12 days of blogging: Day 12- It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

"every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings"

Come on now you didn't really think I wasn't going to include this christmas classic in the list, shame on you. This film is considered the best christmas film by many and some have even said that it is the best film in the world so it has earned its place as my post for christmas eve and last post of this blogathon. I recently went to watch a production of this film in my local theater and though some of the acting and set design was questionable it did remind me of why I fell in love with this film and the meaning behind it. Though the film was a flop in 1946 it has now become one of the most powerful and inspirational films that has ever touched the world, it has now become timeless. I couldn't praise this film more, so please if you haven't already watched this film than now is the time.

Cast

James Stewart

Donna Reed

Lionel Barrymore

Henry Travers

Thomas Mitchell

Beulah Bondi

Gloria Grahame

Synopsis

An angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), is hired to help a man so he can get his wings, George Bailey (James Stewart) is contemplating suicide, to help him he must see his life up to this point. We are shown all of the people who George has touch and all of the significant points in his life. George saved his brothers life by rescuing him from drowning and because of this became death in one ear. George also helped his boss who had recently lost his son and turned to alcohol. He had made plans to leave Bedford Falls and go to college but he kept having to stay and run the bailey and loans company in order for it to not be taken over by the greedy Mr. Potter, who owned everything else in the town. George soon falls in love with Mary (Donna Reed), they marry and have children while still living in Bedford Falls, the town of which George always wanted to leave. 

On christmas eve, George's uncle Billy loses the businesses $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Mr. Potter found the money and kept it in hope that they would get arrested and he could then take over their company. When George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company would collapse, thinking of his loved ones he contemplates suicide while on a bridge in order for them to receive his life insurance. Clarence then shows up to help George, he does this by showing him what the world would be like if he didn't exist, when finding out of the things that he did that caused the world to change for the better he realizes that suicide isn't the answer and so returns home. Once he returned home, his friends, after finding out the trouble that George was in all came together to raise the money he needed to keep the company. Afterwards Clarence is seen to have gotten his wings for helping George Bailey.

"no man is a failure who has friends"

Some Little Facts

• 42 bells are heard throughout the film, so 42 angels get their wings.
• This film created an alternative to using painted cornflakes as snow and instead used foamite, soap and water, pumped at a high pressure through a wind machine. The company was awarded for this achievement.
• Frank Capra said the film would be shot in 90 days and when he was right a party was made to celebrate.
• This was Donna Reeds first starring role.
• It is James Stewart's and Frank Capra's favourite of their films.
• The role of George Bailey was originally made at another studio with Cary Grant in mind but when Frank Capra took over he rewrote the part to suit James Stewart.
• Though a stunt double was hired, Donna Reed successfully threw the rock that broke the window in the Granville house, she had a strong throwing arm from playing baseball in high school.
• This was the only time that Frank Capra co-wrote, produced, financed and directed a film.

Now I know it's sad that it is the end of my Christmas blogathon but I feel like I have made a great achievement and have been successful in what I set out to do, I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I have. Don't worry I will still post regularly just not as regularly as this.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR 

12 days of blogging: Day 11- The Santa Clause (1994)

don't you just love that caption...

Yes it may be a Tim Allen Christmas film that spawned two mediocre sequels, but....well I really have no excuse for this one after all there are only so many Christmas films in the world. My sister just loves festive, trashy films so they are always on, always and forever. Though I really don't mind the first one (it sometimes even warms my heart) the others are just unnecessary and create a laughable franchise. The good thing is this posts isn't about the lesser two films so lets not dwell on them to much and lets get straight to the original. It's full of cheese but that's why we love it so just go ahead and watch it, it is Christmas after all.

Synopsis
Scott Calvin is a divorced dad looking after his son on Christmas, then he accidentally kills Santa. Scott finds out that there is a clause saying if you kill Santa you then become recruited as the new Santa and so on. Scott tries to ignore the signs but undoubtedly he is turning into Santa, beard and all. He is incredibly reluctant as people don't believe him and he seems crazy but he soon embraces the fact that he is now the knew Santa on the block and takes his place in lap land, but he still has a lot to learn.

Some Little Facts

• Tim Allen is an ex-convict and Disney usually doesn't employ convicts but in this case an exception was made.
• When Scott and Charlie are leaving the North pole on the sleigh and pass by the moon,it has a mickey mouse logo on it.
• The role of Scott Calvin was made with Bill Murray in mind.
• The movie shows us that Santa's favorite snacks are cookies and hot chocolate.

12 days of blogging: Day 10- Elf (2003)

"This holiday, discover your inner elf."

Well we always have to watch Elf at Christmastime because it is always on and you can only run for so long. I have mixed feelings towards this film, sometimes I like it, other-times I don't...usually I don't. There are aspects of this film that are just to cliched, even for me, and others that are just annoying. I am not an avid fan of Zoey Deschannel either, as I have previously expressed so it was disappointing to find her in this, though I do prefer her in this (I think it is because of the blonde hair). It really isn't to everyones taste but you may find it enjoyable, I mean it is bright and colourful so it does get a plus for the aesthetics.

Synopsis
Buddy (Will Ferrel) is an orphan who stowed away in Santa's sack and ended up in the North Pole. Buddy grew up as an elf but always knew he was different and so went to New York City to find his birth parents. His real dad, Walter Hobbs (James Caan), is on the naughty list because he is cruel and when he finds out about Buddy he doesn't really care for him and finds him quite frankly, annoying. Buddy has fun living in New York but is seen as very weird and again, as an outsider. He finds love in a department store girl, Jovie (Zoey Deschannel). He has also started to interfere in his fathers work, making Walter rethink his priorities. Walters family had previously felt neglected but now with the help of Buddy, all is well and everyone is happy. Also with the lack of Christmas spirit Santa is finding it hard to deliver all the presents for Christmas.