Camping with the Mediocre Dad

Camping tips, tricks and advice from a fairly average parent and a reformed dad blogger

Menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Camping
  • Family Days Out
  • Sponsorship
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Why celebrate mediocrity?
Menu

4 Movies to get you in the Christmas spirit

Posted on November 29, 2009June 4, 2018 by Henry Elliss

planes_trains_ronaldgrant-313Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Easily my favourite film to get me in to the Christmas spirit – which is odd, because it’s actually a movie set around American Thanksgiving. But since I’m not American, I call that a Christmas movie :) One of John Candy’s finest performances, and Steve Martin is his usual comedic best in this heart-warming and hilarious movie about a hapless businessman trying to get across the country to see his family for Thanksgiving.

Stars: Steve Martin and John Candy, basically.

Fun fact: No transportation company wanted to appear inept or deficient in any way, so crews had to rent twenty miles of train track and refurbish old railroad cars, construct a set that looked like an airline terminal, design a rent-a-car company logo and uniforms, and rent 250 cars for the infamous Rent-a-Car sequence!

Favourite quote: Del (Candy) “You know I had a feeling that when we parted ways. We would somehow wind up back together again. I’ve never seen a guy get picked up by his testicles before. Lucky thing for you that cop passed by when he did. Otherwise, you’d be lifting up your schnutz to tie you shoes. I’m sorry. That’s terrible. Do you have any idea how glad I am I didn’t kill you?”


wonderful-lifeIt’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

One of the all-time classics, and a great movie to warm your cockles to in the run up to Christmas. Follow the story of George Bailey (the marvelous James Stewart) as he experiences one of the most compelling rollercoaster life-stories, leading up to an ill-fated Christmas Eve where he considers ending it all – before being told the story of how life would be different by a fallen angel named Clarence.

Stars: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Beulah Bondi, Frank Faylen and Ward Bond

Fun fact: Two of Sesame Street’s Muppets, Bert and Ernie, share their names with the film’s cop and cab driver, respectively, but it’s believed to be just a coincidenc

Favourite quote: George (Stewart) “I’m shakin’ the dust of this crummy little town off my feet and I’m gonna see the world. Italy, Greece, the Parthenon, the Colosseum. Then, I’m comin’ back here to go to college and see what they know. And then I’m gonna build things. I’m gonna build airfields, I’m gonna build skyscrapers a hundred stories high, I’m gonna build bridges a mile long…”


hugh-snowLove Actually (2003)

I know it’s cheesy to have a Richard Curtis film on the list, and I’m sure some of my more movie-snobbish friends will tell me I’m a fool, but I love a bit of Love, Actually in the run-up to Christmas. From Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson’s breaking-down marriage to Martin Freeman and Joanna Page and their porn-stand-in first meeting, I don’t think there is a single character or story in this film that I don’t love. The soundtrack is brilliant too!

Stars: Loads, including Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Martin Freeman, Joanna Page, Bill Nighy, Liam Neeson, Kris Marshall…

Fun fact:  When David arrives at No. 10 Downing Street, his tie changes 11 times between shots when meeting Natalie. Apparently, Hugh Grant had changed his tie after a post-lunch nap and no one noticed at first. They decided to “play with it” and went all out and changed the tie 11 times just for the heck of it.

Favourite quote: Jamie (Colin Firth) – in portugese “Beautiful Aurelia, I’ve come here with a view of asking you to marriage me. I know I seems an insane person – because I hardly knows you – but sometimes things are so transparency, they don’t need evidential proof. And I will inhabit here, or you can inhabit with me in England.”


snowmanThe Snowman (1982)

Probably not technically classed as a “movie” (though I’m not sure what you’d call it if it’s not?) but this has got to be a main-stay on everybody’s Christmas viewing list. I think I could count on one hand the number of Christmases where I *haven’t* watched the Snowman, and with a son of my own now, it’s definitely staying on the festive line-up. The only tiny thing I’d say slightly spoils an otherwise brilliant viewing experience is the bizarre and frankly completely odd opening scene with David Bowie…! It was only added when the film was released by PBS in the states, and it really jars with the overall feel of it.

Stars: A snowman and a little boy.

Fun fact: The little boy’s name is James!

Favourite quote:  Aside from the aforementioned Bowie intro, not a single word is spoken in this wonderful film, so this is a bit null and void really!

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
  • Print
  • christmas
  • films
  • it's a wonderful life
  • love actually
  • movies
  • planes trains and automobiles
  • snowman
  • 2 thoughts on “4 Movies to get you in the Christmas spirit”

    1. Jamie says:
      November 30, 2009 at 9:36 am

      The Snowman we watch every year. I remember my daughter being in floods of tears the first time we watched it! You have to add Christmas Vacation and The Muppets Christmas Carol to the list. Oh and for boxing day, Star Wars IV or The Spy who Loved me, with adverts on ITV :-)

    2. Rachel Hosie says:
      November 30, 2009 at 10:00 pm

      Ha… no Star Wars then!? I adore Love Actually.

      PS. I may do that picture resolution.. I like it :)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    henweb

    henweb

    Pun-loving, 👨‍👦‍👦 dad-blogging, 📷 photo-taking, 🏰 Lego-making, 🎅🏿 beard-wearing, 👶 child-caring dad of 2. 💍 Husband of 1. 💩 Strategist

    View Full Profile →

    Instagram Gallery

    Spent a few hours in a client meeting this week wh Spent a few hours in a client meeting this week where this was the view from the meeting room. I’ve definitely seen worse views.
    Swipe to see where I spent today. It got busier, I Swipe to see where I spent today. It got busier, I promise
    Good morning from a frosty Brimpton Good morning from a frosty Brimpton
    Had the absolute pleasure of seeing @actualbenfold Had the absolute pleasure of seeing @actualbenfolds again last night, this time at the @royalalberthall. Not only was it an amazing concert, there was a big surprise at the end when he bought out both @doddleoddle AND the legendary @realmattlucas - what a treat!
    Went to the ‘Spectacle of Light’ at @welfordpa Went to the ‘Spectacle of Light’ at @welfordpark (where they film @britishbakeoff) and had a lovely autumnal stroll amongst the lights
    As today is ‘Back British Farming’ day, I want As today is ‘Back British Farming’ day, I wanted to give a shout-out to all the farmers in the local area, especially Brimpton’s own @mbowden1954. One of my favourite aspects of living where we do now is being surrounded by countryside and farm land - and being able to see an actively-farmed field at the end of our garden. Every time something’s being done to the field I’m out with my camera, usually trying to figure out the names of all the machinery - and it’s so nice to see a product being grown right from seed to harvest. I know it’s not easy for farmers at the moment, and I dearly hope ours are able to keep farming for many years to come - so if you have one near you, make sure to show them all the support you can!
    Load More… Follow on Instagram

    A little ad for some stuff




    Subscribe by RSS

    RSS Feed RSS – Posts

    Recent posts

    • The 7 Reasons I don’t post as much as I’d like to October 31, 2023
    • 5 Tips to Make Family Travel Easier December 2, 2022
    • 5 Great Camping Blogs You Should Follow August 18, 2022
    • Summer Holidays in the Mountains? 4 Reasons Why You Should Go for it! June 7, 2022
    • Family Camping for Beginners – A Guide to Buying a New Tent May 31, 2022

    A bigger ad for some stuff

    Recent Comments

    • RayCaldereta on 5 Great Camping Blogs You Should Follow
    • Family Camping for Beginners - The Ultimate Guide for first time campers | Camping with the Mediocre Dad on Family Camping for beginners – Food, glorious food
    • Tiana on Fatherhood²: The Ultimate Octonauts Quiz
    • The best camping gadgets for your next trip with the family | The Mediocre Dad on Family Camping for Beginners – The Ultimate Guide for first time campers
    • Dynamite dad blogs | Samuel Windsor on Family Camping for Beginners – The Ultimate Guide for first time campers

    My Brimpton Village history website

    My Mastodon profile

    © 2025 Camping with the Mediocre Dad | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme
    Find me on Mastodon