By: Troy Myer

It’s time for Christmas, which means it’s time for movies. The Squire ran a Twitter poll (@ehssquirenews) to find out more about Eisenhower students’ top movies for the season.

Coming in at number four, is A Christmas Story, directed by Bob Clark, with narration provided by the adult Ralphie Parker reminiscing on one particular Christmas when he was nine years old. Ralphie wanted only one thing for that Christmas: a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. Ralphie’s desire is rejected by his mother, his teacher Miss Shields, and even a Santa Claus at Higbee’s department store, all giving him the same warning: “You’ll shoot your eye out.”

Next at number three is The Polar Express, written, produced, and directed by Robert Zemeckis. Based on a children’s book by the same title, the story begins on Christmas Eve, when a boy who is beginning to question Santa’s existence witnesses a train known as the Polar Express, which is about to depart for the North Pole. It is a fan favorite movie showing the true meaning of Christmas and the Christmas spirit.

At number two, the students voted for Home Alone. Home Alone is a 1990 American comedy film, written and produced by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus. The film stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, a boy who is mistakenly left behind when his family flies to Paris for their Christmas vacation. Kevin initially relishes being home alone, but soon has to contend with two would-be burglars played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern.

Coming in at number one, our students chose Elf, a story of a human named Buddy who was raised as an elf in the North Pole. Buddy has a tremendously hard time converting into real life with his family in New York City. His real father cannot stand Buddy and how he thinks he is an elf. However, Buddy’s brother sticks up for him throughout the movie. Buddy also meets a girl named Jovie. In the end of the movie, Santa’s sleigh crashes in Central Park, attracting a large crowd. Buddy finds Santa, who explains that the sleigh has lost its engine and cannot fly without it, due to a shortage of Christmas spirit. Buddy finds the engine and is reunited with Walter and Michael. Walter apologizes to Buddy and accepts him as his son; Buddy then takes them to meet Santa. Michael takes Santa’s list and reads it in front of television news cameras gathered outside the park, proving that Santa is real. The Central Park Rangers, whom Santa had placed on the naughty list, chase the sleigh as Buddy tries to reattach the engine. Jovie leads the crowd in singing “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”, helping raise enough Christmas spirit to fully power the sleigh

The editors pick for a top Christmas movie is Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, as it is a classic for the holiday. This clay version of the movie tells the widely known story of Rudolph being bullied and not fitting in but saves the day with his red nose guiding Santa’s sleigh.

This holiday season, start the tradition of watching one of these festive films with your family.  Check the morning show and our website for updates about the season and events. Have a great Christmas and a happy New Year.