Following the recent shutdown of MTV’s remaining 24-hour music channels in various international markets, something has come in to fill the gap and hit us with a major dose of nostalgia!
“MTV Rewind” is an unofficial, fan-created website that has recently launched.
It’s designed to replicate the classic experience of watching MTV during its heyday, when it was focused mostly on music and videos, instead of the reality TV shows that make up most of it’s programming now.
This website hosts over 33,000 music videos and vintage commercials pulled from YouTube.
Content is organized into virtual channels that mimic the feel of surfing cable TV.
“The 1st Day” recreates the original August 1, 1981, broadcast.
There are dedicated streams for shows like “Yo! MTV Raps“, “Headbangers Ball“, “120 Minutes“, and “MTV Unplugged”.
There arealso decade based channels focusing on music from the 1970s all the way through the 2020s.
Unlike modern streaming platforms, this site uses no recommendation engines or user queues; it simply streams videos continuously.
“MTV Rewind” has been created by a programmer known as “FlexasaurusRex” who says that the site will remain “free forever” without any advertisements, because it will relying on donations for support.
Hello Dear Reader, how’s 2026 going for your so far? Make any resolutions? Resolutions that you’ve kept? I ask that only because statistically speaking, by the second Friday of January aka “Quit Day” – the majority of folks have already abandoned their declared New Year’s resolutions. Maybe you’re like me and you’ve gone the ‘new year – new goals’ route. That gives me something to shoot for without feeling like a failure. So even though I’ve already missed a few installments in my 2026 goal of ‘hand-making something new every day,’ I can always make two or three on another day and catch up without the fear of failure a broken resolution can bring. But, regardless of your approach or on which day of 2026 you’re reading this – I’ve gotta believe we’re all out to make the most of this brand new year, and to that I say – GO FOR IT!!! In fact, it’s in that spirit that I bring you some incredible inspiration by way of this marvellous list of movies. All the films contain truly motivational messages and lovely life lessons, complete with extraordinary soundtracks too. And just as varied as I imagine our individual goals must be, so are the musical moments in the films featured – with everything from number one pop hits to Oscar nominated scores, R&B classics to ever so cheerful show tunes, moving originals written specifically for the screen to perfectly placed classics that accentuate the action.
Joy (2015)
First up JOY, the 2015 dramedy written and directed David O.Russell’s in which every musical element hits the perfect ‘can-do’ chord. Teaming up with Music Supervisor Susan Jacobs – story and song are perfectly woven together in this ‘believe in yourself and just go for it’ feeling film. JOY is a mostly fictionalized telling of a true-blue, rags-to-riches journey. It stars Jennifer Lawrence in her Oscar-nominated, Golden Globe-winning role as real-life inventor and entrepreneur Joy Mangano, The movie opens on a little girl full of big dreams and grand plans. She is smart and driven and resourceful. As the story proceeds we see Joy’s dreams take a backseat to family responsibilities. We witness her growing up surrounded by negativity. We watch as she constantly puts other people’s needs ahead of her own. We witness every hardship and are left only to marvel at how the spirit of that dreamer and brilliant inventor fights to stay alive. There are many life lessons in this movie, but perhaps the greatest take away can be found in the moments when Joy stands up for herself, speaks for herself, believes in herself and goes for it – no matter what. Case in point, the scene where she finally stands up to her step-sister and father – insisting that no one will talk about her business on her behalf anymore. As she marches out to take control of her destiny we hear Elvis Presley’s 1968 classic “A Little Less Conversation.” Time to take action indeed! David O. Selznick said “fundamentally JOY is about the soul of a person – what moves them to stay stuck or trapped and what moves them to break out and create something new – using every colour of life.” He wanted the film to inspire people. I sure hope watching it inspires YOU to believe in yourself and go for it too in this new year! JOY is streaming now on Disney +.
Last Holiday (2006)
Now I imagine most of you have heard that famous quote from New Age author Deepak Chopra “The past is history, the future is a mystery, and this moment is a gift. That is why this moment is called ‘the present.” It’s a great mantra for any life, but what if you were told your future had a rapidly approaching expiration date? Like let’s say your doctor told you that you only had 3 more weeks to live? That’s the diagnosis a sweet store clerk gets after clunking her head on a cupboard door in the 2006 rom/com LAST HOLIDAY. Queen Latifa plays Georgia Bird who, up until that point had led a very modest life – going to work, dealing with a terrible boss, putting all her money into a savings account and placing all of her ‘someday’ dreams into a scrapbook she entitled The Book of Possibilities. Suddenly faced with a finite lifespan, Georgia decides to make the most of what little life she has left, so she quits that job, empties her bank account and sets out on trip of a lifetime. The soundtrack is jam-packed with stellar tunes from classics by Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye to pop hits from Gwen Stefani and the Queen herself. Given our topic for today and the true meaning behind this oh-so-charming film, I hope you’ll give a special listen to the truly apropos track from Madeleine Peyroux entitled “Don’t Wait too Long.” Hopefully you know by now I’m against spoilers, so I’ll only tell you LAST HOLIDAY has a happy ending and a ton of take-aways like – try new things, be adventurous, face your fears and many more, but fundamentally the biggest message is to make the most of every minute. Life is short so live it to the fullest and find all the happy you can in the right now. That’s a totally great goal for 2026! LAST HOLIDAY is available to rent/buy on Prime Video.
Into the Wild (2007)
When it came time to compile the motivational movies for this list, just like the lead characters in each of them, I knew everyone reading this feature would be facing this new year with a different set of circumstances. Some of you might have the means to make things happen instantly while others might need to fight through all sorts of adversity before realizing your goals. There might even be some folks who are looking to break away from the ‘comfortable’ path in 2026. To leave behind an ‘expectation-filled future’ set forth by your family and forge ahead on the road less travelled. That certainly was the case for Christopher McCandless. whose real-life adventures are chronicled in the 2007 release INTO THE WILD. Oscar winner Sean Penn wrote and directed this riveting story of a top student, premier athlete and son of a wealthy family who abandons all of his possessions, donates all of his savings to charity, leaves his comfortable life behind and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. By ditching the typical conventions and privilege in pursuit of life’s true meaning, Chris discovers every kind of challenge along the way. Emile Hirsch portrays McCandless brilliantly through every heart-pounding, peaceful and character-building moment of the journey. It was columnist Jon Krakauer who first wrote an article on McCandless which he then expanded to a nonfiction book. It was the cover of that book that caught the eye of Penn and moved him to make the movie. Penn explains that in crafting the screenplay he consciously left out narrative to make room for songs, space to both tell the story and create a bridge between certain scenes. This was an approach he’d used in all his previously films, but with INTO THE WILD he felt he those songs should have a singular voice. Given the fact that Chris faces so much of his journey alone, Penn believed the songs would serve as the interior voice of the character. For that special task the director reached out to Pearl Jam’s front man Eddie Vedder, asking him to watch the movie and “if he felt something – then write it.” Vedder felt something alright – creating 2 pieces immediately after viewing, with 6 more to follow. Eddie reports he couldn’t remember writing the music so much “moving out of the way for the music to come through him.” How’s that for cool?! INTO THE WILD contains all kinds of motivational messages summed up by Chandless himself – “When you want something in life, you just gotta reach out and grab it,” and “The core of man’s spirit comes from new experiences.” And while I’d never suggest you copy Chris by cutting up your credit cards and hitting the highway for the wilds of Alaska – I do believe ‘forging your own path no matter what anyone says’ and ‘being true to you’ are some seriously solid goals for 2026 and beyond. INTO THE WILD is available to rent/buy on Apple Movies.
The Intern (2015)
It’s crazy when you think about it since it’s really just one day rolling into the next, but generation after generation folks all around the world recognize the momentousness of that particular stroke of midnight. When the calendar officially flips to a brand new year it feels like a fresh new start, like a clean slate – providing the perfect occasion embrace a new lease on life, no matter what stage of life you might find yourself. Something new was exactly what 70-year old widower Ben Whittaker was after in 2015 dramedy THE INTERN. Fed up with the boredom brought on by retirement Ben (played by Robert Dinero) applies for a ‘senior internship’ at a hip and happening online fashion website run by the relatively young and beyond brilliant Jules Ostin (played by Anne Hathaway.) Nancy Meyers wrote and directed this beautiful buddy film that illustrates oh so perfectly how people can make a difference at every age! The soundtrack pops with a delightful blend of current hits from the likes of Megan Trainor, Kendrick Lamar and Busta Rhymes mixed with legendary music makers like Ray Charles and Benny Goodman to name but a few. Oh, and the score crafted by Theodore Shapiro is pure perfection! For the record, I’m a huge fan of all things Nancy Meyers and THE INTERN is no exception. Amidst the unlikely friendships forged when a senior citizen joins the staff of a young start-up you’ll enjoy great laughs, sweet tears and some very important life lessons including ‘it’s never too late for a fresh start.’ THE INTERN is streaming now on Netflix.
Legally Blonde (2001)
Now I’ll be the first to admit, on the surface, this next feature film can come across as more fashion and fluff than moving and motivational, but fundamentally it’s a perfect fit for our focus today as it’s chock-o-block full of life lessons. Like ‘you can do anything you set your mind to,’ ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover,’ ‘follow your gut instincts,’ ‘be kind,stay positive’ and ‘just be you!’ And those are just a few of the motivational mantras to be found in the 2001 rom/com LEGALLY BLONDE starring Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods. A character now etched in movie history, burst onto the big screen as a pretty sorority girl who proved, with enough focus and hard work, you can achieve anything – and still look fabulous while you do it! The movie’s soundtrack is just as sweet complete with the big ear candy hit “Perfect Day” by Hoku. And for anyone out there whose goals include writing a book this year you might be keen to learn “Legally Blonde” began as a book written and self-published by first time author Amanda Brown. Since then, in addition to the Golden Globe nominated original film, there has been a sequel, LEGALLY BLONDE 2: RED, WHITE & BLONDE, a Broadway musical, as well as a straight-to-home video release starring twins Camilla and Rebecca Rosso entitled LEGALLY BLONDES. And if that weren’t enough – stay tuned for the Prime Video prequel series ELLE set to premiere this summer. LEGALLY BLONDE is streaming now on CraveTV in Canada.
Forrest Gump (1994)
While there are thousands and thousands of films that could be featured in this ‘make the most of it’ list, there was no denying 6-time Oscar-winning FORREST GUMP just had to be on it. With Tom Hanks in the title role, this film is full to the brim with brilliant life lessons and motivational messages. And the soundtrack?! Well, that’s truly next level!!! You see, when director Bob Zemeckis tapped legendary music supervisor Joe Sill to assemble the soundtrack for his film about “the presidencies of Kennedy and Johnson, the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal and ton of other historical events as told from the perspective of an Alabama man with an IQ of 75, whose only desire is to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart,” his direction was simple – just make sure that each track be “recognizable material that would pinpoint specific time periods – and be American.” The result was a two-disc album, with more than 30 stellar songs from the likes of Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Beach Boys, The Doors, Simon & Garfunkel, The Doobie Brothers, and Fleetwood Mac to name but a few. Layer on top of that Alan Silvestri’s truly moving score and audiences were transported into every amazing moment that Forrest experiences, including all those times with all those strangers beside him on the bench. The musical theme acts as a thread that weaves in and out of Forrest’s incredible tapestry of trials and tribulations, all the while being guided by his mama’s words of wisdom. From the simple quiet start to the ever so peaceful end, and all the ups and downs in between. “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Just as Forrest said “Mama always had a way of explaining things so I could understand them.” I believe Forrest had a way of living life simply, so that we could understand what’s really important: to not take yourself too seriously, to appreciate life while you have it, and to do what you love. FORREST GUMP proved that everyone has something to contribute and as such everyone should be valued. Indeed, it’s a motion pictured filled with mantras to embrace as you make the most of this new year for yourself. FORREST GUMP is streaming now on Paramount Plus.
Julie & Julia (2009)
Another such film features the tasty tale of two real-life women – legendary Chef and TV host Julia Child, and a young blogger by the name of Julie Powell. Powell’s determined to emulate her culinary idol by cooking every single one of the 524 recipes in Child’s best selling cook book,“Mastering the Art of French Cooking” within just one year. The late great Nora Ephron wrote and directed this parallel telling of JULIE & JULIA (2009). Meryl Streep earned an Oscar nomination for her ever so brilliant performance as Julia Child and Amy Adams was equally engaging as the often flustered, but charmingly focused Julie Powell. While the characters are separated by time and place they are united in their love of cooking, by there integrity and grit, and their willingness to face a challenge and persevere no matter the obstacles. Rise to the challenge and persevere! Now that’s a stellar mantra for this new year. Ephron ensures the music meets the moment with perfect punctuation including Doris Day’s “A Bushel and A Peck.” It’s worth noting that before there was Martha Stewart and Gordon Ramsay there was Julia Child, who built an empire for herself and began a whole new genre for TV the cooking show! And I’ll further note she did all of that while in her 50’s! Julia Powell needed an outlet for her culinary creativity along with her affinity for Child which resulted in a wildly successful blog, a best-selling book and a major motion picture. If all those facts aren’t reason enough to establish your goals go for them – I don’t know what is! JULIE AND JULIA is available to stream on CBC GEM.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
While the majority of the movies in our mix for this edition are fiction, it’s important to note four of them feature real life folks as is the case in this next truly moving major motion picture inspired by the true story of Chris Gardner – THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS. The movie depicts the homeless salesman who struggles to take care of his little boy amidst all life’s adversities, and through hard work and determination turns an unpaid internship into a wildly successful career. Will Smith stars as Gardner while Smith’s real-life son Jaden plays his on-screen son Christopher. That real-life bond is undeniable, as is this inspirational message delivered from father to son “Don’t let anyone tell you – you can’t do something – not even me – you got a dream – you gotta protect it . You want something – go get it – period.” How’s that for motivational?! Director Gabriele Muccino and music supervisor Pilar McCurry worked to ensure the soundtrack echoed the onscreen emotion – from heartbreaking and tender to ‘dust yourself off and do it’ – every song and sequence of score was en pointe. That includes Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” which captures the Gardner’s tenacity to be sure of it. The epilogue to the film reveals that Chris Gardner went on to form his own multi-million-dollar brokerage firm, proving no amount of adversity could derail him from his vision. I trust you’ll stay true to yours and like Chris – keep moving forward! THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS is streaming now on Netflix.
CODA (2021)
Of all the films featured in my motivational list – this next one is the most recently released. It’s also one of only three movies in this New Year’s collection to have earned that oh-so-coveted Academy Award for Best Picture. It’s the 2021 coming-of-age comedy-drama, the incredible CODA, written and directed by Sian Heder. Emilia Jones stars as Ruby Rossi, the only hearing child of 2 deaf parents who does her best to support her family’s struggling fishing business while following her dreams of becoming a singer. As hard as it is to break away from the expected burden of the family business, Ruby seizes the opportunity she’s been given to audition at Berklee College of Music. A monumental moment in the film for sure and as far as the director was concerned there was only one song for Ruby to sing – Joni Mitchell’s 1968 masterpiece “Both Sides Now.” Emelia Jones felt the same, admitting as intimating as it was at first, she couldn’t have envisioned a better metaphor for her character who was torn between the people whom she loves and her desire to create an identity of her own. There’s no way to watch without crying so considered yourself warned. For the record, Ms.Mitchell was a huge fan of the cover – calling Emelia’s rendition “an incredible performance” High praise indeed! #FYI CODA is an acronym for children of deaf adults. Another cool thing to note – the song was performed in two languages simultaneously; it was sung in English and by hand using ASL so that Ruby’s deaf parents played by Oscar winners Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur (who sneak into the audition) can understand the words she’s singing. CODA is streaming now on AppleTV+.
Rocky (1976)
And with that, we’ve come to the last of our motivational movies, another Best Picture Academy Award Winner, but with the inspirational message of fighting for your dreams with everything you’ve got. Now all you young readers (aka whippersnappers) might find it hard to believe with a franchise that now totals nine, but production of this very first instalment of ROCKY back in 1976 mirrored the on-screen underdog-like battle faced by its lead character. Armed with a mere million dollars, a shoestring of a budget even back then, it’s fair to say writer/director Sylvester Stallone was looking at a mean, lean operation. As the story goes, Stallone was down to his last canister of film on the picture, and still faced with shooting the pivotal and poignant monologue he knew he needed to nail his delivery in 1 take. Fortunately for all concerned, he did that and then some, and that meagre million of a budget gave way to over $225 million in revenue with the franchise now totalling over 1.7 billion in sales. Hey and just like the character Rocky Balboa faced adversity head on to go from rags to riches so did screenwriter and star Sylvester Stallone who’s fortune is now estimated at $400million. Not to imply in anyway that money should be your primary motivator, especially when it comes to screenwriting, but if Sly can craft a truly motivational story amid abject poverty and have it resonate with so many folks for so long – surely you can too! This year marks 50 years since ROCKY first found it’s way into theatres and that incredible Oscar-winning score by Bill Conti “Gonna Fly Now” still rings as true. Put it on and turn it up – I guarantee you’ll be ready to take on whatever 2026 may bring your way. I am wishing with all my heart that’s everything wonderful. You got this dear reader! Now go get ‘em! ROCKY is streaming now on CraveTV.
Looking for a little romance and drama to spice up your life? Emily in Paris might be the answer.
Season 5 was released on Dec. 18 and includes 10 episodes, each about 30 minutes long. I got through the season pretty quickly; it only took about a day or two finish.
I’ve been an avid watcher since its debut in 2020, especially during the pandemic when I had time to catch up on entertainment.
This series, which began in Season 1, focuses on Emily Cooper’s journey as she moves from Chicago to Paris to take over her boss Madeline’s promotion after Madeline discovers she’s pregnant. To Emily, this feels like a dream. She imagines delicious food, charming Parisians and a life many Americans fantasize about, but her love life becomes a tad bit more complicated than she intended.
So what do people think about the show?
Emily in Paris has an average critics score of 64 per cent and an audience score of 47 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.
My Thoughts
If you’re into romance, drama and comedy and like something that’s light-hearted and easy to watch, this show is for you! If you’re looking for something serious and complex, this is far from that.
Personally, the main reason I started this series was Lily Collins. I’ve loved her acting since Mirror Mirror and Love, Rosie (one of my favourite best-friend-trope romances). As much as I adore her characters in those films, I feel this series doesn’t give her much room to showcase her impressive acting range, and well…Emily isn’t the most likeable main character. So, why do I still continue to watch it? I can’t give you a clear answer, but I’m always itching to know what happens next.
Rating
After watching, here’s my out-of-five-star rating based on a few categories:
Humor/dialogue ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emotional depth ⭐️⭐️
Setting/atmosphere ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Romantic build-up ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Character development ⭐️⭐️
Season 6 is on its way!
If you’re a fan of the show and already finished Season 5, it’s been renewed for another season!
There’s no official release date as of right now, but sources predict the end of 2026 or sometime in 2027.
So, will you add Emily in Paris to your watchlist?
According to a survey from Time2Play, Canadians, on average, stick with their New Year’s resolutions for between 4 and a half and 5 months.
Breaking things down by provinces and territories, Newfoundland and Labrador take the lead, sustaining resolutions for an average of 6 months, while Nova Scotia lags behind at 3 and a half months, claiming the title of the least committed province.
Despite the good intentions, Almost 69% of Canadians falter in their resolutions.
But why?
Roughly 48% say it’s because of lack of motivation.
Around 28% say it’s forgetfulness or losing track.
Just over 7% say it’s due to not having enough time to dedicate.
About 4% say that they set unrealistic goals.
While 1.5% say that they struggle with managing too many resolutions.
Another year has arrived, and with the calendar changing over people are making New Year’s resolutions.
It’s an inspiring time to think about, and hopefully working towards bettering one’s life.
There are often common resolutions that many make on January 1st. What are the MOST common though among those of us who call Canada home?
I asked our friends at Google and they say that the top New Year’s resolutions in Canada consistently focus on health (exercise more, eat healthier, lose weight) and finances (save money, spend less), often alongside personal growth goals like learning new skills, improving relationships, and decluttering/getting organized. These goals reflect common desires for self-improvement and well-being, with physical fitness and financial stability often leading the list for Canadians each year, according to surveys.
Here are the supposed top 5 New Year’s Resolutions made by Canadians…
5. Improve Relationships/Spend Time with Family: Connecting with loved ones and improving social bonds are key personal goals.
4. Learn a New Skill/Hobby: Personal development, like reading, taking courses, or picking up a new hobby, is popular.
3. Save Money/Improve Finances: Reducing debt, budgeting, and saving for emergencies are frequent goals, especially with economic pressures.
2. Eat Healthier: Alongside exercise, improving diet is a major focus for better physical health.
And the number one New Year’s Resolution made by Canadians…
1. Exercise More/Get Fit: A perennial favorite, with many Canadians aiming to increase physical activity.
We’ll see how many of us make New Year’s Resolution’s…and actually stick to them!
There are sooooo many Christmas songs to listen to during the festive season!
It’s usually a mix of old favourites and standards and more modern day holiday tracks. The list grows bigger year after year.
In setting out to create a list of my personal favourite yuletide tunes, I discovered that I am a “classics” kind of guy. I’m talking about the songs that just flat out put you in the holiday spirit when you hear them.
Nothing against Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” or “Last Christmas” from Wham, but even those beloved offerings are still too “modern” for my ear.
Once I decided on the type of holiday music that I enjoy the most, I gave myself a couple of “rules” when it came to compiling the list below.
A song can only appear once
A singer or group can only appear once
This way we get variety and we zero in on the Christmas song that each musical act is likely known for the most.
I’ll bet if you give my list a chance and listen to these tunes, you’ll be ready for fruit cake and eggnog.
25. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” – Jackson 5 (1970)
24. “Joy To The World” – Aretha Franklin (1994)
23. “Mary’s Boy Child” – Harry Belafonte (1956)
22. “(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays” – Perry Como (1954)
21. “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas (Hippo the Hero)” – Gayla Peevey (1953)
20. “Merry Christmas Everybody” – Stompin’ Tom Conners – (1973)
19. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” – Thurl Ravenscroft (1966)
18. “Feliz Navidad” – Jose Feliciano (1970)
17. “Wonderful Christmas Time” – Paul McCartney (1979)
16. “Mele Kalikimaka” – Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters (1950)
15. “Santa Baby” – Eartha Kitt (1953)
14. “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” – Frank Sinatra (1970)
13. “Blue Christmas” – Elvis Presley (1964)
12. “Sleigh Ride” – The Ronettes (1963)
11. “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” – Judy Garland (1944)
10. “The Christmas Song” – Nat King Cole (1961)
9. “Here Comes Santa Claus” – Gene Autry (1947)
8. “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas” – Johnny Mathis (1986)
7. “The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” – Andy Williams (1963)
6. “Let It Snow” – Dean Martin (1959)
5. “Jingle Bell Rock” – Bobby Helms (1957)
4. “Holly Jolly Christmas” – Burl Ives (1965)
3. “Run, Rudolph, Run” – Chuck Berry (1958)
2. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee (1958)
Hello Dear Reader, how are you? Believe me, I know that can be a very loaded question this time of year. While I’m sure there are some of you out there who have it all well in hand: presents bought, wrapped and under the tree, cookies baked, cards mailed, parties planned, etc., there are those of us way, way, way on the other end of that spectrum who are hurdling towards the big day with a ton of “To Dos” left to be done. Those who despite every best intention of starting earlier so as to ‘finally get a handle on the holidays’ are very far from it. Oh sure, there are those folks somewhere in the middle – the “I’ve just got a few last minute things” and the “we’re pairing back this year” people. And indeed there are those who, for one reason or another, simply don’t celebrate the season at all. I think that covers the bases. When you map it out like that it’s a really broad spectrum. I guess that’s why, when tasked with writing an article to appeal to everyone at this time of year, I’ve been struggling. I’m more than confident I could write for my Christmas Crazy kindred spirits, but what could I possibly offer the already organized, let alone the people who abstain altogether? I started to see the assignment as a kind of like a motley gift list. You know where you totally know what to buy for your best friend, but then there’s that hard to buy for boss, and the neighbour who has everything and that’s when it hit me and I knew what gift would appeal to everyone. The one thing money can’t buy. The one thing that’s the same for everyone in every category – no matter your race or religion, your political affiliation, your financial situation or global location. The greatest of all great equalizers – time! So my friends here’s hoping this article will offer you some much deserved quality time this Christmas.
Now, hear me out. I’ve had “One More Week,” “Another Hour,” and “Just Five More Minutes” on my wish list for the past I don’t know how many years, so I’ll be the first to admit no amount of hoping and praying is ever going to deliver additional time in terms of quantity, but I’m hopeful this feature will give you a few ideas for making the most of the time you have this holiday season and maybe, just maybe, in the New Year too. I’m thinking there may even be some ideas the ‘Marthas’ among you may just incorporate (since you’ve already got everything else well in hand.) And with any luck, even those who’d just as soon see the whole season come and go might just find a glimmer of ‘worthwhile’ among my humble suggestions. I’ve been careful in my compilation, taking into consideration both age and means so that what follows are, in most cases, free and accessible. True, there are a few you could go to town with, but please remember my goal was to deliverable the doable, the actionable, the enjoyable, and the simplest ideas so you could simply enjoy some time this Christmas. So here goes (in no particular order)
Consider cutting coupons
I’m starting with this one because of all the ideas on my list – this one ticks the most boxes. Truth be told I’ve used this one on more than one occasion and under a wide variety of circumstances. For sure during those times when funds a low, and times when I’ve forgotten to buying something entirely, but also when I was looking to give something money couldn’t buy – my time and attention. When you start to think about coupons in that light, they become a truly priceless gift. For in return for your service – be it an offer to do the laundry for a month or 5 driveway clearings or 10 foot-rubs – what you’re really offering is the gift of time to the recipient. Time freed up from folding, or shoveling, time to do something else they’d rather be doing or time to relax with their feet up… literally. Sure coupons can be for things too like dinners out or movie nights in, but what’s most important is the thoughtfulness you weave into your offering. As for packaging you can be as fancy as you wish, but I can remember a time in high school where I cut an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper into 16 rectangles, hand wrote each one them stapled it together in a booklet. It included everything from unloading the dishwasher to vacuuming the house to every other household chore and my mother used every one of those coupons with a glee. In fact, I’d be willing to bet if we all took a minute to examine the people on our gift lists there would be something we could take off their plate, that would either free up their time to do something else, or better still include a special time for just the two of you.
Making the most of it
I remember when I was little so much of the holiday season was spent popping over to the neighbours, welcoming in friends and visiting ours relatives. The one constant among all those occasions and destinations was all the homemade sweets. Hours spent baking up batches for one gathering or another. Treasured recipes passed down through the generations along with mouth watering memories. And yet, somewhere along the way, between the crowded schedules and the ready to buy variety tins, convenience has folks convinced that’s the best way to go. But hear me out when I tell you this ~ I’d argue ‘convenience’ might just be the culprit that has systematically removed the spirit of the season. Think about it. The time that used to be spent baking was time spent creating which is always good for your spirit. Back then the time spent baking allowed for teaching technique and passing along secret tips to the next generation. Back then folks might just have baked in solitude when the kids were at school or asleep and it served as quiet reprieve from the chaos of the day. My late mom’s mother Kathleen Fleming (Mom Flem to us) always said “bake with love so that anyone who eats what you bake feels loved.” Hard to get any of that from a store bought tin of cookies. Please understand – I hear you out there waving wildly. I appreciate not everyone loves to bake and yes, there are some absolutely delightful bakeries in my hometown too – don’t get me wrong. Cookies are simply a means of saying sometimes making the gifts we give allows us to get a little something in the process. Making something with love is the sweetest gift to give.
Stop and smell the snowflakes
Go ahead call me Bing because I have, for as long as I can remember, always dreamed of a white Christmas. Growing up mostly in Ontario snow was a given. Oakville and Burlington would see at least a good foot and Orillia two and three if not more. In fact with the exception of the two years my family spent in Trinidad, when my father was transferred there with the Bank of Nova Scotia and my Mom had me convinced Santa didn’t need snow to get there because he was magic, my memories of the season were always covered in a blanket of white. Now that I’m grown and my work has had me in all sorts of places including Edmonton (don’t get me started on the snow) and now back to Nova Scotia where, thanks to the ocean’s ever changing ways we’re more apt to get a light dusting on the big day if we’re lucky. Still, I find myself yearning for the days of old. When the lights glowed through the snow-covered eaves and front yard bushes, and your footsteps were the first to make tracks along the deep and crunchy sidewalks. But here’s the thing you don’t need snow to take it all in – just get out into it this season! Go for a walk just after the sun rises or better yet at dusk so you can peer through the windows and see how the other folks are celebrating. The health benefits of walking are well documented as are the mental benefits too. In addition to improving cardiovascular health, easing joint pain, and helping with weight loss (source), walking has been proven to boost creativity, improve alertness and promote problem solving too (source). I’m giving you all that proof on the off chance you need more convincing, but truth be told I’m hoping you’ll just give yourself the time to walk through the world and take some time to wonder at it all. Keep your phone in your pocket and keep your head up so you won’t miss the chance to see all there is to see. You don’t need a destination, you don’t need a purpose, you only need to give yourself time to breath in and out, and take stock as you go. Time to think about where you’re heading and what you aim to do when you get there.
Play around
Seems pretty simple when I put it like that, but you’d be surprise how few of us do… play around that is. Back in my day we’d wait all year for Santa to bring the one big present – the Barbie camper, the Hot Wheel garage, the table-top hockey game, and boy oh boy when he did we’d play for hours and hours. Friends would come over to see what we got and we’d head over to their houses to play with their gifts too. There wasn’t as much given throughout the year back then so there was something truly special about a toy that you wished for finally arriving. It sure felt magical. It was really something if your parents got down on the carpet and played along too. It’s been a while since my daughter had a toy on her wish list but I still make a point to put some sort of game under the tree or in her stocking. That way we both get to play on Christmas morning. A family friend told me a story I’ll never forget – how poor her family was growing up and how she’d always dreamed of having a dolly. All fate would have it all her children were boys so even though she had the means, it was all trucks and sports and such. It wasn’t until her first granddaughter came along that she was finally able to buy the doll she’d always dreamed. Needless to say she was giddy, until the little girl followed her into the kitchen to watch her cook. And that beautiful doll? It was left by the tree so that the little girl could sit as she always did with her ‘favourite big pot’ and a brown potato to “play cooking with Nanny.” Now, I know it’s a rarity for Santa bring kids pots and potatoes and I’m not suggesting we wrap them up either, but it’s worth nothing while we could go crazy spending money on gifts, spending quality time with the ones you love is a pretty great gift on its own.
Tell a few stories
Reading to someone you love is a great gift to be sure of it, but sometimes recalling from memory or “stories from your mouth” as my daughter used to call them, are the sweetest kind. Maybe their tall tales once told to you my your favourite storyteller, or maybe they’re simply recollections of holidays past. The time the cat climbed up the tree and batted the angel into the punch bowl, the year whole village lost power so instead of a turkey we huddled up eating chips and playing cards by candlelight. You get the idea I’m sure of it. It’s also a lovely way to remember all the ones we’re missing at Christmas. Heaven knows we all have those. Remembering the good times when they were here and telling those stories is a great way to keep their memory alive. And if you’re alone this Christmas, write a few of your favourite memories down. I can confidently report more than a few best sellers and award-winning screenplays started with a real life holiday happenstance – why not make your seasonal story the next big thing!
Make new traditions
As previously declared – I’m Christmas crazy, but in fairness, I get it honestly. My affinity is predisposed having descended from a long line of Christmas lovers, but I wholeheartedly embraced the genetic coding and if anything have amped it up over the years. Fortunately for me all that holiday heritage came with multiple generations worth of decorations and some truly tasty traditions. One includes a centuries old Newfoundland Christmas Fruit Cake (recipe here) which you haven’t lived till you’ve tried, and another involves the Swinimer Family Fudge which I even made on camera with my Aunt Rae (total legend!) I’m pleased to say my daughter loves Christmas too and even prouder to note that we’ve started our very own traditions. Like the one that began when she was 3 and we set off into the woods at my cousin’s camp to find her a little Charlie Brown tree. Now, fifteen Christmases later not only has she grown, but so has our ‘little’ tree. You can read more about our little Schmantle Tree tradition plus get the recipe for favourite ‘Christmas in a Bowl’ here. Another big deal in our house in the Advent Calendar. I have an ever-growing collection but one very special one my mom gave to my daughter when she was 10. Every year since I’ve filled it with fun little treats and it provides the perfect way to countdown to Christmas as well as a daily moment spent in salute to my late mother Margaret. This year, while scrolling through the socials, I found another awesome approach to the countdown I wish I knew about when she was little – wrapping up picture books and putting them under the tree so that every night of December in the lead up to the 25th you pick the book with the corresponding number then sit and read as a family. Sure they could be new, or a great mix of their cherished favourites wrapped up for the fun of it.
Give a little of your time
While it’s true the holidays hit differently for everyone, the true meaning of Christmas comes complete with promise of hope, goodness and kindness for all. It sure does a heart good to give, but the results from studies around giving of your time to help others report overwhelming benefits beyond just the emotional. From reduced stress and anxiety to a sense of belonging and purpose (source), even enhanced cognitive function. With our own hard earned dollars being stretched to the max is tricky to find any extra to give to all those deserving charities, but giving of time doesn’t cost a dime. Playing games or entertaining the residents at a seniors home – such a huge it. Serving at a shelter – so much appreciated. Coaching and mentoring through the local Boys’ & Girls’ clubs – so incredibly rewarding. Maybe your calendar is full this holiday season, but make note for the New Year and set aside some of your time to help others in need. I guarantee you’ll see the benefits in your own life too.
Well there it is Dear Reader and no matter how you chose to use your time this festive season I sure hope you make the most of it, and make some truly marvellous memories while you’re at it! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
For those of you who haven’t been introduced, I’m Sam, 99.9’s first-ever Jewish journalist.
I moved to Thunder Bay this year from Toronto, a city with a long-standing and historic Jewish community nearly as large as our entire city.
Last week, I decided it might be fun to write something about a Jewish holiday taking place in the lead-up to Christmas.
But earlier today, in Australia, a Jewish event celebrating the holiday was attacked in a brutal and horrifying mass shooting.
At least 11 people have been killed, and 29 wounded in the attack.
In the days and weeks to come, great debates will be had about the motivations of the two individuals who carried out the shooting, but until more information comes to light, there is no use in speculating.
When events like this happen, I am reminded that the spectre of antisemitism, which has haunted Jewish people for two millennia, is alive and well despite the progress we have made since the Second World War.
A constant lesson of our history is the need to carry on no matter the tragedy, immortalized in the phrase this too shall pass.
Through expulsions, pogroms, and mass killings, Judaism has persisted, and its people have continued to proudly bear our label despite the risks.
When I woke up this morning to the news, I considered deleting this piece, feeling the light-hearted tone was no longer appropriate.
I changed my mind: I suspect that the men who attacked the Australian event earlier today would love nothing more than for Jewish folk around the world to spend their Hanukkah in quiet fear, afraid to attend public gatherings or publicly identify with Judaism.
At times like these, it is more important than ever to joyfully share our heritage and traditions, in public and without apology.
So read on if you wish to learn about the holiday of Hanukkah, which has always been my favourite Jewish holiday, and which was being peacefully celebrated on a beach in Sydney when 11 lives were taken this morning.
Hanukkah, our festival of lights, begins tonight and ends on Monday, December 22.
A brief Jewish history lesson
I’ve always loved Hanukkah as a history buff, because the holiday celebrates a well-documented and inspiring historical event that took place a full 1,500 years after the Torah (what you likely know as the Old Testament) was written.
Unlike the biblical events that define most Jewish holiday celebrations, there is no historical ambiguity to Hanukkah. We know, in fairly certain terms, what happened, when, and by whom.
If you hadn’t heard, the Jewish faith traces its roots to the modern-day lands of Israel and Palestine – specifically, in what today makes up the occupied territory of the West Bank in Palestine, which Israel refers to as Judea and Samaria after the ancient Jewish kingdoms that used to exist there.
Judea, the southern kingdom with its capital in Jerusalem, was the centre of Jewish life in the age of antiquity.
Despite centuries of occupation by foreign conquerors, Jews in Judea had been allowed to practice their religion and culture by their occupiers.
But in the 100s BCE, the Seleucid king Antiochus IV, who ruled the Levantine portion of Alexander the Great’s fractured empire, decreed that the Jews would be Hellenized, outlawing the Jewish faith and forcing my ancient ancestors to worship the Greek pantheon.
Alas, Zeus and co. were not really our cup of tea.
The event sparked a great rebellion led by a Jewish family known as the Maccabees.
The rebellion was very much in the vein of a David fights Goliath story, as the small Jewish kingdom of Judea challenged a great empire and emerged victorious against all odds.
Festival of Lights
If you’ve ever heard of the Western Wall in Jerusalem, you may know that in the age of antiquity, that wall used to be one piece of the outer ring of a great Jewish temple that was central to the ancient Jewish faith.
The temple would eventually be destroyed by the Romans, but at this time it still existed and was of great importance to the ancient Jews.
When the Maccabean rebellion broke out, their adversaries, the Seleucid Greeks, sacked the holy temple.
After driving out their occupiers, the Maccabees returned to Jerusalem only to discover the temple in a state of disrepair.
A large menorah, or seven-stemmed candelabra, stood tall in the temple.
It was traditionally meant to illuminate the holy temple 24/7 by burning olive oil.
The menorah had not been allowed to burn its seven flames while under Seleucid occupation.
This is where history becomes legend: upon liberating Jerusalem, the Maccabees could find only one small jar of lamp oil in the temple for the menorah – enough to last for just one day.
Miraculously, the lamp oil from that tiny jar burned for eight days, giving the temple’s caretakers enough time to restock their oil supply.
The story of the burning menorah is central to the holiday tradition: we celebrate Hanukkah for eight days to represent the eight days that the little jar of oil burned.
Over the holiday, Jewish families light a modified menorah called a Hanukkiah, which has nine stems, in our homes.
Today, we light candles rather than burning olive oil.
Eight stems on the Hanukkiah represent the eight days of burning, and a ninth stem, the Shamash, or helper in Hebrew, is used to light the other eight.
Each night of the holiday, we light another candle. On the first night, we light one candle, on the second two, and on the final day, we light all eight candles with the Shamash.
But what about the food?
As we all know, a holiday is only as good as its traditional foods.
For Hanukkah, we serve deep-fried Latkes (potato pancakes) as the star dish.
We usually top them with sour cream or apple sauce, though in my family, we sometimes top them with smoked salmon.
Other traditional foods are Sufganiyot, or jelly donuts, and gelt, or chocolate coins.
One of Hanukkah’s traditions is to play dreidel: the four-sided spinning top functions similarly to a dice.
A dreidel, or Jewish spinning top. The four Hebrew letters on the four sides represent an acronym translating to “a great miracle happened there.” (Sam Goldstein/December 10, 2025)
We teach our children the horrors of gambling at a young age by allowing them to gamble their chocolate gelt, so they can feel the pain of losing all their sweet chocolate money when the dreidel lands on the wrong side.
Hanukkah is also a time to bring out other classic Jewish foods: Challah, or Jewish egg bread, Kugel, or egg noodle casserole, apple cake, and, god willing, juicy beef brisket.
If, like me, you’re away from your family this holiday season, I hope it comforts you to think of the traditions, the comfort foods, the stories, and the heritage that you’ve left behind.
But of course, you haven’t really left it all behind. These things live within you everywhere you go, as they do in me.
The happiest of holidays to you Dear Reader and welcome back for Part 2 of my TOP 10 FAVOURITE FESTIVE FILMS OF ALL TIME List. Now that we’ve finally flipped the calendar to December my level of merriment has shifted into the highest of all gears. Baking, making, wrapping, decorating ~ all the good stuff that goes along with making the season bright. And just so you know, while I’m busy getting ready for the big day, I always a have movie playing in the background. I share this fact with you so you’ll know the movies I have included in this list are tried and true favourites, complete with stellar stories and the most incredible soundtracks. Could I begin to count how many times I’ve watched the movies in this list? No. Could I repeat every word of dialogue from the movies in this list? Maybe, but I promise not to if we ever get a chance to watch them together. Look, here’s something I will tell you with certainty – this list has something for everyone: great love, big laughs, life lessons, tender tears and a healthy heaping of holiday high-jinx. If you haven’t read Part 1 please do. Now, on with Part 2.
Which brings us to the movie in 5th position on my TOP 10 FAVOURITE FESTIVE FILMS OF ALL TIME list. Truth be told, it’s a movie that ticks every box on what I look for in a movie, no matter the season. Starting with the fact that it was written and directed by Nancy Meyers! So hello ~ full-on rom/com right?! Then there’s the delightful cast that includes Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black, along with the legendary Elis Wallach too! Heck even the ‘bad guys,’Edward Burns and Rufus Sewell are the best. And let’s not forget the locations! A mansion in San Marino and cottage in the Cotswalds – yes, please! Serious shout-out to the production design team and set decorators. It’s all phenomenal, but the thread that ties it all together into a heartstrings-pulling, crowd-pleasing picture is the brilliant score crafted by Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer. Meyers and Zimmer had already collaborated on SOMETHINGS GOTTA GIVE so she knew having Hans at the helm meant the music would be marvellous. Nancy had so much faith in fact that she had Hans compose the opening score of this picture blindly. THE HOLIDAY opens on a scene in which a film composer named Miles (Jack Black) is working on music for movie. We see Jack Black at a keyboard watching a monitor and matching the music. But when Meyers asked Zimmer to come up with that piece of music Jack Black had yet to be cast and the film within this film that he was scoring, well hadn’t been filmed yet either. Then again, if anyone could compose a heart swelling score it’s Hans Zimmer. On the DVD commentary Meyers admits this piece became so much more than she’d first envisioned. As it weaves its way through the opening montage we hear the voice of Iris (Kate Winslet) describing the effects of love as a means of introducing all the characters. It’s soundtrack perfection and sets the tone for all the wistful heartbreak and lovely love-filled moments yet to come. That piece is called “Maestro” and have mercy, is it magical. But wait! There’s more than scrumptious score to this soundtrack, with nicely placed needle drops that include everyone from Aretha Franklin and James Taylor to Darlene Love and The Killers. Watch THE HOLIDAY this holiday season and take it all in for the first time or the fifth (or the five hundredth – no judgment.)
Alright, let’s keep this countdown going with the movie I’ve placed in the #4 position on my TOP 10 FAVOURITE FESTIVE FILMS OF ALL TIME. Released all the way back in 1985, this family film never really found it’s footing as a ‘mainstream’ Christmas classic, but it’s one that will always hold a special place in my heart for it’s nostalgic nod to the period of my youth: the clothes, the setting, the fact that it was filmed right here in Canada and most importantly how it brings the Christmas spirit back to a lady who had all but lost it. That lady is Ginnie Granger, played by Mary Steenburgen who, with the help of an angel named Giddeon, played by Harry Dean Stanton, discovers the true meaning of Christmas. Ginnie’shusband Jack (played by Edmonton’s own Gary Basaraba) is a BIG BELIEVER in Santa Claus and the Christmas spirit, and yes – he’s a lot like me in way! I had the chance to interview Mr. Basaraba back in my entertainment anchor days and I was thrilled to have had the chance to tell him in person just how much his movie meant to me. Ginnie and Jack’s children Abby (Elizabeth Harnois) and Cal (Robbie Magwood) are perfect in their portrayal. As for their little pal Molly Monaghan, well she was played by Oscar winner Sarah Polley (marking her big screen debut.) You need only look at the 1985 Christmas box office to see how this little gem might have gotten buried in theatres, what with blockbusters like Rocky IV and SANTA CLAUS to compete with. But here’s the thing all those moviegoers missed – ONE MAGIC CHRISTMAS is one of those sweet quiet stories, with a simple message and a wonderfully happy ending. The approach to the soundtrack is on the simple side too, with Christmas songs playing on the car radio, over store speakers, and even hummed or sung by the characters themselves. Whether that decision was made through cinematic direction or budgetary limitations the result is the same ~ an authenticity and charm you just can’t beat. I adore ONE MAGIC CHRISTMAS and I hope you will too.
We’re down to the top three films on my list and how’s this for holiday happenstance? They all have a plot comprised of three key components: family, fate and of course the festive season. My pick for #3 comes complete with an all-star cast that includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, Craig T. Nelson, Luke Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Claire Danes and the late great Diane Keaton. The script is the perfect combination of laughter, tears and Christmas sentiments. It’s THE FAMILY STONE and it’s sooooooo my kind of movie! The picture takes place over the course of three days, when one son Everett Stone (Mulroney) brings his uptight girlfriend Meredith (SJP) home for the holidays. Keaton plays the mother, Sybil Stoneand let’s just say she’s far from impressed with her son’s companion. Truth be told, no one in the liberal New England family likes her really. That is except for brother Ben, played so amazingly well by Wilson. With all of their faults and flaws, head slaps and quick comebacks there is lots and lots of love, and you’re left wishing you were part of this big Stone family. I know I sure was, and then there’s that house. I mean WOW! Right?! It’s a real one that exists in Connecticut. I’ve let go of the fact that all the interiors were constructed on an LA soundstage so that my dream of one day living there seems real. The soundtrack sure is a dream too. A medley of holiday standards by the likes of Dean Martin and Johnny Mercer combined with pop rock/hits from Jefferson Starship and Maxine Nightingale. But the real dream-come-true track is the Christmas classic around which the movie was built. In fact writer/director Tom Bazooka says he envisioned this song as the centrepiece of the movie even before he started writing. He could picture how it would play over the montage that features each of his characters in what he calls the “truth telling scene.” All I know is you best have a firm grip on your Kleenex when Judy Garland’s“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” plays in THE FAMILY STONE. For the record (pun intended) that song that was originally introduced when Judy Garland sang it onscreen in the 1944 MGM holiday musical MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS. That’s the movie that Sybil’s daughter Susannah (played by Elizabeth Reaser) is watching when we hear the song begin to play.
Time for #2 on my TOP 10 FAVOURITE FESTIVE FILMS OF ALL TIME list. For this one I want you to imagine getting a glimpse of what your life would have been… could have been, if only you’d chosen differently. And not just a look at that life, but the chance to actually live it. That’s the premise of THE FAMILY MAN (2000) starring Nicolas Cage asJack Campbell – a beyond wealthy Wall Street broker who, after 13 years apart, gets a Christmas eve message from his college sweetheart Kate Reynolds,played by Téa Leoni. Campbellgoes to sleep that night and wakes up in this ‘could-have-been other world’ – with a wife, two kids and a house in New Jersey. Quite the opposite of all that he’s known and valued. The rest of the movie Jack spends navigating his way thru bowling leagues, tire sales and drives to daycare only to realize just how truly rich a man he would have been had he given up “the plan” all those years ago and just stayed with Kate. I love, love, love everything about this movie and naturally that includes the soundtrack. Packed with plenty of holiday hits by everyone from Johnny Mathis to Burl Ives, plus chart toppers the include The Rolling Stones, Chris Isaak and U2. For me, however, the one that stands out is a song we experience as Jack views a VHS tape of himself singing The Delfonics classic“La La Means I Love You” to Kate on her birthday. This is the moment in the movie when Jack is confronted by the man he could have been; a man so completely in love with his wife and his life. This is the pivotal moment in the film when he truly realizes all that he’s been missing. Cool to note the footage on the VHS tape was all shot by co-star Jeremy Piven who plays Jack’s best friend Arnie. In early edits of the scene Cage completely breaks down watching it. I know I cry everytime I watch it, that’s for sure. If you’ve yet to see THE FAMILY MAN, please make this the Christmas the time you do and if you have, well give it another view – you’ll be oh so glad you did!
And with that we’ve arrived at my #1. Now there are Christmas movies and then there are CHRISTMAS movies. Not just films to be enjoyed around the holiday season, but motion pictures that have become a part of the festive fabric of this special time of year. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE is one of those films. In fact, its not only my favourite Christmas movie of all time – it’s my favourite movie period. Jimmy Stewart stars in this story ofGeorge Bailey on one fateful Christmas Eve and all that came before it – both with him and without. Every time I watch this movie I see something different to appreciate, and after every viewing I take a moment to take stock. When I stop to realize just how many lives a person can touch in the course of a day, a year, a lifetime – it’s really is incredible. It makes me want to do better. In the movie George has always dreamed of leaving Bedford Falls and never does – how ironic that the greatest trip and biggest discovery George ever makes happens in very own his hometown. George’s journey towards realizing just how successful he is, well that’s a trip I take as many times as I can over the Christmas holidays. As for the soundtrack’s score it comes courtesy of the legendary Dimitri Tiomkin and I adore how he wove in George and Mary’s ‘song’ “Buffalo Gal”into the movie’s prologue, but the soundtrack song I love the most is the one sung by two of its characters – Bert the cop (Ward Bond) and Ernie the cab driver (Frank Faylen). The rain soaked duo serenade the just married Mr & Mrs. Bailey(Donna Reed) after a very harrowing wedding day. You’d have to see it to know what I mean. And I’ve got to believe, now nearly 80 years since it’s 1946 release, you’ve found the time to take it in, but just in case… if you can only make the space amidst all your merriment for one movie this Christmas then please make it my #1 pick – IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE.
And that’s all folks! Thanks for taking this time out of your busy schedule to read my TOP 10 FAVOURITE FESTIVE FILMS OF ALL TIME list. I would love to know the movies you’d put on YOUR LIST of Christmas flicks, so if there are any majors I’ve missed or lesser-knowns in need of attention PLEASE LET ME KNOW with a comment on my Instagram post here. I do hope to be back before too long with more soundtrack stuff and merry musings too. In the meantime, be sure to make the most of this holiday season ~ on the streamers or at the cinema ~ make a little time for movies!
PS – Before all you DIE HARD holiday hooligans come at me – I love it too, but once and for all – it’s not a Christmas movie!
