Two holiday movies from 2006: Soft, reflective, light-hearted fun-HIGHLY RECOMMEND

One custom that most Americans have as part of their getting into the Christmas spirit tradition are the movies we watch--often the same ones every year. 

There are so many great ones from the 30's and 40's on through the 70's, and even some on into the next decades.  Following are two from this past decade that are my choices for becoming part of one's Christmas movie cavalcade (unless you have small children).

The Holiday (Romantic comedy, 2006):
Amanda in California (Diaz) and Iris in England (Winslet) are troubled with guy-problems, and both decide they need a holiday.  Finding each other on line, they swap homes to find a world so different from what they're used to and where solutions to their unfulfilled love lives knock on doors. 
Improbable situations, but that doesn't matter--it's the holidays where joyful magic is allowed.  Good acting, pleasant scenery, amusing, and easy to watch.  Even Jack Black is cute and most endearing in this movie. 

The side segments with story-line conclusion concerning Eli Wallach are satisfying.  If you haven't yet seen this movie and tend to enjoy romantic comedies, then this is a recommended two thumbs up for you.  Movie is often found in discount bins at movie sections of many one-stop shopping stores.

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and some strong language

Cameron Diaz ... Amanda
Kate Winslet ... Iris
Jude Law ... Graham
Jack Black ... Miles
Eli Wallach ... Arthur
Edward Burns ... Ethan
Rufus Sewell ... Jasper



Last Holiday  (Adventure comedy, 2006)
This movie is so much fun.  It's got adventure, snooty villains who learn lessons, beautiful food which serves far beyond comfort, opulence, hilarity, sentimentality, optimism/faith in God while striving through tragedy, compassion, pure holiday magic, and Queen Latifah--one of the most delightful actresses ever.

Toward the beginning, we see Georgia (Latifah) at church where there is a poster which reads, "Keep Christ in Christmas." The members of the choir, including Georgia, are preparing their performance for a visit from Senator Dillings, only it turns out that he doesn't think the church is important enough for him to bother with.  Wait'll he meets dazzling, mysterious Georgia later on in the movie.

Exotic food is her hobby interest, cookware sales is her job, and Sean is her love interest--but she doesn't have nerve to tell him just yet.  Maybe he's interested, but perhaps she'll never know.  She learns that she's got Lampington's Disease and only weeks to live, weeks that she decides must be spent on something other than her usual "playing it safe." 

She quits the job (fun in itself) and cleans out her savings for a first-class plane (another great comedy scene) trip to a resort village far away where she stays at the Hotel Pupp and befriends Chef Didier.  He appreciates her appetite and knowledge on the finer points of food preparation.

All in all, a feel-good movie with a wonderful ending.  Emeril makes a cameo appearance.  

Rated PG-13

Queen Latifah...Georgia  
LL Cool J...Sean
Timothy Hutton...Kragen
Giancarlo Esposito...Senator Dillings 
Alicia Witt...Ms. Burns 
Gérard Depardieu...Chef Didier 
Michael Nouri...Congressman Stewart

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