Page 8 December 19, 2013 TORRANCE TRIBUNE TerriAnn in Torrance Christmas Favorites By TerriAnn Ferren Most of us have a favorite film that gets us in the Christmas and/or holiday spirit, so Melissa Griswald I decided to see what movies people around town are watching as they prepare for the holidays. The stores are brimming with activity and people seem to be rushing, checking off lists and preparing for Christmas Day. First, I asked my parents what their favorite Christmas movies are and they were very quick to answer my query. My daddy said, “Bing Crosby in White Christmas.” My mom on the other hand told me, “White Christmas and Miracle on 34th Street.” While chatting and enjoying coffee and donuts after church on Sunday, I caught up with Bob and Annette Ehrman. I asked them what their favorite movies are this time of year and they were happy to respond. Annette was all smiles and told me, “Goodness gracious, probably Miracle on 34th Street. I like that one.” Bob surprised me and said, “I liked Polar Express pretty well. Miracle on 34th Street, I liked that pretty well. I can’t think of any others right now.” The wind was whipping up and made the cold temperature outside seem even colder. I ducked into a local beauty supply store and asked Joy Fujimoto what her favorite movie for the season was and she told me, “Probably the way classic Santa Clause is Comin’ to Town or the Yogi Bear one Yogi’s First Christmas.” To tell you the truth, I am not sure I’ve seen the Yogi Christmas film, so I’ll have to check that one out. Also busy at the store behind the counter was Estella Arellano, who told me, “I think the one I watch the most around Christmastime is Home Alone. That is the best one. I like the part where he is like shaving with the cream and screaming. It is cute – the original.” Then I had to run to catch up with Justin Polendey, who was ‘being walked’ by his dog past Trader Joe’s. I asked Justin about his favorite film and he said to me, “I have to say the classic and first one that came into my mind when you asked me was A Christmas Story. That is because that was always playing when I was younger and every time to this day it kind of plays around the same time, so I guess that is the first thing that came to mind.” I asked Justin what his dog’s name was and he told me, “This is Bella and she is looking to be adopted. We are working just down the street on Crenshaw at Romp Rescue.” Justin told me that they have several dogs waiting to be adopted… so if you are looking for a family pet or a special canine friend to care for, don’t forget the animals in our local shelters. Good tip. Later that afternoon as I was driving down Airport Drive, I noticed three young skateboarders looking for smooth pavement and concrete on a lazy Sunday and I stopped to ask them if they had any thoughts on their favorite movie for this time of year. Saeed Sayegh, age 13, told me, “Grown Ups - and I’ve watched it two or three times.” That is interesting because I didn’t think that movie was about the upcoming holiday but about the Fourth of July, but I could be wrong. Kingsley Amugo, age 14, told me, “Home Alone.” Then, Alex Bueno, age 14, added, “Bad Santa. It is a DVD.” Later that night, I went to a Lakers basketball game and Riley Drexel told me very quickly and definitely that his all-time favorite holiday film is “Elf.” I have to admit that movie is pretty funny. By the way, we lost the game. The next evening at a local restaurant, I ran into Aaron Aalcides and he was happy to tell me his favorite film for the holiday: “I don’t have one! I watch all the Home Alone movies. Home Alone, the original is my favorite. Actually, I love It’s a Wonderful Life. He’s a banker!” Wow, another vote for Home Alone. Frankly, I am surprised how many people pick that particular film. All ages seem to relate to the story of being left alone to fend for oneself. Later in the evening, I asked Leslie Cortez and she was quick to tell me, “I like It’s a Wonderful Life and Christmas Story, with Ralphie – with his red baron gun Red Ryder BB gun. He wanted a toy gun for Christmas and his mother said, ‘I’m not going to buy you that because you will shoot your eye out,’ and what does he do at the end? He shoots his eye out. Well, not out… But it has to be It’s a Wonderful Life.” Then Melissa Griswold told me, “This is a really good question because it goes from Frosty the Snowman or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – the old school one where the elf wants to be a dentist.” Gee, I must have missed that one too. Others mentioned were National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, While You Were Sleeping, A Christmas Carol, Scrooge, Scrooged, Die Hard and Die Hard II (frankly, those surprised me) and The Muppet Christmas Carol. Can’t say we have a lack of variety out there! As I left the gathering, I was thinking about the many movies that will be shown this time of year and how they stay with us through our lives. No matter how old we are, there are holiday favorites each of us hold dear. I find the old standards are still popular and It’s a Wonderful Life seems to cross all age groups, as does Home Alone. What are your favorites? This holiday season, I will take some time and dig out some of my favorite films and enjoy them with family and friends. Seasons of the year remind us of the passing of time and maybe somehow the Christmas and holiday films we all enjoy become part of the seasons of our lives. So whether our favorite movie is playing in the background as we decorate a tree or we are snuggled up on our couches with popcorn, the movies we love play a role in the daily unfolding of our own story. • Melissa Griswald Riley Drexel Aaron Aalcides Leslie Cortez Joy Fujimoto and Estella Arellano Justin Polendey Alex Bueno, 14, Kingsley Amugo, 14, Saeed Sayegh, 13 Bob and Annette Ehrman.
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