Issue date: 12/11/09 Section: The Verge

Walt Disney Pictures promotional poster

Warner Bros. and Turner promotional poster

Universal Studios promotional poster

Warner Bros. promotional poster

Columbia pictures promotional poster

As the chill of winter sets in on the Midwest, it is quickly becoming that time of year where students and faculty both begin to shun the outdoors in favor of staying in their homes. Unfortunately, staying inside all winter can eventually become very boring, but don't worry, below is a list of holiday movies and specials that are sure to keep you occupied and out of the cold.

Tim Burton's
The Nightmare
Before Christmas

Starting as a poem in the early-1980s, "The Nightmare Before Christmas" combines spooky storytelling with stop motion photography.

Directed by Henry Selick and produced/co-written by Tim Burton, "The Nightmare Before Christmas" tells the story of Jack Skellington, as he tries to recreate the holiday of Christmas for his home, " Halloween Town.
As Jack attempts to accept the duties of Christmas, the evil Oogie Boogie takes the opportunity to try to and ruin Christmas by kidnapping Santa Claus.

Jack is then compelled to save Santa Claus, as well as restoring order to a Christmas gone wrong.

Will Jack save Christmas? You'll just have to wait and see, as the film is available on both DVD and Blu-Ray.

A Christmas Story

Based on short stories and semi-fictional anecdotes, author Jean Sheperd was able to create a world that most young boy's can identify with, in the telling of "A Christmas Story."

Directed by Bob Clark, this 1983 classic tells the story of Ralphie Parker and his quest to obtain " an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock, and this thing, which tells time." As Ralphie tries to think of subtle ways to get his gun, he ultimately comes to the conclusion that he must directly ask Santa Clause for the gun. This movie is for the entire family and is available on DVD, as well as being aired on TBS for their annual 24-hours of "A Christmas Story."

Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas!

Based on the Dr. Seuss book of the same title, "How The Grinch Stole Christmas!" is an American animated television special, which was directed by Chuck Jones.

The plot of the movie is based around The Grinch, voiced by Boris Karloff, and his attempt to stop Christmas from coming to the town of Whoville.

"How The Grinch Stole Christmas!" is a timeless classic, originally aired in 1966, that is available on both DVD and Blu-Ray.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

For Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, the Christmas season is a time for family to come together and join in various activities like cutting down the family Christmas tree and hanging up 25,000 Christmas lights.

But as family members begin to arrive at the Griswold household, Clark becomes increasingly worried that things are not going his way.

As Clark waits for his Christmas bonus, hilarity ensues as his Christmas tree burns down and Clark's cousin kidnaps his boss Eddy.

Prepare for hilarious antics, as the Griswold family entertains you on both DVD and Blu-Ray.

Bad Santa

For those holiday viewers who are looking for something naughty and nice, look no further than "Bad Santa."

Starring Billy Bob Thornton as the main character Willie Stokes, "Bad Santa" tells the story of a boozehound, Stokes, and his dwarf friend Marcus, played by Tony Cox, as they try to set up their next holiday mall heist.

On the night of the big heist, Stokes finds himself in the middle of a moral dilemma, which will require him to decide between his life of drinking and cheap women and the opportunity to clean up his act and take care of a young-boy, whom Stokes has been living with in his grandmother's home.

"Bad Santa" is available on both DVD and Blu-Ray.

Neil Schneider can be reached at 581-7942 or
jnschneider@eiu.edu.

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