Random Winter Notes 2018

Been a while since I've done a life update in the blog so here goes. It's always interesting to look back at these posts over the years. For the most part not too much has changed. I still have the same job at Dow Agro as the assets manager of which I am very grateful for. In a couple months I will have completed my 5th year there, which is by far the longest job I've ever had. I'm also living in the same place on the northwest side of Indianapolis, starting my 4th year now. I've had my dog Cochie for nearly 4 years and my pet cat Mugsy for a full year now. They are great companions. Things could be better and things could be worse, but ultimately I am very grateful and content with my simple life. Now on to the new and exciting stuff!

Upcoming 2nd Euro Trip

When I heard Gabriel would begin his second business stint in Brussels and that Andres would be studying abroad in Sweden, I knew I would have to return to Europe in 2018 for a 2nd trip to visit them as well as see more of the cultural world. Over Christmas we began planning our trip of which I will go with my parents and my grandma for two weeks at the end of March. Our plan is still in development but the general itinerary will be arrive in London, fly to Sweden, return to London, fly to Brussels, fly to Athens, return to London, then return home.

I am especially excited about the few days in England, of which we will attend a Manchester United game at Old Trafford thanks to my cousin Cathy Bell's connections with Chevrolet. I am also excited to see the city of London, the countryside of Sweden, and the ancient architecture of Athens. Passing thru Brussels for the 2nd time will also be a noteworthy stop I am sure. I would have liked to visit Germany, Paris, and Rome yet there just wasn't enough time to fit all that in 2 weeks. Some day I hope to have enough time and money to see as much as I can across Europe. But for now I am super excited for this upcoming adventure.

Financial Situation

My job at Dow has it's many ups-and-downs, busy times and slow times, but ultimately is a steady stream of income of which I am grateful for. I am also planning on working my 7th season for the Indianapolis Indians this summer, once again as the video board operator. I just finished my taxes and for the first time in several years I actually got a bit of a return. It seems my problem over the years was exempting too much from my paychecks and thus making for heavy dues come tax season. As usual I had to learn this the hard way. However that tax return was a much needed boost this winter as I have four major costs on the horizon. First is my trip to Europe, second is my trip to California for Danny's Wedding, third will be a new mattress, and fourth will be the repair of my air conditioner. These four items will require some additional finances and budgeting.

To help supplement these extra costs, I have taken on a new job this winter delivering for Uber Eats. All I needed was my car and the phone app to get started. I am my own boss, a contractor partnering with Uber and the restaurants I pick up from. When I decide to work, the requests come thru on my phone and I have the choice to accept them or not. Once I accept a request, I pick the food up from the restaurant and deliver it to the customer. It's a fairly easy process, but sometimes the deliveries go smooth while other times they can be quite challenging for various reasons. It's an exciting job for me tho and reminds me of my 2 years as a courier. It gives me something extra to do on my free time and there is also great  incentives with the extra tips that sometimes come with the deliveries. 

Sports and Fitness

I usually would have a column here about fitness but unfortunately there has been a lack-there-of since the fall. I haven't ran or exercised since early December in part because it's cold out but also because I don't have a race to train for this spring. Normally the big race for myself and my family is the Indy Mini in early May, but this year we will miss it due to Danny's wedding that weekend. I could register for another race, but I just don't want to spend the money. So frankly I don't really see myself exercising anytime soon here. It's not the first time I've taken a fitness hiatus and I am certain I will return to it by the falltime.

However sports is always in my DNA and thankfully I can quench that thirst from the live TV. Watching the English Premier League on Saturday and Sunday mornings is my greatest joy, and sometimes there are bonus games during the week. There's also the Champions League knockout round starting soon and then of course the behemoth of all tournaments, the World Cup this summer in Russia. Aside from soccer there is the Super Bowl tonight, which will put the dynasty New England Patriots against the underdog Philadelphia Eagles. I dislike the Patriots more than any NFL team and would really like to see them defeated. Finally there is the Winter Olympics which will start next weekend, of which I will have a preview to come.

New Phases

Winter time is always the best time to binge watch movies or TV series and I've upped my Netflix game over the past few weeks. I was once again captivated by the English monarchy thanks to shows like Reign and Tudors. I went thru some World War II and Holocaust phases as is tradition around winter time. Also gained a new understanding of the life of Anne Frank, of which I hope to blog about someday. Now I am undergoing a new fascination with King Louis XIV of France thanks to the artistic show Versailles. Surely will have a post to follow on this topic. And finally I am planning a full embankment into Swedish history and culture prior to my trip. I know very little about Swedish history and am looking forward to learning about my partial heritage there.  

Historical Study: Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots

It seems every year around this time I fall into a fascination with the British monarchy. I recently finished the TV series, The Tudors, for my 2nd time, and am now almost finished with the TV show, Reign. I first started watching this show several years back, simply because I enjoyed the period piece, the costumes, the setting, and the history. Yet I also found the lead actresses to be very attractive, especially Adelaide Kane in the title role. She also has a slew of other attractive co-stars that take part in her royal court.

I realize Reign is perhaps considered teenage drama and nowhere near the quality of The Tudors, however it is still a decent watch for anyone who admires history. After-all a good portion of Mary's life was decided during her younger teenage years. The show presents this in a sappy manner of teenagers in love yet there is still great historical content within the story lines. While I'm sure much of this content is fabricated, as is most historical re-enactments, it has me quite captivated with the life of Mary Stuart, Queen of the Scots.


Mary Stuart's Rivalry with Queen Elizabeth

I learned quite alot from this show, especially the animosity towards Queen Mary of the Scots and Queen Elizabeth of England. The two lived almost parallel to one another, and the tension revolved around Mary's claim to the English throne. I have often confused Mary Stuart with Henry VIII's daughter and successor, Mary Queen of England (also known as Bloody Mary). However the fact is they were cousins and both happened to be Catholics on the opposing side of Queen Elizabeth the Protestant.

When Mary of England died in 1558, Elizabeth ascended to the throne however many considered her the unrightful queen. Elizabeth was after all the daughter of an illegitimate marriage between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Some felt the rightful throne belonged to Mary Stuart, who was the eldest daughter of Henry VIII's eldest sister. And thus was born the conflict, between rivaling cousins and yet another chapter in the religious wars of Catholicism vs Protestantism. 

Mary's Early Life in France

The show emphasizes Mary Stuart's French upbringing and connections. She was daughter of King James of Scotland and Queen Mary of Guise, who was from France. However King James died only 6 days after she was born, and Mary Stuart became Queen of Scotland, perhaps the youngest queen there has ever been. Her throne was thus ruled by regents until she became of age. In hopes to secure peace between Scotland and England, King Henry offered an agreement to marry his son Edward to Mary Stuart, in what was known as the Treaty of Greenwich. The agreement was that Mary would move to England at the age of 10 to marry Edward and become queen. However the plan was short lived when in 1553 King Edward died at the young age of 15.

At the request of her mother, Mary spent her childhood years living in France at King Henry II's French court. She was liked by all except Henry II's scheming Italian wife, Catherine de Medici. Much of Catherine's bitterness towards Mary was due to a prophecy by the great Nostradamus, in which her son would die if he married Mary. In 1558 at the age of 14 she married the Dauphin of France, Francis, of whom she loved dearly. In 1559 the French King Henry II died in a jousting accident and Francis and Mary became King and Queen of France. However this marriage was also short-lived as Francis died in 1560 of an ear infection, fulfilling Nostradamus' prophecy. At that point his mother Catherine de Medici became queen regent of France, and Mary returned to Scotland at the age of 18.

Mary's Return to Scotland

She arrived in Scotland during political and religious turmoil between Catholics and Protestants. One of her notable opposition came from the outspoken Protestant John Knox. She however acknowledged his cause and managed to reign with religious tolerance. She eventually found a second husband, her English cousin Henry Stuart of Darnley. In 1565 they gave birth to James VI, whom would become heir to the Scottish throne and later the English throne as well. However Mary's husband Darnley grew unhappy with his status as king consort and began to conspire against Mary with other protestants.

In 1567 Darnley was mysteriously killed in an explosion at Kirk O'Field. Although the crime remains unsolved many Scottish nobility placed the blame on Mary and her confidant Lord Bothwell. In a desperate attempt to seize power Bothwell abducted, raped, and married the willing Queen Mary. However this quickly infuriated the Scottish nobility who captured and imprisoned Mary, while Bothwell was forced into exile. Mary was left with no other choice but to abdicate her throne to her throne to her son James, who would eventually become king of both Scotland and England.

Mary's Final Years in England

In 1568 she eventually managed to escape her imprisonment from the Lochleven castle in Scotland. She was able to raise an army against the nobility however was defeated and forced to flee to England. She turned to her cousin Queen Elizabeth for help, of whom she once felt great animosity towards. However Elizabeth was unwilling to help her cousin and for political reasons she imprisoned Mary for the next 18 years.

During this time there were many Catholic plots to free Mary and assassinate Elizabeth. One of the most infamous of these plots was the Babington Plot in 1586, in which Mary consented with Anthony Babington to assassinate Queen Elizabeth. However the plot was foiled when their letters were intercepted. Mary was tried and found guilty for conspiring against Queen Elizabeth. She was put to death by beheading on Feb 7th 1587 at the age of 44. Her legacy is disputed however her son James went on to rule Scotland longer than any monarch had before him. 

Historical Study: The Wives of Henry VIII

I recently watched the TV series, The Tudors, for my second time thru and it has me quite intrigued with the life of Henry VIII. Everything about the show is quite eye popping and awe-inspiring. From the dramatic and romantic story-lines to the elaborate costumes and settings. It is hard not to be allured by the visuals of this program. It is filled with passionate love yet also graphic violence. It is in my opinion a top quality drama series, ideal for binge watching during the winter season.

The Tudors was produced by Showtime and released from 2007-2010 with a total of 4 seasons and 38 episodes. It was created by Michael Hirst and stars Johnathan Rhys Meyes, as King Henry VII. While I'm not exactly crazy about this actor in the lead role, the brilliant production is not carried by his acting. It's the characters and settings around him that make this such an enjoyable show. There's a strong supporting cast in Sam Neil, Henry Cavill, Peter O'Toole, Max von Sydow, and Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn. The show was nominated for 3 Golden Globes and 15 Emmys of which it won 6.

The premise focuses on Henry VIII's reign of England during the 1500s. It revolves around his 6 wives and his conflict with the Catholic Church. The first season demonstrates his dismay with his elder wife Queen Catherine of Aragon. From that point on the scandalous story is put into motion as Henry is eager to divorce Catherine and remarry one of his mistresses, Anne Boleyn. In order to do this he decides to break apart from the Catholic Church and establish the Church of England. However even after he is able to annul his first marriage he runs into other problems mostly to do with producing a male heir.

King Henry VIII (1491-1547)

King Henry VIII is portrayed as a strong and charismatic leader. He is clearly spoiled with his power, always keen to get whatever he desires no matter the consequences. He is highly intelligent, a passionate lover and a very sociable king. However his selfish behavior is no doubt his defining feature which completely changed the religion of England. While the Protestant Reformation was reaching it's height during this time, Henry VIII's decision to break away from the church was driven by his own passion rather than the passion of his people. His life became a cursed one, short-lived due to a near-death experience during a jousting accident. Following this accident his character became all the more selfish.   


1st Wife: Catherine of Aragon (1509-1533)

She was the Spanish daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella and arranged as Henry VIII's wife for political affiliations. She is portrayed as somewhat of a cold and dull character. She was much older than King Henry, and their relationship lacked passion perhaps from the get-go. She bore Henry a daughter named Mary (who would later become known as Bloody Mary) however could not bore him a son. This lack of a male heir, gave way to Henry's dismay with the queen and his hunger for a new suitor. Henry was able to make claim that his marriage with Catherine was illegitimate because her previous marriage to his brother, was indeed consummated. He also took advantage of the Protestant movement in an effort to turn the people against Queen Katherine's Catholic motives. Once he was able to annul the marriage he banished her from the kingdom where she spent her final days in exile.


2nd Wife: Anne Boleyn (1533-1536)

Anne Boleyn is often portrayed as a seductive noble-woman, driven by her selfish father to advance the family name. She uses charm and wit in the king's court to gain his attention. At first it is merely a power grab, however she herself becomes enamored with Henry VIII and the idea of being queen of England. She becomes Henry's prime mistress as he grows frustrated with Catherine. She helps convince him to annul his marriage with Catherine and establish the Church of England. Henry VIII agrees to go thru with the divorce and seperating from the Catholic Church so that he can marry Anne. However once she is queen, she is unable to produce a male heir. Their first and only child is Elizabeth (whom will later become the Golden Queen of England). Over the years Henry grows frustrated with the lack of a male heir, and eventually falls out of love with her. She is then accused of adultery and witchcraft and cruelly executed. Henry quickly replaces Anne with another noble-woman Jane Seymour


3rd Wife: Jane Seymour (1536-1537)

Jane is portrayed as a much more innocent and modest woman than Anne is. Henry discovers her in his court and their romance begins as his marriage with Anne begins to crumble. She later becomes engaged to him on the day of Anne's execution. She attempts to restore good grace with the Catholic church, however she is unable to convince Henry on this matter. She does however reunite him with his first daughter Mary as well as his second daughter Elizabeth. To Henry's delight she bores him his first male child, Edward, however she dies a few weeks after from the child birth. She is the only of Henry's wives to receive a proper funeral. 





4th Wife: Anne of Cleves (1540-1540)

King Henry was a widower for nearly 3 years until he was re-arranged with another wife for political reasons. This time it was a German princess named Anne of Cleves. However Henry did not care for her at all and considered her to be unattractive and uninteresting. The marriage only lasted for 6 months until they came to a mutual agreement to divorce. She was given a fair parting and went on to a live full life free from King Henry. She remained close with the kings daughters throughout her life and was the last of his 6 wives to die.





5th Wife: Catherine Howard (1540-1541)

King Henry was attracted to Katherine Howard from court, for her youth and beauty. At this point he was in his late 40s, feeling old from the injuries sustained from his near death experience. Katherine was full of life and she made him feel young again. However she was at constant odds with the approval of Henry's daughter Mary, who was coming of age at the time. It was later discovered that she was having an affair with one of the kings councilmen, Thomas Culpeper, and the two were beheaded.




6th Wife: Catherine Parr (1543-1547)

In Henry's final years he had grown very obese and mentally unstable however he still found favor in a woman from his court, Catherine Parr. At the time she  had already been married twice and was in love with Thomas Seymour the brother of Jane. Once her husband died, the king quickly disrupted her relationship with Thomas by sending him overseas on a diplomatic mission. He proposed to Catherine and she knew she could not refuse. She loved him and did her part as queen during the king's dying years. She took on the role as regent queen and gave way for prince Edward's ascension to the throne. Following the king's death she went on to marry her fourth husband in Thomas Seymour.   

Best Winter Movies

Few months ago I made the case that there some movies that are best appreciated during certain seasons of the year. I already made a list of my favorite fall films and will now make a list of my favorite winter films just as promised. I will later make a case for spring and summer films as those seasons approach.

The winter time for me is my favorite time to watch my favorite movies. I suppose this is for a variety of reasons; it's a chance to lounge on the couch and stay warm while it's cold and bitter outside, a chance to feel joy and comfort during the Holiday season, a chance to feel nostalgic at the end of a year and reflective at a start to a new year. All these reasons are why I love movies, and why there are certain movies I enjoy to watch during certain times. These movies listed below are not Christmas-themed movies, yet rather my favorite movies to watch during the cold season of winter.

Honorable Mention

• Chronicles of Narnia Series (It's got a winteresque setting to it, and even a mention of Christmas)
• Greek Culture Movies (Usually around Jan or Feb I go thru a Greek appreciation phase and these films go so well together)
• Alexander (2004)
• Troy (2004)
• 300 (2006)
• Star Wars -There have been many times where I have binged Star Wars during the winter-time, however I could make a greater case as to why this film is not to be specifically categorized as a winter film. It was my favorite movie series as a child, and I would watch it year round no matter the season. It's my understanding the original films were released as summer blockbusters. I also remember the prequels were all released in the springtime of my high school years. This was a very exciting time for me as a Star Wars nerd and I remember waiting in line for the premiere of each release. Those 3 distinct experiences during the springtime are perhaps why I personally would not consider this a winter film. However the latest 3 films (The Force Awakens, Rogue One, and The Last Jedi) have all been released during winter-time thus bringing forth perhaps a recent claim as to why Star Wars could be considered a winter film. 

10. Russian Culture- There's nothing that screams cold bitter wintertime more than a movie about Russia. Some of my all time favorites movies Reds and Doctor Zhivago happen to be about the Russian Revolution. These two acclaimed films provide an iconic dose of Russian culture with the backdrop of a bitter frozen tundra. Anastasia is another Russian Revolution setting and an animated musical that I enjoyed as a kid around Christmas time. Another favorite Russian film of mine during the winter season is Leo Tolstoy's romantic tales of War and Peace and Anna Karenina. It deals with dark and lustful romance ideal for the dark and cold winter nights. Whether it's movies about war or movies about love, Russian culture is ideal in the wintertime. 

• War and Peace (1956)
• Doctor Zhivago (1965)  
• Reds (1981)
• Anastasia  (1997)
• Anna Karenina (2012)

9. Black Swan (2010)- I actually remember first watching this movie around the early winter of 2011, and feeling very inspired by it. Just as the title suggests it's a rather dark movie dealing with complex psychological drama. It is an artistic film about music and dance, carried by the classical score of the Russian composer, Tchaikovsky. Natalie Portman gives the performance of a lifetime, as an extremely obsessive ballerina fighting with herself to achieve perfection.She is a woman gone mad with passion quite similar to Anna Karenina. The reason I associate this movie so much with the winter time is because of it's dark and romantic theme infused with Russian cultural elements.




8. World War II Movies- As a big history nerd, I've always felt that World War II phases are best to be enjoyed during the winter time. It's no doubt one of the darkest most violent times in human history and could probably best be related too during the cold dark days of winter. Just as Civil War can be appreciated during the fall country days, and the Vietnam War can be appreciated during the hot summer days infested with bugs, for me the bitter conditions of winter are synonymous with the the study of World War II. Specifically the cold fronts of Europe, such as the Battle of the Bulge or the Battle of Stalingrad. There's many films about World War II, many of which I have enjoyed, and many I have still yet to see,. However it seems almost every years around January I fall into a World War II appreciation phase,; Saving Private Ryan is the undisputed king of World War 2 movies (also in my top 25) but there's many others including great TV series and documentaries as well;

• Saving Private Ryan (1998)
• Band of Brothers (2001)
• Downfall (2004)
• Valkyrie (2008)

7. Les Miserables- I remember it was during a bitter winter of 2012-2013 when I first saw the release of Les Miserables. I felt so inspired by the storyline and the film, and could relate entirely with it. I myself was thru some hardships during the time with courier work and the brutal winter times. The story is a literary masterpiece by Victor Hugo about political and romantic characters set during the 1830s of the French Revolution. It's a story of poverty, upheaval, sacrifice, and love in very dark times. It is also a musical film, that celebrates history and culture. For me this film has become a recent Christmas/Winter classic that I often watch along with Phantom of the Opera or Amadeus.




6. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind- I remember this movie came out in the winter-time of 2004 and I caught it in theater with my friend Jaybo. I was in college at the time, going thru quite a inspirational renaissance, and this film seemed quite unique. The premise is about a character played by Jim Carrey, who is brokenhearted and decides to erase the memories of his ex-girlfriend played by Kate Winslet. However the process turns to be quite a roller coaster as Jim begins to change his mind. It's a comical, dramatic, and extremely artistic film set in the bitter wintertime of New York. It is now one of my all time Top 25 favorite films. I especially enjoy the melancholic soundtrack of this film, and try to watch it around January each year.


5. Phantom of the Opera- It was the Christmas of 09 when I remember getting drunk with my family and watching this film for the first time. Although I was very drunk at the time and only made it half way thru before I went to bed, I remember feeling quite in awe of the opening scenes. The next day my dad and I watched the film in it's entirety and I was simply blown away. The setting reminded me of Amadeus, however the musical dialogue was unlike anything I've seen before. After Christmas I went thru a major operatic phase influenced by this film. I continued this phase throughout the wintertime, as I moved to Fishers to begin a new career. I must have watched the film over 10 times, constantly listening to the soundtrack in my car. It wasn't long until I had each song from the film memorized. From then on I have made it a new tradition to watch this film around Christmas time.


4. Holocaust Movies- While this category of films could fall into the World War II case, I think it is to be recognized as it's own category. And just like World War II films are best enjoyed during the winter, the case get be made even greater for films about the Holocaust. It was without question one of the darkest most atrocious human genocides in history. It was a time of suffering and survival, the harshest of conditions. Fortunately for us, we can try to relate and understand this terrible time through film. And there happens to be so many great movies that pertain primarily on this account. One of my all time favorite Top 25 movies is the Schindler's List, however an honorable mention would be The Pianist. I often try to group these movies together during the bitter cold days of winter.

• Sophie's Choice (1982)
• Schindler's List (1992)
• Life is Beautiful (1997)
• The Pianist (2002)
• Defiance (2008)

3. Amadeus- This has become a Christmas classic film for my family ever since I was a kid. I remember we use to watch this film at my grandma's house in Michigan around Christmas time. While the premise has nothing whatsoever to do with Christmas, it's such a lavish and classical setting. It is a dramatic account on the short-life of Mozart, and his beautiful music he composed. It's an extravagant film with large scale operatic performances and full costumes from the Classical Era of the late 1700s. The film also provides great acting with comedic, dramatic, and romantic characters. It was this film that gave me a greater appreciation for classical music or just music in general. It has been high on my Top 25 list for some time now, a very nostalgic film that will always be a Christmas classic for me.   


2. Gladiator- This is my undisputed favorite movie of all time, and has been for quite some time now. That being said it is not #1 on this winter list, because The Lord of the Rings now offers 6 films to be enjoyed. While Gladiator stands alone on it's own merit as a great film, it cannot compete with the entertainment that comes from 6 great movies. That being said, Gladiator is a film I like to enjoy around Christmas/Winter time for various reasons. First being that it is my favorite movie, and brings me great joy and nostalgia during the hardships of wintertime. Second is that the setting itself has a winterequse tone to it. There is the opening battle against the German barbarians that takes place during the winter as well as various other scenes. Then there are the dark themes of betrayal, grief, defiance, and the after life. For these reasons I best enjoy my favorite movies around winter time.
 

1. Lord of the Rings- As stated above the Lord of the Rings series has become my favorite movies to watch during winter time. (The film series is number 2 on my Top 25 list, since it consists of multiple films) Nonetheless it has become a Christmas/Winter tradition for me ever since the films were first released during my high school days. I remember first watching The Fellowship of the Rings on a date in the theaters and being so inspired by the fantasy. I later watched the following two movies in theaters and quickly added them to my DVD collection as soon as they were released. The fantasy has a vast setting from wintertime to summertime, yet for me it is the utmost story of adventure. There have recently been 3 more Hobbit prequels added to the Fellowship Trilogy, which are not quite up to par, yet still a great appetizer for this masterpiece. It is a story of good vs evil, and always brings me great comfort to watch this film by the fireplace during wintertime.  

Top Ten Christmas Movies

One of my favorite parts about the Christmas season is watching great movies with family (usually with my dad since he's about the only one who can appreciate a good movie with me). Now I've spoken before in this blog how I usually watch all my favorite movies around Christmas season or the end of the year. (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Gladiator, Amadeus, Phantom of the Opera etc) I would even say that I actually watch more non-Christmas movies around Christmas time then Christmas movies,. For me it's nothing against Christmas movies, but it's just my favorite time to enjoy my favorite movies, staying warm by the fireplace. However this year my dad and I had a discussion on the importance of Christmas movies.

Christmas movies have always been a part of my family bonding and tradition. Sure there's been the non-Christmas films we have watched regularly over the years such as Amadeus, Phantom of the Opera, or even Midnight in Paris (I'll have a separate list on this category to come). However it's the Christmas movies that really hone in on the spirit of Christmas. These movies should certainly take precedence over any other films on family holiday occasions. I believe it is also important to watch some new Christmas films each year, which is how they can become classics. 

Here is my list of favorite Christmas movies over the years,. I'll admit there are some Christmas classics I have yet to see such as A Christmas Story. And then there are some popular films that I just don't care for such as Elf, The Santa Clause, The Grinch who Stole Christmas, and the very depressing Charlie Brown Christmas. However for the most part I think I have seen most of the staples at this point and can compile a fairly distinguishable list on my current top 10 favorite Christmas films. 

Top Ten Favorite Christmas Movies

10. Christmas Vacation

Year Released: 1989

Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik

Actors: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid

Setting: 1980s Chicago Suburbia 

Significance: Over the years this has become a Christmas staple for my family, almost to the point of which it is getting old for me. I do remember the first time we all watched it and all of us were roaring in laughter at the scene where the dog chases the squirrel throughout the Griswald houshold. So many classic funny moments in this movie carried by Chevy Chase's witty sense of humor. He's an average middle class suburban dad who only wants to have a good Christmas with his family but everything keeps going wrong. It covers all components of Christmas, from the tree, the lights, the decorating,  the egg nog, the family, the carols, and the present exchange. The movie is essentially a Christmas package in it's own right and that's what has made it such an iconic comedy for the holidays.  

Famous Quotes: 

Clark W. Griswold: "Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse."

Ellen Griswold: Clark, I think that it would be best for everybody if they all just went home...before things get any worse.

Clark W. Griswold: WORSE?!?!? How can things get any worse?!?!? Take a look around you Ellen! We're at the threshold of Hell!

9. The Holiday

Year Released: 2006

Director: Nancy Meyers

Actors: Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black

Setting: Present day Los Angeles and rural Britain 

Significance: It is a sappy modern day Christmas comedy, however has a unique twist to it as it spent in Los Angeles and a small town in Britain. Kate Winselt and Cameron Diaz decide to swap houses during the holiday season and find themselves in some comical and romantic situations. 

Famous Quotes:

Arthur Abbott: Iris, in the movies we have leading ladies and we have the best friend. You, I can tell, are a leading lady, but for some reason, you're behaving like the best friend. 

Iris: You're so right. You're supposed to be the leading lady of your own life for God's sake!

8. Just Friends

Year Released: 2005

Director: Roger Kumble

Actors: Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart, Anna Farris, Chris Kline

Setting: Modern day Suburbia, Los Angeles

Significance: Its a modern day Christmas comedy, which I remember first discovering during my college days. The story is about a guy, Ryan Reynolds trying to get past the friend zone with a girl, Amy Smart, who has always liked since high school. It is a romantic comedy dosed with a suburban Christmas setting. Anna Farris and Chris Kline also provide great comedic supporting roles. It has plenty of laugh out loud moments that my family has really come to enjoy over the holiday season.   

Famous Quotes: 

Samatha James: (singing) Forgiveness, is more than saying sorry. 

7. Love Actually 

Year Released: 2003

Director: Richard Curtis

Actors: Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Emma  Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira  Knightley, Bill Nighy

Setting: Modern day Britain

Significance: It is a British romantic comedy set during Christmas time with many stories going on at once. Each story has a theme of love and Christmas. Some memorable moments include the opening of Keira Knightley's wedding and an original rendition of the Beatles "Love". Then there is the sad coworker of Keira who displays his love for her thru cue cards, yet she is married to another man. Meanwhile Hugh Grant provides his usual quirkiness as the prime minister,. All throughout these romantic stories Bill Nighy provides an original Christmas tune to the melody of The Troggs "Love is All Around Us". 

Famous Quotes: Prime Minister: "If you go look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love is actually all around"

6. Miracle on 34th Street 

Year Released: 1947, 1994

Director: George Seaton; Les Mayfield

Actors: Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, Edmund Gwenn/ Richard Attenbourough, Elizabeth Perkins, Mara Wilson, Dylan McDermott

Setting: New York City

Significance: It is a classic Christmas story, about a young kid coming to grips with the reality of Santa Clause. Set in New York City during the Christmas season, the young girl of a business manager sees the stores' Santa Clause on a regular basis. While the Santa Clause is very convicing and popular the young girl remains doubtful. However after a court case and a series of unusual events she begins to believe that he is indeed the real Santa Clause  

Famous Quotes:

Kris Kringle: "Oh, Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind... and that's what's been changing. That's why I'm glad I'm here, maybe I can do something about it."

Kris: You think I'm a fraud, don't you?

Dorey: Fraud is a bit too strong of a word.

Kris: But you don't believe in me.

Dorey: I believe that Christmas is for children.

Kris: Well your daughter doesn't believe in me, either.

Dorey: I don't think that there's any harm in not believing in a figure that many do acknowledge to be a fiction.

Kris: Oh, but there is. I'm not just a whimsical figure who wears a charming suit and affects a jolly demeanor. You know, I... I... I'm a symbol. I'm a symbol. I'm a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives. If... You can't believe, if you can't accept anything on faith, then you're doomed for a life dominated by doubt.

5. The Nativity Story

Year Released: 2006

Director: Catherine Hardwicke

Actors: Keisha Castle Hughes, Oscar Isaac

Setting: Nazareth and Bethlehem

Significance: In today's society it seems Christmas is dominated by the material goods; shopping, food, decorations, Santa Clause, reindeer, presents, etc. However what is sometimes missed is the real reason for the season and that is the birth of Christ. Being raised in a Catholic family the nativity story has always been a cornerstone of our Christmas celebrations. From the advent season, the Christmas mass, and our Venezuelan pesebre, Jesus has always taken a resplendence over Santa Clause in my family. This film is not a usual funny Christmas comedy, yet rather a warm and heartfelt one about the birth of Christ.  

Famous Quotes: 

Anne: "What about Joseph, he's a good man!"

Joseph: "And you shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who will save the people from their sins. I know Mary. God showed me. An angel came to me in my dream."

Mary: "You believe me?"

Joseph: "I believe you. The child will need a father. I will declare him as my own."

Mary: "People will not look at you the same. They will not look at us the same."

Joseph: "You are my wife. I am your husband. That is all they need to know"

4. Home Alone 1 and 2

Year Released: 1990 and 1992

Director: Chris Colombus

Actors: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern 

Setting: New York City

Significance: It's one of my favorite childhood Christmas comedies. A story about a bratty child, forgotten by his family and left alone for the holidays. I could always relate to the large noisy family scenes. Macaulay Culkin plays the ideal menacing child who is able to defend his household from a pair of robbers, all during the Christmas season. In the second film he is lost in New York City, however it is a similar theme of being left alone during Christmas. Both the first and second film, are original Christmas stories, and have become nostalgic classics during the holiday season. 

Famous Quotes:

Snakes 2nd Gangster: What do you mean?

Johnny 1st Gangster: He's upstairs takin' a bath. He'll call when he gets out.

Johnny 1st Gangster: (pulls out the gun) Hey!, I think I'm gonna give you, Snakes. I'm gonna give you the count of ten, to get your ugly, yella, no-kester off my property, before I pump your gull of lead?.

Snakes 2nd Gangster: [wide eyed] All right, Johnny, I'm sorry. I'm goin'.

Johnny 1st Gangster: One, two, ten

Johnny 1st Gangster: [starts unloading bullets into snakes while he laughs]

Johnny 1st Gangster: Keep the change you filthy animal.

3. A Christmas Carol

Year Released: 1938, 1951, 1984, 1992, 1999, 2009

Director: Edwin Marin, Brian Desmond Hurst, Clive Donner Brian Henson, Robert Zemeckis

Actors: (As Scoorge) Reginald Owen, Alastair Sim, George C. Scott, Patrick Stewart Jim Carrey

Setting: 1800s Britain 

Significance: It is perhaps one of the most famous and redone Christmas tales, written by Charles Dickens. I have seen so many different versions over the years and can say I always enjoy the story and it's different adaptations. It revolves around the infamous character Ebeneezer Scrooge and his extreme lack of Christmas spirit. On Christmas Eve he is visited by three Christmas ghosts from his past, present, and future who convince him to change his ways. After these visits, Scrooge makes an extreme change to share merriness with his nephew and his employee Crotchet. Some of my favorite versions of this story include the 1984 version with George C. Scott, the 1992 Muppets version, the 1999 version with Patrick Stewart, and the original version with Reginald Owen. This story is not so much about Santa Clause and fairy-tales yet rather about the Christmas spirit and doing good onto others. 

Famous Quotes:

Scrooge: "Bah-Humbug"

Tiny Tim: "God Bless all of us, each and everyone of us!"

2. Jingle All the Way

Year Released: 1996

Director: Brian Levant

Actors: Arnold Schwarzenegger

Setting: Minneapolis 

Significance: Along with Home Alone this was one of my all-time childhood favorite Christmas films. My brother and I would quote so many of the memorable lines from Arnold Schwarzenegger. It is quite an original Christmas story about a dad trying to buy a gift for his son on Christmas Eve. It's loaded with a theme of today's Christmas culture, which is heavy on materialism and shopping. Yet it's a good-natured comedy as Schwarzenegger desperately sweeps the city of Minneapolis for the very popular Turbo Man action figure. The film is full of surprises and so many funny moments carried by Arnold Schwarzenegger's terrible acting. I would say this would be my all time favorite Christmas movie in general for many years now until just recently.  

Famous Quotes:

Turbo Man: "Its TURBO TIME!"

Howard Langston: "I'm not a pervert! I was just looking for a Turbo Man doll"

1. It's a Wonderful Life

Year Released: 1946

Director: Frank Capra

Actors: James Stewart, Donna Reed

Setting: 1940s Suburbia

Significance: It is a classic film that has become a traditional part of the Christmas season. Funny thing about this movie, is that it doesn't overdue it with the Christmas Setting. It's rather a story about life and love and family and being grateful for what you have. It's these things that make up the essence of the Christmas spirit which are portrayed masterfully in this story. The film actually does finish with a strong dose of a Christmas setting, carols, and cheer. It has become my new all time favorite Christmas movie, of which I hope to watch with family for many Christmases to come.  

Famous Quotes: 

George Bailey: Merry Christmas, movie house! Merry Christmas, Emporium! Merry Christmas, you wonderful old Building and Loan!

Clarence: You see George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to just throw it away?

George Bailey: What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary.

Mary Hatch Bailey: I'll take it. Then what?

George Bailey: Well, then you can swallow it, and it'll all dissolve, see... and the moonbeams would shoot out of your fingers and your toes and the ends of your hair... am I talking too much?