Home Alone (1990)

For those of us who grew up in the 90s, Home Alone needs no introduction.  It was the film that launched Macaulay Culkin to superstar status, and has since been shown on television every Christmas to this day.  Also, Home Alone was responsible for the brief fad of kids carrying around pocket tape recorders, but that's really neither here nor there.
Home Alone tells the story of Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), the youngest of his large family, often ignored and bullied.  When Kevin's family leaves for a Paris vacation for the holiday season, Kevin is left behind and is forced to look after himself.  At first, Kevin has fun doing everything he's not supposed to do, but soon loneliness makes things scary for the eight year old.  Meanwhile, Kevin's family, realizing they've forgotten him, make efforts to return home on Christmas Eve.  It's at this point that Harry and Marv (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), a pair of two-bit burglars enter the picture.  When Kevin realizes they plan to break in and rob his house, he designs a set of elaborate traps to stop the bumbling thieves in their tracks.  The results are hilarious and heartwarming, making for an enduring Christmas classic.
Naturally, we all remember the crazy pranks and slapstick comedy of Home Alone.  What most don't remember is that it was written by John Hughes, the man responsible for such teen classics as Ferris Bueller's Day Off and The Breakfast Club.  This shows in the early scenes especially.  It's easy to imagine Kevin as a very young Ferris Bueller, even down to the creative mannequin usage.  As well, Kevin has a few amusingly grown up moments, such as buying groceries for himself and considering which toothbrush is right for him.  The John Hughes style is evident in the true story Home Alone tells.  When you strip away the comedy antics, Home Alone is a story about trust and kindness.  From almost the very beginning of the film, we are introduced to Kevin's salt shovelling neighbor Marley (Roberts Blossom), who he is irrationally terrified of.  As the film progresses, Kevin learns that he is actually friendly, and nobody to be afraid of, and is ultimately rewarded for taking that first step of trust.  This deftly handled emotional story is what sets Home Alone apart from other films like it, and it is because of the great writing of John Hughes.
Another thing many people forget about Home Alone is that its score was nominated for an Academy Award.  Composed by John Williams, the iconic music reminds the audience of Christmas, childhood fun, and even the fears of being alone as a young child.  If not for the impressive list of John Williams film scores, it's quite likely Home Alone would get more recognition for its music today.
The pure comedy that Stern and Pesci bring to the table added to the sharp performance of Macaulay Culkin make this film a winner from scene one.  The score and brilliant writing solidify these elements into one of the most memorable Christmas films of the past several decades.