Five Family Flicks for the Holidays

Groundhog Day (1993):

Rating: PG

In this comedy classic, Bill Murray plays a sarcastic and conceited TV meteorologist named Phil Connors. When he travels to Punxsutawney, PA, to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities, Phil gets stuck in a time loop where every day is exactly the same and he's the only one aware of it.

What would you do if life was reset every 24 hours, making consequences nonexistent? Anything and everything you want to do is possible. Phil Connors does exactly that, going through the motions of experimenting with some fun and mischievous ideas. However, Phil slowly realizes that he should use the time loop to become a better version of himself. Bill Murray is in vintage comedic form here, and also shows us his range, turning in a very respectable performance all around. Ultimately, the film is a fresh and humorous take on the timeless story of the human ability of redemption. This film is fine for kids, as Murray's antics will garner laughs from anyone, but is more suitable to be fully enjoyed by a family where the kids are transitioning into adulthood. This unique, heartfelt comedy with a layered story will renew your appreciation for life.

Film recommendations for those who love Groundhog Day: Pleasantville; Scrooged.

Elf (2003):

Rating: PG

As a baby, Buddy gets into Santa's bag of toys and is swept off to the North Pole, where he's raised as an elf. Buddy grows up to become a misfit, towering over the other elves, and one day decides to head to New York City to find his Scrooge-like birth father.  

Days go by, we grow older, and our imagination starts to become diluted by reality. This charming film has the ability to bring back that much needed imagination. Will Ferrell, as Buddy, delivers a delightful performance, sparking a warm feeling of holiday cheer. It's as if Buddy is the personification of Christmas spirit, and we can't help but fall in love with him. The rest of the cast, such as Zooey Deschanel and James Caan, all deliver solid performances as well. This flick reflects how cynical our world can become, but shows us that we still can still ignite our imagination, no matter how old we are, even if it's just by watching a film like Elf. The movie is truly a modern Christmas classic, and is an ideal film to watch with the entire family every year, especially because it never loses its magic.

Film recommendations for those who love Elf: Santa Clause; Enchanted.

Toy Story 3 (2010):

Rating: G

Old friends Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and the rest of the gang are back for one more adventure before Andy leaves for college. After Andy's toys are accidentally sent to a day care center instead of the attic, Woody has to make the other toys feel like they weren't abandoned. In addition, they must deal with the problematic Lots-O'-Huggin' Bear and his gang, as well as break out of the day care center.

The Toy Story trilogy is one of the best, if not the best, film trilogies of all time. For those who grew up in the 90s, the first Toy Story film stole our hearts as children, in 1995. In 1999, the sequel lifted our spirits as we broke into the teen years. Finally, in 2010, Toy Story 3 serves as an emotional love letter to our childhood. Toy Story 3 is not only about friendship and loyalty this time around; it taps into our human need to be wanted and loved, as well as deals with the novelty of times changing. There's no such thing as a film that will appeal to everyone, but Toy Story 3 comes pretty close. For families with lots of little ones, the humor and magic will be more than enough to entertain them but you should definitely introduce them to the first two installments before putting this in. For families with older members, the nostalgia factor will come into play, elevating the viewing experience.

Film recommendations for those who love Toy Story 3: Night at the Museum; Monsters Inc.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987):

Rating: R

Steve Martin and John Candy are absolutely stupendous as the odd couple in one of John Hughes' finest films. Martin plays the fussy, straight-laced Neal Page, and Candy plays Del Griffith, the obnoxious salesman. Despite Neal's annoyance with Del, he is forced to team up with him and make his way home. Both play off each other to perfection on their long trip home for Thanksgiving.

Neal and Del are complete opposites who are victims of the worst luck ever. The pretentious Neal badly wants to make it home to Chicago in time for Thanksgiving, but Del seems to be a problem-prone traveling partner. The masterful comedic timing and interaction of Candy and Martin keep the laughs steady, but Candy also brings in some dramatic depth with his character that helps this mismatched duo comedy transition into a comedy with some heart.

We can definitely relate to both characters, as we have all been on the delivering and receiving end of harsh jokes and criticisms. The interaction of these two characters makes us realize how unsympathetic we can become; however, it also shows us how we are always capable of redeeming ourselves. This flick is geared towards a mature crowd and is perfect to watch if you're spending the holidays with friends.  

Film recommendations for those who love Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Midnight Run; The Matador.

Finding Neverland (2004):

Rating: PG

Johnny Depp stars in this deeply touching biopic about James Barrie, the playwright who penned the story of Peter Pan. The story sets its focus on Barrie's platonic relationship with Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, wonderfully played by the great Kate Winslet, and his friendship with her sons, who inspired the Peter Pan play.

This genuinely tender film reminds us that life is only what we perceive it to be; all we have to do is simply believe. Director Marc Foster brings us the viewpoint of Barrie's life: a magical world, where hope and imagination are always ticking, and where we can grow up without growing old. Depp disappears into the character of Barrie and delivers a quietly powerful performance, and the young Freddie Highmore, as Peter Llewelyn Davies, keeps up quite well with the seasoned actors around him. This is less a biopic and more of a poetic appreciation for the power of imagination. The ending of the film is pitch-perfect and will leave many swiping joyful tears away. Finding Neverland is suitable for families with members who are a little older as this is a dramatic film. It's also the perfect film to pop in if you're spending the holidays with your significant other.

 Films recommendations for those who love Finding Neverland: Big Fish; Amelie.