5 cinematic masterpieces: celebrate the holidays with the best christmas movies of all time
Winter is on its way, and according to the new Ukrainian calendar, the holidays begin in early December. Therefore, it is quite appropriate to prepare for the upcoming holidays and get in the right mood.
In this regard, Time Out has prepared a list of the 5 best "Christmas" movies of all time. Each of these films is somehow related to the celebration of Christmas and was once an event in the world of cinema.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" is a cartoon that debuted on CBS on December 9, 1965. Despite the onset of the merry holiday season, Charlie Brown is asked by Lucy to direct the neighborhood Christmas pageant. However, his efforts are ignored and ridiculed by his peers when he chooses a real but pathetic Christmas tree as the centerpiece.
Despite initial concerns from producers and the network due to the lack of on-screen laughter (typical for American television animation of the period), as well as the tone, pacing, music, and animation itself, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" received high ratings and critical acclaim.
The cartoon won Emmy and Peabody awards and became a must-see for annual screenings in the United States. It has been aired during the Christmas season for 56 years and is now available exclusively on the Apple TV+ streaming service.
The success of the cartoon paved the way for a number of Peanuts TV specials and movies, and the film's jazz soundtrack was a commercial success, selling five million copies in the US.
Batman Returns (1992)
"Batman Returns" is a 1992 American superhero film directed by Tim Burton and written by Daniel Waters. The movie is based on the DC Comics character Batman and is a sequel to the movie "Batman" (1989), the second part of the 1989-1 Batman film series.
In the film, the vigilante superhero Batman clashes with wealthy industrialist Max Schreck and crime boss Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin, who seek power no matter the cost to Gotham City. Their plans are complicated by Selina Kyle, Schreck's former meek secretary, who seeks revenge on Schreck in the guise of Catwoman. The cast includes Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Michael Gough, Pat Hingle, Michael Murphy.
A New Christmas Carol (Scrooged 1988)
"A New Christmas Carol" (Scrooged) is a 1988 American Christmas fantasy comedy film directed by Richard Donner. The film's screenplay is based on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" (1843) and is a modern retelling of the classic work. Bill Murray plays the role of Frank Cross, a cynical and selfish television manager visited by a series of ghosts on Christmas Eve who want to help him bring back the spirit of Christmas. The film also stars Karen Allen, John Forsythe, Bobcat Goldthwait, Carol Kane, Robert Mitchum, Michael J. Pollard, and Alfre Woodard.
Despite some challenges during production, "Scrooged" was released on November 23, 1988. The film grossed over $100 million at the box office, receiving positive feedback from viewers at test screenings. However, it was met with mixed reviews from critics after its release, with some considering it both too evil and too sentimental at the same time. "Scrooged" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Makeup but lost to the fantasy comedy "Beetlejuice."
8 Women (8 Femmes 2002)
"8 Women" is a musical comedy film by François Ozon, based on the 1958 play by Robert Thomas. The film features famous French actresses, including Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Emmanuelle Béart, Fanny Ardant, Virginie Ledoyen, Danielle Darrieux, Ludivine Sagnier, and Firmine Richard. The plot revolves around an eccentric family of women and their employees in the 1950s.
Eight women gather to celebrate Christmas in an isolated cottage covered in snow but discover that Marcel, the family patriarch, is dead with a knife in his back. Each woman becomes a suspect, each with a motive and a secret.
"8 Women" premiered on January 8, 2002, in Paris. The film received generally positive reviews, with praise for the performances of the stars. It was nominated for 12 César awards, including Best Picture, and won the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution at the 52nd Berlin International Film Festival.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" is a fantasy film directed by Andrew Adamson and co-written by Anne Peacock, Christopher Markus, and Stephen McFeely. It is an adaptation of the novel by C.S. Lewis - "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" (1950) from the series of children's books "The Chronicles of Narnia."
The plot follows Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie, four English children evacuated to the countryside during World War II. They find a wardrobe that leads to the fantasy world of Narnia, where they unite with the lion Aslan against the forces of the White Witch (Tilda Swinton).
"The Chronicles of Narnia" premiered on December 7, 2005, was selected for the Royal Film Festival, and was released in the UK on December 8 and in the US on December 9. The film grossed $745 million worldwide against a budget of $180 million. At the 78th Academy Awards, it won the Best Makeup Award and was nominated for Best Sound Mixing and Best Visual Effects. At the 59th BAFTA Awards, it won Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Costume Design, and Best Special Visual Effects. The success of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" led to sequels, including "Prince Caspian" in 2008 and "Journey of the Starcatcher" in 2010, with a total global box office of $1.5 billion for the three films.
