“Want to watch a Christmas movie?”
You all know how I like to get cozy. And the holidays are all about being cozy. One of my favorite things to do is curl up on the couch with a blanket, Gracie, and my loved ones to watch those feel good holiday movies. Here some of my favorites that I seem to re-watch every year. I also detailed the emotional journey that each gives me using emoji faces. Enjoy!
THE NEW CLASSIC | THE FAMILY STONE
Whenever I watch this modern take on a family Christmas movie I truly know the holidays are here. In short, a quirky liberal family congregates for the holidays and one son brings his uptight potential fiance home and the family is relentless. It's got laughs, good real estate, interracial gay love, sign language, Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker, breakfast strata, and some good ole fashion swinging.
BREAKOUT STAR | All of Rachel McAdams's facial expressions (seriously Oscar worthy).
MUPPET MORALS | EMMETT OTTER'S JUG BAND CHRISTMAS
We used to watch this every Christmas Eve as kids and then switched to The Family Stone when we got older. This Jim Henson 70s classic represents the true spirit of selfless giving. If the muppet strings that you can see throughout the production don't make you cry the story's tragic twist will.
BREAKOUT STAR | Alice Otter, aka Ma Otter who between laundry loads belts out the ballads.
A MUSICAL MUST | THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Tim Burton's Oscar Nominated stop motion tale follows Jack Skellington who is bored of his same old Halloween Town and hijacks Christmas causing all kinds of mayhem. The great music by Burton's buddy Danny Elfman doesn't disappoint. Some people argue it's a Halloween movie, and some people are stupid.
BREAKOUT STAR | Sally, she can sew, she can cook, and she is voiced by indie favorite Catherine O'Hara.
DECK THE HALLS WITH BOUGHS OF HOLLY (HUNTER) | HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
I am completely obsessed with this witty gem. It's so 90s in every way and I absolutely love it. Technically a Thanksgiving movie it is chocked full of great dialogue, witty one-liners, and Hollywood heavy-hitters like Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., and Anne Bancroft. The story follows Hunter's character, Claudia Larson, home to her eccentric family for Thanksgiving. Among the comedic drama she manages to confuse her gay brother's co-worker (Dylan McDermott) as his lover. Silly Claudia, that big-d is for you!
BREAKOUT STAR | Joanne, played by Cynthia Stevenson brings the laughs as a Claudia's conservative small town sister.
So light a fire, order a pizza, grab a cashmere throw blanket, and get cozy with one or all of these holiday movie musts. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Denim Jelly!