10 Best Christmas Movies

The Christmas season is my favorite time of year. Notice I didn't just say Christmas I said, the Christmas season, because it isn't just December 24 and 25 that contribute to it. I love when Christmas music starts to play on the radio, decorations are put up all around and best of all you can't turn on the TV without finding a Christmas themed program.

I know some people get annoyed by the commercialization of Christmas and how the season seems to be longer and longer each year and to some extent they are right. But, instead of letting it turn me into a Scrooge, I just go with the flow and embrace cheer and try and spread it around as much as possible.

So here are a list of my 10 all-time favorite Christmas movies.

1. Home Alone - 1990

This movie is a classic and because of it, I think its every kids dream to get stuck at home by yourself and be able to do anything you want.

2. The Family Stone - 2005

With a cast full of great actors this movie is a Christmas can't-miss. It highlights the hilarity involved with being a part of a big family and the pressure of bringing a significant other home for the holiday.

3. Elf - 2003

No best of Christmas movies list would be complete without this hilarious addition. Will Farrell at his finest playing Buddy an Elf  in the middle of an identity crisis and highlighting the Big Apple at Christmas time.

4. Its a Wonderful Life - 1946

This movie is a must see for every Christmas season, a tad more depressing than I remember but, the final scene makes up for it in the end.

5. Four Christmases - 2008

All I can say is this movie is laugh out loud hilarious. You have to check out the scene when they play Taboo, it my favorite part!

6. White Christmas - 1954

Its a Christmas tradition in the Matney household to watch White Christmas on Christmas Eve and it never gets old. Its old Hollywood at its finest.  Every year I hold out hope that I'll have a true White Christmas, so far no luck, but I'll keep my fingers crossed this year will be the one.

7. The Polar Express - 2004

Do you want to take a journey to the North Pole? Well this is the movie for you, all you have to do is ... believe.

8. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - 1989

Christmas is a time for spending time with your family ... even when your family is the Griswolds.

9. How The Grinch Stole Christmas - 2000

If you are one of those people who thinks the Christmas season a little much sometimes then this is the movie for you, if this can't get you in the holiday spirit, nothing can. Take a journey to Whoville to learn about the true meaning of Christmas.

10. Love Actually - 2003

Set in London in the weeks leading up to Christmas, this movie always gets me in the holiday spirit. Follow as the love lives of  several people around the holiday season. What I love though is that it shows that there are so many kinds of love out there, not just romantic love and that it is important to be with the ones you love at Christmas.

It was hard to make this list because there are so many great Christmas movies out there, but, these are the ones I go back to year after year.

What are some of your favorite Christmas movies? Any that you can't believe didn't make the list?

Why Travel Local?

Annapolis Rock, Middletown Maryland 

If you are a travel junkie like me, travel can morph into this grand and lofty idea. It becomes bigger than itself in the sense that so many people think that great travel can only take place when when you are off on some adventure in a far away and exotic land, in a place you need a passport to get to. It is often forgotten that there are so man beautiful places just outside our back doors.

Don't get me wrong. I am often one of those people. 

But, when you are in a situation where international travel is not exactly feasible you don't need to get on a airplane or use your passport to have a meaningful travel experience.

With gas prices lowering and insanely cheap bus tickets (thanks Bolt!) you can travel locally without breaking the bank. In the past month I have visited the Baltimore Aquarium, headed to the top of the Washington Monument and taken a cruise around Annapolis.

I always remember this quote from the movie Eat, Pray, Love. It's when the character Luca Spaghetti (yes, that's his name) says:

   "Americans. You work too hard, you get burned out. You come home and spend 

the whole weekend in your pajamas in front of the T.V."

That line stuck with me, because its so true. Trust me I love a weekend lounging on the couch, binging on some new TV show as much as the next person, but since we live in a country where half of the citizens don't use up all of their paid vacation days, weekends are precious time. So why don't we make the most of them and get out there and see what our backyards have to offer.

Have you traveled locally recently? Are there any places close to home that you have been dying to see?

Inspiring Female Movie Quotes

I'm a big movie buff. I'll watch anything and everything. Asking me what is my favorite movie is one of the hardest questions for me to answer. Have you ever been watching a movie, it could be any movie, a drama, comedy, classic even a chick flick and you hear a line and it just sticks with you. Its like someone put into words exactly what you've been thinking but could never express. Here are a few of my favorite movie quotes from over the years. 

Maggie Mayhem from Whip It: This movie is the story of a misfit teenager from a small town in Texas, Bliss Cavendar who finds where she really fits in when she discovers a women's roller derby league in Austin. This quote happens from the first night Bliss discovers the roller derby league and tells Kristen Wiig's character, Maggie Mayhem, they the girls in the league are her new heroes. Maggie Mayhem responds by saying "Put some skates on ... be your own hero." Overall I loved this movie, but when I heard this quote it definitely became a new favorite. I love the idea of not relying on other people for your happiness. That if you are in a situation in life that isn't where you want to be then you can't wait for someone else to come rescue you, you need to rescue yourself.

Elizabeth Gilbert from Eat, Pray, Love : After a tough divorce Elizabeth Gilbert leaves her life in New York to travel the world for a year visiting Italy, India and Indonesia. This quote comes from when she and a friend are visiting Naples and are eating pizza. Her friend seems to not be interested in her meal and Liz asks her what is wrong, and she says that she is embarrassed because she has gained 10 pounds from living in Italy and now has a muffin top. Liz responds by saying, "I'm so tired o saying no and waking up in the morning and recalling every single thing I ate the day before. Counting every calorie I consumed so I know exactly how much self-loathing to take into the shower. I'm going for it. I have no interest in being obese, I'm just through with the guilt." I saw this movie in the theaters and when she said this line I literally said yes out loud because I loved it so much. I've never been super thin, but, I wouldn't say I'm very overweight either and this quote just really hit home for me. I exercise and I try to eat healthy but, I love pizza, ice cream and beer, but, I think this quote goes further to the idea of shaming someone because of their body type. I saw this other quote on Facebook the other day that I loved. "Eat whatever you want, and if anyone tries to lecture you on your weight, eat them too.

Novalee Nation from Where the Heart Is: This film follows the life of Novalee Nation who is deserted, penniless and pregnant, by her boyfriend in a Walmart parking lot and how she picks her life up and moves on. This quote comes after her best friend and her children have been physically attacked by her boyfriend and talking to Novalee, her friend asks what she is supposed to tell her children now. Novalee responds by telling her to tell them, "We've all got meanness in us, but we've got goodness too. And the only thing worth living for is the good. And that's why we've got to make sure we pass it on." Being an eternal optimist this quote really struck a chord with me. I will always believe in the good in people, yes bad things happen in this world and people do bad things, but, if I'm always expecting the worst of everyone I think that is a depressing way to live. 

What are some movie quotes that have hit home with you over the years?

Wanderlust Movies

Sometimes travel just simply isn't an option. Other things get in the way, life, your job, family or most likely money. If you are feeling bored of your daily routine, tired of your 9-5 job, or simply just full of the usual wanderlust, these movies will provide the perfect escape to far away places. Just be careful, they might just awaken that desire to pack your bags and get on the next flight out of town.

1. The Darjeeling Limited (India)

This, Wes Anderson tale, of three spoiled brothers traveling by train through India  to see their mother is full of whimsy and hilarity. The movie perfectly captures what it is like to travel through the densely populated country, where you sometimes may feel alone and out of place. 

2. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Greenland, Iceland, Afghanistan)

If you often find yourself daydreaming about grand adventures to get yourself through the day, then this movie is for you. It follows the life of Walter Mitty who works with photograph negatives at Life Magazine, who has an active imagination and has been nowhere worth mentioning. When an important negative goes missing he goes on an incredible adventure around the world, from Iceland to Afghanistan, in hopes of finding it. With the tagline, "Stop Dreaming, Start Living," it is the quintessential wanderlust film.

3. In Bruges (Belgium)

After an assasination gone wrong in London, two hitman travel to the town of Bruges, Belguim so they can hide out. A movie that is both hilarious and incredibly dark at the same town does a brilliant job of highlighting the beauty and magic of Bruges.

4. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Spain)

A Woody Allen film, this movie is one of those kinds of films where it feels like the setting, in this case Barcelona, is a character all on its own. The movie gives you a tour of all the beautiful sites Barcelona has to offer, including the Tibidabo amusement park, Las Ramblas, much of Gaudi's great architecture and so much more.

5. Pelada ( All over - some highlights - Argentina, Bolivia, Kenya, Japan, Iran)

Pelada is a documentary that follows a couple traveling the world in search of pick-up soccer. Even if you are not a soccer fan this movie takes you from continent to continent meeting the people of the countries they visit and hearing their unique stories. 

6. Eat, Pray, Love (Italy, India, Indonesia)

If you don't know the story, Julia Robert's character is recently divorced and unsatisfied with her life so she leaves everything behind her to travel the world for a year to Italy, India and Indonesia. Viewers will be delighted with the sights of these three beautiful countries and will maybe be inspired to take their own journey of self discovery.

7. Le Divorce (France)

This movie is about two sisters in Paris, learning their way through two very divergent cultures, that of France and the United States. I just love any movie set in Paris, being able to experience the romantic sights and sounds with out actually being there. Two other movies I love that are set in Paris are Amelie and Midnight in Paris. 

8. Under the Tuscan Sun (Italy)

Inspired to buy a villa and move to Italy while on a tour of Tuscany, this movie follows the recently divorced Frances in the ups and downs of living abroad. It also offers beautiful Tuscan scenery with shots of cute Italian villages.

9. Roman Holiday (Italy)

I love all things Audrey Hepburn and in her first starring role she plays a princess who tries to escape the pressure of royalty to see the sights of Rome. This film was THE wanderlust film of its time, inspiring so many to pack up and fly to Europe on vacation and trust me it hasn't lost its touch.

10. Almost any Mary-Kate and Ashley film (Paris, London, Australia ... to name a few)

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I was going to put these films as a joke, at first. But, honestly, these were my wanderlust films as a young pre-teen. Every one I watched I was jealous and wanted to travel to all these places that they got to visit. These movies offered me my first taste of the desire for international travel, something that has never left me. 

What are some of your favorite travel inspired movies?