Christmas films Part 3: My favourite film
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HERE we go for part 3 of our Moray and Grampian Christmas film review.
And we start off with a second vote for the classic Elf.
David Porter, Garry McCartney and Alistair Whitfield are next up.
Part 4 on Tuesday at 4pm and, of course, let us know your favourite Christmas films at our Facebook page.
Elf
ON Christmas Eve, a baby at an orphanage crawls into Santa Claus's sack and is unwittingly taken back to the North Pole.
After the child is discovered at the workshop, the elves name him Buddy after his diaper's brand label and Papa Elf adopts him.
Buddy is accepted by the elf community and grows up thinking he is an elf, but soon learns that he is really a human.
What ensues is a true comedy classic that hits all the right notes of christmas movie as Buddy comes to terms with who he is and the world which he didn't grow up in.
Not only does it build on the emerging romance between Buddy(Ferrel) and Jovie (Deschanel) but also looks at what we consider to be true family relationships as Buddy and his dad Walter (Caan) learn to love and respect each other.
Sprinkled throughout this as scenes which have become so engrained in modern culture - "It's Santa, I know him!" being just one.
And of course it contains one of the single best comedy slapstick moments committed to film worthy of Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin when Buddy attempts to cross a busy New York Street.
David Porter, Grampian content editor
It's a Wonderful Life
"Remember, no man is a failure who has friends."
I try to watch 1946 classic 'It's a Wonderful Life' every year to engender the Christmas spirit. 'Scrooged' and 'Gremlins' make me feel festive too but nothing beats director Frank Capra's loosely-based depiction of Charles Dickens' novella 'A Christmas Carol'.
Happy but unfulfilled George Bailey (James Stewart) has always given up on his dreams to help others. Then, after foreclosure of the family bank he runs, he attempts to take his own life on Christmas Eve.
Fortunately, guardian angel Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers) shows him what Bedford Falls, his family and friends would be like if he had never existed.
It's a Wonderful Life was nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture, and has been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made.
Garry McCartney, Forres reporter
The Muppets Christmas Carol
This isn't just the greatest Christmas film, it's actually the greatest film ever made.
How do you take Charles Dickens' classic story and improve it?
Well, for starters, you cast Michael Caine who gives the best performance of his long career, playing it completely straight as Scrooge, the hate-filled miser who worships money.
Add Kermit the Frog as his cruelly underpaid employee Bob Cratchit.
Meet Cratchit's family of young frogs and piglets (Miss Piggy is their mum) as they eagerly look forward to Christmas despite their poverty.
Then, journey back into the past to attend a festive party hosted by Fozzie Bear (Mr Fozziwig), the kindly owner of a rubber chicken factory where Scrooge once worked as a young man.
Add into the mix catchy songs and great jokes. Lots of them.
Then finish with a much-changed Scrooge splashing the cash and joining in with everyone to sing It Feels Likes Christmas.
You did pretty well Charles Dickens, but if you were still alive today you'd definitely be kicking yourself.
Alistair Whitfield, Elgin reporter
