I love lists. More than that, I love end of the year countdown lists. More than that, I love all time favorite lists. So here's my must-see Christmas list every year:
(I stuck to 10 because it's a nice round number. Honorable Mentions - Bad Santa, Harold and Kumar Christmas, Die Hard & Elf)
#10 - One Magic Christmas (1985)
An obscure choice, I'm aware. But I saw it when I was little and it always stuck with me. An interesting take on 'A Christmas Carol' a mysterious angel (Harry Dean Stanton) tries to show a disillusioned mom (Mary Steenburgen) just how good she has it despite her bad attitude. He goes to extreme lengths but it really is very sweet.
#9 - Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962)
Yet another Christmas Carol retelling, but so old school it's charming. The music is so damn enjoyable and even after being scarred by my brother singing about Razzleberry dressing all my life, I still perk up when the music begins.
#8 - Home Alone (1990)
Right before I graduated high school I got to see the adorable Macaulay Culkin take on the robbers in his home. STILL get choked up when the 'scary' old man reunites with his granddaughter at the end. A lot of sweet moments. Best memory is seeing it in Scranton, PA and the entire theatre cheering when she asked what airport she was at and the attendant saying 'Scranton.'
#7 - The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
Of all the stop-motion animation classics around this time of year, this is my favorite. As if Jingle and Jangle aren't great as sidekicks, Mrs. Claus is adorable as she negotiates with Mother nature to get her sons to cooperate. And are there better Christmas characters than Snow Miser and Heat Miser?
#6 - White Christmas (1954)
Okay, so I can be a sucker for the classics too. Mostly because traditionally, my mother would throw this VHS tape on Thanksgiving night while she began to write out her Christmas cards. But there are so many great moments and I dare you to try and keep a dry eye when the General walks in and sees all his soldiers.
#5 - Scrooged (1988)
And yet ANOTHER version of A Christmas Carol, but it stars Bill Murray! Sarcasm is exactly what this old tale needed and he's just the guy to do it. Carol Kane as the Ghost of Christmas Present is just perfection. And yes, as a member of the theatre audience I actually DID sing along with the end number as requested by Mr. Murray.
#4 - It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Well I would just be a heartless shrew if I omitted this one. Jimmy Stewart is at his most adorable and vulnerable and I can't even think about Harry Bailey coming in at the end without weeping.
#3 - Christmas Vacation (1989)
The Griswolds have always been very prominent in our household growing up as my brother, Lee, aspired to be him. He even has his wife call him Sparky. We quote this movie verbatim around the holidays. Mostly because the squirrel scene actually did happen in our living room one year.
#2 - Love Actually (2003)
Ten years ago, two of my friends and I were on our way to a Simon & Garfunkel concert. It was cancelled due to laryngitis. Instead we went to see this movie and we were all so madly in love with it. I still laugh and cry at the same places I did that night every time I watch it. I'm sorry, there is nothing more adorable than Hugh Grant's little butt shaking as soon as the Pointer Sisters start singing. This movie has something for everyone.
#1 - A Christmas Story (1983)
Why? Because this is Christmas. Long before it was a 24 hour marathon, we found it somewhere on TV. And I can still hear my brothers laughing as little boys and as grown men each and every year. This is the symbol of Christmas to me and my family and I will love it always.
This is the first Christmas I will be at home in 3 years. The last Christmas I was home for as we were suffering from the loss of my father as well as my nephew. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to taking in the above movies/TV shows and being surrounded by all this laughter once again.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Friendsgiving
This may come as a shock...but I'm a huge Friends fan. Friends was the biggest show around when I was in college and me and my best friend, Chris were faithful viewers. We taped (yes taped) every episode and every weekend we would start from the beginning and watch them all. We have an in sane memory for every episode, lines, characters, episode titles, it's quite ridiculous.
They did so many things right, but one of the things they did best were Thanksgiving themed episodes. Out of 10 seasons, they did 9 of them. Season 2 didn't technically have one even though it is mentioned that it is Thanksgiving time. So in this happy time of year, these are my rankings of Friends Thanksgiving episodes.
#9 - The One with All the Thanksgivings (Season 5)
I know...a lot of people like this episode and I do too. Just because I'm ranking it last doesn't mean I don't love it. It is filled with cute moments via flashbacks including Chandler finding out his Dad was having an affair with the poolboy (More turkey, Mr. Chandler?) and Phoebe saving lives in the war. But it's mostly centered around the origin of Chandler and Monica's meeting. There are a lot of inside jokes about Ross dating Carol and Monica being fat and Rachel's nose etc. And let's not forget the priceless Joey's head in a turkey moment as well as Monica's cute little dance in it at the end. However, for me, it just pales in comparison to the others.
Favorite Line - Ross: Okay, umm, her name is Carol. And she's really pretty. And smart. And uh, she's-she's on the lacrosse team and the golf team. Can you believe it? She plays for both teams!
#8 - The One with the Football (Season 3)
CLEARLY set on a sound stage and not outside, a longtime sibling rivalry comes to blows when it's Monica vs. Ross on the football field. Once they turn it into a gender match, the girls really come alive using the best weapon at their disposal...their boobs. I'm a sucker for episodes where Monica and Ross fight like actual siblings. And pitting Joey vs. Chandler in picking up a hot girl? Priceless.
Favorite Line - Ross: Cheater, cheater, compulsive eater.
#7 - The One Where Underdog Gets Away (Season 1)
Ah, Season 1 when everyone's hair and jeans were super high. But it really does encapsulate the group as a whole. Joey's been ostracized because his family thinks he has VD, Chandler convinces everyone to watch a balloon escape from the parade, Monica is busy trying to please everyone and Rachel is focused entirely on herself trying to join her family in the lifestyle she cannot afford. Of course it all goes wrong and they spend the holiday together eating Grilled Cheese. For me, this episode really set up what the show would eventually become.
Favorite Line - Rachel: Oh, you got the bigger half, what'd you wish for?
Joey: The bigger half...
#6 - The One with the Late Thanksgiving (Season 10)
I loved that in its last season, they were all forced together by a series of unfortunate events again. I would have been completely satisfied if it showed them eating Grilled Cheese again but I guess that's too formulaic. It all comes down to Phoebe and Rachel being late because they secretly enter Emma in a baby beauty pageant for money and Ross and Joey being late after sneaking out to a hockey game. (Do the Rangers play on Thanskgiving???) Monica is pissed and refuses to let them in. Hilarity ensues.
Favorite Line - Rachel - To Monica, Chandler and that knocked up girl in Ohio.
#5 - The One with Chandler in a Box (Season 4)
Chandler is sentenced to spend the holiday in a giant box as penance for stealing Joey's girlfriend. Outside the box, Monica invites Richard's son to dinner. Everyone is in a bad place, Rachel and Ross are still bitter post-breakup and Chandler isn't taking his punishment seriously. I always get choked up at man love and Joey's realization that Chandler really does love Kathy is just awesome.
Favorite Line - Monica - How cute is the on-call doctor?
Rachel - So cute I'm thinkin' about jammin' this pen in my eye.
#4 - The One Where Ross Got High (Season 6)
Season 6 is probably my least favorite season and yet I loved this episode. Again, LOVE when Monica and Ross act like siblings and their final 'reveal-off' to their parents at the end makes the episode one of my favorites. Rachel tries desperately to cook which is almost as adorable as everyone trying to pretend she didn't mess it up.
Favorite Line - Joey: Yeah, yeah, and the Indians taught the Pilgrims what it meant to be hot in the new world!
#3 - The One With the Rumor (Season 8)
Of course it's a little bittersweet now, but Brad Pitt guest starring as Rachel's nemesis is still insanely funny. And good GOD that boy is good looking which Phoebe and even Chandler repeatedly point out.
Favorite Line - Chandler: Oh hey. I’d shake your hand but uh; I’m really into the game. Plus, I think it’d be better for my ego if we didn’t stand right next to each other.
#2 - The One with Rachel's Other Sister (Season 9)
Is there better casting in this series than Christina Applegate as Rachel's spoiled sister, Amy? Her arrival to this holiday, Ross's distaste for her, Monica's insanity about her fine china, Chandler being offended that he is thought of as non-responsible, Joey forgetting about his commitment to the Macy's parade...oh it's just magic from top to bottom.
Favorite Line - Will (Brad Pitt): Look at her standing there with those yams! My two greatest enemies, Ross; Rachel Green and complex carbohydrates.
#1 - The One where Chandler Doesn't Like Dogs (Season 7)
Why? Because I don't like dogs. And that is EXACTLY how people react when you admit it. But also, Joey advising Rachel to hit on tag is one of my favorite scenes in the entire series. Ross trying to figure out all 50 states or he can't eat is just a quintessential moment that old friends would do to each other. I love it. I love it all.
Favorite Line - Chandler: Look Ross, if you don't know them by now, you will never know them, okay? That is the beauty of this game. It makes you want to kill yourself.
Isn't a fun? Sigh...Happy Thanksgiving.
They did so many things right, but one of the things they did best were Thanksgiving themed episodes. Out of 10 seasons, they did 9 of them. Season 2 didn't technically have one even though it is mentioned that it is Thanksgiving time. So in this happy time of year, these are my rankings of Friends Thanksgiving episodes.
#9 - The One with All the Thanksgivings (Season 5)
I know...a lot of people like this episode and I do too. Just because I'm ranking it last doesn't mean I don't love it. It is filled with cute moments via flashbacks including Chandler finding out his Dad was having an affair with the poolboy (More turkey, Mr. Chandler?) and Phoebe saving lives in the war. But it's mostly centered around the origin of Chandler and Monica's meeting. There are a lot of inside jokes about Ross dating Carol and Monica being fat and Rachel's nose etc. And let's not forget the priceless Joey's head in a turkey moment as well as Monica's cute little dance in it at the end. However, for me, it just pales in comparison to the others.
Favorite Line - Ross: Okay, umm, her name is Carol. And she's really pretty. And smart. And uh, she's-she's on the lacrosse team and the golf team. Can you believe it? She plays for both teams!
#8 - The One with the Football (Season 3)
CLEARLY set on a sound stage and not outside, a longtime sibling rivalry comes to blows when it's Monica vs. Ross on the football field. Once they turn it into a gender match, the girls really come alive using the best weapon at their disposal...their boobs. I'm a sucker for episodes where Monica and Ross fight like actual siblings. And pitting Joey vs. Chandler in picking up a hot girl? Priceless.
Favorite Line - Ross: Cheater, cheater, compulsive eater.
#7 - The One Where Underdog Gets Away (Season 1)
Ah, Season 1 when everyone's hair and jeans were super high. But it really does encapsulate the group as a whole. Joey's been ostracized because his family thinks he has VD, Chandler convinces everyone to watch a balloon escape from the parade, Monica is busy trying to please everyone and Rachel is focused entirely on herself trying to join her family in the lifestyle she cannot afford. Of course it all goes wrong and they spend the holiday together eating Grilled Cheese. For me, this episode really set up what the show would eventually become.
Favorite Line - Rachel: Oh, you got the bigger half, what'd you wish for?
Joey: The bigger half...
#6 - The One with the Late Thanksgiving (Season 10)
I loved that in its last season, they were all forced together by a series of unfortunate events again. I would have been completely satisfied if it showed them eating Grilled Cheese again but I guess that's too formulaic. It all comes down to Phoebe and Rachel being late because they secretly enter Emma in a baby beauty pageant for money and Ross and Joey being late after sneaking out to a hockey game. (Do the Rangers play on Thanskgiving???) Monica is pissed and refuses to let them in. Hilarity ensues.
Favorite Line - Rachel - To Monica, Chandler and that knocked up girl in Ohio.
#5 - The One with Chandler in a Box (Season 4)
Chandler is sentenced to spend the holiday in a giant box as penance for stealing Joey's girlfriend. Outside the box, Monica invites Richard's son to dinner. Everyone is in a bad place, Rachel and Ross are still bitter post-breakup and Chandler isn't taking his punishment seriously. I always get choked up at man love and Joey's realization that Chandler really does love Kathy is just awesome.
Favorite Line - Monica - How cute is the on-call doctor?
Rachel - So cute I'm thinkin' about jammin' this pen in my eye.
#4 - The One Where Ross Got High (Season 6)
Season 6 is probably my least favorite season and yet I loved this episode. Again, LOVE when Monica and Ross act like siblings and their final 'reveal-off' to their parents at the end makes the episode one of my favorites. Rachel tries desperately to cook which is almost as adorable as everyone trying to pretend she didn't mess it up.
Favorite Line - Joey: Yeah, yeah, and the Indians taught the Pilgrims what it meant to be hot in the new world!
#3 - The One With the Rumor (Season 8)
Of course it's a little bittersweet now, but Brad Pitt guest starring as Rachel's nemesis is still insanely funny. And good GOD that boy is good looking which Phoebe and even Chandler repeatedly point out.
Favorite Line - Chandler: Oh hey. I’d shake your hand but uh; I’m really into the game. Plus, I think it’d be better for my ego if we didn’t stand right next to each other.
#2 - The One with Rachel's Other Sister (Season 9)
Is there better casting in this series than Christina Applegate as Rachel's spoiled sister, Amy? Her arrival to this holiday, Ross's distaste for her, Monica's insanity about her fine china, Chandler being offended that he is thought of as non-responsible, Joey forgetting about his commitment to the Macy's parade...oh it's just magic from top to bottom.
Favorite Line - Will (Brad Pitt): Look at her standing there with those yams! My two greatest enemies, Ross; Rachel Green and complex carbohydrates.
#1 - The One where Chandler Doesn't Like Dogs (Season 7)
Why? Because I don't like dogs. And that is EXACTLY how people react when you admit it. But also, Joey advising Rachel to hit on tag is one of my favorite scenes in the entire series. Ross trying to figure out all 50 states or he can't eat is just a quintessential moment that old friends would do to each other. I love it. I love it all.
Favorite Line - Chandler: Look Ross, if you don't know them by now, you will never know them, okay? That is the beauty of this game. It makes you want to kill yourself.
Isn't a fun? Sigh...Happy Thanksgiving.
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