and I thought of doing it too. I decided to start with my year of birth, 1984. The best movies from that year in a top 5.

5. The Neverending Story
This movie was a big thing for me when I was a kid. These days children wouldn’t appreciate it as much, but I still do. And that wolf, Gmork, freaks me out!

4. Ghostbuster
How can I not include “Ghostbusters”? Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd are great together and the stars of this movie. I haven’t seen it in a while though.

3. The Terminator
Although the second one is the best in the series, this is very cool as well. I think this put Arnie on the map.

2. Gremlins
“Gremlins” is one of those movies I can watch over and over again. Gizmo is the cutest movie character ever and I think this film is timeless. It’s fun and scary at the same time.

1. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
I love the entire franchise, okay maybe I want to forget about the last one, but it brought my favourite male character in movies.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Nightmare on Elm Street, Bachelor Party, Beverly Hills Cop

Movie Moments: "Gremlins"

I'm always amazed when people tell me they never saw "Gremlins", because how the hell is that possible. It's on TV practically every Christmas and everyone knows Gizmo. I personaly love it so much, I decided to share with you my favorite moments in the film.

Moment # 1: The Store
We meet Randall Peltzer, an inventor, who enters an obscure store. He discovers a Mogwai and wants to buy it for his son Billy. But the Mogwai isn’t for sale. Later a boy gives it to Randall in an alley.

Moment # 2: Meet Gizmo
Randall comes home with his present for Bill. We meet the Mogwai, named Gizmo.

Moment # 3: Gizmo sings
Billy is playing his keyboard and Gizmo repeats the notes. Then he starts to sing.

Moment # 4: Water
Pete spills water and it falls on Gizmo. Little balls of fur pop out of Gizmo’s back. More Mogwais. Gizmo isn’t happy about it.

Moment # 5: Gizmo plays the trumpet
Billy shows his dad the other Mogwais, telling him they are nothing like Gizmo. Gizmo is playing the trumpet and the other Mogwais are teasing him.

Moment # 6: 3D-glasses
Gizmo is reading a book with 3D-glasses on and Billy asks him if he’s having fun. Where Gizmo respons: “FUN!!”

Moment # 7: The kitchen
Billy’s mom discovers a gremlin in the kitchen and puts it in the mixer, she stabbes another and the third explodes in the microwave. When she leaves the kitchen there’s a gremlin in the Christmas tree and attacks her. Billy saves her, but one of the gremlins gets away.

Moment # 8: Snowplow
Murray Futterman and his wife are watching television, when all of a sudden the signal gets bad. Murray checks the antenna and then his snowplow starts driving towards him and the house. It’s gremlins, he always knew.

Moment # 9: Mrs. Deagle goes flying
The mean and annoying Mrs. Deagle opens the door for carolers, but it’s gremlins. She closes the door and wants to go upstairs in her chair elevator. It was tampered with, so she speeds up and flies through the window.

Moment # 10: Gremlins at Dorry’s Tavern
All the gremlins have gathered in Dorry’s tavern, where Kate is having trouble with them. When she discovers they can’t stand light, she starts flashing a camera and is able to get away.

Moment # 11: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
The gremlins are all in the theater watching Snow White and they seem to enjoy it. Kate and Billy have a plan want to set the theater onnfire.it works, but again one gets away.

Moment # 12: Gizmo drives a car
Billy is in trouble and comes to the rescue. He is driving a car and he’s loving it.

Moment # 13: Bye Billy
Gizmo goes back to the owner of the store. Before he leaves, there’s one more thing. Gizmo says: “Bye Billy”.


Favorite Moment: Moment # 3: Gizmo sings

Top 5 Thursday: Cute Movie Characters

I love to analyze movie characters, but sometimes you don’t have to look that close to know that a character is simply adorable. I made a list of characters that have a high cute factor.

5. Dobby (“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”)
Although Dobby is a little strange and a bit too obedient, Dobby deserves a place in this list. He’s a very loyal house elf and had a crucial role at the end of the Harry Potter series.

4. Sid (“Ice Age”)
Most people say Scrat is the cute one in the film, but I go nuts for Sid. His lisps makes him even more likeable and his silliness is to die for. I love Sid, he’s fantastic.

3. Boo (“Monsters Inc.”)
Boo is such a sweet and cute girl. She makes Sully and Mike realize that children aren’t anything to be afraid of.

2. E.T.
This cute alien breaks my heart every time. E.T. is super adorable and unforgettable. When he leaves and says goodbye to Elliot, I can’t help but cry.

1. Gizmo (“Gremlins”)
Gizmo really stands out. How cute is he!!!! He looks sweet with those big eyes and ears, his singing is just to melt for and when he starts to talk. Everything Gizmo does is cute, he’s just über cute!

They almost made the top 5: Tiny Tim (“A Muppet’s Christmas Carol”), Timon (“The Lion King”), Rex (“Toy Story”), Aliëns (“Toy Story”), Ewok (“Star Wars”), Frank (“The Rescuers Down Under”), Yoda (“Star Wars”), Cole Sear (“The Sixth Sense”), Scrat (“Ice Age”)