We're only a few days away from the most wonderful time of the year. A time when your kids will be opening presents, gleefully jumping up and down because Santa gave them exactly what they wanted on their list this year, eating treats, and spending time with family, friends and loved ones.
But once the hoopla dies down and you're left with an entire week of no school with not a clue of how to fill your days, I've got the perfect answer. Dive into a holiday movie marathon.
The movies I'm recommending this time of year can be found in theaters, on TV and on DVD, so if you're ready to be entertained and keep that holiday spirit going until 2011, then check out what's on my family's movie viewing list.
In Theaters...
"Gulliver's Travels" - I don't know about you, but put Jack Black and Jason Segal together in a film about a giant and a land of Lilliputians and you have me hooked. Over at Role Mommy, we recently got the opportunity to attend the junket and meet Jack Black, who incidentally, is a soft spoken dad with two kids, who shared how the classic book was modernized in the film.
"Little Fockers"- This one is for parents of older kids or date night (dare to dream), check out the latest in the Meet the Parents trilogy starring Ben Stiller, Robert DeNiro, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo, Jessica Alba and Owen Wilson. Once again, the Fockers do not disappoint...get ready to laugh!
"Tron" - I don't know about you, but I happen to love any movie starring Jeff Bridges. This high-tech 3D adventure set in a digital world is unlike anything ever captured on the big screen. Sam Flynn , the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn, looks into his father's disappearance and finds himself pulled into the digital world of Tron.
"Tangled" - Disney never disappoints with their latest animated romantic comedy featuring a handsome and most charming bandit named Flynn Rider who hides out in a mysterious tower and is taken hostage by Rapunzel, a beautiful and feisty tower-bound teen with 70 feet of magical, golden hair. Word on the "tweet" is that parents and kids are loving "Tangled"!
On Television and DVD...
Falalala Lifetime - If you're like me and like to curl up on the couch when the weather gets frightful, then Lifetime Television is the perfect place to be with dozens of holiday original movies that are currently airing now through Christmas Day. And if you happen to miss a movie, no worries, you can download it any time online right here.
"It's a Wonderful Life" - Christmas would not be Christmas without this classic holiday movie featuring Jimmy Stewart as the one guy on the planet who never seemed to be able to catch a break. George Bailey was going to see the world until life got in the way and instead, he's got a mountain of responsibility, a family that's depending upon him and he's about to throw in the towel. That is, until he's visited by an angel who shows him what life would be like without him in it. I don't know about you, but I can watch this film 1000 times and it never gets old!!!
"Groundhog Day" - I love Bill Murray as an egocentric news reporter who finally learns to appreciate life and fall in love when he manages to relive the same day every day for what seems like months on end. Murray captures every emotion under the sun and the physical comedy is hilarious. Personally, I love the scene where he steals the groundhog and the pair make a getaway in a pick-up truck. Priceless.
"Home Alone" - Catch MacCauley Culkin at the peak of his career as an out of control kid who manages to fool two would be robbers when his parents accidentally leave him at home during Christmas vacation.
"A Christmas Story" - Another perfect movie for kids, this classic film is narrated by Ralphie (played by Peter Billingsley) and shares the story of a boy and his one true wish for Christmas. The difference in this film than in Home Alone is that while Ralphie is a smart kid, he's not mean-spirited. If you're looking for a warm and fuzzy film, then this is a great selection for the entire family.
"The Wizard of Oz" - Another film to make you appreciate where you live. This time, it's Dorothy who runs away when she suspects that a nasty old lady in her neighborhood is going to take her dog away. But when the weather in Kansas whips up and turns into a tornado, Dorothy gets clunked on the head and is magically transported to the technicolor world of Oz where she accidentally kills the Wicked Witch of the East with her house and must then figure out a way to get home. Thankfully, she's got the help of Glinda the Good Witch, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion on her side. Another film that I can watch over and over again.
"Elf"- You've gotta love Will Ferrell as an overgrown man-boy who was raised by Santa's elves who discovers one day that he's human and goes on a search for his father who turns out to be a crank pot (played by James Caan). Here's the bonus - if you happen to live on the east coast, "Elf" just debuted on Broadway and I hear it's great fun for the entire family.
"Despicable Me" - Okay - this may not be a holiday movie per se, but it was just released on DVD and according to my son, it's his favorite animated film of 2010 so I say, get in the holiday spirit, pick up the DVD and have a home viewing party with your own minions.
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. Happy movie viewing!!!
