Dec
23
2008
Hello, and welcome. This is the new and improved Circleslide blog.
Maybe, you’ve been reading over at Myspace or Facebook. Well, now this is the place to find out what is really going on in the life and times our little band. It will eventually include posts from various band members dealing with life on the road, new songs, what we’re thinking, doing, etc.
In this first entry we are going to discuss my top 10 favorite Christmas Specials. Why? Because “why not?” thats why.
This hilarious show always felt a bit cynical to me…probably why I liked it…but this is a satisfying conclusion to the groundbreaking, and now, copycatted series in which David Brent gets the last laugh, literally.
9. bing crosby and david bowie
Probably one of the weirdest pairings in any Christmas Special…and yet, it resonates for some reason. The awkwardness is palpable on screen…but the voices are so original, and let’s face it, the song is awesome…so it is something i have to youtube before i’m able to open presents. Speaking about that song…
8. the little drummer boy
In 1968 the people over at Rankin-Bass created a classic that used to air on NBC for many years. It’s one of the few specials on this list where the actual story of Christ’s birth is the backdrop for the story. I have to admit to having a few tears fall at the end…the idea of gift giving is turned on it’s head and i’m reminded that Christmas is about the amazing gift that God gave…and there’s nothing we can do to repay that gift except worship. A shame this doesn’t air anymore.
7. ’twas the night before christmas
I liked this cartoon (again from Rankin-Bass) as a kid, because it dealt with the idea of belief, cynicism, and redemption. I know it’s about Santa Claus…but it could be viewed as a kind of parable for a world that’s decided that faith, in general, is no longer needed. Cute songs too.
6. the grinch who stole christmas
Few classics hold a candle to this Dr. Seuss adaptation…and I wish we’d sing “Fah Who For-Aze welcome, welcome christmas day” in church…but i know i’d be thrown out for being a heretic…but still…it would be fun.
5. frosty the snowman
I thought it would be so cool to ride down a snowy hill the way Karen does, on Frosty’s back…not to mention illegally hopping on a train to the North Pole. On one of the rare occasions where it snowed in San Antonio, I admit to building a snow man with my brother and trying to make it come to life. Sadly, we weren’t able to achieve that feat…another blow to childhood innocence I’m afraid.
4. rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
So many classic characters, hermey the misfit elf, yukon cornelius, the awesome bumble (who scared the crap out of me as a kid) and you got Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman singing “Holly Jolly Christmas” which, in my humble opinion, is a gift from God to all of mankind. I love hearing that guy sing that song.
3. It’s a wonderful life
So many people dismiss this Capra film because of it’s perceived sentimentality and sugary-sweet message. What they sometimes miss is that this movie is DARK. Suicide, greed…a father who resents and verbally abuses his children and wife…a man who dreams of leaving a small town but is trapped because of death and debt….these are serious, dreary themes. Watch it again, and you’ll see why it’s stood the test of time…as people rediscover this amazing story of true redemption in the face of stark reality.
2. A charlie brown christmas
Why does every list about Christmas specials have this at or near the top? I think it’s the sublime surprise of watching such familiar and beloved characters so starkly and simply give us the true meaning of Christmas. The music is phenomenal, Vince Guaraldi’s jazz compositions are embedded into my dna…and I don’t believe it’s Christmas unless I’ve had the opportunity to watch this rare masterpiece of television.
1. A christmas story
Oh Fudge. You’ll shoot your eye out. It’s a Major Award! Drink Your Ovaltine. Fra-gee-lay. He looks like a deranged easter bunny.
Like a Christmas “Lebowski”…this movie is totally quotable, full of believable nostalgia, and one of those movies that gets better with multiple viewings. It’s my favorite…and I think it should be yours too. But then again, maybe you have some in mind that I’ve left off this list. Let me know.
I hope you enjoy the holidays…Merry Christmas from all of us in Circleslide.
now, where’s that blasted remote?
–gabe
Damaris said:
Dec 31, 2008 6:24 am
I GET A COMMIEEEEE!!!!
Tanya said:
Dec 30, 2008 6:13 am
You chose 8 out of 10 of my favorites! My favorite is The Little Drummer Boy, which also ties for my favorite Christmas song with Mary, Did You Know?
We had a beautiful white Christmas in Wa. this year. My first! The snow definetly adds a special something to the season..
gabe martinez said:
Dec 29, 2008 7:18 am
Yes…a prize. In fact, a weekly prize will be awarded…sort of like at Gawker…and I’ll even steal the name cause i’m not feeling too original right now.
Every so often…we’ll award a commenter with a ‘commie’. The person who, we feel, left the best comment.
That being said, we’ll award two this time…one for Damaris…and another, yet to be determined.
I’m already diggin’ this site.
Damaris said:
Dec 29, 2008 1:42 am
A prize?!?! Hoooray!!
Bulldozer Bobby said:
Dec 27, 2008 10:37 pm
What about “White Christmas” with Bing & Danny? That’s a classic. It comes with sap, songs, choreography, romance, awesome fake backdrops, military stuff, Vermont, and the Hayne sisters.
Kayla's Husband said:
Dec 25, 2008 4:10 pm
Hey Gabe and Debbie and all the fellas, Merry Christmas!
Nice to see a new blog going up. I’ve got it bookmarked, and will check it regularly.
Eric Vickers said:
Dec 25, 2008 9:34 am
So you can’t forget the movie “The Snowman”. It is a truly beautiful story, the music is quite capable of bringing tears to your eyes, and the animation is unique. If you dig deeper, it is really about the loss of childhood, but it is VERY worth the watch. I think as a christmas movie it is worth the “honorable mention”.
Later all!
Sarah B said:
Dec 24, 2008 5:12 am
No Elf? I don’t know what to think about this.
Does Edmund the skeleton prefer Nightmare before Christmas? Carl does!
gabe martinez said:
Dec 24, 2008 3:20 am
there’s a lot to be scared of in ‘a christmas story’…especially big ‘ol santa saying “ho, ho, ho” in slow motion, his boot kicking you down the slide.
thanks for the comment…a donation has been made in your name to ‘the human fund’.
Candace said:
Dec 24, 2008 3:06 am
well, I’m sad I’m not the first to comment.. I want a prize! haha.
A Christmas Story seriously scared me when I was younger, and to this day I still can’t watch it the whole way through.. and I have no idea. I think the first time I watched I got violently sick, from something else, but I always associated it with that movie.. weird. But all the others are fantastic.. except my family’s Christmas tradition movie is The Muppets Christmas Carol.
gabe martinez said:
Dec 24, 2008 3:02 am
humming the last stanza…that sounds awesome. Congrats on being the first to comment.
You win some sort of prize.
I’ll think of something.
Damaris said:
Dec 24, 2008 2:20 am
First of all, love the blog! Secondly, one of the reasons I love the Rudolph special is because its about nobodies leaving the ordinary and changing the world! Next – My snowman came to life. And finally, yesterday in a small church christmas service in Mexico, my dad was leading “Silent Night” and he definitely made the congregation hum the last stanza, bringing Charlie Brown Christmas to life. It was pretty epic.
Can’t wait for more!!