Showing posts with label Christmas Movies. Show all posts

Music of the Season: Drums  

Posted by Benjie in , , , , ,

The legend of a little boy (maybe a shepherd?) showing up at the manger with a drum is one that's come down to us through the ages. I imagine there are many manger scenes that have added a drummer along the way (I have one). While there is no evidence from the story in the Bible that such a boy showed up, but the song that perpetuated the story has become part of our Christmas tradition throughout our society. It has spawned new stories, clay-mation TV specials, and a host of recorded renditions of the song.

There is one that features drummers, one that couples the vocal talents of Bing Crosby and David Bowie (a personal favorite). But the secret to getting this song is the "pum-pums". I like the way this group hits them, maybe you will too:


0 Reader Response(s) »

Music of the Season: Something about Snow  

Posted by Benjie in , , , , ,

Just to let you know, I don't have anything against Bing Crosby. As a matter of fact, sometime during the season I intend to view the movie White Christmas (there are a couple of scenes toward the end that just get me every year), and if you'll click this link there's a superb treatment of Bing singing his signature Christmas song, but . . .

I've developed a dear place in my heart for the intro to the song that identifies it ("Ba-doobie doo, Dit dit doo da dit"), and if you'll watch today's video, you'll see that these guys haven't lost a bit of their step as their hair cottoned up:

0 Reader Response(s) »

The Polar Express -- A Review  

Posted by Benjie in ,


I've gotten my new Christmas movie for the year. After renting The Polar Express (a really bad copy of the DVD with skips and stops) from the rental store, I decided to get my own copy of this gem. Based on the Chris Van Allsburg children's book, Tom Hanks headlines this animated Christmas classic.

The movie takes some liberties adding characters that are not in the book and providing the necessary conflict to give the story feature-length stamina, but stays rather true to the basic story. A boy has been informed by school friends that Santa Claus does not exist, and this Christmas he lies awake hoping against hope that his heart is right and his friends are wrong.

We're taken on a magical train ride to the North Pole to learn that not only does Santa exist, but he makes Christmas and the sounds of Christmas come to life as well. Sadly, not everyone is able to hear the sounds of Christmas--usually losing the ability to hear the Sleigh bells of Santa Claus as age replaces belief in the magic of the season.

This is a great movie to watch with the kids or grands. The artwork (not quite the calliber of the originals in the Caldicott winner) is beautiful if not nostalgic in its presentation. The additions (including a Christmas ghost--where will Dickens' influence stop?) enhance rather than destroy the story. And Hanks' voice can be heard behind several of the characters. Watch the movie with a big steaming cup bowl of hot cocoa and a loved one. And listen for the bells.

3 Reader Response(s) »

Meme About Movies - The Christmas Kind  

Posted by Benjie in ,

John Smulo has started another meme. This time he wants to know about our favorite Christmas movies. I figure, this is right in my bag. Plus, in the spirit of giving, the rules don't require me to specifically target anyone who once was my friend, but lets only those who want to play along. Read the rules:

  1. Write down your four favorite Christmas movies in descending order.
  2. Tag the first ten people who respond in your comment section saying they want to particpate.
  3. (Optional) Include a link to this post and encourage others to place a link to their completed meme in the comments section of this post so we can keep track of the meme.

So, here we go . . .

# 4. The Santa Claus(e) (I'm almost willing to put all three here, they're all great).

# 3. Scrooge (no, not the Bill Murray comedy Scrooged, but the musical with a sad performance by Albert Finney as the title character, still a great movie).

# 2. It's a Wonderful Life (I always feel like Christmas Season isn't really upon us until I've viewed this one.). And my . . .

# 1 all-time favorite Christmas movie is . . . White Christmas (can't watch it without a tear creeping into my eye at the end).





Don't forget to post a comment if you want to join in the Holiday Fun!

0 Reader Response(s) »