‘Tis the season to be cozy,
with a bowl full of popcorn
and drink something warm-y.
Like the rest of the campus,
the Ebbtide Staffers are more than ready
to engage in winter rumpus.
Chitter-chatter and family gathering,
conversation leads to binge-watching habit
and nostalgia for movie marathons blathering.
A&E editor Cheryl Amelia, sparked up the little trail with her recommendation. “I remember falling head over heels with the movie Rise of the Guardians (2012). I am a firm believer that Christmas is the one time of the year when adults can display their inner child. I associate this movie with the innocence and familial characteristics of Christmas. It tells the story of Jack Frost, a guardian for the frosty season, who works alongside Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, etc. to provide the best childhood for kids. When I first saw this movie at the age of six, it blew my little brain away. They had incredible plot twists, betrayals between the guardians, a moral lesson to forgiveness and a wholesome ending as the cherry on top.”
Co-editor Johanna Wilder reports It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) as the personal go-to during the wintry seasons. “When I was an awkward high-school senior, I was unsure of my place in the world. I felt isolated, surrounded by people who didn’t understand me. One Christmas Eve, I found myself alone with my mother, in the living room with a warm fire aglow in the hearth, wrapping presents together. It was late at night and the rest of the family was asleep, but I stayed awake for the midnight movie on the television. At that moment, It’s a Wonderful Life was on. It tells a story of a guy who had his life amiss, he gave up on everything, and questioned his own life, but in the Christmas spirit whilst trying not to spoil anything: the story ended wonderfully.”
Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) was also on Wilder’s list, “Most folks know the story of Rudolph, who didn’t get to play games with the cool kids.” She relates to Rudolph’s isolation, and finds it comforting when “He [Rudolph] meets a group of people who are way cooler than the cool kids, then learns that life is more about how much we have to offer, than how well we fit in. And everyone has something to offer.”
Chipping into our heavy conundrum, co-editor Sok Linh Kong, adds onto her colleagues’ list of movies, her personal favorite, Arthur Christmas (2011). “Arthur Christmas (2011) is the stereotypical holiday film that has earned a place in my favorites podium. This heartwarming animated adventure brims with the Christmas spirit. Its brilliant visuals, a well-developed story, and clever humor appeal to all ages. The main character, Arthur, embodies the virtues of the season: compassion, earnestness and hopefulness. It’s a perfect festive treat for the whole family since this movie’s enchanting journey captures the true magic of Christmas, merging classic charm with today’s technology.”
One of our new staff writers enters the chat with a coming-of-age genre, Little Women (2019). Kelly Wijaya explains that she sees, “Christmas as a time to get cozy, accompanied by comfortable pillows and blankets to keep warm while watching a heart-warming movie that creates that snug ambiance.” She shares, “A movie that I enjoy that represents that feeling would be Little Women. It’s a film about a group of sisters stepping into womanhood. The setting and plot in this movie really forms an overall home-y atmosphere which I really love.”
An artsy addition comes up from graphic designer Cherrie Lim, who loved the movie series that starts with The Chronicles of Narnia (2005). Interlacing the movie with childhood sentimentality, she explains, “This series takes us up on adventures of the Pevensie siblings to the magical land of Narnia. The first movie captures the essence of Christmas, with an enchanting world hidden behind a wardrobe filled with snow. It holds nostalgic memories, providing comfort and brings out the happy spirit of Christmas, making it a perfect holiday movie.”
Another writer chipped in with additional seasonings of culture. Nathan Hauw would say Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), replicates the “relaxing and comfortable mood” he wishes for the end of the year. “It’s an animated film about a 13-year-old witch named Kiki who sets out on a journey with her talking cat, Jiji, to live in a seaside city. Even though it was made a while back, I personally think it can still hold up with other animated films nowadays due to its stunning animation followed by an iconic soundtrack that just hits. The movie doesn’t require you to think too hard, you just relax, watch, and enjoy.”
Photographer Jeff Shirts, adds onto our ramble with the rom-com option When Harry Met Sally (1989). “It is a classic love story that follows two people throughout their life chronicling how true love takes time and effort. While the film does not take place on Christmas the story is timeless and entertaining featuring two great performances from Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal along with featuring Bruno Kirby and Carrie Fisher acting as standout parallels to the main characters with their performances” Shirts adds, “One of my only gripes in the film is the final scene throughout the entire movie leading up to this has been intercut with old couples telling stories of how they got married with the final scene being Harry and Sally explaining the same thing the only difference being that they are substantially younger than the other couples seen before hand. If they ever re-release this film I hope they reshoot this last scene with the same two actors for the sake of narrative compilation.”
Caroling back to our list of classics, staff writer Chris Van Hoosier would say Elf (2003) is his Christmas go-to classic. “Buddy, played by Will Ferrell, is an orphan who gets adopted by Santa after crawling into his sack as a baby one fateful Christmas morning. Being raised amongst elves Buddy never really fits in, but the eventual realization of his human roots leads him on a journey to New York City to reconnect with his real father who has cemented his place on the naughty list. He explores the city with a childlike wonder and gets into a host of trouble with the best of intentions. Throughout his journey he rekindles light and hope in the people around him. In the end he is able to not only rebuild his family, but save Christmas itself. The entire film is an entertaining portrayal of finding one’s own place, connecting with family, and reviving the charming Christmas spirit that we all know and love.”
Now before anyone calls us crazy for not considering Die Hard and the whole chain of Home Alone series played by our favorite rascal, Macaulay Culkin. We could go for hours with no end conspiring over the best pranks made in Home Alone that has led to detrimental concussions and time-outs from our parents back home. Nevertheless, drop your favorite merry marathons in the comments, it’ll be jolly to see what our reader’s must-watches are for this season!
