Re: 16th Annual Holiday Challenge 11/20-1/1 Discussion Thread
 

I've never, ever, liked the blackface bits in anything. Even as a kid I thought they were awful, not funny, not good - ever. I couldn't understand why they just didn't use a black actor. Because of that I've never liked that one song - but I absolutely *love* "Abraham" done with Mamie and her kids. A couple of lines are awkward, always have been for me, but the song is still quite good.
I've never known anyone who doesn't like at least one Jimmy Stewart movie. He's been in so many from drama to comedy to western it's really kind of hard to avoid him as you miss out on many classics.

I *do* feel your pain with Elf - I've mentioned before it's all because of Will Ferrell - I can't stand him at all and will avoid a movie if he's in it.

Re: 16th Annual Holiday Challenge 11/20-1/1 Discussion Thread
 

And... I had more than enough time tonight to add Scrooged to the watched list. Roger Ebert seemingly hated this film, giving it 1 star. We must have watched different films or just view this one quite differently as I normally agree with his assessments of films.

Re: 16th Annual Holiday Challenge 11/20-1/1 Discussion Thread
 

A little confused by some of your wording, but yes, White Christmas is a loose, color remake of Holiday Inn. I think I even made a thread for it, but I saw Holiday Inn and have always preferred it, especially because of Fred Astaire. But I’ve grown to appreciate White Christmas as well. Unfortunately I didn’t fit in either (or It’s a Wonderful Life) this year, but that’s ok.

Re: 16th Annual Holiday Challenge 11/20-1/1 Discussion Thread
 

I have only watched 3-4 of his movies, but haven't enjoyed any of them. I've watched Rope and Rear Window, along with It's a Wonderful Life. So...maybe there is a movie of his I like but I haven't seen it yet. It's hard to find motivation to watch a bunch of films with someone you dislike starring in them. I know there are a few I'll watch eventually, (the Mr. Smith movies are on my list) but I doubt it'll be soon!

Totally agree about Will Ferrell. I kind of enjoyed him when he was on SNL, but none of the movies I've watched with him in have really been enjoyable for me. Part of it is, I'm not a person who loves slapstick or gross comedy and that is a big part of his shtick. I give him credit, he goes all in, but not in a way that I appreciate!

I'm afraid I side with Mr. Ebert! Bill Murray does a great job here, but to mean, he's just mean and cruel. Probably my least favorite adaptation of A Christmas Carol.

I got two more watches in tonight, Love Actually and The Polar Express. I really like the first and the second has grown on my through the years. Though the animation is aging somewhat gracefully, there are definitely parts that stand out (the dancing chocolate waiters) a bit from the rest of the film. I mainly really enjoy the story. It's just a sweet story about kids at that age of disbelieving.

Re: 16th Annual Holiday Challenge 11/20-1/1 Discussion Thread
 

There’s just something about the original ‘Night Of The Meek’ episode of The Twilight Zone. It has always been one of my favorite episodes of the series, but there is more to it than that. Every single time I watch it, the final scene never fails to choke me up.

Re: 16th Annual Holiday Challenge 11/20-1/1 Discussion Thread
 

I like Stewart but respect that you haven’t liked his stuff so far. I don’t think there’s any need to force it, but you might consider something like The Philadelphia Story (unless you’ve already seen it), where he’s part of a troupe rather than the central character.

Re: 16th Annual Holiday Challenge 11/20-1/1 Discussion Thread
 

I think some of his best work was in westerns like Destry Rides Again, The Man from Laramie, The Far Country, Broken Arrow, Winchester '73, Bend of the River, and others. He's absolutely superb in The Glenn Miller Story. Another excellent ensemble type movie is You Can't Take it With You. Then there's Vivacious Lady with Ginger Rogers, Shop Around the Corner, a somewhat of a Christmas movie from Ernst Lubitsch, and one of his best comedies, Harvey. But I can understand not caring for him as his delivery and style is pretty much the same in every movie in which he appears.

Re: 16th Annual Holiday Challenge 11/20-1/1 Discussion Thread
 

A mistyped title! Thanks! It's fixed. :)

Re: 16th Annual Holiday Challenge 11/20-1/1 Discussion Thread
 

:)

Re: 16th Annual Holiday Challenge 11/20-1/1 Discussion Thread
 

Isn't that one of the few they did on videotape one year in a misguided attempt to cut costs? I have great trouble watching those - too "stagy" in the production and have that "hollow" live studio sound.

Re: 16th Annual Holiday Challenge 11/20-1/1 Discussion Thread
 

I like The Polar Express a bit more each time I watch it and the story is pretty good. Still, the rotoscope style animation of Tom Hanks is rather disturbing looking to me. At least he's not in it enough to fully creep me out.

I think I have a copy of Love Actually, the plot sounds familiar.

Re: 16th Annual Holiday Challenge 11/20-1/1 Discussion Thread
 

It might very well be. While I like the story, I always felt like it was one that had a cheaper sound and look in the production

Re: 16th Annual Holiday Challenge 11/20-1/1 Discussion Thread
 

If you watch Love Actually pay attention to the R rating. I know you watch a lot with grandkids. One of the plot lines surrounds a couple that meets through their job...being fill in for porn actors, so there is a lot of sex/nudity in their segments.

Totally agree about the rotoscope stye being creepy. There are definitely scenes that just aren't right!

I know that the challenge runs until dawn tomorrow, but I think I'm done. Watched While You Were Sleeping and Gremlins last night. Gremlins always surprises me how gross it is when they hatch and die...yuck. WYWS is always a fun watch. Just a nice, romantic comedy for when you are in a mood for one.

Thanks to shadokitty for hosting! Here's to hoping 2021 leads to more watches and more watches actually in a movie theater this year!

Re: 16th Annual Holiday Challenge 11/20-1/1 Discussion Thread
 

I had planned on watching some Bowl games to finish off the Challenge, but got sidetracked with other activities today. I did have a good time during this challenge though. I’ll give till next Friday to finalize lists and then I will work on a list of winners.

Re: 16th Annual Holiday Challenge 11/20-1/1 Discussion Thread
 

OK... that part *doesn't* sound familiar - and I looked through my Christmas stuff a bit better (that's one genre where I have it all in one location) and don't have a copy. Thanks for the warning! I generally look at the ratings and go from there. R rated movies *always* get a solo viewing before allowing them to watch, and even then I make sure their mom is OK with it.

I, too, am done - actually stopped on the 30th and got an early jump on the TVonDVD challenge even though most of my viewings on the 31st won't count. My last Christmas movie was Scrooged. I almost watched Home Alone 2 but it's not one I really care that much about watching every year. I *did* leave unopened, again, my copy of The Man Who Invented Christmas. I saw it last year via Amazon streaming and liked it but kept forgetting I had a copy.

I second the thanks to shadokitty!

Re: 16th Annual Holiday Challenge 11/20-1/1 Discussion Thread
 

I missed this one last year, but can't wait to take the challenge coming soon!