Folks,
Happy Holidays! I compiled a list of films that emphasize powerful community themes that help those of us, particularly those of us who are single at the holidays.
As I struggle with my loneliness issues myself, I have started using platforms like Letterboxd to recommend movies and help other folks find escape from this depression through film. Films create community, and in this spirit, I've been writing more film reviews and sharing them on platforms like Letterboxd.
Folks can follow me on Letterboxd here @melkman, where I have reviewed over 150 of my favorite films.
Top Ten Christmas Films to Relieve Christmas Blues
- "Feast of the Seven Fishes" (2019) - new instant classic about an Italian American family in Fairmont, West Virginia, in 1983, when the town is getting hit hard by plant closings and a young man dreams of escaping to Pittsburgh for art school.
- “Battleground” (1949) - Oscar-winning film about American troops like my grandfather, who fought it out on Christmas Day in 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge.
- “The Dead” (1987) - a stunning John Huston film featuring his daughter Angelica Houston in 1904 Ireland at a Christmas Eve party, set in Ireland based on James Joyce's story. I first saw it in school in Swissvale, and it's stayed with me ever since.
- “It Happened on 5th Avenue” (1947) - Stunning and accurate depiction of World War Two veterans struggling with homelessness & joblessness following the war and banding together during the holidays to occupy a rich man’s mansion.
- “The Holdovers” (2023) - 1970s small town, Mass, as three misfits stranded at a New England prep school tackle questions of grief, class, race, and war. and loneliness in this instant classic.
- “A Very Murray Christmas” (2015) - Classic Bill Murray humor film that is overlooked (only 50 minutes) about a Christmas TV special failing during a blizzard, and friends, strangers, and neighbors pulling together to throw the best Christmas party ever.
- “Christmas in Connecticut" (1945) - roaring comedy about a small community of folks trying to pull off the perfect dream Christmas vacation for a returned World War Two hero.
- “A Christmas Story Christmas” (2022) - in many ways better than the original, as the adult Ralphie returns to Cleveland as his career as a writer struggles. He recalls his father's struggles, who has passed, and finds redemption.
- “White Christmas” (1954) - Rosemary Clooney and so many greats are in this film, but in my opinion, Dean Jagger is the real star in this film as a humble general, who inspires his war buddies, including Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, to come to Vermont to save his struggling inn.
- “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) - such a powerful anti-capitalist film that the FBI tried to have it blacklisted. The end scene makes me cry so much and is the story of how we founded Payday with the community chipping in cash!
Hope everyone had a good holiday. For more movie recommendations, check out my Letterboxd.
