‘Tis the season to be jolly and ask the J-staff what their favorite Christmas movie is.
Junior Jenna Ahmad’s favorite Christmas movie is “Barbie in a Christmas Carol,” directed by William Lau. The CGI-animated film made in 2008 is about an opera singer, Eden Starling, who forces her performers to work on Christmas Day. She is taught by three Christmas spirits the real meaning of Christmas and has a change of heart about how she feels about the holiday.
Junior Jovin O’Brien favors “Christmas Chronicles,” a Christmas comedy directed by Clay Kaytis, which follows siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce trying to capture Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. When this plan doesn’t work out, they join Santa and his elves to help save Christmas.
Junior Brandi Capouch and senior Kaiden Farmer prefer “The Grinch.” The animated version is about a grumpy, green creature who lives on Mount Crumpit and hates Christmas. He tries to steal everyone’s Christmas presents in Whoville when he meets Cindy Lou. Cindy Lou’s kindness grows the Grinch’s heart three sizes bigger, leading him to return all the Christmas presents he stole, learn the true meaning of Christmas, and join all Whoville residents to celebrate.
Junior Kenzie Jackson, sophomore Milo Ruel, sophomore Jacob Maurice, senior Tay Peyton, junior Mei Nosaka, and freshman Melanie Jacoby all like “The Polar Express,” directed by Robert Zemeckis. This film follows a young boy who has stopped believing in Santa Claus. He sees a train on its way to the North Pole and gets invited to go there by the conductor. He accepts the invitation, makes friends, and learns about the true spirit and meaning of Christmas.
Junior Elliot Anfinson enjoys “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik, which follows Clark Griswold, who wants to have a stereotypically perfect Christmas with his family. He ensures that his wife and kids make Christmas perfect by decorating their house and putting up a Christmas tree, but things go south quickly when his family comes to his house unplanned and eventually starts living there in their camper on his property.
Sophomores Javone Walker and Carrington Hopkins both enjoy the Christmas movie “Home Alone.” This Christmas classic, directed by Chris Columbus, is an adventure comedy that follows eight-year-old Kevin, who acts out the night before his family flies to France for a Christmas vacation. His mom sends him to sleep in the attic as punishment. When he wakes up, the house is empty, and he realizes he was left behind. He is excited at first to have no family, but his excitement is cut short due to two burglars planning to break into his house.
Senior Shiya Patel enjoys “Elf,” directed by Jon Favreau. This film is about Buddy, who accidentally gets transported to the North Pole as a toddler and is raised to be an adult surrounded by elves. As he seems to not fit in with the elves, he travels to New York to look for his real father.
Seniors Kira Perkins and Briley Edmondson favor “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie,” directed by William R. Kowalchuk Jr. This story is about a reindeer with a shiny red nose who is bullied for being different and runs away from home. Then a blizzard occurs, the evil queen comes, and it is up to Rudolph to save the day. Throughout his journey of saving Christmas and helping Santa deliver presents, he learns teamwork and self-confidence.
