Want to get into a “Christmas-y” mood? Here are some ways to do it–alone or with family and friends– courtesy of the silver screen…
- “Best.Christmas.Ever!”: Extreme Fun November 26, 2023
by Noella Noelophile®
Best. Christmas. Ever! (L to R) Heather Graham as Charlotte, Brandy Norwood as Jackie in Best. Christmas. Ever! (Photo © 2023.Scott Everett White/Netflix, and used with permission.)
Who hasn’t received one of those Christmas letters and felt resoundingly “average”?
Netflix‘s new seasonal offering, “Best. Christmas. Ever!”, takes that phenomenon and has a great time with it.
After a year’s hiatus, Jackie Jennings (Brandy Norwood) is sending out her annual missive to her “fellow earth-dwellers”. Her ten-year-old daughter has just been accepted to Harvard, her son is providing water to underprivileged African communities, she just sold her company for a sum that landed her on the front page of a business publication, her husband is master of a karate dojo, and in charge of the town’s Christmas pageant…
…and her college friend, Charlotte Sanders (Heather Graham) has had enough.
Best. Christmas. Ever! Heather Graham as Charlotte in Best. Christmas. Ever! (Photo
©2023. Scott Everett White/Netflix, and used with permission.)Reading Jackie’s latest edition of “The Jennings Family Newsletter”, Charlotte takes stock of her life.
A frustrated inventor, her ideas never quite catch on. Her workdays involve troubleshooting an exploding vacuum cleaner at a faltering company, Startech. Her husband Rob (Jason Biggs) is a likable dreamer who’s going to make big money investing in real estate…someday.
Then there are her children.
Older son Grant (Wyatt Hunt) thinks he’s a ninja warrior and has no friends, with the exception of an ugly stuffed toy named “Monkey Bob”. He also has an unparalleled natural talent for getting into trouble.
Younger daughter Dora (Abby Vilasmil) is convinced she must have some kind of superpowers. She’s going about crossing each off the list–with the latest discovery being her inability to fly.
(Royalty-free image by TizzleBDizzle from Pixabay)
Meanwhile, in Jackie’s world, all seems to be “splendiferous”…
“I would love to show up at her house uninvited and see the actual truth,” an annoyed Charlotte comments to Grant.
With a little help as a “Christmas gift” from her well-meaning son, that’s exactly what happens.
Best. Christmas. Ever! (L to R) Jason Biggs as Rob, Wyatt Hunt as Grant, Heather Graham as Charlotte in Best. Christmas. Ever! (Photo © 2023., Scott Everett White/Netflix and used with permission.)
Jackie welcomes the family with open arms, insisting they stay for Christmas. Immediately, Charlotte embarks on a quest to prove Jackie’s Christmas letters works of fiction.
Much to her consternation, she keeps discovering the opposite.
Worse, a spark still seems to exist between Jackie and Rob, who has admitted that she was his “first college girlfriend” and that they used to sing together in a band. Much snooping ensues, from Charlotte–and she thinks she’s caught her husband up to something…
Perfection to the extreme
(Royalty-free image by
Anastasia Lavrinovich from Pixaba.)My favorite aspect of “Best.Christmas.Ever!” is the fun it has with the idea of “over-the-top perfect” at Christmastime.
Jackie’s house isn’t just huge and palatial. It’s decorated to the point that a Manhattan department store’s Christmas displays would seems dowdy, by comparison!
(In an email interview provided by Netflix, director Mary Lambert comments that production designer Diane Millet “had her hands full on this movie. …All the locations had to be STUFFED with Christmas decorations.”)
Then, there’s Jackie’s hunky husband Valentino (Matt Cedeno), who greets their guests at breakfast with Latin charm and fresh-squeezed orange juice. And ten-year-old, matter-of-fact genius Beatrix (Madison Skye Validum), who mentions to Charlotte that she’s read, and found some errors in, the latter’s dissertation.
Best. Christmas. Ever! (L to R) Heather Graham as Charlotte, Brandy Norwood as Jackie, Madison Validum as Beatrix in Best. Christmas. Ever! (Photo © 2023, Scott Everett White/Netflix and used with permission.)
And, of course, Jackie whips up custom pancakes for their guests–each shaped and decorated to match what she knows about the recipient. Rob gets a crown-shaped pancake.
“My king of rock and roll!” comments Jackie warmly.
Brandy Norwood’s Jackie is joyful, upbeat and capable of weathering any circumstances while still looking photo-shoot ready.
Best. Christmas. Ever! (L to R) Brandy Norwood as Jackie, Nadia Sine as Rose in Best. Christmas. Ever! (Photo © 2023., Scott Everett White/Netflix, and used with permission.).
Several scenes later, when the Christmas pageant rehearsal threatens to disintegrate into chaos, she takes the stage for a very intimate-sounding (and Grammy-worthy) duet of “Let It Snow” with Rob–to a beaming Valentino’s pride and Charlotte’s consternation.
This is one of my personal favorite scenes of “Best. Christmas. Ever!”, showcasing Brandy’s breathtaking voice while staying true to the “superwoman” storyline.
Another fun aspect? Grant and new friend Beatrix debate the authenticity of Santa Claus. They begin a “research study”–and with her rational thought processes and his gift for creating havoc, the results are predictably hilarious.
Best. Christmas. Ever! (L to R) Jason Biggs as Rob, Abby Villasmil as Dora, Heather Graham as Charlotte, Brandy Norwood as Jackie, Madison Skye Validum as Beatrix, Matt Cedeño as Valentino, Wyatt Hunt as Grant in Best. Christmas. Ever! (Photo © 2023. Scott Everett White/Netflix, and used with permission.)
What isn’t predictable here, is a twist, at the end, that gets hinted at early on. While we know we’ll discover something isn’t perfect in Jackie’s world, there’s also an element you may not see coming. It’s about a Christmas star, and fits in with the movie’s central themes of friendship and belief–and that’s all I’m going to say.
Like most Christmas movies, “Best.Christmas.Ever!” does have a number of suspend-disbelief moments.
Best. Christmas. Ever! (L to R) Heather Graham as Charlotte, Brandy Norwood as Jackie in Best. Christmas. Ever!(Photo © 2023. Scott Everett White/Netflix, and used with permission.)
The only ones that really struck me: Jackie’s relentless hospitality and good cheer, in the face of Charlotte’s less-than-gracious actions. Were a guest to poke into every corner and cranny, once we’ve opened our home to them, most of us would cheerfully show them the door!
Then there’s the “research” Beatrix and Grant conduct. If genius Beatrix can accurately predict a business’s future collapse from her observations, would she really be fooled by…but no, I won’t ruin it. And after all, she is ten, and wants to believe, which can cause anyone, ten or older, to ask fewer questions and just enjoy the moment.
Best. Christmas. Ever! (L to R) Wyatt Hunt as Grant, Madison Skye Validum as Beatrix, Abby Villasmil as Dora, Jason Biggs as Rob in Best. Christmas. Ever! (Photo © 2023. Scott Everett White/Netflix, and used with permission.)
All in all, “Best.Christmas.Ever!” is a lot of fun and a movie I’d recommend, for the close of your Thanksgiving weekend–or any time this Christmas season.
Continue reading → - Truth–Less “Glossy” Than Fiction? October 23, 2023
by Noella Noelophile®
You’ve received at least one of those Christmas letters.
The annual mass-printed bragfests that go something like this:
“George accepted a professorship at Cambridge last spring. My second novel has spent six weeks on the bestseller list. Sylvie’s startup was featured on a national talk show, while Bill graduated summa cum laude in June. A highlight of our year was a three-week summer visit to the French Riviera. We plan to spend Christmas season skiing in Aspen…”
Clearly, Netflix has had some experience with them too.
That’s why I’m looking forward to their new movie, Best.Christmas.Ever!, scheduled for release on November 16th.
I’ll publish a full review once I’ve seen it. But doesn’t this sound like a great comedy?
(Royalty-free image by Alexander Fox/Planet Fox from Pixabay.)
Netflix’s synopsis: every year, Charlotte receives a Christmas newsletter from her old college friend, Jackie. As Charlotte deals with the life of a “mere mortal”, Jackie’s missives appear to paint the picture of a life as perfect as the inside of a snow globe.
But then…the unexpected happens.
Suddenly, Charlotte and her family find themselves on Jackie’s doorstep, just days before Christmas. And Charlotte sees an opportunity: can she prove to herself that Jackie’s life isn’t as “sparkly” as her press?
Heather Graham, Brandy, Jason Biggs and Matt Cedeño star in this one, and you can bet I’m going to break out the popcorn and get back to you with a full report.
Best.Christmas.Ever! releases at 12:00 am, Pacific time, Thursday, November 16th on Netflix.
Continue reading → - “Scrooge” for the 21st Century December 11, 2022
by Noella Noelophile®
(Royalty-free image by Mariya Muschard from Pixabay.)
Very honestly, I didn’t expect to like Netflix’ 2022 version of Scrooge: A Christmas Carol.
Much less love it.
But by the time this reimagined animated version, scripted by the late Oscar-winning composer, playwright and lyricist Leslie Bricusse, introduced Old Fezziwig, I was as won over as the original “Bah, humbug” utterer himself.
The strengths of the film are both in its storytelling and the new kinds of “music” it introduces.
Leslie Bricusse has explored areas which other versions of the Charles Dickens classic tend to ignore: the backstory.
(Royalty-free image by Diana Parkhouse from Pixabay.)
Why did Scrooge leave Old Fezziwig’s employ? What, in his past, finally convinced Belle to break their engagement? And what is an average workday like for the mean old miser, when he isn’t in his counting house? All of these get explored in this new version of Charles Dickens’ classic story.
The new “music”? Animation effects.
While incorporating 3D animation effects which were not possible, even twenty years ago, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol never gets lost in its own special effects. The production team appears to have had a lot of fun, re-imagining the story with new characterizations. Especially fun is the ghost of Past, a shapeshifting candle, as well as the herd of sprites that accompany Present. Plus, there’s the graveyard scene–with a gooseflesh-raising climax that fits right into the action while using 2022 technology.
(Royalty-free image by Ylanite Koppens from Pixabay.)
And one of the movie’s best funny lines occurs when Scrooge balks at accompanying the second ghost on a look at Christmas present.
“But we did a whole song and everything!” the ghost protests.
Speaking of which–the songs. You’ll recognize several of them from the 1970 Scrooge film, starring Albert Finney. And with good reason–most of those were also written by Leslie Bricusse, whose other compositions include “Pure Imagination” from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Incorporated into this new animated retelling, these songs not only have held up over the past fifty years (wow, doesn’t seem possible!)–they shine. There are also some new ones, which are highly enjoyable and fit perfectly with the spirit (spirits?) of the film.
In addition, the cast, including the guests at Scrooge’s nephew’s party, is now multicultural–a gentle reminder that our society is richer due to being composed of people from all over the world.
(Royalty-free image by Дарья Яковлева from Pixabay.)
And there’s also a great addition to the story, about which I’d always wondered when seeing the 1970 Scrooge. I won’t ruin it here! Suffice it to say that character’s reactions–including Scrooge’s–are completely believable during the climax scene in the graveyard.
Now, what elements of Scrooge: A Christmas Carol took some getting used to, for me?
Well, for one thing, the Scrooge character is handsome and distinguished–though every bit as mean as Dickens’ original. Which is a real departure from most portrayals.
So is the fact that in this particular film, Scrooge has a pet. A dog, Prudence, left to him by his late partner, Marley–and he’s actually kind to her.
(Royalty-free image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay.)
Perhaps what I missed the most, though, is the moment between Scrooge and his nephew when the miser declines yet another Christmas invitation. In the original, Scrooge demands to know why his nephew got married–and is flummoxed by the simple answer, “I fell in love.” Having that moment in this version of Scrooge would have been fun.
But, all of those are minor quibbles that don’t even rate a “3” on the “Bah, humbug” scale. Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is a clever and fun update which may just interest the next generation in reading Dickens’ original.
There’s also a heartwarming dedication at the end to Leslie Bricusse, who passed away unexpectedly in 2021. Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, along with his earlier musical works that have brought joy to innumerable movie viewers, is the final chapter in his legacy.
Continue reading → - “Love Hard” Easy to Love December 9, 2021
by Noella Noelophile®
Uh-oh. “Catfish” for Christmas!
And not the swimming kind.
That’s the premise of Netflix’s new Christmas movie, “Love Hard”, a good-time romantic comedy with some take-your-breath-away-gorgeous Christmas settings.
As in many comedies, plausibility doesn’t figure largely in the story line. But that’s a “Scroogey” consideration–this is about having fun!
At the start of the film, single protagonist Natalie Bauer (Nina Dobrow) is navigating the dating waters in L.A.
That pretty much sums it up, right there.
Royalty-free image by David Mark from Pixabay Her search for The One on dating apps produces predictable results. Natalie gathers a major following in the digital publication for which she works, as she regularly updates readers on her latest romantic disasters.
But then…as she scrolls through a dating app for the nth time…
…A man who could put any Greek god to shame, stares back at her. And she’s smitten.
After a flurry of texts back and forth to “Josh Lin”, who lives in New York, Natalie is determined to pursue her own “happy ending”.
Accordingly, she boards a plane for the East Coast, set to surprise Josh for Christmas. But Natalie gets the surprise–she’s been catfished! Josh Lin turns out to be a shorter, endearingly-nerdy guy, living with his parents. Josh (Jimmy O. Yang) confesses to using his friend, Tag’s, photo so he can get hits on his dating profile.
Royalty-free image by Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay When a furious Natalie storms out of the Lin house, Josh hurries after her to offer a deal: if she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend over the Christmas holidays, he’ll introduce her to Tag. He’ll even serve as matchmaker!
Of course, Natalie accepts, embarking on the mission of becoming Tag’s “ideal woman”. Under Josh’s tutelage, she sets out to learn Tag’s interests, and to make all of them hers.
For all its lightheartedness, “Love Hard” hits some real-life moments of honesty, dead center. Family dynamics, particularly as they relate to the youngest child, are on display at the Lin family Christmas gathering. There’s the loving and indulgent Grandma June (Althea Kaye), and the “can-do-no-wrong” older brother, Owen (Harry Shum, Jr.), as well as the parents who seem thrilled to see their younger son show up with an alleged romantic interest. Anyone who’s been the youngest child will relate to the way the family perceives Josh–as a work in progress! At Natalie’s introduction as Josh’s girlfriend, golden-guy Owen exclaims, “It’s a Christmas miracle!”
Royalty-free image by Peggychoucair from Pixabay There are also the all-too-familiar scenes in which Natalie does her best to fit into Tag’s world. “Seriously, girl?” is something you may find yourself thinking, more than once! Suffice it to say that Natalie is completely nonathletic, while Tag (played with “I-know-I’m-an-alpha-male-but-I’m-still-nice” coolness by Darren Barnett) could be the Original Outdoorsman. Her attitude of, “Oh, I got this” is hilarious but recognizable. (Who hasn’t confused becoming your best self, with trying desperately to be something you’re not–with or without a rude awakening?)
And I found myself wanting to wave a hand in front of Natalie’s face! Josh is cute and funny, while Tag is simply, as commented on in the movie, “smoking hot”. Of course we know where this is headed, as Josh and Natalie’s friendship grows to the point that she helps him re-take his profile pictures. But getting there is the fun that doesn’t always happen in real life.
Royalty-free image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay One stand-out-wonderful scene occurs when Josh takes Natalie’s advice on dealing with his family. He follows her instructions all too well! I won’t ruin it by saying more, except that Grandma June’s warm and believable reaction hits just the right notes.
There are also the breathtaking sets that made me want to decorate our house just like the Lins’. The Christmas lights shining through the snow (OK, as a Southern California transplant I can pass on the “snow“ part!) and the festive decorations add to the overall Christmas-gift feeling of “Love Hard”.
Grab the popcorn and settle in–“Love Hard” is a sled ride to enjoy, at Christmastime or any time.
Continue reading → - A Movie to Make Christmas Last December 26, 2020
by Noella Noelophile®
(Royalty-free image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay.)
That’s it? Already?
No, not really.
December 25th may be over. But Christmas, technically, continues until Twelfth Night–January 6th.
With that in mind, here is a Netflix movie we found a lot of fun, for this Christmas season: Christmas Inheritance.
While this isn’t a new film (according to Netflix’s webpage, it was released in 2017) it was new to me, this year. And it’s a good time, with fun performances by a cast who clearly enjoyed crafting their interpretations of a familiar theme.
(Royalty-free image by Robert Jones from Pixabay.)
In the opening scenes, Manhattan corporate heiress Ellen Langford (Eliza Taylor) “has everything”: a fancy apartment, a handsome fiance, Gray (Michael Xavier) and hopes of helming Home and Hearth, the gift business her father and his partner have built from the ground up, upon her dad’s retirement. She also has a sense of fun and considerable intelligence.
What she lacks, though, are leadership skills. Ellen has never had to take initiative or work to earn anything–and it shows.
After her antics during a Christmas fundraiser–a great scene which establishes her likability and sporting nature–her father, Jim (Neil Crone) seriously questions her ability to take over at Home and Hearth. To his mind, his pampered and irresponsible daughter just isn’t CEO material.
However, he does give her a chance to redeem herself. Yearly, Jim sends a Christmas letter to his partner Zeke.
This year, he tells Ellen, if she will hand-deliver the letter, he just might reconsider.
Ellen is onboard and she sets off to catch her–wait, her what?
(Royalty-free image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay.)
Bus. To the ultimate small town: Snow Falls, which looks like any number of upstate New York towns.
And the catch: Jim confiscates Ellen’s credit cards and sends her off with just $20 in her pocket. She will have to manage on her own initiative, for the first time in her life. Plus, she’s to travel incognito.
Her adventures, from there, are what make the journey fun. Starting with her search for the bus’s “stewardess”, after boarding.
(Royalty-free image by Ioannis Ioannidis from Pixabay.)
Predictably, when Ellen arrives in Snow Falls, the bus station is sneeze-and-you’ll-miss-it small. The weather is less than welcoming (appropriately, the snow is falling). And the town has one cab, driven by local Jake Collins (Jake Lacy), a man-of-all-trades who also manages Snow Falls Guest House Inn–which is Ellen’s destination.
As in the tradition of romances, Ellen cannot stand Jake on sight. She just wants to deliver that letter and get the heck out of Snow Falls. But Zeke isn’t around, Jake has no idea where he’s gone or when he’ll be back, and Ellen must adapt to her new surroundings.
(Royalty-free image by Jae Rue from Pixabay.)
Gradually, her annoyance at being “stuck” in the small town gives way to interest and exploration. Gradually, she and Jake find common ground. And Ellen’s natural skills and creativity begin to come to the fore, as she begins to grow in her unfamiliar environment, just before Christmas.
A favorite performance, from this particular movie, comes from Andie MacDowell, who shines as warmhearted and knowledgeable Debbie Collins, proprietor of Debbie’s Diner. The scene where Ellen tries to fake her way through Christmas baking is great. However, my all-time favorite sequence comes shortly thereafter–as Ellen comes into her own, using her people skills and powers of persuasion to benefit the local Christmas fundraiser. The music for this particular sequence is classic–and no, I won’t ruin it by saying anything more!
Grab the popcorn and check out Christmas Inheritance; it’s likely to leave you feeling “Christmasy”, whether today is December 26th or sometime in mid-April.
Continue reading → - Her (Snowy) Road Less Traveled December 15, 2020
by Noella Noelophile®
(Royalty-free image by anncapictures from Pixabay.)
What if you were college-age–and your family had already mapped out your life?
What if those plans included an arranged marriage, and taking over the family business?
Now, just to complicate things–what if your dad is Santa Claus? That “family business” is his whole North Pole enterprise–and your “intended” is Jack Frost’s son? Worse, what if you’ve never even met that son–because you’ve been “promised”, since childhood, in what amounts to a business merger?
That’s the premise of “Santa Girl”, from Netflix. And the cast and crew manage to have a lot of fun pulling it off, while treating viewers to a great Christmas romp.
(Royalty-free image by Larry White from Pixabay.)
At the start of the movie, Cassie Claus (Jennifer Stone) is far less than enchanted with the path set out for her. She wants to experience the “real world”.
When she secretly applies to college and is accepted, she must convince her father, now a dour and jaded Santa (Barry Bostwick), that she needs this one small concession before she accedes to his wishes.
Dad agrees, under two conditions.
First, Cassie must fulfill her part of the bargain after one semester. And second (to her chagrin), she must be chaperoned by her endearingly-annoying personal elf, Pep (McKayla Witt).
Cassie isn’t thrilled with the second condition, but accepts it. And off she goes, to her new on-campus adventure.
Not surprisingly, complications arise.
(Royalty-free image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay.)
She doesn’t fit in with her fellow students. Her calculus class proves daunting. An attractive young undergraduate, JR (Joshua Cody) strikes up a friendship with her, despite Pep’s warnings–and is not what he seems.
And Cassie feels more than a shiver of attraction to fellow student Sam (Devon Werkheiser) when he sets up regular calculus tutoring sessions. Although the feeling is mutual, Cassie is mindful of her engagement–and her promise to her father.
But her fiancee’s father–Jack Frost himself (Hank Stone) isn’t so sure. Wanting to cement the merger between his family and Santa’s enterprise, he shows up on-campus and takes steps to protect his investment.
Meanwhile, December is coming ever closer.
What makes Santa Girl fun is the humor and imagination with which the story is told. (Who would ever have envisioned an elf as a dedicated career woman?) Cassie exhibits an almost-impossible predilection for sweets (an early scene where Pep brings her her breakfast, is classic!), which is believable, given her genetics.
(Royalty-free image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay.)
Barry Bostwick, as a widowed Santa, gives the less-than-jolly old saint a human perspective: wanting, and believing he knows, what is best for his only daughter. And he proudly boasts, at one point, of the “reindeer power” in his top-of-the-line, Christmas-red sports car.
In addition, the movie is a visual treat. The holiday-ball scene gleams like the sparkliest gold ornament. Jack Frost’s chilling makeup, with his dead-blue eyes, fits the character perfectly. And then there’s Santa’s fantasy castle, which I personally found reminiscent of Neuschwanstein and which provides a great metaphor for the established and impenetrable traditions which Cassie’s future is meant to uphold.
I’ll do no spoilers, but expect a twist in what otherwise might have been a predictable movie climax.
And a side note, which was a lot of fun: the beautiful college campus, in which the action is set, is more than a setting. It’s Shenandoah University, which, according to the university’s website, co-produced Santa Girl and involved 62 students in the project, in a first-of-its kind collaboration!
“Santa Girl”, co-produced by Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, is available now on Netflix.
Continue reading → - A New Christmas Classic December 9, 2020
by Noella Noelophile®
(Royalty-free image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay.)
Some of the best handcrafted gifts are made with loving attention to detail. They also carry a sense that creating them was fun.
And that’s exactly what Netflix’s Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is–a handcrafted gift of a Christmas musical.
It opens with a young girl’s sense of wonder and magic.
That theme carries through with nontraditional characters, warmhearted spectacle and top-notch performances with a lot of inspiration.
(Royalty-free image by Anastasia538 from Pixabay.)
The plotline is a familiar one: love and redemption at Christmastime. But the all-Black principal cast takes the audience on a new journey, through the world of Jeronicus Jangle, inventor extraordinaire.
When we first meet him, Jeronicus is at the top of his game. He designs incredible new toys, every Christmas, that evoke a sense of wonder. His customers can’t wait to see what he’ll invent next. And between loving his work and loving his wife and daughter, who support his efforts, his life is a happy one.
But ambition and envy emerge, in the form of Gustafson, an apprentice who wants to be Jeronicus but can’t quite manage to do so.
Keegan-Michael Key, as Gustafson, gives his character dimension normally lacking in traditional Christmas-movie villains. Gustafson’s ambition and pride lead him astray in a more true-to-life fashion than a stereotypical “bad guy'” perspective. He isn’t just “bad” because the script says so–we see him wrestle with his aspirations versus his better nature. But ultimately, he makes the wrong choice.
And the results shatter Jeronicus’ life. Now, no one can reach through his self-isolation and depression–or can they?
(Royalty-free image by bluartpapeleria from Pixabay.)
Set in a largely fantasy-Victorian setting, Jingle Jangle is a visual treat. Unexpected touches show up everywhere.
The storybook which the grandmother opens, operates with magical gears and contraptions. Jeronicus’ lab and emporium is whirring with spectacular creations. At several points in the story, equations and formula appear in lights, communicating the excitement of research and new ideas.
Even the sparkly red gown which Phylicia Rashad’s warm and nonconventional grandmother character wears, is out of the ordinary. (At first, this costume choice seems surprising. A sequinned outfit to read her grandchildren a Christmas story? But by the end of the movie, the costume seems perfect for her character. I won’t do a “spoiler” by explaining why!)
(Royalty-free image by Gerhard G. from Pixabay.)
I particularly loved the strong female characters . Jeronicus’ young granddaughter, Journey (newcomer Madalen Mills), displays engineering talents and critical-thinking skills that may very well inspire young girls to think, “wow, I can do that too!” Phylicia Rashad’s grandmother is the forward-thinking, encouraging grandparent who could launch any child towards achieving their dreams. And Lisa Davina Phillips’ Ms. Johnston knows what she wants, and isn’t shy about saying so.
The music? A variety of moods and styles, well-fitted to each character. Young Jeronicus (Justin Cornwell) sings an uptempo R&B number as he showcases his new creation. Ms. Johnston belts out a bluesy number as she makes an unsuccessful play for Jeronicus’ affection, and Anika Noni Rose, as Jeronicus’ estranged daughter Jessica, sings a hopeful and poignant ballad that may well leave a lump in your throat.
Favorite moments, for me, included the scene where a despondent older Jeronicus (Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker) does his best to protect his now-pawnshop from Ms. Johnston and her singing, dancing trio; Ricky Martin’s superegotistical “Don Juan” doll’s preening musical number; and, of course, the robot, “Buddy 3000” and his actions at the film’s climas.
Five (Christmas) stars and a candy cane to this one!
“Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” is a new original movie by David E. Talbert, available now on Netflix.
Continue reading → - A “Spirited” Christmas Movie December 28, 2018
by Noella Noelophile®
Didn’t get quite enough Christmas yet? How about a Christmas movie tonight?
Here’s one we really liked, from 2015, available on Netflix.
The Spirit of Christmas is, admittedly, a romance. But it’s saved from predictability by the fact that it’s also a mystery. There’s also a hilarious breakup scene at the very beginning-and I won’t ruin it by telling you anything further.
Add to that a major plus: one of the “stars” of the film is a glorious, real-life New England historic inn. I want to see it “in person” next Christmas–or maybe in a less snowy season.
The plot? In the days of Prohibition, handsome young Daniel Forsythe is heading back to his New England home, and his fiancee, for a Christmas Eve party. Just outside the Hollygrove Inn, which he co-owns, he meets a sudden, untimely death at the hands of an unseen assailant.
Fast forward to the present day. Kate Jordan, a rising star at her legal firm, expects a promotion. Her supervisor assures her the promotion is hers–if she can broker the sale of the Hollygrove Inn, in a timely manner. There are just two problems. One: a “timely manner” would mean getting it appraised and sold within the next three weeks.
The second problem? Well–Kate’s just about to meet him.
Daniel’s ghost haunts the Hollygrove, scaring away both prospective buyers and the appraiser who was to have worked with Kate on the sale.
In the best tradition of romances, Daniel and Kate initially despise each other. He accuses her of “trespassing”, while she, in her turn, reminds him that his day is long past.
But they eventually begin a dialogue, and Daniel tells Kate that he is “cursed” to return to the inn every Christmas. For twelve days every year, he becomes a solid-flesh human being. However, he has no idea why the curse exists. Why twelve days? Why Christmas? And who is responsible for his untimely end?
So Daniel and Kate broker a deal. If she can solve the mystery of his murder, he will leave. The curse will be broken, the Hollygrove Inn will, in all probability, sell, and Kate will start the New Year in the position she’s been craving.
But Christmas is working its magic…
Besides the fun of the supernatural mystery and the “how” of getting to where we’re going in the story, a definite high point is the beauty of the snow-covered, Christmasy landscape and the vintage decorations inside the inn.
The inn in question? A Google search reveals it to be the real-life Victorian landmark Proctor Mansion Inn, in Wrentham, Massachusetts. And, yes, here is the link to more information about the filming of The Spirit of Christmas, complete with photos. And while they don’t promise you a ghost–at Christmas or any other time–they do accept lodging reservations and host weddings and special events.
Meanwhile, for this evening or weekend, you may just want to brew some hot chocolate, grab the popcorn and check out The Spirit of Christmas on Netflix. After all, there’s always room for more Christmas spirit–or spirits, as the case may be.
Continue reading → - A Christmas-Movie Confection November 7, 2018
by Noella Noelophile®
One Christmas, my grandmother made the most incredible cookies.Snowy, glistening meringues, with sparkly red-and-green sugar on top. They melted in your mouth, leaving a light, sweet taste.
Somehow, those come to mind, as a perfect metaphor for the Christmas movie we saw last night: “Christmas With A View”, on Netflix.
I know, I know. I grumble all the time about “rushing the season”. But this one is just fun.
The plot: protagonist Clara Garrison has recently returned from a failed restaurant venture in Chicago. She’s superb at managing a restaurant, and dreams of having a second shot at running “her own place” in the future. Meanwhile, she’s managing The Summit, an upscale ski-resort restaurant, for chillingly-slick owner Hugh Peters.
Into the mix comes newly-crowned “celebrity chef” Shane Roarke, fresh from his win on a reality-show chef competition. Hugh announces, to his gathered staff, that he has hired Shane as The Summit’s new chef.
Female staff members swoon, as Shane’s recent media coverage has led to his title as “the most eligible bachelor” around. But no one realizes that a personal quest has brought Shane to the area–and he isn’t telling…
Shane and Clara have instant chemistry–but. Hugh, spotlighting Clara as his star employee, involves her in a special project–but.Meanwhile, Clara’s mom, Lydia, glows over her star turn in a popular magazine, with her latest artisanal gingerbread house. Clara’s best friend, Bonnie, eavesdrops shamelessly and blurts out comments reminiscent of an eager thirteen-year-old. Clara’s mentors, Jackie and Frank Haven, welcome Shane to their local restaurant as he continues on his mission. And Christmas is coming…
Is “Christmas With a View” destined to be a Christmas classic? Probably not, but it’s a good time. Its scenario is as predictable as a chocolate-chip cookie recipe, but the characterizations and humor involved make “getting there” fun.
Vivica A. Fox’s Lydia is warm, savvy and ambitious. (I especially liked seeing an “older” character with some goals and aspirations, as all too few are represented!) Kristen Kurnik gives depth to Bonnie, who is lovable and loyal, with her “goofy” side just one facet of her personality. (She also has one of the best lines of the movie, when she exclaims, “Everybody’s happy–that sucks!” to a morose Clara.) Jess Walton and Patrick Duffy are believable and touching as the long-married couple, Jackie and Frank, who still have the “spark” between them.
And the two giddy groupies, both named “Janice”, are hilarious! The breakfast scene, where they corner Shane and he tries politely to extricate himself, is great.
Admittedly, “Christmas With a View” includes a couple of scenes that stretch credibility. (For example, would your mom smile and wish you a “good time” if you left her on Christmas Eve to go have a drink with your friend at a local bar?) But suspending disbelief, it’s a ride to be enjoyed–including the funny “reality-show” moment with a volatile fellow-chef competitor, and a wonderful “secret mission” sequence which I won’t ruin by going into detail.
Suffice it to say, make some hot chocolate, perhaps grab some tissues (what Christmas movie doesn’t have a lump-in-the-throat scene?) and consider seeing “Christmas With a View” with someone you love.
Continue reading → - Noelophile™’s Favorite Classic Christmas Movies December 25, 2013
OK, you already know all about It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street. Want to see some other great classic Christmas movies? You might like:
“Holiday Inn”, with Bing Crosby
A fun evocation of Christmas the way it probably never was, in the 1940’s!
Sure, you’re going to have to suspend disbelief (would the two main-character vaudevillians really want a permanent relationship with a woman that fickle? And even if they did, and one of them “won” her, would the trio still be even on speaking terms? Here, they all seem to remain great friends throughout!).
But, after all, it is a Christmas fantasy–and the plot line gives ol’ Bing a great lead-in to sing that all-time, warmly-imagined Christmas classic–with a Christmas tree to help him out!
“Christmas in Connecticut”, with Barbara Stanwyck.
As a good feminist, my first reaction to this one is, “Thank goodness things have changed!”
This classic 1945 “oh-what-a-tangled-web-we-weave” comedy manages to be a lot of fun, though.
Let’s see if I can keep all the subterfuge straight here. A hospitalized veteran is on strict orders–no solid food. To get a thick steak, he turns on the charm for a nurse–who begins hearing wedding bells in the distance.
Meanwhile, a single and completely undomestic magazine columnist passes herself off, every month, as “Mrs. Lane”, the go-to authority on cooking and home economics. Then, fate throws veteran and columnist together–at a Connecticut farmhouse owned by the columnist’s would-be fiance. Their meeting happens just as the columnist’s boss invites himself to visit her and her “husband”, for Christmas. (Yes, it’s convoluted–and enough to leave any twenty-first century career woman shuddering with “was-that-really-how-it-was” horror.)
But, it also manages to be a great time–and worth seeing just for S.Z. Sakall’s hilarious and down-to-earth “Felix”, who plays the role of favorite uncle/benevolent meddler to the hilt. His pithy comments at one “luncheon” scene are classic!
“Scrooge” with Albert Finney
An imaginative, musical retelling of Dickens’ masterpiece. The cast has lots of fun with the Victorian world at Christmastime, as local boys taunt Albert Finney’s sour-faced Scrooge and an exuberant Spirit of Christmas Present shows him the error of his ways over a Christmas drink.Scrooge’s journey to a merrier Christmas–and life–is stage-managed with the help of rousing songs like “I Like Life” and “December the Twenty-Fifth”. Be warned, though–like any good Christmas Carol, this one may have you reaching for tissues, especially during the courtship sequence or the later scenes with the Cratchits. And I’ve always found the first “Thank You Very Much” number to be a little chilling–but it’s very effective, and Scrooge’s naive reaction provides excellent dark humor.
There’s also one, very well-imagined scene during the Ghost of Christmas Future’s visit that I wouldn’t dare spoil here by telling you! Suffice it to say that no other Carol interpretation I’ve seen has ever explored this aspect of Scrooge’s possible future–and it winds up being a lot of fun!
Merry Christmas–grab the popcorn and enjoy!
Continue reading → - An “All-American” Reimagining November 5, 2013
Photograph courtesy of August Heart Films, and used with permission.
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is 170 years old, this Christmas.
And director Ron Carlson has found a new way to present it.
With his new movie, “All-American Christmas Carol”, which premieres today, Ron gives us a female protagonist, Cindy, who lives an uninspired life in a trailer park. Before the arrival of three 2013-updated ghosts, Cindy could not care less about her family, her future or the consequences of her actions.
But it’s Christmas…and there’s supernatural magic afoot…
Ron, who is the founder of August Heart Films, talked about the making of “All-American Christmas Carol”, and his experiences with re-creating Dickens’ classic in a new and unconventional setting.
August Heart Films’ “All-American Christmas Carol” is available today on On Demand, Amazon.com, iTunes and in major DVD outlets.
Continue reading → - Ron Carlson Interview, Part Two November 5, 2013
Photograph courtesy of August Heart Films, and used with permission.
Ron Carlson, director of “All-American Christmas Carol”, shares a favorite story from the set.
August Heart Films’ “All-American Christmas Carol” is available today on On Demand, Amazon.com, iTunes and in major DVD outlets.
Continue reading → - Ron Carlson Interview, Part Three November 5, 2013
Photograph courtesy of August Heart Films, and used with permission.
So, what’s it like to make a Christmas movie at Christmastime? Ron Carlson, director of “All-American Christmas Carol”, shares some insights!
August Heart Films’ “All-American Christmas Carol” is available today on On Demand, Amazon.com, iTunes and in major DVD outlets.
Continue reading → - “So This Is”…A Movie To Watch October 1, 2013
Photograph courtesy of Deborah and Richard Foster/Foster Entertainment, and used with permission.
Getting a movie into theaters is a challenge for independent filmmakers.
Husband and wife filmmakers Richard and Deborah Foster, of Foster Entertainment, are taking on that challenge.
Their Christmas movie, So This Is Christmas, gets released today on DVD. Deborah also says there will be a TV or cable release coming in December–and that she and Richard are in the process of finalizing the film’s release in some independent theaters. So This Is Christmas has racked up eight awards, so far–including Audience Choice for Best Feature Film, at the Bare Bones International Film Festival, last spring.
In an earlier interview on this site, Richard and Deborah talked about the experience of creating this special project. As soon as we have more information on where and when you can see it–in California theaters or on TV/cable–for Christmas season 2013, we’ll let you know!
Continue reading →
