Well, I did it for Spooky Season, and I did it for Thanksgiving, so I guess I’ve gotta put it out there for the holidays as well. Some of you longtime SoBros Network readers know I’m a bit of a lunatic when it comes to keeping a seasonal schedule. I don’t know – call me old-fashioned, but I feel like it just helps set the mood and atmosphere. And, watching movies is one of the few things I can do and truly turn my overactive brain off and stop thinking about work. So, it only makes sense that I would have my go-to comfort movies – just like I have my go-to comfort ‘everything else’ out there.
I do like to keep it light at this time of year, though. Some folks have viewing guides a mile long, trying to squeeze in every Christmas movie they can. I don’t know if I could keep up with the 31 days of Halloween or the 25 days of Christmas. But, I do my fair share of festive viewing. The whole objective, for me, is to de-stress. I want to lighten my load as much as possible at this time of year. That’s why my Christmas viewing list is a lot shorter than some of my others – so far, I’ve watched all but one of these movies (it’s always the one I save for last), AND Home Alone, The Grinch, both Christmas Chronicles, Klaus, and Elf.
My Favorite Christmas Movies
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – To me, this one is the G.O.A.T. Christmas movie. It just speaks to me. It has everything I want in a Christmas flick – a big heart, holiday imagery, and a sense of humor that’s right up my alley. Almost every year, I pop this bad boy in on Black Friday to kick off my holiday viewing season.
Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy Nights – Okay, I know this one is technically a Hannukkah movie, and it’s definitely not one that’s going to pop up on a lot of holiday viewing guides. But, it’s always had a special place in my heart. I can remember being a sophomore in high school going to see this one when it was brand new in theaters. Maybe that’s part of the appeal to me – it does bring back fond memories of simpler times. But, it has a great big heart of its own, and of course, that signature Sandler sense of humor.
The Polar Express – I can’t sum this one up any better than Brandon, our resident film critic, did when he said that this one just brings back the magic of Christmas. I felt the same way – the look, the feel, the story. Every year I watch it, it still reminds me of what those Christmases felt like back when I was a youngin.
Disney’s A Christmas Carol – Yep – my version of A Christmas Carol is the creepy ass Jim Carrey version of A Christmas Carol. With this one, we all know the story. I mean, hell – this is like THE quintessential Christmas story, right?! But, my fondness for this one is similar to my fondness for The Polar Express – it’s just the look and feel of the animation that makes it feel a little more magical. And, I won’t lie – I kinda like the creepiness of it all.
That’s really it – there are a number of other classics, but that’s what it boils down to for me. Just a few good ol’ classics and then some new ones sprinkled in along the way. Feel free to share your holiday favorites in the comments.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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