The end of finals is almost near, which means nothing can stand between you and feeling festive! From SNL alum Will Ferrell to classic characters like the Muppets, this list has something for everyone. We recommend enjoying these movies with a roaring fire and mug of hot cocoa for maximum coziness.
Home Alone
“When eight-year-old Kevin McCallister’s family rushes off on a holiday trip to Paris three days before Christmas, they accidentally leave the youngster behind to deck the halls with a barrage of booby traps to keep out a bumbling pair of burglars who have discovered that this tough little tyke is home alone.”* Shot in the Chicagoland town of Winnetka, Home Alone is a classic take on an extraordinary Midwestern Christmas. It reminds us to count carefully and take home security very seriously.
Stream via Feature Films for Education (IU users only, authentication required) or check out the DVD in Media Services. All titles contain links to the IUCAT record for the film.
A Christmas Story
“In 1940s Indiana, nine-year-old Ralphie dreams of his ideal Christmas gift: a genuine Red Ryder 200-shot carbine action air rifle. But when gruff dad and doting mom regularly respond with “You’ll shoot your eye out!” Ralphie mounts a full-scale Santa-begging campaign. He encounters a slew of calamities from snowsuit paralysis to the dreaded tongue-on-a-frozen-flagpole gambit.”* Set in Hammond, Indiana, and filmed in Cleveland, Ohio, this movie is another tale of a not-so-ordinary Midwestern Christmas. It taught us about bundling up, soap poisoning, and enjoying Christmas with our families.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
“’Tis the season for love, laughter, and one of the most cherished stories of all time! Join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and all the hilarious Muppets in this merry, magical version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. Academy Award winner Michael Caine (Best Supporting Actor, 1999, The Cider House Rules) gives a performance that’s anything but ‘Bah, humbug!’ as greedy, penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge. One fateful Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Together with kind, humble Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog) and his family, the Spirits open Scrooge’s eyes—and his heart—to the true meaning of Christmas. Filled with original music and dazzling special effects, this restored and remastered 20th Anniversary Edition of The Muppet Christmas Carol will become a holiday tradition your family will treasure all the days of the year.”* Our favorite puppets star in one of the greatest Christmas stories ever told. The Muppets’ silly humor works alongside impeccable acting to make this film a heartwarming classic.
Elf
“A human baby accidentally ends up at the North Pole and grows up among the elf community. Buddy, as he comes to be known, knows that he’s ‘special’. When he’s 30, Buddy learns from Santa that he’s really a human. He decides to go in search of his father, to find out where he belongs. He walks to Manhattan and is immediately run over by a cab. His father at first rejects him and Buddy ends up in a department store where other elves are working. But all the while, things are looking bad for Santa Claus. When Santa crashes his sleigh in Central Park, it’s Buddy’s moment to shine.”* SNL alum Will Ferrell delivers an outstanding performance in one of his first major roles outside the comedy show. Full of iconic lines, the film gave us the quotes, “I love smiling. Smiling’s my favorite!” and “Bye Buddy, hope you find your dad!”. Turn on Elf for timeless holiday laughs.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
“You Better Watch Out! He’s green… he’s mean… and he hates Christmas! The Grinch is a bad-tempered hairy green creature, who lives inside a cave atop Mount Crumpit, overlooking the village of Whoville. As the Whos of Whoville frantically prepare for their yuletide celebrations, The Grinch decides to put a stop to Christmas once and for all and steals all their presents and decorations on Christmas Eve…only to finally come to learn that the true spirit of Christmas goes much deeper than tinsel and toys. The hilarious Jim Carrey spectacularly brings The Grinch to life in this magical live-action comedy which is based on the wonderfully quirky and well-loved book Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.** This green monster has taught generations the true meaning of Christmas. The Grinch’s antics almost stop Christmas, but not before one small Who helps him grow a heart. This movie will deliver on the laughs and the “awws”, making it a hit for the whole family. KN
Student blogger Kate Naughton is a new Media Services student staff member who joined us this semester. She is studying marketing.
*Summary credit to the film’s IUCAT entry. ** Summary credit to Amazon
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