Need Holiday BD movie recommendations

[Beta Man]

O.K.... here's the back-story, etc. I love Blu-ray's AQ/PQ like anyone else, but it's typically not a deciding factor for me to select a movie, but my neighbor has been giving me issues (He doesn't have BD, and says there is no way a projector could look better than his T.V. etc. etc.) and we're having them over with their kids for a "Holiday Movie Night" at our house.

Here's what I need.....

Christmas/Holiday movies on Blu-ray that will be good for children from 2 years (I'm not too worried about my daughter on this one) up to 8 or 9 years old.

There will be Three- 4 year olds, a 5 and 7 year old... basically a full house!

Also... I've gotta be able to sit through it (as some Alvin and the Chipmunks movie was suggested by my neighbor)

SO....

I immediately thought "A Christmas Story" but I see the reviews are pretty far from favorable (We're looking at PQ at this point.... I'll still upgrade my DVD for that title eventually anyways!)

ALSO IMPORTANT.... Since my neighbor is a schmuck, I'm going to go out on a limb and say he'll find film-grain to be a negative.


So, I'm looking for 2 "New Looking" (even if it's DNR city, which I hate to say) films suitable for a younger audience, in the holiday theme, that I won't want to beat my head into the wall in order to watch.

I know it would be easier to have my neighbors watch any number of the excellent films I already have, but this is for the kiddos, and it'll be my neighbor's first viewing of the theater, and I'm sick of him going on and on about how great his new T.V. (with DVD) is.....

Anyone?? (I'll need to rent these via Redbox/Blockbuster too...)

Thanks!!!!


EDIT:

Maybe "Elf" is a good one.... I can't get the movie-search on this site to work, so I can't check reviews

[Ashamed Pegasus]

Sadly there is not a lot of demo material in terms of Christmas movies. The new Ice Age Christmas Special would be a good one but it's short. The Santa Clause 3 looked great as well.

I was going to say Disney's A Christmas Carol but I wouldn't recommend it for kids that young.

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Maybe "Elf" is a good one.... I can't get the movie-search on this site to work, so I can't check reviews

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Elf-Blu-ray/1181/#Review

[Travis]

The Polar Express looks and sounds fantastic and is a movie we watch every year now. Fun for the entire family. Just don't get the edition with lossy audio.

Sadly A Christmas Story, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Santa Claus: The Movie all have not so stellar AQ or PQ.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Travis

The Polar Express looks and sounds fantastic and is a movie we watch every year now. Fun for the entire family. Just don't get the edition with lossy audio.
.

That might have to be a sacrifice because I'd be getting it from Blockbuster.

If I got the 3D version, is the 2D version on the same disc? If not, I think I'd have to rent the "lossy" version.

[Travis]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

That might have to be a sacrifice because I'd be getting it from Blockbuster.

If I got the 3D version, is the 2D version on the same disc? If not, I think I'd have to rent the "lossy" version.

Not sure. I have the edition with the old 3D (anaglyph red blue glasses), and the 2D and 3D editions are on the same disc.

Rent whatever you can, the PQ will be great and should impress everyone.

[Torgon]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

That might have to be a sacrifice because I'd be getting it from Blockbuster.

If I got the 3D version, is the 2D version on the same disc? If not, I think I'd have to rent the "lossy" version.

The 2D version is on the disc with the NEW 3D version. I just got it(but haven't opened it yet) and it's written on the back of the package.

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

ALSO IMPORTANT.... Since my neighbor is a schmuck, I'm going to go out on a limb and say he'll find film-grain to be a negative.

Sounds like it'll be a fun-filled evening ...In all honesty, you might be better off not even trying to bother impressing him...just throw in any old movie that you enjoy, and if he doesn't like it, who cares? Plus, if you impress him, he might start bothering you all the time and keep wanting to come over to watch more movies. Actually, if I were you (and if you really can't stand the guy), I'd put in the crappiest quality movie I could find, so he'll leave you alone and never bother coming over again...

[Beta Man]

Yeah.... I think I'll go with "Elf" since it's not terrible to endure (Will Ferrel is almost palatable in it) and I haven't seen it in awhile..... then I'll perhaps go with a non-holiday kid's movie too.

[Caesar Will Rise]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Yeah.... I think I'll go with "Elf" since it's not terrible to endure (Will Ferrel is almost palatable in it) and I haven't seen it in awhile..... then I'll perhaps go with a non-holiday kid's movie too.

You certainly have a good pick in non-holiday kids films. The best are real family films that anyone and everyone can enjoy. I reccomend any of the three Narnia films as the PQ will blow you away, especially the first two in that regard. As far as the AQ goes, I have no surround system so I cannot judge that, but this site gives them all great scores on the sound side too. If not those there is always Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, How to Train Your Dragon, and Enchanted and many others. Have a ball.

[SquidPuppet]

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Fives for PQ/AQ

But Beta...Why are you having dinner with a Schmuck? (no pun intended) If the guy is a weasel, just let him enjoy his TV/DVDs.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Fives for PQ/AQ

But Beta...Why are you having dinner with a Schmuck? (no pun intended) If the guy is a weasel, just let him enjoy his TV/DVDs.

He's alright.... (it's his wife pushing the movie night idea actually)

He's just a "non-believer" if you will..... and he's 'Joe-6-pack' so I'm expecting a solid disdain for grain.....

People who disagree with me are Schmucks in my book

It was more in jest


EDIT:

That is a great suggestion by the way..... unless it is too dark and scary for the 3.5-4 year olds..... there will be three of them

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

That is a great suggestion by the way..... unless it is too dark and scary for the 3.5-4 year olds..... there will be three of them

TNBC? Yeahhh, maybe a little too old and wrong holiday.
Bring them back in three years next October, when they get excited about Halloween.

(Similarly, Polar Express and the Jim Carrey Christmas Carol are a bit TOO Robert Zemeckis-indulgent for the easily-nightmared:
Just sat through "Monster House" last week, and was amazed how many directorial "riffs" you could now spot Zemeckis using over and over in his mocap CGI movies--If the Christmas Present scene in the Carrey ACC was a little too nightmare-fodder for the kiddies, PX isn't exactly innocent in a few scenes either. )

Aren't too many good features on Blu for the youngest yet, apart from the classic TV specials (animated Grinch, Charlie Brown, Mr. Magoo).
PQ arguments aside, Santa Claus: the Movie is an underrated favorite, and I can safely guarantee even the parents probably have never seen it before. A Christmas Story will probably be funnier to kids with more "experience" at Christmas frustrations, but it's not harmful.
But until they get the '93 "George Balanchine's 'The Nutcracker'" (the kid-friendly one with Macaulay Culkin, not the creepy Maurice Sendak one) on Blu, you may have to start asking about SD's....And there, friend, would be a longer list.

[filmnut5]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

my neighbor is a schmuck, I'm sick of him going on and on about how great his new T.V. (with DVD)

He sounds like one. To suggest DVD quality is equal to or better than 1080p is simply idiotic. Is he a Squeeler fan?

Elf should work Beta. I hope your system blows him away and that he'll finally shut it...Good Luck.

[rickah88]

I was quite pleased with Dreamworks Dragons. My wife and I loved How To Train Your Dragon, so I blind bought Dreamworks Dragons which has to short movies on it(about 20min each). Bascially all the characters(with voice actors) from the original are in these 2 short films, about how the vikings/dragons celebrate Christmas in their own way. Not the typical Chirstmas route, but as far as PQ/AQ goes it will look pretty amazing.
I think the good news for you is, no matter what you choose I'm sure it will be a good time had by all.