Finally getting around to watching, but before I move forward with watching—I just wanted to get some Christmas recommendations out of the way. The Santa Clause movies, The Polar Express, the Princess Switch movies, It's a Wonderful Life (you would understand the OTH episode where they featured it so much more), The Ultimate Christmas Present (it's a DCOM), and there are many versions of Christmas Carols (some classics, some movies based on the story, so I'd look up the different ones).
OH, and speaking of Will Ferrell, have you seen Night at the Roxbury?? If not, I highly recommend it. I'm not a huge Ferrell fan, but love Elf and Night at the Roxbury.
CGoerlich
2024-12-28 04:47:22 +0000 UTC
The Polar Express is my favorite Christmas movie!
Stephanie Welper
2024-12-28 02:50:57 +0000 UTC
I love Last Christmas, but no one ever knows what I'm talking about!
Also, I've been wanting to re-watch New Girl. I think you'd love it!
Jenny D
2024-12-26 23:09:12 +0000 UTC
Omg next year you definitely have to watch polar express!!!! If not I also would love to see It's a wonderful life it's my favorite Christmas movie it has a good message. The Family Stone is also another good one I would love to see a reaction to!
Lindsay
2024-12-25 06:02:46 +0000 UTC
A favorite I hadn’t watched yet this year. Glad I got to watch with you. Merry Christmas, Michael!
chimelle6
2024-12-25 02:54:39 +0000 UTC
And RIP to James Caan who played the dad.
CGoerlich
2024-12-25 00:36:25 +0000 UTC
It's okay to dislike Monopoly! It was originally designed by Elizabeth Magie to be a scathing critique on capitalism, and not fun. It was then taken by a man and sold as a family game.
Beth Sobel
2024-12-24 20:14:50 +0000 UTC
I second While You Were Sleeping! I just watched this yesterday. 😁
Desiree Mclaughlin
2024-12-24 19:40:48 +0000 UTC
Okay, here are my recs, leaving out the things you said you've seen:
1. A Muppet Christmas Carol (Seriously, it's a fantastic adaptation of A Christmas Carol and the music is *chef's kiss* so good. It's a must-watch every year.)
2. It's a Wonderful Life (Not strictly a Christmas movie, but the last bit takes place at Christmas and the whole vibe and moral of the story definitely fits the holiday.)
3. The Family Stone (Great ensemble cast and their collective chemistry is awesome. If you have a big family I think there are several moments that will resonate. This one will come with some tears, just a warning.)
4. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. (Definitely some cringy moments - it was the 80s after all - but it's a classic)
5. Scrooged (Another adaptation of A Christmas Carol, this one starring Bill Murray and set in NYC in the 80s)
6. Gremlins (This is another one of those 'set at Christmas but is it really a Christmas movie?' movies. I say yes. If Die Hard is a Christmas movie, this one definitely is. Also, while there are some mildly scary moments, this is much more a comedy than a horror, IMO.)
Edited to add:
7. While You Were Sleeping (someone else mentioned it below and I absolutely second it. It's Sandra Bullock at her most likable and also has a great ensemble cast.)
Desiree Mclaughlin
2024-12-24 19:39:31 +0000 UTC
RIP to Ed Asner, who played Santa, and Bob Newhart who played Papa Elf. My favorite Bob Newhart fact is that he is the only comedian ever to have won AOTY at the Grammy's in 1961.
I think Buddy on the bridge is an homage to "It's a Wonderful Life," which I really hope you watch next year. (Or now! It's not too late!)
Sir, as always, thanks for the fun and Merry Christmas!
Julie B
2024-12-24 18:50:12 +0000 UTC
Fun fact that the elf in the red that told Buddy he was behind the pace on making toys, is the little boy from A Christmas Story.
Angelique Juliette
2024-12-24 16:12:34 +0000 UTC
Taylor even makes a cameo and is mentioned several times throughout the series.
Jessica Martin
2024-12-24 16:08:07 +0000 UTC
Love this, but truly appalling that you haven’t seen New Girl! My guy, you will love it.
Jessica Martin
2024-12-24 16:06:55 +0000 UTC
There’s an Elf musical on broadway 🎭 that I highly recommend if anyone likes live shows
Tomasina
2024-12-24 15:22:40 +0000 UTC
I fear I may never stop laughing at the Luigi comment 😂
Paige
2024-12-24 12:11:13 +0000 UTC
i think it’s funny that mary steenburgen has played will ferrel’s mom twice! (step mom technically in this movie) she acts as his mom in step brothers :)!
Unity Lisette
2024-12-24 10:45:55 +0000 UTC
It's late and I'm trying to be quiet, but I'm gasping for air watching you have a heart attack watching the subway gum scene!
FlyUshkiFly
2024-12-24 09:33:03 +0000 UTC
Okay, this movie surprised me in a good way! Like, the first half with the dad and such did feel a bit draggy, and in my personal opinion, it had a little bit too much awkwardness at times. Like, it I think the movie could have benefitted from toning it down a little bit every now and then during the first half with the dad, But DAMN, did it come through in the end! Fully agree with everything you said about made the ending so great, but the thing that personally hit me the hardest was Buddy standing on the bridge after he had hit his lowest moment, and during Christmas Eve, too, of all times. Like...GOD. I was NOT preprared for a gut-punch like that in a Christmas movie. The way it was done was so perfect, too: it gave you just barely enough time to realize what Buddy may have been thinking before Santa arrived and the plot thankfully shifted. And speaking of Santa, am I the only one who felt that the park rangers that went after him were a reference to Lord of the Rings? Like, the way they're portrayed as menacing, silent riders on black horses that the protagonist must escape during the night, kind of like the Ring Wraiths / The Nine? Who knows, maybe I'm looking too much into it, but I still thought it was funny and added another layer to the film. Also, how do you not know about narwhals?? Like, didin't you say that you weren't even going to attempt to guess what the horned thing that rose from the water near the beginning of the movie was? Those are narwhals, real, aquatic animals! They're super cool, I recommend looking into them. If I remember correctly, they do live near the Arctic in real life, too, so it makes sense that the North Pole would have one. Anyway, I think I've rambled on too much about this film, just gonna end this by saying that this was a good watch, especially torwards the ending, where I felt like the movie really shined. More than makes up for the awkwardness near the beginning, in my opinion. Merry Christmas and a thank you to anyone who read this far, and I hope everyone has a great holiday! :)
Heimo
2024-12-24 09:15:40 +0000 UTC
I just mentioned on discord that New Girl should be added to a poll... it's spectacular show
Portia Crain
2024-12-24 06:34:13 +0000 UTC
This and polar express are my fav Christmas movies
Portia Crain
2024-12-24 05:56:47 +0000 UTC
Recommending “Last Holiday” with Queen Latifah and “While You Were Sleeping”!
Aisha Carothers
2024-12-24 05:48:08 +0000 UTC
literally having my annual christmas vacation rewatch rn so probably will watch tomorrow but im excited
ariel
2024-12-24 05:22:01 +0000 UTC
so excited to rewatch this with you tonight, it's been forever
evelyn💓
2024-12-24 05:21:19 +0000 UTC
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!