Great Holiday Movies

Christmas Vacation - Starring Chevy Chase, a classic film in many respects. Every time I see it, Christmas Vacation makes me laugh out loud. Even though it's right in front of you, the message of this movie is so clouded by in-your-face hilarity that you might miss it. Take Clark Griswald (Chase) for example. His slapstick is great fun. But every time I see him breaking into hysterics over his so-called, "Christmas bonus" and cursing until the live long day, I break out laughing. Randy Quaid's Cousin Eddie is funny in general but when he starts draining his "shi**er" into a storm drain, it's outrageously funny. Then there's the equally great line, "If that cat had seven lives, you just spent 'em all."

A Christmas Story - Ralphie wants a bee-bee gun. Everyone is trying to tell him that he'll shoot his eye out. Does Ralphie care? No. Does he eventually shoot his eye out? I don't know, you'll have to see this classic Christmas story for yourself. I remember the first time I saw this wonderful tale of a boy desperate to get one gift for Christmas. They featured a deranged mall Santa Claus, burglars hopping fences, a boy gunning them down like Looney Tunes characters with his bee-bee gun rifle, and a warm, loving mother and kindly school marm turn into a witch and a court jester. This was all set back in the 1930s and '40s. This was one unique - if not crazy vision of the holiday season. But boy, it's charms have sure grown on me over the years since. Another major contribution to this holiday classic is Darin McGavin as Ralphie's dad, 'The Old Man' or Mr. Parker. When he gets mad, Mr. Parker throws very childish, very immature fits of fury, cursing and grumbling. It's a joy to watch this great old actor have such a great time. And in the end, you really can't but feel like everything is right in the word, because everyone got what they wanted, and everyone and everything is finally at peace.