DVDizzy Forum

Post here whenever you watch something Christmas/Holiday related.

I know it's too early. But I'm watching Love Actually, and so Christmas viewing has officially started for me.

Viewing Log 2010:
Love Actually (2003) - Technically, I should've watched Love Actually next week, as that's 5 weeks before Christmas (the same as the movie). But I couldn't help it, I wanted to watch Sam run in the airport and Jamie walk through Portugal. This movie always makes me feel good no matter what time of the year I watch it. I wish some of the stories were full-fledged romcoms of their own (namely Jamie/Aurelia and Daniel/Sam/Joanna/Claudia Schiffer) but the interlocking stories here work well within their two hours and thirteen minutes. Christmas is more of a backdrop than a necessary part of the story, which I like as it's not meant to be an obviously-Christmas movie.
Movie Rating: A
Christmas Rating: B+
Viewed November 13, 2010

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) - watched this in anticipation of 7.1, and will continue with Chamber of Secrets later on. As stated in later posts, this movie has a Christmassy feel to it, and I always associate it with the holidays. The actual Christmas scene takes up less than 10 minutes of the movie. Overall, I realized I enjoyed the first movie a lot more than I had in recent years, probably because I actually watched it straight through rather than catch a bit here and there on ABC Family. My favorite is probably always going to be Goblet of Fire, but this one likely could take the #2 spot.
Movie Rating: A-
Christmas Rating: B
Viewed November 14, 2010

Christmas with the Kranks (2004) - why oh why oh why? It's so laughably bad that I wonder why I bother watching it every year. I watched it early this time so that I won't have to bother with it later on. I've got a very close fondness for the book, so I still feel somewhat obligated to enjoy this movie sometimes, and I'm sure there are a few good points to this movie. One of them will come to me eventually. It's very Christmassy in its anti-Christmasness actually, and even though I dislike how the movie portrays the neighbors (they're just as annoying, but not as obviously annoying, in the book), at least the whole idea of a community coming together is still apparent.
Movie Rating: D+
Christmas Rating: B+
Viewed November 14, 2010

The Santa Clause (1994) - put this one in early because I felt like watching it. I forgot how much I enjoyed it, probably because I only ever watch it a few times out of the year as opposed to other non-holiday favorites. I'm dreading when I have to watch the second and third ones (if I decide to watch them, which I probably will) because they'll pale in comparison to this. I remember last year I mentioned how I'd like to see a fourth film, that could be a "passing the baton" kind of movie with Charlie taking over. But thinking about it now, I'm not too keen on the idea unless they make it more interesting than that thin idea without being a retread of the past films.
Movie Rating: A
Christmas Rating: A
Viewed November 15, 2010

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" (1965) - I think I've been Charlie Brown'ed Out. Probably too many years watching this special, but when I watched it recently, it wasn't as fun as it used to be. Everyone's so mean to poor Charlie Brown and the commercialism of Christmas is still apparent. But it's a holiday staple, and maybe if I watch it again later in the season I'll feel better about it. But I just felt so bad for Charlie Brown this time around that I don't think I could stand seeing him laughed at and humiliated again.
TV Rating: B
Christmas Rating: A
Viewed November 17, 2010

"It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown" (1992) - Since it was on the same DVD as the original, I figured I'd watch it. Then I remembered why I often don't bother watching it after the original. It's rather bland and not very funny. "Christmas Tales" from 2002 is quite good, a bit better than this. At least both are better than "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown", which I consider too long, too Rerun-focused, and not Christmassy enough for me.
TV Rating: C
Christmas Rating: B
Viewed November 17, 2010

"The Golden Girls" Season 2, Episode 11: "Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas" (1986) - one of my favorite Christmas episodes from television, especially for the diner scene at the end. The way Blanche just keeps naming man after man and none of them are George...hilarious. I enjoy this Christmas episode more than their other one (with Stan as Santa), probably because I've seen it more. Watched it with Mom and Kram Nebuer, just a quick 25 minute excursion from the rest of the things we all had to do today.
TV Rating: A
Christmas Rating: A++
Viewed November 19, 2010

Christmas in Boston (2005) - a charming and silly movie less about Christmas and more about dual/mistaken/confusing identity. Gonna borrow the synopsis from wikipedia: "Gina (Marla Sokoloff) and Seth (Patrick J. Adams) became penpals when they were in the 6th grade. It is now 13 years later, and they still have been writing to each other but have not yet met. She is a journalist while he is a toy inventor. An opportunity arises when there is a toy convention in Boston. They decide to meet, but the only problem is that they have been exchanging pictures of their better-looking friends. When they actually do meet for the first time, it is not all fireworks. Can they reveal themselves to each other before it is too late?" Christmas (and Boston) are more of backdrops than necessary storytelling factors to the film, making the title seem out of place. But it was still a fun watch, though the story behind why we were watching it was slightly more interesting. My brother had caught it on TV a few years ago, but only saw a few scenes. However, he was intrigued by it, and the following Christmas season, he intended to watch the movie in its entirety. It was on ABC Family, and he watched it with his roommate and his roommate's girlfriend, but midway through they had to stop and go to class. Since they expected it to be repeated during the 25 Days of Christmas programming blocks, they didn't mind missing the second half. However, it was never repeated that year, and the following year they hoped to catch it again. Unfortunately, they never did. Then today, my brother and I were at MovieStop browsing around, and I picked it up in their Christmas section. The back of the case sounded interesting, so I showed it to him. He gave his trademark overdone gasp ("Aaaahhhh!") and said it was the movie he kept wanting to see simply to see how it ended. Then he recanted the story to me, and we decided to get it, simply so he could finally see the end. In addition, we picked up a few more Christmas movies to watch later in the season (and to be added later to this list).
Movie Rating: B-
Christmas Rating: C-
Viewed November 20, 2010

"Bugs Bunny's Looney Christmas Tales" (1979) - I remember first watching this when I was five years old, it was on a VHS tape with various other Christmas specials recorded off the TV. The tape's been through a lot for these past twenty years and nowadays I simply watch this special on my computer as it's better quality. I always loved the Christmas Carol take-off they did with Yosemite Sam, but my favorite story is the one with Taz hijacking Santa's sleigh and finding himself at Bugs Bunny's house. The Wile E. Coyote & Road Runner story gets tiresome after twenty years, so it's gradually become my least favorite.
TV Rating: A
Christmas Rating: A
Viewed November 22, 2010

"Will Vinton's A Claymation Christmas Celebration" (1987) - this is another Christmas favorite on that same VHS tape with the special mentioned above. Unfortunately, around 1993 or so, we accidentally taped over a portion of the tape with an episode of "Sesame Street", then re-recorded over that with "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", so only half of the special still is on the tape. When I found this online, I was able to watch the first half for the first time in many years, and I'm surprised how much I remembered of it. Claymation seems creepy at times, but there are some charming sequences in here. I always loved the ice-skating walruses in "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", and the hosting bits with Rex and Herb (a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Triceratops) are hilarious, as Rex keeps trying to prove that "wassail" is real, but various carolers come in singing other words (waffling, wallowing, waddling, etc.).
TV Rating: A+
Christmas Rating: A+
Viewed November 22, 2010

Call Me Claus (2001) - I thought I'd enjoy this because it has Whoopi Goldberg, but it wasn't as joyful as I expected. Still, it is a great seasonal movie, and a bit bittersweet as it's Nigel Hawthorne's final role. The whole thought that the world ends if there's no Santa Claus is a bit absurd, but I did like the glowing Christmas hat.
Movie Rating: B
Christmas Rating: A
Viewed November 22, 2010

Serendipity (2001) - after a rather long non-Christmas-movie break that I didn't expect, I put in this movie because it's been on my mind. I'm actually just listening to it in the background since I've seen it enough times to know what's going on just by hearing it. I've always loved this film, it's one of my favorites. Christmas is the backdrop for how the two characters meet, as well as the backdrop for their lives a few years later, and it's generally not that big a factor in the grand scheme of the story. But it does give us nice views of NYC during the holiday season.
Movie Rating: A
Christmas Rating: A-
Viewed: December 4, 2010

About a Boy (2002) - I normally enjoy the movie, but when I watched it 1.5 times (the first half one day, then the whole movie altogther), I didn't enjoy it as much. Maybe it was my mood, because there's a lot to the movie that I like. It's got a likable cast, an endearing story, and some funny moments that help make the whole thing rewatchable. Next time I watch it, I'll try to do it all in one sitting rather than stopping and starting again later.
Movie Rating: B+
Christmas Rating: B
Viewed: December 3, 2010

When Harry Met Sally... (1989) - one of my favorite romcoms ever, with a few Christmas-ish scenes thrown in. I didn't finish it, mainly because I had to eat dinner, not because I dislike the last 20-odd minutes. I'll get to it eventually, if I actually decide to watch the rest.
Movie Rating: A
Christmas Rating: B
Viewed: December 5, 2010

albert

Woohoo!

So far...

• A Christmas Carol (1910)
• Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 1: The Magic Begins (2009)*
• Scrooge, or, Marley's Ghost (1901)

* Not really a Christmas title but I tend to associate the HP franchise (TPS/TSS in particular) with the Christmas season, and there is a Christmas scene in both the feature film and this documentary.

Great idea for a thread, Scaps!

Right now I am watching Santa Claus: The Movie. This was a childhood favorite of mine. Seeing it as an adult, though, the movie is flawed. The pacing is very slow at times and the plot jumps back and forth between stories (such as Santa trying to find an assistant, Patch's resentment towards Santa, and such). It makes the movie feel very episodic unlike other Santa Claus movies. But, Dudley Moore is great as Patch, and I can't help but see myself in him (a dreamer, ambitious, always well intentioned). Plus, this movie's Mrs. Claus might be the sweetest ever put on film. She is like that one mother we all want or had: sweet, caring, but stern (I liked how she pretty much came up with the idea of the naughty/nice list). Santa Claus is great, and John Lithgow is amazing at chewing scenery.

It's not the greatest movie ever, but it's dumb fun I enjoy.

Before that, though, I finished Meet Me in St. Louis. Technically, this isn't a Christmas movie as it goes through all major holidays, but the Christmas scenes struck me the most. "Have yourself a merry little Christmas" is such a somber yet beautiful song, and the whole last half struck a nerve with me, especially since I've had my share of bittersweet Christmases. I really felt it when Judy Garland's character was trying to cheer her sister up, mainly because she too was heartbroken but was trying to be happy for her sister's sake. I too have been in that situation where I have to be strong for the sake of others. But, I really loved the Christmas ball scene, especially when Judy was dancing with her grandfather, then she ends up dancing with her neighbor. That was a sweet scene.

The rest of the movie I liked. The music was really good, the sets were amazing and the costume design fantastic. My problem is that the movie is pretty light. There is the conflict of the family moving to New York, but that doesn't come into fruition till the very end. The rest is just like watching an 80s family sitcom.

...And no, I didn't find it to be THAT sweet, Albert . Actually, the little girls did add a lot of sweetness to the movie, but they were rambunctious and mischievous, like little kids are. If anything the Tanner girls in Full House were too sweet.

So I thought it was alright, like eating cotton candy. Sweet and fun to watch, but nothing that fills you up. I still like Singin' in the Rain better

I'll probably be watching the first two Die Hards, as they're my favorite Christmas movies.

Aaron wrote:* Not really a Christmas title but I tend to associate the HP franchise (TPS/TSS in particular) with the Christmas season, and there is a Christmas scene in both the feature film and this documentary.

Ditto. Our family watched TPS/TSS with cousins the day after Christmas, and so it's been a Christmas staple for us ever since.

pap64 wrote:Great idea for a thread, Scaps!

I can't take all the credit. Aaron started one last year, which was my inspiration for starting one this year. And since last year's started on November 12, I guess mine isn't too early after all.

And I still need to actually watch a Die Hard movie one of these days.

albert

I thought about watching a Christmas Story last night, but didn't. I probably will before long though.

Escapay wrote:And I still need to actually watch a Die Hard movie one of these days.

You mean you never saw one?

The first two films have a Christmas theme. The first one is awesome, as is the third. The second one is just okay; the fourth is a miserable failure. Just so you know.

Won't start watching until the US Thanksgiving weekend or the weekend after. It's just too early, and the weather has been a bit too warm than it should be.

I may kick it off with Planes, Trains and Automobiles as that's a Thanksgiving movie. But I'll probably hold off until the week of Nov 22.

pap64 wrote:Great idea for a thread, Scaps!

Right now I am watching Santa Claus: The Movie. This was a childhood favorite of mine. Seeing it as an adult, though, the movie is flawed. The pacing is very slow at times and the plot jumps back and forth between stories (such as Santa trying to find an assistant, Patch's resentment towards Santa, and such). It makes the movie feel very episodic unlike other Santa Claus movies. But, Dudley Moore is great as Patch, and I can't help but see myself in him (a dreamer, ambitious, always well intentioned). Plus, this movie's Mrs. Claus might be the sweetest ever put on film. She is like that one mother we all want or had: sweet, caring, but stern (I liked how she pretty much came up with the idea of the naughty/nice list). Santa Claus is great, and John Lithgow is amazing at chewing scenery.

It's not the greatest movie ever, but it's dumb fun I enjoy.

Before that, though, I finished Meet Me in St. Louis. Technically, this isn't a Christmas movie as it goes through all major holidays, but the Christmas scenes struck me the most. "Have yourself a merry little Christmas" is such a somber yet beautiful song, and the whole last half struck a nerve with me, especially since I've had my share of bittersweet Christmases. I really felt it when Judy Garland's character was trying to cheer her sister up, mainly because she too was heartbroken but was trying to be happy for her sister's sake. I too have been in that situation where I have to be strong for the sake of others. But, I really loved the Christmas ball scene, especially when Judy was dancing with her grandfather, then she ends up dancing with her neighbor. That was a sweet scene.

The rest of the movie I liked. The music was really good, the sets were amazing and the costume design fantastic. My problem is that the movie is pretty light. There is the conflict of the family moving to New York, but that doesn't come into fruition till the very end. The rest is just like watching an 80s family sitcom.

...And no, I didn't find it to be THAT sweet, Albert . Actually, the little girls did add a lot of sweetness to the movie, but they were rambunctious and mischievous, like little kids are. If anything the Tanner girls in Full House were too sweet.

So I thought it was alright, like eating cotton candy. Sweet and fun to watch, but nothing that fills you up. I still like Singin' in the Rain better

I haven't seen "Santa Claus: The Movie" in years. And by that, I mean YEARS. All I remember are snippets, like the beginning where the children are given those wooden statues. Santa and his wife discovering their new home at the North Pole. And cutie Carrie Kei Heim sneaking a meal out to the homeless kid--did Coke pay for that advertising?! And I agree about the casting of Judy Cornwell as Santa's wife. She's a brilliant actress.

Not to mention the whole scene where the Joe (the orphaned kid) stands outside of a McDonalds and sees the people pig out on fast food. I swear I was watching the scene and going "PA RA PA PA PAAAAAA...I'M LOVING IT!".

Funny enough, the movie "Mac and Me" is also guilty of selling Coke and McDonalds, though Santa Claus does it in a more subtle manner (I mean in Mac and Me there's a whole birthday scene in a restaurant).

OMG! "Mac and Me"!!!! A total childhood trip! Yes I do remember that scene quite vividly; not to mention the end where Mac's alien family is found in a cave - wrapped up in garbage bags, wasn't it? Need to check it out again someday.

Cordy_Biddle wrote:OMG! "Mac and Me"!!!! A total childhood trip! Yes I do remember that scene quite vividly; not to mention the end where Mac's alien family is found in a cave - wrapped up in garbage bags, wasn't it? Need to check it out again someday.

I'll admit that the reason I remembered that movie was because I recently saw videos of it being spoofed and riffed on. It's definitely a silly movie made to capitalize on E.T.'s massive success, but I quite enjoy its cheesiness.

But now I am derailing the thread...

I must say that sometime in September I watched Scrooge with Alastair Sim thanks to the recommendation of a friend. This movie is constantly hailed as the best adaption of "A Christmas Carol" ever created. What do I think, though? It's definitely a great movie, but I simply can't claim it's THE best as not only do I have a few issues with it, I tend to view each adaptation as their own thing. What I mean is that each adaptation adds or takes something away from the original story to the point where they create something unique, which I'll explain in a second.

What I liked about "Scrooge" are the added scenes that actually deepen the character of Ebenezer Scrooge, like the scene where his sister asks Scrooge to watch over Fred, and looking at Belle's life after Scrooge abandoned her. These scenes I think complete the story and shows that Scrooge is basically a heartbroken man whose sadness convinced him to pursue something else in life, that being money. So yeah, this is a very complete adaptation and satisfying.

So what are my issues with it? Well for starters I feel that some of the performances are rather dry. Sim does well enough in his role, but everyone else, even the spirits, feel very toned down. I confess that this is likely because I am used to nearly all Carol adaptations showing us these great spirits in the wildest ways possible, and that the characters are basically caricatures. I see that they were trying to be more realistic with the portrayals and at times it works, but I don't know...

I mean, take the scene where the Ghost of Christmas Present is showing Scrooge the Cratchit family dinner. When Scrooge asks him if Tiny Tim will live, he repeats what Scrooge earlier about decreasing the surplus population. In the Sim version the Ghost says it in such a calm and casual manner that it doesn't sound like he is being spiteful to Scrooge for his own ignorance. In the 3D Zemeckis version, this scene is far more grander, and I feel the anger and the spite much better expressed, especially when you see Scrooge being terrified by his own words.

But like I said, I still enjoyed the movie. Like the Nostalgia Critic said once, all these adaptations tell the same story of a man (and at times woman) seeking redemption and being a better person by the end. How they tell it is what makes it interesting. You have the Mickey version which is very short but I think packs a lot of emotion, the Muppet version which has great music, a fun sense of humor and heart and even the Flintstones version has the wacky cartoon fun that I enjoy.

Speaking of 3D Zemeckis, I plan on watching this movie with my nephew if he happens to come around and stay for the weekend sometime in the future.

I do not normally watch Christmas movies/specials until after Thanksgiving.

I do have the following films/specials to watch before Thanksgiving though:

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (forgot to watch it last year)
Garfield's Thanksgiving
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
"The Simpsons" Bart VS Thanksgiving

PixarFan2006 wrote:I do not normally watch Christmas movies/specials until after Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving was last month! Silly USA.

Since Halloween I've watched a hand full of Christmas shows but no full movies.



TV Shows/Specials

Saturday Night Live: Presents a Very Gilly Christmas
The Magic of Blizzard (YTV's The Zone Making of the movie Special)
The Hour Holiday Music Special 2007
Prep & Landing
NewsRadio: Xmas Story
Bewitched: A Vision of Sugar Plums
Rugrats: The Santa Experience
NewsRadio: Christmas
The Office: Christmas Party (x3 Once with deleted scenes)
The Office: A Benihana Christmas
Casper's First Christmas
South Park: Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics (Just the 2nd half)
Clone High: Snowflake Day: A Very Special Holiday Episode
A Charlie Brown Christmas (Twice thus far)
Prep and Landing: Operation Secret Santa
Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales
Smallville: Lexmas
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Community: Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas
30 Rock: Christmas Attack Zone
The Office: Classy Christmas
Animaniacs: A Christmas Plotz/Little Drummer Warners (Episode 49)
Animaniacs: Slippin' on the Ice Song/'Twas the Day Before Christmas/Good Idea, Bad Idea #14: Christmas Carols/Jingle Boo/The Great Wakkorotti: The Holiday Concert/Toy Shop Terror/Yakko's Universe (Episode 50)
Animaniacs: Noel (Found on YouTube so I'm not sure what episode this is an excerpt from)
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
Glee: A Very Glee Christmas
American Dad: For Whom The Sleigh Bell Tolls
Whose Line Is It Anyway? (UK): Season 2 - Episode 7
Phineas and Ferb's Christmas Vacation
How I Met Your Mother: False Positive
Corner Gas: Merry Gasmas
Corner Gas: No Time Like The Presents
It's a Wonderful Red Green Christmas
It’s a Merry Red Green Christmas
Saturday Night Live: Dec 18th 2010- Host- Jeff Bridges
Batman: The Brave and the Bold : "Invasion of the Secret Santas!"
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
Batman: The Animated Series: Christmas With The Joker
Bump In The Night: T'was The Night Before Bumpy
The Christmas Toy
A Muppet Family Christmas
Frosty the Snowman
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Christmas At The Tipton
The Golden Girls: 'Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas
Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special
The Suite Life on Deck: A London Carol
The Office: Moroccan Christmas (With Deleted Scenes)
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
All In The Family: The Draft Dodger
All In The Family: Christmas Day At The Bunkers
The Brady Bunch: The Voice of Christmas
Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade (2010)
TV's Funniest Holiday Moments: A Paley Center for Media Special
Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol

Movies

Miracle on 34th Street (1973)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (With Rifftrax Commentary)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas
(the first half of) Holiday in Handcuffs
White Christmas (Once in a cinema!!! Then once on AMC)
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
Holiday Inn
Die Hard (In a theater)
Die Hard 2 (Also in a theater)
Scrooged
Make the Yuletide Gay


Internet Shows

Nostalgia Critic: Ernest Saves Christmas
Nostalgia Critic: Jingle All the Way
Atop The Forth Wall: Extreme Super Christmas Special #1
Nostalgia Critic: Top 12 Greatest Christmas Specials
Nostalgia Critic: Jack Frost
Nostalgia Critic: He-Man Christmas Special
Nostalgia Critic: Next Top 11 Greatest Christmas Specials
Nostalgia Critic: The Star Wars Holiday Special
Merry Zodmas: Snowmen
Merry Zodmas: Christmas Trees
Smodcast.com Presents Smodimations: SMerry Christmas
Merry Zodmas: Lights
Merry Zodmas: Santa Claus
Atop The Forth Wall: New Kids on the Block #4
Merry Zodmas: Jesus
Merry Zodmas: Snow
Brad Tries Pepsi Holiday Spice
Atop the Fourth Wall: Marvel Team-Up #127
Merry Zodmas: Carols
Merry Zodmas: Christmas Specials
Shameful Sequels: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure - Part 1
Shameful Sequels: Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House
Nostalgia Chick: Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
Merry Zodmas: Presents
Atop the Fourth Wall: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
Merry Zodmas: Mistletoe
Nostlagia Critic Christmas Special: You're A Rotten Dirty B*stard
The Guild: "Twas the Night before Christmas"
Shameful Sequels: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure - Part 2
Merry Zodmas: Food
The Guild: A Christmas Raid Carol
The Guild Sells Out!
Bad Movie Beatdown: While She Was Out
Bad Movie Beatdown: Christmas with the Kranks
The Muppets: Ringing of the Bells
Merry Zodmas: Christmas Day
Brad Tries Jones Soda Christmas Packs

-Skyler

Hah! I watched that Christmas episode of Atop the Fourth Wall last night. It's my favorite, especially since Linkara got this whole family involved. XD

I am going to kick start this thread! With Thanksgiving upon us, the Christmas specials are going to start rolling!

I just saw the Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special, and I FREAKING LOVED IT!

Kung Fu Panda is one of my all time favorite Dreamworks films and their best effort ever (with Dragon following it), so imagine my happiness when I heard there would be a Christmas special!

Now, now, I too wondered how they would add Christmas to the movie's Chinese mythos. Turns out they did really well! See, in the special Christmas is "The Grand Winter Feast". There is snow, there is light, and there is a lot of gatherings. So its Christmas, and yet it isn't. I dare to say that this special captured the feeling of the holidays despite being fictional. It's much better than in Chowder where it wasn't subtle at all.

You can tell that the same team that did the movie also worked on this special. The writing is top notch and manages to accomplish a lot of things in just 30 minutes. The story is that Po is asked to be the host of the grand feast with all the masters from all of China. Problem is that his father is afraid that he will be alone on the holiday. So now Po has problems trying to be a good host but in his heart he wants to be with his father. This creates some great scenes ripped out of a classic "comedy of errors" film.

Best of all, unlike the Shrek specials and the Madagascar special, this had heart. The problem with the other specials was that they were rather shallow, poorly written and mean spirited. I wouldn't make them my favorite Holiday specials because they fail to capture the warmth of the season. In other words, they try too hard to be hip, edgy and snarky and very little is spent on the values and emotions. Kung Fu Panda does is greatly. There is a lot of humor and action, sure, and it's not the most original Christmas plot ever. But its very subtle and it has heart. It proves why I loved the movie so much: It focuses on creating great characters along with a fantastic story.

The opening is in 2D, just like in the movie, and it is awesome. The voice cast returns, although for the Furious Five, they have even less dialog than in the movie (really, Angelina Jolie has, like five lines in the whole thing). Its a shame that they pay these people millions of dollars for a couple of lines that could have been done by any voice actor.

But despite that, I really enjoyed this special, and will watch it again on Christmas and throughout the season. Thanks to it, I am REALLY pumped for both the TV series and the new movie coming out next year (despite how incredibly lame the teaser was).

So far...

Once Upon a Christmas- this is like the cheesiest movie ever made and I love it. I first discovered it on ABC Family three or four years ago and now, watching this and its sequel, Twice Upon a Christmas is a tradition for me and it wouldn't be Christmas without it.

Elf- In the past I'd be the first to say they didn't like Elf. And I honestly didn't. So when somebody brought it to watch in Algebra class, I wasn't too excited, but... I ended up enjoying it. Okay, Ferrell still gets on my nerves sometimes, but I found Buddy for the most part endearing. I had fun.

Finally watched It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown at the request of someone here (can't remember who- you mentioned it in Chat) and laughed my ass off.

Also, if it counts- I just watched the Chip & Dale / Donald Duck cartoon, "Winter Storage" last night. Then followed it up with the summer camping themed "Trailer Horn." Ha: during Christmas, I always get the urge to watch summer comedies. Doesn't matter what time of year they are, feel-good movies and shows are great for this season.

Lots of great Christmas movies to be watched, which are only what I will list. The television shows are fine, but they are usually watched by everyone at one time or another during the Holiday Season.

Here is what I will be watching in the next few days:

Holiday Affair starring Robert Mitchum, Wendell Corey and, in her first movie role, Janet Leigh. Wholesome fun for the whole family and this one is at the top of the list of movies to watch each Holiday Season.

Miracle on 34th St. starring Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, and Natalie Wood, along with Edmund Gwen as Kris Kringle. This is so much better than the pitiful remake a few years ago. This one stands tall above all the other movies that involve a child's belief in Santa Claus.

A Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim is my all-time favorite version of this timeless tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge. Just a wonderful movie from start to finish.

Scrooged starring Bill Murray. Who can pass up this film? It is such a funny, updated version of the "Christmas Carol" story. Just plain fun.

The Santa Clause with Tim Allen. This is truly a Disney Classic and stands tall among the sequels as the best of the three. Just great family fun.

Die Hard starring Bruce Willis, who plays Detective John McClain who is coming to LA to join his wife for the Holidays and ends up in a plot to staal Bearer Bonds from the company she works with. It all takes place on Christmas Eve.

Die Hard 2: Die Harder is the best of the 'Die Hard' movies taking place in Washington D.C. on Christmas Eve (although most of the movie was filmed in Denver, Colorado at the new International Airport). Good adult adventure and this film takes a lot of twists and turns getting to its final showdown.

White Christmas and Holiday Inn are two staples for everyone's Christmas viewing and they never fail to have us singing along.

Those are just a few of films we will be watching. I will post some more as the day go by.

So far I've watched:

A Christmas Carol (2009)
Mrs. Santa Clause
The Harry Potter Series (all have Christmas scenes)
A Christmas Carol: The Musical
White Christmas
Santa Claus
Pluto's Christmas Tree
Donald's Snow Fight
A Very Glee Christmas
Going the Distance (brief Christmas scene)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (pseudo Christmas scene)
Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to You
Winnie the Pooh and Christmas, Too
A Charlie Brown Christmas
It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
The Polar Express
The Nativity Story

I'll update this post as I watch more.