2009 Christmas Movie Festival at the Drafthouse
Where: Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse; 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington
Schedule:
Noon – “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”
12:30 p.m. – “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
1 p.m. – “Elf”
2:30 p.m. – “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”
3 p.m. – “A Christmas Story”
4:30 p.m. – “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
5:15 p.m. – “Fred Claus”
7:20 p.m. – “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
9:15 p.m. – “Bad Santa”
Info: $8 for the entire day, come and go as you please; 703-486-2345; arlingtondrafthouse.com
Holiday Cinema at AFI Silver Theatre
Where: AFI Silver Theatre; 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring
When: Through Dec. 24, check Web site for show times and prices
Info: 301-495-6720; www.afi.com/silver. AFI is screening “Home Alone,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Christmas Vacation,” “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” and “Christmas Holiday”
The scenes are classic: Little Ralphie’s friend with his tongue frozen to a flagpole; cousin Eddie depositing the contents of his RV’s toilet into the gutter; and of course, “Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.”
All are from cherished holiday films — “A Christmas Story,” “Christmas Vacation,” and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” for those of you paying attention. And all these films, plus others, are available to watch on a local big screen this holiday season.
It’s not some sort of Christmas miracle, just the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse and the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring hosting their annual holiday film series.
On Sunday, the Drafthouse is running a marathon of films; and starting Saturday, AFI is screening four selections through Dec. 24.
One of those films at AFI is “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which the Drafthouse is also screening one night only on Friday as a Children’s Hospital benefit.
“It’s obviously a holiday perennial, and for us it is as well,” Todd Hitchcock, AFI Silver Theatre’s film programmer, said. “It continues to do very well for us. We’re going to be running it every year unless people quit enjoying it.”
Hitchcock said he believes watching the Frank Capra film on the big screen is the big draw, regardless if you’ve seen the film a gazillion times on TV.
“For many it’s a new experience,” Hitchcock, who cites “It’s a Wonderful Life” as one of his favorites, said. “It’s shown the way it’s suppose to be shown.”
AFI is also screening “Home Alone”and “Christmas Vacation.” Film buffs will immediately notice the link between these two films: Each were written by the legendary John Hughes, who died earlier this year.
“If you were ever going to do ‘Home Alone’ or ‘Christmas Vacation,’ why not this year?” Hitchcock said.
The Drafthouse also is screening “Christmas Vacation” Sunday. The story of Clark Griswold trying to have the perfect Christmas for his family is one of owner Greg Godbout’s favorite holiday films
Godbout sees a common bond in all holiday tales, dating back to Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Tale.”
The ties of family outweigh those of material possessions any day. Sure, Ralphie gets the gun, but the family was tightest at the Chinese restaurant on Christmas Day. Clark Griswold’s house may have been destroyed, but he was able to keep the family together until the bitter end.
“It’s celebrating the difference in family,” said Godbout of the funnier holiday selections. “It nails the quirkiness and stress.”
In addition to “Christmas Vacation” and “A Christmas Story,” the Drafthouse will screen more current films “Elf,” “Fred Claus” and “Bad Santa.”
“We feel there’s something for everybody,” Godbout said. “It’s a fun spirit, a fun environment.”
And whether a sentimental or a hilarious take on the trials and tribulations of the season, holiday films offer something for everyone.
“Is it something you’re in the mood to see during the holiday season?” Hitchcock asked.
