Month: December 2023

Movie: Holidate (2020)

Source: Netflix

Synopsis: “Fed up with being single on holidays, two strangers agree to be each other’s platonic plus-ones all year long, only to catch real feelings along the way.”

My Thoughts: I guess technically it isn’t a true Christmas movie; but it starts with Christmas so I am going to count it. It definitely struck a chord with me: sitting at the kids table and dealing with nosy family members over the state of your love life. Ultimately, when your Christmas (or any holiday for that matter) is going off the rails you can take comfort in the rough ride that Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey go on.

It doesn’t hurt that Luke is dreamy! But the on screen chemistry between the two is on point unlike that between Leighton Meester and Robbie Amell in Exmas. Also, the incredible Kristin Chenoweth stars as the kooky, sex-crazed aunt… so what’s not to love! The cringe factor for this film is super minimal despite some of the antics!

It’s hilarious and crude and a must-see!

Rating: 10/10

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Movie: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)

Source: Disney+

Synopsis: “Young Clara needs a magical, one-of-a-kind key to unlock a box that contains a priceless gift. A golden thread leads her to the coveted key, but it soon disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. In that world, she meets a soldier named Phillip, a group of mice and the regents who preside over three realms. Clara and Phillip must now enter a fourth realm to retrieve the key and restore harmony to the unstable land.”

My Thoughts: I was intrigued when I saw this on Disney+. Despite the criticisms of Keira Knightley’s acting and the story, I personally thought it was a decent movie. It gave me Alice in Wonderland (the Mia Wasikowska) vibes. I think the problem for most people is that The Nutcracker is such a Christmas institution; it is beloved, it is tradition; so when something like that is re-imagined it is tough not to get hung up on the deviation. Taking that out of the question it is easy to appreciate this movie. The set both physical and digitally added aspects was stunning.

Rating: 10/10

I am a sucker for Christmas movies; my all time favourite of course is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, however, I have been know to indulge in what my husband refers to as the, “cheesy Hallmark,” type movies. Streaming services like Amazon Prime, Netflix and Disney+ all offer an extensive collection of them and others. For the month of December I’ll be reviewing a Christmas movie.

Movie: Christmas in Vienna (2019)

Source: Amazon Prime

Synopsis: “An American (Amy) looking for a change of scenery heads to Vienna for Christmas. Taking ballroom dance lessons with the hope of getting into the city’s biggest ball of the season, she finds herself falling for Lukas, her dashing European dance partner.”

My Thoughts: First off, there is another movie with Sarah Drew with the same movie; however, that leading lady is a concert violinist who lost her passion. “Googlers” beware! Anyways, THIS version, was sweet and cringey as to be expected.

Within the first five minutes Amy is dumped by her boyfriend in the most humiliating way. She shows up to dinner expecting a marriage proposal but he has another “proposal” for her instead. There is the typical fast decent into love for the leads while they dance together, navigate her tendency to clumsiness and decorate his stunning home for Christmas.

No movie like this would be complete without the CLASSIC MIX UP! This being whether she has a boyfriend and the possibility of him getting back with his shrew of an ex-girlfriend. We all know it will be AND EXPECT it to be resolved so they can live happily ever after. One thing that was a bit distracting was the horrible attempts to dub some of the characters. I am not sure why there was dubbing; but someone was asleep in post-production.

Rating: 6/10