From December 1st until Christmas Eve, here on the LAMB, we’ll be determining what is the BEST Christmas movie of all time. We’ve asked you all which films are the main contenders, and twenty-four of you replied with your choices, which will bauble battle it out for seasonal supremacy. It’s a head-to-head, single elimination tournament, so whichever film wins today moves onto the next round. However, here is not the only place to vote. No, head to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see the same poll there, and it’ll be the total of all four results that determines the winner.
Today’s tinsel tussle is the second match-up in the Mythology Group, and is between the number one seed, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and the second play-off winner, Elf:
The Nightmare Before Christmas vs Elf
The Nightmare Before Christmas, championed by Doug Jamieson from The Jam Report
The twisted mind of Tim Burton combines with the ingenious talents of master stop-motion director Henry Selick to create a Christmas classic that has stood the test of time. With its delicious mix of elements from both Halloween and Christmas, the film is the perfect accompaniment for either holiday season. But at its core, this is inherently a Christmas film, mostly thanks to Danny Elfman’s glorious songs and score, which put a dark spin on traditional festive music fare.
Led by Chris Sarandon as the Pumpkin King Jack Skellington (with help from Elfman as Jack’s singing voice) and supported by a gorgeous cast of characters including Catherine O’Hara as Sally and Ken Page as Oogie Boogie (one of the greatest Disney villains), the film bursts to life from its rousing opening number right through to its sweet romantic conclusion. It’s a film that’s been milked to death with merchandise by Disney (those Hot Topic emo kids have deep pockets), but it still stands as one of their most unique and daring properties and one of the best Christmas films of all time.
Elf, championed by Kellee Pratt from Outspoken and Freckled
In Jon Favreau’s Elf, starring Will Farrell as Buddy the elf, this film remains an instant Christmas classic for all ages. With humor as ample as heart, it’s a perfect mix of fun performances, an iconic soundtrack, and nostalgic twists on beloved plots and characters inspired from a variety of Christmas specials such as the misfits from the 1964 stop-motion TV classic, Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Quotes such as “Son of a nutcracker!” and “smiling is my favorite!” bring holiday joy as much as Zooey Deschanel’s version of “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” With the perfect trimmings of optimism (the only syrupy sweetness pours on Buddy’s special spaghetti), it avoids being overly corny- just the right amount of holiday cheer!
Which is the better Christmas movie?
Tags: Elf, Outspoken and Freckled, The Jam Report, The Nightmare Before Christmas