Judy posted earlier in the week about the traditions of holiday movies and we couldn't help but add our two cents worth on the topic because we love holiday movies. Do you like holiday movies? Do you have a favorite (or two or three) that you look forward to each year as they start appearing in the television line-up?
We love It's a Wonderful Life, Holiday Inn, Miracle on 34th Street, The Bishop's Wife, The Holiday, and oh so many others. Such great stories and so many wonderful stars!
There's nothing like Zuzu Bailey proclaiming, "Teacher says, 'Every time a bell rings, an angel get his wings.'" Or Bing Crosby singing White Christmas. Or Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, and Jude Law and all the madcap mixups in The Holiday.But we have to tell you, there's a new kid on the block. A new entry in our favorite holiday movie must-see list. The Man Who Invented Christmas with Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) as Charles Dickens, and Christopher Plummer as Scrooge was a surprise as we hadn't heard much about it. But this telling of how Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol did not disappoint!
Perhaps some of the charm for us was the protrayal of Dickens, the writer, and the difficulties he encounters as he tries to work out the plotline and get his characters to behave. And deal with real life difficulties at the same time. We won't give away any details, but if you get a chance, check out this new movie that's on our list of favorites.
Speaking of stars, we've been busy with the launch of our latest installment in the Pampered Pets mystery series, Barking with the Stars, and we'd love to give away a special holiday gift packet to celebrate. Just leave a comment below before midnight December 9th and we'll draw from among those commenting for a free Sparkle Abbey book and some other Christmas goodies.Please share your favorite holiday movie, if you have one. Or if you're not into holiday movies, is there a movie that you re-watch each year?
Wishing you all things merry & bright and a great holiday season!
Sparkle Abbey
Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of two mystery authors (Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter). They are friends and neighbors as well as co-writers of the Pampered Pets Mystery Series.
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I've read excellent reviews for the new movie and new book....nice! As for me, I can always watch It's a Wonderful Life and White Christmas. There are moments in both films that get to me....much like moments in the movie Giant hold me spellbound by the quality of the acting and the message being sent (not so subliminally).
ReplyDeleteWe agree Debra...there are those moments in each. I love the gentle humor in It's a Wonderful Life. I have not seen Giant, but now you have me intrigued. I will have to check it out!
DeleteI really love National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, it's just crazy and fun. Elf is another good one barbie17(at)gmail(dot)com Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteSo true, Tari! We love Christmas Vacation as well. Over the top crazy and fun!
DeleteIt's not that I re-watch It's a Wonderful Life every year . . . it's that my hometown (Seneca Falls, NY) claims to be the town that inspired Bedford Falls in the movie, and that connection is celebrated every year on the second weekend of December. This year, four of us Finger Lakes Fiction Authors are having an author Meet and Greet at the beautiful Seneca Falls Library on the Saturday of the big holiday weekend. Zuzu (Carolyn Grimes, the actress who played her in the movie) is in town along with another member of the original cast. The movie plays continuously and there are many many related events. This year's publicity included a fact I'd never heard: the bank where I worked right out of college was the setting for George Bailey's bank in the movie. How cool is that?! Enjoy! --kate, writing as c.t. collier
ReplyDeleteThat is very cool, Kate! And the Finger Lakes Fiction Authors event sounds like so much fun!
DeleteChristmas Vacation............terrysaunders29@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you told us about the Dickens movie! I'm a huge fan of all things Dickens, and I'll have to see if I can find it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLinda, I think you'll really enjoy it. I hadn't been to a movie in ages and it was definitely a sit back and enjoy type of story. Let me know what you think!
DeleteAnd the winner of the drawing is Tari. Congratulations! Watch for a message in your email box.
ReplyDelete