We can’t ever pick just one Christmas-themed movie to watch.
And the kids already sat through a mandatory viewing of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” (Before: “Ew! It’s black and white.” After: “That was pretty good.”)
So today we offer a small handful of other movies to try with the kids, starting with the Bing Crosby-Ingrid Bergman classic “The Bells of St. Mary’s.” Nominated for nine Academy Awards in 1945, the sentimental favorite tells various tales of Father O’Malley and Sister Benedict doing good deeds at their school and in their community. The schoolchildren’s version of the nativity play includes a chorus of “Happy Birthday” for the babe in the manger.
“A Christmas Story” has become a perennial favorite among baby boomers and their kids because of its frank message that most families are far from perfect, and childhood can be a real pain in the mistletoe. The other part of the message, of course, is that despite these truths, you and Ralphie can have a good time anyway.
You’ve seen “Sleepless in Seattle,” most likely, but did you remember it all starts on Christmas Eve? That’s when lonely Jonah calls a radio talk show seeking a mate for his lonely, widower father (Tom Hanks). The call sets in motion a romance with the beatifically beautiful Meg Ryan. Triple hankies all around, but there is enough real-boy in Jonah (Ross Malinger) to please the tough guys in your family.
Each Tuesday, Michael Booth uncovers a movie gem for rewarding family entertainment. Reach him at mbooth@denverpost.com; find the Screen Team blog at denverpostbloghouse.com.
Holiday DVDs
Try these: “The Bells of St. Mary’s”; “A Christmas Story”; “Sleepless in Seattle”
Rated: Not rated; PG; PG
Most appealing: All children who will sit still for a good story
