BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES TO BINGE ON THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
BY HIRANMAYII AWLI MOHANAN
Tis’ the season to watch cozy movies on a couch with hot chocolate and warm cookies.
Klaus
When Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) distinguishes himself as the postal academy’s worst student, he is stationed on a frozen island above the Arctic Circle, where the feuding locals hardly exchange words let alone letters. Jesper is about to give up when he finds an ally in local teacher Alva (Rashida Jones), and discovers Klaus (Oscar® winner J.K. Simmons), a mysterious carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of handmade toys. These unlikely friendships return laughter to Smeerensburg, forging a new legacy of generous neighbours, magical lore and stockings hung by the chimney with care. An animated Christmas comedy directed by Despicable Me co-creator Sergio Pablos, KLAUS co-stars Rashida Jones, Jason Schwartzman and JK Simmons.
The Princess Switch
Stacy, a type-A planner with a penchant for schedules, takes a spontaneous trip to the charming land of Belgravia at the suggestion of her sous chef and best friend, Kevin. While preparing for the Royal Christmas Baking Contest, Stacy faces an identical stranger and a strange request. Free-spirited but royally obligated, all Duchess Margaret Delacourt really wants is one last chance to experience life as a “normal person” before she dutifully marries the Crown Prince of Belgravia. Stacy can give her that wish.
The Holiday
Dumped and depressed, English rose Iris agrees to swap homes with similarly unlucky in love Californian Amanda for a much-needed break. Iris finds herself in a palatial Hollywood mansion while Amanda navigates the lanes of a picture-perfect English village. Soon enough, both lovelorn ladies bump into local lads perfect for a romantic pick-me-up.
Home Alone
The charm of this movie is remembering a time when you were so young and mouth was agape that you really, truly believed 8-year-old Kevin McCallister could pull off all those stunts to ward off the bad men. Maybe you could too!
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children’s tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch, played by Jim Carrey decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who played by Taylor Momsen.
Last Christmas
Nothing seems to go right for young Kate, a frustrated Londoner who works as an elf in a year-round Christmas shop. But things soon take a turn for the better when she meets Tom — a handsome charmer who seems too good to be true. As the city transforms into the most wonderful time of the year, Tom and Kate’s growing attraction turns into the best gift of all — a Yuletide romance.
Elf
Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.
A Christmas Carol
The 1951 Alastair Sim picture takes the award for the best film version of the Dickens classic. Crotchety Victorian businessman Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) has no use for festivity, even at Christmas. After resentfully allowing timid clerk Bob Cratchit (Mervyn Johns) to have the holiday to spend with his loving wife (Hermione Baddeley) and family, Scrooge is swept into a nightmare. The ghost of his late partner, Jacob Marley (Michael Hordern), appears, warning that Ebenezer will be visited by three more spirits who will show the coldhearted man the error of his parsimonious behaviour.