Movies Christmas Movie Marathon: 25 Movies 25 Days (Gremlins)

[The Good The Bad The HBK]

Day 10 Movie 10

The Santa Clause



Synopsis: When a man inadvertently makes Santa fall off his roof on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place.

My Rating: 7/10

My Opinion: I grew up watching this movie a lot and I have always liked it but it's not as good as I remembered it but I still liked it quite a bit. The first quarter of the film I felt was a bit slow and the jokes didn't land, I was sort of bored but then things started to pick up once Tim takes over as Santa.

I forgot Judge Reinhold was in this, man he's a great co star to have, his facial expressions still crack me up! The kid Charlie was a good child actor too.

While not as funny as the others or even Jack Frost imo I still enjoyed watching and I thought it the last half made up for the slow beginning. It's probably more of a 6 than a 7 but for nostalgia reasons it gets a 7.


Christmas Marathon Rankings

1. ELF
2. Home Alone 2
3. Jingle All The Way
4. Love Actually
5. Four Christmases
6. The Santa Clause
7. Jack Frost
8. Krampus
9. Surviving Christmas
10. Ernest Saves Christmas

 

[TheNinja]

That one with Anna Kendrick is cool. But I find her super cute so that helps.

 

[cowboyjunkie]

I enjoyed Jack Frost. Some bad acting but all in all it was a fun movie.

 

[The Good The Bad The HBK]

Day 11 Movie 11

Scrooged



Synopsis: A selfish, cynical television executive is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve.

My Rating: 9/10

My Opinion: This might be a little controversial but this was an excellent Christmas movie. It has all of the ingredients for the perfect Christmas film which is a strong lead (Bill Murray) great comedy, and a strong meaningful message (to be a better person) not to mention the supporting cast is great with Karen Allen, Bobcat Goldthwait, and the 2 ghosts David Johansen and Carol Kane. I've seen Scrooged a few times but this watch hit me a lot harder. I wasn't expecting to rank this higher than ELF but here we are.

Bill Murray plays the "asshole" as close to perfect as it gets here. While he's still Bill Murray i couldn't help but think 'man what a jerk this guy is' lol

The only scene I didn't like was....

Spoiler

When Bobcat is trying to shoot Bill Murray, Bobcat is going to reload and Bill just runs right by him instead of trying to stop him lol idk why but that doesnt sit well with me

Richard Donner doesn't get the credit he deserves for great film making. I watched The Omen around Halloween and that was another great film he has done along with The Lethal Weapon Franchise and The Goonies. Out of all those films I would have never guessed if I had to have given a 9/10 to any of his films, Scrooged wouldn't have been it but here we are. Its a strong 8 or solid 9 out of 10 for me. Today it was a 9. Also I thought the cab driver was Benico Del Toro but its not lol


Christmas Marathon Rankings

1. Scrooged
2. ELF
3. Home Alone 2
4. Jingle All The Way
5. Love Actually
6. Four Christmases
7. The Santa Clause
8. Jack Frost
9. Krampus
10. Surviving Christmas
11. Ernest Saves Christmas

 

[cowboyjunkie]

Yeah, Scrooged is my favourite Christmas movie.

 

[Yoel Bromero]

I enjoyed Jack Frost. Some bad acting but all in all it was a fun movie.

It was a lot more fun than I expected it to be, suprised me!

 

[The Good The Bad The HBK]

Day 12 Movie 12

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)



Synopsis: After a divorced New York mother hires a nice old man to play Santa Claus at Macy's, she is startled by his claim to be the genuine article. When his sanity is questioned, a lawyer defends him in court by arguing that he's not mistaken.

My Rating: 7/10

My Opinion: This might be controversial again. I liked the film, it's very wholesome and it is good but its not really a film i really care to see again and that's including on Christmas lol the film started off great with the real Santa replacing the drunk mall Santa but once it got into Santa being shipped off to the crazy house and going to court over if he's real or not, I got a little bored watching.
And I don't think its because the film is in the 40s, I do enjoy quite a few older films, I just didn't really care. Its too dry, 0 humor in it. And the message is Santa really does exist, which he doesn't. So it's not really meaningful to me. I think Christmas movies should be about fun and this film wasn't very fun for me. I do still think it's a good movie, I just wouldn't really care to watch it again. I remember watching the remake with Matilda and I probably should have went with that instead.


Christmas Marathon Rankings

1. Scrooged
2. Elf
3. Home Alone 2
4. Jingle All The Way
5. Love Actually
6. Four Christmases
7. Jack Frost (1997)
8. The Santa Clause
9. Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
10. Krampus
11. Surviving Christmas
12. Ernest Saves Christmas

 

[The Good The Bad The HBK]

Day 13 Movie 13

Red One




Synopsis: After Santa Claus is kidnapped, the North Pole's Head of Security must team up with a notorious hacker in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas.

My Rating: 6/10

My Opinion: It's decent maybe good at best. I was a huge fan of the rock in wrestling but not really a fan at all of his movies. The Rock aside, the entire cast felt like it was miscast. JK Simmons is awesome but he is no Santa Claus. Dude is jacked and skinny which I guess does make sense for what happens at the end but it didn't work for me. Also I'm not really a Chris Evans guy, I don't find him funny at all. Bonnie Hunt as Mrs Claus was off. A blonde Mrs Claus? What the H. Having NicK Kroll in here was lame too.

Its not really funny although I did laugh a few times, most of the jokes didn't land for me. The action is good but nothing special. At times it felt like too much all at once like they were over doing it. It was decent for what it was but its not a film I would want to watch again.


Christmas Marathon Rankings

1. Scrooged
2. Elf
3. Home Alone 2
4. Jingle All The Way
5. Love Actually
6. Four Christmases
7. Jack Frost (1997)
8. The Santa Clause
9. Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
10. Red One
11. Krampus
12. Surviving Christmas
13. Ernest Saves Christmas

 

[The Good The Bad The HBK]

Day 14 Movie 14

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)



Synopsis: On the outskirts of Whoville lives a green, revenge-seeking Grinch who plans to ruin Christmas for all of the citizens of the town.

My Rating: 6/10

My Opinion: Eh it's alright. The only saving grace of the film is Jim Carrey. When the Grinch isn't on screen, the movie drags. The
only time i laughed was because of Jim. Without Jim the movie would be terrible. It is watchable for his performance alone but overall its disappointing compared to the classic cartoon. The grinch as a kid that gets his heart broken was a dumb route to go. They should have kept it simple and most of all kept it funny and they did neither.



Christmas Marathon Rankings

1. Scrooged
2. Elf
3. Home Alone 2
4. Jingle All The Way
5. Love Actually
6. Four Christmases
7. Jack Frost (1997)
8. The Santa Clause
9. Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
10. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
11. Red One
12. Krampus
13. Surviving Christmas
14. Ernest Saves Christmas

 

[revoltub]

Day 14 Movie 14

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

View attachment 1075787

Synopsis: On the outskirts of Whoville lives a green, revenge-seeking Grinch who plans to ruin Christmas for all of the citizens of the town.

My Rating: 6/10

My Opinion: Eh it's alright. The only saving grace of the film is Jim Carrey. When the Grinch isn't on screen, the movie drags. The
only time i laughed was because of Jim. Without Jim the movie would be terrible. It is watchable for his performance alone but overall its disappointing compared to the classic cartoon. The grinch as a kid that gets his heart broken was a dumb route to go. They should have kept it simple and most of all kept it funny and they did neither.



Christmas Marathon Rankings

1. Scrooged
2. Elf
3. Home Alone 2
4. Jingle All The Way
5. Love Actually
6. Four Christmases
7. Jack Frost (1997)
8. The Santa Clause
9. Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
10. Red One
11. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
12. Krampus
13. Surviving Christmas
14. Ernest Saves Christmas

The Christmas atmosphere of this is really good, you gotta admit. I have a soft spot for it.

 

[cowboyjunkie]

Day 13 Movie 13

Red One

View attachment 1075663


Synopsis: After Santa Claus is kidnapped, the North Pole's Head of Security must team up with a notorious hacker in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas.

My Rating: 6/10

My Opinion: It's decent maybe good at best. I was a huge fan of the rock in wrestling but not really a fan at all of his movies. The Rock aside, the entire cast felt like it was miscast. JK Simmons is awesome but he is no Santa Claus. Dude is jacked and skinny which I guess does make sense for what happens at the end but it didn't work for me. Also I'm not really a Chris Evans guy, I don't find him funny at all. Bonnie Hunt as Mrs Claus was off. A blonde Mrs Claus? What the H. Having NicK Kroll in here was lame too.

Its not really funny although I did laugh a few times, most of the jokes didn't land for me. The action is good but nothing special. At times it felt like too much all at once like they were over doing it. It was decent for what it was but its not a film I would want to watch again.


Christmas Marathon Rankings

1. Scrooged
2. Elf
3. Home Alone 2
4. Jingle All The Way
5. Love Actually
6. Four Christmases
7. Jack Frost (1997)
8. The Santa Clause
9. Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
10. Red One
11. Krampus
12. Surviving Christmas
13. Ernest Saves Christmas

This one was not great. Not much of a Christmas feel to it. I know most Christmas movies are filmed in summer but I hate the trend of filming tropical locations. There’s a terrible one out there starring Kelsey Grammar and Billy Ray Cyrus Lol.

 

[The Good The Bad The HBK]

Day 15 Movie 15

Bad Santa


Synopsis: A miserable conman and his partner pose as Santa and his Little Helper to rob department stores on Christmas Eve. But they run into problems when the conman befriends a troubled kid.

My Rating: 8/10

My Opinion: Ok I haven't really liked this movie as much as I first did when I saw it in theater but I really enjoyed this rewatch. Billy Bob is perfect as Bad Santa and so is Tony Cox as his elf. Paring them up with John Ritter (RIP) and Bernie Mac (RIP) is comedy gold.

While I don't care for and strongly dislike the constant use of using the Lord's name in vain, I did enjoy this movie a lot. The funniest scene I laughed the most at was when Tony Cox was first stopping the alarm and he's racing to stop it then he grabs a mannequin arm to reach the alarm. I died laughing. Another scene I have always found funny was the guy in the bar staring at Billy Bob and then he attacks him after he bangs the bartender.

Overall its a great comedy and a film I didn't think i was going to enjoy watching but I did.



Christmas Marathon Rankings

1. Scrooged
2. Elf
3. Bad Santa
4. Home Alone 2
5. Jingle All The Way
6. Love Actually
7. Four Christmases
8. Jack Frost (1997)
9. The Santa Clause
10. Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
11. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
12. Red One
13. Krampus
14. Surviving Christmas
15. Ernest Saves Christmas

 

[The Good The Bad The HBK]

Day 16 Movie 16

A Christmas Story



Synopsis: In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.

My Rating: 9/10

My Opinion: Easily the most over played Christmas movie of all time but its an all time classic! From the flag pole to cursing in front of his parents to beating up to the bully, this film has so many classic scenes! I remember when I was a kid I stuck my tongue to a pole in my backyard not even for a half second and it nearly sticked. I will always think about that every time I see that scene. The same when they're finding and opening presents on Christmas morning, so many great memories. The dad receiving the bowling bowl in his lap and his voice change always makes me laugh every single time I see this.

Its still one of the best Christmas movies from start to finish. Its a strong 8 or solid 9/10 just like Scrooged. And since it's Christmas I'm giving it a 9. Please don't shoot my eye out.




Christmas Marathon Rankings

1. Scrooged
2. A Christmas Story
3. Elf
4. Bad Santa
5. Home Alone 2
6. Jingle All The Way
7. Love Actually
8. Four Christmases
9. Jack Frost (1997)
10. The Santa Clause
11. Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
12. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
13. Red One
14. Krampus
15. Surviving Christmas
16. Ernest Saves Christmas

 

[revoltub]

Day 16 Movie 16

A Christmas Story

View attachment 1076120

Synopsis: In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.

My Rating: 9/10

My Opinion: Easily the most over played Christmas movie of all time but its an all time classic! From the flag pole to cursing in front of his parents to beating up to the bully, this film has so many classic scenes! I remember when I was a kid I stuck my tongue to a pole in my backyard not even for a half second and it nearly sticked. I will always think about that every time I see that scene. The same when they're finding and opening presents on Christmas morning, so many great memories. The dad receiving the bowling bowl in his lap and his voice change always makes me laugh every single time I see this.

Its still one of the best Christmas movies from start to finish. Its a strong 8 or solid 9/10 just like Scrooged. And since it's Christmas I'm giving it a 9. Please don't shoot my eye out.




Christmas Marathon Rankings

1. Scrooged
2. A Christmas Story
3. Elf
4. Bad Santa
5. Home Alone 2
6. Jingle All The Way
7. Love Actually
8. Four Christmases
9. Jack Frost (1997)
10. The Santa Clause
11. Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
12. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
13. Red One
14. Krampus
15. Surviving Christmas
16. Ernest Saves Christmas

I think it might be number 1 for me. I think it might be an atg movie period.

 

[StewDogg11]

Day 15 Movie 15

Bad Santa

View attachment 1075873
Synopsis: A miserable conman and his partner pose as Santa and his Little Helper to rob department stores on Christmas Eve. But they run into problems when the conman befriends a troubled kid.

My Rating: 8/10

My Opinion: Ok I haven't really liked this movie as much as I first did when I saw it in theater but I really enjoyed this rewatch. Billy Bob is perfect as Bad Santa and so is Tony Cox as his elf. Paring them up with John Ritter (RIP) and Bernie Mac (RIP) is comedy gold.

While I don't care for and strongly dislike the constant use of using the Lord's name in vain, I did enjoy this movie a lot. The funniest scene I laughed the most at was when Tony Cox was first stopping the alarm and he's racing to stop it then he grabs a mannequin arm to reach the alarm. I died laughing. Another scene I have always found funny was the guy in the bar staring at Billy Bob and then he attacks him after he bangs the bartender.

Overall its a great comedy and a film I didn't think i was going to enjoy watching but I did.



Christmas Marathon Rankings

1. Scrooged
2. Elf
3. Bad Santa
4. Home Alone 2
5. Jingle All The Way
6. Love Actually
7. Four Christmases
8. Jack Frost (1997)
9. The Santa Clause
10. Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
11. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
12. Red One
13. Krampus
14. Surviving Christmas
15. Ernest Saves Christmas

I rewatched Bad Santa the other day on Blu Ray and a strange note is that it includes the Unrated Version (98 Minutes) and the Director’s Cut (88 Minutes). I’m not sure where you’d watch the Theatrical Version (92 Minutes). I’d like to see someone do a deep dive on the differences between the three.

Bad Santa 2 is also really funny as well. I didn’t understand the bad reviews it got.

 

[The Good The Bad The HBK]

Day 17 Movie 17

Gremlins



Synopsis: A young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.

My Rating: 8/10

My Opinion: 2 years ago I tried watching this again (except I was wasted) and I hated it. I thought it was dumb. Man was I wrong. I have seen this movie a few times as a kid but it was never really anything special to me but this is a great movie.

I hated the lady that kept threatening to kill his dog. I would have responded a lot differently then he did. But also what's up with bringing your dog to work? Lol I'm all for it but that's wild.

Although their roles were short, I liked seeing Cory Feldman and Judge Reinhold in here. Judge again pairing up with the beautiful Phoebe Cates. The main star I'm not the biggest fan of but he was still good. The gremlins were great, they weren't cheesy at all they were a lot of fun, especially in the movie theater singing along to Snow White.

What sealed the deal for me was how the movie ended. I enjoyed it quite it a lot.
And just for the record this is definitely a Christmas movie. He receives gizmo for Christmas.



Christmas Marathon Rankings


1. Scrooged
2. A Christmas Story
3. Elf
4. Gremlins
5. Bad Santa
6. Home Alone 2
7. Jingle All The Way
8. Love Actually
9. Four Christmases
10. Jack Frost (1997)
11. The Santa Clause
12. Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
13. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
14. Red One
15. Krampus
16. Surviving Christmas
17. Ernest Saves Christmas

 

[The_Renaissance]

Gremlins might be my xmas fave to be fair.

 

[Streeter]

Wife made me watch Love Actually yesterday. Dont get why folls think that's a good Xmas movie.

 

[StewDogg11]

@The Good The Bad The HBK May I suggest adding Grumpy Old Men either this year or next year. I watch it the day after Thanksgiving every year as it kind of encompasses both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

 

[StewDogg11]

Day 3 Movie 3

4 Christmases

View attachment 1074339

Synopsis: A couple struggles to visit all 4 of their divorced parents on Christmas

My Rating: 7/10

My Opinion: It's really funny, easily the funniest film out of the first 3 films so far. I remember watching this at the theater with a gf at the time but I haven't seen it since. I was pleasantly surprised at how funny it was and its short n sweet too!

Great cast as well with Vince Vaughn (doesnt get the love he deserves for comedies) Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Jon Voight, Jon Favreau, Mary Steenburgen, Kristin Chenoweth, and Katy Mixon Greer (who is also underrated and hilarious)

Vince is always quick witted and sharp with his delivery, he has a overlooked 2000s filmography of comedies and I would put this movie near the top. Its that funny to me.

The 2 funniest scenes in the movie to me is when they visit Vinces parents. Favreau and Greer shine bright alongside Vaughn. Eventually they visit Vinces mom and talk about being uncomfortable lol

Good comedy and good Christmas movie.


Christmas Marathon Rankings

1. Home Alone 2
2. 4 Christmases
3. Ernest Saves Christmas

I really like this one as well but felt it could’ve been so much more given the talent involved. You can tell it was an easily made quick cash grab coming in at a lean 88 Minutes. Hell Jon Voight and Sissy Spacek only have like five minutes of screen time each. Robert Duvall was the show stealer here while I feel Reese Witherspoon was slightly miscast.