The Best Christmas movies from 90's

 The movie journey continues. Today we'll go back to the last decade of the 20th century to remember some really wonderful christmas movies. I suppose you've noticed that back then motion pictures were going adagio, so to speak, with slow tempo. One more significant thing of 90's movies, which probably was an inherited tradition from the Golden age of Hollywood, is that there were meaningful, funny and witty dialogs. Those movies could very easily make you  feel the warmth, joy, compassion and the simple good of the Christmas season.The feeling of magic you get from those stories comes from the pure desire of the people to think about someone else and do something nice and kind for them. Watching the good example could inspire you to make magic of your own. Just like a great book could move you, hepl you understand somethings,  improve you, by teaching you some lessons, a great and meaningful movie could have the same impact. Those, who managed to do this are today's classics, no matter when they were made. Now, lets see what the 90's have to offer for Christmas in alphabetical order.

1. All I want for Christams (1991)

Starring: Harley Jane Kozak, Jamey Sheridan, Ethan Randall, Kevin Nealon, Thora Birch,, Leslie Nielsen

A Charming story about two children - a sister and a brother,- who are trying to get their divorsed parents back. They come up with a plan, which involves Santa Clouse, a few friends, white mice, ice cream truck and telephone calls. It's a funny movie with very snowy scenery. Bottom line  - family, care and love.

2. Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

 

Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Catherine O'Hara

It's a family comedy film about an eight-year-old boy, who is accdently left alone on Christmas. In the first part he defends his home from two burglars and in the second part he meets them again, but this time in New York. Both times he comes up with a plan with many traps for the burglars. The plot is humorous, but bottom line is that family is the most important, we shouldn't judge the book by its cover like Kevin did at first with his neighbour ant then with the lady in the park, we should be kind and nice to each other. Both movies have wonderful soundtracks.

3. I'll be home for Christmas (1998) 

Starring: Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jessica Biel, Adam LaVorgna, Sean O'Bryan, Gary Cole

An 18-year-old boy named Jake is at school in California and hasn't been back home for the holidays for a long time. His father calls him and offers him his porshe, but only if he manages to be at the house before 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Jake doesn't accept at first, but then he reconsiders. Before heading home with his girlfriend, he has a promise to keep with two other students, who have an exam. Jake amd a friend of his has to send them the answers to the test, but something goes wrong. On the next morning Jake wakes up in the dessert in a Sants suit and so the adventure begins with very hilarious moments in it. Again movie shows how important family and love are in our lives.

4. The Santa Clause (1994)  

Starring: Tim Allen, Wendy Crewson, David Krumholtz, Larry Brandenburg, Judge Reinhold

Tim Allen is Scott Calvin, who is a divorsed succesfull toy salesman. He is preparing to spend Christmas Eve with his son when they hear noise on the roof. They decide to go outside to take a look and that's when the real Santa falls of their roof. Scott and Charlie (his son) decide to deliver the rest of the toys in the sleigh. After travelling around the worl, they stop in the North Pole, where Scott finds out, that he must become the new Santa Clause. After that very strange, but humorous things star to happen in Scott's life. It's about family and the faith in the good and the magical.

5. Trapped in Paradise (1994)

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Jon Lovitz, Dana Carvey, John Ashton, Mädchen Amick

Very unusual Christmas movie, but you definitely won't regret watching it. The plot is about three brothers, two of them (Dave and Alvin) are in prison, but paroled early in the custody of the third one - Bill Firpo ( Nicolas Cage). Dave and Alvin are not allowed to leave the state of New York, but they come up with a plan to trick Bill to drive them to Paradise, Pennsylvania. They are eager to go there, because of a story they heard in prison about a bank, which can easily be robbed. So far it sounds like a typical crime film, but the interesting twist happens when they take all the money from the bank - a magical Christmas twist. 

I hope you'll enjoy watching all of the movies!

The best Christmas movies to watch from the Golden Age of Hollywood to get into the holiday mood

 

Since 2020 turned out to be the perfect year to reminisce our best memories with people we love, place we’ve been, things we’ve done, why not continue this journey during the holidays. So, let’s go back, where Christmas was not so colorful, but really warm, heartfelt, hopeful and magical. I’m offering you some classic movies from the Golden age in Hollywood with incredibly talented actors. The list of the titles is random not somehow categorized.

1. The Bishop’s Wife (1947)

I’ve discovered the movie this year and I’m really charmed by it. I like lot the acting skills of Cary Grant and his presence on the screen. The story is simple and yet 100% captures the essence of Christmas and the magic of the season. It emphasis on the little things in life, which are the most important ones. Cary Grant is an angel, whose mission is to help the bishop and the people around him remember what truly matters in life with a few nudges here and there and some right words at the right time. It’s a meaningful movie, but at the same time fun and very relaxing to watch.

2. It’s a Wonderful life (1946)

Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell

I cannot skip this one, because it’s a world wide classic. It’s plot also features an angel who is sent in George Bailey’s life at a point, where he has a lot of problems and feels helpless, lost and don’t know how to deal with all of his troubles. He’s not even able to see how many people around him really care for him and honestly love him. The angel shows George Bailey a different perspective in order to help him realize what a huge impact his life has on his own town and people in it. I think the story is relevant to everyone, because we all have ups and downs, sometimes wonder what went wrong and try to figure out a way to keep going ahead, but sooner or later the sun will shine after the storm. Furthermore we mustn’t forget that everything we say and do everyday matters, even our presence at a certain time and place.

 3. Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

Starring: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet, Reginald Gardiner, S.Z. Sakall

 Barbara Stanwick is a cook writer who lied her boss, that she has a family and a house in Connecticut. One day her boss decides to invite a war hero in her home for a traditional Christmas celebration. There is one more lie in the story – she cannot cook at all and she has no idea how to pull everything through. This is a really fun movie to watch. 

The remake from 1992 is also wonderful with Dyan Cannon, Kris Kristofferson and Tony Curtis.

4. Holiday Inn (1942)

Starring:  Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, Virginia Dale, Walter Abel

If you love musicals, this is your Christmas movie. I think the first two names in the starring list are enough to get the idea what to expect.

5. White Christmas (1954)

Starring: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, Dean Jagger.

A team of two successful singers and dancers become romantically involved with a sister act. They team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general. 

6. A Christmas Carol (1999)

Starring:  Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Joel Grey 

I know this one isn’t from the Golden age, but it’s a timeless Christmas classic. There are many movies, which are inspired or strictly follow Charles Dickens's novel. According to me this is an excellent motion picture. If you want to watch the Dicken’s story, I think this is the right version of it.

7. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

Starring: Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Frank Morgan

Does the title sound familiar? Well, if you’ve watched “You’ve got mail”, it probably will. Actually this is the original story and I was very curious to see it, because I really like the Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan movie. So, I watched it and it’s different, but not in a bad way. On the contrary, It’s fascinating.  There are letters on paper involved, not e-mails and there are no competitive bookstores.  For more watch the movie.

8. Meet me in St. Louis (1944)

Starring: Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, Mary Astor, Lucille Bremer, Tom Drake, Marjorie Main

A story about a family with four daughters in St. Louis. Everybody is excited about the upcoming World’s Fair in the city. One day the father announces his promotion, which requires for the whole Smith family to move to New York. No one really wants to leave St. Louse, because of various reasons. However reluctantly they prepare for it. Meanwhile a lot if thing happen. There are songs, dancing, funny moments, love and a Christmas Ball. 

Find time to watch them all. They are amazing stories about the most valuable things in life with very talented actors. Take a journey back in time and see what Christmas used to be and bring something good and inspiring into your holidays today.

How to invite the Christmas magic in your home

 If you want Christmas magic in your home, you have to create an atmosphere for it. In order to do so, there are few very simple and easy things you have to do:

1. Put up some decorations: tree, lights. tinsels.  Make your living space joy to the eye, but most importantly to your eye. 

2. Besides the visual aspect of the holiday, for full experience you can include all your favorite seasonal smells. If you don’t like baking, there is one really easy and fast way to do so – candles. There are various choices of holiday scents. It’s wonderful that some of them even have festive outfits, which make them cheerful for the eye – 2 in 1. Great! If they are not fancy dressed, so to speak, put then in a lantern.

3. Let’s include one more sense – the touch, really feel the season. There are two ways to do so – dress up yourself with warm and comfortable clothes and then take care of your home. Throw  a few pillows and blankets on the couch, on your bed. If you wonder what color or fabric they should be, the answer is pretty obvious. Choose your favorite colors and materials. That way you’ll be content and you’ll never get bored of them.

4. Next thing is your favorite tastes. Spoil yourself with seasonal cookies

 warm drinks like hot cocoa, special coffee recipes

tea with a scent of honey, cinnamon, vanilla and so on.

It looks like a lot of work, but it’s actually not. You don’t need to overdo the home decor. Sometimes less is more. I know you’ve heard the phrase a million times, but that’s because it’s true. After all, your living space isn’t a hotel lobby, a movie stage or a store. You live there and it has to be functional and cosy for you and your family, not overpacked. So, play some music in the background and before you know it, you’ll be ready to welcome the Christmas magic in your home.

Wish you all the best!

Up next  is which movies to watch in November 2020, that will get you in the Christmas mood.