My Christmas 2017 Marathon (1 Viewer)

[Pete Battista]

Christmas 2017
Well it is that time of the year again. Christmas time is among us. This is the first year since my wife passed away (right before before Christmas) that I actually feel like I can get into the Christmas spirit and am actually looking forward to this month's marathon! I will be watching movies and TV specials from my always growing collection, Netflix, Hulu, Vudu and of course my roommate's collection.

My Collection:​

Titles in bold are films I never seen.​

1. 12 Days of Christmas Eve
2. All I want for Christmas
3. Arthor Christmas
4. Babes in Toyland (1997)
5. The Bishop's Wife
6. Black Christmas
7. Black X-Mas
8. The Case for Christmas
9. A Chance of Snow
10. A Charlie Brown Christmas
11. The Christmas Blessing
12. The Christmas Card
13. Christmas Cupid
14. Christmas in Boston
15. Christmas in Connecticut
16. Christmas in Wonderland
17. The Christmas Shoes
18. A Christmas Story
19. A Christmas Story 2
20. The Christmas Tree
21. Christmas with the Kranks
22. A Christmas without Snow
23. Dear Santa
24. Disney's A Christmas Carol
25. Don't Open till Christmas
26. Elf
27. An Evergreen Christmas
28. The Family Man
29. The Family Stone
30. A Flintstone Christmas Carol
31. Four Christmases
32. Frosty the Snowman
33. The Good Witches Gift
34. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer
35. Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever
36. A Hobo's Christmas
37. Holiday Inn
38. Holiday in Handcuffs
39. Home Alone
40. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
41. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (live action)
42. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated)
43. It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
44. It's a Wonderful Life
45. Jack Frost
46. Jeff Dunham's Very Special Christmas Special
47. Jingle All the Way
48. Krampus
49. Larry the Cable Guy's Christmas Spectacular
50. Love Actually
51. Lucky Christmas
52. March of the Wooden Soldiers
53. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
54. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
55. A Miser Brother's Christmas
56. Mixed Nuts
57. The Muppet Christmas Carol
58. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
59. The National Tree
60. The Nightmare Before Christmas
61. Noel
62. Nothing Like the Holidays
63. Office Christmas Party
64. Pete's Christmas
65. The Polar Express
66. Prancer
67. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
68. Santa Baby
69. Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe
70. Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws
71. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
72. Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town!
73. The Santa Clause
74. Santa Clause 2
75. Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
76. Santa Jr.
77. Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups
78. Scrooge (1935)
79. Scrooged
80. The Search For Santa Paws
81. Silent Night, Bloody Night
82. Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus
83. This Christmas
84. Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage
85. Trading Christmas
86. A Very Brady Christmas
87. A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas
88. White Christmas
89. The Year Without a Santa Claus
90. Yogi Bear's All Star Comedy Christmas Caper

​

Obviously I will not watch all of these... but it will be fun to see how many I can fit in.

Out of the ones I haven't seen above (ones in bold) is there any recommendations that I need to try to fit in?​

 

[Josh Steinberg]

The Bishop's Wife is some prime Cary Grant!

 

[Pete Battista]

Thanks... I need to make sure I get that one watched. Not only does it work for this but it also works for the scavenger hunt I am participating in at letterboxd.

I enjoy their scavenger hunts.... each month they give you a list of tasks and you have to watch a movie to fulfill each task. And one of the tasks for December is to watch a Cary Grant film.

 

[morasp]

That's a great list!

The Bishop's Wife is my all time favorite
Christmas in Connecticut another favorite.
I always make sure to watch Season for miracles a Hallmark hall of fame release.
My guilty pleasure is the night they saved Christmas.

 

[Pete Battista]

The Case for Christmas (2011/United States)

Gaiam (United States)
Director: Timothy Bond
Writing: Tom Amundsen (Writer), Kevin Commins (Writer), Rickie Castaneda (Writer)
Length: 88 min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen :1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: None
Stars:
Dean Cain as Michael
Rachel Blanchard as Lauren
George Buza as Kris Kringle
Barry Flatman as Braxton Bennett
Krista Bridges as Dina Smiger

Plot:
Santa is in trouble! People are losing faith in him, and he's being sued for ruining Christmas. Michael Sherman is a young lawyer and single father still mourning the loss of his wife who takes Santa on as a client. He not only helps save Kris Kringle but also discovers the courage to let love back into his life, making this truly the happiest season of all.

Extras:

• None

My Thoughts:

This is a Hallmark Channel Movie that originally aired November 19th 2011. This is however the first time I ever seen it. Like most TV Movies this has some familiar TV actors. In this case it is Dean Cain from "Lois and Clark." As I am sure you expected this film is a version of "Miracle on 34th Street" with a side story of a romantic comedy. A fun story with likable characters but like most romantic comedies it is a predictable movie. But it is the journey to the ending that makes a story worth it.

Rating:

 

[dpippel]

Have fun Pete. I think I'd rather stick a fork in my eye than watch THAT many Christmas movies!

 

[Pete Battista]

Oh... I won't be watching all of them... but I like to challenge myself and see how many I can get watched.

 

[Pete Battista]

The National Tree (2009/United States)

Gaiam (United States)
Director: Graeme Campbell
Writing: David Kranes (Original Material By), Lloyd Fonvielle (Story By), J. B. White [J.b. White] (Screenwriter)
Length: 87 min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen :1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: None
Stars:
Andrew McCarthy as Corey Burdock
Evan Williams as Rock Burdock
Kari Matchett as Faith
Paula Brancati as Katie
Jayne Eastwood as Lana

Plot:
Facing hardship and adventure as they travel America's heartland, father and son discover a bond they never knew existed and the true meaning of Christmas. Full of holiday spirit, The National Tree is a heartwarming and inspiring film for the entire family.

Extras:

• None

My Thoughts:

Another Hallmark Channel Movie.This one originally aired November 28th, 2009. While I am sure there is some notable names in this one.... none that I am familiar with. Out of the 4 movie box set I got this in... this is the one I was most concerned about enjoying. While it is a slow paced film... it is one that grew on me. The longer I watched t the more I liked it. So of you try this one, be sure you stick with it.

Rating:

 

[Pete Battista]

The Night Before Christmas (1933)
Toys help decorate a Christmas tree while Santa Claus fills children's stockings with treats.

My Thoughts:
This is an extra included on The Santa Clause blu-ray disc. It is a fun little short. Though it feels like it should have had a little more to it. I don't know what mind you... just felt a little... not incomplete... more like a little insubstantial.

My Rating:

 

[Pete Battista]

The Santa Clause (1994/United States)
IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer |

Buena Vista Home Entertainment (United States)
Director: John Pasquin
Writing: Leo Benvenuti (Writer), Steve Rudnick (Writer)
Length: 97 min.
Video: Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Russian: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Thai: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai
Stars:
Tim Allen as Scott Calvin
Judge Reinhold as Neal
Wendy Crewson as Laura
Eric Lloyd as Charlie
David Krumholtz as Bernard

Plot:
Experience the true magic of the holidays with Disney's original hit comedy, The Santa Clause, now available on Blu-ray for the first time in a new digital restoration with enhanced picture and sound. Superstar Tim Allen sparkles in a hilarious family movie for all ages.

On Christmas Eve, divorced father Scott Calvin (Allen) and his son Charlie discover the current Mr. Claus has fallen off their roof. When Scott dons Santa's suit, he unwittingly triggers "The Santa Clause," and they are immediately whisked away to the North Pole to take on the role of jolly old St. Nick. Relive all the joy of this holiday classic in a whole new way in Disney High Definition!

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Bonus Trailers
• Featurettes
• The Night Before Christmas Animated Short, Recipes

My Thoughts:

This has always been one of my favorites. I have watched it every year since it came out. It just does not feel like the Christmas season until I watch this film. In my opinion... everyone should watch this one at least once. I think it is a fun film for everyone in the family. Highly recommended!

Rating:

 

[Malcolm R]

All Mine to Give (1957)

A Scottish couple travels to America to start a new life in Wisconsin. After an initial tragedy, they begin to build their lives and their family, starting a successful business and having six children. Through a series of unfortunate circumstances, the children find themselves on their own. They can't survive on their own so it falls to the eldest son, 12-year-old Robbie, to find suitable homes for all his siblings on Christmas.

Beautiful Technicolor film from RKO, though it's perhaps not the most cheerful story.

(Are we allowed to contribute to this thread? I thought you asked if others wanted to join, but am now questioning that based on the "My Christmas Marathon" title.)

 

[Pete Battista]

Everyone feel free to join in! I am thrilled to see what everyone is watching. I got the feeling there wasn't much interest in a community thread. So please everyone feel free to join!

 

[Pete Battista]

Holiday Family Favorites: Disc 1 (1936/United States)

Mill Creek Entertainment (United States)
Director: The First ChristmasRichard Slapczynski, Santa and the Three BearsTony Benedict, Santa and the Fairy Snow QueenSid Davis, Rudolph the Red-Nosed ReindeerMax Fleischer, Christmas Comes But Once a YearDave Fleischer, O' Little Town of BethlehemNeil E. McGuire, Santa in Animal LandStephen L. Sharff, Jingle BellsNeil E. McGuire, The Christmas VisitorJohn Halas, The CandlemakerJohn Halas, Joy Batchelor, Christmas Fairy TaleJean Downing, Christmas NightSoglow , Hector's Hectic LifeBill Tytla, Snow Foolin'I. Sparber
Writing: Santa and the Three BearsTony Benedict (Writer), Santa and the Fairy Snow QueenRobert Niel Porter (Writer), Rudolph the Red-Nosed ReindeerRobert L. May (Original Material By), Joseph Stultz (Screenwriter), Hector's Hectic LifeJoe Stultz (Story By), Larry Riley (Story By), Snow Foolin'I. Klein (Story By), The Elf and Mr. LittlePeter Son (Story By), The Little Match GirlHans Christian Andersen (Original Material By)
Length: 295 min.
Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles:
Stars:
The First Christmas:
Alastair Duncan (voice)
Judy Morris (voice)
Ron Haddrick (voice)
Helen Morse (voice)

Plot:
Classic Christmas Cartoons & Shorts:
The Candlemaker
Christmas Comes But Once A Year
A Christmas Dream
Christmas Fairy Tale
Christmas Night
A Christmas Visit
The Christmas Visitor
The Elf and Mr. Little
The First Christmas
Hector's Hectic Life
Howdy Doody's Christmas
Jack Frost
Jingle Bells
The Little Lamb
The Little Match Girl
Merry Christmas
The Night Before Christmas
O' Come All Ye Faithful
O' Little Town of Bethlehem
A Present for Santa Claus
Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer
Santa and the Fairy Snow Queen
Santa and the Three Bears
Santa Claus Story
Santa in Animal Land
Silent Night: Story of the Christmas Carol
Snow Foolin'

Extras:

• Virtual Fireplace

My Thoughts:

I just watched this full disc of cartoons and live action shorts. They range from "God Awful" to "very Good". Considering them all I am giving the disc a 3 out of 5 star rating. I would have to go with "The Night Before Christmas" as my favorite on this disc. It is a live action film where actor plays out the parts as a narrator reads the poem. I definitely like how they did this. But I must say... I like the newer tradition of decorating the tree with family and friends over what appears to be the older tradition of finding the tree decorated by Santa along with the gifts. A nice holiday watch here.

Rating:

 

[Pete Battista]

White Christmas: Diamond Anniversary Edition (1954/United States)
IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer |

Paramount Home Entertainment (United States)
Director: Michael Curtiz
Writing: Norman Krasna (Writer), Norman Panama (Writer), Melvin Frank (Writer)
Length: 120 min.
Video: Widescreen 1.78:1
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: Mono, French: Dolby Digital: Mono, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Mono, Portuguese: Dolby Digital: Mono, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Mono
Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish
Stars:
Bing Crosby as Bob Wallace
Danny Kaye as Phil Davis
Rosemary Clooney as Betty Haynes
Vera-Ellen [Vera Ellen] as Judy Haynes
Dean Jagger as Major General Thomas F. Waverly

Plot:
White Christmas is a treasure trove of Irving Berlin's most memorable songs, among them "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," "Sisters," "Mandy" and the beloved holiday song, "White Christmas." This Diamond Anniversary Edition Combo Pack includes the Blu-ray™ and DVD versions of this timeless musical plus new special features and a bonus 12-song Christmas music CD!

Two talented song-and-dance men (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business. One winter they join forces with a sister act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) and trek to Vermont for a white Christmas. The result is stuff dreams are made of.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers
• Featurettes
• Gallery
• Sing-Along Version

My Thoughts:

I really liked the story here. The whole cast did a wonderful job. Though with a movie called "White Christmas" I would have liked to have seen it centered around Christmas more then this was. But even with that being said, I had a great time watching this film. It has a fabulous ending. The film easily gets you to care about the characters and I am talking about all the major characters. This is a true classic that I will be looking forward to watching every year for my Christmas marathon.

Rating:

 

[TJPC]

The Muppets Christmas has been a family favorite here for years. I used to show it in class and it never failed to please every age group.

 

[DaveF]

I watched Die Hard and Die Hard 2 over Thanksgiving weekend. Does that count?

 

[Pete Battista]

While it probably wouldn't be one I would watch for the season myself.... I am a firm believer of if it counts for you... then it counts!

 

[Malcolm R]

I would definitely count them. They both take place during Christmas and incorporate the holiday as much as some other "holiday' films.

 

[DaveF]

I hoped to also watch some conventional holiday movies that weekend, but ran out of time.

 

[TJPC]

Thirty two years of teaching and playing holiday themed movies and tv specials and music in class multiple times each day the last week before Christmas have completely finished all of them for me. In basically flip past them in horror when I am watching TV, and can’t stand holiday music in stores. The local radio station that plays only Christmas music in December is now dead to me.