Holiday memories of sights and sounds

Movies

A Muppet Christmas Carol

A Muppet Christmas Carol is a loaded film worthy of annual repetition. Michael Caine, as both director and Scrooge, worked with a melodic cast of muppets to create a film of lyrical, visual, comic and moral excellence. As with all quality muppet fare, the humor works on multiple levels.

A Wish for Wings that Work

Unlike the rest of these pop-culture icons, the public has neglected Opus, Berkeley Breathed's comic-strip penguin, as a holiday icon. And yet his story is charming on all fronts, with the everlasting wit of Breathed and the moral poignancy of a classic.

A Christmas Story

I didn't appreciate it as a kid, and while still doubt I've ever watched this film in its entirety, it stands out as a classic. Plus, TNT's sheer brilliance in running one film for 24 hours straight amazes me.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

If every holiday moral tale must feature a villain to offset the message, Dr. Seuss could hope for no better narrator than Boris Karloff to personify the "king of sinful sots."

It's a Wonderful Life

Viewers who don't feel blessed to be alive after watching what is arguably one of the greatest films ever should never have been born.

Music

"Blue Christmas"

Under the noise of jingle bells and carolers, hundreds of musicians have released their holiday depression through the sweet lyrics of "Blue Christmas." While no version sounds more classic than that of Elvis, variations can be found ranging from emo to ska.

"Carol of the Bells"

Layers of music assemble themselves like the strata of the holiday season. The intensity of Leontovych's piece sets it aside from light contemporary winter fare, but the simple lyrics are palatable and the beauty of the music is overwhelming.

"Wonderful Christmas Time," Paul McCartney

Minimalist in a lazy way and synthesized like an early '80s keyboard experiment gone awry, McCartney's ode is repetitive, anticlimactic and uses an obscene amount of onomatopoeia. But cheesiness this thorough is so appropriate to the holiday-music genre that you can't help but enjoy it. And the former Beatle isn't aiming for grandeur -- the chronic repetition of the line, "We're simply having a wonderful Christmas time," reminds us that the holidays needn't be overwhelming.

"Bizarre Christmas Incident," Ben Folds

I was initially appalled to hear Santa Claus called a "big, fat f---," but once I overcame the scandal of it all, I recognized Folds' unstoppable lyrical ability. The song is irresistible, and could add some exciting variety to your caroling.

"Christmas Wrapping," The Waitresses

Few holiday songs are aimed at the college demographic, but this 1980s rapped narrative tracks the Christmas experience of a young woman.

Best Santa actors

Tim Allen, The Santa Clause

While the star of Home Improvement is probably the last person in the world you'd expect to have playing the loving St. Nick, Allen's portrayal of a father sucked into the Santa suit is surprisingly touching.

Ed Asner, Elf

The veteran actor portrays a Santa who takes in Will Farrell's character when as a baby, the child snuck into Santa's gift bag. Asner plays it straight against Farrell's wackiness, and shows that even Santa needs help sometimes.

Pieces of clay, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

This clay-animated Santa is no less caring in giving Rudolph the job the reindeer always strived for. This Santa manages to prove that people and animals should not be discriminated against based on the color of their nose, a lesson all children should learn.