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One outstanding benefit of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic is an increased interest in cooking – in particular, baking. My inner fat girl – and my outer fat girl, if I’m being honest – is excited for all the holiday goodies being roasted and rolled, proofed and powdered, sprinkled and sauteed out there. What activity pairs best with these kinds of culinary delights? Christmas movies, of course. Bake and watch the day away with these four classics!
Will Ferrell in “Elf” (Warner Bros. photo)
“Elf” – Director Jon Favreau helms a wholesome family story of Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell), who was raised by elves in the North Pole but always felt a little … different. When he finds out that he’s not actually an elf, he sets off for Manhattan in search of his real dad, Walter (James Caan), a book publisher whose heart is a size too small. While Walter’s busy resisting the fact that childlike Buddy is his son, Buddy gets to work spreading holiday cheer – to Walter’s family, at the local department store and in the heart of delightful store clerk Jovie (Zooey Deschanel).
“Die Hard” – Can an action movie also be an iconic Christmas movie? Yippee-kai-yes! Bruce Willis stars as John McClane, a NY cop who flies out to sunny California to attend the office Christmas party of his mildly estranged wife at Nakatomi Plaza. When a group of German terrorists headed by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) takes over the tower, McClane goes into overdrive to free the hostages and take out the bad guys one by one before they can steal $640 million in bearer bonds. The resulting cat and mouse action hatched a series of “Die Hard” films.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” – Ron Howard directs the classic Dr. Seuss tale with a larger-than-life Jim Carrey in the role of the great green meanie. Looking down on all the Whos in Whoville at their joyous celebration of the season, the Grinch is seized by a terrible idea: steal Christmas so he won’t have to hear all that infernal exuberance. All he needs is the right red suit, a sizable sleigh pulled by a questionable reindeer and the cold-heartedness to take every present and bow. It doesn’t work out the way he plans.
“A Christmas Story” – An American staple that’s been enjoyed by generations, this is the story of Ralphie, a 9-year-old boy who wants nothing more than a Red Ryder BB gun. Rebuffed with excuses from his mother and teacher, he appeals to the local department store Santa, but the message is the same: You’ll shoot your eye out. But will he? Along the way to the answer, Ralphie, his family and friends will face down neighborhood bullies, battle some dogs, win a major award and have a very memorable Christmas dinner.
© 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
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