The 12 DVDs of Christmas (2003)
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
Already got your Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life
and A Christmas Carol DVDs out and ready for the holidays? Maybe you
also have your Scrooged, The Nightmare Before Christmas and La
Buche DVDs out. What more do you need? How about these 12 new holiday
DVDs, freshly pressed like the new-fallen snow...
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1.
Morvern Callar (2002)
Morvern opens her
Christmas presents over her dead, suicidal boyfriend's body with only
the sound of flashing, buzzing Christmas tree lights to keep her
company. She takes his money and his completed novel and hits the road
with her best friend, looking for "someplace beautiful." Samantha Morton
turns in a truly great performance as the lost, sad title character and
Lynn Ramsey's superb direction detects the slightest changes in
atmosphere.
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2.
A Christmas Story Special Edition (1983)
This great heartwarming comedy from the
director of Porky's was a flop during its theatrical run, but, like
It's a Wonderful Life, has become a staple on cable during the holiday
season. Peter Billingsley plays the pudgy-cheeked, bespectacled boy who
navigates the treacheries of daily life all in the hopes of getting a
toy rifle for Christmas. Jean Shepherd narrates from his series of
stories. This new double-disc set will perfectly accompany that
Christmas dinner turkey coma, revisiting with the cast members today and
providing tons of funny little features and games. The movie now
includes a commentary track by Billingsley and director Bob Clark.
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3.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Special Edition (1989)
John Hughes wrote the screenplay for
this silly, warm little guilty pleasure that nails most of the trials
and tribulations of spending the holidays with family. Chevy Chase stars
for the third time as Clark W. Griswold with Beverly D'Angelo as his
wife. Juliette Lewis makes an early appearance as daughter Audrey, and,
as usual Randy Quaid provides most of the laughs as country bumpkin
cousin Eddie. This new Special Edition doesn't have much to write home
about; the new commentary track was recorded by the B-list: Director
Jermemiah Chechik, actors Randy Quaid, Beverly D'Angelo, Johnny Galecki,
Miriam Flynn and producer Matty Simmons. The disc also includes the
trailer, a cast list and a cardboard Christmas ornament.
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4.
Christmas with the Simpsons (2003)
This
quickie disc contains the very first 30-minute "Simpsons" episode, the
1989 "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire," plus four other
winter/Christmas themed shows: "Mr. Plow," "Miracle on Evergreen
Terrance," "Grift of the Magi" and "She of Little Faith." Not essential,
especially if you already own the "Simpsons" Season One box set, but a
fun holiday watch.
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5.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
The all-time greatest claymation Christmas
special, the one to lead them all. Rudolph joins his band of misfit
friends to save Christmas and rescue the inhabitants of the Island of
Misfit Toys.
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6.
Olive the Other Reindeer (1999)
Not an
all-time classic (yet), but Olive is just sweet enough and strange
enough that it warrants annual viewings. That's partially thanks to Drew
Barrymore's warm reading of the title character, a dog who thinks she
might save Christmas when Santa calls upon help from "all of the other
reindeer." Michael Stipe from R.E.M. co-stars and sings one song.
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7.
It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002)
An angel (David Arquette) travels to earth to show Kermit what life
would be like if he were never born. The object is to save the Muppet
Theater from being turned into a nightclub by its greedy owner (Joan
Cusack). This clever, funny feature-length TV film spoofs everything
from The Grinch to Moulin Rouge. Well worth seeing.
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8.
Spongebob Squarepants: Christmas (2003)
Sandy
explains Santa Claus to Spongebob, and he takes it upon himself to bring
Christmas to Bikini Bottom. This two-part episode suffers from too much
Patchy the Pirate, but it has its moments. The rest of the disc contains
a few more quasi-Christmas episodes (two take place in the snow), and a
handful of regular episodes. Nine in all.
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9.
Second Star to the Left: A Christmas Tale (2001)
A rabbit (voiced by Hugh Laurie), a Guinea pig and a hamster attempt
to deliver a lost package to a little girl on Christmas Eve. This
29-minute hand-animated British production has its charms, but it's
minor Christmas fare.
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10.
A Christmas Wish (1950)
Formerly known as The Great Rupert, this family film only
partially takes place at Christmas. Jimmy Durante plays an out-of-work
acrobat who lugs his wife and daughter around until they find a cheap
apartment under a chiseling landlord. A trained squirrel (animated by
George Pal) throws money down to them once a week. Second rate stuff,
but the film benefits from the gorgeous Terry Moore, who had recently
starred in Mighty Joe Young opposite an animated gorilla. This is the
colorized version, but if you go to the Special Features menu, you can
watch the original black-and-white version. Ms. Moore also provides a
commentary track.
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11.
One Christmas (1994)
An elderly
Katharine Hepburn co-stars in this misty made-for-TV Hallmark Hall of
Fame film, based on Truman Capote's story. Henry Winkler also stars, and
Tony Bill directs.
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12.
A Freezerburnt Christmas (1997)
The
claymation in this half-hour special is wonderful, but the writing
leaves a lot to be desired. Not-quite funny "Saturday Night Live" alum
Chris Parnell provides the voice of an ice cream man who tries to save
Christmas from the evil clutches of a toymaker.
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