The Wedding Bells Ring..."A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding"

A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding (2018)

TV-PG

Starring Rose McIver, Ben Lamb, Alice Krige, Honor Kneafsey, Sarah Douglas, Theo Devaney, John Guerrasio,

Directed by John Schultz

The Story:

It's been a year since the events of A Christmas Prince. Amber (McIver) has been blogging away but now it's time to jet back to Aldovia for her Christmas Day wedding to King Richard (Lamb). However, the protocol of the proceedings and the palace's insistence on how the wedding, and Queen-to-be-Amber's life are to be run may end up killing the marriage long before the big day. However if that doesn't sound dramatic enough, there is also a financial crisis plaguing the kingdom and casting doubt on the King's effectiveness already!

I was pleasantly surprised to see a sequel to last year's Christmas hit, but apparently enough Netflix viewers watched to warrant a sequel.

Like most sequels, they don't quite live up to the bar established by the predecessor, and that too is the case here.

The falling in love angle is already done, the charming cast established, so now what?

Putting Amber's lifestyle in direct conflict with her expected behavior as a royal works, and then they give the financial crisis to affect the King and distract him from his bride to be and also provide an always timely look at the struggles of the people in the labor force.

The entire cast comes back except for Amber's dad (Guerrasio) who was recast and has a much larger role this time around. Even the treacherous Simon (Devaney) returns, but is it to be redeemed or to scheme while Aldovia is in turmoil?

All these questions and more will be answered, and now I sit back and wonder if A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby will be next year's sequel?


Final Grade: B-

Someday "A Christmas Prince" Will Come

A Christmas Prince (2017)

TV-PG

Starring Rose McIver, Ben Lamb, Alice Krige, Honor Kneafsey, Sarah Douglas, Theo Devaney, Daniel Fathers

Directed by Alex Zamm

The Story:

Amber (McIver) is a reporter that is stuck basically reworking every other reporter's stories so they work better. She lands the assignment to go to Aldovia to cover Crown Prince Richard's (Lamb) coronation or abdication of the throne. Using a case of mistaken identity, Amber infiltrates the castle staff to try and uncover the real story and get to the truth. However, her work may just undo everything in the process!

I'm not sure if this was Netflix's first original Christmas movie or not, but it was probably their most buzz-worthy title of last year.

I partially watched it last year, but was tapping around on my computer and not paying attention.

So this year, I did my due diligence and watched it from start to finish, no electronic devices anywhere around to distract me.

The results?

As I've said on other reviews this year and in reviews of Christmas Past, there is a very specific formula for these Hallmark/Lifetime/FreeForm Christmas movies. You get the right cast, a decent script and you'll nail it and create an instantly rewatchable comfort film that earns a replay every December going forward.

Netflix pretty much nailed it.

I didn't find it the "so bad it's good" category that earned a lot of the buzz last year. I enjoyed it for not taking itself too seriously and giving us the obvious checklist of what to expect.

A good cast, carried mostly by McIver (I almost didn't recognize her at first due to actually having color on her skin instead of her usual iZombie pale look!) that connects and shares a nice chemistry throughout.

All of the characters have a personality instead of just a cookie cutter background extra, and that is always appreciated.

You'll know how the movie ends long before it ever gets there, but again, that's comforting and enjoyable, especially this time of year.

I'm happy, and I'll be back to visit Aldovia again next holiday season.


Final Grade: B

Kurt Russell IS Santa Claus... "The Christmas Chronicles"

The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

TV-PG

Starring Kurt Russell, Judah Lewis, Darby Camp, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Oliver Hudson, Martin Roach, Lamorne Morris,

Directed by Clay Kaytis

The Story:

Kate and Teddy Pierce (Camp & Lewis) stay up late on Christmas Eve to catch Santa (Russell) in the act. However, when they stowaway on his sled, they inadvertently set off a chain of events that could have serious repercussions to Christmas.

Netflix's third (and final?) Christmas release for 2018 premiered on Thanksgiving Day and seems to have attained the status of instant classic from all the buzz that seems to surround it.

While the previous films played like a Hallmark/Lifetime cable movie, The Christmas Chronicles seemed to have the big budget feel of a film that could have been in theaters.

Looking back at similar stories on Santa needing help to save Christmas, we've had several hit theaters over the decades, so maybe that's it.

The greatest strength of this film is Kurt Russell.

There's no role he can't pull off, but until now, I don't think anyone ever thought, hey, wouldn't Kurt Russell make a great Santa Claus?

Someone did.

And it was nothing short of genius.

This isn't your typical ho ho ho nice Santa.

This Santa has that little extra Kurt Russell swagger that makes the film a real joy to watch, as Russell seems to be loving what he's doing onscreen.

You'll find yourself laughing one minute and crying the next.

:)

Plus Kurt gets a chance to channel one of his other greatest roles in the middle of this film as well.

Totally worth your time, and I'll probably give this one another spin later in the season, and it has definitely earned an annual replay.

Final Grade:

A-

Countdown to Christmas 2018: The Princess Switch

The Princess Switch (2018)

TV-PG

Starring Vanessa Hudgens, Sam Palladio, Nick Sagar, Alexa Adeosun

Directed by Mike Rohl

The Story:

Stacy (Hudgens) is entered and accepted into an annual Christmas baking competition in the European country of Belgravia. When she arrives, she bumps into Lady Margaret (Hudgens) and the two realize they must be related because the resemblance is striking. Lady Margaret so wants to live just a normal life so she concocts a scheme to swap places with Stacy for just 2 days, after all, what could possibly go wrong?

Netflix offered up their next holiday original the week before Thanksgiving.

Taking the successful Lifetime/Hallmark/Freeform/Disney formula and basically Parent Trapping Christmas, Hudgens steps into this Princess and the Pauper update and gets to play the spunky baker who years for something more and the shy princess who simply wants all the attention to go away.

Naturally with the 2 obvious love interests, a prince (Palladio) and a best friend zoner (Sagar) you can see exactly how the movie ends roughly 5 minutes after it starts.

But they wouldn't call these formula movies if the formula didn't work, right?

This one hits all the right notes and should be one that winds up in your annual Christmas movie viewings for years to come.

So far Netflix has been 2 for 2 this year, but their most ambitious Christmas offering is still to come!


Final Grade: 
B

Countdown To Christmas 2018: The Holiday Calendar

The Holiday Calendar (2018)

TV-PG

Starring Kat Graham, Quincy Brown, Ethan Peck, Ron Cephas Jones

Directed by Bradley Walsh

The Story:

Abby (Graham) is a struggling photographer who wants nothing more than to open her own studio. With the holidays fast approaching and her life in a bit of a spiral, Gramps (Jones) gives her Grandma's antique advent calendar. However, as each day reveals a new gift, that gift seems to come true in real life and it sends Abby down a path that could forever alter her future.

As someone who no longer has cable, I don't get the joy of watching FreeForm (Formerly ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas) where they saturated their airwaves with original and classic Christmas movies.

Nor do I have the luxury of Lifetime or Hallmark for a Christmas movie fix.

When I wrote up a list of Christmas movies that I do have access to, including what I own and what streaming services I have (Netflix & Amazon) I have over 130 choices...

So 25 Days of Christmas doesn't cut it at our house, and we start November 1st!!!

But as I said, I do have Netflix, and they carry a few of these offerings from Christmases past, they have started creating their own Christmas movies as well.

This year, they've introduced 3 (so far...) that I'm aware of, and The Holiday Calendar was the first of those 3.

Now the thing with Christmas movies you have to remember, is they often follow a very obvious pattern, but those of us that like Christmas movies usually don't care about that, it's a warm and comfortable feeling that makes you feel cozy while you watch it.

Or it's dreadful. :)

Thankfully, this wasn't dreadful. It was a lot of fun, and while you know how the film is going to end, you enjoy the trip that you're taking to get there.

So far so good, and this one will enter the ranks of the movies we will watch again each Christmas time.

Hoping Netflix continues this trend of yuletide offerings each year!

Final Grade: B

He Sees You When You're Sleeping..."Better Watch Out"

Better Watch Out (2017)

Rated R

Starring Olivia DeJonge, Levi Miller, Ed Oxenbould, Aleks Mikic, Dacre Montgomery, Virginia Madsen, Patrick Warburton

Directed by Chris Peckover

The Story:

Ashley (DeJonge) is coming over to babysit Luke (Miller) while his parents (Madsen & Warburton) go to a Christmas party. Luke has a serious crush on Ashley, and hopes to act on it that evening, but an apparent home invasion may dampen the mood and kill the Christmas spirit.

Sooo...

If you saw the trailer, and thought this is another entry in the horror comedy genre similar to the Netflix Original: The Babysitter and thought perhaps it's too similar of a concept, let me stop you right there.

That trailer gave away entirely too much of The Babysitter.

Better Watch Out played bait and switch, promising one movie, and delivering something much different.

While there were some amusing aspects and funny moments, Better Watch Out foregoes much of the comedy for a darker thriller that while you see much of what's coming, it's definitely not what was advertised.

Still, a fairly engaging film that keeps you guessing and second-guessing throughout until it's over, and then you still wonder if it's truly over.

For horror fans that like their Christmas horror soaked in blood, you will likely be disappointed as much of the violence is implied. Personally, that often works to the advantage for a film as the mind can often depict something so horrible, no special effects artist can even come close.

This likely won't become an annual Christmas tradition, but it might get added to the list of Halloween horror films. :)

Final Grade:  C+ / B-

Checking The Calendar... "Almost Christmas"

Almost Christmas (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Danny Glover, Gabrielle Union, Mo'Nique, Kimberly Elise, Romany Malco, J.B. Smoove, Jessie T. Usher, John Michael Higgins, Omar Epps

Written and Directed by David E. Talbert

The Story:

Walter (Glover) is the family patriarch, and all of his kids are coming home for Christmas. It's the first gathering of the entire family since their mother passed away. Naturally, each of the kids come home with their own life difficulties, but perhaps they can keep the drama to a minimum since it's...Almost Christmas.

Yeah, not likely.

Between 2 sisters that have never seen eye to eye (Union & Elise) a son that is running for office (Malco) regardless of how he might have to compromise his principles, or the aspiring pro athlete (Usher) who may or may not have an addiction problem, there is no shortage of issues among the kids.

Add in some spouses and children, and the household is full and the crazy level is rising with just days before the big event.

There's also some small character moments that bring real life to some of the crazy drama.

Thankfully, nothing is played too crazy; these could be real issues for real families.

It's sweet, sincere, honest and at times very touching.

The cast gels together and the chemistry keeps the family dynamic going.

You may have missed this one in theaters last year, but you've got a chance this upcoming holiday season to add this one to the list and see if it becomes a perennial holiday favorite in your home.

Final Grade: B

I Would Like A Different "Wish For Christmas"

Wish For Christmas (2016)  

Rated PG

Starring Anna Fricks, Joey Lawrence, Leigh-Allyn Baker, Bill Engvall,

Directed by John K.D. Graham

The Story:

Anna (Fricks) finds out that the Christmas dance at school has been moved to Christmas Eve. When she tells her parents (Lawrence & Baker), they tell her sorry, that's when they go to Christmas Eve service at church, and she won't be attending the dance. That night, she wishes that her parents didn't have such a strong faith in God. The next morning, her wish comes true. What begins as a cool dream come true for Anna, the scope of what she's done begins affecting more and more people in the community.

Just to be clear, don't confuse this one with A Wish For Christmas, A Christmas Wish, or The Christmas Wish.

This movie is completely different, I would assume, except for the whole making a wish, and it being Christmas time.

: )

Except I haven't seen any of those yet, and now I want to!

Much like I do every year, while watching our ever-growing list of holiday favorites over and over (and over!) again, I try and sample some of the new offerings, because you just never know when you'll find one that is good enough to add to the list.

Since I don't have cable, I don't get a chance to just turn on Hallmark, Lifetime or Free Form (formerly ABC Family) and get sucked in to their annual marathons of new films and old favorites.

This is probably a good thing.

: )

So I find new ones from Netflix and add them to the pile, and here we are.

Speaking of piles...

;)

It's not...bad...but it's far from good.

Anna is a spoiled brat, so it's really hard to sympathize with her at any point in the movie.

Her parents go from Bible-thumping to Bible-dumping overnight, literally, and the dialogue and interaction between the characters is less than stellar.

The script needed some overhauling, because aside from a strangely out-of-place Santa (Engvall) who exists for the sole reason to remind Anna that life isn't awesome for everyone in the world, most of the characters are one dimensional and hard for the audience to warm up to.

The ending seems forced, as does the reaction of the participants.

Unlike last year's attempts (Christmas Town, A Christmas Eve Miracle) however, I'm not going to put this one on the naughty list.

It's heart was in the right place, and the story could have been punched up and made much better.

Especially considering how talented at least half the cast has been in other things they've done.

Final Grade: C-

A Tale Of Two Kringles..."Miracle On 34th Street"

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Not Rated

Starring Edmund Gwynn, Maureen O'Hara, Natalie Wood, John Payne

Directed by

Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

Rated PG

Starring Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, Mara Wilson, Dylan McDermott, J. T. Walsh,

The Story:

Mrs. Walker runs the Thanksgiving Day parade for New York's biggest department store. When her Santa turns up drunk, a kindly gentlemen named Kris steps in and becomes Santa Claus. However, Mr. Kringle insists that he is the one and only Kris Kringle, and winds up in court defended by a lawyer who believes in Kris as much as he believes that he loves Mrs. Walker and her daughter, Susan.

Will he be able to pull off the biggest courtroom shocker of all-time?

That pretty much sums up both movies, though for some reason, they insisted on changing Fred Gailey (Payne) to Bryan Bedford (McDermott). Who knows, maybe someone complained that you can't use the name Gailey without offending people?

:)

So naturally, I'm a big fan of the original. I'd say I've seen it at least 20 times or so, it's one that gets played usually every other year or so at the house.

The remake?

I saw it yesterday for the first time.

Nowhere near as bad as I had feared.

Like Macy's, I really wanted nothing to do with this remake whatsoever.

But, it's streaming on Netflix, and Tis the Season and all that. :)

So I watched it, and I smiled at some of the jokes.

The best parts were those that were lifted nearly intact from the first film.

While Kris (Gwynn) doesn't sing in Dutch, Kris (Attenborough) does know sign language and communicates with a deaf girl.

Both are sentimental heart-string moments in their respective versions.

It seems like the updated version very much wanted to make it clear that Darcy (Perkins) and Bryan would date, fall in love, and get married.

Exploring their relationship more was a nice updated touch, but when she spurns him at the end of their date...

That's just a level of spite that makes Mrs. Walker seem utterly cold, and actually rather unlikable.

It seemed too much like this film had to get to the happy ending, and they were determined to make it happen, no matter what came in front of it.

There is no crisis of conscience like in the original when Mrs. Walker (O'Hara) thinks Santa is insane, then realizes her mistake and wants to do anything she can to help.

It's at that point that she truly begins to believe, and I don't feel it in the remake.

Likewise, with Susan (Wood / Wilson) you see her change of heart as the film moves on, until the end when she is heartbroken that Kris isn't Santa, and then elated when she realizes it's him.

The remake, Susan waffles in her emotion in nearly every scene, either looking depressed or elated, with very little range in between.

With both versions of the film, my favorite parts are the courtroom scenes. Both versions contain some great interplay among the characters, and both believable and fun ways in which, yes indeed, the law could very much confirm that Kringle is the real deal.

That said, it seems like they shorten up the newer courtroom scene and just confirm that Santa exists, and Kringle is him.

Oops.

Spoilers.

:)

The original did it in a much more inspired way, but it's hard to beat the original sometimes, so steering clear and trying something new isn't a bad option.

But this is one case where I'll stick with the original, every time.

Final Grades:

1947 - A

1994 - C+

Try To Avoid The "Holidays"

Holidays (2016)

Rated R

Starring A Whole Lot Of Actors

Directed by A Whole Lot of Directors

The Stories:

In about 15 minutes, you will get a scary tale centering on most of the holidays that make up a year.


I honestly don't know how to possibly review this one.

It's several 15 minute segments, some with more inspired dread than others, and then they all end.

BANG!

Usually with a jump scare at the end as if that were the payoff.

The problem....

Most of the films aren't that scary.

Or, if they are, the ending seemingly undoes any tension or goodwill that the movie might have earned along the way.

Plus, in 15 minutes, it's hard to care for any character so that when they get theirs at the end, or get away with murder or what have you, you have a general feeling of...

Meh.

Next holiday!

None of them are terrible to watch, and if you think of it as just watching a 15 minute short film, it goes by and then it goes by, and by, and by...

Then it's over and you've survived.

Uninspiring and flat spring to mind when I try and remember each of the segments.

Congratulations, you're the first film eligible for 2017 Turkey of the Year!

:)

Streaming on Netflix as of  this writing.

Final Grade: D+ 

Toony Tuesday: "Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed In At The House Of Mouse"

Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed In At The House Of Mouse (2001)

Starring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Just about everyone else

The Story:

Mickey's nightclub, The House of Mouse, suffers a snowstorm that will not let the toons go home. So while we wait for them to be dug out, enjoy 4 entertaining cartoons interspliced between the festivities.

For those that watched the House of Mouse on Disney, this is likely a must-have.

Me, I showed up to see if there were good toons in there somewhere.

There should be a happy medium for everyone involved.

There are 2 new toons: Donald being chased by a crack in the ice; Mickey and Minnie in the Nutcracker.

These are okay and can grow on you with repeated viewings.

Then there are 2 classics: Mickey's Christmas Tree where Chip & Dale get a ride home and are terrorized by Pluto, and Mickey's Christmas Carol wehre Scrooge McDuck gets the plum role of Ebeneezer Scrooge.

These are both stellar options from the Disney vaults. If only the snow battle between Donald and his nephews was included, this would be near-perfection.

This version of A Christmas Carol is my second favorite, trailing only the Muppets. 
Go figure, I prefer less than realistic versions of that one!

The scenes in the nightclub are hit or miss.

I do have to wonder though, why is Beauty back with The Beast? I mean, at the end of the movie, he got changed to a Prince. Hmmm...
Seems fishy!

Fun for the whole family, and not the worst toons you'll see this holiday season.

Available to stream currently on Netflix as of this writing. 

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: No purchase, I own the Disney classics, but I'll see them again next year.

What Could Have Been... "I Am Santa Claus"

I Am Santa Claus (2014)

Rated R

Starring Mick Foley, Russell Spice, Jim Stevenson, Santa Claus,

Directed by Tommy Avallone

The Story:

A year in the life of several bearded Santas. Share in their adventures as they count down to the biggest day of their lives, and learn why they do it, and keep the persona,  in many cases, all year round.

This one just seemed like a natural fit for me to watch.

Christmas.
Mick Foley.

What could possibly go wrong?

Well, for starters, this documentary presented by Morgan Spurlock rolls into town with an R rating.

So here comes my soapbox:

If you're going to do a documentary about several men who love to be Santa Claus, and they talk about the joy and special feeling to see a child's eyes light up when they talk to them...

Why, oh why, would you make an R rated documentary?

It's not even for the language, though one Santa goes on a profane (drunken) tirade.

No, it seems that it was to include a gay Santa who likes to pose for men and a mentioned just enough to ensure they got an R rating,  President of the Santa Association who is a known swinger.

:: sigh ::

So I'm stuck with a documentary about how cool it is to dress up as Santa to make kids happy, and I can't show it to kids.

Brilliant marketing.

: /

For the most part though, the lives of the Santas are all interesting enough, and Mick Foley is always entertaining.

I would have liked to have enjoyed it more than I did.

I would recommend the superior Becoming Santa documentary instead for the whole family.


Ah well...

Available for streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: C/C+ range

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Once was plenty.

This Is Not A Very "Happy Christmas"

Happy Christmas (2014)

Rated R

Starring Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey, Mark Webber, Lena Dunham

Written and Directed by Joe Swanberg

The Story:

Jenny (Kendrick) is going through a break-up, so she moves in with her sister (Lynskey) and her family.  Dramatic or comedic things are said to ensue.

Welcome to my first, least favorite movie of 2015!

There was no humor.
There was no intrigue for the dramatic.

About the only thing the movie had going for it was a grainy feel and titles that made this movie feel like a 70s production.

I'm not exactly sure that's a compliment.

I made it just a shade over 16 minutes before I clicked it off and looked for something better.

I was being generous, I had lost interest in the movie long before that.

Available to stream instantly on Netflix if you'd rather judge for yourself.

Final Grade: F

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: This lump of coal is the perfect gift for that Scrooge you know.

Only 100 Days Left Until "Pete's Christmas" !!

Pete's Christmas (2013)

Rated PG

Starring Zachary Gordon, Molly Parker, Rick Roberts, Bruce Dern

Directed by Peter Ganatra

The Story:

Poor Pete (Gordon). He awakens on Christmas Day and discovers that his parents (Parker and Roberts) forgot to get him anything for Christmas. Naturally, the day for this middle child just gets worse and worse.  At the end of the day, his grandpa (Dern) gives him an empty box and tells him that he's supposed to figure out why it's so special.  Then Pete wakes up to relive this terrible Christmas Day over, and over, and over...

Is it too soon for Christmas movies? I vote nonsense! It's never too soon! :)

However, Pete's Christmas started off a bit slow and I was leaning towards pulling it out and shipping it back unfinished.  I hadn't bothered reading the plot, just saw "hey, a new Christmas movie" and thought why not?

So naturally, all of the bad things keep piling onto Pete.

But that's where this movie actually kicked things up a notch.

Other films start off strong and get weaker as they limp to the end.

This one started off slow, but built and then finished strong.

Filled with some good actors, everything plays out nicely as Pete learns that the only way to make Christmas stop, is to learn that there is more to Christmas than just getting (or not getting) a gift.

Eventually he learns, and yes, he even figures out what the mysterious empty box is all about.

Very sweet after all.


Final Grade: C+/B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Probably not.  My honey is not a big fan of the Groundhog Day type of films, and I have to choose those wisely.  Maybe in a few years. :)

Holiday Weekend Movie Review..."All Is Bright"

All Is Bright (2013)

Rated R for language

Starring Paul Giamatti, Paul Rudd

Directed by Phil Morrison

The Story:

Dennis (Giamatti) is finally out on parole.  He's heading home for Christmas, and discovers that his wife has told their daughter that he died of cancer.  She's ready to move on with Rene (Rudd).  Rene and Dennis plan to head into New York and sell Christmas trees to make some money, and Dennis hopes to buy a piano for his daughter for Christmas.

This is not a comedy.
It was billed as a comedy, but it is not.

It is a drama.

It's not a very good drama, either.

Actually, it's just not that great of a movie.

Very slow.

No, slower than that.

I think I made it 15 or 20 minutes before I hit 1.5x speed on the PS3.

It didn't help.

I wound up watching it at 10x.... sure there's not any volume, but at this point, I really didn't care.

If you're interested, he ends up stealing a piano for his daughter for Christmas.

A total waste of the talents of the Two Pauls.

Bah, humbug.

Final Grade: D

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: None whatsoever.

You Know Their Music...Now Learn Their Names. "20 Feet From Stardom"

20 Feet From Stardom (2013)
Rated PG-13 for language

Starring Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Bruce Springsteen, Sting

The Story:

As the title states, 20 feet from the lead singer, these backup singers are what provided much of the hook for the music of the 60s and 70s.  Odds are, you already know the songs, and like Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer Darlene Love, you know the voices.  You just don't know the names to the ladies in question.  Or, as we'll learn, many times their vocals were sent out under different names entirely.

It's a fascinating  look at the ladies who became stars in their own right, even if the public never knew who they were.

Darlene Love, whose biggest solo hit, Christmas(Baby Please Come Home) is revisited every year on The Late Show with David Letterman is indeed the most famous of all the singers, but by no means is she the only talented backup singer profiled in this documentary.

Again, while the majority of this documentary looks back at the powerful vocalists who helped define the sounds of the 60s and 70s, there are still background singers today, backing some of the biggest acts.

They just aren't as prolific as they once were.

Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen and Sting, among others, extol the virtues of these ladies and how important to the work and sound they truly are.

Sheryl Crow, herself a former backup singer offers some insight as well, as possibly one of the most famous backups to make the long 20 foot walk to the center of the stage.

An amazing soundtrack to a really good movie.

Now streaming on Netflix if you're interested.

Final Grade: Solid B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I don't think I would need to own it, but would have no problem watching this very well made documentary again.

The Twelve Reviews of Christmas...Day Six: "White Christmas"

A remake and changing  of a previous film that gets it right the second time.

The Story:

At the close of World War II, Capt. Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) is entertaining the troops under the command of General Waverly (Dean Jagger) who is getting ready to be shipped home.  When the enemy attacks, Wallace is saved by Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) who will use the injury that he sustains to turn Wallace's successful stateside career as a singer into a dynamic entertainment duo that takes the nation by storm.  A decade passes, and the boys find the Haynes Sisters, Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy (Vera-Ellen) at a nightclub event, and Judy and Phil conspire to get Bob and Betty to fall in love, with the ulterior motive that they will get more freedom if their partners are romantically entangled.  The next thing you know, the quartet is heading to a gig at an inn in Vermont, owned and operated by none other than General Waverly!  However, a balmy winter season threatens to shut down the place.  Will there be a Christmas miracle to keep the place operational?

Bet on it!

First the obvious, yes, this film is very, very similar to the Bing Crosby led Holiday Inn. 

However, where that inn opened only for the holidays and had specific song and dance routines based around those holidays, Holiday Inn focuses on Wallace and Davis rehearsing their show at the inn to pump some money into the General's pockets to keep the place open.

Better still, the partnership between Crosby and Kaye is just that, a partnership.  In Holiday Inn, Fred Astaire was a jerk.  Any time Crosby found a girl, Astaire tried to steal her.  Some friend.

So if you're going to choose one for the holidays, it should be this one.  The other encompasses all the holidays, whereas this one ends at Christmas with a wonderful closing number of the title song.

Speaking of songs, yes, this is a musical.  There is singing and dancing.

So if you hate that, you'll want to avoid the movie most likely.

However, as this is a classical musical comedy, the ratio of dialogue/plot to song & dance is very good.  There are stretches of movie before a song breaks out, and many times the songs simply help the narrative of the film, so it's all good.

All of the songs were written by Irving Berlin, and Crosby, Kaye and the ladies do an exceptional job with his body of work.

Plus, I dare you not to get a little emotional at the end of the film when the boys spring their surprise on the General.


Directed by Michael Curtiz, who directed a slew of Hollywood's best films of all time, including The Adventures of Robin Hood and Casablanca.

This one?

Better than those.

: )

Currently streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Amazingly, with cable broadcasts and streaming on Netflix, I still as yet have to purchase this film.  Maybe next year when it celebrates its 60th Anniversary?

The Twelve Reviews of Christmas...Day Five: "A Holiday For Love"

You can go home again...

The Story:

Jacob (Tim Matheson) is sent by his company to his hometown of Athens, Nebraska, to determine who to lay off and who to keep at the local tractor factory.  He arrives in the town pretending to need to make a larger order of tractors, and runs into Emma (Melissa Gilbert) and her daughter, Noelle (Michelle Trachtenberg) who take him in.  Emma just so happens to work at the factory, and is dating the local sheriff (Travis Tritt).  Naturally the two become interested in one another, but when Emma learns why Jacob is really there, will their budding romance survive... and will the small town that relies on the factory?

From 1996, I'm not sure if this was a Hallmark movie or a Lifetime movie, but I caught it sometime between one of those channels.

And I liked it.  A lot.

There is romance.  There is drama.  Plus a touch of humor throughout the film to keep things light.

It's also the struggle for a man to return to his hometown where he lost a lot of his childhood, including his father who walked out on the family when Jacob was very young.

However, Christmas is a season of miracles, and maybe...

Just maybe...

With the help of the townspeople...

Jacob is going to come up with a plan that works for the company AND the town.

He'll save the day.  Get the girl.  Live happily ever after.

I'm good with that!

It is available on the ABC Family website: http://abcfamily.go.com/movies
If you don't already own it or haven't seen it in some time.

Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  Every year around the holidays, and yes, I enjoyed it so much I did track down a DVD of it and it's mine, all mine!

The Twelve Reviews of Christmas...Day Three: "Angels Sing"

Life is what you make of it.

The Story:

Michael (Harry Connick Jr.) hates Christmas.  His wife (Connie Britton) and son (Chandler Canterbury) don't share his disdain, but deal with it.  When he was little, Michael's brother died in an accident trying to save Michael.  He blames himself, and has hated Christmas ever since.  His father (Kris Kristofferson) always told him it wasn't his fault, but Michael never believed him.

When Michael stumbles across a house being sold by Nick (Willie Nelson), the two strike up a deal that seems entirely too good to be true.  All that Michael has to do, is keep up the standards that the neighborhood lives up to.  When it turns out that his house is the key centerpiece in an annual holiday lights that people travel the globe to see, it seems that the Grinch is going to steal everyone's Christmas.

Ah, but fate has one more cruel trick up her sleeve that will maybe, finally, open Michael's eyes to the real reason behind Christmas celebrations, and why he has to accept that sometimes, accidents happen.

Wow.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this film.  I'd never heard of it before, and to my knowledge this is the first year it's been released.  Not on Lifetime, ABC Family or the Hallmark Channel.

Saw it was coming out on Netflix last week, put it at the top of the queue, and well, now here we are.

:)

Needless to say, yes, a movie that has Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and Harry Connick Jr. (and Lyle Lovett... among others...) in it:

There will be singing.

But, it is not a musical if that's what you're worried about.

The singing comes naturally, most often in the form of caroling by friends or family.

The message about accidents is a powerful one, and one that Michael doesn't realize until it's far too late.

He felt that he was always to blame for his brother's death but never once did he consider who shouldered a greater burden than he ever could.

My advice?

Bring a tissue to this one, you might find it will sneak up on you and you're going to need one.

Plus, I really want the snowman decoration in the film!!

Final Grade: Solid B  Could possibly push it even higher.

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  It's a deceptive crowd-pleaser with a bit of a sad overtone, but ultimately uplifting message.  I'm a fan, and I think I'll make sure it's in the library by this time next year.

The Twelve Reviews of Christmas...Day Two: "Extreme Christmas Trees"

It's Christmas...

To the Extreme!

The Story:

In 2011, The Learning Channel created a special showcasing some of the biggest, most elaborate Christmas trees around the globe.

They showcase the largest indoor tree in a private residence at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina.

There's the 35 foot tall lobster trap tree in Maine.

An upside down 3 story tree inside of a 2 story house in England.

A 10 foot charity cake tree.

And many, many more!

No history of trees or anything noteworthy about Christmas.

It's simply straight up, one extreme tree after another.

It's available to stream instantly on Netflix if you are so inclined.  Apparently it should also be airing on TLC on the 21st of December if you'd like to go that route.

Some segments, and trees, are better than others.  That said, there is not a lot of time spent on any particular segment, so they'll all zip by fast enough to not bore you.

Hopefully.

:)

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  No reason to purchase it.  I might stream it again in a few years on Netflix, or watch it again on TLC.  I don't think it will go into annual rotation though.