Opinion - My all-time favorite Christmas movies

To help get people in the spirit of the season, here’s a list of some of my favorite holiday fare.

Part 1 of 3: 9-12

12. “Babes in Toyland” - 1934

Synopsis: Stannie Dum and Ollie Dee do everything they can to keep Little Bo-Peep and Toyland safe from the sinister Barnaby.

The low-down: Also known as “March of the Wooden Soldiers,” this film is a perfect example of why Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are considered to be among the greatest comedy teams of all-time. This remains one of my dad’s favorite movies to this day.

Killer quote: Ollie: “So far so good.”

Stannie: “It wasn’t so far. We just came across the street.”

11. “Jingle All the Way” - 1996

Synopsis: Howard Langston is a workaholic who’s not good at keeping promises. After missing Jamie’s karate class again, he vows to get his son a Turbo Man action figure for Christmas. Howard forgets to purchase it, only to discover the toy is incredibly popular and completely sold out everywhere by Christmas Eve. Having let his son down in the past, Howard goes on a mission to get a Turbo Man.

The low-down: Many people don’t like this movie, but I do. As Howard, Arnold Schwarzenegger faces all kinds of obstacles on his quest for a Turbo Man including huge crowds at the mall, a gang of no-good Santas, a resentful mailman and a seemingly wholesome neighbor named Ted Maltin, played masterfully by Phil Hartman, who’s putting the moves on his wife.

Parts of this movie are completely ridiculous, others are hysterical, but what’s always interested me the most is the astute social commentary it provides on the holiday and American society.

Killer quote: Ted: “Howard. They say it might get icy later. You might wanna wrap some chains around those tires.”

Howard: “Maybe I should wrap some chains around you.”

10. “While You Were Sleeping” - 1995

Synopsis: Lucy, a lonely token collector who’s working on Christmas, saves the life of a handsome commuter named Peter after he’s mugged. Once Lucy brings him to the hospital, he falls into a coma and Peter’s family mistakes her as his fiancée.

The low-down: Sandra Bullock shines as Lucy in this charming, lighthearted romantic comedy about love and family. Bill Pullman also stands out from the terrific cast as Peter’s brother, Jack, who’s both suspicious of and attracted to Lucy.

Killer quote: Lucy: (attempting to pull a tree up to her apartment through the window) “$38 for a Christmas tree and they don’t deliver? You order $10 worth of chow mein from Mr. Wong, they bring it to your door.”

9. “Home Alone” - 1990

Synopsis: Kevin McAllister’s family was in a rush to get to France for their Christmas vacation.

So much so, that they accidentally left the 8-year-old boy behind. As Kevin sets traps to defend his home against two bumbling burglars, his mother frantically tries to make her way back to Chicago to be with her son.

The low-down: Tremendously popular and profitable when it was released, “Home Alone” continues to interest audiences because it’s a very fun and endearing film. Macaulay Culkin does a fine job as Kevin, but his performance can’t compete with those of Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern,

Catherine O’Hara and John Candy. Sadly, this movie signaled the beginning of the end for one of my favorite screenwriters, John Hughes. After “Home Alone,” Hughes only had a couple decent offerings left in him before he spiraled downward into an endless cycle of sorry sequels and saccharine dreck.

Killer quote: Kate: “How could we do this? We forgot him.”

Peter: “We didn’t forget him. We just miscounted.”

Kate: “What kind of a mother am I?”

Frank: “If it makes you feel any better, I forgot my reading glasses.”

Resolution update:

Weight: 148 (-12)