The Christmas Movies Tag

I watched very few movies this year, both at home and in the theater.  There were three months where I only watched a single movie each month. I saw exactly three movies in the theater: Alien (1979), which was fantastic, of course, Horizon (loved it), and The Return (huge disappointment). On the other hand, I read a lot more this year than I have in previous years, which was great.

So, as we head into the new year, let's do this tag!  This is a hard one for me, as I watch very few Christmas movies.  There's nothing I "have" to see during this season, and if I don't watch a single Christmas movie during this season, I'd be fine with that. My family didn't create any Christmas movie traditions.  We'd watch whatever came on television, if my dad wanted to see it, but that's about it.

I was tagged by Hamlette for this one!  Thanks!

 

The Rules:

• Fill out the prompts (expound as much or as little as you like)
• Tag some friends (however many or few you feel like)
• Have fun (this is mandatory)

The Tag:

1.  A favorite funny Christmas movie: Er... um... Die Hard (1988) - No, obviously not a comedy, but I laugh throughout at the dialogue, more than any other movie I watch at this time of year, and I walk away smiling and happy so... yeah, going with this one.

2.  A favorite poignant Christmas movie: It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - I never tire of this one, it always makes me cry no matter how many times I've seen it. My favorite Christmas movie.

3.  A favorite romantic Christmas movie: Love Actually (2003) - nothing about this movie is what I would normally go for, but it won me over almost immediately and now it's a favorite.

4.  A favorite feel-good Christmas movie: The Bishop's Wife (1947) - It all comes down to Cary Grant decorating that Christmas tree.

5.  A favorite movie adaptation of A Christmas Carol: None.  I've never seen any movie versions.

6.  A Christmas movie you watch any time of year: We're No Angels (1955). I know it's a Christmas movie, set at Christmas, but I tend to not think of it as one, for some reason, so I'm as likely to watch it in summer as around the holidays.

7.  A Christmas movie that surprised you: The Holiday (2006) - I didn't expect to like this one, but like Love Actually, it won me over.

8.  A favorite "but is it really a Christmas movie?" movie: Ben-Hur (1959) - No, it's not a Christmas movie, but they always showed it on television every Christmas when I was growing up, so in my mind, it's hard to disassociate it with the season. 

9.  The oldest Christmas movie you've seen: Babes in Toyland (1934) - This Laurel and Hardy movie is one I grew up with and one my family still watches. Love it so much!

10.  The newest Christmas movie you've seen: A Christmas Prince (2017) - Back when I had Netflix and more time on my hands, I would watch random things, and this was one of them.  I enjoyed it enough that I watched it a second time a few years later.

Not tagging anyone, as I've been so inactive here this lat year, I don't think anyone actually stops by nowadays! :-D

Available for Pre-Order!

Book One of my Dark Throne duology, Balefire, is officially available for pre-order today in Kindle format on Amazon.com!

 

What's this adventure fantasy about? Here's the description from the back of the book:

Rain’s only goal is survival.  All those rumors that the kingdom is on the brink of war, or that Orin Balefire, the ruthless crown prince, aims to usurp the throne…  None of it matters, until she steals a magical relic crucial to Orin’s devious plans.  Overnight, she shifts from starving refugee to royal target number one.

Aided by Reece Railey, disenchanted captain of Orin’s personal guard, Rain flees for her life.

Though magic has been outlawed for generations, Rain and Reece learn it is far from dead.  If they revive the old practices, it will unlock the relic’s secrets and open a path to use magic for great good.  But it will also hand Orin the power to plunge the realm into darkness.

And magic, they discover, isn’t just a tool.  It has a will of its own. 

 

Sunshine Blogger Award

Hamlette nominated me for this one, so here we go!

 

 

The Rules:

• Display the award’s official logo somewhere on your blog. 
• Thank the person who nominated you. 
• Provide a link to your nominator’s blog. 
• Answer your nominator’s questions. 
• Nominate up to 11 bloggers. 
• Ask your nominees 11 questions. 
• Notify your nominees by commenting on at least one of their blog posts.

 

1. What's the first movie you have a memory of watching?

I don't.  There were movies playing on television daily growing up. Cinematic images and characters are part of my childhood landscape, but there's no way to pull one out of a hat as the first. 

 

2. Have you ever written a fan letter to a celebrity?  (If so, did you get a reply?)

No, never wrote a fan letter.

 

3. What are the three funniest movies you have ever seen?

It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963), Tropic Thunder (2008), Free Guy (2021)

 

4. What movie do you really want to change the ending of?

I'm sure I have several, but for the moment, I can't think of any where the ending is the only thing I would change.  I just keep thinking of movies where I want to change a lot more.

 

5. What movie do you wish had a sequel, but it doesn't?

The Man from U.N.C.L.E (2015) and The Lone Ranger (2013)

 

6. Who were were favorite actor and actress when you were a teen?

David Hedison, didn't have a favorite actress (I had lots of favorite female characters, but not actresses)

 

7. Who are your favorite actor and actress now?

Ben Mendelsohn, still have lots of favorite female characters, but not actresses

 

8. Does anyone else in your family love movies?

Everyone.

 

9. If you could pick an actor/actress to play you in a movie, who would you choose?

Sela Ward

 

10. Do you ever watch a movie in the theater more than once?

Oh yeah, all the time.  Countless movies. Going back to see a movie I love in the theater over and over is one of the great joys in life.  Or it used to be.  When there were movies worth seeing.

 

11. Are there any movies coming out in 2024 that you are looking forward to?

The re-release of The Fifth Element (1997) in November.  I honestly don't think I could name a single new movie coming out this year.  I've gotten so out of touch with movies. I suppose I should go look at a  release schedule.

 Thanks for nominating me, Hamlette!  Fun questions!

RIP David Soul, Glynis Johns

I'm saddened by the news today that David Soul has passed on.  We all have favorite actors, of course, but we also have some actors who mean a bit more to us.  David Soul was one of those.  I'll be watching some Starsky & Hutch tonight.

And I just heard Glynis Johns too???  Adding The Court Jester to my list of watching for the day.  It's my favorite movie of hers.  How I wanted to be her in that role when I was young!

 RIP to both.  You made my life richer for your movies, shows, and singing.