Time for this reviewer to set aside her practically terminal sarcasm, to reflect on favorite Christmas films.
It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
This reviewer's all-time favorite Christmas film.
Jimmy Stewart is George Bailey, who, when he is about to commit suicide, is prevented by the sudden appearance and intervention of his "guardian angel", Clarence (Henry Travers). Clarence gives George the chance to see what life would have been like had he never been born. The beautiful Donna Reed is Mary, his wife. The audience sees George's life evolve up to the very point that he becomes desolate and turns to suicide as a last resort, and then as he is taken by his guardian angel through events as they would have occurred had he never existed, how he "really had a wonderful life, wouldn't it be a shame to throw it away?" Lionel Barrymore stars as the town's evil slumlord Mr. Potter, who famously yells at George "Merry Christmas! IN JAIL!"
A commercial flop when it was initially released, although nominated for five Oscars, and often referred to as "Capracorn" at the time, Frank Capra being the director, and because it was considered so "corny", it has since become a much-loved classic. It's also the movie with the most romantic scene of all time: the phone scene. When Jimmy Stewart is listening in on the phone call with Donna Reed, and they end up kissing....the whole buildup to that moment when he grabs her...THE BEST EVER ROMANTIC MOVIE SCENE, bar none, in this reviwer's opinion. However, the part where the audience is shown that Reed's character would have become a dowdy, shy, nearsighted old maid librarian, with bushy eyebrows, no less, if she hadn't met Stewart's character, is ludicrous, not to mention sexist. Sam Wainwright would have married her! ;P
Other recommended Christmas films...
Elf (2003)- funny and creepy and festive...all at the same time
Badder Santa (2003) - great to offset "It's A Wonderful Life"
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) - a timeless classic
A Christmas Carol (1951) - Alistair Sim - 'nuff said
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)- perfect story - perfect animation - perfect narration
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)- Tim Burton's strange and wonderful take on the season
