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

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.