Saturday, December 28, 2024

Christmas Watchathon 2024: It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

What's a better way to end this watch list? I've been meaning to see this ever since I became aware of Jimmy Stewart, and I'm thrilled I actually got to watch it on Christmas Day. I saw it with Dirk and Milo on video call. A very jolly time indeed.

I was surprised by this movie's supernatural element, and was shocked to learn the "Everybody would be better off if I was never born" plot line came from this film-- both me and Dirk had the simultaneous realization, having seen it done first in The Fairly OddParents, wherein Timmy's absence indeed made everyone's lives better. That show was so mean-spirited. Very different from this movie, which was so earnestly heartfelt. I think I tend to drift towards edgier fiction sometimes, but this movie is just so feel-good without crossing into 'cheesy' territory too hard, and its just what you need on Christmas. I don't have any great insight-- it's a classic and you should see it. Who knew a loan lender could be so lovable!


 

 FAVORITE CHARACTERS 

Uncle Billy

I feel bad for the guy, his mistake was so easily made and I knew exactly what he was feeling when he was searching for the lost money. I think his pet raven is also kickass.



Mr. Gower 

The scene at the start where a young George Bailey realizes that a grieving Mr. Gower, having just recieved news his son died, has accidentally poisoned a customers' pills and stops him in a tearful and affectionate scene with empathy and concern is very very moving. I love that shit. His performance is very powerful and seeing that old man tear up and fall apart is soooo.

 

 




Entry #7 of my Christmas Watchathon

Last movie of the season! This was super fun. I don't usually give much thought to Christmas movies, and this little event was very inspiriting. Happy New Years! Here's the final scores:

Arthur Christmas  5/5
A Year Without Santa Claus  2.5/5
The Muppet Christmas Carol  3.5/5
It's a Wonderful Life  3.5/5
Black Christmas  4/5
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation  4/5
Klaus  5/5

3 comments:

  1. Sorry for commenting late but I said "is Alex still updating her blog?" only to find out you WERE!!! why are you not posting the links on twitter anymore i thought you had abandoned it 😭😭 anyways. "wherein Timmy's absence indeed made everyone's lives better." is crazy i do not remember abt this episode that show was INSANE

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    1. HEHE! Im endeared by the fact you checked! :-)
      I plan on posting links for CERTAIN posts, but I didn't feel like I had much insight about these Christmas movies, so they didn't seem worth advertising.

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    2. Of course I checked! I was prompted because a friend of mine wanted to do a blog too and it reminded me of yours. Your overviews were nice, though, but I do understand your reasoning lol

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