25 Best Christmas Films

20) HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

Director: Ron Howard

Actors: Jim Carrey, Molly Shannon, Taylor Momsen, 

Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Bill Irwin, Clint Howard

Year: 2000

Although he's quite frightening, Jim Carrey masterfully perfects the character of 'The Grinch'. It was hard to imagine how this film would turn out (going from a classic book to a classic cartoon to live action), but director Ron Howard pulled it off. And how he turned a Dr. Seuss book into a full-length movie is beyond me. It's a classic story and it's very enjoyable, so try and catch it this holiday season.

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Did You Know...

... Tom Hanks and Ron Howard became friends after Hanks had a role in an episode of "Happy Days". It wasn't that long after that Howard was looking to make "Splash" and cast Hanks in the lead role (he originally was going to give him a supporting role, but changed his mind). It has proven to be a strong friendship as evident by the multiple projects (including "Apollo 13", "The 'Burbs", and "The DaVinci Code") the two have worked on together.

Candid of the Week

Directors Ron Howard, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese,

Brian De Palma, Robert Zemeckis, and Francis Ford Coppola help George Lucas celebrate his 50th birthday.

Los Angeles, 2004

... and you thought your birthday parties were cool!

Ginger of the Week

I started off this category with one of my favorite gingers, Bryce Dallas Howard. The offspring of another famous red-head (former actor and current director/producer Ron Howard), she has been a breathe of fresh air in an industry full of bottle-blonds. With her star-making debut in M. Night Shyamalan's spooky "The Village", she made her mark (and managed to out-shine big names Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, and Sigourney Weaver). With a string of other hits (including "Lady in the Water", "Spiderman 3", "Terminator: Salvation", and now as the new 'Victoria' in the Twilight saga) beautiful Howard has shown that nepotism isn't the only reason she has become a success.

Flick of the Day

Film: WILLOW

Director: Ron Howard

Actors: Val Kilmer, Warwick Davis, Joanne Whalley, Jean Marsh, Billy Barty, Kevin Pollack, Patricia Hayes

Year: 1988

Synopsis: A man must protect a special baby from an evil sorceress Queen.

This fantasy flick, with surprisingly good special effects for the 80s, was a huge hit in it's day. It made a star out of a young Val Kilmer, who plays Mad Martigan, helped usher in Ron Howard as one of the leading directors, and kept producer George Lucas making lots of money.

10 Best TV Dads

10.) SHERIFF ANDY TAYLOR

Show: "The Andy Griffith Show"

Actor: Andy Griffith

Year(s): 1960-1968

In a time when the 'family sitcom' was, well, sappy, Andy Taylor managed to keep the smiles coming as the sheriff of a sleepy town and the father of one precocious little red-head (played by a very young Ron Howard). Always kind, Taylor showed that it just takes a little patience and warmth to raise a fine lad (Ron grew up to become a major Hollywood director, thanks in part to dear ol' dad).

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