Movie reviewer gets in the Christmas spirit with favorite holiday films

Ah, the holidays. They loom on the horizon like a rising sun. They're coming no matter what I do, so I better get up and get dressed. And I'm sure they'll be bringing relatives, long lines, fattening food, and — like any ordinary human family — stress. Happy holidays? For whom? But then when I least expect it something will happen.

One day, say an ordinary Tuesday, I'll come home and notice my neighbor has his Christmas lights up and this year the display isn't so gaudy. Inside the house the Christmas tree will be lit, putting a warm glow across the living room, and from the kitchen will come a wonderful smell. I'll take a deep breath and take in the moment.

Over on the TV I'll notice Jimmy Stewart running down the streets of Bedford Falls wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. I'll take another moment and plunk down on the couch to watch the end of the mother of all holiday movies — and don't you know I'll have tears in my eyes when Clarence gets his wings.

The holiday season has arrived and that dim pilot light of good cheer will warm my soul. My inner child will recall the excitement of the twinkle lights and the unbearable knowledge of something wonderful to come. And in almost a dream I'll fondly recall watching holiday movies as a family and my dad never inadvertently catching me with tears in my eyes — though, of course, mom was all tissues and sniffles and wanting me to sit next to her.

That special moment comes over me in a rush, like a warm blanket from my childhood. Sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas a feeling of peace and joy brings a smile to my face and a contentment in my being. Jimmy Stewart, Bing Crosby or Natalie Wood can set if off like a switch.

They get me every time, these holiday movies; simple stories told well. Or rather it's stories told simply and well. Either way it's Aristotle's formula of boy meets girl; the protagonist doesn't know what he has, gives it up and/or loses it, realizes what he had was the best thing to ever happen to him, tries to get it back and succeeds thereby living happily ever after, or doesn't but learns life's true meaning. It works every time. Throw in elements like redemption and guardian angels and even a grumpy guy like me gets all squishy.

Unlike "The Passion of the Christ" and the Passion Play derivatives, good holiday movies transcend faith. They speak to inclusiveness and are inviting in all ways to all cultures. Just as a wonderful film about Islam is simply a wonderful film, so is the inclusive Christmas movie. A good story told well, especially when the message centers on peace, love and understanding — with a good dose of humor — is just a good story.

No matter your background, your belief, your age or gender, just try and tell me these scenes don't make you smile and warm your heart: Natalie Wood's face when she tugs on Santa's beard in "Miracle on 34th Street." Cary Grant ice skating with Julia and Sylvester in "The Bishop's Wife." Finding Zuzu's petals in "It's a Wonderful Life." When it turns out to be a real white Christmas in "White Christmas." Squirrel! in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." Scrooge finds out it's not too late in "A Christmas Carol." The wet abominable snowman in "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." When he almost shoots his eye out in "A Christmas Story." The sad little tree in "A Charlie Brown Christmas." And when the Grinch and his dog charge back down the mountain in Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."