The Santa Clause
Tim Allen is hysterical as an uptight lawyer who accidentally causes Santa’s demise on Christmas Eve. Somebody has to deliver the gifts, so his young son badgers him into donning the Santa suit. Of course, what he doesn’t realize is that wearing the suit is only the beginning of his transformation into the real Santa. Not only is the premise of film clever and fresh, but also watching Allen’s impeccable comic timing makes this a funny yet sweet holiday film.
Miracle on 34th Street
What kid didn’t want Santa to be a real live old guy who comes by to dole out all sorts of toys at the end of the year? Doris Walker and her daughter Susan, (Maureen O’Hara and an angelic Natalie Wood, respectively) are the doubting Thomases who need a little convincing. Just how Kris Kringle, played to perfection by Edmund Gwenn, gets them to believe he’s the real deal is the reason to watch this film. Even though you know it’s only a movie, you might just end up a believer yourself.
Elf
The hilarious Will Ferrell is Buddy, a man who has been raised as an elf in the North Pole. Although three times the size of his elf family, Buddy loves his life–until he is told he must seek out his roots in New York City. Once there, however, Buddy finds out that everyone, including his newfound family, have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. Determined, Buddy sets out to single-handedly save Christmas in New York–with a little help from Santa, of course–hoping to at last find his true place in the world.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Director Tim Burton’s imaginatively conceived story follows Jack Skellington, a.k.a. the Pumpkin King, who, despite having recently presided over a very successful Halloween, is bored with his job and feels that life in Halloweenland lacks meaning. Then he stumbles upon Christmastown and promptly decides to make the Yuletide his own–first by kidnapping Santa. Classic.
