Beau Peep Notice Board

Beau Peep Notice Board => Outpourings => Topic started by: Zesty White on December 08, 2008, 10:03:12 AM

Title: Christmas Film
Post by: Zesty White on December 08, 2008, 10:03:12 AM
So what's everyone's favourite Christmas film then?

According to my Mum, it will take something pretty special to remove Die Hard from the top of her list  ???
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Vulture on December 08, 2008, 12:33:09 PM
So what's everyone's favourite Christmas film then?

According to my Mum, it will take something pretty special to remove Die Hard from the top of her list  ???

Any of the Wallace and Gromet shorts.
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Roger Kettle on December 08, 2008, 02:00:40 PM
"It's A Wonderful Life".
End of discussion. (Puts fingers in ears and sings loudly).
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Zesty White on December 08, 2008, 03:37:53 PM
Keep this under your hat Roger, but I've never seen it ...
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Diane CBPFC on December 08, 2008, 03:48:39 PM
The Muppets Christmas Carol
A Child's Christmas in Wales
Trapped in Paradise
and of course...It's a Wonderful Life
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Fyodor on December 08, 2008, 04:09:44 PM
I'm  ....... off to see the wizard
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Roger Kettle on December 08, 2008, 06:19:25 PM
Keep this under your hat Roger, but I've never seen it ...
Well, you're a scientist and you're from Airdrie---that's enough excitement for anyone.
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: peter on December 08, 2008, 06:54:09 PM
"It's A Wonderful Life".
End of discussion. (Puts fingers in ears and sings loudly).

Yep it all ways brings a lump in my throat.

 O.K. Clarance
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: The Peepmaster on December 08, 2008, 07:00:46 PM
The Moon-Man that Time Forgot one Christmas in December has got to rank as one of my favourite Christmas films.
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Roger Kettle on December 08, 2008, 07:56:30 PM
You're such a fibber, Peeps.
I'll give an honourable mention to the first couple of "Home Alone" movies. At the time, they were pretty original and have since spawned a million imitations. Also, the first time I saw "The Snowman", I thought it was stunning. Then there's "Miracle on 42nd Street" which is good but...nah..."It's A Wonderful Life"---that's THE one.
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Vulture on December 08, 2008, 08:00:26 PM
You're such a fibber, Peeps.
I'll give an honourable mention to the first couple of "Home Alone" movies. At the time, they were pretty original and have since spawned a million imitations. Also, the first time I saw "The Snowman", I thought it was stunning. Then there's "Miracle on 42nd Street" which is good but...nah..."It's A Wonderful Life"---that's THE one.

You surprise me, Roger. I didn't know you were an old fogey!
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Roger Kettle on December 08, 2008, 08:42:32 PM
And proud of it, Vulch!
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: The Peepmaster on December 08, 2008, 10:22:59 PM
You're such a fibber, Peeps.

Okay - I got the title wrong. I forgot the bit about the chainsaw massacre. It was a long time ago.
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Joan on December 08, 2008, 10:56:31 PM
"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation".  I'm a sucker for all Christmas films, though - Home Alones, Santa Clause, White Christmas, Miracle, etc.

Don't think I've seen "It's a Wonderful Life" either, Zesty.  Maybe when I was young, but not that I can remember.  There's not that much excitement in my life - maybe I should rent it.
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: The Peepmaster on December 08, 2008, 11:06:21 PM
I'll freely admit I haven't seen "It's a Wonderful Life".

No I won't! I'll charge 25p each! PayPal will do.

I loved Louis Armstrong's song though.
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Malc on December 09, 2008, 05:59:19 AM
Interesting thing about It's A Wonderful Life is that when it came out it wasn't a hit movie at all. Its subsequent climb to greatness is an interesting story in itself.

http://www.failuremag.com/arch_arts_its_a_wonderful_life.html
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Roger Kettle on December 09, 2008, 09:49:09 AM
Thanks for that, Malc----really fascinating.
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on December 09, 2008, 07:37:23 PM
I can't believe so many here haven't seen 'It's A Wonderful Life'. I'm shocked! Truly. Please correct this appalling situation as soon as you can - it is a masterpiece! I well up just seeing that final scene.

I'm going to put in a word for 'White Christmas' too - not quite so poignant, but any film with Danny Kaye in has to be worth watching. Away from the Christmas theme itself, 'Singing In The Rain' (picked up the DVD for a song earlier this year, and the kids loved it, Donald O'Connor in particular), and 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'.

Any Scrooge movie, especially the Muppet one.
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on December 09, 2008, 07:50:08 PM
I'll freely admit I haven't seen "It's a Wonderful Life".

No I won't! I'll charge 25p each! PayPal will do.

I loved Louis Armstrong's song though.

I think you'll find that's 'What A Wonderful World', Peepsie. Eva Cassidy did a stunningly beautiful cover version. Treat yourself...

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JQuksPhbUMc
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on December 09, 2008, 08:12:16 PM
Sorry - I know this is getting more and more off-topic, but I just found this, following on from the last clip (the joys of YouTube), and had to share. It's that same Eva Cassidy version turned into an 'impossible duet' by the stunningly beautiful Katie Melua. I have albums by both on my Walkman, but I didn't realise this existed until now...


http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TGqiLBusMV8&feature=related
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: The Peepmaster on December 09, 2008, 08:23:34 PM
I saw Eva Cassidy in the Little Theatre, Perth, a couple of years ago. It wasn't Perth in Australia, that everyone knows, but Perth in Scotland. I saw Eva Cassidy at the Little Theatre in Perth, Scotland. Actually, it wasn't Eva Cassidy, it was a play about Eva Cassidy. The Eva Cassidy was in fact an actress playing the part. I stayed at a hotel called the Huntingtower, or it might have been the Huntingdon Tower, or maybe the Huntington Tower. I can't remember that bit too well.
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Vulture on December 09, 2008, 08:25:09 PM
I can't believe so many here haven't seen 'It's A Wonderful Life'. I'm shocked! Truly. Please correct this appalling situation as soon as you can - it is a masterpiece! I well up just seeing that final scene.

I'm going to put in a word for 'White Christmas' too - not quite so poignant, but any film with Danny Kaye in has to be worth watching. Away from the Christmas theme itself, 'Singing In The Rain' (picked up the DVD for a song earlier this year, and the kids loved it, Donald O'Connor in particular), and 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'.

Any Scrooge movie, especially the Muppet one.

Tarquin, I have seen it; that's how I know it is the biggest piece of sentimental American crap! To watch is more than once smacks (if that's the right word) of sadomasochism ('coz you bet your sweet bippy you ain't going to watch it alone!).
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Vulture on December 09, 2008, 08:26:27 PM
I saw Eva Cassidy in the Little Theatre, Perth, a couple of years ago. It wasn't Perth in Australia, that everyone knows, but Perth in Scotland. I saw Eva Cassidy at the Little Theatre in Perth, Scotland. Actually, it wasn't Eva Cassidy, it was a play about Eva Cassidy. The Eva Cassidy was in fact an actress playing the part. I stayed at a hotel called the Huntingtower, or it might have been the Huntingdon Tower, or maybe the Huntington Tower. I can't remember that bit too well.

Why. Was it karioki night?
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on December 09, 2008, 08:38:25 PM
Vult, I've watched it many times, some of them alone. It's sentimental in that sentiment features strongly. Crap it ain't. Its Americanness is neither here nor there. For some, the film has literally been a life-saver.

That'll be the Huntingtower, right enough, Peepsie. I've been there on a few occasions myself, though not as many as Perth Theatre.
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: The Peepmaster on December 09, 2008, 08:49:21 PM
To be honest, I've never even heard of the film "It's a Wonderful Life". (I have now, of course).
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Vulture on December 09, 2008, 09:51:17 PM
Vult, I've watched it many times, some of them alone. It's sentimental in that sentiment features strongly. Crap it ain't. Its Americanness is neither here nor there. For some, the film has literally been a life-saver.

 

How?
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Malc on December 10, 2008, 01:01:04 AM
Isn't it really A Christmas Carol for an American audience?

I remember the baddies in it, especially the the crooked banker Potter who steals, and engineers the Jimmy Stewart character's downfall, don't actually get their comeuppance.
Jimmy Stewart is saved by the fact that the nervous townspeople rally, they back him and don't remove all their savings from his savings and loan company in one go.

This was (apparently) because the FBI saw It's A Wonderful Life as a subversive picture precisely because the baddie (being a banker) was portrayed as an out and out evil character. The Feds saw this as Communist propaganda, and Capra was allegedly persuaded not to show the banker getting his just desserts.
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: peter on December 10, 2008, 09:37:25 AM
Isn't it really A Christmas Carol for an American audience?

I remember the baddies in it, especially the the crooked banker Potter who steals, and engineers the Jimmy Stewart character's downfall, don't actually get their comeuppance.
Jimmy Stewart is saved by the fact that the nervous townspeople rally, they back him and don't remove all their savings from his savings and loan company in one go.

This was (apparently) because the FBI saw It's A Wonderful Life as a subversive picture precisely because the baddie (being a banker) was portrayed as an out and out evil character. The Feds saw this as Communist propaganda, and Capra was allegedly persuaded not to show the banker getting his just desserts.

Bet they would today
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Zesty White on December 10, 2008, 10:21:24 AM
I bet they would indeed. It's funny how films used to have such restrictions. Apparently the Italian Job finished the way it did because Michael Caine et al were a bunch of crooks and crime wasn't allowed to be shown to pay.
See also the Dirty Dozen (I wont elaborate too much on that as I've probably ruined the Italian Job for those who havent seen it).

Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Roger Kettle on December 10, 2008, 09:39:41 PM
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HcGBcJKalrQ
I got my son to help me with this and my head exploded. Anyway, that was a rather moving---I thought---version of Silent Night.
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Malc on December 11, 2008, 12:26:09 AM
Zesty, you haven't ruined the ending, because it's not final and leaves the audience (and the robbers) in suspense.
Title: Re: Christmas Film
Post by: Zesty White on December 11, 2008, 09:59:47 AM
That's true. Although, Michael Caine came out a couple of weeks ago to tell everyone what happened after the end credits rolled. I have to say I was underwhelmed with the outcome.

I was also in Tesco last night browsing the DVDs (all my Christmas shopping is done, so after a momentary glitch, I can start thinking about myself again :)). ?12 for It's a Wonderful Life? A bit steep I think. I could have got 4 Steven Seagal films for that!!