browneyes106
11-10-2009, 11:03 PM
25. 'The Polar Express' (2004)
Sure, the performance-capture technology may have rendered the children a touch frightening to look at (at least it improved dramatically with 'Beowulf'), but there's still plenty of joy to be had in this fast-moving adaptation of the beloved children's book starring an ensemble of Tom Hankses.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/1-the-polar-express-150-1257275634.jpg
24. 'We're No Angels' (1955)
This Christmas caper reteaming Humphrey Bogart with his 'Casablanca' director was the icon's rare comedy, and Bogie, Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray had a ball playing escaped convicts with hearts of gold (are there any other kind?). But the 1989 remake, starring Robert De Niro and Sean Penn, was just criminal.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/2-were-no-angels-150-1257275608.jpg
23. 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' (1992)
Michael Caine is miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and Kermit the Frog is kindly Bob Cratchit in the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational take on the Dickens tale ever to star 99 percent Muppets.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/3-muppet-christmas-carol-150.jpg
22. 'Joyeux Noel' (2006)
This moving Oscar-nominated drama tells the true story of German, French and Scottish troops in WWI who called a ceasefire for Christmas Eve. If they can find peace on earth for this most special of nights, surely you can grin and bear the in-laws.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/4-joyeux-noel-150.jpg
21. 'Gremlins' (1984)
If you think this flick about vicious green monsters tearing up a small town during the holidays isn't very Christmasy, thank your lucky stars they nixed plans for scenes in which Gremlins behead Billy's mom, eat his dog and chow down on McDonald's patrons (but strangely not the burgers). Merry Christmas!
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/5-gremlins-150.jpg
20. 'The Santa Clause' (1994)
Tim Allen is actually, uh, jolly in this fun family tale about a guy who accidentally kills Kris Kringle -- whoops! -- then has to take his job, unwillingly at first but then growing to love it (not coincidentally, how many grown-ups feel about the movie). We will not comment on the two sequels.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/6-the-santa-clause-150.jpg
19. 'Bad Santa' (2003)
There are two types of movie fans: those who expect their Santa noble and god-fearing, with perhaps a hint of safe Tim Allen-esque humor, and those who'll allow him the occasional slip into vulgarity, promiscuity and armed burglary. To the latter group, this black comedy's a classic. To the former, we're sorry.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/7-bad-santa-billy-bob-thornton-150.jpg
18. 'The Dead' (1987)
John Huston directed his daughter Anjelica in this delicately rendered adaptation of a James Joyce short story, set in Ireland at a Christmas dinner. Not your traditional holiday fare, but don't let that keep you away -- it's a brilliantly bittersweet confection that should be savored.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/8-the-dead-angelica-houston-150.jpg
17. 'The Shop Around the Corner' (1940)
Though it inspired 'You've Got Mail,' this rom-com classic feels more akin to 'Love Actually' in its unabashed romanticism. James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan are the oblivious couple on a crash-course toward love one X-mas Eve, proving one of film's best pairings in the process.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/9-little-shop-around-the-corner-150-1257542182.jpg
16.Die Hard' (1988)
There's no better way to get in the Christmas spirit than watching a wife-beater-clad Bruce Willis single-handedly decimate a skyscraperful of terrorists on Christmas Eve. The classic one liners, the genre-redefining action, the genius use of a Run-DMC holiday tune -- it's like a gift from Jesus himself.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/10-die-hard-bruce-willis-150.jpg
Sure, the performance-capture technology may have rendered the children a touch frightening to look at (at least it improved dramatically with 'Beowulf'), but there's still plenty of joy to be had in this fast-moving adaptation of the beloved children's book starring an ensemble of Tom Hankses.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/1-the-polar-express-150-1257275634.jpg
24. 'We're No Angels' (1955)
This Christmas caper reteaming Humphrey Bogart with his 'Casablanca' director was the icon's rare comedy, and Bogie, Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray had a ball playing escaped convicts with hearts of gold (are there any other kind?). But the 1989 remake, starring Robert De Niro and Sean Penn, was just criminal.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/2-were-no-angels-150-1257275608.jpg
23. 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' (1992)
Michael Caine is miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and Kermit the Frog is kindly Bob Cratchit in the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational take on the Dickens tale ever to star 99 percent Muppets.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/3-muppet-christmas-carol-150.jpg
22. 'Joyeux Noel' (2006)
This moving Oscar-nominated drama tells the true story of German, French and Scottish troops in WWI who called a ceasefire for Christmas Eve. If they can find peace on earth for this most special of nights, surely you can grin and bear the in-laws.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/4-joyeux-noel-150.jpg
21. 'Gremlins' (1984)
If you think this flick about vicious green monsters tearing up a small town during the holidays isn't very Christmasy, thank your lucky stars they nixed plans for scenes in which Gremlins behead Billy's mom, eat his dog and chow down on McDonald's patrons (but strangely not the burgers). Merry Christmas!
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/5-gremlins-150.jpg
20. 'The Santa Clause' (1994)
Tim Allen is actually, uh, jolly in this fun family tale about a guy who accidentally kills Kris Kringle -- whoops! -- then has to take his job, unwillingly at first but then growing to love it (not coincidentally, how many grown-ups feel about the movie). We will not comment on the two sequels.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/6-the-santa-clause-150.jpg
19. 'Bad Santa' (2003)
There are two types of movie fans: those who expect their Santa noble and god-fearing, with perhaps a hint of safe Tim Allen-esque humor, and those who'll allow him the occasional slip into vulgarity, promiscuity and armed burglary. To the latter group, this black comedy's a classic. To the former, we're sorry.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/7-bad-santa-billy-bob-thornton-150.jpg
18. 'The Dead' (1987)
John Huston directed his daughter Anjelica in this delicately rendered adaptation of a James Joyce short story, set in Ireland at a Christmas dinner. Not your traditional holiday fare, but don't let that keep you away -- it's a brilliantly bittersweet confection that should be savored.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/8-the-dead-angelica-houston-150.jpg
17. 'The Shop Around the Corner' (1940)
Though it inspired 'You've Got Mail,' this rom-com classic feels more akin to 'Love Actually' in its unabashed romanticism. James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan are the oblivious couple on a crash-course toward love one X-mas Eve, proving one of film's best pairings in the process.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/9-little-shop-around-the-corner-150-1257542182.jpg
16.Die Hard' (1988)
There's no better way to get in the Christmas spirit than watching a wife-beater-clad Bruce Willis single-handedly decimate a skyscraperful of terrorists on Christmas Eve. The classic one liners, the genre-redefining action, the genius use of a Run-DMC holiday tune -- it's like a gift from Jesus himself.
http://www.blogcdn.com/insidemovies.moviefone.com/media/2009/11/10-die-hard-bruce-willis-150.jpg