The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - Short List- Gremlins

Hey everybody,

Yes the list is done but the fellas at Cave Drawing Ink were feeling we left an important Christmas flick off the list. It was a little too late to add it but I thought it would be appropriate to at least reveal our short list. This movie had been bandied about before but it just didn't quite make the cut. But take a gander below............................

Sketch by - Tom Valente

Gremlins - Kate "The House was freezing, so I went to try to light up the fire. That's when I noticed the smell. The firemen came and broke through the chimney top. And me and Mom were expecting them to pull out a dead cat or bird. And instead they pulled out my father. He was dressed in a Santa Claus suit. He'd been climbing down the chimney...His arms loaded full with presents. He was going to surprise us. He slipped and broke his neck. He died instantly. And that's how I found out there was no Santa Claus."

I never thought of Gremlins as a straight up Christmas movie but as I was rewatching it lately I had forgotten the very strong Christmas themes that can be found throughout the film. The biggest one, the Scrooge/Mr. Potter inspired character, Ms. Deagle who seems to enjoy tormenting the have-nots of Kingston Falls. Thankfully she gets hers in an amusing bit of sabotage by the Gremlins and her stair chair. This movie was quite frightening as a young boy, seeing Spike running at the camera from the shadows always got me. Also the scene in the lab where Billy's Professor bites it, literally. Always kind of creeped me out. There was also great humor like the bar scenes where poor Kate is subjected to some awful clientele as you had some of those green bastards hanging from the ceiling fan and playing russian roulette with a pistol. I always will have fond memories of this movies but in the end I'm still on the fence on whether or not this can be considered a true Christmas movie, so it will remain on the short list. Sorry to all you Gremlin fans out there but that's the way it's gotta be. But that shouldn't stop you guys from telling us your top ten Christmas movies. Let us know, and who knows maybe you'll convince us to revise the list for next year!

Have a happy New Year,

The Cavemen

The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 1. Alaistair Sim Scrooge - (1951)

Hey Everybody,

We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.

Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our writer friends over at Troy's Bucket to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on the Cave Drawing Ink site and on the Troy's Bucket site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!

So far......

2.) How the Grinch Stole Christmas

3,) A Christmas Story

4.) A Charlie Brown Christmas

5.) National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

6.) The Nightmare Before Christmas

7.) Scrooged

8.) Elf
9.) Santa Claus: the Movie
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

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1.) Alaistair Sim's Scrooge (1951) Jacob Marley: "It is required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow men! If it goes forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death! It is doomed to wander through the world! Oh, woe is me! And witness what it cannot share but MIGHT HAVE SHARED on Earth and turned to happiness!"

- Sketch by Corey Breen

Jeff: So here we are at number one! The immortal classic Scrooge, this 1951 Black and White film is by far the best version of a Christmas Carol period. Obviously there are other versions that are great fun but none capture the spirit of the Dickens novel quite like this one. Alaistair Sim is the perfect Scrooge he's grumpy as all of the others are but there is also something terrifying about him which I gathered was an important image derived from the book. He has those sunken eyes and he looks like death when he walks through the streets and pushes the kids out of the way. I wouldn't want to see that guy coming at me in a dark alley. The film also is exceptional in showing the travesty of poverty and the effect on average citizens who are forced to suffer in work houses or are brought under the thumb of the poor law. It is a particularly cruel place one that Scrooge relishes in as he makes his fortune. We get to see the full picture of Scrooge and his cold turn. The parallels between his Mother's death and his Sisters' and how the latter one spirals him into the terrible man we first see him as. It's a wonderful story of redemption and reconnection to the world of man. This film is not just a staple at my house it simply isn't Christmas until it has been watched.

Jen Huber: Alaistair Sim as Scrooge ha some fantastic facial expressions in this movie. The best come near the end when he is drunk with happiness and he ends up scaring the crap out of the housekeeper. There is truly something special about a good black and white movie. When Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley, the effects are so simple how they make him look ghostly, but it really works! This is such a classic story and even though there have been many remakes this one will forver stand out as one of the best all time.

The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Hey Everybody,

We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.

Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our writer friends over at Troy's Bucket to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on the Cave Drawing Ink site and on the Troy's Bucket site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!

So far......

3,) A Christmas Story

4.) A Charlie Brown Christmas

5.) National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

6.) The Nightmare Before Christmas

7.) Scrooged

8.) Elf
9.) Santa Claus: the Movie
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

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2.) How the Grinch Stole Christmas Narrator (sings): "You're a vile one Mr. Grinch / You have termites in your smile / You have all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile / Mr. Gri-inch / Given the choice between the two of you. I'd take the uh...seasick Crocodile." - sketch by Ori Ayalon

Jen Huber: I have been watching this particular movie for as long as I can remember. I love the Grinch's dog especially when the Grinch goes to put the antlers on him and he tips over, so cute. I also love the image of the Grinch cutting the Roast Beast at the Who table. Cindy Lou Who is friggin adorable and the Grinch song is absolute classic. No more remakes-this movie is just too good.

Jeff: As classic as they come, perfect Dr. Seuss with the addition of the vocal talents of Mel Blanc how can you go wrong. It's short it's sweet and it wraps up a common thread that is at the heart of Christmas, that if it all goes away tomorrow, all the presents and pretty things, that the spirit of Christmas will soldier on regardless. That's the beauty of it and the reason the Grinch's heart grew ten sizes that day. Blanc's Grinch is deliciously evil as he slinks through the houses stocking up on Who Toys, even the Who Hash. This will always be a classic for every generation and every religion. Our artist Ori being the example to this rule, he's a Jew but he loves him some Grinch. This is required viewing for all, no exeptions. You can bet your Kan-tankers on that, my friend.

The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 3. A Christmas Story

Hey Everybody,

We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.

Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our artist friends over at Cave Drawing Ink to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on the Bucket and on the Cave Drawing Ink site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!

So far......

4.) A Charlie Brown Christmas

5.) National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

6.) The Nightmare Before Christmas

7.) Scrooged

8.) Elf
9.) Santa Claus: the Movie
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

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3.) A Christmas Story Ralphie (as an adult): "Next to me in the blackness lay my oiled blue steel beauty. The greatest Christmas gift I had ever received, or would ever receive. Gradually, I drifted off to sleep, pringing ducks on the wing and getting off spectacular hip shots."

- Sketch by Nicolas Sienty

Jeff: It's amazing to me that many Christmas lists have excluded this film as one of their top choices. I find that strange on many levels one given that TBS has been playing the 24 hours of a Christmas Story every year for at least the last ten years. When the film was released it tanked terribly. Only after it found second life on TBS did it become hugely popular. I would like to think I was one of those who saw this in the late 80s that knew instantly that this was a Christmas classic. I can't remember the time that it wasn't so I'm gonna say I loved it before everyone else. Ralphie and his quest for a Red Rider BB gun and his hurdles to convince the Rents that he won't shoot his eye out. Darren McGavin is classic as the crochety dad and the kids are perfectly cast as we get a glimse of pre-WWII Indiana and the crazed quest for the perfect Christmas. If you have trouble finding this on TV or DVD then obviously you are living in a cave and have never heard of such things so there are no good excuses for you. If you are a Christian and you celebrate Christmas it's mandatory that you watch A Christmas Story.

Jen: I actually saw this movie for the very first time last Christmas (I know, I know - "how do you miss a movie that is on ALL the time at Christmas." You might ask...I get that a lot.) Everyone tells Ralphie that he will shoot his eye out with the BB gun he wants and when he finally get the gun for Christmas he does just that. Luckily his glasses protect his eye and a lie about a icicle protects him from his Mom. It's a cute story and Peter Billingsley is cute in it. I like the fact that the town is based on a town in Indiana (shout out to my home state!) I think every child can relate to Ralphie and his deep seated desires for Red Rider and his BB gun.

The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 4. A Charlie Brown Christmas

Hey Everybody,

We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.

Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our artist friends over at Cave Drawing Ink to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on the Bucket and on the Cave Drawing Ink site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!

So far......

5.) National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

6.) The Nightmare Before Christmas

7.) Scrooged

8.) Elf
9.) Santa Claus: the Movie
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

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4.) A Charlie Brown Christmas Charlie Brown: "Rats, nobody sent me a Christmas card today. I almost wish there wasn't a holiday season. I know nobody likes me. Why do we have to have a holiday season to emphasize it."

- Sketch by Nicolas Sienty

Jeff: I truly love this flick as a holiday film but it's the music that really does it for me. It's a

great jazzy Christmasy soundtrack that always gets me in the spirit. I don't really like listening to Christmas music but I have to admit I put this one on repeat quite a bit through the season. Poor Charlie Brown has grown so cynical about Christmas and what it means. It takes a little broken down tree and Linus to show him what it's all about. It's one of the few Christmas movies that actually tells us the story of why we celebrate in the first place. It's a great classic and should be viewed religiously every year, nuff said.

Jen Huber: Every Christmas I got out and look for the "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree". I somehow end up getting the most ugly, crooked tree I can find and I blame this picadillo squarely on Charlie Brown. I love the end of the movie where the kids sing by the tree with their heads turned upward and their mouths make the big O. In fact that scene is the most memorable for me. Charlie Brown is such a funny character but his downer attitude in this flick makes it much more appreciated.

The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 5 National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Hey Everybody,

We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.

Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our writer friends over at Troy's Bucket to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on the Bucket and on the Troy's Bucket site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!

So far......

6.) The Nightmare Before Christmas

7.) Scrooged

8.) Elf
9.) Santa Claus: the Movie
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

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5.) National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Clark: "Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse."

- Sketch by Dezi Sienty

Jeff: Clark W. Griswald certainly embodies the last true family man. He tries so hard to create the perfect holiday or vacation possible and almost never succeeds. We can all relate to the hell of bringing familes together for a few days over the holidays and all the chaos that ensues, but he makes it so damn funny, it allows us to breathe a collective sigh and say, "this was bad but at least it wasn't a Griswald Christmas." This has become a favorite of mine over the holidays and I highly recommend it. I truly feel it belongs a clear second to Vacation in the series. So whenever you feel overwhelmed with Christmas or you want to strangle a crazy uncle cause he set your tree on fire, just think of Clark and I promise you'll smile.

Jen Huber: I LOVE this movie. I start laughing from the moment that cartoon Santa arrives at the Griswold house until the very end. There are so many classic moments in this one but I think my favorite is the dinner scene with the whole family when the turkey ends up ruined and the cat gets electrocuted. I mean, could anything more go wrong during that dinner?! What a catastrophe! I love that Clark drinks his eggnog out of the Marty Moose mug (throwback to the original Vacation movie). Uncle Eddie really spices up the movie with his crazy antics and the Uncle Lewis and Aunt Bethany are so funny. This movie definitely brings together the spirit of family and holiday cheer.

The Top Best Christmas Movies 6. The Nightmare Before Christmas

>Hey Everybody,

We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.

Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our writer friends over at Troys Bucket to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on the Bucket and on the Troy's Bucket site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!

So far......

7.) Scrooged

8.) Elf
9.) Santa Claus: the Movie
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

___________________________________________________________________

6.) The Nightmare Before Christmas Jack: (singing) "There's children throwing snowballs/ instead of throwing heads/ they're busy building toys/ and absolutely no one's dead."

- Sketch by Corey Breen

Jen Huber: I like this movie because it's different. It's so creative and the music is great! I like to throw it in my holiday lineup in November because it has a little Halloween and a little Christmas. It's the perfect gateway to Christmas movies. Is it just me or is that boogey man really scary?

Jeff: One of the greatest blends of two holidays that, frankly, would never look good together. Halloween, with it's ghouls and goblins and Christmas, with its red bows and festive cheer. Only someone like Tim Burton could mesh the two in a symphony of outrageous fun and that is certainly what this is. Jack Skellington's odd journey into Christmas town is a wonderful journey, with supreme stop motion animation that would make Rudolph and Hermey red with envy. Jack is the ultimate misfit and it's always a pleasure to watch him stumble through his new discovery. This one is always great to watch just after Thanksgiving but really if you haven't seen it yet this Christmas, get out there now and rent it before the store closes for Christmas.

The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 7. Scrooged

Hey Everybody,

We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.

Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our artist friends over at Cave Drawing Ink to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on the Bucket and on the Cave Drawing Ink site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!

So far......

8.) Elf
9.) Santa Claus: the Movie
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
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7.) Scrooged Frank Cross: "The Jews taught me this great word. "Schmuck". I was a schmuck, and now I'm not a schmuck."

- Sketch by Ori Ayalon

Jeff: After the first few seconds of seeing fictional IBC's lineup at the beginning of the film I knew without hesitation that this was one of the funniest Christmas movies in a long time. The Night the Reindeer Died with Lee Majors, Bob Goulet's Old Fashioned Cajun Christmas and Father Loves Beaver, who can beat these wonderful titles? I just watched it again for the bajilionth time and, yes, on all cylinders it still holds up beautifully. Bill Murray is at top form playing cold hearted bastard Frank Cross, a tv exec, who is trying to put on a live version of Scrooge on Christmas Eve. Just like with all of the other Scrooge stories the main plot is the same. He is visited by three spirits from the Past, Present and Future. But these ghosts steal a large part of this show.

You have David Johansen, also known as Buster Poindexter as the Ghost of Christmas Past. His smart ass taxi driver from hell gets under Frank's skin in the best way. "Go Back to Jersey, you Moron!" Carol Kane is perfect as the masochistic Fairy who has to always remind Frank that sometimes the truth hurts, alot. She's got that airy fairy accent that is perceived as naive and then she turns around and uppercuts Frank with a toaster, classic. The last guy, doesn't speak--but--one of the funniest scenes is Frank thinking the Ghost of Christmas Future from the show is the real deal. "You think I'm afraid of you, the day I've had? I know what you came for. Come and get it, you pussy." This one always gives me a chuckle.

I know you have the old staples, It's a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, blah blah--but if you want a great holiday movie with a little message and a lot of laughs pop in this DVD I promise it won't disappoint. You can play a drinking game with your friends about how many times posters about Freeing South Africa appear in the movie, there are more than you think.

Jen Huber: Oh Bill Murray, you can be a comedic genius when you put your mind to it. I like that this one takes a modern look at the Christmas Carol story instead of trying to reinvent the wheel. I remember seeing this one for the first time on TV, no one else I was watching it with liked it but I saw the entertainment in the story. It's a showcase for Murray, and being a huge fan of his, I dig it.

The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 8. Elf

Hey Everybody,

We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.

Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our writer friends over at Troy's Bucket to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on the Bucket and on the Troy's Bucket site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!

So far......

9.) Santa Claus: the Movie
10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
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8.) Elf (2003): Buddy - "I passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel."

- Sketch by Jeffrey Zacholl

Jeff: I'll be honest with you I've only seen Elf once since it's release in 2003, but I remember thinking this could become a Christmas classic. Will Farrell's Buddy is a naive and sweet guy, raised by Santa's Elves, and who is desperately looking for his long lost Dad. It's a little bizarre at first seeing James Caan in a movie like this but the old guy really holds his own. He serves as sort of a Scrooge/Grinch mix that has to find his heart again. Will Farrell is in top comedic form as his North Pole Elf tries to make sense of the Big Apple. There are some great moments with the Department Store elf, Jovie played by Zooey Deschanel. We are also treated to a really nice duet of Baby It's Cold Outside from Jovie and Buddy. She's got a great smoky voice, that's a real pleasure to listen to. I'm definitely going to check this one out again, and I recommend that you do the same.

Jen Huber: Anytime I get sad about a movie decision Will Ferrell has made, I know I can always turn to this movie. He makes this huge elf of a man innocent in a way that is so funny! I think my favorite character in this movie is James Caan as Buddy's business focused father. He appears to be so mean in the beginning, but honestly, who wouldn't be a little overwhelmed by a guy like Buddy? I think this was the first time I had seen Zooey Deschanel in a movie and I just remember thinking she was fantastic in an old hollywood way. This movie encourages people to accept others differences, even if they do put chocolate on their spaghetti. One of the best things about this movie is the way that Buddy keeps trying to be part of the family even when he isn't made to feel welcome. In the end, the Christmas miracle is that his newfound family becomes a loving family and his grinch of a father's heart grows three sizes.

Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 9. Santa Claus: The Movie

Hey Everybody,

We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.

Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our writer friends over at Troy's Bucket to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on Cave Drawing Ink and on the Troys Bucket site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!

So far......

10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
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9.) Santa Claus: the Movie (1985): B.Z. - "When you've got a hit like we have, Patch, the people don't wanna wait a whole year, they're dying for a sequel! A sequel. That's it. We'll bring it out on March 25, and we'll call it... Christmas II!"

Sketch by - Dezi Sienty

Jeff: I remember walking out of the theatre with my parents as a child after Santa Claus: The Movie, and looking up toward the night sky I could see the North Star and I said, in a breathless voice, "it's all real." For the kid who believed in Santa Claus this was the movie that explained everything. You've got the origin story of how Santa stumbled upon the hidden castle of the elves and you've got some nice flying Reindeer effects to complete the mystery surrounding this jolly guy who comes down your chimney to bring you presents every Christmas. Now as an adult I came to appreciate the actor David Huddleston who was pretty funny as the Big Lebowski and he was a great addition to the Wonder Years as Grandpa Arnold. But he will always be Santa to me. He just had that sparkle it was just a perfect casting.

As a kid the backstory, the Elves and the Reindeer were always front and center but as I watched this film as a young adult and as an adult I noticed the larger theme spotlighting the commercialization of Christmas. It has been done many times before and many times after but I thought the particular focus on Corporate Greed and dangerously manufactured toys was a nice addition and it is, unfortunately, still a timely one. The Big Bad played deliciously by John Lithgow as the notorious Toy Mogul B.Z. This guy will sell anything to make a buck and I mean anything. To watch the expose of B.Z. in court was like watching that SNL skit where Dan Akroyd's slimy toy salesman, Irwin Mainway, is being ripped apart by Candice Bergen for hawking Bears with chainsaws in them. It's equally fun to watch B.Z. manipulate the childlike Elf Patch (Dudley Moore) into making some explosive candy while plotting to take the cash and do a frame job on the Elf while he makes a break for a non-extradition based country. Evil?

To conclude, yes it's a bit of a hammy movie and yes there are times where you are going to want to slap the braces out of that really annoying girl every time she opens her mouth--Shut up--I'm sorry that was BZ talking. It's still a must see around Christmas and most definitely for any young kid from 2-12 that gets crap for still believing in Santa, yes there is a Santa, and this movie will prove it too.

Jen Huber: First, I miss Dudley Moore. He and John Lithgow are two of my favorites and so by that rationale this one HAS to be a classic. I love watching movies from the 80's. I think they all just have a special quality that is especially characteristic of that time. Maybe it's because I was born in the 80's and can actually remember watching the movie around when it was first released. At any rate, the story is about corporate greed, and because it's about Christmas, thankfully, greed doesn't win the race. It's a fun story, maybe a little cheesy but a fun just the same! Honestly though, I have to admit when I see the film titled Santa Claus-I'm actually thinking of that Tim Allen Movie, The Santa Claus. That one is really more of a staple in my house at Christmas and I hold a special place in my heart for it. It got snubbed for a spot on the list but that's ok, I can handle it. But seriously folks, I'm glad that that other Santa Claus Movie made the list though, cause it has been forgotten by many, they are both fun flicks -- go watch them!!

The Top Ten Best Christmas Movies - 10. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Hey Everybody,

We had such a good time doing our Halloween top ten that we thought we would do another one! Christmas is upon us and we thought we would try to come up with the ultimate top ten list that, in our minds, embodies the true meaning of Christmas.

Now, lately it seems as if the networks aren't interested in playing the classic Christmas movies of old. I keep seeing these crappy Scrooge rip offs over and over on all of the various networks. Like Mrs. Scrooge, Ebenezer, A Diva's Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas. (With Tori Spelling, need I say more?) Not to mention these vapid, crappy and sacchrine kid flicks that are so PC they make me want to vomit. Thankfully I got our writer friends over at Troy's Bucket to help us conceptulize those memorable Christmas flicks of old. You can see our top ten here on Cave Drawing Ink and on the Troy's Bucket site. Enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!

10.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Santa Claus:"From what I see now, that (nose)will cut through the murkiest storm they can dish up. What I'm trying to say is, Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

- Sketch by Sev Eaton

Jen Huber: This movie is truly a classic. I've got to tell you though - the Abominable Snowman steals the show from Rudolph in this one. Who doesn't love a story about a giant monster who goes from scaring people to being the one to put the star on top of the tree at Christmas?

I've got to ask this question, on the Island of Misfit Toys - what was wrong with the doll? Every other toy has something wrong (a train with square wheels, charlie in the box, a gun that shoots jelly instead of water). What was wrong with the doll? Was it the name? That question has been on my mind every time I have seen this movie since I was like 10.

The characters in this story are classic. Who can forget the singing, narrator snowman voiced by Burl Ives? I also really liked Hermey, DDS. Actually, all the characters in this movie were good (besides the doll, the doll just ends up frustrating me). I think this film really embodies the spirit of Christmas. A bunch of misfits who band together and save Christmas by using their unique talents - that is a slam dunk.

Jeff: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was the first Christmas movie I can remember watching when I was a little kid. Made by Rankin-Bass, this stop-motion animated flick was a must see in my house from ages 3-6. Those guys owned Christmas with hits like Frosty, Twas the Night Before Christmas, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town and many others. But of all of the Rankin-Bass flicks, Rudolph was the cream of the crop. Sure it's a bit dated now but it still evokes nostalgia and feel good Christmassy feelings. The key word here is Misfit--and this flick is full of them. Rudolph and his band of renegades like Hermey the Elf who wants to be a Dentist, the guy with the bad Porn name, Yukon Cornelius, who is trying desperately to find him some gold and, of course, that island of messed up toys. Like the X-Men, Rudolph was a pioneer of utilizing the gifts given to him that everyone seems to shun. In the end the seemingly Big Bad, Bumpo-or the Abominable Snowman, turns out to be a swell guy. Proof again that no matter how hairy and scary you look on the outside what's on the inside is what really counts.

Dezi's 15 seconds of fame!!!

Hi Everyone,



As you know Dez and I attended the first ever Brooklyn Con a few weeks ago. Well Time Magazine did a feature on the Con and if you look close enough in the first few seconds you can see Dezi sketching up a kick ass Frankenstein sketch for the Time Magazine lady. You can check out the video here.

http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,52626087001_1943542,00.html

Enjoy!