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December 11, 2012

Favorite Holiday Romances!


With two releases last week, I'm submerged in holiday romances... Which got me thinking about some of my favorite love stories - then my favorite holiday love stories. So I thought I'd take this opportunity to share my top five holiday romances are all films, actually. Yes, in addition to being a bibliophile, I’m a rather hopeless film addict. J Either way, it’s about the story, right? And these five holiday romances are too awesome not to love.




1.     Love Actually – This movie is glorious on just about every level. Seriously. From the amazingly stellar cast (Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Andrew Lincoln, Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson, and many, many more) to the weaving of deeply beautiful love-stories with light fluff and fun – you can’t help but enjoy the spirit of this film. I watch it every time it comes on and am happy to say my kids are now as infatuated with it as I am. Yes!


2.     It’s a Wonderful Life – My kids aren’t with me on this one. They say it’s terribly depressing. To me, it’s one of the most passionate and abiding love stories ever. There’s something about that scene where George and Mary are huddled together, on the telephone. She’s almost in tears because he’s rejected her. And he’s on the verge of losing it because, despite his vehement denial, he wants Mary for his own… And when he finally loses it. Well, I get goose-bumps every single time. And at the end, when Mary’s gone out to help George, rallying all the neighbours in his time of need… Oh, I’m getting all teary-eyed thinking about it. It’s a beautiful love story, one that encourages those of us that have been married for a while to stick with it – even through the toughest parts.

3.     The Holiday – Yes, it helps that Jude Law is in this film. He is such a glorious male specimen to behold. And his turn as the secretive bachelor will melt your heart – or at least, it melts my heart. He makes me watch this movie because, beyond his scrumptious outside, he has a warm gooey center that remains manly yet sensitive! I’m not a huge fan of Cameron Diaz, but she works in this one. The other love story is just as delightful – if it’s a little more sweet and fumbling than the Diaz/Law affair. And the end promises all sorts of hope and happiness. What more could you want for this time of year?


4.     The Family Man – Okay this one is a tear-jerker, but I love it anyway. Nicholas Cage wakes up to a different life – the life he would have had if he had returned to his college sweetheart instead of staying in his new high-powered job. Tia Leoni is awesome, pretty much everything a man could want in a wife. And by the time the movies over, you’re pretty devastated. Yet I KNOW that what he experiences if what will BE because he finally gets it and he goes after her, fights for her… and it’s awesome. Or maybe that’s what I’ve convinced myself so I can be happy with the ending?



5.     Sleepless in Seattle – You knew it was coming. I’ll admit it’s not my favourite love story, but I love this movie because the entire ensemble cast was brilliant. I wanted them to spend more time together, to fall in love, but I understood the significance of them taking each other’s hand and feeling that spark, “Like magic.” It was Tom Hanks that knocked this one out of the ballpark for me. His grief was so real that I wanted to call in to the radio to try to cheer the guy up. J As a woman, who doesn’t want a man to love her like that?

Thanks , Princesses, for letting me gush on about my top romantic holiday picks. This isn’t a complete list, but these are dear to me. So, now I’m going to ask you: Do you have any must-see romantic holiday movies? What makes them special to you?



Author Bio:

Sasha is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, history, and travel. It's no surprise that her books visit times past, set in places rich with legends and myth. Her first play, 'Greek Gods and Goddesses' (original title, right?), was written for her Girl Scout troupe. She's been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she's doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.


Sasha with her newest release - Hollywood Holiday! Yep, a holiday romance in Hollywood.

5 comments:

Sylvia said...

We watch Die Hard every year. It's my Husband's Christmas Movie. I love It's a Wonderful Life. I also love Miracle on 42nd Street both versions. In fact, I'm hoping after this week that we can have a holiday marathon at our house.

Kathy Ivan said...

I love watching holiday movies! Love Acutally is right up there at the top of the list. (Sylvia, I watch Die Hard every year too.)

There's something so uplifting and joyous about seeing people overcome adversity in their lives and understand teh true meaning of love and friendship and hope.

Of course, I also watch the animated cartoons too! My favorite: How the Grinch Stole Christmas. LOL

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

I always watch Love Actually. Always, in fact my personal DVD is missing. HMMMM. I like Bridget Jones at Christmas too.

I watch the usuals. But have to get in Stalag 17. WW2 you say? It is set at Christmas time and William Holden was/is brilliant.

I like Grinch, Rudolph, and Charlie Brown too.


As for Sleepless in Seattle-I watch this one to watch Bill Pullman. He almost steals the movie.

Liese said...

I HAVE to watch "A Christmas Story." I know I've said this before, but I just love the narration and the very simple, silly things that families do/say.

Sasha Summers said...

I agree about Bill Pullman, Vicki! He's just awesome, period! And yes, on the non-romance holiday movies - A Christmas Story AND Elf are my absolute MUST watches...