A very, merry Netflix Instant View Christmas
You've already burned through multiple viewings of "It's a Wonderful Life," and "Ernest Saves Christmas" still sits with a "very long wait" in your Netflix queue. Luckily, the bandwidth-sucking empire also offers several holiday streaming options to tide us all over until Dec. 25. Get these yuletide offerings in your Instant Queue today.
Movies
A Christmas Carol (1984)
One of a billion adaptations of the Charles Dickens classic, this George C. Scott version is the streaming pick (unless you adore the "All Dogs Go to Heaven" franchise, in which case there's the "All Dogs Christmas Carol."
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Santa Claus
The long-running comedy franchise lampoons this bizarre 1959 movie about Santa Claus battling the evil El Diablo. The MST3K edition of "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians," sadly, is only available on disc.
A Christmas Tale (2008)
For the art house crowd, this acclaimed French-language drama concerns a dysfunctional family coming together for the holidays.
Meet John Doe (1941)
Lesser-known Frank Capra drama centers on a journalist who cooks up a hoax concerning a hobo (Gary Cooper) planning to commit suicide at City Hall on Christmas Eve.
For The Kids
Rugrats Season 2: Episode 14: The Santa Experience
A particularly solid entry from the '90s Nickelodeon cartoon series, with Tommy Pickles and friends trying to thwart an intrusive Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Basically an amped-up rehash of the 1990 hit, Macaulay Culkin still provides adorable antics as he foils robbers Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. Not as good as the original film, but available instantly!
Television Picks
The Office
Steve Carell's obnoxious middle manager Michael Scott sours employee morale even more than usual around the holidays. "Office" Christmas specials are typically extra-stuffed with laughs, and they don't require much knowledge of season arcs. The following are all available under each season listing:
Season 2: Episode 10: Christmas Party
Season 3: A Benihana Christmas
Season 5: Episode 11: Moroccan Christmas
Season 6: Episode 13: Secret Santa
Christmas Time in South Park
This set collects seven episodes from various seasons of the raunchy Comedy Central series. Guest stars include some disturbing Woodland Critters, Charlie Manson and Mr. Hanky, the Christmas Poo. Definitely NOT for the kids.
Specials
Hollywood Christmas
A collection of various scenes from beloved holiday movies, including rare films that aren't even available on DVD, let alone Instant Viewing. Jane Seymour hosts the program, which isn't nearly as annoying as it sounds. It also provides the best bits from "White Christmas" and other classics. Just turn it off when Jane gets to "Jingle All the Way."
Ticket Stubs is sponsored by the Hayden Cinema 6 Theater. Read more film reviews and pop culture commentary at www.NormdogEntertainment.com. Tyler Wilson can be reached at twilson@cdapress.com.