CLASSICS
Miracle on 34th Street
Originally released in 1947, this classic has gotten the remake treatment more times than
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Maybe its staying power has to do with the fact that everyone loves to see Santa committed to a psychiatric facility.
VERDICT:
Though it' not as irreverently funny as the other films on this list,
Miracle makes us question our belief in things we can't prove, like God. And isn't that what Christmas comedies are all about?
AUDIT FACT:
The film won three Academy Awards and was ranked ninth on AFI' "100 Years"¦100 Cheers" list of America' most inspiring movies, barely beating out
The Ref. How the Grinch Stole Christmas!Yes, we know this isn't a feature film, but this 1966 TV special packs as much of a punch in 22 minutes than any animated short in recent memory. So that' why it' included in this list of movies. If you have a problem with that it means you hate Christmas cheer.
VERDICT:
Remember the part when his tiny dog Max is forced to pull that heavy sleigh? Or when the Grinch steals that Christmas tree in front of the adorable Whoville townie girl? And who can forget singer Thurl Ravenscroft' infectious baritone on "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch"? No one, and it' because this film dominates as much mental real estate as our first sexual experiences. Especially for CRACKED Editor Justin Droms, who, since losing his virginity while watching
The Grinch, cannot properly have sex without it being on in the room.
AUDIT FACT:
Thurl Ravenscroft was also the voice of Kellogg' Tony the Tiger until his death in May of 2005. So, you know, don't say you've never learned anything from this website.
The RefCheck out this bold claim:
The Ref is the best film starring Dennis Leary. Trust us, people. It took a lot of brave decision-making to write that with all the other movies eligible for that distinction. And we stand by it.
VERDICT:
Surely, with all the attempted robbery and bondage, it shares the honor of being the darkest Christmas comedy along with
The Ice Harvest. Oh yeah, and Kevin Spacey is golden as one half of a staggeringly dysfunctional suburban marriage. If only he would have expanded on that character in a film with a better script, it could have been truly"¦ beautiful.
AUDIT FACT:
Dennis Leary broke into countless Boston apartments to research his role as the thieving Gus.
UNDERRATED
The Best Christmas Pageant EverThis heartwarming TV special' strongest attribute is that it featured a pre-pubescent Fairuza Balk. This is an oddly wholesome start for Ms. Balk considering that she went on to take such career-making roles as a witch in
The Craft and a rock star' cum bucket in
Almost Famous.
VERDICT: TBCPE, as it' known by diehard fans, is yet another X-mas story in which ragamuffin children discover the true meaning of the holiday. Simply by acting in a church play about the birth of Christ, the Herdman kids have a religious epiphany, get all Jesus freaky, and begin a strict regimen of brutal self-flagellation. At least some of that last part is true.
AUDIT FACT:
The Herdman clan reappears in two sequels,
The Best Halloween Ever and
The Best School Year Ever. The characters also served as the original culture pundits on VH1'