Sesame Street: A Sesame Street Christmas Carol
Dir: Victor DiNapoli, Ken Diego, Emily Squires
2006
**
2006's Sesame Street: A Sesame Street Christmas Carol is basically a re-hash of old and far superior sketches from Christmas specials from yesteryear. With added, and quite horrible, CGI. This is the Sesame Street Muppet's at their worst. Actually it's not fair to say that, it's not the Muppet's fault, it's just the humans in charge of them have lost their way somewhat. Thankfully they have been much better since 2006 and seem to have learnt their lessons since this pretty sad state of affairs. Well, almost, the less said about Lady gaga and the Muppets' Holiday spectacular, the better. I do love that Bert & Ernie sketch though, they can repeat that every year as far as I'm concerned.

I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story
Dir: Dave LaMattina, Chad N. Walker
2015
***
There is no bigger Muppet/Sesame Street fan than myself, so it is fair to say that my expectations were high and that enthusiasm for all things Muppet would help me see past any misgivings the film may bring up. All that I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story really needed to do was emulate the brilliant Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey, swapping Kevin Clash's life for Caroll Spinney's, both men being equally interesting. That is essentially what the audience and fans wanted. Instead, Dave LaMattina and Chad N. Walker jump straight into an awkwardly personal account of Spinney's childhood, including abusive father, homophobia (even though he isn't gay) and suicidal thoughts, including one close attempt. Important aspects of Spinney's life but often a little too personal for this style of documentary. At times it is more like being a fly on the wall during a counselling session rather than an interview. The structure of the film doesn't work at all, it's almost like a spoof of a cliche but it clearly isn't meant to be. The sickly depressing soundtrack seems intentional in trying to send out an overpowering and unnecessary instruction to the audience to feel sad, now, even though there isn't anything to feel particularly sad about. There are plenty of interesting things about Spinney but both LaMattina and Walker don't seem to be interested. It is woefully amateur film making. However, there is plenty of unseen archive footage to enjoy, interviews with the original Sesame Street team and plenty of Big Bird to enjoy. I wish just wish they'd stuck to the facts and I wish they'd elaborated on some of the lesser known elements of the man and the character, like the fact that Big Bird was supposed to be on the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986 for example. The film gets even stranger when it touches on the story of a brutal murder that happened in Spinney's garden which turns into a surreal story of forgiveness and friendship. It's odd and way over-baked. The film ends with a sort of 'Now we wait for Spinney to die' conclusion, which I didn't like. I guess the interviewees got to see the final cut before release, I'm not sure I would have given it my blessing personally but there was enough Sesame Street history for me to enjoy.

The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland
Dir: Gary Halvorson
1999
***
It's no secret that I'm a huge Muppet/Jim Henson/Sesame Street fan so I obviously liked 
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland but it's obvious to see that the powers that be at Sesame Street offices didn't see the need to spend too much money on it. It's not the best Sesame Street film but it does have all my favourite Muppet performers in it plus the old favourite Sesame humans too. The songs are pretty good too and quite frankly, how can you not have anything but love for little Elmo? Just give the little guy a bigger budget next time.

Big Bird in Japan
Dir: Jon Stone
1989
***
I love Big Bird, it's so nice to see that Carroll Spinney has continued to perform for all these years and long may he continue. Big Bird in Japan is a little odd at times but if you love Big Bird/Sesame Street/The Muppets as much as I do you will forgive the questionable storyline, the weird Bamboo lady and the unintentional racism. Hats off to Brian Muehl as well, how he controls Barkley and stays on all fours for so long is beyond me. It's may not be as memorable as Big Bird in China but it's a must for fans.

Elmo Saves Christmas
Dir: Emily Squires
1996
***
Elmo Saves Christmas is probably the best post Jim Henson Sesame Street Christmas special up until that point and probably still the best as everything since has been of a slightly lesser quality. Things have got better in recent years though but the guests aren't as good as they were before, you can't beat the old school Sesame crowd and Jim Henson and still very much missed as is Frank Oz who retired around this time. Still, Christmas isn't the same without the Sesame Street special.

Elmo's Christmas Countdown
Dir: Gary Halvorson
2007
***
This is another of a long tradition of Sesame Street Christmas specials, the season wouldn't be the same without them and as always some of it is good and some of it isn't so much. It's worth watching for the Steve Schirripa and Tony Sirico Bert & Ernies sketch and the bizarre (and I mean bizarre) Jamie Foxx music number. Ben Stiller also makes quite a convincing Muppet.

Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
Dir: Jon Stone
1978
*****
Once you get past the Ice-skating bit whereby the Sesame Street characters are actually people dressed as the puppets, Christmas Eve on Sesame Street is pure Sesame Street gold. I'm talking old school Sesame Street though. Everyone has their versions of perfect Christmas viewing, generally based on their childhood Christmas viewing and this is it for me. Pure nostalgia that really gets me in the mood for Christmas and makes me feel all warm and tingly inside. The Burt & Ernie story gets me ever time.

Big Bird in China
Dir: Jon Stone
1983
****
Caroll Spinney is great and I still can't work out how he and Brian Muehl (Barkley) make the characters come to life. The Monkey King was pretty annoying but this early 80's introduction into China was pretty groundbreaking stuff back then and really good for kids. I love everything Henson/Muppet/Sesame Street, so I obviously loved it.