Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Christmas Movies

This is my third post for the G.I.F.T. Challenge (on this site, anyway). Part of the challenge is to read, watch, etc. something you haven't before or at least not for a long time. So I rented a couple of movies that I'd heard other bloggers recommend. Our daughter went to SLC, so M and I could watch black and whites without receiving any flack. First we watched Going My Way with Bing Crosby. It's not typically a Christmas movie, but it came on the same disc from Netflix that Holiday Inn was on, so we watched it. Ohhh, it was good. Much slower paced from movies that are produced today, but still very good. It reminded me that there was once upon a time when boys wore their pants above their bottoms, not revealing any underware! Then we watched Holiday Inn, which is a favorite of M's, but I don't think I've ever seen it before. It was fun hearing Bing's beautiful voice and watching Fred Astaire dance. Such talent. And, of course, in the end, everything turned out just the way you wanted it to.

To start the weekend, we watched Scrooge on Friday night. I made mention of it in an earlier post. Again, a bit slower paced than we're used to, but a wonderful portrayal of Scrooge by Albert Finney. I had forgotten quite a bit so it was good to watch it again.

Finally, on Sat. night we watched Polar Express on tv. UGH! Those pesky commercials! The movie was truly a feast for the imagination. We really enjoyed it. It doesn't seem like a children's movie, though. More for older kids, teens, and adults.

8 comments:

Framed said...

I've not seen "Going My Way" and I'm not sure about "Holiday Inn." My favorite Christmas movies are "White Christmas" and "Meet me in St. Louis." I always get a little choked up. I'm trying to decide when I'm going to have time to watch the two you suggested. And read . . . and blog.

Carl V. Anderson said...

I hate watching movies on TV because of the commercials. Annoying.

I don't think I've seen 'Going My Way' but am interested as I love Bing movies.

Cassie said...

I wouldn't necessarily consider Meet me in St. Louis a Christmas movie, it just has a christmas scene, but it pretty much covers all seasons.

Booklogged said...

Framed, I just read where there's a sequel to Going My Way called The Bells of St. Mary's. I think I remember it, vaguely. The time thing is a real problem, isn't it?

Carl, if you're a Bing fan, you need to watch Going My Way, also the sequel I mentioned to Framed.

Cassie, Your mom's to an age that if she wants to count Meet Me in St. Louis as a Christmas movie, you just smile and say, okay! Holiday Inn was kind of an every seasons movie, too.

Anonymous said...

Wow, Book and Cassie, thanks for making me feel like the old bat that needs to be humored. Of course, that is just the kind of old person I want to be. Eccentric. Judy Garland sings "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" in this movie, so I count it.

Stacy at Exceedingly Mundane said...

Great post! I don't think I've ever seen "Going my Way" either, so I will try to look for that one. Holiday Inn is one of my favorite seasonal movies. It's a Wonderful Life and The Bishop's Wife are my two favorites (I have both on DVD). Oddly enough, I don't think I've ever seen White Christmas, so I ordered it for myself on DVD when I was ordering a bunch of presents from Amazon! I haven't watched it yet but hope too soon.

Oh, and we saw Polar Express for the first time last weekend on TV also. Very good movie, except for the commercials, as you said :)

Booklogged said...

Oh no, Framed, you miss took my intention. I was just sympathizing from my more advanced state of 'old age' and was trying to help your daughter know how to graciously handle the situation.

Stacy, those good old Christmas movies are wonderful aren't they? I love Jimmy Stewart in It's a Wonderful Life. I guess I love him in just about anything! And The Bishop's Wife is a favorite, too. Did you see the remake with Denzel Washington?

lynda said...

Late to party but your comment about the pants of men in the old movies is so true. DH and I were watching White Christmas and notices the "high" pants and how formally everyone dresses for the most casual activities. And the pacing of today's movies verses old ones is so true. It's a treat to really watch a story unfold rather than riding at break-neck speed from one scene to another.