For each issue of Movie Mayhem, George Proctor (12) and Ariella Garrell (11) will choose two movies pertaining to the season to compare. For this issue, they decided to pick some timeless holiday movies to match the winter season.
George’s pick: “Elf”
For my choice of a wintery classic, I went with my personal favorite holiday movie: “Elf.” This movie stars Will Farrell, playing Buddy the Elf, as he travels to New York City to find his father. His dad, a no-nonsense businessman, is much less excited about Buddy’s adventure from the North Pole than Buddy is. Buddy’s time in New York shows him the crude reality of the world, greatly contrasting his life in the North Pole. After getting in a conflict with his father, Buddy runs away, leaving a message for his newfound family. As he wanders the streets of New York, he finds Santa crashed in Central Park. Buddy, his family, and hundreds of New Yorkers gather to spread Christmas cheer, sending Santa’s sled flying and imbuing all that witnessed it with a newfound sense of belief.
“Elf” is one movie that I constantly find myself rewatching once the holiday season rolls around. The childlike comedy that Farrell brings to the movie makes it truly unique and infinitely rewatchable. The setting of a wintery New York City truly creates an atmosphere that few movies can match. This movie is my favorite Christmas classic, making it a timeless rewatch for me.
Ariella’s pick: “Home Alone”
For this issue of Movie Mayhem, my choice of holiday movie was the fan favorite “Home Alone.” This iconic Christmas comedy, released in 1990, follows the story of Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) after he is left at home while his family heads to France for Christmas vacation. While his mom races back to Kevin in Chicago, Kevin is left to be the man of the house. After Kevin causes some mischief in his home and around town, two burglars secretly watch the house, waiting to break in. Instead of hiding from them, Kevin sets up multiple traps and sabotages them, but is eventually outsmarted. Just when Kevin thought it was over, Kevin’s neighbor, Old Man Marley comes to save him.
“Home Alone” is always a must-watch during the holiday season. Its use of comedy throughout the movie’s iconic scenes makes it an enjoyable watch for all ages. Along with its hilarious scenes, “Home Alone” has many famous lines that are quoted through the year, not just Christmas time. One reason the movie is a yearly watch for many households is its message on the importance of family, as Kevin’s one wish is for his family to come back home, even if they get on his nerves. “Home Alone” is a cheerful holiday movie for anyone to watch once the holiday season arrives.
Between “Elf” and “Home Alone,” which movie do you plan on watching as the holiday season comes around?
