Oh, by golly -- JoAnn's favorite holiday movies

    I have to admit, I am not a huge Christmas person --- I don't care for the holiday Muzak that's churned out by Top-40 artists and played in every single store, nor do I care much for cliched seasonal cheer that's often found in office parties and Secret Santa swaps.  And don't get me started on the phrase "Tis the Season." I learned from my former newspaper adviser never to use this as a headline -- it's trite, forced and just terrible. 
    I refuse to utter it in good company.

    Don't get me wrong, I like hanging out with my family and friends, but sometimes the cheesiness of it all leaves me in a curmudgeon state. Fahlalala humbug.

    But anytime I watch any of the following Christmas-related movies, I can't help but feel my heart growing three sizes a la the Grinch. Funny, moving, romantic and sometimes musical, I recommend any of these if you're feeling stumped on your next queue choices.

 

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Meet Me in St. Louis (1944): Probably my favorite Judy Garland besides "Wizard of Oz" and "Easter Parade." About a family dealing with the heartaches of love and moving in the early-20th century. Great performances from Garland and Margaret O'Brien as 'Tootie,' the adorably funny, scene-stealing sister. Cast: Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, Mary Astor, Leon Ames. My fave songs: "Meet Me in St. Louis," "The Trolley Song" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

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Love Actually (2003): I believe in the healing powers of this movie. I once spent an entire summer watching this movie nonstop when I could not sleep at night. This 2003 film follows the lives of several couples in London in the month leading up to Christmas. Funny and moving, it shows different interpretations of love. You should see it for the all-star cast alone -- Bill Nighy, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Colin Firth, just to name a few. Fave moments: All of them, but especially Hugh Grant's dance scene.

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The Holiday (2006): When I first heard of this movie, I thought it was going to be an average holiday rom-com. Sure it's got some predictable moments, but it has a stellar cast and a lot of charm. Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz are having some man problems, so they decide to get as far away as possible from home during the holidays by switching abodes. Of course, trying to escape man issues means...they run into more. I'm not into modern rom-coms, but this one has "gumption." (Disclaimer: I am a sucker for anything Kate Winslet, including her perfume commercials.) Cast: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black and Jude Law. My faves: Jack Black's impersonations, the score and every Kate Winslet scene.

What are your favorite holiday movies?

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