Rise and Shine --- Holiday showings

Good Morning and welcome to the day before the day before the day before the night before Christmas!

While it can be kind of annoying and frustrating, it is good to see this time of year has the same magic to children today as it did in years past. Sure, there are economic troubles, too many guns on the street, too many people losing their jobs, but you can forget all of that by looking into the eyes of a 4-year old as she talks about Christmas.
They can't wait. They annoy their parents. The Santa Claus threat holds no water. So, just try to enjoy it all.
Speaking of enjoyment, turn on the DVD player and check out this list of good holiday fare to calm everybody down until the big day. (Don't look for 'It's a Wonderful Life.' Boring, boring, boring).
5. Elf. One of the funniest and funnest movies to watch about Christmas in a long time. Sure, there are the usual messages about hope and Christmas, but, most of all, it's just goofy. Goofy enough for parents and children.


4. Christmas Carol (1999). Sure, there are classic versions. One staring George C. Scott is a favorite of everybody. Billy Murray's take in Scrooged was fun, but this television version starting Patrick Stewart is very entertaining. It doesn't bog down too much in the back stories. It just gets to the ghosts and shock.


3. Ernest Saves Christmas. Many believe this is the best Earnest movie ever made. Others think Jim Varney should have won his long-awaited Academy Award. Many, many others have never seen it. While parents can catch a nap, the little ones will be glued to the screen. That, of course, is the whole point.


2. Miracle on 34th Street. Sure, it's a bit dated. Sure, you are asked to make a huge stretch out of reality. Sure, it's a big commercial. Still, it's all about Christmas. Really, what more is there?


1. Christmas Vacation. Before heading over the relative's house for dinner, or welcoming them into your home, check out the trials and tribulations of the Griswold family. What's the best test of a movie? Well, if you can watch it 1,000 times and still laugh at the same jokes. That's 'Christmas Vacation.' Remember when Clark was locked in the attic as the family went shopping. Sure, there was the sappy family video, then, bang, somebody opened the door and he fell right out. Classic.


So, head to the malls. Get that last bit of shopping done. Then, pour some tea and enjoy. You can thank me later.
If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com