When the weather outside is frightful, DVDs are delightful

It’s that time of the year again – Christmas trees are being trimmed, churches are receiving… It’s that time of the year again – Christmas trees are being trimmed, churches are receiving more visitors than usual and people are loosening their belts in anticipation of one of the biggest family meals of the year. With all the preparations to be made, sometimes all a person wants to do is sit down, relax and take in a holiday film or two.

But which movie should you watch? With the over-commercialization of Christmas comes the booming industry that is the Christmas movie market. With all the choices available, a little guidance may be needed. That’s where I come in.

Looking over recent holiday film releases, it quickly became clear to me that a revival of the Christmas spirit may lie in Christmas past. Surely, one can’t trust such recent disappointments as “Christmas with the Kranks” and “Surviving Christmas” to do the job.

With that mission in mind, here are some classics from Christmas of yesteryear, as well as a few more recent flicks on their way to achieving classic status, to put your heart in the right place for this holiday season.

The classics:

“Holiday Inn” (1942)

Though this film isn’t exactly a Christmas flick, enough critics have qualified it as one to remove any qualms about its being placed on this list. The story follows crooner Jim Hardy (Bing Crosby) and dancer Ted Hanover (Fred Astaire) as they compete for the love of Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds).

The trio works at an inn that features special entertainment on all major holidays. It was this film that led to the writing of the classic carol “White Christmas,” which is reason enough to qualify it as a Christmas classic.

“It’s A Wonderful Life” (1946)

Director Frank Kapra’s classic Christmas film has been topping critics’ lists for years, and with good reason: It really is that good. With an imaginative storyline and the heart-warming message that every life makes a difference, this movie will reaffirm your faith in mankind. While certain moments are definitely technologically outdated (angel Clarence’s conversations with God come to mind), these moments serve only to further the charm of the movie.

“The Bishop’s Wife” (1947)

While a lot of viewers will recognize the storyline of this film from its 1996 remake, “The Preacher’s Wife,” don’t let a viewing of the remake stop you from seeing the original. While the remake follows the more modern Hollywood tradition of keeping things as realistic as possible, the 1946 original sacrifices realism for whimsy with amazing results. Cary Grant charms as angel Dudley, who brings faith and magic back to a small town.

“Miracle on 34th Street” (1947)

This is another film that has been remade numerous times, but never with results that are nearly as good as the original. In this film, an unbelieving little girl, Susan Walker (Natalie Wood), and her mother, Doris Walker (Maureen O’Hara), experience a revival in faith when confronted with the real Santa Claus. The courtroom scene, which places Kris Kringle on trial, throws the American legal system on its head in a moment that allows belief to triumph over reason.

And some more recent films:

“The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992)

Charles Dickens’ classic story receives a new life in this remake, which places Kermit the Frog in the role of Bob Cratchit and Gonzo in the role of Mr. Dickens himself. Rizzo the Rat’s comic asides lighten more serious moments in the narrative, and the characters’ tendency to burst into spontaneous song keeps the rest of the film light-hearted and fun. Michael Caine is perfect as the miserable Ebenezer Scrooge.

“The Santa Clause” (1994)

Made at the height of his “Home Improvement” fame, this movie follows Tim Allen in the role he fills best – that of the bumbling father who just can’t seem to get it right. After a wild night with his son, Scott Calvin (Allen) finds himself assuming the role of a lifetime, that of Santa Claus himself. Filled with elves, toys and reindeer, this movie plays with the conventions of Christmas film predecessors to gain results delightfully new.

“Elf” (2003)

“Son of a nutcracker!” A girl would have to be crazy to leave this film off a list essential Christmas flicks. With a variety of crazy catchphrases and interesting eating habits, Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) offers audiences a look at Christmas through the eyes of a man who never really grows up. Full of sidesplitting scenes and great holiday music, “Elf” is sure to lighten the heart of the most hardened Christmas cynic.

And because not everyone celebrates Christmas:

“The Hebrew Hammer” (2003)

Though it’s hard to find many films about Hanukkah, every now and then a gem does squeak through. In 2003, this gem came in the form of Comedy Central’s “The Hebrew Hammer.”

The film follows Jewish private eye Mordechai Jefferson Carver (Adam Goldberg) in his efforts to save Hanukkah from the no-tolerance policy of Santa’s evil son Damien (Andy Dick). The film manages to poke fun at stereotypes of Jews and Christians alike, making it a film to be enjoyed by all religious denominations.