Santa Clause is Comin' To Town

We did it! We finished all of our Christmas movies before Christmas! Hooray for us!!!Out of all the great Christmas Classics, this is definitely the best. It's got the perfect mixture of songs, magic, and celebrity! Fred Astaire stars as the narrator/postman and Mickey Rooney plays ole Kris Kringle himself.

There is a super gloomy town aptly named Sombertown that totally has a German feel to it. The leader of the town is Bergermeister Meisterberger, a crochety old man who upon finding a baby on his doorstep sends the baby to be banished off into the unknown. The cute little ginger baby ends up finding its way into some scary woods where it is abandoned. The helpful woodland animals take the baby to a small cottage on the other side of the mountain and past a magical rainbow river. Here a cute family of old elves resides. These are the Kringles!

The Kringles are so cute. Their voices are so high and funny, and they have one of the best songs in the movie. They raise Kris as their own and he learns the family business of toy making. His woodland friends also teach him how to slide and laugh like a seal, climb like a squirrel and leap like a dear. Once he grows up to be a man, he decides he is going to cross the mountain to deliver toys to the children in Sombertown. while crossing the mountain he meets his new best friend, a scarfed penguin named Topper. He also draws the attention of the evil Winter Warlock who vows revenge upon his return through the mountain.

Earlier, Bergermeister Meisterberger slipped on a toy and broke his funny bone, and has thus outlawed toys, claiming them to be immoral and unlawful.

In Sombertown, Kris sticks out like sore thumb. Everyone is dreary and sad looking, even some of the children have grey hair!He's a lively young man dressed in red from head to toe. The kids teach Kris about their duties of chores, including washing and hanging their stockings by the fire. He breaks out the toys and everyone celebrates. Then he gets chided by the school teacher Jessica and learns about the no toys rule. He leaves town promising more toys in secret.

He meets this Winter Warlock and befriends him, and with friendship the Warlock's icy heart is melted away. Toys make everything better! Winter doesn't believe that he can truly become good, and so Kris sings him a song about how its as easy as putting one step in front of the other. Up until this point in my life I thought that this song was about Kris teaching Winter how to walk again because he was just a scary old man who never left his ice castle. Oops.
 
After many attempts of Kris delivering toys and them getting confiscated the next day, he finally realizes the best method is to sneak down the chimney and put the toys in the stockings. Jessica helps deliver messages between the kids and him. One night Bergermeister Meisterberger finally catches Kris. He also arrests Winter and the Kringles. Jessica uses some magic feed she got from Winter to make reindeer fly. This somehow breaks the toy making gang out of a dungeon.

They are on the lamb for quite a while. Kris and Jessica get married, and he grows a beard and changes his name to his birthname Claus. They wander and find their way to the North Pole where they set up a permanent shop. Kris and Jessica both age and become their plump Claus selves that we all know and love. He was delivering toys like 4 times a year, but just couldn't keep up with the demand so he decided to make it just once a year. The Bergermeister rule eventually dies off and people forget about their toyless days.


Andrew's Closing Thought: I'm so glad we're done with Christmas movies...and he loves me so much!

Up Next: Alice in Wonderland (We will now go back to our normal rotation, and backtrack through the alphabet to some new movies we recently got)

The Santa Clause

This is definitely one of my favorite Christmas movies. It's just so good! It does an amazing job at putting you in the Christmas spirit and feeling the magic of Christmas. Plus it has Tim Allen in his prime.

We meet Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) on Christmas Eve. He's a big executive toy maker who has a failed marriage and a strained relationship with his son. It's his turn to spend Christmas with his son Charlie, who looks to be like 5 or 6 in this movie. Charlie isn't very pumped about this, and after a failed attempt at making a luxurious Christmas dinner they end up eating at Denny's. Then he and his dad go home and read A Night Before Christmas. This is where the entire world learned what the words "clatter" meant.


Charlie wakes up in the middle of the night to a clatter and they run out to find Santa and his sleigh on top of the roof. Santa falls off the roof, Scott reads a card and then they climb a magical ladder up to the roof. There Scott and Charlie find reindeer and a sleigh. They hope in it and the reindeer zoom off. They arrive on to another rooftop and Scott puts on the Santa suit. Then he grabs the gift bag which floats him unwillingly to the chimney. Scott gets sucked down and delivers some presents. This goes on for a while, and then the reindeers take them to the North Pole.

A cute little elf comes out and opens the door to the North Pole, and then we enter into a total fantasy world. All the elves in this version look like cute little kids even though some are 1200 years old. The oldest/biggest is Bernard, who appears to be the head elf.  He's a pretty sarcastic and jaded elf but seriously knows his stuff. He lets Scott know that because he put on the suit he is now the new Santa Clause. He has 11 months to put his affairs in order and then will need to return to the NP on Thanksgiving. Scott just doesn't really believe anything that's happening. He and Charlie go to bed in what looks like the most comfortable bed ever after having some of the most delicious hot chocolate ever (I assume even though I never saw nor tasted it)

They wake up and are back in their house on Christmas morning, and Charlie is totally jazzed about what happened. Scott on the other hand thinks it was all a dream, even though he woke up in Santa Clause's pajamas. Charlie keeps going on and on about their adventure and shows off a snow globe that Bernard gave him. His mom is super mad at Scott because they just got through the whole "Santa doesn't exist" conversation with Charlie and now he's thinking he went to the North Pole.

Throughout the next few months Charlie keeps talking about the NP and it starts to really worry his parents. They think he's going crazy! Plus Scott is changing physically. He's gaining weight like crazy and his hair is going white and he's getting a pretty sweet beard. Though he tries to stop all of this he can't. Kids seem to follow him wherever he goes and now he's starting to feel the spirit of Christmas all year long. He is even given a huge delivery of names for his Naughty or Nice list that he has to check twice. Even after all of this, he still doesn't fully believe what has happened to him. Charlie still does though.

Due to the fact that they think Scott is a bad influence on Charlie, they petition his custody rights and unfortunately the judge agrees with Charlie's mom and stepdad Neil. On Thanksgiving Scott can't handle it anymore and he goes to visit Charlie. Then Bernard shows up and he, Scott and Charlie go back to the North Pole to due last minute things to get ready for Christmas. Naturally his mom and Neil believe he has been kidnapped, so the police go crazy. It wasn't until this day that Scott finally believes and embraces the fact that he is now Santa.

So up in the North Pole they add some cool additions to the sleigh like a cookie and cocoa dispenser, and make Santa more safe with a fire retardant suit.  Off Charlie and Scott go for another round at delivering gifts. Scott is now a pro at it in comparison to his terrible job last year. While making a quick stop at Charlie's house, he gets arrested by cops staking out the house. Uh Oh! He's taken down to the big house and the cops refuse to believe his story. Luckily a security team called the E.L.F.S come and pick Charlie up and then they head over to bust Santa out of jail. They succeed! Scott and Charlie head back to his house where his parents are waiting anxiously.

Suddenly they realize the truth about Scott and everythings ok! Charlie is still pretty bummed about the distance that will now be between he and his dad. But apparently the snow globe also allows Charlie to see his dad whenever he misses him. His parents all see his sadness and allow him to go on with Scott as he finishes his delivery duties.

Some of the things that I love about this movie:
The entire north pole sequences with all the super cute elves.
How there are elves mixed in with society.
The process of Scott turning into Santa (physically)
The humor in this movie. Tim Allen does a great job in the comedy aspect of this movie.

Andrew's Closing Thought: Tim Allen's greatest movie.

Up Next: Santa Clause is Comin' to Town

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

This is one of the greatest Christmas movies. There are two things I love right off the bat. The opening credits, and the way the snowman moves through the snow. Don't ask me why.

During this viewing we had a couple of special guests who have just been dying to be in the blog. My two sisters, Kaitlin and Caroline were visiting. Kaitlin thought that the movie brought back childhood memories and is still as good as she remembers.

We meet up with a baby reindeer named Rudolph, who happens to have a red noisy lightbulb for nose. This drives his parents crazy and they are sad about what a failure their child is already. They are able to hide his nose for a year, but then its time for him to socialize with other reindeer at the Reindeer Games. While there he meets his new bro Fireball, and future girlfriend Clarice, the cute doe with the Minnie Mouse Bow. Rudolph shows some real promise in his flying skills, but then his nose starts acting up and he basically gets banished as an outcast.

Meanwhile in Santa's mansion, we meet some Christmas Elves! A lot of what these elves are like are what inspired the look for all the elves in the movie Elf. There is one elf named Hermey who has luscious blonde hair in contrast to all the other bald elves. He doesn't enjoy making toys or singing, but instead really wants to be a dentist. He does not fit in and realizes that he never will and so he leaves.

Hermey and Rudolph find themselves together running off into the unknown as misfits. Due to his bright and noisy nose, Rudolph keeps attracting the Abominable snowman. During their journey the run into Yukon Cornelius who is a prospector eternally searching for silver and gold. He gets them out of a close call with the Bumble (Abominable Snowman) and they find themselves drifting into the unknown on some ice.

They end up at the Island of Misfit toys who is run by a winged lion named King Moonracer. He goes and collects misfit toys and brings them here in hopes that they might someday find a good home. Some of these toys include a Jack in the Box named Charlie and a water pistol that shoots jelly. Rudolph and the gang vow that if/when they see Santa again they will tell him about the island.

Not wanting to put his friends in danger against the Bumble, Rudolph leaves without his friends and strikes out on his own. He is gone for months and during that time grows up and gets some big antlers. His parents and Clarice have been super worried and have also spent the last few months searching for him. He finally returns home and realizes they are gone and figure that there is only one place they could be, the bumble's cave. He goes there are tries to fight off the bumble, but only succeeds once Yukon Cornelius and Hermey show up and help. Cornelius knocks him out while Hermey removes his teeth. He's harmless now that he is toothless!Cornelius and the bumble end up falling over a cliff!!

They return back to Christmas Town and rejoin the Elves in the mansion. They find out from Santa that Christmas is going to be canceled because there is a very bad snow storm and he can't fly through that. He then realizes that Rudolph's nose finally has a purpose and will cut through the clouds. Cornelius returns with the reformed bumble who helps out by putting the star on top of the Christmas tree. Hermey is allowed to open a dental practice. Rudolph and Santa stop by the Island of Misfit Toys so they can be delivered to children too. Cornelius finds a peppermint mine. Everyone has a happy ending!

While this movie has the superficial feelings of happiness and joy that is often accompanied by the memories of seeing this as a child, I couldn't help but notice a different aspect of this movie now that I'm older. There is a bit of a darkness to it. There are some really mean, bullying words that are said by adult figures throughout this movie. And quite frankly, Santa is a jerk in this movie. Sure he is stressed out due to the holidays, but he is completely ungrateful to his singing elves and his wife. Santa along with others are also very focused on segregating anything that is different from the norm.

Andrew's Closing Thought: The only thing more annoying than a red nose is a red nose that whistles.

Up Next: The Santa Clause

The Nativity Story

I love this movie. It's a live action version of the Birth story of Jesus. Now as far as I can recall, there aren't too many movies made about this particular story, they tend to focus more on the death instead. One reason I love this movie is how real it feels. It really does a great job at showing what the daily life was like in these Biblical times. Everyone is so raw and natural looking. There are also some really beautiful scenery shots throughout the movie.

So, the story begins with King Herod of Jerusalem and his son sending the order to slaughter boys under the age of 2 in Bethlehem. This is because they have heard that there is a prophecy in which a man will become king, therefore destroying Herod's rule.

Then we go back in time one year. We meet a young teenage girl named Mary of Nazareth. Everyone in her town is super stressed out because the Romans have come to collect taxes. While paying his taxes, her father comes up short on what he owes, and the soldiers take his donkey (which I have named Madrika). The guy in line wasn't as lucky, because his daughter gets taken away to work off his debt. A young man behind her father saw this struggle, and later buys back the donkey. This is Joseph the carpenter.

We don't ever really learn much about Joseph in the Bible. He basically disappears after this story. But this movie totally elaborates on what type of person they think Joseph was. He is a sweet, thoughtful, giving person who also happens to have a really sweet beard.

Mary comes home from working one day to find that she and Joseph are about to get married. He seems totally sweet about it, but Mary just has this stink face expression the whole time. In their culture they have a small private ceremony. Then Mary stays living with her parents for a year and then she can move in with Joseph. They are still considered married except they aren't suppose to have sex until that year is up.

Well one day Mary is out and about enjoying the breeze when an angel tells her she has found favor with God and is going to conceive the Messiah. She seems pretty okay with this and is a faithful servant. The angel also tells her that her cousin Elizabeth is pregnant in her old age.

Elizabeth's husband Zechariah was given the honor of going behind the curtains at the Temple, and while there he got a message from God saying that his wife would become pregnant and that their son would too be important. He questioned God and was punished by not being able to talk. Elizabeth did indeed get preggers and her son will end up being John the Baptist.

Mary goes and visits Elizabeth, see's her baby bump, and really believes that the angel was telling the absolute truth. She stays there until after John is born and Zechariah can speak again, and then heads back to Nazareth. By this time Joseph almost has their house built and she is definitely showing. The woman who plays Elizabeth is so wonderful. I would consider her voice to be the female equivalent to Morgan Freeman's, in regards to how much its used in narrations of other projects.

Her parents flip out and Joseph is wrestling with what to do. If he claims the child as his own, then that's lying therefore a sin. If he accuses her, then that is basically telling the town to stone Mary in the street. He soon has a dream where the same angel tells him what the dealio is, and so now he is a believer in Mary's tale. He claims the child as his own. They both become social pariahs and the center of the gossip.

This whole time we switch back and forth between the Mary/Joseph story and the 3 wisemen: Gaspaar, Balthazar, and Melchior. These are scientists in Persia who are following the progression of some stars and match it up with the prophecy. Melchior has a deep feeling that something big is gonna happen and so they all set out on a journey to Judea.

Rome has decreed a census, and so Herod uses this as an opportunity to try and spot who this future king is going to be by targeting those who are traveling to Bethlehem. That's Mary and Joseph. They have a really tough journey there. Mary is riding a donkey while very pregnant through harsh terrain and weather. But they also bond though this experience. 

While the wisemen are traveling to Judea, Herod stops them in Jerusalem because they look like a threat. He wine and dines them into telling him what they know about this prophecy. They talk about how they think its a child not a man.

After their treacherous journey, the couple finally make it to Bethlehem right as Mary goes into labor. They find a stable and Joseph delivers the baby himself. Afterwards shepherds and the wisemen come and visit to pay tribute to their Savior. Not long after the birth, Herod sends out the troops to kill all the kids, and Joseph gets one other message from the angel, telling them to flee to Egypt.

While watching this movie, I couldn't help but ponder on how strong Mary was. Not just because she was a social outcast and all that stuff, but physically. She's a teenage girl who is giving birth in Biblical times for the first time. Also she not only rides a donkey while majorly pregnant, but in this movie she hops back on that donkey not long after giving birth. That must have been terrible.

The only thing that made me sad about this movie was finding out that Catherine Hardwicke was the director. How could she make something so amazing as this, and then also direct the first Twilight movie?? I'm convinced that her being at the helm of the first movie is what laid the path for all the suckiness that then came from the world of Twilight. I'll get more into that in a year or two, whenever we get to the Twilight movies.

Andrew's Closing Thought: A good retelling of the story

Up next: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

A Muppet Christmas Carol

Well, we just got done watching this movie. If it wasn't for the fact that I am in serious need of a nap, and every time a song would happen, I would snooze a little, I would have thoroughly enjoyed it. The songs broke up the narrative and made it choppy.

So because I just went over the plot line of A Christmas Carol in the last blog, I'm not going to do that this time. Instead I will just talk about different aspects of this movie.

One thing that was really cool was that "Charles Dickens" was in this movie. Gonzo played him and acted as the narrator, with Rizzo the Rat as his faithful sidekick. That travel along with Scrooge (Michael Caine!) as he goes on his adventure, but are visible only to us. They do a great job of breaking the 4th wall. (The fourth wall is when characters of a story address the audience, thus breaking the barriers of their world and interposing onto ours allowing us to have more direct interaction with the story) Bam. English minor.  Anywho, not only do they give some great comedic relief to the story, and allow us to have mental breaks in between all this intense stuff going on in the story, but Gonzo also quotes directly out of the text of the novel. Not just dialogue that is used over and over again in adaptations, but other narrative quotes.

Also, one thing that the Magoo version left out was the character of Fred, Scrooge's nephew. He loves Christmas and life and is constantly turned down in his efforts to reach out to his Uncle. He's the only one who is sad when Scrooge dies. When Scrooge changes, they spend Christmas together and get a chance to bond.

Andrew absolutely loves the Muppets. He was giggling and squealing a lot during this, especially anytime Beaker would say anything.

I also can't help but wonder about Michael Caine's hair. He's got a lot of hair in this movie, but looks a lot more bald then what he is now. Was it just a wig then, or was he really that bald and then got rogaine?

They did the ghosts in the  correct order, past-present-future. The first ghost was super creepy looking. 

Here's a quick rundown of your favorite muppets and what their roles were in this movie:
 Kermit-Bob Cratchet
Miss Piggy- Mrs. Cratchet
Gonzo-Charles Dickens
Rizzo the Rat- himself
Fozzy Bear- Fozziwig
Those two heckling guys- The Marley Brothers
Beaker- Man asking for donation
The American Eagle- Scrooge's headmaster
The Swedish Chef- Cameo at Fozziwig's party
Animal- Cameo at Fozziwig's party
Rolf- Same as Animal *They were in the band.

 


Andrew's Closing Thought: My favorite Christmas movie!

Up Next: The Nativity Story

Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol

Mr. Magoo is a Broadway star in this adaptation of the Dickens holiday classic. The entire movie is really a play of the Christmas Carol, with Mr. Magoo playing Scrooge.

So the plot is pretty much straight forward. Ebenezer Scrooge is a crotchety, rich, unlikeable old geezer. He has lots of money but never spends it. He also treats everyone around him like crap. Needless to say he is alone and is his only comrade is now dead. It's Christmas Eve and lots of different charities come asking for money but he refuses one after the other. He won't even let his employee Bob Cratchet have another candle.

That night he is visited by a ghost of his old pal Jacob Marley, who brings word that three spirits will visit him tonight and that he should pay attention or else he will end up with chains and baggage in the afterlife. First we have the Ghost of Christmas Present stop by. This guy looks like Santa Clause and is very decadent. Shouldn't the Christmas Past have come first??? Tsk Tsk. Anyway, Christmas Present takes Scrooge to the house of the Cratchets where he learns what a dire situation Bob and his family really are in. They are very poor, with many children, and their last child Tiny Tim is a cripple.

Soon the Ghost of Christmas Past comes to visit, and this ghost looks like a little boy. He shows Scrooge as a young boy who is sad and all alone. Then we fast forward to when Scrooge was a young man and apprentice for a man named Fezziwigg. He was still a pretty decent human being (and also a ginger!) At the Christmas Eve dance, the most wonderful girl in town named Belle chooses him out of all the other suitors to dance with. Overtime Scrooge becomes obsessed with money and starts to turn into a bad person, so Belle breaks up with him.

Then the Ghost of Christmas Future, who almost always appears as some sort of devil/grim reaper figure shows up. He shows that Tiny Tim will be dead by next Christmas, as will Ebenezer. Nobody will care about Scrooge's death and will in fact loot his property and steal his belongings.

So Scrooge wakes up on Christmas morning with a changed attitude and goes out and does good. He gives money to charities, and spoils the Cratchets with a wonderful Christmas.
There were some really really terrible songs in this movie. Because it was Magoo playing Scrooge, there were some Magoo-ey elements, like him being super blind and a clutz that attempted to add humor to the movie. It didn't work. Overall this was pretty boring. There are so many versions of the story, I'm pretty sure that its the most adapted story of all time. I've never really been a huge fan of this Carol, perhaps because of all the many ways in which it is regurgitated year after year. So, if I'm gonna like this story, there has to be something really special about to keep me intrigued. We are watching the Muppet version next, in like 10 minutes, so maybe it will be better.

Andrew's Closing Thought: The Muppets do it better!

Up Next: A Muppet Christmas Carol

The Little Drummer Boy

So this short movie is one of the additions on the Christmas Classics. It's a stop motion story that intertwines the lyrics of "The Little Drummer Boy" and the scripture verses of the Christmas Story from the Bible. Neither Andrew nor I have ever seen this, and while he found it torturous, I thought it was quite amusing just because of how ridiculous it was.

We run into the owner of a show caravan, Haramed and his lackee Ali. They are scoping out some new talent that they want to join their show. This is a little boy named Aaron. He is a boy who likes to walk around the desert strumming his drum and having his animal friends march and dance along with him. Because Aaron would never go willingly, he is kidnapped. As they travel to Jerusalem we learn a bit more about this little drummer boy.

Aaron was a happy normal boy with loving parents who give him a drum as a present. That night his parents are murdered by bandits, the animals are taken, and his house is burnt to the ground. He then vows to hate every single human being ever.

Once they make it to the big city, they set up a performance. It's clear that Aaron is the most talented and successful performer in the troupe, but he blows up at the crowd and they are forced out of the city. There they see a royal caravan carrying the 3 wisemen. They race to perform for them, but the star of Bethlehem has appeared and the kings rush off to follow it. Unfortunately one of their camels collapses and so they buy Aaron's camel from Haramed. (The camel's name is Joshua btw).

Once Haramed has all his gold he doesn't care about Aaron anymore. So that leaves Aaron and his two remaining comrades Sampson the Donkey and Baba the lamb to go off in search of the camel. They follow the star all the way to the manger of Sweet Little Baby Jesus. While crossing the street in Bethlehem, a Roman Centurion runs over Baba with his chariot. Aaron is devastated, and is told by one of the wisemen to go see the baby. Unsure of what to do, he starts playing for Jesus (something I'm sure a newborn wants to hear just hours after being born, a loud drum). His angry heart fades away and he becomes a nice person again, and surprise! Baba is fully healed. Take note, this was the undocumented first miracle of Jesus.

This movie was just so ridiculous, but enough so that I liked it in a weird way.

Aaron also had some very feminine eyebrows.

Andrew's Closing Thought: It may be a classic, but I want my 25 minutes back

Up Next: Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

This is the live action version, and it is amazing. I'm completely blown away by the details in the costume, set design and prosthetics. I remember when this first came out, it was such a big deal.

On a snowflake lives a town named Whoville where Who's live. They are creatures who really really love Christmas. They go all out. There is one outcast, the Grinch. He is green, hairy and gross and lives alone with his dog Max on Mt. Crumpit. The Grinch hates anything that the Who's love.

We meet one little Who named Cindy Lou (Taylor Momsen) who doesn't really share the same Christmas spirit like the rest of her town. Then she has a couple of run ins with the Grinch and believes that there is more to him than this villain that everyone portrays. She's not afraid of him either. So she then goes on the hunt to find out all she can about the Grinch's past.

We learn that he was a little black sheep in the shipment of Who babies one night. He got delivered to some old ladies who doted and loved him. At school he was an outcast, and the future Mayor Maywho was a bully to him. The Grinch hated Christmas even as a young child, and was only interested when he learned his childhood crush loved Christmas. He makes her a wonderful Christmas present and decides to shave off his beard. As his first time shaving it didn't turn out too well, so he gets ridiculed at school and so embarrassed and angry that he kind of destroys some things at school. Then he runs away to the mountain where he hides away for years and years.

Cindy Lou nominates the Grinch to be the Cheer Meister, and he very reluctantly shows up to the ceremony. He gets stuffed and prodded with holiday cheer and goodies, but eventually he starts to have a good time. The mayor is jealous of him, not just for being the Cheer Meister, but because he also knows deep down that his girlfriend Martha really loves the Grinch. So he gives the Grinch a razor, which brings back terrible memories for him. He then ensues on torching the town Christmas tree and wreaking havoc all over town.

Because he hates the town so much, he decides to totally ruin Christmas. He dresses up like Santa with Max has his lone reindeer and they slide on down to the town. He then steals most of the Christmas items from everyone's house and plans to dump it on Crumpit. After waking up to this shocking realization, the town celebrates the true meaning of the season. Seeing this, the Grinch is touched and his tiny heart grows 3 sizes! Cindy Lou somehow got stuck on the top of the sleigh with stolen goods that is about to fall to its death. The Grinch pulls all his strength together and saves her. They then speed down the mountain to the town to return all the Christmas goods. The Grinch apologizes for all his wrong doings and he and Martha finally express their feelings for each other. Christmas is saved and everyone is included! Hooray!!

Jim Carrey is just so amazing with this movie, he totally commits to the character. Also, the way that Cindy Lou and her mom's dresses often match reminds me of the movie "The Stupids" and their crazy dresses.

Six year old Taylor Momsen is so cute in this movie, and now she's famous for her role on Gossip Girl and for being a 'rebel'

I dont know about you, but one thing I can never separate from this movie is the music video to "Where are you Christmas?" by Faith Hill.
Andrew's Closing Thought:One of my favorite Christmas movies

Up Next: The Little Drummer Boy

The Holiday

Andrew and I both had a pretty long day at work, so when we were watching this one we had lots of trouble staying awake. I couldn't even stay awake long enough to write the blog right afterwards.  Any chance this movie had of Andrew actually liking it was ruined because he was so sleepy. The last time we watched it he actually did fall asleep.

Our main character Iris (Kate Winslet), is a writer for a newspaper in London and she is in love with a recently engaged man who does not love her back. She is super miserable, but at least lives in a cute little cottage named Rosehill. One of the many reasons England is cool is because their houses have names. She ends up doing a home exchange with a girl named Amanda(Cameron Diaz). Amanda is a movie trailer maker in LA who recently broke up with her longtime boyfriend because she is cold-hearted and a workaholic. And because he cheated on her. She's freaking out and decides to do something she never does, and go on vacation. Thus the home exchange with Iris.

So Amanda travels to Iris' small cottage. Once she is unpacked she gets super drunk and is really bored. She She starts singing along to The Killers, and I think everyone agrees that we are just embarrassed for her when she did that. Then destiny comes a knockin' when Iris' brother, Graham(Jude Law) knocks on the door. He too is drunk and they quickly fall into bed together. I'm just going to say it. Jude Law is the best part of the movie! Amanda was planning on leaving her vacation early since she was so bored, but the new adventure with Graham gives her reason to stay.

Meanwhile back in LA, Iris is overwhelmed with the luxury of Amanda's 'mansion'. She meets Miles (Jack Black) who is a co worker of Amanda's ex. He is a film composer dating an actress. Because he brings so much attention to the art and profession of to film composing, you can't help but pay a little extra attention to the music in this film. Iris also meets her elderly neighbor, the Old Hollywood writer Arthur Abbot. He's a widower living alone, and they bond instantly. Slowly Iris begins to grow in confidence and finds pieces of her soul that she lost while being mixed up in unrequited love.

Across the pond Amanda and Graham are having a great time together until Amanda decides to put the brakes on the relationship, since she will only be there for a short time. She then changes her mind and surprises Graham at home where we learn that he is a single father of two adorable girls. (Widower) These two daughters, Sophie and Olivia and seriously super cute. I would watch a whole movie just about their little family unit. After realizing just how extremely complicated things just got, the couple decide to keep their space.

In LA, Iris and Miles are helping Arthur prepare for a night honoring him and his work in the history of film making. During this we get a funny little montage of Arthur and Iris working out together. Miles discovers that his girlfriend was cheating on him, and Iris tries to comfort him with tales of her very similar situation. On the day of the big award night, Iris' ex comes into town to try and woo her back even though he is still engaged. Miles' girlfriend also attempts to get him back. Both turn down their former flames in the hopes of having a good and healthy relationship with someone new. Arthur wows at his award show and Iris and Miles make a date for New Years in England.

The night before Amanda is suppose to leave for America, Graham tells her that he loves her and she can't say it back. She also hasn't been able to cry since she was fifteen. On the way to the airport she realizes her feelings for Graham (she shed a tear!) and runs back to the cottage to find him weeping at the fireplace. Even though she doesn't explicitly say 'I love you' back, she does decide to stay until New Years.

The next thing we see is all four of our characters dancing and having a grand ole time in England. We don't really know what happens to them, but I would like to be the optimistic and hope that despite the large location difficulties, Amanda and Graham will make it. Iris and Miles I don't care so much about. We left them when they were just bridging the friendzone-couplezone, so I'm not too sure how I feel about them as a couple. They were great friends though. I think even if Iris and Miles don't work out, the more important thing for Iris was that she learned to be herself and not let a man dictate her personality and life.

Even though it seems as though Iris is the main character, I am much more interested in Amanda's storyline. Both storylines have some super corny moments, but who doesn't love a little corny every once and a while? It's hard to find a romantic comedy that doesn't have a some cheesiness to it. In the end both women end up learning about themselves and becoming happier people.

Andrew's Closing Thought: I need a holiday to get away from this movie

Up Next: How the Grinch Stole Christmas