THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – CHRISTMAS IN CONWAY

 

To most of the inhabitants of Conway, South Carolina, Duncan Mayor (Andy Garcia) is a bad tempered grouch, but to his wife, Suzy Mayor (Mary-Louise Parker) he was a doting pussycat.

And he has more reason than normal to be cranky because Suzy is dying and has arrived home from the hospital to be cared for 24/7 by Nurse Natalie Springer (Mandy Moore), whom Duncan resents for being there and tries his best to ignore her.

He also singles out landscape gardener Tommy Harris (Riley Smith) for special treatment while he is working on the neighbour’s garden.

But Duncan begrudging employs Tommy to help him set up a Ferris Wheel in his own back yard as a special Christmas present for Suzy and the significance of the gift was that it was while riding one many years earlier that Duncan asked Suzy to marry him.

Neighbour Gayle Matthews (Cheri Oteri) is the only fly in the ointment who manages to the construction halted.

But the ex-carnival worker, Henry (Mark Jeffrey Miller), who Duncan bought the Ferris Wheel from comes to the rescue to finish the job with his crew.

This is a wonderful story full of tears and laughter in equal measure and Mary-Louise Parker puts in another trademark performance in a very memorable Christmas story of enduring love.

BE ON YOUR GUARD

 

Be on your guard

Wherever you go

Tread very carefully

You could even tip toe

But if you don’t take heed

And don’t watch where you go

You may get caught

Beneath the mistletoe

COUNT ON IT

 

If you are constantly worrying

About overindulging

During the festive season

Then there really is no reason

It is a well-known fact you see

That you can fully enjoy the festivities

And relax and not stress or fuss

Because calories don't count at Christmas

IFS AND BUTS

If ifs, and buts and maybes

Were chocs and nuts and candies

Then you would have to concede

You’d have a wonderful Christmas indeed

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – SNOWED IN AT ROSEMONT

 

Twenty three year old Lisa (Ayla Kell) is pregnant and running away from the baby’s father Craig (Lochlyn Munro).

She is travelling on the bus to Denver when she hears that the road ahead is closed due to snow and is going back the way they came.

But at a diner she overhears Brad (Brendan Michael Coughlin), a professional snowboarder, talking to his girlfriend on the phone about his plan to drive over the mountain in his 4 x 4 so she asks for a ride.

They make good progress initially but a blizzard over takes them and Brad's car slams into a snow bank in the middle of the wilderness.

They are forced to seek shelter at the only sign of civilization that they had seen in the last ten miles, the Rosemont Lodge.

Which was once a vibrant year-round resort, but the Rosemont Lodge had been closed for nearly 20 years.

Most of the Lodge has been sealed up and only a corner of the main building shows any sign of habitation.

As they approached the building they are greeted by the lodge's owner, Josephine (Grace Zabriskie), who is brandishing a shotgun, and her retainer Abe (Brad Dourif) who persuades her to let them in out of the snow.

Josephine used to be the heart and soul of the resort, her personality, and her cooking, were as much of an attraction as were the hundreds of acres of pristine mountain wilderness but as a result of personal tragedy she closed the resort and became a recluse. 

However having Brad and a heavily pregnant Lisa about the place it has a thawing effect on Josephine and after she and Abe deliver the baby a bond is formed that has a lasting effect.

 

This is a very enjoyable Christmas tale in which Grace Zabriskie is the absolute star of the show as Josephine but Brad Dourif runs a close second as Abe.

ITS CHRISTMAS WHEN

 

Its Christmas when

Outside its cold and snowing

But away from the cold

Malls are full to overflowing

And all the children’s faces

Are happy and glowing

 

ITS CHRISTMAS when

Noddy Holder screams

Its Christmas when

Its time to fulfil dreams

When life just may be

As wonderful as it seems

 

Its Christmas when

All the gifts are picked

The cards are written

The stamps are licked

And all the Christmas lists

Have all been neatly ticked

 

Its Christmas when

All are safely home within

Everything has been prepared

The kiddies are all tucked in

Then mums and dads sit back

And festivities can begin

CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS

 

Christmas, Christmas,

A time of peace and joy

When God gave us his son

Jesus the holy infant boy

But kids don’t think of Jesus

They just want the latest toy

 

Christmas, Christmas,

When God gave us a saviour

A redeemer for all the world

Now it is the season of plethora

When the rich can feel richer

And the poor just feel the poorer

 

Christmas, Christmas,

God was your sacrifice in vain

When you gave the world your son

Only to see his body slain

If only we had not lost our way

Will we be better when he comes again?