My Favorite Holiday, Seasonal, and Special Occasion Movies
My holiday and special occasions movie list goes beyond Federal Holidays to include the days each year that I consider special movie days. Due to religion and personal preference, your special movie dates list may be different than mine, but I hope you will find some of my movie picks interesting. At the bottom are links to lists of special dates.
Groundhog Day – February 2nd
There is no doubt that the movie of the day is “Groundhog Day” (1993) with Bill Murray. This is certainly a wild and funny flick to close the winter season.
Valentine’s Day – February 14th
I love the movie “Valentine’s Day” (2010). One of the best things about this movie is how the writers weave the love of an older couple into this story of young love.
Good Friday – The Friday before Easter.
“The Robe” (1953) is a dramatic fictional story of the crucifixion of Christ witnessed by a Roman Tribune, Marcellus, played grandly by the wonderful actor Richard Burton, and the torment that follows Marcellus after he comes into possession of the robe of Jesus.
Easter – Date varies.
Without a doubt one of the greatest movies ever made “Ben-Hur” (1959). Charlton Heston is awesome as Judah Ben-Hur, a man of means, who is betrayed and put into slavery and through his struggle to find his way back to his home and family, he finds his faith and Christ.
Memorial Day – Last Monday of May.
There are many fine movies that depict the honor, courage, and horrors of war. But among them all “The Longest Day” (1962) stands out, with its amazing all-star cast, and the variety of points of views presented in the movie. It was filmed in black and white, but to me that adds a quality of “historic-time” to the story.
4th of July – July 4th
No way any movie can take a place over “Independence Day” (1996) in my movie collection for the ultimate 4th of July movie. Yes, I know the 4th of July is about our American Independence, but I love sci-fi and “Independence Day” takes our independence to a whole ‘nother level.
Halloween – October 31st
The are some really great Halloween movies, but my all time favorite is definitely “Lady In White” (1988). There are many movies and novels that are just over-flowing with emotion, and this is one such movie. It is an well written ghost story, told by an author, recounting his near death story, which is starkly contrasted against the lazy quietness of his small town.
Pearl Harbor Day – December 7th
There are a couple of good movies about the tragedy of Pearl Harbor, but the newest version “Pearl Harbor” (2001) is an fine tribute to “a the day that will live in infamy”.
Christmas Eve – December 24th
Christmas is a serious holiday, but it is also about love and joy. I enjoy celebrating Christmas Eve with a truly fun movie “The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992). It’s a great movie that presents the lessons learned by Scrooge in a light, and entertaining way.
Christmas – December 25th
There are many wonderful and heartfelt movies for the Christmas season, and my personal selection for Christmas Day varies each year, depending on what’s been on TV that I’ve already seen that season, but if I had to only pick one, it would be “It’s A Wonderful Life” (1946). I know many people would argue this point, but I like the colorized version.
New Year’s Eve – December 31st
The movie “New Year’s Eve” (2011) is a terrific movie. It has a wonderful cast and presents a fun, and sometimes serious story line. A must for New Year’s Eve.
Just a note about Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. There are many movie versions, but after “The Muppet Christmas Carol”, I feel that the George C. Scott version is the finest.
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Holidays:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/
http://www.usa.gov/citizens/holidays.shtml#Federal_Holidays
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holidays_of_the_United_States#Federal_observances
http://about.usps.com/news/events-calendar/2013-federal-holidays.htm