Tuesday, November 27, 2012

La Femme's Top Five...Christmas Movies

My beautiful tree this year!
It's that time of year when everyone is jolly, happy... and I get presents!  I have loved this season since I was a kid and I still love watching Christmas movies. In fact, there are some pretty great films that either take place at Christmas or are about the holiday season.  In the spirit of the season, here are La Femme's top Five Christmas movies.

1. A Christmas Story (Bob Clark, 1983):  This may be a completely obvious choice (especially for someone my age), but I find A Christmas Story to be utterly charming, funny, and evocative of an America I never knew.  When I was younger, I was more drawn to the story of Ralphie and his quest for the Red Rider BB Gun (with a compass and this little thing that tells time), but when I watch it now, I am more impressed by the performances of Melinda Dillon and (especially) Darren McGavin as the Old Man.  There is something in his performance that I find profoundly moving; his gruff exterior and sometimes blustery temper barely conceal the devotion and sacrifices he makes for his family.  The movie does a great job of capturing the magic of Christmas for children, but the last scene also captures how lovely it can be for the grown ups as well.  Fun bonus fact: Bob Clark also directed Black Christmas, one of the rare Christmas horror movies (and, per K, it is on our list to watch this year).

2. White Christmas (Michael Curtiz, 1954):  White Christmas is a strange little movie.  It is directed by the definition of a journeyman director, Michael Curtiz, and features well known Bing Crosby headlining a decidedly non A-list supporting cast of Danny Kaye, Vera Ellen, and Rosemary Clooney.  The standout  element may well be the wonderful music of Irving Berlin.  The story is familiar to anyone who has seen a handful of studio musicals of the 1940's and 1950's.  A song and dance act (Crosby and Kaye) must put on a show to save an inn run by an old friend.  Along the way, they fall in love with two beautiful sisters.  Shenanigans ensue, including a hilarious, bizarre, Irving Berling song sung by the sisters about being sisters (with my favorite line being, "Lord help the mister, who comes between me and my sister.  And Lord help the sister, who comes between me and my man") and a dream ballet-esque number dedicated to choreography (with lots of jazz hands!).  Of course, in the end, we get to hear old Bing the title song, and I found myself utterly charmed by this funny little movie.

Je t'aime mon boo.
3. Un Conte de Noel (A Christmas Tale) (Arnaud Desplechin, 2008): No La Femme list would be complete without a Frenchy movie on it.  This particular one is a three hour film about a family reuniting on Christmas after the mother has been diagnosed with cancer and is in need of a transplant.  If someone wanted to see a movie that had every element of filmmaking that I love, I would recommend this one. It has a wonderful, natural script, amazing, subtle, and true performances, a little bit of whimsy, and a sure directorial hand.  Arnaud Desplechin weaves together about ten different plots about different members of the Vuillard family. Desplechin is a deft director who uses many narrative techniques to move the story along, including Brechtian monologue aimed directly to the camera, an omniscient narrator, and humorous or bizarre vignettes.    There are two performances I would be remiss to leave out in this increasingly long post.   Emanuelle Devos has a relatively tiny role as the lover of Henri (Mathieu Amalric), but there is something wonderfully delicate and fragile about her. From the way that she speaks to the way that she moves and I cannot take my eyes off her in any film, but here I find her to be a shining beacon of life (there is a moment where she laughs and it seems so organic and joyful.  Perfection).  The other reason to watch this movie is Mathieu Amalric. As the black sheep of the family, Henri, Amalric is mischievous, charming and a little bit dangerous.  Amalric is a subtle actor in a big role and he gives Henri incredible nuance and gets us on his side, even when we know he is the black sheep for a reason.  This movie is so varied and so full of wonderful details that I could go on infinitely.

4. It's a Wonderful Life (Frank Capra, 1946): It's a Wonderful Life may be the most depressing "Christmas" movie ever, and it seems to have little to do with the holiday.  Yes, the climax takes place around Christmas, but really the story of George Bailey is a story of a man living the quiet desperation that Hemingway spoke of.  Every time George tries to leave Bedford Falls, something holds him back: an obligation, falling in love, his foolish uncle, his responsibilities, etc.  It's a Wonderful Life is a movie about living with disappointment and trying to learn to accept that maybe your life won't be big and great.  But of course, its a movie, so at the end, it is!  Jimmy Stewart is undeniably winning in the lead role and I can't get enough of the scene when George and Mary  (Donna Reed) share an ear piece on a long distance phone call and slowly begin to express their love for one another.

5.  The Snowman (Dianne Jackson, Jimmy T. Murakami, 1982): A nostalgia pick, The Snowman won the 1982 Best Animated Short Oscar. This was a movie I watched every year as a child.  A thirty minute silent film, this is the tale of the title character coming alive and taking a little boy on a magical journey to meet Santa.  The centerpiece of the movie is when the little boy and the Snowman fly through the air to the accompaniment of a haunting child's song.  The movie begins with a bit of live action and a narrator and ends with the inevitable.  I don't remember finding this movie sad as a child but now when I watch it, I find it to be profoundly so.  Seek it out and share it with your children (or if you don't have children, watch it yourself!).

I hope this list will inspire you to discover a new favorite holiday classic!  I am always on the lookout for a great Christmas movie to watch this season.

Julie

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

It's Noon Somewhere...Apple Cider Sangria

Since Thanksgiving is only two days away and that means Christmas is almost upon us, I wanted to share a fall sangria that would be perfect for a cozy Thanksgiving evening.  I made this for K a couple times last month and if he hadn't filched all my brandy, I would be making it again tonight (I am much too lazy to go and get the supplies I need on this gross evening)!  It is a rainy, yucky night here in Seattle and this sangria sounds perfect right about now.



It is a richer sangria than what I usually like.  Essentially, you make a simple spiced apple cider mix that to create a sort of cold mulled wine.  

Apple Cider Sangria:

1 bottle of Red Wine (I would use a Tempranillo or a Rioja)
2 cups of apple cider
1/3 cup sugar
cloves
cinnamon stick
1 orange
1 apple
1/2 cup brandy
1/2 cup orange juice

Begin by heating the apple cider on the stove with sugar, cloves, a couple cinnamon stick, the zest of one orange and a couple orange slices.  I let it simmer for about five or ten minutes until all the flavors are incorporated.  Strain it into a pitcher.

Once your cider has cooled, add the bottle of red wine, the brandy and the orange juice.  I also cut up an apple and put that in as well some grapes if you have them.

Refrigerate for a couple hours or up to one day.  Garnish with orange and a cinnamon stick!  

Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Julie