xmas time is here again

So, its Xmas and its freezing in Chicago. I love it, its perfect for this time of year and puts me right in the holiday mood. There are very few things that get me more holiday-happy than Snow, but here are a couple that can do the trick:

-Movies!
If you know me, you know this goes without saying. I watch movies nonstop, most of them bad, and nothing makes me happier than a good movie theme. A close friend of mine has self imposed a Netflix experiment- every month he has a new theme (i.e. epics, remakes, box office flops of the 1990s that contain at least one midget). Naturally every December its Christmas movies month! I am a nutjob when it comes to Christmas movies so here are 3 of my favorites that I have forced upon my friend and now you:

1. The Muppet Christmas Carol - I mean seriously, can you go wrong with this flick--- No, you cannot. Its Jim Hennson at his finest, and a spectacular display of my favorites: Dickens, Michael Caine, Gonzo, and Rizzo the Rat ("light the lamp not the rat! PLEASE watch this ) Maybe there is a little bit of nostalgia going here for me because my brother and I would watch the Muppets all the time (also Bob Ross but thats a different post) so this hits home extra hard for me. Either way, This is a Christmas classic in more ways than one and therefore, takes the first place on my list.

2. White Christmas - Another classic, this time for real. 1954, Rosemary Clooney and her ridic waist, Vera Ellen playing "EveryWoman", and none other than Mr. Christmas himself, Bing Crosby! I would touch down on how incredible his voice is but we'll get to that later. This xmas flick has it all: Sisters [watch], a train ride, mountains, military references galore, and SNOW! It goes without saying that everyone dreams of a White Christmas, I don't care who you are! Growing up in Alabama it would always piss me off when it was warm out on Christmas day, I mean COME ON, its just goes against nature. I'm a big big fan of this movie in all its cheesey goodness.

3. Rudolph, Santa Clause is Coming to Town, A Christmas story, Love Actually--- OK. #3 was really hard for me. I dont know if I can actually choose so here are a couple of misfits [watch] that share one big spot in the Christmas movie list. I'll say this for those of you looking at Love Actually with a critical eye, it is a spectacular trasitional movie from T-giving to Xmas! I always kick off my holiday viewing season with this one! ... and the rest go without saying "Frag-i-le... must be Italian"

-MUSIC
Gotta love the inundation of holiday tunes playing NONSTOP from about Nov 10 - Dec 25. I have just a few that I love and can't have a holiday without (Christmas Shoes is NOT one of them. I want to punch someone in the face every time I hear it!)
-Elvis.... enough said


- This one is for my Sister! and my God... ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS THIS MAN WRAPPED UP UNDER MY TREE! (and you gotta love the Bon Jovi Cameo... this is a xmas present all by its self!) Maybe not the best song in the world, but honestly, who cares. Its the Boss


-Top Favorite of all time Christmas song and oddest duet I can think of EVER- Mr. Bing Crosby and David Bowie sing Little Drummer Boy. Odd? Maybe. Perfect? A warm and resounding YES!




There are countless others but for now Happy Holidays everyone. Make the best of it and get in the holiday spirit with some of my favorites. And just know I could have gone on for DAYS with this post