MODERATOR NOTE:This topic was split from another discussion about the movie A Castle for Christmas, and evolved into the current discussion here.
Hubby has watched this movie, I have not yet. (Hubby is shamelessly addicted to anything remotely similar to Hallmark Christmas movies!) Even based on the silly reviews, I would rather watch A Castle for Christmas than its a wonderful life. I told hubby I had to concentrate on finishing my work in quiet (which was partially true) and snuck off to another room to allow him to watch his Christmas traditions. Not sure what it is about that old time movie but I just can’t watch it.
Trust me, It’s a Wonderful Life is far superior. Simply compare the bar scene in that movie to the bar scene singalong in A Castle for Christmas. While the Scottish pub might be fun, the scene that’s takes place at Nick’s Bar is probably something most people can relate to, in a way that makes us glad we aren’t there.
It’s a Wonderful Life has real grittiness that’s still relevant today. In contrast, A Castle for Christmas is not relevant to anyone except maybe Hamish, who is happy to get treats for dancing on cue.
This could be the topic of a first rate college thesis!
Interesting–I’ve never been a fan of It’s A Wonderful Life. The movie is non-stop bad things happening to George Bailey, I find it so depressing that the few minutes of joy at the end cannot compensate in my mind for all the awfulness that happens. But that’s just me.
You aren’t wrong. I can see how people find it depressing. To me, it’s interesting though. I like how he realizes what matters to him. I like all the bad stuff mixed with all the idyllic “happy families and good neighbors” wholesomeness.
I also hate It’s a Wonderful Life. I rarely watch it. It is so depressing and honestly George Bailey’s troubles don’t really end- even after everyone gives him money, he just gets back to even. Mr. Potter gets away with everything. I far prefer to watch the SNL ending. That one is great!
I know a lot of people don’t care for It’s a Wonderful Life, but it will always be a favorite in our family. George Bailey realizing what is important in life is still a great message for everyone.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t love It’s a Wonderful Life. Perhaps because I spent 25 years watching people die unexpectantly on a weekly basis, I don’t need to be reminded that life is short. So basically movies that are so pushy with some moral lesson don’t appeal to me. Thus I tend to gravitate towards happy-go-lucky comedies that let me decide how I feel about it.
But yes, an essay vetting It’s a Wonderful Life versus pretty much anything Hallmark or even A Christmas Story would be entertaining.
Totally get that. I have a close relative in law enforcement. He hates watching cop shows, too close for comfort.
As for A Christmas Story, that’s by far my favorite Christmas movie and I will never stop watching it. I saw it the first year it came out in theaters and I am pretty sure I’ve seen it at least once a year since it came out on video. This discussion has been a hoot, but I can’t imagine ever watching A Castle for Christmas again.
Just wait… next year, all over the US stores, there will be shelves with white amaryllis bulbs covered with blue wax under a sign “Get your Chanukah amaryllis now! Only $9.99!”
Just watched A Castle for Christmas. It doesn’t bother me at all that the castle got decorated seemingly overnight. I’m hoping the same miracle occurs here. I love Brooke Shields especially in light hearted stories.
I’ve never watched more than 5 min of “It’s a Wonderful Life” even though I’ve seen tons of Jimmy Stewart movies. It’s too depressing.
I’m not interested in depressing, even if it teaches a lesson and has a happier ending. Life is too uncertain these days for me. White Christmas is one of our family favorites and several extended family members know the entire script (speaking parts plus songs). I’m not THAT enamored of it.
Even for White Christmas, you feel like the General should be doing something else. Being and owner of an inn in a remote area doesn’t seem to suit him and seems pretty precarious financially. At least that felt a lot lighter than what parts I saw of “It’s a wonderful life.”
I agree with everyone who thinks It’s a Wonderful Life is depressing. George is happy right up until he’s about to get on the train and leave. After that, he’s miserable for years. I’m sure Mary feels like he thinks he settled, and senses the underlying resentment (not to mention the jealously towards Sam Hee-Haw). And the children probably sense the depression too. And as a side note, if I never hear “Zu-Zu’s petals” again, I would be thrilled.
I could swear I read about a remake from Mary’s point of view, but can’t track it down. It had to do with the implication that Mary would have had a terrible lonely life without being married to George. And librarians are very mad about that! ‘It’s a wonderful’… stereotype? – REEL LIBRARIANS. The new story has Mary being wildly successful as a librarian, I believe. Who needs George, a slew of kids, and a broken down house!
I dislike It’s a Wonderful Life, detest A Christmas Story, and love White Christmas, Love Actually, & The Holiday. Every year at least one of the Hallmark movies takes the It’s a Wonderful Life out for a variation. This year it was 3 past boyfriends who visit the heroine to make her realize that she loves the best friend.
We also love White Christmas in this house! Holiday Inn (the other movie with the song White Christmas in it) has some very good parts- and some very problematic parts.
@Marilyn, I think that the film you mean is “It Happened One Christmas”, with Marlo Thomas as Mary and Cloris Leachman as the Guardian Angel. I haven’t seen it since we watched on TV as kids- thanks for the reminder! …will go find it online & see how it has held up…
Well…I really can’t stand the Hallmark movies…watched a few a while ago, and they were exactly alike. I don’t understand the obsession some have with these.
