Classic movies to spice up your holiday season
By Chick Green, Reporter

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: Produced by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass, this movie is the oldest one on the list, premiering on TV for the first time in 1964. But old doesn’t mean out of touch. The film tells the traditional story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, while mixing in original characters such as Hermie the elf (Paul Soles), an aspiring dentist; the abominable snow monster (voiced by John Dezso Ratzenberger); and Sam the snowman (voiced by Burl Ives), who narrates the film. If you haven’t seen it, your parents probably have. I’m probably biased because this was one of the first movies that I ever watched as a child, but it has definitely stood the test of time and remains a classic to this day.

Home Alone: An all time classic, “Home Alone” is a joy to watch during the holidays. If you haven’t already seen it, then you definitely should before the holiday season ends. This 1990 film follows Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), who has been forgotten at his house after the rest of his family goes on a Christmas vacation without him. He is not left alone for long, however, as a pair of burglars turn up to invade the house they suspect to be empty. The movie is a perfect mix of wacky comedic violence and wholesome holiday content, and is a must see for this holiday season.
Die Hard: If you’re tired of a boring, repetitive, or PG Christmas movie selection, then the 1988 film “Die Hard” is a great option for you. Director John McTiernan’s rollercoaster of an action film stars Bruce Willis as an NYPD detective in a thrilling fight against a group of German terrorists on Christmas Eve. “Die Hard” has been named one of the best action and Christmas films ever made. I think the success of this film is largely due to how much it contrasts with almost every other Christmas-themed movies.

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town: Another instant classic by producers Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass, this stop motion animation film is based on the hit song of the same name. “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” delivers an original take on the origin story of Santa Claus (aka Kris Kringle) and various holiday traditions. As Kringle grows into an adult, he crosses paths with a number of villains including the Winter Warlock and Burgermeister Meisterburger, a town mayor who hates toys. Along with the warm and fuzzy tone, the film features several classic Christmas songs and radiates waves of pure childhood nostalgia on its viewers.

Elf: The 2003 film Elf is the perfect choice for those in need of a laugh during a stressful holiday season. The newest on this list, Elf centers around Buddy (Will Ferrell), a human who was raised by Santa’s elves. Upon learning the truth of his upbringing, and that he is not actually an elf (surprise, surprise), Buddy travels to New York to find his biological father. This film is filled to the brim with humor, and is perfect for an audience of all ages.