Best December Holiday Film Tournament

[Sculpt]

Best December Holiday Film Tournament

DEFINITION: Our tourney is defining a December Holiday Film as a film that has a tradition of being broadcast and viewed during December, and films in which the December holiday plays a significant role in the plot and/or theme.

Discussion is welcome! Post your votes below!

Contest 7 & 8 are between three films.

If you don't think a film is really a December Holiday Film, then you can disqualify it in your voting and discussion. If you haven't seen a film, take a guess, or skip, whatever you prefer.

Round 1:

1. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Vs Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
2. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) Vs All Through the House (2015)
3. A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Vs An American Christmas Carol (1979)
4. A Christmas Story (1983) Vs Christmas Cruelty! (2013)

5. Black Christmas (1974) Vs The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
6. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) Vs Edward Scissorhands (1990)
7. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) Vs Rare Exports (2010) Vs Two Front Teeth (2006)
8. The Homecoming: A Waltons Christmas Story (1971) Vs Gremlins (1984) Vs Dismembering Christmas (2015)

[Sculpt]

Here's mine:

1. Miracle on 34th Street
2. It's a Wonderful Life
3. A Nightmare Before Christmas
4. A Christmas Story

5. The Muppet Christmas Carol
6. A Charlie Brown Christmas
7. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
8. The Homecoming: A Waltons Christmas Story

[Repo'd]

This is going to be tough.

[Bloof]

1 Silent Night Deadly Night
2 I.A.W.L.
3 N.B.C
4 A.C.S.
5 B.C
6 E.S.
7 N.L.C.V.
8 T.H.A.W.C.S (but Gremlins sure came close)

[Roiffalo]

OMFG I forgot to add Jack Frost to my list!! ::mad::

Oh well... As is here're my choices:

Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) (Haven't seen, but would rather see)
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Christmas Cruelty! (2013) (Haven't seen, but would rather see)
Black Christmas (1974) (Haven't seen, but would rather see)

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) Vs Edward Scissorhands (1990) (Can't choose, I love them both!)
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) Vs Rare Exports (2010) Vs Two Front Teeth (2006)
Gremlins (1984) Vs Dismembering Christmas (2015)


Ok I lied; I need some time to think and come back to finish this... The last three are kinda in the air atm.

[hammerfan]

OMFG I forgot to add Jack Frost to my list!! ::mad::

Oh well... As is here're my choices:

Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) (Haven't seen, but would rather see)
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Christmas Cruelty! (2013) (Haven't seen, but would rather see)
Black Christmas (1974) (Haven't seen, but would rather see)

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) Vs Edward Scissorhands (1990) (Can't choose, I love them both!)
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) Vs Rare Exports (2010) Vs Two Front Teeth (2006)
Gremlins (1984) Vs Dismembering Christmas (2015)


Ok I lied; I need some time to think and come back to finish this... The last three are kinda in the air atm.

If you have Shudder, they're streaming Black Christmas right now.

[Sculpt]

OMFG I forgot to add Jack Frost to my list!! ::mad::

Oh well... As is here're my choices:

Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) (Haven't seen, but would rather see)
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Christmas Cruelty! (2013) (Haven't seen, but would rather see)
Black Christmas (1974) (Haven't seen, but would rather see)

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) Vs Edward Scissorhands (1990) (Can't choose, I love them both!)
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) Vs Rare Exports (2010) Vs Two Front Teeth (2006)
Gremlins (1984) Vs Dismembering Christmas (2015)


Ok I lied; I need some time to think and come back to finish this... The last three are kinda in the air atm.

No problem! We'll obviously poke a little into January with this tourney. But being it's usually the coldest time of year, we'll all have time to play.


Interesting you mention Edward Sissorhands...

Does anyone think Ed is not a December Holiday Film? Thoughts?

[Roiffalo]

If you have Shudder, they're streaming Black Christmas right now.

Might check it out on YouYube or something, but I don't usually watch holiday films after Christmas is over.

No problem! We'll obviously poke a little into January with this tourney. But being it's usually the coldest time of year, we'll all have time to play.


Interesting you mention Edward Sissorhands...

Does anyone think Ed is not a December Holiday Film? Thoughts?

I've only ever seen Ed once so I cannot say, but I remember snow. Snow = Christmas. Always.

[Repo'd]

1. Silent Night, Deadly Night
2. It's A Wonderful Life, despite my issues with this film. I'll elaborate if this movie goes further in the tournament.
3. A Nightmare Before Christmas
4. A Christmas Story
5. Black Christmas (74)
6. Charlie Brown Christmas
7. Nat Lamps Christmas Vacation
8. Gremlins

[hammerfan]

1. Silent Night, Deadly Night
2. It's a Wonderful Life
3. A Nightmare Before Christmas
4. A Christmas Story
5. Black Christmas
6. A Charlie Brown Christmas
7. Rare Exports
8. Gremlins

[Sculpt]

Moving right along! (You will see the rest of films from the selections you all made in the 'Pick Your Top 5' thread. We had a ton of selections!)

It gets really tough now!!!!! ::big grin::


ROUND 2:


It's a Wonderful Life (1946) Vs Pee Wee Herman's Christmas at the Playhouse
A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Vs A Christmas Story (1983)
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) Vs The Santa Clause (1994)


Black Christmas (1974) Vs Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
Scrooged (1988) Vs National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) Vs Gremlins (1984)

[Roiffalo]

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Santa Clause (1994) (haven't seen the other so going with the one I know)
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
*don't know either so can't give a proper vote*
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)


Actually this round was significantly easier. Only stumped on one this time. ::big grin::

[Sculpt]

Moving right along! (You will see the rest of films from the selections you all made in the 'Pick Your Top 5' thread. We had a ton of selections!)

It gets really tough now!!!!! ::big grin::


ROUND 2:


It's a Wonderful Life (1946) Vs Pee Wee Herman's Christmas at the Playhouse
A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Vs A Christmas Story (1983)
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) Vs The Santa Clause (1994)


Black Christmas (1974) Vs Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
Scrooged (1988) Vs National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) Vs Gremlins (1984)


Keep the votes coming!

[Bloof]

1 I. A.W.L
2 A.C.S
3 S.N.D.N
4 B.C.
5 N.L.C.V
6 G.

[hammerfan]

1. It's a Wonderful Life
2. A Christmas Story
3. Silent Night, Deadly Night
4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
5. Scrooged
6. A Charlie Brown Christmas

[Sculpt]

Aw Hellsnow! It's on now!


1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
2. A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
3. The Santa Clause (1994)

4. Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
5. Scrooged (1988)
6. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

[The Villain]

It's a Wonderful Life
A Nightmare Before Christmas
The Santa Clause

Black Christmas
Scrooged
Gremlins

[Sculpt]

ROUND 3:



A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Vs The Santa Clause (1994)


It's a Wonderful Life (1946) Vs A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)


Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) Vs Scrooged (1988)

[hammerfan]

A Nightmare Before Christmas
It's a Wonderful Life
Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas

[The Villain]

A Nightmare Before Christmas

It's a Wonderful Life

Scrooged

[Bloof]

Same as Villain.

[Roiffalo]

A Nightmare Before Christmas
It's a Wonderful Life
Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas

I'm siding with Hammer! ::smile::

[Sculpt]

Current standings...

4 - A Nightmare Before Christmas
0 - The Santa Clause

4 - It's a Wonderful Life
0 - A Charlie Brown Christmas

2 - Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
2 - Scrooged

Keep the votes coming!

[Sculpt]

Round 3 (running total):

4 - A Nightmare Before Christmas
0 - The Santa Clause

4 - It's a Wonderful Life
0 - A Charlie Brown Christmas

2 - Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
2 - Scrooged


I watched A Nightmare Before Christmas last night, and was a bit surprised with what I concluded was the ultimate message of the very creative film: 'don't try something new', or maybe 'don't tinker with Christmas'. Anyway, I would have voted for The Santa Clause. I also would have voted for It's a Wonderful Life.

Looks like I'll have to break the Grinch-Scrooged tie... and it's not the one I would want to break. Scrooged is a fine film, funny and creative, and at the end Murray brang tears to my eyes. I just finished watching Grinch again, perhaps only the second time. Actually, it's more or less an allegory of the book of "Job" in the Bible, with a slice of Dr Suess's traditional anti-consumerism and a dash of redemption. A simple creative, bright warm colorful tale. Today I have to tip the cup of Grinch.

On to the Final...

[Sculpt]

Three Way FINAL!!!



It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Vs
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
Vs
A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Each over 20 years apart...::big grin::

Feel free to make a case for and against any film!

You can change your vote at anytime too!

[hammerfan]

Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas

My reasoning is simple: it was my favorite Christmas show as a child. And, as I became more interested in horror, I loved that Boris Karloff was the narrator.

[The Villain]

It'a A Wonderful Life. I watch it every year on Christmas Eve as its a tradition in my family

[Sculpt]

I'll vote for "It's a Wonderful Life".

It's fairly hardcore. I mean it takes on multiple serious issues (social justice, suicide, self-sacrifice), with some very intense scenes. But it still also funny and lighthearted too; with an effective romance as well.

I'm not really sure why it's become a film traditionally played during the Holidays, but it certainly has. It has some well timed Christmas tie-ins, not to mention the over-all feel.

Grinch would be my next choice. Simple and artistic. Basically a reworking of the Bible story Job. Grinch takes all their Christmas stuff (and more), but they still celebrate Christmas without the stuff. The sight of it brings on redemption for the Grinch.

I'm really fond of lots of The Nightmare Before Christmas. I think the "What is This?" song and sequence is particularly fine. But the over all message (and every film has one) seems to be don't try something new, or don't mess with Christmas tradition, or you can't change. Which seems a bit bleak for a December holiday film.

[Sculpt]

Three Way FINAL!!!

current standings:

2 -- It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
1 -- Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
0 -- A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Keep the votes coming!

Feel free to make a case for, or against, any film!

[Roiffalo]

Looks like I'll need to break them down in order to decide cause I just love all three picks too much...

Nightmare Before Christmas
I adore this film as a movie both for children and adults, that is a holiday classic while also being a bit dark with a fun story. Characters and music were so memorable that it's just as popular today as it was the day it came out, if not more so (I was a bit young to remember how hyped it was, but I know you can still get merch for it at any Hot Topic). But as a Christmas film, as much as I love it, I don't think I would give it my vote for best. Simply because, every year I don't know if I should even watch it for Halloween or Christmas. It focuses very much on both holidays, and on a story of its own where Jack is just trying to find himself. There wasn't really a Christmas-y message, and aside from the one song in Christmas town, I never really got a festive vibe from it. So... love the movie, but not my pick for best Christmas flick.

That was the easy one... Grinch vs Wonderful Life is a tough choice...

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
I grew up with the Grinch. My parents grew up with the Grinch. I loved the animation as a child, and as an adult appreciate it for Boris's beautiful narration. The song is memorable and still played on the radio every year, and who doesn't know about the Grinch as a memorable character? The story a classic tale of turning a heart of stone to gold (or in this case, growing it), and a message rarely told, especially in today's world. Material possessions are just that, possessions. They're meaningless without the true meaning of Christmas behind them. A beautiful message that still warms my heart every time I watch it.

It's a Wonderful Life
I was in my teens when I had watched Wonderful Life for the first time. This movie really changed my life... Not only did it give me my first true appreciation for classic black and white film, but it had the best Godamn message I've ever seen. Similar to the butterfly effect, but in a more positive light. Everything you do, no matter how small, effects the people around you. No matter how small a good deed, it will be noticed and rewarded. Every life matters, especially your own, and is never wasted. I wasn't in a good place as a teen (most teens aren't), and I'm honestly still not (currently at an age where I'm still trying to find my place in this fucked up world), so whenever I watch this movie, it gives my perspective on my life a new view. Without feeling conceded I'm able to look back on the things I've done that might have benefited someone else, and I can feel a sense of pride. A relief that, hey maybe my life isn't total garbage after all.


If I were to answer the question for best Christmas film, I'd honestly have to say 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'. It was the one movie of the three with the best Christmas message and theme. Wonderful Life may be a beautiful classic, but it didn't focus on Christmas a whole lot. It could have taken place any time of year and still have had the same impact really. I'll give it the point for best film of the three listed however because fuck, man... you just can't beat that message.


[/analysis]

Took me a while, but I think I came up with a satisfying enough answer. Sorry you have to dig for it though, Sculpt. ::big grin::

[Sculpt]

Took me a while, but I think I came up with a satisfying enough answer. Sorry you have to dig for it though, Sculpt. ::big grin::

Great post and well said, love it!

[Roiffalo]

Great post and well said, love it!

Glad it wasn't all for nothing. ::embarrassment::

[Sculpt]

Three Way FINAL!!!

current standings:

2 -- It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
2 -- Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
0 -- A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Keep the votes coming!

Feel free to make a case for, or against, any film!

[Repo'd]

Wow! Tough choice here between the Grinch and Jack.
It's A Wonderful Life is not one of my favorites, despite my love for Jimmy Stewart. My problem with IAWL is that it descends into such sadness and misery at one point, that emotionally it takes me to a place I don't want to be , especially around Christmas. It's effective of course, very. It's a well told story, certainly, and it does have a beautiful resolution, but it's the getting there that has caused me to pretty much remove this movie from my Holiday watch list.

Now, as for our remaining contenders...

Nightmare Before Christmas is a grand bit of awesomeness, and I am one of the lucky old people who saw this on the big screen when it debuted. What more can be said for the brilliant design and flawless score? It's a masterpiece, for sure. The thing is, I have to agree with Roi when she remarked about her fuzziness in whether this is a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie. Yeah, of course, it can be both, but something about the vauguery keeps me from singling it out as my favorite.
Which brings me to my pick for number one (amongst these three, of course. My personal favorite is Black Christmas 74), How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
Karloff's vocal performance is enough to elevate this to classic status, and thanks to his dulcet tones, The Grinch has been one of my favorite animated characters for ages. Well, that voice along with the Grinch's well founded cynicism regarding the Holiday. I've always enjoyed the level of hatred he manages to summon for the poor Whos, almost as much as I enjoy his eventual Ebeneezer Scrooge-like epiphany. What's not to love about a Holiday hating anti-Claus?
Then there is the music. True, Danny Elfman's work on Nightmare is brilliant and filled with hummable numbers from top to bottom, but nothing, and I do mean nothing, can top Youre A Mean One, Mr. Grinch. What a fun tune! Great orchestration and sung by Tony The Tiger (can't recall the actors name), I practically bellow the words out of sheer joy when the song comes up in the show. Add to that some really timeless animation and the fact that I have loved this one since I was about 3 years old and you have my pick for the The HDC Holiday numero uno.

Fun stuff, Sculpt, Thanks for putting this together!

[Sculpt]

Wow! Tough choice here between the Grinch and Jack.
It's A Wonderful Life is not one of my favorites, despite my love for Jimmy Stewart. My problem with IAWL is that it descends into such sadness and misery at one point, that emotionally it takes me to a place I don't want to be , especially around Christmas. It's effective of course, very. It's a well told story, certainly, and it does have a beautiful resolution, but it's the getting there that has caused me to pretty much remove this movie from my Holiday watch list.

Now, as for our remaining contenders...

Nightmare Before Christmas is a grand bit of awesomeness, and I am one of the lucky old people who saw this on the big screen when it debuted. What more can be said for the brilliant design and flawless score? It's a masterpiece, for sure. The thing is, I have to agree with Roi when she remarked about her fuzziness in whether this is a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie. Yeah, of course, it can be both, but something about the vauguery keeps me from singling it out as my favorite.
Which brings me to my pick for number one (amongst these three, of course. My personal favorite is Black Christmas 74), How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
Karloff's vocal performance is enough to elevate this to classic status, and thanks to his dulcet tones, The Grinch has been one of my favorite animated characters for ages. Well, that voice along with the Grinch's well founded cynicism regarding the Holiday. I've always enjoyed the level of hatred he manages to summon for the poor Whos, almost as much as I enjoy his eventual Ebeneezer Scrooge-like epiphany. What's not to love about a Holiday hating anti-Claus?
Then there is the music. True, Danny Elfman's work on Nightmare is brilliant and filled with hummable numbers from top to bottom, but nothing, and I do mean nothing, can top Youre A Mean One, Mr. Grinch. What a fun tune! Great orchestration and sung by Tony The Tiger (can't recall the actors name), I practically bellow the words out of sheer joy when the song comes up in the show. Add to that some really timeless animation and the fact that I have loved this one since I was about 3 years old and you have my pick for the The HDC Holiday numero uno.

Fun stuff, Sculpt, Thanks for putting this together!
Well said, Repo! There are a ton of gut punches in IAWL. And I was a little surprised it was a 2 hr film. But, I like film gut punches, and I can see it does go to a place one might not want to go.

Black Christmas won the first round against Muppet Christmas. It then came up one short against newcomer Grinch.

Maybe will let the voting for this final go till the end of the weekend here. Everyone is welcome to vote!


Three Way FINAL!!!

current standings:

2 -- It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
3 -- Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
0 -- A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Keep the votes coming!

Feel free to make a case for, or against, any film!

[Sculpt]

And the winner of the 2016 HDC Best December Holiday Film is...

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

Thanks to everyone who participated! Especially those who brought in some suggestions new to me! It was a pleasure!

[Roiffalo]

A fitting result for horror fans! Thanks for hosting another fun tournament, Sculpt! ::smile::

[Repo'd]

A fitting result for horror fans! Thanks for hosting another fun tournament, Sculpt! ::smile::


Well said, Roi-O! Thanks, Sculpt!

[hammerfan]

Yay!!!!!