Ooh! I just thought of another one that takes place on Christmas.
The Ref with Dennis Leary and Kevin Spacey. Pretty funny if I recall, but I haven’t seen it in years.
I dig A Christmas Story. A while ago, I actually proposed here that it was the SDMB’s #2 most sacred cult movie. I thought the similar humor and sarcasm would make it nearly as popular around here as the #1, but it just didn’t fly.
With Tim Burton Christmas references as varied as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Batman Returns, I’m shocked that no one has yet mentioned Edward Scissorhands. A wonderful, tragic holiday romance to curl up with on a cold night.
Die Hard.
Santa Claus (no “e”, that’s the Tim Allen movie).
Someone has. Read Nailbunny’s post near the top of the thread.
With all these mentions of A Christmas Story, I can’t help asking:
Any other Dopers big into Jean Shepherd’s radio show? I’ve only heard maybe a dozen recordings, but his boozy, intimate, Tristram Shandy storytelling and editorializing made for some of the best radio ever. Genius.
I have Jean Shepherd’s recordings and books! He captures the late 1940’s and early 1950’s late nobody else! Anybody up for a top fight? One of the best television programs that I have ever seen was also by Jean Shepherd in about 1983. It was called The Great American Fourth of July and starred Matt Damon, I think. The last scene featured a little tune by Randy Newman. I just fell in love with it. Later I recognized it as the theme from Ragtime. I’ve often wondered why that program is never shown on Independence Day.
Philosopher, how about a round of Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra?
I also agree with those of you who think that George C. Scott had the best version of A Christmas Carol.
There is a version of Dylan Thomas’s A Child’s Christmas in Wales that runs for about an hour. That is my favorite Christmas film, I think, followed closely by Bergman’s magnificent Fanny and Alexander.
Matt Dillon, actually. Never heard of it before now, but it sounds like something I’d enjoy!
Dammit Tangent. I was all set to come in and tell lesa to add The Ref to her holiday criminals list, and you already mentioned it! There’s nothing like listening to Dennis Leary swear for two hours to get you in the Christmas Spirit. Other seasonal favorites in the Evil household:
The Grinch (original of course)
Charlie Brown Christmas special (I get chills when Linus tells Charlie Brown what Christmas is really about)
Christmas Vacation (Watching Clark Griswold melt down is hilarious)
Muppet’s Christmas Carol (just 'cause I love the Muppets)
Mr. Bean Christmas special (I still die laughing everytime I see him running around with the turkey on his head)
And add me to the list of people who will be putting The Thin Man on their list of Christmas viewing. I saw most of the Thin Man movies for the first time this summer, when PBS aired them, and I think they’re great. Thanks RealityChuck!
Thanks for the correction, PRNYouth. I had a brain-wobble.