A brief argument over the hilarity of “Christmas Vacation” got me to thinking: what are the best Christmas movies of my generation?
I decided to put a top ten list together and post one movie per day until Thursday, Dec. 24. The only guideline for the list is the film must be released no earlier than 1980.
8. Jingle All the Way (1996)
Arnold Schwarzenegger (Howard Langston) stars in this classic about a father who will stop at nothing on Christmas Eve to get his son the hottest toy on the market. Along the way, Langston battles against another desperate dad played by Sinbad. SNL veteran Phil Hartman also joins in as the sneaky neighbor attempting to make a move on Arnold’s wife.
This film is often overlooked because of the awful acting by Schwarzenegger. But, for me, it’s his terrible performance that makes “Jingle All the Way” a hilarious movie. Throw in two comedic heavyweights like Sinbad and Hartman and you have an entertaining holiday film.
The movie highlights the hurdles and the struggles parents willingly go through just to make their kids happy on Christmas morning. It’s rather pathetic, but so true at the same time.