10 Offbeat Christmas Movies That Can’t Be Beat

This romantic mood enhancer is best enjoyed for mommy and daddy’s Private Time on Christmas, preferably after the kids are zonked out on eggnog.  Following the stories of several friends, families and lovers, Love Actually is a touchy-feely feel-good movie with many laugh-til-you-break-wind naughty, raunchy and poignantly heartfelt moments.  <br /><br /><em>Photo from <a title="http://www.flickr.com/photos/67072963@N00/3087274775" target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/67072963@N00/3087274775">flickr.com</a><br /></em> <br />

One of Satoshi Kon’s most beloved movies, Tokyo Godfathers is an anime about a homeless girl, a middle aged bum and a transvestite, who find an abandoned infant in the trash during Christmastime.  The three form an unlikely band as they search for the child’s parents.  With its stark, unforgiving rendering of Tokyo and homeless life, this is the kind of movie that will make you all grateful for where you are and what you have to be thankful for this Christmas.<br /><br /><em>Photo from <a title="http://orendsrange.blogspot.com/2010/10/tokyo-godfathers-movie-review.html " target="_blank" href="http://orendsrange.blogspot.com/2010/10/tokyo-godfathers-movie-review.html ">orendsrange.blogspot.com</a><br /></em> <br />

The movie that once made Macaulay Culkin a household word, this 1990s gem lives up to its name as Kevin (Culkin) is stranded at home fending off goofy burglars Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern.  Our cheeky protagonist gets through the night with charm, pluck and some deviously creative traps that should have best been left back in Vietnamese jungles.  Warning – this is the best of the series.  Home Alone 2, 3 and 4 are definitely not worth the time or effort to watch.<br /><br /><em>Photo from <a title="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/idgdCO9zd4NGL2bLHeVujQ" target="_blank" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/idgdCO9zd4NGL2bLHeVujQ">picasaweb.google.com</a></em> <br />

This 1996 guilty pleasure with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead is a tale of a father who only wants to do right by his son by getting him the hottest toy in the market – a toy pursued by overeager dad Sinbad.  The heated hi-jinx that follows is over the top, yet anyone who has experienced shopping during a Divisoria or a Megamall-Robinsons sale can relate to the insanity that people go through to get their kids Christmas gifts.  The kids will love this one, and you if you’re willing to go through what Arnie did…<br /><br /><em>Photo from <a title="http://theweakly.wordpress.com/advice-column/" target="_blank" href="http://theweakly.wordpress.com/advice-column/">theweakly.wordpress.com</a></em> <br /><br />

An oldie but goodie, this enduring black-and-white Christmas classic has charmed millions of audiences ever since it was released in 1947.  When department store giant Macy’s looks to replace its currently inebriated Santa with the appropriately named Kris Kringle, who proceeds to do an unbelievably good job.  Too good a job, in fact, that people start to wonder when Kris starts claiming that he is the real jolly old St. Nicholas.  Often imitated but rarely equaled, Miracle on 34th Street is a joy for the whole family to behold.<br /><em><br />Photo from <a title="http://nerdgirltalking.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/its-that-time-of-year/" target="_blank" href="http://nerdgirltalking.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/its-that-time-of-year/">nerdgirltalking.wordpress.com</a></em> <br /><br />

This one is more for the dads.  The original Die Hard has a young Bruce Willis (with all his real hair!) trying to rescue his wife Bonnie Bedelia, from terrorists who have taken over her office building during a Christmas Eve office party.  With a properly oily and stellar performance by Alan Rickman as the terrorist leader, Die Hard is guaranteed to be one explosive, bullet-riddled, profanely enjoyable flick.  Make sure the kids are asleep for this one, unless they’re old enough to take gore, violence and Willis’ potty mouth.  <br /><em><br />Photo from <a title="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IcNMYuXoHe35B1BOmfrBKw" target="_blank" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IcNMYuXoHe35B1BOmfrBKw">picasaweb.google.com</a></em> <br /><br />

Who says Halloween is the only time for a good goose bump-inducing hair-raiser?  Gremlins is a cautionary tale of what happens when you give an inappropriately dangerous (yet adorably cute) Christmas gift.  This one can be more than a bit disturbing for the little ones, particularly when you see the aforementioned gremlins in all their mischievous, wicked glory.    <br /><em><br />Photo from <a title="http://www.flickr.com/photos/inti/3128443786/" target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/inti/3128443786/">flickr.com</a></em> <br />

This bizarrely freakish flick recent addition (just in time for Christmas this year) is a Finnish original about a mysterious monster hidden in the depths of an ancient mountain which turns out to be Father Christmas himself.  But then again, he is not so fatherly.  As if that was unexpected enough, what the team does to this Bad Santa is even more out of this world.  This one is as weird as they come.  <br /><br /><em>Photo from <a title="http://focuseddistortion.blogspot.com/2010/11/rare-exports-christmas-tale.html" target="_blank" href="http://focuseddistortion.blogspot.com/2010/11/rare-exports-christmas-tale.html">focuseddistorition.blogspot.com</a></em> <br /><br />

A flick for all ages, mental as well as biological, Elf has Will Ferrell as a human raised by Santa’s elves in the North Pole.  This irreverently tongue-in-cheek movie has Ferrell leaving the security and comfort of his home in search of his real father, played by James Caan.  The resulting culture shocks, mishaps and unlikely scenarios are a great delight and amusement to children and those of more forgiving tastes.<br /><br /><em>Photo from <a title="http://nearemmaus.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/my-favorite-christmas-movies/" target="_blank" href="http://nearemmaus.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/my-favorite-christmas-movies/">nearemmaus.wordpress.com</a><br /></em> <br />

Starring comic legends Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon, these two curmudgeonly coots vie for Ann-Margret’s affections over the yuletide holidays, leading to lighthearted laughs, lunacy and mayhem.  A tad on the mature side, this title might not hold kids’ attention, but grownups can most assuredly relate.<br /><br /><em>Photo from <a title="http://tarabacufilme.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html" target="_blank" href="http://tarabacufilme.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html">tarabacufilme.blogspot.com</a><br /></em> <br />