You'll Want To Lose This "Holiday Baggage"

Holiday Baggage (2008)

Rated PG

Starring Barry Bostwick, Cheryl Ladd, Julia Sobaski, Leah Wagner

Directed by Stephen Polk

The Story:

Pete (Bostwick) is ready to retire, settle down, and get married to the girl (literally, half his age at least...) of his dreams. Only problem, he's still married to Sarah (Ladd). When he presents the divorce papers to her, he has a stress related panic attack and ends up needing to spend the holidays with his estranged wife and daughters, none of whom want him there. Will he get what he's hoping for, or will he find that he's had what he really needed all along?

Who cares?

This movie sucked.

Now streaming on Netflix, I made it exactly 20 minutes in before I couldn't take it any longer.

Not funny enough for a comedy, not dramatic enough for a drama... terrible acting from the daughters...

I didn't care if they reconciled or not, I simply wanted them out of my life this holiday season.

Grade: F

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

A Holiday Lump of Coal... "Holiday Breakup"

Holiday Breakup (2016)

TV-14

Starring Manon Mathews, Shawn Roe, Katie Leclerc, Matt Riedy, Daniel Hugh Kelly, Diane Robin

Written and Directed by Temple Mathews

The Story:

Chloe (Mathews) and Jeff (Roe) are a couple that have just moved in together. Except, after a lecture by his dad, Jeff begins to realize how childish Chloe is always acting, and the two break up. However, with the holidays looming, they decide to just pretend to still be together to avoid all of the awkward pity parties that they might be forced to hear. Will the pretend love rekindle their lost love, or is their relationship forever doomed?

In case you think I love all Christmas movies equally, here's proof that I don't, and I apparently have some sort of filter on what I consider a good Christmas movie, and the ones I just don't like.

I've often said that most films that are made now have competent direction, decent acting and the only thing that truly can let a film down for me is a bad story.

This hits the trifecta.

First, the story is written and directed by the same guy. So the terrible dialogue and 1 dimensional characters are all his fault.

Then the acting is abysmal. Chloe's "childishness" is so overblown, it's a wonder that anyone likes her at all. Then Jeff is so preoccupied with having breakup sex, the two are just oil and water and not only do I want them to either get back together or stay apart, I need them to do it now.

My other usual complaint when I don't like a movie is that it had too long of a running time. Trim 15, 30, 45 minutes and the movie would be better.

Well conversely, this movie that clocks in under 90 minutes, the standard "perfect time" for a movie....

However it feels like you're enduring a 3 hour marathon.

If you'd like to see for yourself, the movie is currently streaming on Netflix.

Thankfully it was not a Netflix original, and maybe it will go away by next year.

:)

Final Grade: D-

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

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+

Tis The Season... "The Night Before"

The Night Before (2015)

Rated R

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie, Michael Shannon, Tracy Morgan, Jillian Bell, Lizzy Caplan, Miley Cyrus,

Directed by Jonathan Levine

The Story:

Ethan (Gordon-Levitt) lost his parents in a tragic accident at Christmas. 2 friends, Isaac (Rogen) and Chris (Mackie) supported him and spent those Christmas Eves with him trying to make him happy and move past the pain. As the boys grew older, their nightly excursions got wilder as they attempted to find the greatest Christmas party, ever! Always close, but never finding it, the guys are getting ready to call it quits because they're older now and need to move on. So it's one last night on the town, and things are about to get really crazy.

To explain this movie in any greater detail takes away some of the charm, or weirdness, that it has going for it.

There will be sex, drugs and rock and roll.

There's magic drugs.

Angels.

Tracy Morgan as Santa Claus.

Seth Rogen and James Franco sexting one another.

Miley Cyrus even shows up to attempt to save the day!

Yes, this film pretty much has it all, and then some.

They literally throw everything at the wall to see what sticks.

And there are enough genuinely funny moments to make this one worth a viewing.

Especially Rogen's drug-induced visit to a Catholic Midnight Mass where he realizes that the guy in the big Jewish sweater is to blame for the crucifixion. His freak out is worth the rental.

:)

Also, there's just enough heart under all the crudeness as Ethan realizes it's time to grow up, and that sometimes the best families aren't the families you're born into, but the family that you choose to build because you want them in your life and they want to be there with you.

Final Grade: C+

It's Great To Be "Hitched For The Holidays"

Hitched For The Holidays (2012)

TV-PG

Starring Joey Lawrence, Emily Hampshire, Marilu Henner, Serge Houde, Linda Darlow

Directed by Michael Scott

The Story:

Rob (Lawrence) promises his dying grandmother that he will bring the girl he's going to marry to see her before Christmas. Emily (Hampshire) is trying to get away from the boys that he mom is trying to set her up with over the holidays. They both turn to an online "Craigslist-Type-Service" and select each other to help get them through the holiday obligations with no strings attached.

And it's all going so well until they actually begin to fall for one another.

It's a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie that has been done before.

And I'm fairly certain it will be done again.

And again.

But that's okay, the premise works, and while not quite as great as previous takes on this story, including Lawrence's own My Fake Fiance or the underrated gem Holiday in Handcuffs, there is enough to the story and the characters to make for a pleasant 90 minutes this holiday season.

The most fun aspect is the Hanukkah vs. Catholic traditions between the two families, especially when they meet for dinner for the first time.

While this one won't likely become an annual tradition, it was enjoyable to see this year.

Final Grade: C+

Ho Ho Ho...Here We Go! "Jingle All The Way 2"

Jingle All The Way 2 (2014)

Rated PG

Starring Larry the Cable Guy, Santino Marelli, Brian Stepanek, Kennedi Clements,

Director: Alex Zamm

The Story:

Larry (the Cable Guy) is in a pickle this holiday season. His daughter Noel (Clements) won't tell him what she wants, but will mail her deepest desire to Santa. Larry has been watching her new step-dad (Stepanek) give her everything he never could, and it's eating him up. So perhaps opening just one little letter will give Larry the advantage he needs to win back his daughter's love.

A sequel in name only, since Larry replacing Schwarzenegger seems highly improbable, this direct to DVD offering isn't as bad as you might fear or suspect.

Of course, I was also no great fan of the original Jingle All The Way, so adjust your review reading accordingly.

If you're a fan or can at least tolerate Larry, then you're going to be able to sit through this film with little to no pain at all.

If you find Larry to be overdone and tiresome, then you're likely in for the longest night of your life.

Me?

I have no problems with Larry, he's funny, and he seems sincerely genuine as an affable goof with a good heart.

In a way, this sequel also outdoes the original because in the original, the kid really did want the toy.

In this one, the toy is wanted by the parents out of a misunderstanding.

It's cute, it's sweet and fun.

While I'm not going to rush out and buy it, I'll commend WWE Studios for snapping up the franchise and trying to do something with it.

If pressed to watch a Jingle All The Way during the holidays, I would opt for this one over the original.

Final Grade: C

Hopefully Santa Brought You Cool Stuff "While You Were Sleeping"

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

Rated PG

Starring Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Peter Boyle, Jack Warden

Directed by Jon Turteltaub

The Story:

Lucy (Bullock) works for the subway and every day she pines for mysterious stranger Peter (Gallagher). When she saves his life on the subway, a case of mistaken identity occurs when the nurse introduces Lucy to the family as Peter's fiancee. They are thrilled, and all of them love Lucy, except Jack (Pullman) who is a bit suspicious.  When Peter awakens, it appears he has some very specific amnesia concerning Lucy, but is willing to ignore it since apparently they are in love and are to be married.

I bet you can see where this one is headed, right?

And the truth is, you won't care because it's a fun, sweet story with a marvelous cast from start to finish.

The final Christmas movie to be reviewed this holiday season, While You Were Sleeping takes place between Christmas and New Years, so it's a great way to end the holidays.

It's also a minor part of the story, so you can really watch it any time of year.

This one used to be watched at least once a year, but then sort of fell off the radar over the last decade or so, and that's a shame.

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of this film, and it's high time you revisit it if it's been some time since you last saw it.

Available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: A-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Not sure if it will become an annual holiday tradition, but it's high time to watch it more often than every decade.

Reliving Christmas Eve Over And Over On The "12 Dates Of Christmas"

12 Dates of Christmas (2011)

TV PG

Starring Amy Smart, Mark-Paul Gosselaar

Directed by James Hayman

The Story:

Kate (Smart) is trying to get back with her ex-boyfriend on Christmas Eve. She ends up standing up a blind date with Miles (Gosselaar) in the attempts to win back the ex. Fate decides that perhaps Kate needs to try again, and so she is going to relive this date with Miles until she gets it right. Will she ever enjoy her Christmas, or is she doomed to forever be stuck on Christmas Eve?

Another of the many Lifetime/Hallmark/ABC Family plethora of holiday movies that have been produced to air on television for viewers.

This little romantic comedy has quickly become one of my recent favorites.

Yes, it is just like Groundhog Day in the repetition aspect, but that's okay because Groundhog Day is a great movie and if you're going to try and replicate the formula, make sure you do a good job of it.

And they do.

Smart and Gosselaar are great leads with enough chemistry that you are rooting for them to get together by the 12th Date.

Naturally, Kate spends her time learning new things to do, learning more about herself, and learning quite a bit about her friends, loved ones, and some passing acquaintances.

Needless to say, she decides as the Christmas Eve wears on, she needs to share her gifts of discovery and make the world a better place.

Great movie, lots of fun!

Available to stream on Netflix as of his writing.

Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I have yet to purchase it, but I've been lucky enough that it's been streaming on Netflix for the last 2 years.

May The Holidays Provide You A "Christmas Bounty"

Christmas Bounty (2013)

TV-PG

Starring Francia Raisa,  Mike "The Miz" Mizanin,

Directed by Gil Junger

The Story:

When elementary schoolteacher Tory Bell (Raisa) realizes a man she helped put in prison has been freed, she knows he is coming for revenge against her family because they are all bounty hunters. She heads back to Jersey and revisits her roots teaming with family and ex-boyfriend (The Miz) to bring their perp to justice. Will she be able to keep her secret life from her new boyfriend, or will her Jersey ways doom their relationship?

If you think the above sounds like a TV movie, congratulations, you've just discovered ABC Family's new Christmas movie entry from last year.

Like most of their offerings, there is nothing ground-breaking or earth-shattering to be had. However, they are always well done, well-acted, and usually very enjoyable.

This one is no exception.

Raisa does a great job leading the cast. Apparently she is an ABC Family alumni from their network, and she has the charisma to lead a movie with little problem. The Miz, taking a break from the WWE turns in a fun little performance. Like him or hate him, he knows what to do for the cameras.

While it won't jump up the list of "must-sees" every year, it's a fun diversion that allows for a movie that takes place during the holidays, but isn't really about Christmas.

Like Die Hard. :)

Available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing, and my be part of the ABC Family 25 Days of Christmas line-up in the last few days.

Final Grade: C+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I would be able to watch this one each year with little problem.

Wishing You "A Merry Friggin' Christmas"

A Merry Friggin' Christmas (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Joel McHale, Robin Williams, Lauren Graham, Clark Duke, Candice Bergen

Directed by Tristam Shapeero

The Story:

Boyd (McHale) is taking his family to spend the holidays with his estranged family. He doesn't want to because he and his father (Williams) don't exactly see eye-to-eye. In fact, Boyd has spent his entire life trying to overcompensate his Christmas traditions by being the father he never felt his dad was.

Another of Williams' final performances, this one is pretty fun.

A great cast, it feels like it could have been a tv movie, but that's not a huge surprise considering the pedigree of most of the cast and the director coming from a television background.

They throw a bit of the PG-13 language/innuendo in there to spice things up, but nothing horrible that keeps it from being enjoyed by the whole family.

It's a darker comedy than you expect from this holiday season, but not a terrible viewing experience.

My guess, this will grow on some and become a cult holiday classic as the years wear on.

I'm still on the fence, I enjoyed it enough, and I think I could come back for more, maybe just not in an annual dosage.

Final Grade: C+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: No purchase yet, but again, I could be persuaded to visit the Mitchler family.

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.

Words Of Wisdome From "A Madea Christmas"

A Madea Christmas (2013)

Rated PG-13

Starring Tyler Perry, Larry the Cable Guy, Chad Michael Murray, Tika Sumpter

Written and Directed by Tyler Perry

The Story:

Madea (Perry) has to drive a friends to visit her daughter for Christmas. In the town, they want to hold a Christmas celebration, but money is tight.  Of course, in a web of lies, it's only a matter of time until all of the truths are revealed. 

It is a similar Tyler Perry formula of hiding secrets from family and revelations at the end.

Wrapped up in a Christmas formula with the inclusion of Madea, you've got the makings of a comedy instead of a drama.

Adding Larry the Cable Guy actually brings more humor to the story and things actually pick up once his character arrives.

Of course, when you follow the formula, you know that a happy ending is destined to happen, but that's okay.

This ending fits well, and is satisfying.

If you've enjoyed the other Madea movies, you should have no problems with this one either.


Final Grade: C/C+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: This could be one to revisit next year, or down the road. We'll see.

I Finally Watched "Ernest Saves Christmas" ...

Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)

Rated PG

Starring Jim Varney, Douglas Seale, Noelle Parker, Oliver Clark

Directed by John Cherry

The Story:

Santa (Seale) comes to Florida to pass the mantle of Santa Claus on to a successor. He runs into cab driver Ernest P. Worrell (Varney) who has a heart of gold and the brains of a goldfish, but is willing to help the big guy complete his task before Christmas Eve.

Wow.

I had never seen any of the Ernest films until now.
I remember Varney's schtick from the 80s, and found his commercials (KnowWhatIMeanVern) hilarious.

Plus, he was a great Slinky Dog in the Toy Story franchise.

However, it was Ernest that made Varney a star, and earned him several movies.

8 Movies, if the tally on IMDB is to be believed.

8 movies??!! Wow...

I have now seen one of them, and the verdict is...

It wasn't that bad.

Varney was a commanding presence, and he was able to play other characters in this movie which showed the comedic range of the actor who was more than just Ernest.

There are some genuine laughs and funny moments, and odds are, if you liked this movie and have been making it a part of your holidays for the last 25 years, you have a soft spot in your heart for this one.

No rose-colored glasses for me, but I can see the appeal and enjoyment that this one can provide.


Available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: C+/B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: While I wouldn't own it, it was silly enough to view again in the future.

"The Christmas Candle" Will Light The Way To The Second Week Of December Christmas Reviews!

+

The Christmas Candle (2013)

Rated PG

Starring Hans Matheson, Samantha Barks, Susan Boyle, Lesley Manville, Sylvester McCoy

Directed by John Stephenson

The Story:

In the late 1800s, a new preacher (Matheson) comes to the English village of Gladbury. Legend has it that for years, an angel comes to the candlemaker's shop and bestows a Christmas Miracle on one candle. However, with the new preacher, the advent of electricity, and the confusion on which candle was blessed, will the time of miracles finally pass away?

This was a pretty good made for tv movie.
The problem, it wasn't made for tv, it was released in theaters, and it didn't do too well.

While it's not an instant classic, it's a decent enough tale to watch, but one that is rather slow and deliberate with the pacing as it sets up the finale.

So yes, great for the Hallmark Channel, Lifetime or ABC Family, not so great for $10 tickets at the multiplex.

When the candle is lost, the candlemakers let several people know, secretly, they had the miracle candle. Sometimes, faith is all you need and you make your own miracles.


Final Grade: C+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Wouldn't add it to the library, but one I could revisit in a few years if it's streaming.

Lump Of Coal Indeed... "The Legend of Frosty the Snowman"

The Legend of Frosty the Snowman (2005)

TV-G

Starring Burt Reynolds, Grey DeLisle, Bill Fagerbakke, Larry Miller,

Directed by Greg Sullivan

The Story:

Frosty (Fagerbakke) goes where he is needed most during the holiday season. When the town of Evergreen is experiencing a Christmas crisis, Frosty returns to remind them that the magic of Christmas is real. But is it too late?

Oh. My. Goodness.

Remember the classic, Frosty the Snowman?

Watch that instead.

Watch anything instead.

This one even makes the marginal Frosty Returns (with John Goodman) seem like a stellar Christmas production.

It's bad.

And, it's like 45 minutes long.

Or 3 hours, because that's what it felt like. 

They try to connect the show to the original by way of the magician.

The end almost, almost salvages anything from this wreck.

Of course, if your idea of a good time is watching a cartoon that sucks until the last 5 minutes when a desperate attempt to find a redeeming message and send us home happy, then here you go.

Plus, you get to hear Burt Reynolds warble the Frosty the Snowman song.

Welcome to a special level of hell.

:)

Available to stream on Netflix if you're inclined. You can rent it on Amazon for $7.99.

You could send me $5.00 for saving you the trouble and giving you almost an hour of your life back instead. 

Final Grade: D - raising it out of the "F" territory just for the attempt at the end, and the train wreck of Burt Reynolds totally out of place here.

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I'll stop celebrating Christmas long before I ever watch this again.