Barstool Chicago Christmas Movie Draft Grades

The Chicago boys are back with another draft. This time they are joined by first time guest Fran from the Chicks in the Office podcast. This week they are drafting Christmas movies.

 Round 1 Pick 1 : Home Alone, Eddie

A very good first overall pick from Ed. I think most people have it as their number one. I could see picking Home Alone 2 first, but this is still a very good pick.

Grade: A+

 Round 1 Pick 2: Bad Santa, Dave

Honestly not an awful pick, but probably could've dropped to the second round. The movie is good but not worthy of a number two overall pick. Props to Dave for not pandering though.

Grade: B-

 Round 1 Pick 3: Home Alone 2, Chief

Huge miss from WSD to not take this second overall. I know he didn't take it for his own personal reasons, but Home Alone 1 and 2 are clear and obvious top two picks. Great pick from Chief. I would honestly argue Home Alone 2 might be better than the original. It is much more picturesque because Christmas in New York is beautiful.

Grade: A+

 Round 1 Pick 4: Christmas Vacation, Carl

Honestly another great pick. Christmas Vacation is probably the most quotable and relatable Christmas movie. Everyone can relate to the pains of the Holiday season whether it range from putting up the lights or overcooking the food, we've all been there before. A very good pick from Carl.

Grade: A

 Round 1 Pick 5: Elf, Fran

The first round was full of heavy hitters and Elf continues the trend. Fran mentioned that you can watch it as many times as you want and you'll still laugh at it, and this is very true, I laugh every time. It is right up there with Christmas Vacation as being one of the most quotable Christmas movies. Good pick at number five.

Grade: A

 Round 2 Pick 1: The Holiday, Fran

This is probably the first miss of the draft. It isn't really a bad movie, but probably could have been selected in later rounds. I think the movie is pretty good, but it is a little odd to see Jack Black in a slightly more serious role. I don't hate the movie but I don't love the pick.

Grade: C

 Round 2 Pick 2: It's a Wonderful Life, Carl

I'm gonna have a take that some people won't like. Can we stop saying It's a Wonderful life is a really good Christmas movie? It's ok, but it's quite boring. I think most people like it because it has a good message. In comparison to others it really isn't that good. I don't prefer it, but I think it will play well on the graphic.

Grade: B

 Round 2 Pick  3: A Christmas Story, Chief

Another classic off the board. I personally don't enjoy the film, but it could be because it is overplayed on Christmas Day. It has probably the most iconic quote in a Christmas movie with"you'll shoot your eye out". I think it is a decent pick, but better picks were still on the board.

Grade: B-

 Round 2 Pick  4: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Original Cartoon), Dave

I think was a pretty good pick. Nobody hates this movie, but it isn't really anyone's favorite. I think most people have fond memories of watching this in school the day before Christmas break. I think this probably could have fallen, but it isn't really a bad pick.

Grade: B-

 Round 2 Pick  5: The Santa Clause, Eddie

I'd say this is probably the steal of the draft. I think The Santa Clause is a pretty underrated movie. It is the perfect mix of funny and charming. I think most people enjoy it. It's the perfect TV movie, being one that you would watch if it comes on TV but probably wouldn't put it on yourself. It's a good pick especially for being at the end of the second round.

Grade: A-

 Round 3 Pick  1: Jingle All the Way, Eddie

This was also a very good pick. I think most parents have had to go through the struggle of trying to find the gift that everyone wants. It is also pretty funny and full of action. I think most people like this movie and it is underrated by most. Eddie's draft is starting to shape up nicely.

Grade: A

 Round 3 Pick  2: Die Hard, Dave

This was an absolute steal. Honestly, it probably could've been taken in the first round and nobody would've batted an eye. Why is the debate still even going on? Die hard is a Christmas movie. Period. This is one of the best picks in the whole draft.

Grade: A+

 Round 3 Pick  3: Polar Express, Chief

A very underrated pick from Chief right here. The Polar Express is an extremely good Christmas movie. Everyone wishes that, as a kid, they were selected to go one the Polar Express. The story is good, Tom Hanks is phenomenal, and the movie has an amazing sound track. Good pick Chief.

Grade: B+

 Round 3 Pick  4: Scrooged, Carl

Not the strongest pick from Carl right here. I don't think Scrooged really gets the name recognition some of these other movies have. It was a bit of a reach, but the movie itself isn't that bad.

Grade: C+

 Round 3 Pick  5: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Fran

A very good pick from Fran right here. I think everyone has very fond memories of A Charlie Brown Christmas. It is a great movie to watch with your family and Linus' speech about the meaning of Christmas is elite. Very good pick from Fran.

Grade: A-

 Round 4 Pick  1: How the Grinch Stole Christmas(Live Action), Fran

Pretty good pick again from Fran. This isn't many people's favorite Christmas movie, but it is pretty good. The worst part about this movie is probably just the weird aesthetic it has, but that is also part of the charm. I think it's a decent pick especially in the fourth round.

Grade: B

 Round 4 Pick  2: Love Actually, Carl

Kinda a pander pick from Carl here. I think Love Actually is one of the more forgettable Christmas movies, but it's not terrible. Adding a rom-com gives a nice range to Carl's set of movies. Not a bad pick.

Grade: B-

 Round 4 Pick  3: Miracle on 34th Street(1947), Chief

Pretty good pick from Chief. Everyone likes Miracle on 34th Street, and it has a lot of memorable moments. The worst part of the movie is it kinda seems like one long commercial for Macy's, but that's ok. The beard tug is iconic and this movie is a classic.

Grade: B

 Round 4 Pick  4: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Dave

A safe pick from Dave here. Of the old claymation movies, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is probably the best one. A few years ago it was trying to be canceled for bullying, what the fuck was up with that? I think those people have never finished the movie because everyone loves the kid that was bullied at the end. Nevertheless, I think a lot of people like to watch this movie.

Grade: B+

 Round 4 Pick  5: The Nightmare Before Christmas, Eddie

Full disclosure, I haven't seen this entire movie. But I've heard generally positive reviews about it. It seems pretty good and pretty funny, not a bad pick.

Grade: B

 Round 5 Pick  1: Frosty the Snowman, Eddie

A good pick from Eddie right here. Everyone loves this movie and it is also short, so you don't have to set aside a whole evening to watch it. I don't think anyone dislikes it. 

Grade: A-

 Round 5 Pick  2: Miracle of 34th Street (1994), Dave

Copycat Dave strikes for the second week in a row. This version of Miracle on 34th Street isn't nearly as good as the original one. However it was pretty cool that his friend was in it. A somewhat disappointing pick.

Grade: C

 Round 5 Pick  3: The Family Stone, Chief

Probably the biggest whiff of the draft. There was many more movies that were was better available. This movie also has absolutely zero name recognition, he might've done better forgoing his final pick. Sorry Burrata Gang, but Chief will not be winning this draft.

Grade: F

 Round 5 Pick  4: A Muppet Christmas Carol, Carl

Carl picked two very similar movies with this and Scrooged. It's not a terrible movie, but didn't help with variety. I don't love the movie but I don't dislike it, however I think some people that haven't seen it will be put off by the Muppets.

Grade: C-

 Round 5 Pick  5: Just Friends, Fran

A weak way to end the draft. There was probably some better movies still available. A true Mr. Irrelevant.

Grade: D+

My projected winner: Eddie

My Projected loser: Chief