The Holidays are Upon Us!.. Here are a few of my favorite shows, films and loves for the Holiday Season..

1)  The Grinch .. Newest Animated Version 2018 ,, is out and I loved the updated version.. I thought it was well thought out and just as good as earlier versions of this beloved movie / cartoon fame character.. Kids everywhere love the Grinch .. I know all mine did and even my grand kids are in love with the character.. and Cindy Lou is as always adorable..

The Grinch movie from 2000 is actually called (How the Grinch Stole Christmas) was with Jim Carrey.   and  Jim Carrey really brought the Grinch to life for everyone.. and actually features one of my favorite versions of Christmas movie songs sung by Faith Hill (Where are you Christmas?)

The classic Boris Karloff narrated cartoon (How the Grinch Stole Christmas) 1966.. is what I would call the original loved version of the trio and one I, myself loved as a child .. it has graced not only me but countless thousands through the years including my children every year throughout the holiday season.  It even still plays to this day on TV every year.

Of course honorable mention is the countless cartoons and books starring the Grinch (a Dr Seuss born classic beloved character for children everywhere)

2)  The Nightmare Before Christmas 1993 is an animated movie which is a dark fantasy mixture between Halloween / Christmas .. and one that has an acquired taste but one that my children and grand kids have all fondly come to enjoy.  However I think the story which includes a countless array of characters and music score .. is what truly makes this animated a classic that grabs everyone.

3) I also want highlight several of the beloved cartoons that have played every season since I was a child and that just as my children enjoyed them will forever be a staple from our childhood that will be passed on throughout generations to come .. ( to which I love to watch every year )

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Frosty the Snowman
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Twas the Night Before Christmas

Only to name a few there are several newer Christmas cartoons out these days including ones with Shrek, Barbie and Toy Story.

4) Jack Frost - 1998 movie that makes me cry every time I watch it.. Story line is absentee hard-working father dies in an accident leaving the family grieving, especially the son that is having dealing with his death.  Father comes back to life (so to speak) as a snowman to reconnect with his grieving son and over just a small period of time a full spectrum of emotions play out between the son and his father.  Over time it becomes clear that it is time for him to leave his son now that he has helped his son with his passing but I won't spoil the ending other than to say .. I wish I could have had that kind of closure when my grandfather passed suddenly.  This movie is a definite Christmas go to tearjerker for the whole family..

The End.. Have a Great Holiday Season.. Christmas is my birthday and my favorite holiday season ..but unfortunately also the time I cry the most .. Love to all, especially my beloved kids and grandchildren

5. The Holiday 2006 - This movie is a cross between a love story and a Christmas must see.  The cast is exceptional and I do think that is what ultimately makes this one of my favorite films.  The film is based on two women who presented with spending a really sad holiday season decide to swap homes in the hopes that new scenery may brighten their spirits.  One from England and one from LA embarking on spending the holiday for only two weeks. However what they both find enriches their lives forever. I love this movie, it has everything good Christmas love stories should have laughter and love mixed with Christmas and New Year's joy.. 

6. Almost Christmas 2016 - is a hilarious Christmas comedy based on a dysfunctional but loving family that comes together for the first Christmas holiday after their mom's death. The movie has an outstanding cast that includes Gabrielle Union, Mo'Nique, Danny Glover, Omar Epps, Jessie Usher, Keri Hilson, Nicole Ari Parker, Kimberly Elise, John Michael Higgins as well as many others..  I literally laughed through the entire movie..  The film not only shows how dramatic the loss of the mother was to the entire family but it also makes you smile..highlighting all the dynamic personalities within the family .. this is a must see movie.. Happy Holidays 
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Honorable Mention Die Hard 1988, Die Hard 2 1990, Die Hard with a Vengeance 1995, Live Free or Die Hard 2007,  A Good Day to Die Hard 2013 - The Die Hard series are all action films.. 

However the first Die Hard movie has become a huge iconic Christmas classic .. because the action film takes place on Christmas Eve when John McClane (Bruce Willis) comes to a company Christmas party to be with his wife Holly.. However soon after arriving he realizes terrorists have taken over the building to steal millions from the vault in the building..  The first Die Hard is a cult holiday action flick with a huge fan following.. 

Die Hard 2.. is another film of the series that takes place on Christmas Eve .. and takes place while John McClane is waiting at Washington International Airport for his wife.. of course the movie is full of action as mercenaries take over the airport and McClane learns of their plans...

Die Hard with a Vengeance ..  is the third movie in the series and McClane is back in NYC and suspended from the police force .. when a terrorist threatens to blow up various locations unless McClane will play his version of Simon Says.. with riddles and tasks.. McClane learns the terrorist is the brother of the terrorist from the first film and agrees to help.. action action action.. 

Live Free or Die Hard .. is the fourth in the series and this film takes place on Independence Day .. McClane is now divorced when terrorists hack into FBI computers and go after McClane who was sent to bring in a computer hacker for questioning .. The terrorists end up holding McClane's estranged daughter hostage .. which was not a good idea.. John McClane to the rescue.. 

A Good Day to Die Hard .. the fifth in the series takes place in Moscow.. when McClane finds out that his estranged son Jack has been arrested in Moscow for murder.. However when he goes to the courthouse terrorists bomb the building and Jack escapes.. McClane action ensues.. the plot thickens with CIA, uranium and plenty of on the edge of your seat action..