“All-Time Great Animated & Non-Animated Christmas Movies; Favorites & Hidden Gems”

 

Here is my list of must see and not so must see movies for the holiday season.

Let’s first look at some popular Christmas movies that didn’t make my list.

-Elf: I really don’t like this movie. Not funny.

-Home Alone Movies: Number 1 is ok. I’m still a little creeped out by McCauley Caulkin.

-Bad Santa: Little too mean spirited for me.

-Christmas With the Kranks: I think it’s a bad movie.

-Scrooged: I like Bill Murray but I just thought he was a little too dark in this one and it didn’t work.

-The Nightmare Before Christmas:  Still not getting it.  I don’t like this movie and in reality Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are pretty much dead to me for what they did to Willie Wonka. Bizarre.

Amazing Animated Films to Watch:

These are all well known greats that are staples during the holidays. How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty The Snowman and A Charlie Brown Christmas are all must see classics with amazing music and stories. You might want to throw in the cartoon Mr. Magoo’s A Christmas Carol too, that has fun songs and is underrated.

Classic Must See Christmas Movies:

Boy do I still miss John Candy. Plains, Trains and Automobiles still makes me laugh to no end. Eddie Murphy and Dan Akroyd are in all their glory in Trading Places which is also a must see.

Bing Crosby is not a favorite of mine but White Christmas is a good movie.   It’s a Wonderful Life is also a classic but I’m not a huge fan of it.

Another one I really enjoy even though I don’t like the sequels is The Santa Clause. I’m not a fan of Tim Allen but he’s amazing in this great holiday classic.

The original Miracle on 34^th Street is still an all time great movie with a young Natalie Wood in a great perforance.

Now Some of my other favorite selections.

Polar Express:

Ok Ok; I know the animation is a little creepy but and the kids look like they’ve been using uppers for a week but this is an amazing story with great music and a spirited performance by Tom Hanks. As time goes on this movie gets more and more respect and I’m glad.

The story of a little boy who is discouraged and who eventually has the meaning and spirit of Christmas restored when on Christmas eve he takes a ride on the magical Polar Express train that goes to the North Pole. And as his heart is restored, he learns that if you truly believe, you will always hear the sound of Santa’s bell no matter what age you are. Cuz that’s the way things happen on the Polar Express!

Nestor the Long Eared Donkey:

One of my favorite Christmas Cartoons that some have never seen.   Nestor is bullied and treated poorly for having huge, long ears and for being ugly. He’s so ridiculed that on a winter night he is thrown out by the owner of a stable. In a blizzard his mom saves him from the cold by covering him but sadly she is gone.   Nestor is helped by a cherub named Tilly who leads him to a magical moment.

It’s an amazing story of love, acceptance, and courage.

The Little Drummer Boy:

Can’t watch this without shedding a tear or two. Another Romeo Muller, Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. classic which is almost 5 decades old. One of the most emotional and epic stories of all time. With an amazing voice cast of Greer Garson, Jose Ferrer and the epic music of the Vienna Boys Choir.

With the anger and pain only an orphan can feel, the little drummer boy Aaron gives the only gift he has to offer to baby Jesus when his animal friend is hurt; his passionate playing on his drum. The true spirit of Christmas is seen in the miraculous recovery of his animal friend, thus restoring Aaron’s heart. Child star Teddy Eccles is very special as Aaron.  What an amazing production.  They don’t make them like this anymore!

Meet John Doe:

This movie was so well received that it’s made several categories in the top 100 all time lists of the American Film Institute. The Library of Congress requested a copy of it to be archived and it was so popular it became a radio program. Meet John Doe has it all.

The iconic Frank Capra was known as a very sentimental director. This movie was said to be for the gentle every day person. With a young Barbara Stanwyck, Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan and Edward Arnold leading the cast, this is one of my all time classic movies at any time of year.

A struggling newspaper makes up a story of a homeless man who wants to commit suicide on Christmas due to the state of the country. People have become jaded and divided, but thousands are so moved by John’s threat that John Doe clubs all over the country are created to promote good will and kindness towards your neighbor. When John Doe finds out that big business corporations want to use the John Doe clubs for political support to get their man into the white house and make more money, he tries to tell the truth but people turn on him and he’s considered a fake. In a state of depression on Christmas eve, he finds out the true meaning of Christmas through the love of his friends and the knowledge that the spirit of every day people will never allow the John Doe’s of the world to be forgotten.

Twas the Night Before Christmas:

This is another animated cartoon that many have not seen. When a know it all young mouse writes Santa a nasty letter saying he doesn’t exist, Santa no longer wants to come to their city. The father then thinks a gift to Santa will help restore their relationship. His son again messes things up but he realizes the importance of Christmas and grows up. He helps save the day and Santa is touched by their gift and all is forgiven.

The songs are fun and upbeat and it’s a fun short film to watch. George Gobel narrates and Joel Gray recites the famous poem, Twas the Night Before Christmas.

The Year Without A Santa Clause:

Heat Miser and Cold Miser; Santa; a feisty Mrs. Clause. This is a cult classic for any animated fan of Christmas. The songs alone are worth the watch. Kids of all ages will love this timeless classic!

A Christmas Story:

It’s hard to find a movie that touches the heart of the kid in all of us like a Christmas Story.   For the 19^th year, TBS/TNT will play this movie for 24 hours on Christmas eve through Christmas. There were 2 years that they played this for 2 days straight! This is one of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time that teaches the kid in us how to survive in the adult world during Christmas. Someone bought the house and made it into a museum. And it is beside Meet John Doe in the National Library of Congress.

http://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/

Tongues stuck on light polls, bullies, a little brother who wont eat and Darren McGavin as a father that is hard on the outside but as soft as a marshmallow inside. And never forget to remember to be careful; or you will SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT!

Scrooge:

Most movie historians, movie buffs and fans almost all agree that the 1951 version of a Christmas Carol called the Scrooge is the greatest of them all.  (In the UK it was called Scrooge; in the U.S. it was called A Christmas Carol).

Scrooge was one of the most popular and best pictures in the UK in 1951. Due to the more darker nature compared to other Christmas Carol movies, the U.S. studio’s did not feel that Scrooge was positive enough for the American audience and it got mixed reviews. In time though it has become a fan favorite of many a household around the world.

Alastair Sim is purely magical in his portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge in one of the most memorable Christmas movies ever. He can make you hate him or cry for him. His emotional scene going to dinner at Fred’s is below.

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There you have it.   My list of must see Christmas movies.   If you haven’t seen some of these movies, make sure you give them a try. They may become Christmas classics in your household too. Merry Christmas and God Bless us; everyone.

“Ken Stabler Leading Teammates in CTE Fight Even After His Passing; Should Kids Play Football?”

 

Ken Stabler Being Helped off the Field During Game

Friday it was released that several former Oakland Raiders had agreed to have their brains studied upon their death.  They did this through the encouragement of Ken’s longtime partner, Kim Ross-Bush.  They wanted to follow him in helping to further the study of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) in the hopes of helping future players.  Still today, Ken still is the leader of the dynasty that was the 1970’s Oakland Raiders.

The Stabler Family Tells Their Story:

Kim Ross-Bush, the partner of Ken Stabler for over 16 years; tells the story of how Ken deteriorated over time.  His daughter Marissa also talks about the changes in her father.  ESPN’s Outside the Lines is a great show and I really enjoyed the piece it did a while back on Ken and his struggles with CTE.

You are already seeing players starting to retire at earlier ages in fear of the long term damage football may have on them.

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/14703416/outside-lines-nfl-great-ken-stabler-diagnosed-cte-death

Eliminate Tackling in Practice:

In a groundbreaking move, the Ivy League coaches voted to eliminate tackling in practices.  Instead they use tackling dummies, bags, and even use tackling robots.  Coaches from around the country are limiting contact in College football.  What’s interesting is the Ivy league now says their tackling techniques are much better and more fundamentally sound and the list of injuries have dropped dramatically.

http://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2016-03-04/college-football-ivy-league-limits-tackling-football-practices

My Experience With CTE:

I remember in 2009 being asked to do a house call to check up on a patient who was really struggling with his sleep equipment and his quality of sleep.  I immediately remembered the name.  I’m a huge history guy and I did a check and found out it was the former NFL player that I thought it was.

When I walked into their house his wife was as kind as could be.  She offered me a piece of cake and coffee and I loved it.  Her husband was a little shocked I knew so much about him and it obviously made him feel good.  When I left his wife walked me out.  At the door she gave me a bottle of wine and was near tears.  “Thank you so much; you made him smile and that hasn’t happened much.  Please come visit again soon”.  I told her I would be by next week.

A week later I showed up and it was like a light turned off.  He sat in a somewhat dark room looking out a window; something he did for hours sometimes.  He was rude, irritable and he couldn’t remember a thing we discussed.  I laughed at the start because I thought he was teasing me but he wasn’t.  He talked about his headaches and his sleep being so intermittent that he would be exhausted all the time.  It was hinted he knew he was damaged and he didn’t want to know the truth.  CTE was barely known publicly in 2009.

His wife explained this was their life.  A tornado of emotions with little joy and hope at times.  I tried calling them once but their number had changed & was unlisted, so I never heard from them again and found out they moved. Even today the picture of him sitting in a darkened room alone can bring me to tears.

Owners Still Don’t Get It:

Jerry Jones was quoted last week that he was not convinced there was a link between CTE and concussions.  I’m sure many owners have their doubts especially when it may cost them money to take care of the problem.  Jerry Jones needs to read research and stop acting like a fool.  Another “my opinion is greater than facts” guy.  Money doesn’t make you smart.  It’s the same callousness the NFL showed during the 2009 concussion hearings at Congress.

In the 2014 settlement against the NFL, in a rare action, the Judge was so appalled at the NFL’s offer that he overturned it.  The NFL said to trust their math.  Most of what the NFL has done, they were made to do.

What Has the NFL Done to Help With CTE’s:

Many say I’m too hard on the NFL.  They bring up the 88 plan championed by CTE legend Gay Culverhouse, former President of Tampa Bay.  It’s true; it gives $130,000 a year to players that qualify but read the fine print because I did; the one disorder it DOESN’T cover?  CTE.

The Alumni Association is also working with corporations to set up retirement places catered to NFL players.  In the medical field the dirty secret is that many feel this is going to be a huge money maker in the future with so many NFL players having to deal with brain issues.  Soccer players are now having issues with CTE.  Brandi Chastain has agreed to donate her brain as well.

The owners have given money for research and also changed the rules protecting players more.  It has changed the game drastically allowing for huge numbers by quarterbacks and wide receivers but it had to be done.

The NFL also has adopted a much stricter concussion protocol but it’s already seen failures.  Rams QB Case Keenum hit his head on the turf against Baltimore last year and staggered off the field.  After talking to the trainer, he was shockingly let back in the game to finish it.  Afterwards he was diagnosed with a concussion.  NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to his credit admitted they made a mistake.  Damage done though.

I remember watching film of the 1976 Raiders year in review.  In week 9 the Raiders played at Chicago.  The astroturf there was like cement especially when it was cold.  Ken Stabler got a concussion and wobbled off the field.  Eventually he came back into the game leading the Raiders to victory.  You wonder how many times since he was a kid did that happen to Ken.

Breakthrough in CTE Testing?

The problem with CTE is that you can’t diagnose it while the player is alive.  When UCLA lead researcher Dr. Julian Bailes said they had a test that could diagnose CTE in living people, many questioned his findings.  The problem with anything in medicine is greed.  If this is true, they stand to make millions.  Some say that within 3-5 years it will be able to be done. The controversy continues but when they can test players, it can give them a better option into getting out of the game or staying in it.

Should Kid’s Play Football:

One of the key factors with CTE is the duration you take hits.  Usually the longer you play, the worse it is.  Ken Stabler; like many NFL athletes; played as a kid.  You have to limit the length, and the severity of the damage.  Some think teaching good fundamental tackling is the answer but it’s not.  When you hit the ground or get hit; good tackle or not; your head is going to jar.  Its’ like having a minor car accident several times a day.

I think that kids should not play organized tackle football until they are 13 years old.  I also believe that at the most, teams need to have only 1 contact day of practice per week; or 90 minutes.

The State of Texas that brought you “Friday Night Lights” and built a 60 million dollar stadium in the city of Allen, is surprisingly the leader in protecting players.  In 2013, the University Interscholastic League in Texas; the group that makes the rules for high school football; voted to limit contact in practices to 90 minutes a week.  Some said this would ruin Texas football but it hasn’t changed their dominance in any way.

Between 2005 and 2014, 92 high school football players died.  Some by direct contact, and others by things associated with football.  What’s shocking though is that almost ALL states have NO medical regulations mandating high school football teams to have ANY trained medical staff on the field at any time.  Some parents have sued school districts for having their kids lying on a field waiting long periods of time for qualified people to help their kids.  That HAS to change.  They don’t have to have an ambulance on staff, or a doctor or EMT’s or professional trainers.  Epic fail.  This has to change.

I remember in football crazy Napa, California where I grew up, (who ESPN voted had the #2 high school stadium in the country 6 years ago) they always had an ambulance in one of the end zones at Memorial Stadium and EMT professionals at the games.  It helped save one of my friends who actually broke his neck during a game.  He wasn’t paralyzed but he fractured his neck and the quality care on the field saved him.  I hope they still have that same support there now.

Final Thoughts:

The sad part is, we need to have a sure way of diagnosing players while they are alive, and we need to know how better to protect them.  Even if helmets evolved, the jarring of the brain from the hits and hitting the ground are still going to cause damage so it’s a difficult thing to fix.

What also is scary, is that ALS; or Lou Gehrigs disease has also been linked to long term head trauma seen in sports like football.  University of Alabama player Kevin Turner just passed away at the age of 46; of ALS.  He played 8 years in the NFL.

CTE is the scary ghost hiding in the closet that players and their families fear.  Fans and the media need to get involved.  Some didn’t support the cheerleaders fight to get minimum wage.  Many fans didn’t support referees wanting better training and to be full time employees.  The NFL said both were too expensive.  Add the lack of support to retired players by some as well.  In my mind it’s disrespecting the game and those that are associated with it by not respecting everyone that was in it.

All fans and media people associated with the NFL who really care about this wonderful game and the people in it need to act.  Some in the NFL media won’t because they feel backlash from their networks.  We need the NFL to know the lack of support is unacceptable.  The 88 plan needs to include CTE.  Support research and retired players rights.  Show compassion and kindness instead of saying, “well if they don’t want to die early then don’t play”.  The players gave their all; now we need to give ours.

The NFL has shown they will NOT do the right thing unless they are made to.  It’s time that fans now become the voices of the voiceless.  Ken Stabler and all of the players that suffered in silence; along with their families that experienced it; deserve our support.  No more Dave Duerson stories.  A man that texted family to let them know he wanted his brain studied after he shot himself in the chest.  He didn’t want others to go through the torment he did.  No more retired players holding their heads in pain or looking out windows in darkened rooms wondering in sadness what was happening to them.  We can’t expect the NFL to do the right thing to these fathers, son’s, grandfathers and brothers, if we don’t.  The NFL has shown it will listen but we have to speak.