Spanky's Place

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is my all-time favorite movie.  My wife gave me the DVD a few years ago, and we end up watching it several times during the "season".  I truly identify with Clark Griswold's character (played by Chevy Chase).  The "lotta sap in here" and the "tylenol rant" are sheer gut-busters, but my favorite gag is when cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) crushes the light bulbs.  If you haven't seen this movie, then rent it or buy it today.

Another one of my favorite holiday movies (Thanksgiving, not Christmas) is Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, which has the honor of carrying the funniest scene of all time (John Candy laughing in a devil suit).  To this day, I can't watch this scene without laughing myself silly.  A word of warning though, this film is rated "R" for a reason.  While there is no sex/nudity or graphic violence in the film, it is chock full of "blue" words and adult themes (not trash, just not for kids).  Watch this one with your S/O after the kiddies are in bed.

And finally, what would Christmas be without a little soul searching from Jack Skellington in The Nightmare Before Christmas?  Tim Burton's wonderful writing combines with Danny Elfman's haunting music and creates....magic.  Watch this one with the kids (trust me, kids are tough, they can deal with a severed head every now and then).  Be ready for them to crawl into your lap when the Oogie Boogie man shows up.

-Devin.