COMEDY #1 HOME ALONE

1993 - PG - 103 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: An 8yr-old trouble-maker is mistakenly left at home when his family go on their vacation. A pair of local burglars attempt to break in on Christmas Eve and comedy ensues as Kevin must prevent the home invasion.

Top Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci

Review: This isn't high art, but this live action comedy with cartoon high jinks delivers a wonderful experience.  Plenty of Christmas spirit here as we remember it is a time for being with the ones we love.

2003 - PG - 97 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, who doesn’t know he exists and who is in desperate need of Christmas spirit. 

Top Cast: Will Ferrell, James Caan

Review:  A charming and ridiculous laugh out loud movie that keeps you coming back for more every year.  What makes this most rewatchable is the message of holiday cheer and that we should not take ourselves too seriously.

1983 - PG - 93 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: This beloved holiday movie follows the exploits of youngster Ralphie who spends most of his time dreaming of his ideal gift, a Red Ryder air rifle, while dodging the local bully.  

Top Cast: Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon

Review: Another one for the nostalgic collection before the commercialized world of today.  A funny and warm portrayal of childhood at Christmas with plenty of laughs along the way.

1989 - PG-13 - 97 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: Griswold family's plans for a perfect family Christmas predictably go awry quickly as traditions such as chopping down the tree, putting up Christmas decorations all lead to calamitous misfortunes. 

Top Cast: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo

Review: A viewer favorite rather than for the critics.  A nutty look into a dysfunctional family at Christmas. We still have hope as Clark opens his bonus check every year - maybe this year will be different!

1988 - PG-13 - 101 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: In this modern take on "A Christmas Carol", a successful but selfish executive is haunted by 3 spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve who give him a chance to address his past actions that drive away his true love.

Top Cast: Bill Murray, Karen Allen

Review: Murray wonderfully blends dark aspects of the Dickens classic with his own style of humor. Seems to make most Top Christmas movie lists. For us, this is an annual watch where the jokes never die.

1954 - G - 120 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to deliver a Yuletide miracle, to save a failing Vermont inn and put it back in the black.

Top Cast: Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart

Review: Some great songs, gentle humor and a fun festive rom-com.  You have heard the song in every shopping mall for decades, so you might aswell see the movie on which it was made.

1994 - PG - 97 MINS - COMEDY

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

Top Cast: Tim Allen, Eric Lloyd

Review: We love the premise and there are many brilliant moments in this movie about a reluctant Santa Claus.  However there are just some things in the obnoxious behaviors and the overkill police response that took away from the overall festive experience. Overall, a nice story.

1945 - G - 101 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: A food writer who has lied about being the perfect housewife must try to cover her deception when her boss and a returning war hero invite themselves to her home for a traditional family Christmas.

Top Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan

Review: A hilarious farce offering seasonal folly for this now somewhat dated movie, sweetened by a great cast and some nice screwball touches with a wonderful Christmas set design.

2003 - R - 135 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: During a frantic month before Christmas in London , this movie follows the lives of 8 different couples dealing with their love lives, their stories entangling in the most creative way.

Top Cast: Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson

Review: A very entertaining funny rom-com, jammed with strong characters, clever overlapping stories, not to mention a number of obligatory movie love shenanigans. One you will enjoy from start to finish, although a tad long..

2003 - 18A - 92 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: A miserable conman and his partner pose as santa and his little helper to rob department stores on Christmas Eve, but they run into problems when the conman befriends a troubled boy.

Top Cast: Billy Bob Thonton, Bernie Mac

Review: Clever, unbelievable, funny as ho ho ho.  Laughing out loud has a strange way of kick starting that Christmas spirit so watch this one early in the season. This dark comedy isn't for all and be prepared for some foul language.