Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Forced Perspective Episode #25 - HOME ALONE with a FORCED PERSPECTIVE
25 Essential Christmas Films
It's that time of year again. We've expanded our list of 12 Essential Christmas films out to 25. We've decided to include some non-traditional Holiday films to the list, that may not seem like Christmas films at first glance but have become annual holiday favorites this time of year. Enjoy the list, presented here in alphabetically order:
BAD SANTA
Terry Zwigoff
2003 • 91 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • Columbia Pictures
Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Bernie Mac, Lauren Graham, Tony Cox
Screenplay: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Producers: Sarah Aubrey, John Cameron, Bob Weinstein
Cinematography: Jamie Anderson
It's Christmas and the kid's gettin' his fuckin' present.
Hilarious doesn’t even begin to describe this movie. Billy Bob Thornton is genius as the alcoholic, self-hating safe-cracking thief that poses as Santa Claus once a year to rob department stores of their Christmas-time profits. Even more hilarious is his foul mouthed “little helper” played by Tony Cox. Together these two are an epic comic tag team. In the middle of all the crudeness, violence, foulness, crime, booze and anal sex this film actually delivers a positive Christmas message. No, I’m serious.
BATMAN RETURNS
Tim Burton
1992 • 126 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • Warner Bros.
Cast: Michael Keaton, Michele Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito, Christopher Walken
Screenplay: Daniel Walters
Producers: Tim Burton, Denise Di Novi
Cinematography: Stefan Czapsky
A kiss under the mistletoe. You know, mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it. But a kiss can be even deadlier… if you mean it.
Told you this was non-traditional. Gotham City has its own mystery man in an iconic suit that knows if you’ve been naughty or nice… and he ain’t jolly. While not as good as the original 1989 film or the Nolan reboots, Returns is highly underrated. It’s got a great cast, a great score and a great feel to it. Putting Batman and his demented and dark rogues’ gallery in the backdrop of a Gotham City at Christmas time is a brilliant idea. Not much of this adventure has much to do with Christmas other than the time of year the story takes place, but it’s still one of my favorite Christmas traditions.
THE BISHOP'S WIFE
Henry Koster
1947 • 109 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Black & White & English • RKO
Cast: Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven, Monty Woolley, James Gleason, Gladys Cooper
Screenplay: Robert E. Sherwood, Leonardo Bercovici based on the novel by Robert Nathan
Producer: Samuel Goldwyn
Cinematography: Gregg Toland
- Are you expecting a letter?
- Well, you never know. If I did get one, the stamp would certainly be worth saving.
A true holiday classic. A bishop is lost and without direction and desperately needs to raise money for a new church. He prays for help and guidance, but feels he receives none. However, he does receive help in the form of an angel named Dudley. Dudley is incredibly charming (after all, he IS played by Cary Grant) as an assistant to the bishop. Everyone falls for him, especially the bishop's wife (played by Loretta Young.) Bishop Henry becomes increasingly frustrated and jealous of Dudley and what develops is a film that expertly showcases the fine acting abilities of its three leads. It has a great holiday feel to it and both Grant and the film are incredibly charming.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Edwin L. Marin
1938 • 69 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Black & White • English • MGM
Cast: Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart, Kathleen Lockhart, Terry Kilburn, Barry McKay
Screenplay: Hugo Butler based on the story by Charles Dickens
Producer: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Cinematography: Sidney Wagner
- Please let me stay!
- Nonsense! You don't want to stay!
- Yes, I do!
- No! You don't like Christmas!
- Yes! Yes I do! I like Christmas! I LOVE Christmas!
Reginald Owen was not the first actor to portray Ebenezer Scrooge on film, but he was the first actor to do it for a major motion picture studio. It goes without saying that this is why most people consider the first adaptation of "A Christmas Carol." What's interesting about this, is despite being the first major filmed version of the story, it perhaps takes the most departures from the original narrative than other celluloid versions. This actually works in its favor. Pretty much everyone knows the story of Dickens' classic by heart, but since this version actually changes a few details it makes it a little more charming than other versions. It's easier to get lost in a story you've seen 100 times. Fred and the Cratchit's get more screentime in this version, which helps Scrooge's transformation have more impact. As for Owen? Originally this version was to star Lionel Barrymore (who had done the role many times before on radio), but had to drop out due to health issues. Owen proves to be a worthy replacement. Not the best on-screen Scrooge, but certainly the one who falls in love with Christmas the fastest.
CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT
Peter Godfrey
1945 • 102 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Black & White • English • Warner Bros.
Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet, Reginald Gardiner, SZ Sakall
Screenplay: Lionel Houser, Adele Comandini, Aileen Hamilton
Producer: William Jacobs
Cinematography: Carl E. Guthrie
- Liz, don't waste time with him. You have to decide what you're going to say to the old man.
- What old man?
- Oh, it's Yardley. He's sending me a sailor for Christmas.
- Oh, how nice... A sailor? Really, Elizabeth!
Barbara Stanwyck is Elizabeth Lane, a Martha Stewart-like writer for a housekeeping magazine that writes the most amazing recipes every month. Dennis Morgan plays Jefferson Jones is a war hero who has never had a “traditional, family Christmas.” And Sydney Greenstreet is Alexander Yardley, the stubborn and influential publisher of Lane’s magazine whose idea it was to make sure Jones gets a traditional Christmas holiday as a guest in Lane’s home in Connecticut. Only one problem: Lane is a fraud. She lives in New York City, can’t even make toast and gets all her recipes from her loveable chef/uncle Felix. To make matters worse? Yardley’s holiday plans have fallen through and now he insists on spending it with Lane and her fictional family in her fictional home. The film is definitely of its time, with perhaps some outdated anti-feminist ideals. But it is certainly a charming, holiday film. Or as Uncle Felix might say… “Everything is hunky dunky.”
A CHRISTMAS STORY
Bob Clark
1983 • 94 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Color • English • MGM
Cast: Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Scott Schwartz, Jean Shepherd
Screenplay: Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, Bob Clark based on the novel "In God We Trust All Others Pay Cash" by Jean Shepherd
Producers: Bob Clark, Rene Dupont
Cinematography: Reginald H. Morris
- I want an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle!
- No, you'll shoot your eye out.
Every child knows what’s it’s like to want that perfect Christmas present. The longing, the pleading, the desperation of that ONE THING that you just can’t live without. A Christmas Story is the simple tale of Ralphie, a little boy who wants nothing more for Christmas than a B.B. gun. Not just any B.B. gun, mind you, but an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle (with this thing that tells time.) It seems everyone is against him… his mother, his teacher… heck, even Santa thinks he’ll shoot his eye out. But Ralphie is unrelenting in his desire for this perfect gift. This film is timeless, because even though it was made in the 80s, and takes place in the 40s, everyone, young and old, can relate to Ralphie. A Christmas Story perfectly captures exactly what it’s like to be a kid on Christmas.
DIE HARD
John McTiernan
1988 • 131 Minutes • 2.20:1 • United States
Color • English • 20th Century Fox
Cast: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedlia, Reginald VelJohnson, Paul Gleason
Screenplay: Jeb Stuart, Steven E. de Souza
Producers: Joel Silver, Lawrence Gordon
Cinematography: Jan De Bont
- Mr. Mystery Guest? Are you still there?
- Yeah, I'm still here. Unless you wanna open the front door for me.
- Uh, no, I'm afraid not. But, you have me at a loss. You know my name but who are you? Just another American who saw too many movies as a child? Another orphan of a bankrupt culture who thinks he's John Wayne? Rambo? Marshal Dillon?
- Was always kinda partial to Roy Rogers actually. I really like those sequined shirts.
- Do you really think you have a chance against us, Mr. Cowboy?
- Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker.
By 1988 John McTiernan had directed an action classic in Predator. Could he repeat the same success with Die Hard? The short answer? Yes. Not only was Die Hard more financially successful (quite a feat for the director’s third film), but it exceeded the sci-fi/horror shoot ‘em up’s action packed scenes. McTiernan is one of the the best action director’s of all time, having also gone on to helm The Hunt for Red October, Die Hard with a Vengeance and The Thomas Crown Affair. When it comes to action, this guy knows what he’s doing. Die Hard is jam packed with amazing sequences… from John McClane’s escape in the elevator shaft, to the destruction of an LAPD SWAT tank (“The quarterback is toast!”) and of course McClane jumping off the top of a 40-story building to escape an exploding helicopter. All of it looks as good in 2011 as it did in 1988. Die Hard is a great alternative to the sugary-sweet Christmas movies that come around every December (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but also it just may be the greatest action movie of all time. Yippee-Kai-Yay.
EDWARD SCISSORHANDS
Tim Burton
1990 • 105 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • 20th Century Fox
Cast: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Michael Hall, Vincent Price
Screenplay: Caroline Thompson
Producers: Tim Burton, Denise Di Novi
Cinematography: Stefan Czapsky
You see, before he came down here, it never snowed. And afterwards, it did. If he weren't up there now... I don't think it would be snowing. Sometimes you can still catch me dancing in it.
Edward Scissorhands is often left off "Best Holiday Films" lists, why I'm not sure. It is one of the GREAT Christmas films. If you go into this film as a comedy (like the producers advertised it), you'll be disappointed. While it certainly has many humorous moments, this movie is much more of a fantasy. A modern day fairy tale. Edward is a creation that was built by a scientist who was trying to create a man. Even though he was a "creator," he was the only father, and family, that Edward ever knew... and sadly he died before Edward was "finished," leaving Edward with scissors for hands. Years later he is rescued from isolation by a kindly Avon lady, who unofficially adopts him. At first Edward is welcomed by the small suburban neighborhood, and they take advantage of his handicap by putting him to use trimming hedges and cutting hair. But Edward's heart truly lies with Kim, the daughter of the woman who rescued him. What develops is a love straight out of a story book fairy tale, however without a fairy book ending. What makes this a Christmas movie? Other than the fact that the film takes place during Christmas, it has a charming theory on the origins of snow. When people describe a film as "hauntingly beautiful," this is what they're talking about. Edward Scissorhands is Tim Burton's masterpiece.
ELF
Jon Favreau
2003 • 97 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • New Line Cinema
Cast: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, Zooey Deschanel
Screenplay: David Berenbaum
Producers: Jon Berg, Todd Komarnicki, Shauna Robertson
Cinematography: Greg Gardiner
This place reminds me of Santa's Workshop! Except it smells like mushrooms and everyone looks like they want to hurt me.
The success of the movie Elf rides purely on the shoulders of Will Ferrell. Ferrell had succesfully been playing the "man-child" role in movies and on "Saturday Night Live" for years. The natural extension of that is to cast him as an actual maturity-stunted man (who thinks he's a Christmas elf) in a children's movie. The movie in and of itself is not ground-breaking. You can predict the story beats and a lot of the jokes, but Ferrell brings so much energy, fun and innocence to his performance that it's hard not to love him. The film is supported by some strong performances, notably James Caan and Zooey Deschanel, who play it straight to Buddy the Elf's wackiness, thus giving it more comedic effect. The last 20 years of cinema have not yielded many Christmas classics, but this is a rare exception to the rule.
GREMLINS
Joe Dante
1984 • 106 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • Warner Bros.
Cast: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Keye Luke, Corey Feldman
Screenplay: Chris Columbus
Producers: Michael Finnell, Kathleen Kennedy (Executive), Frank Marshall (Executive), Steven Spielberg (Executive)
Cinematography: John Hora
So if your air conditioner goes on the fritz or your washing machine blows up or your video recorder conks out; before you call the repairman turn on all the lights, check all the closets and cupboards, look under all the beds, 'cause you never can tell there just might be a gremlin in your house.
This movie starts out cute and cuddly and warm and fuzzy. It’s Christmas time, there’s a boy and a girl, and they kind of like each other. There’s a cute dog. A wacky dad. A wackier neighbor. And hey, even a cute, cuddly, warm, fuzzy little creature. But then it all goes to hell. This little fuzzy creature multiplies… and it turns into hundreds of evil fucking demons that terrorize a small midwestern town on Christmas Eve. This movie is so much fun. Campy Horror/Comedy doesn’t get much better than this.
HOLIDAY INN
Mark Sandrich
1942 • 100 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Black & White • English • Paramount
Principal Cast: Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, Virginia Dale, Walter Abel
Screenplay: Claude Binyon
Producer: Mark Sandrich
Music & Lyrics: Irving Berlin
Cinematography: David Abel
- Open holidays only? Say, how many of them are there?
- About 15. That gives me 350 days to kick around in!
- You would think of that!
The movie that gave birth to not just one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time, but one of the most popular songs EVER. More on that in a second. Bing Crosby was one of the most popular entertainers in his day, so Paramount Pictures gave him a huge budget to do a musical. What does he spend the money on? Hiring the legendary dance man Fred Astaire as his co-star and Irving Berlin as his song writer and they produce one of the most charming musicals ever made. The story follows song-and-dance entertainers Jim Hardy and Ted Hanover (Crosby and Astaire respectively) as they compete for the affections of the same girl. Jim has reason to be nervous as Ted has stolen one of his girls in the past. Jim quits show business to run a hotel that is only open on holidays and hires Linda Mason (Reynolds) as a performer. When Ted realizes that not only is Linda beautiful, but an amazing singer and dancer he schemes to once again steal a girl away from Jim. Crosby is always praised for his singing, but not enough for his comedic acting... and paired with Fred Astaire, the two have great comedic chemistry. All the songs for each holiday are fun (though you may want to skip the "Abraham" number because in 1942 doing a song in black face wasn't considered racially insensitive) but the show stealer is "White Christmas" which as I mentioned before became one of the biggest songs of all time. It's popularity was mostly due to the requests of soldiers fighting the war in Europe who desperately wanted to be reminded of home.
HOME ALONE
Chris Columbus
1990 • 103 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • 20th Century Fox
Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Catherine O'Hara
Screenplay: John Hughes
Producers: John Hughes
Cinematography: Julio Macat
This is my house. I have to defend it.
Home Alone in and of itself is not a great film. All of the humor in the film is slapstick, bordering on masochism. However, it makes the list of Essential Films because, frankly, it is the most financially successful Christmas film of all time. Its cultural impact can not be understated or ignored. It currently ranks as the 38th highest grossing film of all time (adjusted for inflation.) The film was a national phenomenon upon its release and made a star (albeit briefly) out of child actor Macaulay Culkin. Its connection to Christmas is circumstantial. Kevin McCallister's (Culkin) family accidentally leaves him home alone over the Christmas holiday, and he must defend his house from two bungling burglars. The humor works for most children, but the film doesn't age well if you watch it through grown-up eyes. That said, a certain amount of nostalgia plays into its entry in this list and it remains a holiday favorite for families every year.
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
Frank Capra
1946 • 130 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Black & White • English • RKO Radio Pictures
Principal Cast: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Beulah Bondi
Screenplay: Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra
Producer: Frank Capra
Cinematography: Dmitri Tiomkin
You've been given a great gift, George: A chance to see what the world would be like without you.
I don't care what anyone says, It's a Wonderful Life, after over 60 years is STILL the greatest Christmas movie ever made. It may be cliche, but there is not one film better. On top of that, it makes the Top 5 of The Essential Films' Top 100 Movies of All Time (Coming Soon.) It's better than Citizen Kane. Better than Star Wars. Better than Gone With The Wind. I watch it every single year, and so should every one. By those who've never seen it and by those who've seen it dozens of times. It's message is universal and timeless. A man who sacrifices his entire life for every family member, friend and sometimes complete stranger just because it's the right thing to do... well one day, he gets in trouble. He's so desperate he considers committing suicide on Christmas Eve. A guardian angel intervenes and prevents him from doing so. When George remarks that perhaps the world would have been a better place had he not even existed, the angel decides to show him exactly what the world would be like. The message of the film is that everyone matters and everyone touches everyone else's life in some way. You should value and cherish not just your life, but all lives. And at the end of the day, no man is failure who has friends.
JOYEUX NOËL (Merry Christmas)
Christian Carion
2005 • 116 Minutes • 2.35:1 • France
Color • French, German, English • Sony Picture Classics
Cast: Diane Kruger, Benno Fürmann, Guillaume Canet, Daniel Brühl
Screenplay: Christian Carion
Producer: Christophe Rossignon
Cinematography: Walther van den Ende
Tonight, these men were drawn to that altar like it was a fire in the middle of winter. Even those who aren't devout came to warm themselves.
You may not have heard of this European film that had a very limited release in the United States. The story revolves around a miracle that took place during Christmas Eve, 1914 in the middle of World War I. Four characters are profiled: a priest in the Scottish army, a French lieutenant, a German soldier who is also a famous tenor and his wife. On the night before Christmas, hostilities temporarily cease and the soldiers leave their trenches and spend Christmas with the enemy. Writer/Director Carion and the excellent cast do an amazing job of bringing this film to life. Even more amazing was that film is based on a true story. The true strong point of the film lies in the fact that you can take what you want from this film. Whether the soldiers stopped fighting was brought on by God, Christmas or just the disgust with the horrors of war is up for interpretation. Whatever you take from it, realize that this is a new classic in holiday films.
MEET JOHN DOE
Frank Capra
1941 • 122 Minutes 1.37:1 • United States
Black & White • English • Warner Bros.
Principal Cast: Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward Arnold, Walter Brennan
Screenplay: Richard Connell & Robert Presnell Sr.
Producer: Frank Capra
Cinematography: George Barnes
Why can't that spirit, that warm Christmas spirit, last all year long?
After being fired from her job as a newspaper columnist, Ann Mitchell (Barbara Stanwyck) forges a letter to the editor from the fictional “John Doe,” a disgruntled and unemployed would-be prophet who threatens to kill himself on Christmas Eve because of his dissatisfaction in the state of the country. Unexpectedly, “Doe” gains a huge following and the paper is forced to re-hire Mitchell as well as hire a homeless man, John Willoughby (Gary Cooper), to portray him for public appearances. Initially both Ann and John are in it for the money, but they are soon caught up in the same rhetoric and philosophy they are selling to the public. The country unites behind John Doe, but DB Norton, the sinister newspaper publisher, has other ideas for Doe… Meet John Doe is an often-forgotten gem that should be watched every Christmas season to remind us what the season is all about.
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS
Vicente Minnelli
1944 • 113 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Color • English • MGM
Cast: Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, Mary Astor
Screenplay: Irving Brecher, Fred F. Finklehoffe based on the book by Sally Benson
Producer: Arthur Freed
Cinematography: George J. Folsey
Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light.
Next year all our troubles will be out of sight.
Unlike most of the films on this list, Meet Me in St. Louis is a film that doesn't primarily take place DURING Christmas. In fact, the only extended Christmas scene doesn't happen until towards the end of the film. However, much like Holiday Inn, this film was responsible for another immortal Christmas song that you hear every year: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Most people don't realize that song is not a "happy" Christmas song, it's actually bittersweet as it is sung at a very sad and poignant moment in the film. The film follows a close-knit family in suburban St. Louis through the year of 1904 as they live pleasant lives, fall in love, celebrate holidays and have good times with each other. It is the perfect picture of Middle Class America. Everything is perfect in this little corner of the world. There is a pall over the year, however, as the head of the family wishes to move the entire family off to New York where better financial opportunities await him. On the eve of their departure, at Christmas, Judy Garland tries to comfort her younger sister by singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." The message of the song being, "Don't let this move ruin your Christmas. Don't mourn the loss of your home, but cherish the memories you have." This film is essential holiday viewing not only for its classic song, but also for its strong themes of the love of your family and how there is no place like home. (A message Judy Garland isn't unfamiliar with.)
MIRACLE ON 34th STREET
George Seaton
1947 • 96 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Black & White • English • 20th Century Fox
Cast: Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood
Screenplay: George Seaton based on the story by Valentine Davies
Producer: William Perlburg
Cinematography: Lloyd Ahern, Charles G. Clarke
I believe... I believe... It's silly, but I believe.
One of the most warm-hearted films ever made, Miracle on 34th Street depicts the trial of a Macy's store Santa Claus who truly believes he is THE Santa Claus, but at its heart, it's a film about faith. Not just for the other characters, but for the audience itself. When we are first introduced to Kris Kringle, he is walking the streets of New York on Thanksgiving Day. You don't see him with any reindeer, you don't seem him at the North Pole and the only sleigh he rides in is the one in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Naturally, since he is the hero of the story, there is an implied trust between the protagonist and the viewer. We believe what he presents to us. No matter how ludicrous it may seem. Unlike most movies about Santa Claus, this film has no magic moments. Heck, the most amazing thing Kris does is speak Dutch to a little Dutch orphan. Something certainly anybody with a proper background could do. He brings people together at Christmastime, and slowly convinces every one around him that he is the real deal. Most of this of course is due to the wonderful acting abilities of Edmund Gwenn, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Kris. "Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to." That is a line repeated in the movie... and by the end of the film, we as the audience truly believe that Kris IS Santa, despite having no proof. And there in lies the true miracle of the film.
THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL
Brian Henson
1992 • 85 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • Disney
Cast: Michael Caine, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire
Screenplay: Jerry Juhl adapted from "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
Producers: Martin G. Baker, Brian Henson
Cinematography: John Fenner
- You're a little absent-minded, spirit.
- No, I'm a LARGE absent-minded spirit!
Michael Caine is Ebeneezer Scrooge. Kermit the Frog is Bob Cratchit. Miss Piggie is Mrs. Cratchit. Fozzy Bear as Fozzywig (get it?) Statler and Waldorf as Jacob and Robert Marley. And The Great Gonzo as Charles Dickens. The Muppet Christmas Carol remains to this day my favorite adaptation of Dickens' classic story. Caine is absolutely vile as the iconic Scrooge, which makes his transformation at the end of the film far more effective than other interpretations. What makes the film so wonderful is the effortless blending of the story everybody knows with the signature Muppet humor. Don't let the fact that there are Muppets in the film fool you, it's still very effective as a heartwarming holiday film.
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION
Jeremiah S. Chechik
1989 • 97 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Color • English • Warner Bros.
Cast: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'angelo, Randy Quaid, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki
Screenplay: John Hughes
Producers: John Hughes, Tom Jacobson
Cinematography: Thomas E. Ackerman
Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We’re all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We’re gonna press on, and we’re gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he’s gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse.
If you don’t like the Vacation movies, then you have no sense of humor. (OK, I’m not counting Vegas Vacation, we all know that blew.) Just like the otherVacation movies, this focuses on the immortal movie dad Clark Griswold trying his God damn hardest to give his family the best vacation in the world. Instead of Wally World or Europe, in this film Clark takes on the biggest of all holidays: Christmas. Pretty much everything here is hilarious from Clark’s attempt to create the greatest Christmas light display of all time to the redneck white trash relatives crashing the holidays, there’s something here everyone can relate to. This film manages to be heart-warming, but accomplishes this without sacrificing the laughs.
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Henry Selick
1993 • 76 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • Disney
Cast: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix
Screenplay: Tim Burton (story), Michael McDowell (adaptation), Caroline Thompson (screenplay)
Producers: Tim Burton, Denise Di Novi
Cinematography: Pete Kozachik
Kidnap the Sandy Claws, / beat him with a stick, / lock him up for ninety years, / see what makes him tick.
One of my favorite Christmas movies. Also one of my favorite Halloween movies. While marketed as Disney kids movie, this film is actually quite dark. The whole story revolves around Jack Skellington, a resident of Halloweentown who gets so bored with the darkness and dreariness of his little world. One day he stumbles upon Christmastown and gets a great idea. This year he’ll kidnap Santa, and take over Christmas. This Halloween/Christmas mash-up is a essential viewing every year… for BOTH holidays.
SCROOGE
Brian Desmond Hurst
1951 • 86 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United Kingdom
Black & White • English • United Artists
Principal Cast: Alastair Sim, Mervyn Johns, Michael Hodern, George Cole, Francis de Wolff, Brian Worth
Screenplay: Noel Langley from "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
Producer: Brian Desmond Hurst
Cinematography: C.M. Pennington-Richards
Before I draw nearer to that stone, tell me! Are these the shadows of things that must be, or are they the shadows of things that MIGHT be?
The Muppet Christmas Carol is my favorite adaptation of this story, however, Scrooge is perhaps the best and most faithful retelling. That says a lot, considering the story has been adapted 53 times on film and in television since 1901. Even more impressive is that Sim is, in this blogger's opinion, the best on-screen Ebeneezer Scrooge of all time. This includes a diverse list of actors ranging anywhere from Albert Finney to Patrick Stewart to Jim Carey. He excels at being both cruel and menacing as well as childishly hilarious. It leaves no part of the story untouched and gives more back story to Scrooge in the "Past" segment than any other film has done to date.
SCROOGED
Richard Donner
1988 • 101 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • Paramount
Cast: Bill Murray, Karen Allen, John Forsythe, John Glover, Bobcat Goldthwait
Screenplay: Mitch Glazer, Michael O'Donoghue
Producer: Richard Donner, Art Linson
Cinematography: Michael Chapman
The Jews taught me this great word: Schmuck. I was a schmuck, and now I’m not a schmuck!
Bill Murray is a comic genius. That’s not up for debate. So what happens when you take Bill Murray, make a archetype of Ebeneezer Scrooge (this time as a corporate TV executive), update the story a little, and add some sweet make-up effects? One of the funniest and most original adaptations of A Christmas Carol ever. Bill Murray is Frank Cross, the president of the IBC Network which is airing a live showing of the famous Dickens story on Christmas Eve. Cross is an evil, selfish prick who, much like Scrooge, gets visited by three ghosts in order to show him the error of his ways. Murray is hilarious as the dickish Cross, and the first two ghosts are pretty hilarious as well. If you’ve never seen this film, you owe it to yourself. It’s dark, it’s funny and it is full of Christmas spirit.
THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER
Ernst Lubitsch
1940 • 99 Minutes • 1.37 : 1 • United States
Black & White • English • MGM
Principal Cast: James Stewart, Margaret Sullivan, Frank Morgan, Joseph Schildkraut, Felix Bressart
Screenplay: Samson Raphaelson based on the play by Miklós László
Producer: Ernst Lubitsch
Cinematography: William H. Daniels
Oh, my Dear Friend, my heart was trembling as I walked into the post office, and there you were, lying in Box 237. I took you out of your envelope and read you, read you right there.
I have often said that I hate romantic comedies. I feel they are formulaic, dull and predictable. Furthermore, just as Playboy give men unrealistic expectations of women, romantic comedies are just as guilty of giving women unrealistic expectations of men. The exception to this rule, of course, is any romantic comedy made before 1950. This was a time when they weren't formulaic (well, maybe a little), the characters were fleshed out and developed, the stories were tight and well scripted, and, of course, the two leads were incredibly charming. I mean, can you really compare Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart with Ashton Kutcher and Robert Pattinson? No. You can't. I digress. The Shop Around the Corner is a romantic comedy, plain and simple. It's Christmas time and Klara (Margaret Sullivan) and Alfred (James Stewart) are both employees at the same baggage store, constantly competing for customers and THEY CAN'T STAND EACH OTHER. Here's the kicker, though: Each one of them has a pen pal that they've never met... and it just so happens that it turns out that they are each other's pen pal. They write love letters to each other, not knowing that the person they are professing love to is someone they'd like to throw in front of a bus. If this sounds familiar it's because it was unremarkably re-made in 1998 as You've Got Mail, this time with an e-mail angle. Skip that one. Watch this one. Not very Christmas-y other than it takes place during the holidays, but it's charming, fun and probably one of the best romantic comedies ever filmed.
WE'RE NO ANGELS
Michael Curtiz
1955 • 106 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Color • English • Paramount
Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray, Peter Ustinov, Joan Bennett, Basil Rathbone
Screenplay: Ranald MacDougall
Producer: Pat Duggan
Cinematography: Loyal Griggs
- I’m going to buy them their Christmas turkey.
- “Buy”? Do you really mean “buy”?
- Yes, buy! In the Spirit of Christmas. The hard part’s going to be stealing the money to pay for it.
Unless you’re a film dork like me, you probably haven’t even heard of this one. But trust me, it’s hilarious. The film is about three escaped convicts (led by Humphrey Bogart) who end up on a small French colonial town right before Christmas. They find a store that gives supplies on credit, so they hatch a scheme to pose as roofers to fix the store’s roof in exchange for food/supplies/clothes. Their plan, however is to never actually fix the roof and just rob them once night falls. Eventually, the three criminals have a change of heart when the family that manages the store is exceedingly nice to them and feel even guiltier when they realize the store is already in financial dire straits. They decide to stay on as “roofers” and fix the books to make the store profitable and even go so far as murder the true owners of the store so the generous family can keep their living. A rare black Christmas comedy from 1950s Hollywood.
WHITE CHRISTMAS
Michael Curtiz
1954 • 120 Minutes • 1.66:1 • United States
Color • English • Paramount
Principal Cast: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera Ellen, Dean Jagger
Screenplay: Norman Krasna, Norman Panama
Producer: Robert Emmett Dolan
Music & Lyrics: Irving Berlin
Cinematography: Loyal Griggs
- We're booked for the holidays.
- Vermont, huh?
- Oh, Vermont should be beautiful this time of year, with all that snow.
- Yeah, you know something... Vermont should be beautiful this time of year, with all that snow.
- That's what I just said.
- We seem to be getting a little mixed up.
- Maybe it's the music.
- Maybe it isn't only the music.
12 years after "White Christmas" became a huge hit, Bing Crosby and Irving Berlin teamed up again and made it the title of another Christmastime musical. This time around Danny Kaye replaces Fred Astaire as the dance man. Kaye, while not as "legendary" as Fred Astaire, still did not disappoint as all his dance numbers with Vera Allen were a hell of a lot of fun to watch. Rosemary Clooney played Crosby's love interest and will leave a great impression on you with her magnificent voice. Crosby and Kaye play two old army buddies that teamed up as a song and dance duo turned producers after the war. They are so over-worked that Phil (Kaye) is just getting plain sick and tired of constantly being around Bob (Crosby.) He never misses an opportunity to play matchmaker with any pretty girl that walks into Bob's life just so that he can get some time away from his partner. Enter the Betty & Judy Haynes, a pair of sisters hoping that Bob and Phil will give them a shot in one of their shows. After the getting the girls out of a jam, the four entertainers head to Vermont for the holidays where Bob and Phil realize that the ski lodge they're staying at is being run by their old army general. Seeing the sad state of affairs the lodge is in, Bob, Phil, Betty and Judy start planning a big Christmas spectacle to hopefully attract visitors. The big closing number? You guessed it.
Terry Zwigoff
2003 • 91 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • Columbia Pictures
Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Bernie Mac, Lauren Graham, Tony Cox
Screenplay: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Producers: Sarah Aubrey, John Cameron, Bob Weinstein
Cinematography: Jamie Anderson
It's Christmas and the kid's gettin' his fuckin' present.
Hilarious doesn’t even begin to describe this movie. Billy Bob Thornton is genius as the alcoholic, self-hating safe-cracking thief that poses as Santa Claus once a year to rob department stores of their Christmas-time profits. Even more hilarious is his foul mouthed “little helper” played by Tony Cox. Together these two are an epic comic tag team. In the middle of all the crudeness, violence, foulness, crime, booze and anal sex this film actually delivers a positive Christmas message. No, I’m serious.
Tim Burton
1992 • 126 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • Warner Bros.
Cast: Michael Keaton, Michele Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito, Christopher Walken
Screenplay: Daniel Walters
Producers: Tim Burton, Denise Di Novi
Cinematography: Stefan Czapsky
A kiss under the mistletoe. You know, mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it. But a kiss can be even deadlier… if you mean it.
Told you this was non-traditional. Gotham City has its own mystery man in an iconic suit that knows if you’ve been naughty or nice… and he ain’t jolly. While not as good as the original 1989 film or the Nolan reboots, Returns is highly underrated. It’s got a great cast, a great score and a great feel to it. Putting Batman and his demented and dark rogues’ gallery in the backdrop of a Gotham City at Christmas time is a brilliant idea. Not much of this adventure has much to do with Christmas other than the time of year the story takes place, but it’s still one of my favorite Christmas traditions.
Henry Koster
1947 • 109 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Black & White & English • RKO
Cast: Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven, Monty Woolley, James Gleason, Gladys Cooper
Screenplay: Robert E. Sherwood, Leonardo Bercovici based on the novel by Robert Nathan
Producer: Samuel Goldwyn
Cinematography: Gregg Toland
- Are you expecting a letter?
- Well, you never know. If I did get one, the stamp would certainly be worth saving.
A true holiday classic. A bishop is lost and without direction and desperately needs to raise money for a new church. He prays for help and guidance, but feels he receives none. However, he does receive help in the form of an angel named Dudley. Dudley is incredibly charming (after all, he IS played by Cary Grant) as an assistant to the bishop. Everyone falls for him, especially the bishop's wife (played by Loretta Young.) Bishop Henry becomes increasingly frustrated and jealous of Dudley and what develops is a film that expertly showcases the fine acting abilities of its three leads. It has a great holiday feel to it and both Grant and the film are incredibly charming.
Edwin L. Marin
1938 • 69 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Black & White • English • MGM
Cast: Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart, Kathleen Lockhart, Terry Kilburn, Barry McKay
Screenplay: Hugo Butler based on the story by Charles Dickens
Producer: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Cinematography: Sidney Wagner
- Please let me stay!
- Nonsense! You don't want to stay!
- Yes, I do!
- No! You don't like Christmas!
- Yes! Yes I do! I like Christmas! I LOVE Christmas!
Reginald Owen was not the first actor to portray Ebenezer Scrooge on film, but he was the first actor to do it for a major motion picture studio. It goes without saying that this is why most people consider the first adaptation of "A Christmas Carol." What's interesting about this, is despite being the first major filmed version of the story, it perhaps takes the most departures from the original narrative than other celluloid versions. This actually works in its favor. Pretty much everyone knows the story of Dickens' classic by heart, but since this version actually changes a few details it makes it a little more charming than other versions. It's easier to get lost in a story you've seen 100 times. Fred and the Cratchit's get more screentime in this version, which helps Scrooge's transformation have more impact. As for Owen? Originally this version was to star Lionel Barrymore (who had done the role many times before on radio), but had to drop out due to health issues. Owen proves to be a worthy replacement. Not the best on-screen Scrooge, but certainly the one who falls in love with Christmas the fastest.
CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUTPeter Godfrey
1945 • 102 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Black & White • English • Warner Bros.
Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet, Reginald Gardiner, SZ Sakall
Screenplay: Lionel Houser, Adele Comandini, Aileen Hamilton
Producer: William Jacobs
Cinematography: Carl E. Guthrie
- Liz, don't waste time with him. You have to decide what you're going to say to the old man.
- What old man?
- Oh, it's Yardley. He's sending me a sailor for Christmas.
- Oh, how nice... A sailor? Really, Elizabeth!
Barbara Stanwyck is Elizabeth Lane, a Martha Stewart-like writer for a housekeeping magazine that writes the most amazing recipes every month. Dennis Morgan plays Jefferson Jones is a war hero who has never had a “traditional, family Christmas.” And Sydney Greenstreet is Alexander Yardley, the stubborn and influential publisher of Lane’s magazine whose idea it was to make sure Jones gets a traditional Christmas holiday as a guest in Lane’s home in Connecticut. Only one problem: Lane is a fraud. She lives in New York City, can’t even make toast and gets all her recipes from her loveable chef/uncle Felix. To make matters worse? Yardley’s holiday plans have fallen through and now he insists on spending it with Lane and her fictional family in her fictional home. The film is definitely of its time, with perhaps some outdated anti-feminist ideals. But it is certainly a charming, holiday film. Or as Uncle Felix might say… “Everything is hunky dunky.”
Bob Clark
1983 • 94 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Color • English • MGM
Cast: Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Scott Schwartz, Jean Shepherd
Screenplay: Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, Bob Clark based on the novel "In God We Trust All Others Pay Cash" by Jean Shepherd
Producers: Bob Clark, Rene Dupont
Cinematography: Reginald H. Morris
- I want an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle!
- No, you'll shoot your eye out.
Every child knows what’s it’s like to want that perfect Christmas present. The longing, the pleading, the desperation of that ONE THING that you just can’t live without. A Christmas Story is the simple tale of Ralphie, a little boy who wants nothing more for Christmas than a B.B. gun. Not just any B.B. gun, mind you, but an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle (with this thing that tells time.) It seems everyone is against him… his mother, his teacher… heck, even Santa thinks he’ll shoot his eye out. But Ralphie is unrelenting in his desire for this perfect gift. This film is timeless, because even though it was made in the 80s, and takes place in the 40s, everyone, young and old, can relate to Ralphie. A Christmas Story perfectly captures exactly what it’s like to be a kid on Christmas.
John McTiernan
1988 • 131 Minutes • 2.20:1 • United States
Color • English • 20th Century Fox
Cast: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedlia, Reginald VelJohnson, Paul Gleason
Screenplay: Jeb Stuart, Steven E. de Souza
Producers: Joel Silver, Lawrence Gordon
Cinematography: Jan De Bont
- Mr. Mystery Guest? Are you still there?
- Yeah, I'm still here. Unless you wanna open the front door for me.
- Uh, no, I'm afraid not. But, you have me at a loss. You know my name but who are you? Just another American who saw too many movies as a child? Another orphan of a bankrupt culture who thinks he's John Wayne? Rambo? Marshal Dillon?
- Was always kinda partial to Roy Rogers actually. I really like those sequined shirts.
- Do you really think you have a chance against us, Mr. Cowboy?
- Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker.
By 1988 John McTiernan had directed an action classic in Predator. Could he repeat the same success with Die Hard? The short answer? Yes. Not only was Die Hard more financially successful (quite a feat for the director’s third film), but it exceeded the sci-fi/horror shoot ‘em up’s action packed scenes. McTiernan is one of the the best action director’s of all time, having also gone on to helm The Hunt for Red October, Die Hard with a Vengeance and The Thomas Crown Affair. When it comes to action, this guy knows what he’s doing. Die Hard is jam packed with amazing sequences… from John McClane’s escape in the elevator shaft, to the destruction of an LAPD SWAT tank (“The quarterback is toast!”) and of course McClane jumping off the top of a 40-story building to escape an exploding helicopter. All of it looks as good in 2011 as it did in 1988. Die Hard is a great alternative to the sugary-sweet Christmas movies that come around every December (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but also it just may be the greatest action movie of all time. Yippee-Kai-Yay.
Tim Burton
1990 • 105 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • 20th Century Fox
Cast: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Michael Hall, Vincent Price
Screenplay: Caroline Thompson
Producers: Tim Burton, Denise Di Novi
Cinematography: Stefan Czapsky
You see, before he came down here, it never snowed. And afterwards, it did. If he weren't up there now... I don't think it would be snowing. Sometimes you can still catch me dancing in it.
Edward Scissorhands is often left off "Best Holiday Films" lists, why I'm not sure. It is one of the GREAT Christmas films. If you go into this film as a comedy (like the producers advertised it), you'll be disappointed. While it certainly has many humorous moments, this movie is much more of a fantasy. A modern day fairy tale. Edward is a creation that was built by a scientist who was trying to create a man. Even though he was a "creator," he was the only father, and family, that Edward ever knew... and sadly he died before Edward was "finished," leaving Edward with scissors for hands. Years later he is rescued from isolation by a kindly Avon lady, who unofficially adopts him. At first Edward is welcomed by the small suburban neighborhood, and they take advantage of his handicap by putting him to use trimming hedges and cutting hair. But Edward's heart truly lies with Kim, the daughter of the woman who rescued him. What develops is a love straight out of a story book fairy tale, however without a fairy book ending. What makes this a Christmas movie? Other than the fact that the film takes place during Christmas, it has a charming theory on the origins of snow. When people describe a film as "hauntingly beautiful," this is what they're talking about. Edward Scissorhands is Tim Burton's masterpiece.
Jon Favreau
2003 • 97 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • New Line Cinema
Cast: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, Zooey Deschanel
Screenplay: David Berenbaum
Producers: Jon Berg, Todd Komarnicki, Shauna Robertson
Cinematography: Greg Gardiner
This place reminds me of Santa's Workshop! Except it smells like mushrooms and everyone looks like they want to hurt me.
The success of the movie Elf rides purely on the shoulders of Will Ferrell. Ferrell had succesfully been playing the "man-child" role in movies and on "Saturday Night Live" for years. The natural extension of that is to cast him as an actual maturity-stunted man (who thinks he's a Christmas elf) in a children's movie. The movie in and of itself is not ground-breaking. You can predict the story beats and a lot of the jokes, but Ferrell brings so much energy, fun and innocence to his performance that it's hard not to love him. The film is supported by some strong performances, notably James Caan and Zooey Deschanel, who play it straight to Buddy the Elf's wackiness, thus giving it more comedic effect. The last 20 years of cinema have not yielded many Christmas classics, but this is a rare exception to the rule.
Joe Dante
1984 • 106 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • Warner Bros.
Cast: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Keye Luke, Corey Feldman
Screenplay: Chris Columbus
Producers: Michael Finnell, Kathleen Kennedy (Executive), Frank Marshall (Executive), Steven Spielberg (Executive)
Cinematography: John Hora
So if your air conditioner goes on the fritz or your washing machine blows up or your video recorder conks out; before you call the repairman turn on all the lights, check all the closets and cupboards, look under all the beds, 'cause you never can tell there just might be a gremlin in your house.
This movie starts out cute and cuddly and warm and fuzzy. It’s Christmas time, there’s a boy and a girl, and they kind of like each other. There’s a cute dog. A wacky dad. A wackier neighbor. And hey, even a cute, cuddly, warm, fuzzy little creature. But then it all goes to hell. This little fuzzy creature multiplies… and it turns into hundreds of evil fucking demons that terrorize a small midwestern town on Christmas Eve. This movie is so much fun. Campy Horror/Comedy doesn’t get much better than this.
Mark Sandrich
1942 • 100 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Black & White • English • Paramount
Principal Cast: Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, Virginia Dale, Walter Abel
Screenplay: Claude Binyon
Producer: Mark Sandrich
Music & Lyrics: Irving Berlin
Cinematography: David Abel
- Open holidays only? Say, how many of them are there?
- About 15. That gives me 350 days to kick around in!
- You would think of that!
The movie that gave birth to not just one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time, but one of the most popular songs EVER. More on that in a second. Bing Crosby was one of the most popular entertainers in his day, so Paramount Pictures gave him a huge budget to do a musical. What does he spend the money on? Hiring the legendary dance man Fred Astaire as his co-star and Irving Berlin as his song writer and they produce one of the most charming musicals ever made. The story follows song-and-dance entertainers Jim Hardy and Ted Hanover (Crosby and Astaire respectively) as they compete for the affections of the same girl. Jim has reason to be nervous as Ted has stolen one of his girls in the past. Jim quits show business to run a hotel that is only open on holidays and hires Linda Mason (Reynolds) as a performer. When Ted realizes that not only is Linda beautiful, but an amazing singer and dancer he schemes to once again steal a girl away from Jim. Crosby is always praised for his singing, but not enough for his comedic acting... and paired with Fred Astaire, the two have great comedic chemistry. All the songs for each holiday are fun (though you may want to skip the "Abraham" number because in 1942 doing a song in black face wasn't considered racially insensitive) but the show stealer is "White Christmas" which as I mentioned before became one of the biggest songs of all time. It's popularity was mostly due to the requests of soldiers fighting the war in Europe who desperately wanted to be reminded of home.
Chris Columbus
1990 • 103 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • 20th Century Fox
Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Catherine O'Hara
Screenplay: John Hughes
Producers: John Hughes
Cinematography: Julio Macat
This is my house. I have to defend it.
Home Alone in and of itself is not a great film. All of the humor in the film is slapstick, bordering on masochism. However, it makes the list of Essential Films because, frankly, it is the most financially successful Christmas film of all time. Its cultural impact can not be understated or ignored. It currently ranks as the 38th highest grossing film of all time (adjusted for inflation.) The film was a national phenomenon upon its release and made a star (albeit briefly) out of child actor Macaulay Culkin. Its connection to Christmas is circumstantial. Kevin McCallister's (Culkin) family accidentally leaves him home alone over the Christmas holiday, and he must defend his house from two bungling burglars. The humor works for most children, but the film doesn't age well if you watch it through grown-up eyes. That said, a certain amount of nostalgia plays into its entry in this list and it remains a holiday favorite for families every year.
Frank Capra
1946 • 130 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Black & White • English • RKO Radio Pictures
Principal Cast: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Beulah Bondi
Screenplay: Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra
Producer: Frank Capra
Cinematography: Dmitri Tiomkin
You've been given a great gift, George: A chance to see what the world would be like without you.
I don't care what anyone says, It's a Wonderful Life, after over 60 years is STILL the greatest Christmas movie ever made. It may be cliche, but there is not one film better. On top of that, it makes the Top 5 of The Essential Films' Top 100 Movies of All Time (Coming Soon.) It's better than Citizen Kane. Better than Star Wars. Better than Gone With The Wind. I watch it every single year, and so should every one. By those who've never seen it and by those who've seen it dozens of times. It's message is universal and timeless. A man who sacrifices his entire life for every family member, friend and sometimes complete stranger just because it's the right thing to do... well one day, he gets in trouble. He's so desperate he considers committing suicide on Christmas Eve. A guardian angel intervenes and prevents him from doing so. When George remarks that perhaps the world would have been a better place had he not even existed, the angel decides to show him exactly what the world would be like. The message of the film is that everyone matters and everyone touches everyone else's life in some way. You should value and cherish not just your life, but all lives. And at the end of the day, no man is failure who has friends.
Christian Carion
2005 • 116 Minutes • 2.35:1 • France
Color • French, German, English • Sony Picture Classics
Cast: Diane Kruger, Benno Fürmann, Guillaume Canet, Daniel Brühl
Screenplay: Christian Carion
Producer: Christophe Rossignon
Cinematography: Walther van den Ende
Tonight, these men were drawn to that altar like it was a fire in the middle of winter. Even those who aren't devout came to warm themselves.
You may not have heard of this European film that had a very limited release in the United States. The story revolves around a miracle that took place during Christmas Eve, 1914 in the middle of World War I. Four characters are profiled: a priest in the Scottish army, a French lieutenant, a German soldier who is also a famous tenor and his wife. On the night before Christmas, hostilities temporarily cease and the soldiers leave their trenches and spend Christmas with the enemy. Writer/Director Carion and the excellent cast do an amazing job of bringing this film to life. Even more amazing was that film is based on a true story. The true strong point of the film lies in the fact that you can take what you want from this film. Whether the soldiers stopped fighting was brought on by God, Christmas or just the disgust with the horrors of war is up for interpretation. Whatever you take from it, realize that this is a new classic in holiday films.
Frank Capra
1941 • 122 Minutes 1.37:1 • United States
Black & White • English • Warner Bros.
Principal Cast: Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward Arnold, Walter Brennan
Screenplay: Richard Connell & Robert Presnell Sr.
Producer: Frank Capra
Cinematography: George Barnes
Why can't that spirit, that warm Christmas spirit, last all year long?
After being fired from her job as a newspaper columnist, Ann Mitchell (Barbara Stanwyck) forges a letter to the editor from the fictional “John Doe,” a disgruntled and unemployed would-be prophet who threatens to kill himself on Christmas Eve because of his dissatisfaction in the state of the country. Unexpectedly, “Doe” gains a huge following and the paper is forced to re-hire Mitchell as well as hire a homeless man, John Willoughby (Gary Cooper), to portray him for public appearances. Initially both Ann and John are in it for the money, but they are soon caught up in the same rhetoric and philosophy they are selling to the public. The country unites behind John Doe, but DB Norton, the sinister newspaper publisher, has other ideas for Doe… Meet John Doe is an often-forgotten gem that should be watched every Christmas season to remind us what the season is all about.
Vicente Minnelli
1944 • 113 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Color • English • MGM
Cast: Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, Mary Astor
Screenplay: Irving Brecher, Fred F. Finklehoffe based on the book by Sally Benson
Producer: Arthur Freed
Cinematography: George J. Folsey
Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light.
Next year all our troubles will be out of sight.
Unlike most of the films on this list, Meet Me in St. Louis is a film that doesn't primarily take place DURING Christmas. In fact, the only extended Christmas scene doesn't happen until towards the end of the film. However, much like Holiday Inn, this film was responsible for another immortal Christmas song that you hear every year: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Most people don't realize that song is not a "happy" Christmas song, it's actually bittersweet as it is sung at a very sad and poignant moment in the film. The film follows a close-knit family in suburban St. Louis through the year of 1904 as they live pleasant lives, fall in love, celebrate holidays and have good times with each other. It is the perfect picture of Middle Class America. Everything is perfect in this little corner of the world. There is a pall over the year, however, as the head of the family wishes to move the entire family off to New York where better financial opportunities await him. On the eve of their departure, at Christmas, Judy Garland tries to comfort her younger sister by singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." The message of the song being, "Don't let this move ruin your Christmas. Don't mourn the loss of your home, but cherish the memories you have." This film is essential holiday viewing not only for its classic song, but also for its strong themes of the love of your family and how there is no place like home. (A message Judy Garland isn't unfamiliar with.)
George Seaton
1947 • 96 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Black & White • English • 20th Century Fox
Cast: Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood
Screenplay: George Seaton based on the story by Valentine Davies
Producer: William Perlburg
Cinematography: Lloyd Ahern, Charles G. Clarke
I believe... I believe... It's silly, but I believe.
One of the most warm-hearted films ever made, Miracle on 34th Street depicts the trial of a Macy's store Santa Claus who truly believes he is THE Santa Claus, but at its heart, it's a film about faith. Not just for the other characters, but for the audience itself. When we are first introduced to Kris Kringle, he is walking the streets of New York on Thanksgiving Day. You don't see him with any reindeer, you don't seem him at the North Pole and the only sleigh he rides in is the one in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Naturally, since he is the hero of the story, there is an implied trust between the protagonist and the viewer. We believe what he presents to us. No matter how ludicrous it may seem. Unlike most movies about Santa Claus, this film has no magic moments. Heck, the most amazing thing Kris does is speak Dutch to a little Dutch orphan. Something certainly anybody with a proper background could do. He brings people together at Christmastime, and slowly convinces every one around him that he is the real deal. Most of this of course is due to the wonderful acting abilities of Edmund Gwenn, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Kris. "Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to." That is a line repeated in the movie... and by the end of the film, we as the audience truly believe that Kris IS Santa, despite having no proof. And there in lies the true miracle of the film.
Brian Henson
1992 • 85 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • Disney
Cast: Michael Caine, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire
Screenplay: Jerry Juhl adapted from "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
Producers: Martin G. Baker, Brian Henson
Cinematography: John Fenner
- You're a little absent-minded, spirit.
- No, I'm a LARGE absent-minded spirit!
Michael Caine is Ebeneezer Scrooge. Kermit the Frog is Bob Cratchit. Miss Piggie is Mrs. Cratchit. Fozzy Bear as Fozzywig (get it?) Statler and Waldorf as Jacob and Robert Marley. And The Great Gonzo as Charles Dickens. The Muppet Christmas Carol remains to this day my favorite adaptation of Dickens' classic story. Caine is absolutely vile as the iconic Scrooge, which makes his transformation at the end of the film far more effective than other interpretations. What makes the film so wonderful is the effortless blending of the story everybody knows with the signature Muppet humor. Don't let the fact that there are Muppets in the film fool you, it's still very effective as a heartwarming holiday film.
Jeremiah S. Chechik
1989 • 97 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Color • English • Warner Bros.
Cast: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'angelo, Randy Quaid, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki
Screenplay: John Hughes
Producers: John Hughes, Tom Jacobson
Cinematography: Thomas E. Ackerman
Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We’re all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We’re gonna press on, and we’re gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he’s gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse.
If you don’t like the Vacation movies, then you have no sense of humor. (OK, I’m not counting Vegas Vacation, we all know that blew.) Just like the otherVacation movies, this focuses on the immortal movie dad Clark Griswold trying his God damn hardest to give his family the best vacation in the world. Instead of Wally World or Europe, in this film Clark takes on the biggest of all holidays: Christmas. Pretty much everything here is hilarious from Clark’s attempt to create the greatest Christmas light display of all time to the redneck white trash relatives crashing the holidays, there’s something here everyone can relate to. This film manages to be heart-warming, but accomplishes this without sacrificing the laughs.
Henry Selick
1993 • 76 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • Disney
Cast: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix
Screenplay: Tim Burton (story), Michael McDowell (adaptation), Caroline Thompson (screenplay)
Producers: Tim Burton, Denise Di Novi
Cinematography: Pete Kozachik
Kidnap the Sandy Claws, / beat him with a stick, / lock him up for ninety years, / see what makes him tick.
One of my favorite Christmas movies. Also one of my favorite Halloween movies. While marketed as Disney kids movie, this film is actually quite dark. The whole story revolves around Jack Skellington, a resident of Halloweentown who gets so bored with the darkness and dreariness of his little world. One day he stumbles upon Christmastown and gets a great idea. This year he’ll kidnap Santa, and take over Christmas. This Halloween/Christmas mash-up is a essential viewing every year… for BOTH holidays.
Brian Desmond Hurst
1951 • 86 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United Kingdom
Black & White • English • United Artists
Principal Cast: Alastair Sim, Mervyn Johns, Michael Hodern, George Cole, Francis de Wolff, Brian Worth
Screenplay: Noel Langley from "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
Producer: Brian Desmond Hurst
Cinematography: C.M. Pennington-Richards
Before I draw nearer to that stone, tell me! Are these the shadows of things that must be, or are they the shadows of things that MIGHT be?
The Muppet Christmas Carol is my favorite adaptation of this story, however, Scrooge is perhaps the best and most faithful retelling. That says a lot, considering the story has been adapted 53 times on film and in television since 1901. Even more impressive is that Sim is, in this blogger's opinion, the best on-screen Ebeneezer Scrooge of all time. This includes a diverse list of actors ranging anywhere from Albert Finney to Patrick Stewart to Jim Carey. He excels at being both cruel and menacing as well as childishly hilarious. It leaves no part of the story untouched and gives more back story to Scrooge in the "Past" segment than any other film has done to date.
Richard Donner
1988 • 101 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • Paramount
Cast: Bill Murray, Karen Allen, John Forsythe, John Glover, Bobcat Goldthwait
Screenplay: Mitch Glazer, Michael O'Donoghue
Producer: Richard Donner, Art Linson
Cinematography: Michael Chapman
The Jews taught me this great word: Schmuck. I was a schmuck, and now I’m not a schmuck!
Bill Murray is a comic genius. That’s not up for debate. So what happens when you take Bill Murray, make a archetype of Ebeneezer Scrooge (this time as a corporate TV executive), update the story a little, and add some sweet make-up effects? One of the funniest and most original adaptations of A Christmas Carol ever. Bill Murray is Frank Cross, the president of the IBC Network which is airing a live showing of the famous Dickens story on Christmas Eve. Cross is an evil, selfish prick who, much like Scrooge, gets visited by three ghosts in order to show him the error of his ways. Murray is hilarious as the dickish Cross, and the first two ghosts are pretty hilarious as well. If you’ve never seen this film, you owe it to yourself. It’s dark, it’s funny and it is full of Christmas spirit.
Ernst Lubitsch
1940 • 99 Minutes • 1.37 : 1 • United States
Black & White • English • MGM
Principal Cast: James Stewart, Margaret Sullivan, Frank Morgan, Joseph Schildkraut, Felix Bressart
Screenplay: Samson Raphaelson based on the play by Miklós László
Producer: Ernst Lubitsch
Cinematography: William H. Daniels
Oh, my Dear Friend, my heart was trembling as I walked into the post office, and there you were, lying in Box 237. I took you out of your envelope and read you, read you right there.
I have often said that I hate romantic comedies. I feel they are formulaic, dull and predictable. Furthermore, just as Playboy give men unrealistic expectations of women, romantic comedies are just as guilty of giving women unrealistic expectations of men. The exception to this rule, of course, is any romantic comedy made before 1950. This was a time when they weren't formulaic (well, maybe a little), the characters were fleshed out and developed, the stories were tight and well scripted, and, of course, the two leads were incredibly charming. I mean, can you really compare Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart with Ashton Kutcher and Robert Pattinson? No. You can't. I digress. The Shop Around the Corner is a romantic comedy, plain and simple. It's Christmas time and Klara (Margaret Sullivan) and Alfred (James Stewart) are both employees at the same baggage store, constantly competing for customers and THEY CAN'T STAND EACH OTHER. Here's the kicker, though: Each one of them has a pen pal that they've never met... and it just so happens that it turns out that they are each other's pen pal. They write love letters to each other, not knowing that the person they are professing love to is someone they'd like to throw in front of a bus. If this sounds familiar it's because it was unremarkably re-made in 1998 as You've Got Mail, this time with an e-mail angle. Skip that one. Watch this one. Not very Christmas-y other than it takes place during the holidays, but it's charming, fun and probably one of the best romantic comedies ever filmed.
Michael Curtiz
1955 • 106 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Color • English • Paramount
Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray, Peter Ustinov, Joan Bennett, Basil Rathbone
Screenplay: Ranald MacDougall
Producer: Pat Duggan
Cinematography: Loyal Griggs
- I’m going to buy them their Christmas turkey.
- “Buy”? Do you really mean “buy”?
- Yes, buy! In the Spirit of Christmas. The hard part’s going to be stealing the money to pay for it.
Unless you’re a film dork like me, you probably haven’t even heard of this one. But trust me, it’s hilarious. The film is about three escaped convicts (led by Humphrey Bogart) who end up on a small French colonial town right before Christmas. They find a store that gives supplies on credit, so they hatch a scheme to pose as roofers to fix the store’s roof in exchange for food/supplies/clothes. Their plan, however is to never actually fix the roof and just rob them once night falls. Eventually, the three criminals have a change of heart when the family that manages the store is exceedingly nice to them and feel even guiltier when they realize the store is already in financial dire straits. They decide to stay on as “roofers” and fix the books to make the store profitable and even go so far as murder the true owners of the store so the generous family can keep their living. A rare black Christmas comedy from 1950s Hollywood.
Michael Curtiz
1954 • 120 Minutes • 1.66:1 • United States
Color • English • Paramount
Principal Cast: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera Ellen, Dean Jagger
Screenplay: Norman Krasna, Norman Panama
Producer: Robert Emmett Dolan
Music & Lyrics: Irving Berlin
Cinematography: Loyal Griggs
- We're booked for the holidays.
- Vermont, huh?
- Oh, Vermont should be beautiful this time of year, with all that snow.
- Yeah, you know something... Vermont should be beautiful this time of year, with all that snow.
- That's what I just said.
- We seem to be getting a little mixed up.
- Maybe it's the music.
- Maybe it isn't only the music.
12 years after "White Christmas" became a huge hit, Bing Crosby and Irving Berlin teamed up again and made it the title of another Christmastime musical. This time around Danny Kaye replaces Fred Astaire as the dance man. Kaye, while not as "legendary" as Fred Astaire, still did not disappoint as all his dance numbers with Vera Allen were a hell of a lot of fun to watch. Rosemary Clooney played Crosby's love interest and will leave a great impression on you with her magnificent voice. Crosby and Kaye play two old army buddies that teamed up as a song and dance duo turned producers after the war. They are so over-worked that Phil (Kaye) is just getting plain sick and tired of constantly being around Bob (Crosby.) He never misses an opportunity to play matchmaker with any pretty girl that walks into Bob's life just so that he can get some time away from his partner. Enter the Betty & Judy Haynes, a pair of sisters hoping that Bob and Phil will give them a shot in one of their shows. After the getting the girls out of a jam, the four entertainers head to Vermont for the holidays where Bob and Phil realize that the ski lodge they're staying at is being run by their old army general. Seeing the sad state of affairs the lodge is in, Bob, Phil, Betty and Judy start planning a big Christmas spectacle to hopefully attract visitors. The big closing number? You guessed it.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Star Trek Into Darkness - Official Trailer
The new trailer for the Star Trek is out. Looks pretty snazzy...
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Scrooge (1951)
SCROOGE
Brian Desmond Hurst
1951 • 86 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United KingdomPrincipal Cast: Alastair Sim, Mervyn Johns, Michael Hodern, George Cole, Francis de Wolff, Brian Worth
Screenplay: Noel Langley from "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
Producer: Brian Desmond Hurst
Cinematography: C.M. Pennington-Richards
Awards & Honors
The Essential Films
12 Days of Essential Christmas Films
Before I draw nearer to that stone, tell me! Are these the shadows of things that must be, or are they the shadows of things that MIGHT be?
The Muppet Christmas Carol is my favorite adaptation of this story, however, Scrooge is perhaps the best and most faithful retelling. That says a lot, considering the story has been adapted 53 times on film and in television since 1901. Even more impressive is that Sim is, in this blogger's opinion, the best on-screen Ebeneezer Scrooge of all time. This includes a diverse list of actors ranging anywhere from Albert Finney to Patrick Stewart to Jim Carey. He excels at being both cruel and menacing as well as childishly hilarious. It leaves no part of the story untouched and gives more back story to Scrooge in the "Past" segment than any other film has done to date.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The Man of Steel - Trailer
The new Man of Steel trailer debuted with The Hobbit this weekend. Check it out.
Monday, December 10, 2012
American Film Institute's Best of 2012 Announced
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Batman on Film - Batman Forever
BATMAN FOREVER
Joel Schumacher
1995 • 121 Minutes • 1.85:1• United States
Color • English • Warner Bros.
Cast: Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Chris O’Donnell
Screenplay: Lee Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler, Akiva Goldsman
Producers: Tim Burton, Peter Macgregor-Scott
Cinematography: Stephen Goldblatt
Awards & Honors
Academy Awards
Nominee: Best Cinematography
Nominee: Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing
Nominee: Best Sound
One man is born a hero, his brother a coward. Babies starve, politicians grow fat. Holy men are martyred, and junkies grow legion. Why? Why, why, why, why, why? Luck! Blind, stupid, simple, doo-dah, clueless luck!
During this run of the “Batman on Film” series, the entries have thus far been positive. This is where the positivity ends, folks. While Batman Forever has some positive qualities, it is a noticeable drop in quality compared to its predecessors.
On this installment, Joel Schumacher replaced Tim Burton as director. While Batman Returns made Warner Bros. money, apparently it didn’t make them as much as they’d hoped. They blamed Burton’s dark undertones on the limited success and asked him to step aside as director (though he remained a producer.)
Schumacher, despite the hatred and vitriol now given to him by Bat-fans, was (and still is, frankly) a fine craftsman. PReviously he had directed St. Elmo’s Fire, The Lost Boys, Flatliners, Falling Down and the Client. All of them critical or financial successes (or both.) While he is a talented director, he was not the right choice to helm the Bat franchise as the movie series becomes a campy and oftentimes goofy look at the Batman character. If he was trying to make a big-screen version of the Adam West TV show, he succeeded. But as a faithful adaptation of the Dark Knight? He fails miserably. Val Kilmer replaced Michael Keaton in the Bat suit. Keaton, after reading the script decided he did not like the direction Schumacher/Warner Bros. was taking the franchise in and turned down the role. While one can admire his conviction, you have to wonder if it was the right call. Financially, Keaton’s career has not been the same since Batman Returns. Kilmer comes in to the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman and he does… fine. He’s not good. But he’s not terrible, either. He’s just sort of there.
The plot revolves around Edward Nygma, an ex-Wayne Enterprises scientist, suffering a psychotic break and going on a crime spree by disguising himself as The Riddler. He teams with the horribly disfigured Harvey “Two-Face” Dent to put an end to both Bruce Wayne and Batman… discovering along the way that the two are one in the same. While all of this is going on, Bruce finds himself taking Dick Grayson, a former circus acrobat, under his wing after his family is brutally murdered by Two-Face. Grayson becomes Robin and the famous team of Batman & Robin is born on screen.
The Riddler is played by Jim Carrey. One has to remember that, historically speaking, this is the HOTTEST point of Carrey’s career. He had done two Ace Ventura movies, Dumb & Dumber and The Mask by this point and they all reaped huge financial rewards. Those films heavily relied on Carrey’s “rubber-faced” style of comedic antics and they worked in those films. However, it does not work in this film. Carrey had yet to evolve into the fine actor he currently is, and this film felt like more of the same.
The biggest acting complaint has to come in the form of Tommy Lee Jones. Jones was clearly doing a Jack Nicholson impression for the majority of the film, apparently thinking that because this is a comic book film he must act like a goof. And he does. And it pisses all over the Harvey Dent character.
The movie is not all bad though. As I said earlier, it has some positive points. The story is a convoluted mess. There are too many characters and they are not effectively handled. That said, there is a semblance of the screenwriters attempting a theme for the film. The theme of duality and inner conflict is very strong in the script, it’s just poorly executed. You can see the writers ALMOST had something. Also, the film does look gorgeous. Director of Photography Stephen Goldblatt does an amazing job with the visuals, and crappy movie or not, this film LOOKS good. Film is a visual medium and the money is certainly up there on screen.
But, visuals or no, the film is a creative failure. IT was, however, an incredible financial success leading to Warner Bros. to bring Schumacher back to direct perhaps one of the worst (if not THE worst) comic book film of all time. But more on that later. It would be another 10 years before Batman fans saw the film they deserved.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
MIRACLE ON 34th STREET
George Seaton
1947 • 96 Minutes • 1.37:1 • United States
Black & White • English • 20th Century Fox
Cast: Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood
Screenplay: George Seaton based on the story by Valentine Davies
Producer: William Perlburg
Cinematography: Lloyd Ahern, Charles G. Clarke
Awards and Honors
Academy Awards
Winner: Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Edmund Gwenn
Winner: Best Writing, Original Story - Valentine Davies
Winner: Best Writing, Screenplay - George Seaton
Nominee: Best Picture - 20th Century Fox
American Film Institute
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Cheers: #9
AFI's Top 10 Fantasy Films: #5
Essential Films
Golden Globes
Winner: Best Screenplay - George Seaton
Winner: Best Supporting Actor - Edmund Gwenn
National Film Preservation Board
Selected for National Film Registry in 2005
• Would you please tell her that you're not really Santa Claus, that actually is no such person?
• Well, I hate to disagree with you, but not only IS there such a person, but here I am to prove it.
One of the most warm-hearted films ever made, Miracle on 34th Street depicts the trial of a Macy's store Santa Claus who truly believes he is THE Santa Claus, but at its heart, it's a film about faith. Not just for the other characters, but for the audience itself. On Thanksgiving morning, the usually affable Kris Kringle is disgusted to find the actor hired to portray Santa Claus in the Macy's parade is falling-down drunk. Not wanting to see the children disappointed, Kringle quickly agrees to Mrs. Walker's (the event organizer) request to take the Santa mantle for the parade. Kris does such an outstanding job that he takes on the job full-time at Macy's. Kris spreads warmth and goodwill during the Christmas shopping season that it reaps many rewards, financial and otherwise, for the department store. Kris insists that he is the real Santa Claus, which is why he's so good at the job. The contemptible Mr. Sawyer, a staff psychologist, disagrees and has Kris committed to a mental institution. What results is a courtroom battle where Fred Gailey, a lawyer that Kris has befriended, attempts to prove that Kris is, unquestionably, the one and only Santa Claus.
The film is cast with many talented actors of the time: Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Porter Hall, William Frawley and Gene Lockhart. However, the most memorable performances clearly belong to Edmund Gwenn and Natalie Wood. Wood plays Susan Walker, the skeptical child who does not believe in fairy tales, myths or Santa. This was her star-making performance that launched Wood's career. Gwenn, despite getting third billing, is the real star of the film. When we are first introduced to Kris Kringle, he is walking the streets of New York on Thanksgiving Day. You don't see him with any reindeer, you don't seem him at the North Pole and the only sleigh he rides in is the one in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Naturally, since he is the hero of the story, there is an implied trust between the protagonist and the viewer. We believe what he presents to us. No matter how ludicrous it may seem. Unlike most movies about Santa Claus, this film has no magic moments. Heck, the most amazing thing Kris does is speak Dutch to a little Dutch orphan. Something certainly anybody with a proper background could do. He brings people together at Christmastime, and slowly convinces every one around him that he is the real deal. Most of this of course is due to the wonderful acting abilities of Edmund Gwenn, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Kris. Gwenn received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Kris Kringle, and it is well-earned. All the audience has to go on is Gwenn's performance... and he delivers in a big way. Gwenn's Santa Claus is perhaps the most memorable Santa in screen history.
Although the film was released in May of 1947, this film has become essential Christmastime viewing. While the plot of a department store Santa Claus certainly lends itself to Christmas viewing, the spirit of the film is what makes this a holiday favorite. One of the moments that leads some to question Kris' sanity is when he starts sending customer's away from Macy's to other stores (including Gimbel's, Macy's biggest competitor) to find the items they need. The show of goodwill and generosity by putting the spirit of Christmas over the commercial not only warms the hearts of the fictional customers, but also the audience. By the end of the film, whether we believe Kris is Santa or not, we want him to win the hearing. Kris Kringle's spirit is an inspiration to any potential Scrooge.
"Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to." That is a line repeated in the movie... and by the end of the film, we as the audience truly believe that Kris IS Santa, despite having no proof. And there in lies the true miracle of the film.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Forced Perspective Ep. 24 – Batman, Part 4.3: “The Nolan Renaissance”
JUST IN TIME for its offical Blu-ray/DVD release, SUPERFRIENDSUNIVERSE.com and FORCED PERSPECTIVE are proud to bring to you…AT LONG LAST…the CONCLUSION of our journey through Batman’s cinematic history with our official review of The Dark Knight Rises. Join SportsGuy515 and Adolfo, along with special guests Big D, Mr. Eddie, Hamza, and Headcase, as they discuss the film, the legacy of the Nolan trilogy, and the trilogy’s place in Batman’s history. ALMOST 3 HOURS of Bat-talk! You’ve waited…and it’s finally arrived! DOWNLOAD/STREAM NOW!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES
John Hughes
1987 • 92 Minutes • 1.85:1 • United States
Color • English • Paramount
Cast: Steve Martin, John Candy
Screenplay: John Hughes
Producer: John Hughes
- Del... Why did you kiss my ear?
- Why are you holding my hand?
- Where's your other hand?
- Between two pillows...
- Those aren't pillows!
When the name John Hughes is mentioned, instant association with high school coming-of-age tales like The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles come to mind. But Hughes was more versatile than keeping himself confined to the restraints of high school dramedy. He was also capable of scripting hilarious, and at times moving, tales of adulthood. This is the case of Planes, Trains and Automobiles... an essential Thanksgiving classic.
Neal Page is a marketing executive that's trying to get home to Chicago in time for Thanksgiving dinner. Unfortunately, fate conspires against him throwing bad weather, cancelled flights and broken down trains in his path. Complicating matters is his unwanted companion on the journey, Del Griffith, an obnoxious, but well-meaning, shower curtain ring salesman that constantly tests Neal's patience.
The pairing of Martin and Candy had not been paired in cinema before this film, and were not paired afterwards. A true crime considering their pitch-perfect comedic chemistry... the world was robbed of a great comedy duo. Planes, Trains and Automobiles should be watched every Thanksgiving. Not just because the film takes place during the holiday, but because it reminds the viewer of everything for which you should be thankful.
Friday, November 9, 2012
50 Years of James Bond: The Movie
In celebration of 50 years of James Bond and the release of Skyfall, this video has been released stitching together all 22 James Bond films into one 2 hour movie using 5 minutes of each movie. It’s more seamless than it sounds and ultra cool. Check it out.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Carrie (2013) Trailer
Click Here to watch the trailer for the Carrie remake starring Julianne Moore and Chloe-Grace Moretz
Sunday, October 7, 2012
100 Essential Horror Films - 2012 Edition
It's that time of year again... Just in time for Halloween, the Essential Films presents the 2012 edition of the 100 Essential Horror Films. If you missed last year's countdown, you can see it here. What changed? Some films moved up in the rankings. Others moved down. Some were moved completely off the list to make way for some new entries. So... read, enjoy, comment, share.
#100
TRICK 'R TREAT
Michael Dougherty
2007
Cast: Anna Paquin, Bryan Cox, Dylan Baker
Screenplay: Michael Dougherty
Genre: Anthology, Monster, Serial Killer, Werewolves, Ghost Story
#99
TUCKER AND DALE VS. EVIL
Eli Craig
2010
Cast: Tyler Labine, Alan Tudyk, Katrina Bowden, Jesse Moss
Screenplay: Eli Craig, Morgan Jurgenson
Genre: Horror Comedy, Serial Killer
#98
ATTACK THE BLOCK
Joe Cornish
2011
Cast: John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Alex Esmail
Screenplay: Joe Cornish
Genre: Aliens, Horror Comedy
#97
TROLLHUNTER
André Øvredal
2010
Cast: Otto Jespersen, Glenn Erland Tosterud, Johanna Mørck
Screenplay: André Øvredal
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Monsters
#96
SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE
E. Elias Merhige
2000
Cast: John Malkovich, Willem DeFoe, Udo Kier, Cary Elwes
Screenplay: Steven Katz
Genre: Vampires
#95
PLANET TERROR
Robert Rodriguez
2007
Cast: Rose McGowan, Freddy Rodriguez, Josh Brolin, Michael Beihn, Bruce Willis
Screenplay: Robert Rodriguez
Genre: Zombies
#94
CLOVERFIELD
Matt Reeves
2008
Cast: Mike Vogel, Jessica Lucas, Lizzy Caplan
Screenplay: Drew Goddard
Genre: Monster Movie, Aliens
#93
FRIDAY THE 13th
Sean S. Cunningham
1980
Cast: Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, Kevin Bacon
Screenplay: Victor Miller
Genre: Slasher
#92
AUDITION
Takashi Miike
1999
Cast: Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina
Writers: Ryû Murakami (novel), Daisuke Tengan (screenplay)
Genre: Thriller
#91
INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE
Neil Jordan
1994
Cast: Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas, Kirsten Dunst
Writer: Anne Rice
Genre: Vampires
#90
TREMORS
Ron Underwood
1990
Cast: Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter
Writers: S.S. Wilson & Brent Maddock
Genre: Monster Movie
#89
THE CHANGELING
Peter Medak
1980
Cast: George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere, Melvyn Douglas
Screenplay: William Gray & Diana Maddox
Genre: Ghost Story, Psychological
#88
CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON
Jack Arnold
1954
Cast: Richard Carlson, Julie Adams, Richard Denning
Screenplay: Harry Essex
Genre: Monster Movie
#87
DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE
John S. Robertson
1920
Cast: John Barrymore, Charles Lane, Brandon Hurst
Screenplay: Clara Beranger based on the book by Robert Louis Stevenson
Genre: Psychological, Dark Fantasy
#86
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sánchez
1999
Cast: Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, Joshua Leonard
Screenplay: Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sánchez
Genre: Occult, Supernatural
#85
JACOB'S LADDER
Adrian Lyne
1990
Cast: Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Pena, Danny Aiello
Screenplay: Bruce Joel Rubin
Genre: Psychological Horror
#84
GREMLINS
Joe Dante
1984
Stars: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton
Screenplay: Chris Columbus
Genre: Comedy Horror, Creature Feature, Dark Fantasy
#83
THE LAST MAN ON EARTH
Ubaldo Ragona
1964
Cast: Vincent Price
Screenplay: Furio M. Monetti, Ubaldo Ragona
Genre: Zombies, Vampires, Sci-Fi Horror
#82
CARNIVAL OF SOULS
Herk Harvey
1962
Cast: Candace Hilligoss, Frances Feist, Sidney Berger
Screenplay: John Clifford
Genre: Supernatural, Zombies
#81
NEAR DARK
Kathryn Bigelow
1987
Cast: Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton
Screenplay: Kathryn Bigelow, Eric Red
Genre: Vampires
#80
THE LOST BOYS
Joel Schumacher
1987
Cast: Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Keifer Sutherland
Screenplay: Janice Fischer, James Jeremias, Jeffrey Boam
Genre: Vampires
Now you know what we are, now you know what you are. You'll never grow old, Michael, and you'll never die. But you must feed!
#79
SCREAM
Wes Craven
1996
Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette
Screenplay: Kevin Williamson
Genre: Slasher
#78
THE HAUNTING
Robert Wise
1963
Cast: Julie Harris, Claire Bloom and Richard Johnson
Screenplay: Nelson Gidding based on the novel by Shirley Jackson
Genre: Haunted House
#77
THE MUMMY
Karl Freund
1932
Cast: Boris Karloff, Zita Johann, David Manners
Screenplay: John L. Balderston
Genre: Monster Movie
#76
DRAG ME TO HELL
Sam Raimi
2009
Cast: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Ruth Livier
Screenplay: Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi
Genre: Occult, Supernatural
I desire the SOUL of Christine Brown. We will FEAST upon it while she festers in the grave!
#75
CANDYMAN
Bernard Rose
1992
Cast: Virginia Madsen, Xander Berkeley, Tony Todd
Screenplay: Bernard Rose
Genre: Supernatural
#74
HORROR OF DRACULA
Terence Fisher
1958
Cast: Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Michael Gough
Screenplay: Jimmy Sangster based on the work of Bram Stoker
Genre: Vampires
It only remains for me not to await the daylight hours where i will with God's help forever end this man's reign of terror.
#73
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS
Byron Haskin
1953
Cast: Gene Barry, Ann Robinson and Les Tremayne
Screenplay: Barré Lyndon based on the novel by HG Wells
Genre: Alien Invasion, Monsters
#72
THEY LIVE
John Carpenter
1988
Cast: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster
Screenplay: John Carpenter
Genre: Action Horror, Sci-Fi Horror
#71
THE OTHERS
2001
Alejandro Amenábar
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Christopher Eccleston, Fionnula Flanagan
Screenplay: Alejandro Amenábar
Genre: Ghost Story, Haunted House
HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL
William Castle
1959
Cast: Vincent Price, Carol Ohmart, Richard Long
Screenplay: Robb White
Genre: Ghost Story, Haunted House
#69
SON OF FRANKENSTEIN
Rowland V. Lee
1939
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi
Screenplay: Wyllis Cooper
Genre: Monster Movie
#68
FRIGHT NIGHT
1985
Tom Holland
Cast: Chris Sarandon, Roddy McDowell, William Ragsdale
Screenplay: Tom Holland
Genre: Vampires, Comedy Horror
#67
PREDATOR
John McTiernan
1987
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Kevin Peter Hall, Jesse Ventura
Screenplay: Jim Thomas, John Thomas
Genre: Action Horror, Sci-Fi Horror
#66
CAT PEOPLE
Jacques Tourneur
1942
Cast: Simone Simon, Tom Conway and Kent Smith
Screenplay: Dewitt Bodeen
Genre: Supernatural
#65
AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON
John Landis
1981
Cast: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne
Screenplay: John Landis
Genre: Werewolf, Ghost Story, Horror Comedy
#64
AMERICAN PSYCHO
Mary Harron
2000
Cast: Christian Bale, Chloe Sevigny, Reese Witherspoon, Jared Leto, Willem DeFoe
Screenplay: Mary Harron & Guinevere Turner based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis
Genre: Psychological, Slasher
#63
RINGU
Hideo Nakata
1998
Cast: Nanako Matsushima, Miki Nakatani and Yûko Takeuchi
Writers: Hiroshi Takahashi (screenplay), Kôji Suzuki (novel)
Genre: Mystery, Ghost Story, Supernatural
#62
THE WICKER MAN
Robin Hardy
1973
Cast: Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento
Screenplay: Anthony Shaffer
Genre: Thriller, Psychological
#61
DEAD ALIVE
Stephen Sinclair
1992
Cast: Timothy Balme, Diana Peñalver and Elizabeth Moody
Screenplay: Stephen Sinclair, Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson
Genre: Zombie, Comedy Horror
#60
THE OMEN
Richard Donner
1976
Cast: Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, Harvey Stephens
Screenplay: David Seltzer
Genre: Occult
#59
POLTERGEIST
Tobe Hooper
1982
Cast: JoBeth Williams, Heather O'Rourke, Craig T. Nelson
Screenplay: Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, Mark Victor
Genre: Haunted House, Supernatural
#58
DON'T LOOK NOW
Nicolas Roeg
1973
Cast: Julie Christie, Donald Sutherland and Hilary Mason
Writers: Daphne Du Maurier (story), Allan Scott (screenplay)
Genre: Supernatural
#57
THEM!
Gordon Douglas
1954
Cast: James Whitmore, Edmund Gwenn and Joan Weldon
Writers: Ted Sherdeman (screenplay), Russell S. Hughes (adaptation)
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror
#56
CARRIE
Brian DePalma
1976
Cast: Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving
Screenplay: Lawrence D. Cohen
Genre: Supernatural
#55
[REC]
Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza
2007
Cast: Manuela Velasco, Ferran Terraza and Jorge-Yamam Serrano
Screenplay: Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza
Genre: Zombies
#54
THE WOLF MAN
George Waggner
1941
Cast: Claude Rains, Warren William, Lon Chaney Jr.
Screenplay: Curt Siodmak
Genre: Monster Movie, Werewolf
#53
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Rupert Julian
1925
Cast: Lon Chaney, Mary Philbin, Norman Kerry
Based on the Novel by: Gaston Leroux
Genre: Supernatural
#52
ARMY OF DARKNESS
Sam Raimi
1992
Cast: Bruce Campbell, Embetz Davis, Marcus Gilbert
Screenplay: Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi
Genre: Zombies, Comedy Horror
#51
THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN
Terence Fischer
1957
Cast: Peter Cushing, Hazel Court, Robert Urquhart, Christopher Lee
Screenplay: Jimmy Sangster based on the work of Mary Shelley
Genre: Monster Movie
#50
THE CABIN IN THE WOODS
Drew Goddard
2012
Cast: Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth and Anna Hutchison
Screenplay: Drew Goddard, Joss Whedon
Genre: Zombies, Supernatural, Sci-fi, Monsters
#49
28 DAYS LATER
Danny Boyle
2002
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston
Screenplay: Alex Garland
Genre: Zombies
#48
SUSPIRIA
Dario Argento
1977
Cast: Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, Flavio Bucci
Screenplay: Dario Argento, Daria Nicolodi based on the book by Thomas De Quincey
Genre: Supernatural, Occult
#47
ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN
Charles Barton
1948
Cast: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Lon Cheney Jr., Bela Lugosi, Glenn Strange
Screenplay: Robert Lees, Frederic I. Rinaldo, John Grant
Genre: Horror Comedy, Monsters, Werewolf, Vampires
#46
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET
Tim Burton
2007
Cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman
Screenplay: John Logan
Genre: Slasher, Revenge
#45
DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE
Rouben Mamoulian
1931
Stars: Fredric March, Miriam Hopkins, Rose Hobart
Writers: Samuel Hoffenstein (screenplay), Percy Heath (screenplay), Robert Louis Stevenson (novel)
Genre: Psychological, Sci-Fi Horror, Dark Fantasy
#44
BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA
Francis Ford Coppola
1992
Cast: Gary Oldman, Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins
Screenplay: James V. Hart based on the novel by Bram Stoker
Genre: Vampires
#43
VIDEODROME
David Cronenberg
1983
Cast: James Woods, Deborah Harry, Sonja Smits
Screenplay: David Cronenberg
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror
#42
THE BIRDS
Alfred Hitchcock
1963
Cast: Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren and Suzanne Pleshette
Screenplay: Evan Hunter
Genre: Thriller
#41
GODZILLA
Ishirô Honda
1954
Cast: Takashi Shimura, Akihiko Hirata and Akira Takarada
Screenplay: Ishirô Honda, Shigeru Kayama
Genre: Monster Movie, Sci-Fi Horror
I can't believe that Godzilla was the only surviving member of its species... But if we continue conducting nuclear tests... it's possible that another Godzilla might appear somewhere in the world again.
#40
DAWN OF THE DEAD
George Romero
1978
Cast: David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger
Screenplay: George A. Romero
Genre: Zombies
#39
PEEPING TOM
Michael Powell
1960
Cast: Carl Boehm, Anna Masse, Moira Shearer
Screenplay: Leo Marks
Genre: Thriller, Serial Killer
#38
THE INNOCENTS
Jack Clayton
1961
Cast: Deborah Kerr, Peter Wyngarde, Megs Jenkins
Screenplay: William Archibald, Truman Capote
Genre: Haunted House, Ghost Story
#37
THE THING
John Carpenter
1982
Cast: Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David
Screenplay: Bill Lancaster
Genre: Sci-Fi, Creature Feature, Aliens
#36
DRACULA
Tod Browning
1931
Cast: Bela Lugosi, David Manners, Helen Chandler, Dwight Frye
Screenplay: Garrett Fort based on the book by Bram Stoker
Genre: Vampires
#35
THE INVISIBLE MAN
James Whale
1933
Cast: Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, William Harrigan
Screenplay: R.C. Sherriff based on the work of HG Wells
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror
#34
ZOMBIELAND
Ruben Fleischer
2009
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson
Screenplay: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick
Genre: Zombies, Horror Comedy
#33
FREAKS
Tod Browning
1932
Cast: Wallace Ford, Leila Hyams, Olga Baclanova, Rosco Ates, Henry Victor
Screenplay: Clarence Aaron Robbins
Genre: Psyhological
#32
THE EVIL DEAD
Sam Raimi
1981
Cast: Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor
Screenplay: Sam Raimi
Genre: Zombies, Supernatural
#31
BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN
James Whale
1935
Cast: Boris Karloff, Elsa Lancaster, Colin Clive
Screenplay: William Hurlbut
Genre: Monster Movie
#30
NOSFERATU
F.W. Murnau
1922
Screenplay: Henrik Galeen loosely based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Cast: Max Schreck, Gustav von Wangenheim, Greta Schröder, Alexander Granach, Georg H. Schnell
Genre: Vampires
#29
MISERY
Rob Reiner
1990
Cast: James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth
Screenplay: William Goldman based on the novel by Stephen King
Genre: Thriller
#28
DEEP RED
Dario Argento
1975
Cast: David Hemmings, Daria Nicolodi, Gabriele Lavia, Macha Meril, Eros Pagni
Screenplay: Dario Argento, Bernardino Zapponi
Genre: Serial Killer
#27
REPULSION
Roman Polanski
1965
Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry and John Fraser
Screenplay: Roman Polanski Gérard Brach
Genre: Psychological
#26
EYES WITHOUT A FACE
Georges Franju
1960
Cast: Pierre Brasseur, Alida Valli and Juliette Mayniel
Screenplay: Pierre Boileau, Thomas Narcejac, Jean Redon, Claude Sautet
Genre: Thriller, Psychological
#24
INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS
Don Siegel
1956
Cast: Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates
Screenplay: Daniel Mainwaring
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror
#23
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
Tomas Alfredson
2008
Cast: Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar
Screenplay: John Ajvide Lindqvist
Genre: Vampires
#22
EVIL DEAD II
Sam Raimi
1987
Cast: Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks
Screenplay: Sam Raimi, Scott Spiegel
Genre: Zombies, Comedy Horror
#21
SHAUN OF THE DEAD
Edgar Wright
2004
Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield
Screenplay: Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright
Genre: Zombies, Comedy Horror
#20
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE
Tobe Hooper
1974
Cast: Marilyn Burns, Edwin Neal, Allen Danziger
Screenplay: Kim Henkel, Tobe Hooper
Genre: Slasher
#19
HALLOWEEN
John Carpenter
1978
Cast: Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Moran
Screenplay: John Carpenter, Debra Hill
Genre: Slasher
#18
THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI
Robert Wiene
1920
Cast: Werner Krauss, Conrad Veidt, Friedrich Feher
Screenplay: Hans Janowitz, Carl Mayer
Genre: Psychological Horror
#17
ROSEMARY'S BABY
Roman Polanski
1968
Cast: Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon
Screenplay: Roman Polanski
Genre: Occult, Supernatural
#16
LES DIABOLIQUES
Henri-Georges Clouzot
1955
Cast: Simone Signoret, Véra Clouzot, Paul Meurisse
Screenplay: Pierre Boileau, Thomas Narcejac, Henri-Georges Clouzot, Jérôme Géronimi
Genre: Ghost Story, Psychological Horror
#15
GHOSTBUSTERS
Ivan Reitman
1984
Cast: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rik Moranis, Annie Potts, Ernie Hudson, William Atherton
Screenplay: Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis
Genre: Comedy Horror, Supernatural, Ghost Story
#14
FRANKENSTEIN
James Whale
1931
Cast: Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, Boris Karloff
Screenplay: Garrett Fort, Francis Edward Faragoh
Genre: Monster Movie
#13
THE SIXTH SENSE
M. Night Shyamalan
1999
Cast: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette
Screenplay: M. Night Shyamalan
Genre: Ghost Story
#12
PAN'S LABYRINTH
Guillermo del Toro
2006
Cast: Ivana Baquero, Ariadna Gil, Sergi López
Screenplay: Guillermo del Toro
Genre: Dark Fantasy
#11
ALIENS
James Cameron
1986
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn
Screenplay: James Cameron, David Giler
Genre: Action Horror, Sci-Fi Horror
#10
SE7EN
David Fincher
1995
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Gwenyth Platrow
Screenplay: Andrew Kevin Walker
Genre: Serial Killer, Thriller
#9
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
Wes Craven
1984
Cast: Heather Langenkamp, Johnny Depp, Robert Englund
Screenplay: Wes Craven
Genre: Slasher, Supernatural
#8
KING KONG
Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack
1933
Cast: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong and Bruce Cabot
Screenplay: James Ashmore Creelman, Ruth Rose
Genre: Monster Movie, Fantasy
#7
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD
George Romero
1968
Cast: Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea and Karl Hardman
Screenplay: John A. Russo, George A. Romero
Genre: Zombies
#6
ALIEN
Ridley Scott
1979
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Ian Holm
Screenplay: Dan O'Bannon
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror, Monster Movie
#4
PSYCHO
Alfred Hitchcock
1960
Cast: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Janet Leigh, Martin Balsam
Screenplay: Joseph Stefano
Genre: Slasher, Serial Killer
Well, if the woman up there is Mrs. Bates... who's that woman buried out in Greenlawn Cemetery?
#3
JAWS
Steven Spielberg
1975
Cast: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss
Screenplay: Peter Benchley, Carl Gottlieb
Genre: Monster Movie
#2
THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
Jonathan Demme
1991
Cast: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine
Screenplay: Ted Tally
Genre: Serial Killer, Thriller
#1
THE EXORCIST
William Friedkin
1973
Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair
Screenplay: William Peter Blatty
Genre: Supernatural, Occult
TRICK 'R TREAT
Michael Dougherty
2007
Cast: Anna Paquin, Bryan Cox, Dylan Baker
Screenplay: Michael Dougherty
Genre: Anthology, Monster, Serial Killer, Werewolves, Ghost Story
All Hallows' Eve, also known as Halloween. Pre-dating Christianity, the Celtic holiday was celebrated on the one night between autumn and winter when the barrier between the living and the dead was thinnest, and often involved rituals that included human sacrifice.
TUCKER AND DALE VS. EVIL
Eli Craig
2010
Cast: Tyler Labine, Alan Tudyk, Katrina Bowden, Jesse Moss
Screenplay: Eli Craig, Morgan Jurgenson
Genre: Horror Comedy, Serial Killer
Oh hidy ho officer, we've had a doozy of a day. There we were minding our own business, just doing chores around the house, when kids started killing themselves all over my property.
ATTACK THE BLOCK
Joe Cornish
2011
Cast: John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Alex Esmail
Screenplay: Joe Cornish
Genre: Aliens, Horror Comedy
- We should call the police.- You'd be better off calling the Ghostbusters, love.
TROLLHUNTER
André Øvredal
2010
Cast: Otto Jespersen, Glenn Erland Tosterud, Johanna Mørck
Screenplay: André Øvredal
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Monsters
- In a sense, you're a true Norwegian hero. - No, you're wrong about that. There's nothing heroic about what I do. It's dirty work.
SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE
E. Elias Merhige
2000
Cast: John Malkovich, Willem DeFoe, Udo Kier, Cary Elwes
Screenplay: Steven Katz
Genre: Vampires
- I will not allow you to destroy my picture! - This is hardly your picture any longer.
PLANET TERROR
Robert Rodriguez
2007
Cast: Rose McGowan, Freddy Rodriguez, Josh Brolin, Michael Beihn, Bruce Willis
Screenplay: Robert Rodriguez
Genre: Zombies
It's beautiful. She's beautiful. I wish you could see us, us two. It's like you said it would be. Two against the world, baby. Two against the world.
CLOVERFIELD
Matt Reeves
2008
Cast: Mike Vogel, Jessica Lucas, Lizzy Caplan
Screenplay: Drew Goddard
Genre: Monster Movie, Aliens
- Okay, just to be clear here, our options are: die here, die in the tunnels, or die in the streets. That pretty much it?
- Yeah... that's pretty much it.
FRIDAY THE 13th
Sean S. Cunningham
1980
Cast: Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, Kevin Bacon
Screenplay: Victor Miller
Genre: Slasher
Did you know a young boy drowned the year before those two others were killed? The counselors weren't paying any attention... They were making love while that young boy drowned. His name was Jason. [...] Jason should've been watched. Every minute. He was - he wasn't a very good swimmer.
AUDITION
Takashi Miike
1999
Cast: Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina
Writers: Ryû Murakami (novel), Daisuke Tengan (screenplay)
Genre: Thriller
Kiri kiri kiri kiri kiri kiri!
INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE
Neil Jordan
1994
Cast: Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas, Kirsten Dunst
Writer: Anne Rice
Genre: Vampires
Evil is a point of view. God kills indiscriminately and so shall we. For no creatures under God are as we are, none so like him as ourselves.
TREMORS
Ron Underwood
1990
Cast: Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter
Writers: S.S. Wilson & Brent Maddock
Genre: Monster Movie
- They're mutations caused by radiation. No, wait; the government made 'em. *Big* surprise for the Russians.
- Well, there's nothing like them in the fossil record... Okay, so they predate the fossil record. That'd make them a couple of billion years old... and we've just never seen one until now. Right.
- I vote for outer space. No way these are local boys.
THE CHANGELING
Peter Medak
1980
Cast: George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere, Melvyn Douglas
Screenplay: William Gray & Diana Maddox
Genre: Ghost Story, Psychological
That house is not fit to live in. No one's been able to live in it. It doesn't want people.
CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON
Jack Arnold
1954
Cast: Richard Carlson, Julie Adams, Richard Denning
Screenplay: Harry Essex
Genre: Monster Movie
I can tell you something about this place. The boys around here call it "The Black Lagoon"; a paradise. Only they say nobody has ever come back to prove it.
DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE
John S. Robertson
1920
Cast: John Barrymore, Charles Lane, Brandon Hurst
Screenplay: Clara Beranger based on the book by Robert Louis Stevenson
Genre: Psychological, Dark Fantasy
A man cannot destroy the savage in him by denying its impulses. They only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sánchez
1999
Cast: Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, Joshua Leonard
Screenplay: Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sánchez
Genre: Occult, Supernatural
I just want to apologize to Mike's mom, Josh's mom, and my mom. And I'm sorry to everyone. I was very naive. I am so so sorry for everything that has happened. Because in spite of what Mike says now, it is my fault. Because it was my project and I insisted. I insisted on everything. I insisted that we weren't lost. I insisted that we keep going. I insisted that we walk south. Everything had to be my way. And this is where we've ended up and it's all because of me that we're here now - hungry, cold, and hunted. I love you mom, dad. I am so sorry. What is that? I'm scared to close my eyes, I'm scared to open them! We're gonna die out here!
JACOB'S LADDER
Adrian Lyne
1990
Cast: Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Pena, Danny Aiello
Screenplay: Bruce Joel Rubin
Genre: Psychological Horror
- This isn't happening. - What is happening? - Get me out of here. - There is no out of here. You've been killed, don't you remember?
GREMLINS
Joe Dante
1984
Stars: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton
Screenplay: Chris Columbus
Genre: Comedy Horror, Creature Feature, Dark Fantasy
First of all, keep him out of the light, he hates bright light, especially sunlight, it'll kill him. Second, don't give him any water, not even to drink. But the most important rule, the rule you can never forget, no matter how much he cries, no matter how much he begs, never feed him after midnight.
THE LAST MAN ON EARTH
Ubaldo Ragona
1964
Cast: Vincent Price
Screenplay: Furio M. Monetti, Ubaldo Ragona
Genre: Zombies, Vampires, Sci-Fi Horror
Another day to live through. Better get started.
CARNIVAL OF SOULS
Herk Harvey
1962
Cast: Candace Hilligoss, Frances Feist, Sidney Berger
Screenplay: John Clifford
Genre: Supernatural, Zombies
I don't belong in the world...
#81
NEAR DARK
Kathryn Bigelow
1987
Cast: Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton
Screenplay: Kathryn Bigelow, Eric Red
Genre: Vampires
- How old are you? - Let's put it this way: I fought for the South. - South? - We lost.
THE LOST BOYS
Joel Schumacher
1987
Cast: Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Keifer Sutherland
Screenplay: Janice Fischer, James Jeremias, Jeffrey Boam
Genre: Vampires
Now you know what we are, now you know what you are. You'll never grow old, Michael, and you'll never die. But you must feed!
SCREAM
Wes Craven
1996
Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette
Screenplay: Kevin Williamson
Genre: Slasher
- Who's there? - Never say "who's there?" Don't you watch scary movies? It's a death wish. You might as well come out to investigate a strange noise or something.
THE HAUNTING
Robert Wise
1963
Cast: Julie Harris, Claire Bloom and Richard Johnson
Screenplay: Nelson Gidding based on the novel by Shirley Jackson
Genre: Haunted House
It was an evil house from the beginning - a house that was born bad.
THE MUMMY
Karl Freund
1932
Cast: Boris Karloff, Zita Johann, David Manners
Screenplay: John L. Balderston
Genre: Monster Movie
"Death... eternal punishment... for... anyone... who... opens... this... casket. In the name... of Amon-Ra... the king of the gods." Good heavens, what a terrible curse!
DRAG ME TO HELL
Sam Raimi
2009
Cast: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Ruth Livier
Screenplay: Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi
Genre: Occult, Supernatural
I desire the SOUL of Christine Brown. We will FEAST upon it while she festers in the grave!
CANDYMAN
Bernard Rose
1992
Cast: Virginia Madsen, Xander Berkeley, Tony Todd
Screenplay: Bernard Rose
Genre: Supernatural
They will say that I have shed innocent blood. What's blood for, if not for shedding?
HORROR OF DRACULA
Terence Fisher
1958
Cast: Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Michael Gough
Screenplay: Jimmy Sangster based on the work of Bram Stoker
Genre: Vampires
It only remains for me not to await the daylight hours where i will with God's help forever end this man's reign of terror.
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS
Byron Haskin
1953
Cast: Gene Barry, Ann Robinson and Les Tremayne
Screenplay: Barré Lyndon based on the novel by HG Wells
Genre: Alien Invasion, Monsters
The way he's hedging, maybe the Army didn't hold 'em. I've seen news off the Pacific cables: Sydney Australia, Penan, Rangoon, India. From what's coming through, nobody's stopped 'em yet.
THEY LIVE
John Carpenter
1988
Cast: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster
Screenplay: John Carpenter
Genre: Action Horror, Sci-Fi Horror
Outside the limit of our sight, feeding off us, perched on top of us, from birth to death, are our owners! Our owners! They have us. They control us! They are our masters! Wake up! They're all about you! All around you!
THE OTHERS
2001
Alejandro Amenábar
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Christopher Eccleston, Fionnula Flanagan
Screenplay: Alejandro Amenábar
Genre: Ghost Story, Haunted House
Death of a loved one can lead people to do the strangest things.#70
HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL
William Castle
1959
Cast: Vincent Price, Carol Ohmart, Richard Long
Screenplay: Robb White
Genre: Ghost Story, Haunted House
Once, the door is locked, there is no way out. The windows have bars the jail would be proud of and the only door to the outside locks like a vault.
SON OF FRANKENSTEIN
Rowland V. Lee
1939
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi
Screenplay: Wyllis Cooper
Genre: Monster Movie
It appears that my father thought that he could extract from lightning some super-violet ray of life-giving properties.
FRIGHT NIGHT
1985
Tom Holland
Cast: Chris Sarandon, Roddy McDowell, William Ragsdale
Screenplay: Tom Holland
Genre: Vampires, Comedy Horror
I have just been fired because nobody wants to see vampire killers anymore, or vampires either. Apparently all they want to see are demented madmen running around in ski-masks, hacking up young virgins.
PREDATOR
John McTiernan
1987
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Kevin Peter Hall, Jesse Ventura
Screenplay: Jim Thomas, John Thomas
Genre: Action Horror, Sci-Fi Horror
You're one... *ugly* motherfucker!
CAT PEOPLE
Jacques Tourneur
1942
Cast: Simone Simon, Tom Conway and Kent Smith
Screenplay: Dewitt Bodeen
Genre: Supernatural
You can fool everybody, but laudie dearie me, you can't fool a cat. They seem to know who's not right.
AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON
John Landis
1981
Cast: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne
Screenplay: John Landis
Genre: Werewolf, Ghost Story, Horror Comedy
Whereas I am a victim of your carnivorous lunar activities.
AMERICAN PSYCHO
Mary Harron
2000
Cast: Christian Bale, Chloe Sevigny, Reese Witherspoon, Jared Leto, Willem DeFoe
Screenplay: Mary Harron & Guinevere Turner based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis
Genre: Psychological, Slasher
Harold, it's Bateman, Patrick Bateman. You're my lawyer so I think you should know: I've killed a lot of people. Some girls in the apartment uptown uh, some homeless people maybe 5 or 10 um an NYU girl I met in Central Park. I left her in a parking lot behind some donut shop. I killed Bethany, my old girlfriend, with a nail gun, and some man uh some old faggot with a dog last week. I killed another girl with a chainsaw, I had to, she almost got away and uh someone else there I can't remember maybe a model, but she's dead too. And Paul Allen. I killed Paul Allen with an axe in the face, his body is dissolving in a bathtub in Hell's Kitchen. I don't want to leave anything out here. I guess I've killed maybe 20 people, maybe 40. I have tapes of a lot of it, uh some of the girls have seen the tapes. I even, um... I ate some of their brains, and I tried to cook a little. Tonight I, uh, I just had to kill a LOT of people.
RINGU
Hideo Nakata
1998
Cast: Nanako Matsushima, Miki Nakatani and Yûko Takeuchi
Writers: Hiroshi Takahashi (screenplay), Kôji Suzuki (novel)
Genre: Mystery, Ghost Story, Supernatural
- So that video is... - It's not of this world. It's Sadako's fury. And she's put a curse on us.
THE WICKER MAN
Robin Hardy
1973
Cast: Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento
Screenplay: Anthony Shaffer
Genre: Thriller, Psychological
Animals are fine, but their acceptability is limited. A little child is even better, but not NEARLY as effective as the right kind of adult.
DEAD ALIVE
Stephen Sinclair
1992
Cast: Timothy Balme, Diana Peñalver and Elizabeth Moody
Screenplay: Stephen Sinclair, Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson
Genre: Zombie, Comedy Horror
Story goes, these great big rats come scuttling off the slave ships and raped all the little tree monkeys. The natives use them in black magic rituals. Don't ask me how, probably suck the blood of virgins, eh, eh?
THE OMEN
Richard Donner
1976
Cast: Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, Harvey Stephens
Screenplay: David Seltzer
Genre: Occult
When the Jews return to Zion / And a comet rips the sky / And the Holy Roman Empire rises, / Then You and I must die. / From the eternal sea he rises, / Creating armies on either shore, / Turning man against his brother / 'Til man exists no more.
POLTERGEIST
Tobe Hooper
1982
Cast: JoBeth Williams, Heather O'Rourke, Craig T. Nelson
Screenplay: Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, Mark Victor
Genre: Haunted House, Supernatural
It lies to her. It tells her things only a child can understand. It has been using her to restrain the others. To her, it simply is another child. To us, it is The Beast.
DON'T LOOK NOW
Nicolas Roeg
1973
Cast: Julie Christie, Donald Sutherland and Hilary Mason
Writers: Daphne Du Maurier (story), Allan Scott (screenplay)
Genre: Supernatural
Christine is dead. She is dead! Dead! Dead! Dead! Dead! Dead!
THEM!
Gordon Douglas
1954
Cast: James Whitmore, Edmund Gwenn and Joan Weldon
Writers: Ted Sherdeman (screenplay), Russell S. Hughes (adaptation)
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror
We may be witnesses to a Biblical prophecy come true - 'And there shall be destruction and darkness come upon creation, and the beasts shall reign over the earth.'
CARRIE
Brian DePalma
1976
Cast: Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving
Screenplay: Lawrence D. Cohen
Genre: Supernatural
- Witch. Got Satan's Power.
- It has nothing to do with Satan, Mama. It's me. Me. If I concentrate hard enough, I can move things.
[REC]
Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza
2007
Cast: Manuela Velasco, Ferran Terraza and Jorge-Yamam Serrano
Screenplay: Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza
Genre: Zombies
There's something more to this place. Our cells don't work. Neither does the T.V. or radio. We're isolated.
#54THE WOLF MAN
George Waggner
1941
Cast: Claude Rains, Warren William, Lon Chaney Jr.
Screenplay: Curt Siodmak
Genre: Monster Movie, Werewolf
Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Rupert Julian
1925
Cast: Lon Chaney, Mary Philbin, Norman Kerry
Based on the Novel by: Gaston Leroux
Genre: Supernatural
Feast your eyes! Glut your soul on my accursed ugliness!
ARMY OF DARKNESS
Sam Raimi
1992
Cast: Bruce Campbell, Embetz Davis, Marcus Gilbert
Screenplay: Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi
Genre: Zombies, Comedy Horror
- When you removed the book from the cradle, did you speak the words? - Yeah, basically. - Did you speak the exact words? - Look, maybe I didn't say every single little tiny syllable, no. But basically I said them, yeah.
THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN
Terence Fischer
1957
Cast: Peter Cushing, Hazel Court, Robert Urquhart, Christopher Lee
Screenplay: Jimmy Sangster based on the work of Mary Shelley
Genre: Monster Movie
Let's let our friend here rest in peace... while he can.
THE CABIN IN THE WOODS
Drew Goddard
2012
Cast: Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth and Anna Hutchison
Screenplay: Drew Goddard, Joss Whedon
Genre: Zombies, Supernatural, Sci-fi, Monsters
Yes, you had "Zombies." But this is "Zombie Redneck Torture Family." Entirely separate thing. It's like the difference between an elephant and an elephant seal.
28 DAYS LATER
Danny Boyle
2002
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston
Screenplay: Alex Garland
Genre: Zombies
This is what I've seen in the four weeks since infection. People killing people. Which is much what I saw in the four weeks before infection, and the four weeks before that, and before that, and as far back as I care to remember. People killing people. Which to my mind, puts us in a state of normality right now.
SUSPIRIA
Dario Argento
1977
Cast: Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, Flavio Bucci
Screenplay: Dario Argento, Daria Nicolodi based on the book by Thomas De Quincey
Genre: Supernatural, Occult
You wanted to kill me! You wanted to kill me! What are you gonna do now, huh? Now death is coming for you! You wanted to kill Helena Markos! Hell is behind that door! You're going to meet death now... the LIVING DEAD!
ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN
Charles Barton
1948
Cast: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Lon Cheney Jr., Bela Lugosi, Glenn Strange
Screenplay: Robert Lees, Frederic I. Rinaldo, John Grant
Genre: Horror Comedy, Monsters, Werewolf, Vampires
- Last night I went through another one of my horrible experiences. Many years ago I was bitten by a werewolf. Now, whenever the full moon rises I turn into a wolf myself. - Oh pal. That's all right; I'm sort of a wolf myself.
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET
Tim Burton
2007
Cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman
Screenplay: John Logan
Genre: Slasher, Revenge
Alright! You, sir? How about a shave? Come and visit your good friend Sweeney! You sir! Too, sir. Welcome to the grave... I will have vengeance. I will have salvation... Who, sir? You sir!No one's in the chair. Come on, come on! Sweeney's waiting. I want you bleeders. You sir? Anybody? Gentlemen, now don't be shy. Not one man... No, nor ten men... Nor a hundred can assuage me. I will have you! And I will get him back even as he gloats; In the meantime I'll practice on less honorable throats... And my Lucy lies in ashes, and I'll never see my girl again. But the work waits! I'm alive at last, and I'm full of joy!
DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE
Rouben Mamoulian
1931
Stars: Fredric March, Miriam Hopkins, Rose Hobart
Writers: Samuel Hoffenstein (screenplay), Percy Heath (screenplay), Robert Louis Stevenson (novel)
Genre: Psychological, Sci-Fi Horror, Dark Fantasy
Gentlemen like me have to be very careful of what we do or say.
BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA
Francis Ford Coppola
1992
Cast: Gary Oldman, Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins
Screenplay: James V. Hart based on the novel by Bram Stoker
Genre: Vampires
I am the monster that breathing men would kill. I am Dracula.
VIDEODROME
David Cronenberg
1983
Cast: James Woods, Deborah Harry, Sonja Smits
Screenplay: David Cronenberg
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror
The battle for the mind of North America will be fought in the video arena: the Videodrome. The television screen is the retina of the mind's eye. Therefore, the television screen is part of the physical structure of the brain. Therefore, whatever appears on the television screen emerges as raw experience for those who watch it. Therefore, television is reality, and reality is less than television.
THE BIRDS
Alfred Hitchcock
1963
Cast: Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren and Suzanne Pleshette
Screenplay: Evan Hunter
Genre: Thriller
I have never known birds of different species to flock together. The very concept is unimaginable. Why, if that happened, we wouldn't stand a chance! How could we possibly hope to fight them?
GODZILLA
Ishirô Honda
1954
Cast: Takashi Shimura, Akihiko Hirata and Akira Takarada
Screenplay: Ishirô Honda, Shigeru Kayama
Genre: Monster Movie, Sci-Fi Horror
I can't believe that Godzilla was the only surviving member of its species... But if we continue conducting nuclear tests... it's possible that another Godzilla might appear somewhere in the world again.
DAWN OF THE DEAD
George Romero
1978
Cast: David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger
Screenplay: George A. Romero
Genre: Zombies
• What are they doing? Why do they come here?• Some kind of instinct. Memory of what they used to do. This was an important place in their lives.
PEEPING TOM
Michael Powell
1960
Cast: Carl Boehm, Anna Masse, Moira Shearer
Screenplay: Leo Marks
Genre: Thriller, Serial Killer
• What would frighten me to death? Set the mood for me, Mark. • Imagine... someone coming towards you... who wants to kill you... regardless of the consequences. • A madman? • Yes. But he knows it - and you don't.
THE INNOCENTS
Jack Clayton
1961
Cast: Deborah Kerr, Peter Wyngarde, Megs Jenkins
Screenplay: William Archibald, Truman Capote
Genre: Haunted House, Ghost Story
But above anything else, I love the children.
THE THING
John Carpenter
1982
Cast: Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David
Screenplay: Bill Lancaster
Genre: Sci-Fi, Creature Feature, Aliens
I know I'm human. And if you were all these things, then you'd just attack me right now, so some of you are still human. This thing doesn't want to show itself, it wants to hide inside an imitation. It'll fight if it has to, but it's vulnerable out in the open. If it takes us over, then it has no more enemies, nobody left to kill it. And then it's won.
DRACULA
Tod Browning
1931
Cast: Bela Lugosi, David Manners, Helen Chandler, Dwight Frye
Screenplay: Garrett Fort based on the book by Bram Stoker
Genre: Vampires
The spider spinning his web for the unwary fly... The blood is the life, Mr. Renfield.
THE INVISIBLE MAN
James Whale
1933
Cast: Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, William Harrigan
Screenplay: R.C. Sherriff based on the work of HG Wells
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror
All right, you fools. You've brought it on yourselves! Everything would have come right if you'd only left me alone. You've driven me near madness with your peering through the keyholes and gaping through the curtains. And now you'll suffer for it! You're crazy to know who I am, aren't you? All right! I'll show you! Here's one for you, and one for you. I'll show you who I am and what I am.
ZOMBIELAND
Ruben Fleischer
2009
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson
Screenplay: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick
Genre: Zombies, Horror Comedy
The first rule of Zombieland: Cardio. When the zombie outbreak first hit, the first to go, for obvious reasons... were the fatties.
FREAKS
Tod Browning
1932
Cast: Wallace Ford, Leila Hyams, Olga Baclanova, Rosco Ates, Henry Victor
Screenplay: Clarence Aaron Robbins
Genre: Psyhological
They're going to make you one of them, my peacock!
THE EVIL DEAD
Sam Raimi
1981
Cast: Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor
Screenplay: Sam Raimi
Genre: Zombies, Supernatural
I know now that my wife has become host to a Kandarian demon. I fear that the only way to stop those possessed by the spirits of the book is through the act of... bodily dismemberment.
BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN
James Whale
1935
Cast: Boris Karloff, Elsa Lancaster, Colin Clive
Screenplay: William Hurlbut
Genre: Monster Movie
It's a perfect night for mystery and horror. The air itself is filled with monsters.
NOSFERATU
F.W. Murnau
1922
Screenplay: Henrik Galeen loosely based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Cast: Max Schreck, Gustav von Wangenheim, Greta Schröder, Alexander Granach, Georg H. Schnell
Genre: Vampires
It will cost you sweat and tears, and perhaps... a little blood.
MISERY
Rob Reiner
1990
Cast: James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth
Screenplay: William Goldman based on the novel by Stephen King
Genre: Thriller
I am your number one fan. There is nothing to worry about. You are going to be just fine. I am your number one fan.
DEEP RED
Dario Argento
1975
Cast: David Hemmings, Daria Nicolodi, Gabriele Lavia, Macha Meril, Eros Pagni
Screenplay: Dario Argento, Bernardino Zapponi
Genre: Serial Killer
Gianna! Gianna! There's someone in the house... absolutely trying to kill me!
REPULSION
Roman Polanski
1965
Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry and John Fraser
Screenplay: Roman Polanski Gérard Brach
Genre: Psychological
I must get this crack mended.
EYES WITHOUT A FACE
Georges Franju
1960
Cast: Pierre Brasseur, Alida Valli and Juliette Mayniel
Screenplay: Pierre Boileau, Thomas Narcejac, Jean Redon, Claude Sautet
Genre: Thriller, Psychological
The future, Madame, is something we should have started on a long time ago.
#25
THE VANISHING
George Sluizer
1988
Cast: Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Gene Bervoets and Johanna ter Steege
Screenplay: Tim Krabbé (novel), Tim Krabbé (screenplay)
Genre: Thriller
And as black cannot exist without white, I logically conceived the most horrible deed that I could envision right at that moment. But I want you to know, for me killing is not the worst thing.
INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS
Don Siegel
1956
Cast: Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates
Screenplay: Daniel Mainwaring
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror
I never knew fear until I kissed Becky...
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
Tomas Alfredson
2008
Cast: Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar
Screenplay: John Ajvide Lindqvist
Genre: Vampires
I'm twelve. But I've been twelve for a long time.
EVIL DEAD II
Sam Raimi
1987
Cast: Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks
Screenplay: Sam Raimi, Scott Spiegel
Genre: Zombies, Comedy Horror
There's something out there. That... that witch in the cellar is only part of it. It lives... out in those woods, in the dark... something... something that's come back from the dead.
SHAUN OF THE DEAD
Edgar Wright
2004
Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield
Screenplay: Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright
Genre: Zombies, Comedy Horror
Who died and made you fucking king of the zombies?
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE
Tobe Hooper
1974
Cast: Marilyn Burns, Edwin Neal, Allen Danziger
Screenplay: Kim Henkel, Tobe Hooper
Genre: Slasher
Those girls... those girls don't wanna go messin' round no old house!
HALLOWEEN
John Carpenter
1978
Cast: Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Moran
Screenplay: John Carpenter, Debra Hill
Genre: Slasher
It's Halloween, everyone's entitled to one good scare.
THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI
Robert Wiene
1920
Cast: Werner Krauss, Conrad Veidt, Friedrich Feher
Screenplay: Hans Janowitz, Carl Mayer
Genre: Psychological Horror
Spirits surround us on every side... they have driven me from hearth and home, from wife and child.
ROSEMARY'S BABY
Roman Polanski
1968
Cast: Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon
Screenplay: Roman Polanski
Genre: Occult, Supernatural
He chose you, honey! From all the women in the world to be the mother of his only living son!
LES DIABOLIQUES
Henri-Georges Clouzot
1955
Cast: Simone Signoret, Véra Clouzot, Paul Meurisse
Screenplay: Pierre Boileau, Thomas Narcejac, Henri-Georges Clouzot, Jérôme Géronimi
Genre: Ghost Story, Psychological Horror
Die, darling! Die and do it quickly!
GHOSTBUSTERS
Ivan Reitman
1984
Cast: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rik Moranis, Annie Potts, Ernie Hudson, William Atherton
Screenplay: Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis
Genre: Comedy Horror, Supernatural, Ghost Story
• Hey, wait a minute. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! Hold it! Now, are we actually gonna go before a federal judge, and tell him that some moldy Babylonian god is going to drop in on Central Park West, and start tearing up the city? • Sumerian, not Babylonian. • Yeah. Big difference. • No offense, guys, but I've gotta get my own lawyer.
FRANKENSTEIN
James Whale
1931
Cast: Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, Boris Karloff
Screenplay: Garrett Fort, Francis Edward Faragoh
Genre: Monster Movie
The brain you stole, Fritz. Think of it. The brain of a dead man waiting to live again in a body I made with my own hands!
THE SIXTH SENSE
M. Night Shyamalan
1999
Cast: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette
Screenplay: M. Night Shyamalan
Genre: Ghost Story
I see dead people. Walking around like regular people. They don't see each other. They only see what they want to see. They don't know they're dead.
PAN'S LABYRINTH
Guillermo del Toro
2006
Cast: Ivana Baquero, Ariadna Gil, Sergi López
Screenplay: Guillermo del Toro
Genre: Dark Fantasy
A long time ago, in the underground realm, where there are no lies or pain, there lived a Princess who dreamed of the human world.
ALIENS
James Cameron
1986
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn
Screenplay: James Cameron, David Giler
Genre: Action Horror, Sci-Fi Horror
We'd better get back, 'cause it'll be dark soon, and they mostly come at night... mostly.
SE7EN
David Fincher
1995
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Gwenyth Platrow
Screenplay: Andrew Kevin Walker
Genre: Serial Killer, Thriller
He's experienced about as much pain and suffering as anyone I've encountered, give or take, and he still has Hell to look forward to.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
Wes Craven
1984
Cast: Heather Langenkamp, Johnny Depp, Robert Englund
Screenplay: Wes Craven
Genre: Slasher, Supernatural
Fred Krueger did it, Daddy. And only I can get him. It's my nightmare he comes to.
KING KONG
Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack
1933
Cast: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong and Bruce Cabot
Screenplay: James Ashmore Creelman, Ruth Rose
Genre: Monster Movie, Fantasy
• No chains will ever hold that. • We'll give him more than chains. He's always been king of his world, but we'll teach him fear. We're millionaires, boys. I'll share it with all of you. Why, in a few months, it'll be up in lights on Broadway: Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World.
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD
George Romero
1968
Cast: Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea and Karl Hardman
Screenplay: John A. Russo, George A. Romero
Genre: Zombies
Well, there's no problem. If you have a gun, shoot 'em in the head. That's a sure way to kill 'em. If you don't, get yourself a club or a torch. Beat 'em or burn 'em. They go up pretty easy.
ALIEN
Ridley Scott
1979
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Ian Holm
Screenplay: Dan O'Bannon
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror, Monster Movie
Bones are bent outward, like he exploded from inside.
#5
Stanley Kubrick
1980
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd
Screenplay: Stanley Kubrick, Diane Johnson based on the novel by Stephen King
Genre: Supernatural, Ghost Story, Haunted House, Psychological
Redrum. Redrum. Redrum.
PSYCHO
Alfred Hitchcock
1960
Cast: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Janet Leigh, Martin Balsam
Screenplay: Joseph Stefano
Genre: Slasher, Serial Killer
Well, if the woman up there is Mrs. Bates... who's that woman buried out in Greenlawn Cemetery?
JAWS
Steven Spielberg
1975
Cast: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss
Screenplay: Peter Benchley, Carl Gottlieb
Genre: Monster Movie
I'll catch this bird for you, but it ain't gonna be easy. Bad fish. Not like going down the pond chasin' bluegills and tommycods. This shark, swallow you whole.
THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
Jonathan Demme
1991
Cast: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine
Screenplay: Ted Tally
Genre: Serial Killer, Thriller
It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again.
THE EXORCIST
William Friedkin
1973
Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair
Screenplay: William Peter Blatty
Genre: Supernatural, Occult
There is one outside chance for a cure. I think of it as shock treatment - as I said, it's a very outside chance... Have you ever heard of exorcism? Well, it's a stylized ritual in which the rabbi or the priest try to drive out the so-called invading spirit. It's been pretty much discarded these days except by the Catholics who keep it in the closet as a sort of an embarrassment, but uh, it has worked. In fact, although not for the reasons they think, of course. It's purely a force of suggestion. The victim's belief in possession is what helped cause it, so in that same way, a belief in the power of exorcism can make it disappear.
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