It’s officially December which means your Arts & Culture columnists are back again with our seasonal favorites. So, as the temperature drops below 30 degrees and snow starts to fall, it’s time to grab your best friends, favorite pajamas and cups of hot chocolate to cozy up for the perfect winter movie night.
“FROZEN”
Let all of your mid-semester grades go this December and watch “Frozen”. Created in 2013 and directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, this family favorite is an animated musical that encapsulates a wintery and magical land. Inspired by the town of Bergen, Norway, the kingdom of Arendelle is trapped in an everlasting winter when Elsa, the Snow Queen (Idina Menzel), flees and unintentionally traps the kingdom in an icy spell. Her fearless younger sister Anna (Kristen Bell) goes on a journey accompanied by a mountaineer, Kristoph (Jonathan Groff) and a magical snowman, Olaf (Josh Gad) to break the spell and bring Elsa home. One main reason that “FROZEN” is a winter fan favorite is its iconic and upbeat soundtrack that everyone can recognize. “Let It Go,” “Do You Want to Build A Snowman?” and “Love Is an Open Door” are just a few of many superb tunes. So sing along and immerse yourself in the magical frosty winter wonderland with all of your favorite characters.
“Love Actually”
“Whenever I get gloomy about the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport,” says Prime Minister David in the opening monologue of “Love Actually”. There is truly no cinema that compares to the first two minutes of “Love Actually”. Probably most known for its famous cast, catchy soundtrack and iconic scenes directed by Richard Curtis, “Love Actually” follows nine intertwined stories that explore love during Christmas time. The star-studded cast includes Kiera Knightley, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant and Thomas Brodie-Sangster. This is not your typical Christmas movie; it treats Christmas and the holiday season as a time of unabashed love. And we have to agree, if you look for it, love actually is all around.
“The Holiday”
Do you ever get sick and tired of your life and just want a break? Well, so do Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz) and Iris Black (Kate Winslet) in “The Holiday”. Both women, although they live on opposite ends of the Atlantic Ocean, are equally fed up with their lives and need a break. On a whim after meeting each other on the internet (sketchy, we know), they decide to switch houses for the holiday season. Throughout the film, both women discover that sometimes, when love seems completely unreachable, it is actually closer than you think.
“Elf“
Buddy the Elf, played by Will Ferrel, is a human who was raised by elves in the North Pole and perhaps the most iconic a Christmas character can get. Upon discovering his true identity, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York to find his father, and along the way discovers the many wonders of the human world (and causes a little chaos). Nothing quite screams “happy holidays” like watching Buddy eat sugary spaghetti or attempt to decorate a Christmas tree. Written by David Berenbaum and directed by Jon Favreau, “Elf” is the quintessential holiday movie, filled with warmth, romance and quirky holiday fun.
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone“
The boy who lived is back and better than ever for this holiday movie season! Directed by Chris Colombus, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is based on the 1997 bestselling novel written by J.K. Rowling. It is the first film in the series of seven. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, the film follows a young Harry Potter, an orphan who lives with his cruel aunt, uncle and cousin – his only living relatives. On his eleventh birthday, Harry learns the truth about his family – he is actually a famous wizard. The film follows Harry’s first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as he discovers a magical world. Hold on, if you need to read a summary of Harry Potter, you’re obviously a muggle and missing a childhood (just like Harry). Anyways… Winter is the time to switch out of muggle mode and into wizard mode; curl up with some butterbeer and a Gryffindor sweater and get ready to binge Harry Potter this holiday season.
“Miracle”
“Miracle,” directed by Steve Hillard Stern, is a sports docudrama that tells the story of the United States ice hockey team’s 1980 victory against the Soviet Union amidst the Cold War. The film focuses on Coach Herb Brooks, played by Kurt Russell, as he leads a group of underdog college players to compete in the Winter Olympics. It captures the intense training, team dynamics and the historical match that became known as the “Miracle on Ice.” Not only was it a riveting game, but it also symbolized hope and a new future in which The United States triumphed over the Soviet Union. So take a trip down memory lane (way back to 1980) and experience a story of the triumph of the human spirit in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas Story“
“A Charlie Brown Christmas Story” is an animated television special that aired in 1965. It was the first TV special based on the comic strip “Peanuts”. Despite the festivities of the holiday and Christmas season, Charlie Brown, voiced by Peter Robins, feels depressed and down. Lucy, voiced by Tracy Stratford, suggests that he direct their school’s Christmas pageant. When a disaster occurs, Charlie finds himself seeking help he didn’t know he needed to find the true meaning of Christmas. As you watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas Story,” you’ll find yourself falling for iconic characters that have been with us for over 50 holiday seasons and many more to come.
“How The Grinch Stole Christmas!”
“You’re a mean one… Mr. Grinch!” That’s right, it just wouldn’t be Christmas Eve without the deep voice of Thurl Ravenscroft’s singing or the Grinch and Cindy-Lou Who in all their animated glory. “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” is a childhood throwback movie with the most lovable characters and plot. The story, written by Dr. Seuss, is about a Grinch who hates Christmas and decides that he’s going to steal it (or rather, steal the gifts) from everyone in his town of Whoville. However, instead of ruining Christmas, he ends up learning what Christmas is really about.
“It’s A Wonderful Life”
“It’s A Wonderful Life”, starring James Stewart and directed by Frank Capra, is a darker Christmas film but nonetheless a holiday classic. The film is based on the book “The Greatest Gift”, written by Philip Van Doren Stern, and centers on the life of George Bailey as he contemplates suicide, and a guardian angel, played by Henry Travers, reminds him of the great life he led. “It’s A Wonderful Life” is not only one of our top ten holiday films but is also on the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 best American films ever made. It’s sure to make you laugh, cry and hug your loved ones just a little tighter as the holidays approach this year.
“Home Alone“
Yes, we saved the best for last. If you haven’t watched “Home Alone” yet you’re missing out on 103 minutes of perfection. Everything from the unrealistic plot, (really, who forgets their child at home when they leave for vacation) to the iconic quotes and scenes (picture Kevin in the bathroom with his hands on his face) brings this movie to life. Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin, is a resourceful young boy who gets left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation and has to protect his family home from robbers on Christmas Eve. It’s funny, it’s wholesome and it’s the #1 film we recommend this Holiday season.
