Movies: The Light Art

The Light Art

If with Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and the Winter Solstice, this is a season of light, movies are the art form of light. We filmmakers use light and shadow to focus our attention and to evoke feeling. We use the visible spectrum of light -- color -- to create meaning and emotion. Movie lovers like nothing better than to sit in a darkened theater in front of a screen that is brought to life by the projection of light. These are the stained glass windows of our times.

Holiday Movies

What movie are you planning on watching during the holidays? In addition to It's A Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street, there's the more recent Home Alone and A Christmas Story ("Oh my god, I shot my eye out!"). And the even more recent Love Actually. Die-hard fans of Die Hard even count Bruce Willis' suspenseful holiday trip to visit his family as a Christmas movie. (Or is it more a warning against Christmas office parties?)


A New Classic?

I haven't seen 2005's Joyeux Noel yet, but it comes highly recommended. It's based on the true story of World War I enemies calling a Christmas truce to sing, eat, and play soccer together. Sounds like this movie is a great prayer for our times. (Watch the trailer.)

Post your favorite holiday movie as a comment.