There's a pretty good chance that even if you haven't seen this film you are aware of the story it tells. One man, gloriously and sublimely played by one of my favourite actors of all time, James Stewart, is shown what the life of all his friends, family and colleagues would be like if he had never existed. Now, one poor man having a crisis of conscious, doubting his worth as a human being and contemplating suicide isn't exactly what you would term as a perfect Christmas story but believe you me it is. It is easily one of the best Christmas films ever made. a true pleasure. If you haven't already seen it, see it. You will not be disappointed.
It's a Wonderful Life
The Christmas Story
This delightful Christmas Classic follows the life of the sublime George Bailey (beautifully played by James Stewart) and his wonderful selfless life. He is in a bit of a pickle come Christmas Eve and is considering committing that most heinous of sins. So the angels themselves decide that they have to help him out, so we see exactly all the good things that George has done in his life. Through the course of the film we see that quite literally everyone in Bedford Falls has benefited from his lovely selflessness. Be warned, if this is your first time seeing It's a Wonderful Life prepare to have the very cockles of your soul warmed to their utmost. 4/5
The Voice of Christmas
Ah Clarence. I sincerely hope that all angels are like Clarence. All bumbling and lovely and about half way through The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. It is he who instigates one of the best Christmas stories ever. He shows the depressed George Bailey that the life of literally everyone in Bedford Falls would be utterly pants without him. Added on to that is the fact that he is jolly, kind, friendly, loves mulled wine, funny and has some of the most impressive eyebrows I've ever seen. 4/5
The Annoying Li'l Kid (At Christmas)
Henry F. Potter is categorically the most abhorrently deplorable character in the history of the cinematic. Describing him as a money grubbing buzzard doesn't do anything near justice to how evil he is. He is quite genuinely about 7 times worse than at least 50 scrooges. He steals $8,000 from the wonderful old Bailey Building and Loans, he goes out of his way to cause misery, pain and hardship to his fellow man. When faced with the problem of what will happen to the little poor children he mutters "they aren't my problem". He relishes in the pleasure that he gets by seeing people suffer, i would quite honestly not be surprised if he actually cheered when news reached him of Bailey Snr's death. He is one of the most abhorrent villains in the history of film history. He transcends the barrier of being a "boo hiss" panto villain and instead slips into the category of "pure actual evil" right alongside Hitler and Michael Bay. I know it's Christmas Eve Eve but, i'm going to say it, I hate him. He deserves naught but pain, heartache and a slap in the face...hard. 4/5
The Christmas Miracle
Think about your life. I mean unless you happen to be Charles Manson or the ghost of Dr. Mengele chances are that you are quite nice and have done some things that people look back on fondly and go "Man, i'm pleased so and so made that happen for me." For example my friend Bill King told me to watch this awesome action film called Riki-Oh: The Legend of Ricky and it was awesome (a man tries to strangle his oppononet using his own intestines) and on occassion I think about Riki-Oh: The Legend of Ricky and I am sure to thank Bill for introducing it to my life. Now, that's not that big a thing but the life of George Bailey, my word. If it wasn't for him every single person in Bedford Falls/Pottersville would be having an utterly naff life. Kids would be dead, kindly sad dentists would be alcoholics, poor families houses would be graves, the Building and Loan Building would be disbanded and turned into a sleazy bar and worst of all George's wife would've been an old maid, never found love and become short sighted. That is an awful lot, it's damn miraculous that the selfless actions of one man could've severely affected so many people. But at the same time, my word is it ever lovely. 5/5
The Christmas Message
"A man is never alone who has friends." - THAT my friends is so what Christmas is about.
However if you haven't seen It's a Wonderful Life The Christmas Message here is "Go and See It's a Wonderful Life as soon as possible. 5/5
Additional Notes.
- The Bailey Family's sassy black maid is a thing of utter glory. (+0.5)
- That "HEE HAW" salute they do is awesome. I'll be doing it all this Christmas season! (+0.5)
- The Charleston dance and James Stewart's back and forth slapstick tentative pool dancing is glorious. (+0.5)
- James Stewart decalres at one point in the film that he "is off to do some passionate necking." Awesome. (+0.5)
- "You on the nest?" is a great way to query a pregnancy. (+0.5)
OVERALL FESTIVITY RATING - 24.5/25
TOMORROW The Muppet Christmas Carol Coz It's Christmas Eve!!!!!!!!!!!
"A man is never alone who has friends." - THAT my friends is so what Christmas is about.
However if you haven't seen It's a Wonderful Life The Christmas Message here is "Go and See It's a Wonderful Life as soon as possible. 5/5
Additional Notes.
- The Bailey Family's sassy black maid is a thing of utter glory. (+0.5)
- That "HEE HAW" salute they do is awesome. I'll be doing it all this Christmas season! (+0.5)
- The Charleston dance and James Stewart's back and forth slapstick tentative pool dancing is glorious. (+0.5)
- James Stewart decalres at one point in the film that he "is off to do some passionate necking." Awesome. (+0.5)
- "You on the nest?" is a great way to query a pregnancy. (+0.5)
OVERALL FESTIVITY RATING - 24.5/25
TOMORROW The Muppet Christmas Carol Coz It's Christmas Eve!!!!!!!!!!!
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