By Kaylee Brewster | kbrewster@lmtribune.com
Click to see the > MOVIE MADNESS BRACKET
It sure is a wonderful life for the two finalists of Christmas Movie Madness.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” beat out “ A Christmas Story” 96 to 75 in one semifinal, and will go up against “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (1966) in the final. The "Grinch" edged out “Elf” by a single vote, 86-85, in the other semifinal matchup.
The Grinch was the No. 7 seed in the Santa Claus bracket and had a long fight to get to the finals. The easiest victory the mean one had was against “Polar Express,” 163-112. Then it was the Grinch versus the Griswolds, in which the Grinch barely knocked out “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” 52 to 51. The Grinch then turned to face the most famous reindeer of all in another close race but “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” got lost in the fog, falling behind with just 78 votes to the Grinch’s 86.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” was a No. 1 seed in the Kris Kringle bracket and has maintained its momentum throughout the competition. “Wonderful Life” easily took out the No. 16 seed “Bad Santa,” 237-40. “Wonderful Life” then faced Jim Carey’s take on Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” in a match up that led to a 74-29 defeat for that Grinch. “It’s a Wonderful Life” then faced off against a mischievous 8-year-old in “Home Alone” -- but Kevin McCallister had better luck defending his home against robbers than scaring off the unstoppable “Wonderful Life,” which triumphed 99-72.
For the finals, it will be Mount Crumpit versus Bedford Falls. Voting will be all the more important in this final round.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” has handily won every film it’s faced so far. However, the Grinch has proven a formidable foe who has managed to steal away victory in the final moments of competition. May the best man win. Voting is open today through Monday morning at inland360.com.
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