The Holiday

Day 12 of my Holiday film fest. I adore this beautifully crafted romantic comedy. Cameron Diaz plays the delightful Amanda, a hugely successful movie trailer creator/producer in Los Angeles who breaks up with her long-term boyfriend and decides to take a few weeks off for Christmas, preferably somewhere far from the hustle and bustle of L.A. She looks online and finds a website for house swapping to save money on vacations. Enter the sad Iris, played beautifully by Kate Winslet, a reporter for the London Telegraph who has been in love with the same man for over three years, but who doesn't feel the same way. She too has had it and wants to get away far from England. Amanda stumbles upon Iris' ad on the house swapping website and a deal is made. Both their lives will be changed forever, mainly due to two awesome gentlemen: Graham, Iris' older brother, played wonderfully by the handsome Jude Law; and, Miles, a movie composer played to hilarious perfection by the wonderful Jack Black.

I fell in love with this wonderful film when I first saw it on Netflix a few years ago and it is among my all-time favorite romantic comedies. If you haven't seen this film, get a copy! You will fall in love with "The Holiday" like I did. Written and directed by the wonderful Nancy Meyers ("It's Complicated" and "Something's Gotta Give"), two other films by the way you need to see as well!

As Good As It Gets

I re-watched this wonderful and delightful romantic comedy last night and fell in love with it all over again! I remember seeing this with my dad at the Water Gardens Theater in Pleasant Grove back in 1997.

Jack Nicholson gives one of the best performances of his career as the OCD writer, Melvin Udall. Melvin on the suface is very narcissistic, mean and nobody wants to be around him, particularly his gay neighbor, the delightful Simon Bishop, played wonderfully by Greg Kinnear. We also meet the delightful Carol, played beautifully by the wonderful Helen Hunt, who is a waitress at the local cafe Melvin frequents.

You have to see this film to see how these three people cross paths and how their lives are changed forever! This film is delightful and touching! You truly see how sometimes we are put with people for a reason! The tag line for this film is: "A comedy from the heart that goes for the throat." A perfect tag line for this film! If you have't seen it, do yourself a favor and get a copy! You will not regret the time you spend with Melvin, Simon & Carol! Your life will be changed forever!

Scrooge

Day 11 of my Holiday film fest. This is my all-time favorite version of the Dickens' classic hands down! Albert Finney is magnificent as Scrooge and is surrounded by an incredible array of British theater talent that is second to none! The score is by Leslie Bricusse (Victor/Victoria, Jekyll & Hyde) and the wonderful and sorely missed Anthony Newley (Stop The World I Wanna Get Off, Doctor Dolittle).

From the beginning of the overture to the final scene, you will be magically and musically transformed back to Edwardian England and to the timeless tale of redemption and love! The music fits so well into the story and adds so much depth and soul to the story!

Do yourself a favor, if you haven't seen this version, get a copy and watch it! I am confident you will fall in love with it as I have! I never miss it each and every Christmas!

Radio City Christmas Spectacular (75th Anniversary)

Day 10 of my Holiday film fest. Finally caught up. Christmas in New York City wouldn't be complete without the annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular. This wonderful video was captured during the 75th Anniversary celebration back in December of 2007 which now this year marks the 86th year of the Radio Christmas Spectacular.

I love this show and every time I have been in NYC during Christmastime I never miss it! This video captures the excitement of one of their shows and it's not to be missed! The sets, gorgeous costumes and of course the Rockettes themselves are not to be missed. So if you've never been to one of these, catch this video. It can be purchased on Amazon and iTunes.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Day 9 of my Holiday film fest. Anyone who knows me well knows that this is my all-time favorite Christmas movie! The Muppet version of the beloved Dickens' classic is so heartwarming, hilarious and brilliantly executed! Micheal Caine's wonderful interpretation of Scrooge is superb and the rest of the "human" actors all give magnificent performances all around!

This film was made shortly after Jim Henson's tragic death due to pneumonia, but his wonderful son, Brian took the reigns like a pro and did a wonderful tribute to his late father's legacy! What we get is a beautifully crafted film in true Henson style including the quirky Muppet humor that must accompany any Muppet film!

This will always be a part of my Holiday film fest every year!

Noel

Day 8 of my Holiday film fest. This grossly overlooked 2004 holiday drama, I stumbled upon last year when watching Netflix, looking for holiday films to watch. I will be forever grateful that I stumbled upon this hidden gem. It touched my life forever!

Susan Sarandon portrays Rose Collins, a children's book editor, divorced and the sole caretaker of her mother who suffers from Alzheimers. One Christmas eve she finds herself walking into the neighboring room of a patient in the same hospital her mother's staying at and runs into a quiet ex-priest, played by the wonderful Robin Williams. In another part of the same city, lives police officer Mike Riley played by Paul Walker and his fiancee Nina Vasquez played by Penélope Cruz. Mike Riley is the jealous type which causes a riff between them on Christmas Eve. Then while on duty with his partner, Paul (Rob Daly), Mike is confronted by a lonely waiter named Artie (Alan Arkin) while paying his check, a confrontation that will change both their lives forever!

This beautifully done film is a story of love, loss, family and relationships set during one Christmas Eve in New York City. A lot of the story hit really close to home for me and I think that is why I fell in love with this film when I first saw it last Christmas. I highly recommend this film to everyone! You can buy or rent it on iTunes and Amazon Prime. Unfortunately it's no longer available on Netflix.

A Christmas Carol (2014)

Day 7 of my Holiday film fest. Playing a bit of catch-up, so sorry. This is one of my all-time favorite versions of Dickens' beloved classic. George C. Scott gives the performance of his career as the old miser, Scrooge. Mr. Scott delivers such a varied, soulful and three-dimensional performance in this well done British made for television movie.

I remember when this first aired on television back in 1984. In fact that was my first Christmas here in Utah. My folks and I had moved to Utah that year back in June. It is hard to believe that that is now been 34 years.

The entire ensemble give magnificent performances all around. I personally feel that out of all the straight forward dramatic versions of this timeless story, this one stands out as one of the best and if you haven't seen this version get a copy straight away! Don't miss this wonderful interpretation!