Article
A Three Movie Buffs Christmas
Written by Eric, Patrick, Scott
First Posted: December 10th, 2014
Christmas is a great time for movies. The drama, comedy, and emotion can all be heightened by the holidays and this presents filmmakers with a plethora of story choices. There have certainly been dozens and dozens of Christmas movies made over the years. Here we present a list of those that have been reviewed by all Three of the Movie Buffs on this site. The quality of these movies varies widely. Some are truly awful, while others are just okay. A select few of them manage to capture the true spirit of Christmas and have become holiday classics that will be watched over and over again, becoming part of the fabric of the very holiday they set out to celebrate. We hope you enjoy them and from our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas!
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Eric:
As satisfying as having a warm mug of hot chocolate and a Christmas cookie after a day of sledding down a snow covered hill with family and friends. -
Patrick:
The funny, poignant script conjures childhood memories we can all relate to. -
Scott:
Its message is aimed at children and at the child in all of us for whom the Spirit of Christmas is alive and well.
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Eric:
The final scene of George discovering the full impact of his life by the many visitors is one of the most joyous ever put on film. -
Patrick:
Those of us with even a glimmer of childish innocence will continue to cherish this truly magical movie. -
Scott:
At one time or another, we have all wished we could live, if only for a little while, in Bedford Falls.
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Eric:
The most cherished Christmas film of all time. -
Patrick:
The spirit in which this delightful movie was made still rings true. -
Scott:
One of those utterly flawless cinematic gems.
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Eric:
It may help even the biggest Scrooge to hear a Christmas bell ring. -
Patrick:
Visually captures the essence, wonder, and mystery of Christmas like no other. -
Scott:
Manages to recapture the spirit of mystery, wonder and awe that children find in the holiday.
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Eric:
Dark and funny -
Patrick:
In the vernacular of "Bad Santa", "Merry Fucking Christmas!" -
Scott:
Although definitely not a film for the whole family, "Bad Santa" remains a Christmas classic.
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Eric:
The best adaptation of Charles Dickens's classic Christmas story -
Patrick:
Among the handful of greatest Christmas movies ever made. -
Scott:
The definitive version.
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Eric:
Has not become a Christmas classic, but it is still a fun watch. -
Patrick:
Sure it's a bit irreverent but maybe it's time "Gremlins" became a Christmas classic. -
Scott:
A darkly comic little gem
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Eric:
A comic gem! -
Patrick:
Is to Christmas what "Arsenic and Old Lace" is to Halloween. -
Scott:
Fast paced and very funny.
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Eric:
More a story of redemption than of Christ's birth. -
Patrick:
Builds to a dramatic climax that packs an emotional punch. -
Scott:
Those looking for more obscure and religious themed holiday fare would do well to look no further than this old fashioned classic.
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Eric:
A great look at the stress surrounding Christmas. -
Patrick:
Great for those who appreciate a slightly naughtier and more irreverent take on the holidays. -
Scott:
Chase as Clark epitomizes the hope we all hold toward the Christmas holiday.
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Eric:
If you're full of the holiday spirit or better yet, if you're looking for the holiday spirit, look no further than this entertaining movie. -
Patrick:
Filled to the brim with Holiday cheer, The Grinch will most assuredly become a classic Yuletide tradition. -
Scott:
True Christmas classics come along only rarely.
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Eric:
A true testament to the glory of the human spirit. -
Patrick:
A heartwarming movie -
Scott:
A mundane movie about a memorable moment in history.
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Eric:
As long as you are not bothered by "Arthur Christmas" rewriting the Santa Claus legend, you will find a movie worth spending the Holidays with. -
Patrick:
Has heart but it works best as a rowdy Christmas action/comedy. -
Scott:
A delightfully funny Christmas tale with plenty of jokes for young and old alike.
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Eric:
Turn on the Christmas lights, wrap yourself in a comfy throw and escape to a time long past, when love came with a song and a joke was punctuated by a change in tempo. -
Patrick:
A flawed but still fabulous movie musical -
Scott:
Although all the holiday's are covered, this is really a Christmas movie at heart.
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Eric:
There are plenty of great holiday/seasonal moments. -
Patrick:
A pleasant and charming addition to any holiday movie collection. -
Scott:
This is a decent enough movie, well worth a watch, but it falls short of being a true classic.
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Eric:
A good old fashioned seasonal watch. -
Patrick:
Quite an enjoyable little romantic comedy. -
Scott:
The 1940's and early 50's had many Christmas movies. Any one of which I would recommend over this one.
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Eric:
You'll hear silver bells. -
Patrick:
One of Bob Hope's most likable movies. -
Scott:
Not a complete classic, but the "Silver Bells" scene is.
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Eric:
The tone is varied and a bit disconcerting. -
Patrick:
At times truly touching and funny, but at the same time smacks of a desperate effort to please the widest possible demographic. -
Scott:
If you can't feel some happy emotion at the end of this movie, you must be dead inside.
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Eric:
More Christmas trimmings would have helped raise the holiday charm. -
Patrick:
Like a Christmas present. All the strings are tied neatly together and every ribbon is in place. -
Scott:
I thoroughly enjoyed this silly trifle of a film.
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Eric:
Instead of copying ideas from other Christmas movies, "Elf" should have lampooned them. -
Patrick:
A minor Holiday classic. -
Scott:
Cute and funny in parts, "Elf" should have been more.
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Eric:
Makes nods to old Hollywood romantic comedies. -
Patrick:
Touching and funny despite being predictable and a tad long. -
Scott:
There have been better romantic comedies, but this one is enjoyable enough if you watch it without too high of expectations.
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Eric:
Could become a classic Holiday film to stoners and casual drug users. -
Patrick:
It certainly didn't put me in the Christmas spirit. -
Scott:
Not a classic by any means, but still an enjoyable enough comedy for those not easily offended.
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Eric:
If you can excuse its flaws you will enjoy this light hearted, warm holiday treat. -
Patrick:
Nearly put me to sleep. -
Scott:
Sandra Bullock charms in this warm hearted holiday film.
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Eric:
A great Christmas movie. -
Patrick:
As a family Christmas comedy, it works. -
Scott:
An unfunny slapstick mess.
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Eric:
"Four Christmases" should have gone the darker route paved by "Bad Santa" and skewered more childish Holiday traditions. -
Patrick:
Mildy amusing but fails to live up to its potential. -
Scott:
Definitely has its moments, but it just never quite finds its footing.
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Eric:
The best thing about "White Christmas" is the songs -
Patrick:
Has the appeal of a shiny tree ornament - pretty to look at and evocative of Christmases gone by - but lacking in any real substance. -
Scott:
Its reputation is better than the actual experience.
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Eric:
One of the worst Christmas movies ever made. -
Patrick:
Does manage to entertain, but it tries way too hard at it. -
Scott:
If I were a member of this family, I'd be changing my name and moving to another state.
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Eric:
Too bad Christopher Columbus couldn't have kept this film above a childish level of entertainment. -
Patrick:
Pretty god-awful. -
Scott:
Ranks right up there as one of the worst Christmas movies ever made!
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Eric:
None of the attempts at jokes work. -
Patrick:
Has to be the worst Christmas movie ever. -
Scott:
Definitely in the running as one of the very worst Christmas movies of all time.
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