Grab some stuffing and get comfortable, because instead of watching traditional American football this Thanksgiving, get together and have a movie marathon.
“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”
This time-honored production features the iconic Peanuts gang. Aired in 1973, Charlie Brown is supposed to go over to his grandmother’s house for Thanksgiving, but faces a dilemma when his friend Peppermint Patty invites herself and others over to his house for dinner.
“Pieces of April”
With Katie Holmes as April Burns, this flick was shot with low quality cameras and ventures far from the realm of a traditional Thanksgiving movie. With a dying mother, snooty sister, camera obsessed brother and conflicted father, April’s family views her as the “first pancake that was supposed to be thrown out.” She attempts to patch things up by inviting her family over to her apartment for Thanksgiving dinner but problems arise when she realizes that her oven is broken. This film is different from the rest in that it is more emotional and realistic and portrays a dysfunctional and broken family. It conveys the powerful message, “love changes you.”
“Planes, Trains and Automobiles”
This motion picture grabs the audience’s attention from the get go with its star studded cast. The movie follows the mishaps of Neil Page (John Candy) and Del Griffith (Steve Martin). The characters could not be more incompatible, with Neil as intolerant as Del is obnoxious. They are stuck traveling together across many states, in order to get home in time for Thanksgiving. The movie has a typical “Man vs. Technology” theme but also with hilarious twists that keep the plot interesting. The film provides great entertainment, but be warned, it does contain profuse swearing.