THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES

The best christmas movies of all time. By your obt Srvt, Horace Rumple, QC.

There is no question that It's A Wonderful Life is the best Christmas movie of all time. And while we are big Jimmy Stewart fans, for us it's Lionel Barrymore as the villain Mr. Potter that steals the show. We are a big fan of Mr. Barrymore's work and like nothing more than finding a Dr. Killare movie on TMC and watching him as the crusty old Dr. Gillespie.

Of course a Miracle on 34th Street is a strong contender for number two, but we have a different number two in mind.

Rounding up the top ten in our opinion are the Die Hard movies, one and two- both take place during Christmas eve and both are modern day classics.

There are several other movies that belong in the top ten, but we will leave that for the comments.

Our Number Two greatest Christmas movie of all time, is the 2003 classic Love Actually. Here's the thing about Love Actually. It is sappy. And people hate it. But many of those who hate it actually love it, they just won't admit it.

For those of us who unabashedly love Love Actually- and as this Washington Post article indicates- Hard Ball host Chris Matthews is the movie's #1 fan- the movie is a gem of writing and songs.

The movie follows a group of people in our London, as Christmas approaches. There is the sweet: young Sam- mourning the loss of his mother, is guided by His father Liam Neeson to getting his first kiss from his grade school crush.

The bitter sweet is the story line of a couple with children ( Harry and Karen) as Karen learns that the beautiful necklace her husband bought was not for her, but his sexy secretary Mia. Note that Harry is played by the remarkable Alan Rickman- who is the only actor to appear in two of our top ten picks (unless Jimmy Stewart was somehow a cameo terrorist in one of the Die Hards). Rickman gave the remarkable performance as the villain in the original Die Hard. Who can forget the chilling way he wrung every bit of evil out of asking John McClain "who...are ....you?"  Mr. Rickman passed away this year, and he left us too soon with too many wonderful roles just waiting for his extraordinary talents.

But our favorite story line is Jamie a writer (played by Collin Firth) and Aurelia, a Portuguese housekeeper who Jaime lets return to Portugal without confessing his love for her. Then, after realizing his mistake, he takes a crash course in Portuguese, and on Christmas Eve finds her working in a restaurant. As Chris Matthews points out- duplicating the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet, Jaime (with half the town tagging along behind him) finds Aurelia in the balcony of a restaurant, and from the ground floor, proposes.
Pure romantic magic. 

Throw in a funny and well acted story line about the new PM Hugh Grant falling for one of his aides, and you have a wonderful HEA (happily ever after) Christmas/comedy/ love story.

After the incomparable It's A Wonderful Life, Love Actually is the best Christmas movie ever. 

HR