Movies for the three days of Christmas

So, Steve has set me a challenge entitled Yuletide films. My mission should I choose to accept it is to come up with a list of three films, one each to be screened on xmas eve, xmas day and Boxing Day.

Here’s Steve’s criteria for each of the three films:
• Xmas eve: should have a feel good quality with a dollop of goodwill to all men
• Xmas day: a Saturday morning pictures feel, epic in length, monsters, heroes, all the trimmings
• Boxing day: with the new year upon us, a time to reflect and look to the future.

For the record, Steve’s choices are respectively:
• Amelie
• Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
• Gattaca

So, after some thought, here’s my choice if I was doing it this year (in a year’s time my choice may well be different…):
• Xmas eve: Dean Spanley – funny and very moving; great character actors (Peter O’Toole, Sam Neill and Bryan Brown); the damaging effects of war and the transmigration of the soul all dealt with a light touch that belies the intelligence of those executing this modern classic. Best line: “Giving women the vote is like giving a cow a gun: it’s against nature.” Defies description and expectation.

• Xmas day: Superman The Movie & Superman II – the definitive super hero movie. Yes, that’s right the two should be treated as one. Simply the best characterisation of Clark/Superman ever in the body of Christopher Reeve, the greatest Lois Lane, plus great villains in Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor and Terrence Stamp’s General Zod, and all round great support. Truly the hero’s journey as it was meant to be told. Plus one of the top three most stirring soundtracks (clearly the other two are Star Wars and Indy Jones) ever. Comedy, tragedy, drama and rampant heroism combined in one heady mixture.

• Boxing day: Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind – intelligent, funny, heart-breaking, challenging with career-best performances from Jim Carrey and the comely Kate Winslet. This never ceases to astound. Of course, it’s about love: the beginning of, the middle of and the end of, and then its possible rebirth. Its also a reminder of the power of memory, and how our past can dictate our future - but only if we let it.