The Christmas Toy

Last night I forced to watch a Garfield Christmas. First off, I'd like to go on record as saying that it was without a doubt the worst Christmas special I have ever seen in my life! It was poorly animated, boring, it made no sense, and the music was just terrible. I was never a huge Garfield fan to begin with; I just don't see the appeal. He's a cat that loves lasagna, we GET it. How someone managed to stretch that comic out for so many years is beyond me.

After the movie came to a merciful end, I began to rant about how awful it was, as I am want to do. I began listing other Christmas specials that were far superior to this lackluster movie and I eventually came to Jim Henson's: the Christmas Toy. I was shocked and appalled to find that neither of roommates had ever heard of this film.

The Christmas Toy is one of my all time favorite Christmas movies. Without giving too much away, it is a story about toys that come to life whenever humans leave them alone. They have their own society and carry on fun little lives involving building things and playing games. The only catch is, if they are seen moving by a human, they pretty much die. They freeze in the position in which they were found and then the other toys hold a funeral service for them. How messed up/ great a premise for a children’s movie is that?!

Every year the toy society welcomes in the new additions that arrive on Christmas morning and last year’s favorite toy has to come to terms with the fact that they are no longer number one. This concept is lost on Rugby, a stuffed tiger who refuses to give up the thrown, as he attempts to sneak back down to the tree and climb into a box so that can be unwrapped and serve a 2nd term as the family childs favorite toy. Hilarity ensues. I am now on a personal quest to track down this movie so that I may add it to my holiday movie rotation.

If you have never seen this movie, please do yourself a favor and give it a shot. You won't be disappointed.

3 Films that you didn't know were Holiday Movies

Gremlins
Sure you knew you can’t get them wet, they can’t be in the sun, and you can’t feed them after midnight. But did you know that Gremlins is actually a Christmas movie? Think about it. There are Christmas lights, snow, and at one point the Gremlins themselves sing Christmas carols to the enjoyment of no one! And who could forget the touching story explaining why Phoebe Cates doesn’t much care for the holidays? If you’ve had enough of the same old Christmas movies, pop Gremlins in your DVD player. Provided of course that Gremlins haven’t already destroyed it.

Ghostbusters 2
Sure ghosts are an issue 360 days a year for most of us, but in Ghostbusters 2 evil rears its ugly head on at the onset of the holidays and culminates on New Year’s Eve. When a haunted painting of a 16th century madman tries to take over the city, the boys in beigh are ready to do defend New York in an epic battle that can only be won with proton packs, slime, and holiday cheer of New Yorkers everywhere.

Die Hard 2
Meet John Mclain, the smart mouthed, gun toting, New York cop who saves Christmas! When a sky scraper is overrun by terrorists on Christmas Eve, Bruce Willis is forced to take action into his own hands with nothing but wits, guns, and an endless array of Holiday puns.

A Christmas Carol?

I’d like to take this time to discuss, what I believe, is one of the most underrated Christmas movies of all time: Scrooged. Scrooged is not only one of my all time favorite Christmas movies, but it’s also one of my all time favorite Bill Murray movies, second only to Ghostbusters.

If you have never seen Scrooged, it is a dark yet hilarious remake of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol.

Murray breathes new life into the character by playing a greedy and callous TV exec who has forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. He is of course visited by the infamous 3 ghosts in an attempt to help him become reacquainted with the spirit of Christmas.

I strongly suggest you add this movie to your holiday rotation, especially if you are a fan of Bill Murray. This movie was one of his first that showed that he was as brilliant a dramatic actor as he is a comedian.

Top 10 Christmas Movies for Kids!

Even though I'm 28, I still HAVE to watch these holiday classics every year!

10. - Mickey's Christmas Carol
Though there are many more sophisticated or "adult" versions of A Christmas Carol, I have a soft spot for this Disney re-telling. I'm particularly fond of Jiminy Cricket as the Ghost of Christmas Past. This classic can only be purchased on VHS or in a compilation DVD called "Mickey's Magical Christmas - Snowed in at the House of Mouse", though the House of Mouse version is not quite the same as the original (missing the intro).



9. - Prancer
Prancer is a beautiful story. I love Sam Elliott in the role of a concerned father. From the breathtaking scenery to the wonderfully crafted characters, this film is a heart-warming Christmas story for all ages! Prancer is easy to find on DVD at this time of year.





8. - Muppet Family Christmas
In this Jim Henson classic Kermit does his best to get the whole Muppet family together for a big Christmas celebration, but as you can imagine with such a motley crew, many things go wrong along the way. This is one of my family's favorite movies. Do yourself a favor and by the VHS version if you still have a video player. The new DVD version has been edited to remove some of the best scenes!



7. - Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas
The story of how Emmett pulls through a tough holiday season and makes it festive even during hard times may be especially inspiring this Christmas. Newly released for 2008 on DVD, I'm not sure yet if the new version wasn't adulterated by crazy editing, but I hope not! This is a must-have!





6. - Elf
This movie is funny, sweet, and (I think) the best holiday movie in a while! Buddy, I like your style with the maple syrup. Elf is available on DVD and, if you're fancy, you can find it on Blu-Ray too!






5. - The Christmas Toy
This was my favorite Christmas movie when I was a kid, but it was hard to find! With a Velveteen Rabbit-esque plot, Rugby Tiger, a stuffed tiger, is offended that his child will be getting new toys for Christmas. Consoled by a doll and a cat toy named Mew, he perseveres. This movie is a great antidote to Poltergeist nightmares from Halloween movie marathons. The DVD version of this has been changed too -- no more Kermie! I think the VHS has the full movie, so I'd opt for that if you can choose.


4. - Miracle on 34th Street
This is the definition of a Christmas classic. This movie has lasted for generations for a reason! I prefer the older, Maureen O'Hara version. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!






3. Home Alone
Famous last words: "He's only a kid Harry. We can take him." I can't imagine the holidays without the tale of how Kevin McAllister defending his home from some ill-prepared thieves.






2. - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Where would we be without the Island of Misfit Toys, and Yukon Cornelius? I always try to catch this show when it's on TV, usually on ABC Family the week after Thanksgiving, but you can also get it on DVD or VHS.






1. The Christmas Story
Poor Ralphie... all he wants is a Red Ryder BB Gun! My affection for this movie is more about the little scenes like getting your tongue stuck on icy metal, or accidentally swearing in front of your dad. Everyone from Grandma & Grandpa to your 3-year-old nephew will enjoy this film - I think everyone can identify!

Did you know that Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) appeared in Elf as an elf?