The Pick of Movies on Television at Christmas

Posted on 17. Dec, 2009 by Jack in TV & Movies

Capn Jack Sparrow Call me Mr Saddo, but one of the things I used to get most excited about as a child at Christmas was picking up the Christmas editions of the TV and Radio Times to find out what ‘BIG’ movies were going to add sparkle to my Christmas Day.

It’s a feeling that’s never deserted me. Each year I look forward with relish (usually on a turkey sandwich) to slobbing out in front of the telly over the festive season.
It’s hard to beat turning the lights down low, the volume up to cinema levels and snuggling up on the sofa with someone or, in the absence of a love match, a sinful selection of goodies and a glass of wine to watch the best of what the goggle box has to offer.

Here are Sparkle’s pick of the Christmas crackers to snuggle up with this year.

Christmas Eve Movies on TV

Pure Classic
Just dumped the boyfriend? Wash that man right out of your hair and sing-along with some South Pacific sunshine (BBC1 2.15pm).

Escapist Fun
Epic adventure, heroics and a talking lion, The Chronicles of Narnia (BBC 1 2.15pm) isn’t the perfect adaptation, but it is still a lot of fun and an ideal Christmas Eve movie.

Big Kid at Heart
It’s a toss up here between the visual feast of Corpse Bride (ITV1 6pm) and Antonio Bandera’s rib-breakingly funny Puss in Boots in Shrek 2 (BBC1 5.45pm). For me the big green, farting ogre just shades it.

Romantic Liaisons
Laugh, cry and feel good with Shakespeare in Love (ITV1 11pm)

A Date with Horror
There’ll be some people out there who can relate to the tale of something sweet and cuddly turning into a destructive monster after dark. Gremlins (ITV2 10.10pm) is great, dark Christmassy fun.

gladiator_002 Christmas Day Movies on TV

Pure Classic
It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen them, White Christmas (BBC2 2.15pm) and High Society (C5 6pm) are festive favourites that have to be watched over and over.

Big Kid at Heart
We’re really spoiled for choice here. Do we join Tom Hanks on The Polar Express (ITV1 1.10pm), slip our underpants over our trousers with The Incredibles (BBC1 3.10pm) or boogie on down with the cute penguins in Happy Feet (ITV1 3.40pm)?

Romantic Liaisons
It might turn out to be Love Actually (ITV2 9pm), but About a Boy (ITV2 4.45) feels more like the real thing.

Pass me the Tissues
Oh no, it’s little Billy Elliot, bless him…sniff (BBC3 9pm)

Escapist Fun
By the end of the day you’ll need some hi-octane action to keep the eyelids from closing up shop. I’m prescribing Speed (BBC1 11.45pm) – the movie that is, not the narcotic… although that would work equally well. Alternatively join Maximus in the Coliseum for some bloody Gladiator action (ITV1 11.15pm).

The Bridge to Terabithia Boxing Day Movies on TV

Pure Classic
They don’t come more classic than Harry Lime lighting up a cigarette in a dark doorway in The Third Man (BBC4 7.15pm).

Big Kid at Heart
Have a big chunk of Wensleydale ready for The Curse of the Were-rabbit (BBC1 4.40). Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a cheesy slice of Wallace and Gromit.
Just like Where the Wild Things Are, The Bridge to Terabithia (BBC1 1.30) is a magical tale of children creating a fantasy world to escape to. The word heartwarming could have been invented for this film.

Escapist Fun
Yo ho ho, pass me that rum whilst I watch me old mate, Cap’n Jack Sparrow At World’s End (BBC1 7.30pm). Pirates of the Caribbean movies are essential Christmas viewing.

Romantic Liaisons
‘Hello darkness my old friend’. One of the best films ever; love, hope, cringingly embarrassing moments and a soundtrack to make your heart ache. You just have to make a date with The Graduate (ITV1 12.40am).

So there you are, some gems to look out for. However, if you’re like me, by the time any of these movies are 20 minutes old, the chances are your jaw will be on you’re chest, there’ll be dribble on your chin and you’ll be pushing out the Zs big time.
That’s why when next Christmas comes around we’ll all look forward to watching the same movies all over again.

The Curse of the Were-rabbit