Top 4: Favourite Festive Films

You may have noticed I have done this post before.

You are correct.

This time last year, I gifted you people with a splendid collection of my personal Christmas film favourites. However, I am here to refresh this post with one additional film.

Also, this time I’ve included quotes from my cat-loving, film-tolerating brother, who dresses his fur-babies up as Christmas-themed characters. (See right)

——————————————————-

A Christmas Carol
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Writer: Charles Dickens
Released: 2009
Featuring: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Collin Firth and Bob Hoskins
—

“Bah! Humbug!”

An enchanting tale directed by one of my favourites: Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump and Back to the Future) using motion capture – like Time Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.

Charles Dicken’s novel, A Christmas Carol (published in 1843), was brought to life with every bit of wonder, magic and fantastical detail intact.

Scrooge was perfectly played by the comical Jim Carrey. Carrey played multiple characters including all three ghosts: Christmas Past, Present and Future. Some scenes were pretty scary, and other scenes were really comedic; Carrey plays both genres easily.

I remember seeing this at the movies when it came out. It was extraordinary in 3D.

The only kind of person I know who doesn’t like this traditional classic, is a modern, Aussie-dwelling cat-lover…
Who has said that, to enjoy A Christmas Carol as much as I do:

You must be blind, deaf and have no will to live.

Jodie’s rating: 8.5/10

——————————————————-

The Polar Express
Director: Robert Zemeckis (Again! Genius.)
Writer: Chris Van Allsburg
Released: 2004
Featuring: Tom Hanks and Josh Hutcherson (before he was cool)
—

“One thing about trains: it doesn’t matter where they’re going. What matters is deciding to get on.” – Conductor

Another motion capture film by Robert Zemeckis!

The Polar Express is about a child (Josh Hutcherson) who has serious doubts in the existence of Santa, and the magic of the holidays is slowly fading for him. One Christmas eve, the deafening sound of a train wakes him up. It’s the Polar Express, destined for the North Pole.

I think it is such a magical film. Along the way, the most bizarre things happen, with some beautiful shots. My favourites being the ‘hot chocolate’ scene where the children on the train are served hot cocoa in the most extravagant way!

My second favourite scene is when we follow the journey of a lost train ticket: out the window with the wind, settling on the snow before being kicked up by a pack of wolves, snatched by a swooping eagle… In 3D it was fantastic.

My favourite characters include the ‘hobo’ (Tom Hanks),  and the two train drivers. But the conductor (also Tom Hanks) has some great lines. Hanks has the best voice for children’s stories.

In response to the question of, ‘what do you think about the Polar Express‘, cat-lover says:

It looks boring.

Jodie’s rating: 8.5/10

——————————————————-

Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Director: Ron Howard
Writer: Dr. Seuss
Featuring: Jim Carrey
Released: 2000
—

“Max help me… I’m feeling!”

A comedy about the Grinch: a Christmas-hating recluse. The story explores the idea of commercialism and what Christmas is really about. Despite this heavy, typical ideology, it’s such a pick-me-up story.

It’s bright, absurd, funny and crazy! I love it.

[opens phone book] Alphabetically! Aadvarkian Abakeneezer Who, I… HATE YOU!
Aaron B. Benson Who, I hate you.
[looking into book]
Hate, hate, hate. Hate, hate, hate. Double hate…
LOATHE ENTIRELY!

Probably the best family Christmas comedy.

The person with fur-children reckons:

It’s funny.

Jodie’s rating: 8/10
——————————————————-

Arthur Christmas
Director: Sarah Smith
Writers: Peter Baynham and Sarah Smith
Starring: James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton,  Ashley Jensen, Marc Wootton, Laura Linney, Eva Longoria, Ramona Marquez and Michael Palin
Released: November 2011
—

Grandsanta: Do you know Arthur? There IS a way!
Arthur: It’s impossible!
Grandsanta: They used to say that it was impossible to teach women to read! Follow me!

Arthur Christmas was as magical as the Polar Express, and as imaginative as The Grinch. I laughed out loud – almost choking on chocolate-covered scorched almonds. A fabulous feel-good festive film for sure. With super weird and diverse characters.

Arthur Christmas explores and explains every question we have about Santa Claus: How does he deliver billions of presents in one night? Do the reindeer get tired? How does he fit down the chimney? How old is Santa? Is he on a benefit for the rest of the year, seeing as he only works one day a year?

Wait, does he even get paid..?

After watching this exciting adventure, you too will feel secure in the existence of Santa, as many of these questions are thoroughly answered with imaginative and quirky explanations.

I got Arthur Christmas free of charge, but it gifted me with a sleigh-worth of amusement and fun.

Person who dresses up cats in his spare time says:

Never heard of it.

Jodie’s rating: 8.5/10

——————————————————-

Have a jolly time.
Jodie.