Christmas Movies & Memories 🎄
In Conversation
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the Post house
Not a Windmiller was stirring, not even a mouse;
The staff were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of movies danced in their heads;
And Mick in his ‘kerchief, and I with my fro,
Had just settled down for a long VO…
Sean Maher / Assistant Editor
Christmas Movie
I can’t honestly say that I have a favourite Christmas movie (Bah Humbug), so I just want to offer a wildcard recommendation. Tokyo Godfathers is an animated movie about three homeless people who discover an abandoned baby in the thrash on Christmas Eve. In their journey to find the child’s parents, the film is filled with great off-kilter, humanistic moments and is brilliantly crafted. The writer/director, Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue, Paprika), portrays the downtrodden with complexity and a healthy mix of comedy and sensitivity. After all, what could be more festive than compassion for all people?
Christmas Memory
My favourite Christmas memories are being home with my family and all the small details of a child’s recollection. The cold and warmth, frost on the fields, hot chocolate. The gathering of people for Christmas mass, the excitement for new toys and gadgets and the time spent just being together.
Louise NĂ ChonchĂşir / VFX Producer
Christmas Movie
The Holiday. This film is watched every year in my house, utterly predictable but who doesn’t love a romantic Christmas comedy!Â
Love both leading actress’s Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz. Eli Wallach and Kate’s secondary storyline and meet-cute and steals the show for me.Â
Christmas Memory
It has to be the Christmas eve I got engaged to Steve. We drank a lot of bubbly which added an extra challenge to cooking christmas dinner that year.
Ali Neary / HR Manager
Christmas Memory
A long long time ago, back in the depths of the 1980’s, my Dad brought me to see the famous Santa in Switzers. Later that evening on what was clearly a slow news day, RTE News showed footage of the kiddos visiting Santy and I was one of the kids that made the cut.
Pretty much everyone we know saw it except for me and my Dad, it was never repeated, no one taped it, all proof of my 15 seconds of fame was gone forever.
Flash forward to Xmas 2018 when RTE released some festive archive footage (archive, ouch) and sure there I was absolutely star struck by the big guy, busting out a magnificent bowl cut and wearing Duffle Neary, my trusty side kick / toasty jacket!Â
I don’t remember the visit to Santa but it was really cool getting to watch the video with my Dad all those years later.Â
I’m the shy kid at exactly 3 mins in
https://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/1211/926496-switzers_santa_claus/
Caleb Long / Assistant Editor
Christmas MovieÂ
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory – Definitely not a Christmas film but the best Christmas movies are the random classics that pop up on network television on the day. One for when you’re opening presents, one while you make the dinner and one to fall asleep to on the couch after. That being said, there is an endless number of golden oldies I could have gone for but the magic of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory and a selection box for breakfast on Christmas morning? *chef’s kiss*
Christmas MemoryÂ
I’d be spending Christmas alone this year if I didn’t say that my favourite Christmas memory was getting engaged to my wonderful fiancĂ©e last year!
Emily Burke / Producer
Christmas Movie
Gremlins. Why? – GizmoÂ
Christmas MemoryÂ
The year I found out Santa didnt exist and I didnt need to be scared of the strange man coming into my bedroom at night and bringing me gifts anymore.Â
Ronan Coyle / Digital ArtistÂ
Christmas Movie
City of Lost Children by Jeunet & Caro. This beautiful looking film takes place in a cramped port city, with loads of crazy characters whose stories loosely revolve about a mad scientist who can’t dream. I didn’t know so much cool stuff could be in one film… steampunk mixed with modern tech, cults, orphanages, clones, dreams, and an amazing collection of strange looking characters. The VFX was amazing and holds up pretty well 2 decades later. I probably saw the english dubbed version 5 times in the cinema, dragging anyone I could with me. It’s probably worth learning french for.
Blayne Fitzpatrick / VFX ArtistÂ
Christmas Movie
My favourite Christmas film would have to be Christmas Vacation, it is just a classic. It’s our family favourite and we have been watching it every year for as long as I can remember. It has sort of become a tradition. It’s definitely the strongest of the Vacation films and is consistently funny every year. We quote it constantly at Christmas. “Hey Griswold, where do you think you’re going to put a tree that big?”  “Bend over and I’ll show you.”Â
Christmas Memory
My greatest Christmas memory is as a child waking up in the middle of the night and sneaking down to open my christmas present which was a big Apollo moon rocket, then my parents coming down with a baseball bat, scolding me as they thought there was a burglar in the house. So I had to go back to bed. Best christmas present ever though.Â
Fionan Higgins / Sound SupervisorÂ
Christmas Movie
Planes, Trains and Automobiles – Anything with John Candy in it is a favorite of mine, absolutely hilarious.
Christmas Memory
Greatest Christmas Memory: Being a butchers son Christmas meant Turkeys, I used to do night shift security from midnight to 7am as a teenager guarding the Turkeys in the butcher shop. Stealing turkeys is actually a thing that happens 🙂
Aaron Carroll / ProducerÂ
Christmas Movie
Favorite Christmas Movie has to be Krampus. An offbeat horror comedy that manages to balance Christmas Cheer and Christmas Fear (I hate myself for that one) with some brilliantly creepy practical effects.
Christmas Memory
Favorite Christmas memory is from 2020. It was the first time I had gotten to see my parents in months which in itself was great, but at a certain point it ended up just being me and my Dad drinking and chatting into the early hours of the morning in front of the fire. It wasn’t a huge meaningful conversation or anything, it was just peaceful.
Ed Smith / Head of OperationsÂ
Christmas Movie
Depends. Die Hard, Home Alone, or any Hallmark Christmas movie. The cheesier the better. My tastes are rich and varied
Christmas Memory
Brussel Sprouts and Guinness farts.
Raoisa Maguire / ProducerÂ
Christmas Movie
Love Actually – Because Hugh Grant is Prime MinisterÂ
Deborah Doherty / Head of ProductionÂ
Christmas Movie
Can’t choose between Elf, Home Alone and It’s a Wonderful Life – they all have to be watched every year
Christmas Memory
Watching The Wizard of Oz with my Mum on Christmas morning , one of the best films of all time.Â
Pete Williams / CompositorÂ
Christmas Movie
My favourite Christmas movie is Scrooged because it walks a perfect balance between darkly comedic and heartwarming. It happened to be on TV late one December 23rd night and was exactly what I was looking for.
Christmas Memory
My favourite Christmas memory is probably waking up at 4.30 to find a Sega Mega Drive waiting for me, even if I did have to share it with my older brother.
Nate Edwards / Rigging ArtistÂ
Christmas Movie
A Nightmare before Christmas. I love animation, and the spooky season. So this blends the two perfectly together!
Christmas Memory
Sitting on the stairs with my many siblings waiting for the go ahead to unwrap our presents. Imagining all the gifts we would get!
Abby Greene / VFX Production Assistant
Christmas Movie
My favourite Christmas movie is Home Alone.
Christmas Memory
Favourite Christmas memory was when I was a kid and Santa got me and my sister a trampoline.
Angeliki Maria Gkaleridi / Matte PainterÂ
Christmas Movie
A Christmas Carol is a film I watch each year during holidays. I believe that it is a film about the meaning of life, and it’s an opportunity to see life with optimism, be generous and grateful for our present.
Christmas Memory
Simple but precious. Christmas lunch with all my family gathered. Singing, dancing and playing games until night.
Written by Jason Gaffney
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