Entry No. 16:

 My Favorite Christmas Movie

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As the semester draws to a close, I'm reminded more and more about the holiday season. Yes, I've seen decorations in stores for about a month now, but I really know 'tis the season when Christmas movies are constantly played on TV.

While most of them are very cheesy (especially Hallmark movies), some can pull at your heartstrings every December, even when you can memorize the dialogue verbatim. My favorite of them all, It's A Wonderful Life, tells the story of an attempted suicide in such a tear-jerking way. The tale of George Bailey and what he means to his family, his town, and the Christmas season is one of the most emotional ones around. 

Going from having long-term aspirations of traveling and seeing the world, George sacrifices those dreams for settling down in Bedford Falls. After he feels like he has no value, his guardian angel comes to save him and show him all the good he has brought to this world. The growth of George from beginning to end is one of the best character examples of growth in a film (up there with Scott Pilgrim for sure). It's a somewhat corny concept for a guardian angel, but the introduction of Clarence the angel and how he wants to help George is one of the best scenes in the film.

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It does have the typical old movie trope of "rich bad guy wants to seize control", but that still won't have you despise Henry Potter any less. Every time, you'll still wince when you see what Uncle Billy messes up. There are some intense topics discussed, but the ending is one of pure holiday bliss.

I've watched this every year with my grandpa in the local theatre in our town, and it holds a special bond in my heart. If you've never seen it, I highly suggest doing so. It's no Elf, but it has stood the tests of time as a holiday classic.