What Christmas movies to watch?
As Christmas approaches, I begin to think about what movies I want to binge on over the holidays. This list is personal; I have made no effort to reflect what’s popular or what’s readily available …these are just movies I enjoy.
Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus and, as you would expect, I’ve found a few great movies made about this world-changing event.
Without a doubt, my favourite Christian movie is:
A Charlie Brown Christmas – 1965
Based on the monumental Peanuts comic strip, A Charlie Brown Christmas chronicles Charlie Brown’s avid search for the real meaning of Christmas.
I also liked a few other Christian movies.
‘The Star’ (2016)
This movie is an animated retelling of the story from the point of view of the barnyard animals.
Claim it’s for your kids but you’ll enjoy it!
‘The Nativity Story’ (2006)
This movie is for you if you like your history to reflect the reality of life 2000 years ago.
It is a somber, darker period drama of the nativity story that is not too dogmatic. Perhaps reflecting current times more than the director imagined, the film gives you an appreciation of why people might desperately await a messiah.
To the disappointment of serious Christians, Santa Claus and gifts have overtaken the religious aspect of Christmas, so here’s perhaps the best movie celebrating children dreaming about presents.
A Christmas Story – you’ll shoot your eye out – 1983
After nearly unending trials and tribulations, Ralphie gets his gun in the end. Let’s hope he learns how to shoot safely!
See if you can find out-of-time mistakes from the 1960s – 1980s in a movie supposedly set in 1939 or 1940.
For anyone tired of traditional “Christmas” movies, excellent action movies exist with Christmas themes! Perhaps the best is the original Die Hard.
Who can forget the Christmas party at Nakatomi Plaza?
Die Hard – 1988
Don’t stop at watching the original, binge the entire series!
I enjoy watching Bruce Willis frantically saving a crowd of hapless folks in each movie.
If you’re tired of Santa or Bruce Willis, there are other war movies well worth watching
Legion Magazine found a few Canadian war movies that are worth watching.
Hyena Road (2015)
Set in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, Hyena Road follows Canadian Forces snipers as they attempt to construct a road deep in the heart of Taliban territory.
The Devil’s Brigade (1968)
The 1st Special Service Force, a joint American-Canadian commando unit, also known as The Devil’s Brigade, is tasked with penetrating a seemingly impregnable Nazi mountain stronghold: Monte la Difensa in Italy.
Korean war movies
MASH of course, but there are others with more action. Watch MASH episodes here.
The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
MacArthur (1977)
On the other hand, the genre of Vietnam war movies is not much fun.
Most are disgusting antiwar diatribes or anti-American leftist slop. But some are more balanced adventures.
Good Morning, Vietnam with Robin Williams
Returning Viet vets were typically pictured as violent psychopaths, but one such movie about the dangers of a returning Viet veteran that is well worth watching was First Blood, with Sylvester Stallone as Rambo, starring Sylvester Stallone.
Platoon 1986
So there they are!
I’ll leave it to you to find these gems. What? You’re not a warrior? Go!
