Christmas Marathon 2010: The Biggest One Yet!
I saw 40 Films and 40 TV Specials/Animated Specials for a Total of 80!
The TV/Animated Specials will be in a separate list from this Film one.
It took me 12 weeks from December 1st-Feb. 22nd ending on Washington's Birthday although I watched none for 3 then 4+ weeks when I was ill.
Mini-Marathons within it are Ones Who Try to Ruin Christmas/Criminals, Lights/Decorating, Toys, Santa, British Films seguing into Scrooge, TV Movies/Illness, Christmas in Show Business (or the last two could also be Films Based on Christmas Songs,) Angels, & Classics ending with the two New Classics Based on Children's Books.
The TV/Animated Specials will be in a separate list from this Film one.
It took me 12 weeks from December 1st-Feb. 22nd ending on Washington's Birthday although I watched none for 3 then 4+ weeks when I was ill.
Mini-Marathons within it are Ones Who Try to Ruin Christmas/Criminals, Lights/Decorating, Toys, Santa, British Films seguing into Scrooge, TV Movies/Illness, Christmas in Show Business (or the last two could also be Films Based on Christmas Songs,) Angels, & Classics ending with the two New Classics Based on Children's Books.
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40 titles
- DirectorHenry SelickStarsDanny ElfmanChris SarandonCatherine O'HaraJack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home causes confusion.It's the perfect film to start the Christmas Marathon which usually ends up starting close after I finally finish my Halloween Marathon so it's a great segue between the two marathons.
- DirectorJoe DanteStarsZach GalliganPhoebe CatesHoyt AxtonA young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.It takes place at Christmas with many Christmas songs although it's another one that could be a Halloween film too (The theme song is on a "Halloween" CD I own.) It does also take place on Christmas Eve so it's the perfect film to follow "Nightmare" every year.
- DirectorTerry ZwigoffStarsBilly Bob ThorntonBernie MacLauren GrahamA miserable conman and his partner pose as Santa and his Little Helper to rob department stores on Christmas Eve. But they run into problems when the conman befriends a troubled kid.It's grown on me over the years and is always a good one to watch with friends. "Bad Santa" also starts the Christmas films that have criminals in them.
- DirectorGeorge GalloStarsNicolas CageJon LovitzDana CarveyResidents of a friendly Pennsylvania town foil three brothers' plan to rob a bank on Christmas Eve.I never saw this until a few years ago because it majorly bombed at the box office although overall it's a actually a pretty good movie. Plus, seeing tons of cop cars chase a full sized sleigh is pretty cool. ha ha
- DirectorTony ScottStarsWill SmithGene HackmanJon VoightA lawyer becomes targeted by a corrupt politician and his N.S.A. goons when he accidentally receives key evidence to a politically motivated crime.I'd owned the Special Edition DVD of it for so long, yet I hadn't seen the SE DVD yet so I decided to watch it for my Christmas Marathon. It does take place at Christmastime so it counts. :)
- DirectorJoe RothStarsTim AllenJamie Lee CurtisDan AykroydWith their daughter, Blair, away in Peru, Luther and Nora Krank decide to skip Christmas all together until she decides to come home, causing an uproar when they have to celebrate it at the last minute.It actually ends the Criminal Mini-Marathon since it has a burglar in it. I also think Tim Allen is a funny guy, and it's a pretty funny film so I don't care what any critics think of it. It also starts and is a great segue into the Lights and Decorating Mini-Marathon.
- DirectorHarvey FrostStarsDaniel SternMatt FrewerAllison HossackBob Wallace makes sure to go all out every year on Christmas decorations so that he can have the brightest and most festive house in his neighborhood. This year, he notices that his new neighbor has put up an even brighter and more lavish display. The fight is on when they declare war for the best Christmas decoration display in the neighborhood. Stars Daniel Stern and Matt Frewer.Daniel Stern from "Home Alone" is in it so I thought it'd be a good one to watch for this mini-marathon. It's also a pretty good and funny movie that's made for TV.
- DirectorJohn WhitesellStarsMatthew BroderickDanny DeVitoKristin ChenowethTwo neighbors have it out after one of them decorates his house for the holidays so brightly that it can be seen from space.It's an under-rated film that I love even more after buying Kristin Chenoweth's awesome "A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas" a year after I first saw this on DVD.
- DirectorJeremiah S. ChechikStarsChevy ChaseBeverly D'AngeloJuliette LewisThe Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.THE Christmas lights and decorating film! I even own the 20th Anniversary Gift Edition.
- DirectorBob ClarkStarsPeter BillingsleyMelinda DillonDarren McGavinIn the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.Well, unless this is THE Christmas lights and decorating film? ha ha It goes together perfectly following "Christmas Vacation" with a dysfunctional family decorating and getting ready for Christmas.
- DirectorBrian LevantStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerSinbadPhil HartmanA father vows to get his son a Turbo Man action figure for Christmas. However, every store is sold out, and he must travel all over town and compete with everybody else in order to find one.From a boy who wants a BB Gun to a boy who wants an Action Figure toy for Christmas. It's really silly and can sometimes be over the top although it's still a great and funny film.
- DirectorBarry LevinsonStarsRobin WilliamsMichael GambonJoan CusackWhen Lieutenant General Leland Zevo (Sir Michael Gambon) inherits a toymaking company and begins making war toys, his employees band together to stop him before he ruins the name of Zevo Toys forever.Another under-rated film that I didn't watch for awhile because it didn't do well at the box office yet, when I finally saw it I liked it. I love the Christmas song that starts and ends the film!
- DirectorJohn R. Cherry IIIStarsJim VarneyDouglas SealeOliver ClarkErnest helps Santa Claus as he searches for his successor.Man, was I thrilled when Blockbuster had this to rent since I hadn't seen it in years! If you've seen it you know it's also a perfect segue between the Toys and Santa marathon with Santa's Toy Bag and well, Santa. ha ha :)
- DirectorJohn PasquinStarsTim AllenJudge ReinholdWendy CrewsonWhen a man inadvertently makes Santa fall off his roof on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place.The beloved Tim Allen film is the perfect film to follow "Ernest..." because a minor SPOILER: both involve someone taking over and being the next Santa Claus.
- DirectorMichael LembeckStarsTim AllenSpencer BreslinElizabeth MitchellScott Calvin has been a humble Santa Claus for eight years, but it might come to an end if he doesn't find a Mrs. Claus.It's silly and can be really over the top although it's a great film. I really love the love story in it.
- DirectorMichael LembeckStarsTim AllenMartin ShortElizabeth MitchellSanta, a.k.a. Scott Calvin, is faced with double-duty: how to keep his new family happy and how to stop Jack Frost from taking over Christmas.It only makes sense to watch this one next. The "Clause" films can be over the top although I like the "It's a Wonderful Life" aspect of this film.
- DirectorDavid DobkinStarsVince VaughnPaul GiamattiElizabeth BanksFred Claus, Santa's bitter older brother, is forced to move to the North Pole to help Santa and the elves prepare for Christmas in exchange for cash.I really like this film that's sort of become an under-rated Christmas one. The dealing with the Naughty and Nice List idea is a great plot point. It's a surprisingly moving film.
- DirectorMichael HegnerKari JuusonenStarsOlli JantunenHannu-Pekka BjörkmanVuokko HovattaA young reindeer who suffers from vertigo learns to overcome his fear, takes flying lessons from a clumsy flying squirrel and heads to the North pole to save a troubled Santa and his fleet of flying reindeer.It's a pretty good film originally made in Europe so I can see why some parents didn't like many of the plot points. I like the surrogate dad part though that happens often in society nowadays, and really needs to happen more for all of those without a father figure.
- DirectorJohn D. HancockStarsSam ElliottCloris LeachmanRutanya AldaA farm girl nurses a wounded reindeer she believes is one of Santa's, hoping to bring it back to health in time for Christmas. Her holiday spirit inspires those around her, something her disheartened father is having trouble understanding.It love this film more and more every year I see it. Maybe because as I got older I realized how much I had in common with the girl who befriends and helps people like the elderly lady.
- DirectorGeorge SeatonStarsEdmund GwennMaureen O'HaraJohn PayneAfter a divorced New York mother hires a nice old man to play Santa Claus at Macy's, she is startled by his claim to be the genuine article. When his sanity is questioned, a lawyer defends him in court by arguing that he's not mistaken.This classic fits perfectly next to "Prancer" in my Santa Mini-Marathon because it's another more realistic film that deals with having faith and believing.
- DirectorJeannot SzwarcStarsDudley MooreJohn LithgowDavid HuddlestonThe legend of Santa Claus is placed into jeopardy when an unscrupulous toy manufacturer attempts to take over Christmas.I saw this as a little kid then didn't see it again for years. It's another more serious film dealing with Santa although it also adds in more of a magical element. It's great to see an origins story too.
- DirectorJon FavreauStarsWill FerrellJames CaanBob NewhartRaised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.This Blockbuster and one of my personal favorite is the perfect film to end the Santa Mini-Marathon. :)
- DirectorDanny BoyleStarsAlex EtelJames NesbittDaisy DonovanEthics, being human and the soul come to the fore when a 7-year old finds a bag of Pounds just days before the currency is switched to Euros and learns what we are really made of.The boy in this film has something in common with Buddy the Elf that happened before both films so it's a good one to watch after "Elf." This is also becoming one of my All-Time Favorite Films! It's easily my favorite Danny Boyle film, and an under-rated film so check it out if you haven't seen it yet. I absolutely love it! It means a lot to me too.
- DirectorChris WeitzPaul WeitzStarsHugh GrantNicholas HoultToni ColletteWill, who attends single parent meetings to woo women, meets Marcus, a troubled 12-year-old boy. As they become friends, Will learns to be responsible while he helps Marcus with his studies.This has two Christmas scenes when there's ironically NO Christmas scene in "The Sound of Music" that is considered a Christmas film. It's another of my All-Time Favorite Films that's pretty under-rated although at least the critics love it. So check it out if you've never seen it.
"About a Boy" is also a perfect segue into all of the "A Christmas Carol/Scrooge" films because Hugh Grant is sort of like a Scrooge, and it also takes place in England. - DirectorClive DonnerStarsGeorge C. ScottFrank FinlayAngela PleasenceA bitter old miser who rationalizes his uncaring nature learns real compassion when three spirits visit him on Christmas Eve.This is easily my favorite serious live-action version of "A Christmas Carol." It's also my mom's and many others favorite version so I wish it'd be released on widescreen in America.
- DirectorBrian HensonStarsMichael CaineDave GoelzSteve WhitmireThe Muppets present their own touching rendition of Charles Dickens' classic tale.I've really grown to love this the more I see it. I think I first compared it to "Mickey's Christmas Carol" that I absolutely adored as a kid although now I love this film too. I mean, it's The Muppets! :)
- DirectorRichard DonnerStarsBill MurrayKaren AllenJohn ForsytheA selfish, cynical television executive is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve.This is another film I never saw until I got older. It's a great twist on "A Christmas Carol" WHILE his TV Station is airing a live version of the book. His speech at the end is an extremely under-rated speech in film that I absolutely love and adore!
- DirectorChad KapperStarsRebecca St. JamesAndrea LoganDick Van PattenSarah Collins is considering an abortion. Before she makes her final decision, she is presented with three visions that cause her to think about the impact on her future.This stars my favorite female singer Rebecca St. James. It even has a new take on the "A Christmas Carol" element so it fits after all of those films and segues into the TV/Video Movies where someone's always ill or was although in "Sarah's Choice" Rebecca's character is pregnant.
- DirectorAndy WolkStarsRob LoweKimberly Williams-PaisleyMax MorrowA young boy tries to get a pair of Christmas shoes for his dying mother, while a lawyer tries to deal with the break-up of his marriage.Since the 1984 "A Christmas Carol" was a film released to theaters in Europe so it's technically a traditional movie, I can easily say this is my favorite movie ever that was made for TV! After hearing the #1 song in this movie then seeing them in concert the next year, I now own all of Newsong's Christmas albums.
- DirectorKaren ArthurStarsNeil Patrick HarrisRebecca GayheartAngus T. JonesA young doctor encounters romance and deals with his past when he returns to his hometown during the holidays.This is a great sequel that also has a great new Newsong song in it that Newsong even sings in it! ha ha :)
- DirectorNorma BaileyStarsMadeleine StoweJames RemarIan ZieringWhen lives intertwine during Christmas, hope is the only unifying gift. After suffering a personal tragedy, a social worker throws herself into finding homes for children in need.I was really annoyed and upset when I missed the airing on TV because I didn't know about it until after it aired although it worked out since I'd rather see it in widescreen on DVD with no commercials. It's a great film to complete the trilogy. I really like this Newsong song too, and also think "The Christmas Hope" should have been a huge mainstream hit for them.
- DirectorTim HillStarsJason LeeRoss Bagdasarian Jr.Janice KarmanThree musical chipmunks are discovered by an aspiring songwriter who wants to use their amazing singing abilities to become famous.From three movies based on Christmas songs to another based on a classic Christmas song. The movie's pretty good and funny too.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsBing CrosbyDanny KayeRosemary ClooneyA successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.It really is a great film after "Alvin and the Chipmunks" since both deal with Show Business, and both were made because of a very popular Christmas song. I really put a lot of effort into the order I watch films in my marathons. This is another classic I had never seen until a few years ago that I now absolutely love so check it out if you've never seen it.
- DirectorCatherine HardwickeStarsKeisha Castle-HughesShohreh AghdashlooOscar IsaacA drama that focuses on the period in Mary and Joseph's life where they journeyed to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.From the film that still tops many "Greatest Christmas Film" lists to another traveling film about the greatest and first Christmas. Both also have war elements and battle scenes in it. This is an under-rated film that's a realistic and maybe even a little subtle version of the birth of Jesus. It also appropriately starts my Angels Mini-Marathon.
- DirectorHenry KosterStarsCary GrantLoretta YoungDavid NivenA debonair angel comes to Earth to help an Episcopalian bishop and his wife in their quest to raise money for the new church.I've heard it said that if this had it's copyright slip like "It's a Wonderful Life" did so it could be aired whenever, it probably would be as big of a hit now as that Jimmy Stewart classic that also has an angel. I completely agree! I was shocked by how much I loved this film the first time I saw it. Along with "It's a Wonderful Life," it's easily one of my All-Time Favorite Classics! One of my favorite Christmas Films too!
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsJames StewartDonna ReedLionel BarrymoreAn angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.So much could be said about this film. See it if you haven't yet, even if you need to watch the colorized version of "It's a Wonderful Life" because you don't watching like Black & White Films.
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsMacaulay CulkinJoe PesciDaniel SternAn eight-year-old troublemaker, mistakenly left home alone, must defend his home against a pair of burglars on Christmas Eve.This has always been one of my favorite Christmas Films ever since the first time I saw it. It's absolutely hilarious yet also has that John Hughes heart that's missing from so many newer films. Again, how Kevin befriends and even helps his neighbor reminds me and is a great reminder for me of all I've done, even if the family never knew about it.
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsMacaulay CulkinJoe PesciDaniel SternOne year after Kevin McCallister was left home alone and had to defeat a pair of bumbling burglars, he accidentally finds himself stranded in New York City - and the same criminals are not far behind.I really like the sequel too and found a rare copy of the soundtrack on CD from an online site. It's one of the few films and CDs to have the extremely under-rated Christmas song "It's Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas!"
- DirectorRon HowardStarsJim CarreyTaylor MomsenKelleyOn the outskirts of Whoville lives a green, revenge-seeking Grinch who plans to ruin Christmas for all of the citizens of the town.Not only is it the perfect segue with a child also helping an adult or literally a Grinch in this film, I've also loved this version ever since I first saw it. I've sometimes ended my past Christmas marathons with it. A person can love both this one AND the animated classic. :)
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsTom HanksChris CoppolaMichael JeterOn Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.I was devastated that I never saw this in the theater first, or even since because there are no IMAX theaters in the area. So after the first time I saw it on DVD, I watched it again in 2005 after I bought the incredible soundtrack and had it end my marathon that year. Since then, it's usually ended my Christmas Marathon unless the other film above did that's also based on a Classic Children's Book. :)