Chloe Wu, Vedika Bahuguna, Eva Roukema, Toby Chen, and Annicka Sen
November 2, 2022
1. Home Alone- Toby Chen
A hectic family getaway, a mischievous boy home alone, and loathsome bandits are just some of the elements for this incredible Christmas classic. “Home Alone” is the story of Kevin Mcallistar, a disobedient 8 year old, who gets banished to the attic, after making a scene the night before his family’s long-awaited trip. The morning of the flight, the Mcallistar’s leave in a hurry, arriving just seconds before their plane is about to take-off. All the while, Kevin contentedly wakes up to an empty house, and his parents realize their immense mistake. Sliding down the stairs, devouring plate after plate of chocolate cake and jumping on his parents’ bed, are just a couple of Kevin’s delights, when he assumes that his wish to have no family has come true. However, two mysterious bandits show up, desperately trying to rob the Mcallistar residence. Kevin has to defend his house against the bandits, while patiently waiting for his family to return. “Home Alone” is a must-watch that reveals the importance of family and independence.
2. Elf - Toby Chen
Have you ever felt out of place? Well, imagine being in Buddy’s shoes. This delightfully comical film opens with a happy-go-lucky child, Buddy, played by Will Ferell, who accidentally crawls into Santa’s bag, leading to him being brought up by Santa and his elves. He thrives in this new environment, assuming that he too is an elf, until he overhears the truth. After facing the newfound fact that he is human, he embarks on an adventure to modern day New York City to find his long lost father, believing that he will be welcomed back with fun and excitement. However, when he arrives, his “real” father wants nothing to do with him, and he is viewed as an eccentric and bizarre outsider by everybody else. Elf is a family favorite that leads us through Buddy’s hilarious (And often quite awkward) misadventures in New York, from facing exhilarating situations like dating the girl of his dreams, ruining the house with his brother, Michael, and ultimately finding out his true identity and who he wants to be. This remarkable holiday-favorite is sure to grasp your attention and fill you with plenty of Christmas cheer.
3. Daddy’s Home 2 - Chloe Wu
String Will Ferrell and Mark Whalburg, the movie Daddy’s Home 2 might just be the perfect Christmas favorite for you this year. Released in 2015, this sequel of the hilariously iconic Daddy’s Home is an incredibly directed film that will leave you crying with laughter. The family Brad and Dusty father isn’t a traditional one, as they’ve each got kids with the same women, these two always find themselves against the other. Brad is a warm person who has nothing but love and acceptance, while Dusty is the definition of ‘tough guy’. Placed and released in the christmas season, this movie has all the modern day chaos of family gatherings that we would expect. Christmas break for this family gets a whole lot crazier when both Brad and Dusty’s dads come into the picture. Through the adventure of a disastrous family vacation, quarrels between moms, and the surprise of an unexpected character, this movie will hold you captive in front of the TV. By the closing scene you’ll be filled with more Christmas warmth and family love than you know what to do with. With that, Daddy’s home 2 is for sure the perfect addition to your 2021 Christmas break bucket list.
4. The Polar Express - Chloe Wu
Seeing is believing. These three little words take on a whole new world of meaning in the modern classic: The Polar Express. Open up your mind to the wonders of the Polar Express and you’ll find yourself standing right next to the other kids in the swirling snow and marvelling at the giant christmas tree. A childhood staple, this movie has probably inspired belief in Santa and the polar express since it was released in 2004. It’s actually based on a real-life steam locomotive, The Pere Marquette 1225, and this movie is a Christmas MUST WATCH, so turn on your TV, grab a cup of hot chocolate, a huge blanket, your siblings, and be surrounded by the Christmas magic this enthralling animation has to offer.
5. The Miracle on 34th street - Eva Roukema
In The Miracle of 34th Street beliefs are tested and a single man creates an uproar in New York city. As a man named Kris Kringle is asked to fill in for Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, he claims to be the real Saint Nick. While helping a little girl named Susan Walker as well as many other kids get back their beliefs in Santa, Kris is called clinically insane and put on trial. This classic Christmas film starring Natillie Wood and Edmand Gwenn is just what you need to get yourself into the Christmas spirit and believe once again in Christmas miracles.
6. The Grinch - Annicka Sen
Based on a story by Dr Seuss, The Grinch is a 2018 Disney animated film starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role. It follows the Grinch, who lives a solitary life with his dog, Max, inside a cave. His main source of aggravation comes during Christmastime when his neighbours celebrate the holiday with a bang. Frustrated by the ever-growing celebrations, he teams up with his dog and decides to ruin the festive spirit by being a spoilsport. With its themes of growth, love, and the true meaning of Christmas, The Grinch is the kind of film that can be enjoyed by a lot of people, making it the perfect film to watch with your family on Christmas.
7. While you were sleeping- Vedika Bahuguna
If there was a movie that captured the feeling of drinking hot chocolate during snowfall, While You Were Sleeping would be the guaranteed victor. Starring Sandra Bullock as the sweet and unassuming protagonist, Lucy, she sets off to pursue a seemingly straightforward love in Chicago, all while getting entangled in his family’s haywire yet loveable antics and dynamic. On the surface, the film is portrayed as yet another cliche romantic comedy, but it instead spins the classic tale of a romance by adding twists and turns that truly captures the viewer’s attention, all while remaining tame enough that it earns a solid spot as a family favorite.
8. Bridget Jones’s Diary - Vedika Bahuguna
The hilarious affairs and misadventures of a 30-something British woman (fantastically played by Renee Zellweger) still holds the relatability and relevance as it had when it was released in 2001, and makes Bridget Jones’s Diary a staple in the genre of romantic comedies. Wickedly funny and endlessly heartwarming, our protagonist Bridget Jones takes the audience on her precarious journey to find true love by dating several questionable contenders, all while balancing the many embarrassments of her parent’s Christmas buffets, the constant presence of the seemingly disagreeable Mark Darcy, humiliating miscommunications at a costume parties, and dating her boss. Jenny Han, the beloved author of ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’, stated that Bridget Jones’s Diary was “her favorite romantic-comedy of all time”. Bridget Jones’s Diary is the perfect film to curl up to and watch during the upcoming Christmas break, and will guarantee plenty of laughs, along with an unwavering smile and love for the protagonist.
9. The Nightmare Before Christmas- Eva Roukema
The Nightmare Before Christmas, produced by Tim Burton and Denise Di Novi is a family movie loved by the masses. Starring a heartbroken skeleton king, Jack, halloween land is a drab and lonely place - until Jack stumbles across Christmas land. Seeing how happy and cheerful everyone is Jack decides to kidnap the big man himself and take over Christmas, making Halloween town into a new found Christmas pleasure. This family favorite is a feel good pleasure to watch, following closely with Tim Burton's other cinematic marvels such as The Corpse Bride and Frankenwinne. Though it does not follow like a traditional Christmas movie, watchers of all ages can enjoy and empathise with the characters and music throughout this feature film.
10. Die Hard - Annicka Sen
This critically acclaimed 1988 action film starring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a Christmas film, but it might just be the next best thing to add to your list of films to watch when you feel like celebrating Christmas. Rather than the usual feel-good themes of wishes, love and magic, Die Hard is violent, with its NYPD officer protagonist having his Christmas Eve celebrations interrupted by a group of terrorists. The violence in this film might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you want to add just some spice to your catalogue of Christmas movies, Die Hard might just be it.
Image Credit to IMDb, IndieWire, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, and Disney Movies