Don't worry. I don't know what I'm doing either

Alright so I have decided to bail on the Movie Review Extravaganza and just give a list of my top 10 favorite Christmas movies. I know, I'm a dullard, but there just aren't that many movies out that I want to see.

10. Home Alone-This movie was one of my favorites when I was a kid so it holds special meaning for me now. Plus, everyone said I looked like Macaulay Culkin when this movie first came out. I don't know if that's good or bad.

9. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation-One of the funniest movies of all time. That's all that really needs to be said except, "That's pretty low, mister! If I had a rubber hose, I would beat you into a... "

8. The Santa Clause-This also holds a special place in my heart. Ah. It's hilarious and possibly the only Tim Allen film I've ever enjoyed.

7. Jingle All the Way-Nothing says Christmas like Arnold Schwarzenegger. No seriously, nothing does. It sounds like "KLLLISCMASTH!"

6. Nightmare Before Christmas-Tim Burton is brilliant in everything. I wish he would make another Christmas movie. It would probably be on here too if it existed. This movie is great for both Christmas and Halloween.

5. A Charlie Brown Christmas-Best Christmas cartoon ever. You can keep your Grinch (still love it) and your claymation. If I had to pick just one Christmas cartoon it would be Charlie Brown.

4. Miracle on 34th Street (Original)-Classic. That's all that needs to be said.

3. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe-I have loved this book for a long time and thought that the newest movie version was fantastic. It strays a bit here and there but for the most part sticks with the original story.

2. A Christmas Story-I watch this every single year on TBS. It is a great tradition which will hopefully never be broken.

1. It's a Wonderful Life-The BEST Christmas movie of all time. Jimmy Stewart is hilarious and heart-warming all at the same time. I love it. If they ever do a remake I nominate Jim Carrey to play George Bailey. Go back and watch again and tell me I'm wrong. I dare you.


Yeah, that's right. Arnold is carrying Mini-Me on his shoulders. Merry Christmas!

From the very beginning I am Legend instills a feeling of eeriness within the viewer. This spooky feeling continues throughout the entire film. It seems that unlike other thrillers I am Legend does not give you any hint as to what is coming. Part of this has to do with the lack of music in the film. In movies like Jaws the viewer will hear the "bum-bum" and know that something is about to happen. The minimal soundtrack provides for much more of a jumpy movie-going experience. It also helps in getting across the overall themes of the film: isolation and abandonment. In many of the scenes I felt so uncomfortably alone that it was almost unbearable.

Many people have probably read the novel by Richard Matheson on which this movie is based and are excited to see the film adaptation. I want to warn these people to come to the movie with an open mind and not to expect a perfect re-telling of the novel...or anything close to it. The filmmakers took the basic premise from the novel (Robert Neville being the last human being on earth) and ran with it. Other than the title and Will Smith's character's name there are not many similarities between the film and the book. I still enjoyed the movie and thought it was very well done. I give I am Legend 4 out of 5 stars.

Oh and if you go see this movie be prepared to see two excellent trailers for movies coming out this summer: The Dark Knight and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. These look pretty amazing. You can view The Dark Knight's trailer here and the trailer for Prince Caspian here.

A couple of Summers ago I read the horror novel I am Legend (recently made into a movie starring Will Smith) by Richard Matheson. In order to celebrate the end of the semester I will be enjoying this new film. This movie will kick off my Christmas Break Blog Movie Review Extravaganza. I am very excited for this movie for two reasons: 1) the fact that I have read the book already and know the storyline 2) the brand new trailer for The Dark Knight will be released with I am Legend.