12 Dates of Christmas (2011)
So ABC family could make an entertaining romantic Christmas comedy 8 years ago but the Holiday TV Industrial Complex can”t manage one out of a hundred in 2019.
Groundhog Day riff with Amy a Smart reliving the same blind date over and over again. Good stuff.
My only question involves a tragedy one of the main characters has suffered that could, hypothetically, also have been prevented with groundhog magic, a far more noble miracle than helping a needy lady find Mr. Right but, this is a romantic comedy not Happy Death Day so...
Mixed Nuts (1994)
Manic, occasionally hysterical Nora Ephron comedy, dark comedy, set amongst the denizens of a failing suicide prevention hotline during the holidays. An amazing cast, led by Steve Martin, Madeline Kahn, and Juliet Lewis. Not exactly politically correct but often very funny. And , unlike most other holiday movies for adults these days, it doesn’t hate Christmas.
Not necessarily a holiday staple to return to each season but a nice break from the Bad Santas and Bad Moms.
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Started out with some serious cliche action, Hallmark with production values, then its Cloverfield Christmas before we finally get to Kurt Russell. Sadly were also encumbered with a couple of annoying kids who have to be given a tragic backstory to make them even remotly sypathetic.
Russell is the best part of this and he keeps the thing from falling apart.I just wish he was the star, not the obnoxious kids. A gang subplot is terrible but the decision to use CG aimated characters as elves is nice. Santa channeling an earlier Russell portrayl of a pop culture icon is...something.
The script doesn’t quite match the quality of the production design and effects, which are pretty much theatrical level, but its a million times better than the rest of the dreck produced in the name of Christmas.
Holiday Rush (2019)
When an NYC radio personality suffers career reverses he decides the only way back to the top is to return to his roots. Jeez, that sounds like ad copy for the flick but it’s true.
A solid dramedy that swings back and forth between corporate drama, far better than typical Hallmark-style, and family drama with a gaggle of entitled kids. Also featuring nice supporting spots from Darlene Love and Deon Cole
Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas (2019)
OMG! That was terrible!
Hulu Holiday Scenics
White Elephant Puppy Party (2019)
Dogs, some wearing embarrising holiday clothing, tear apart some gifts. We mostly get to see the puppies butts as thet nose around for the strategically placed kibble.
Still better acting than the average Hallmark.
A Very Kitty Cocktail Party (2019)
Kittens get te embarrising dress up torture this time. They honestly dont seem like thet are enjoying themselves. Still, there having more fun than if they were watching the Hallmark channel.
How to Train Your Dragon Snoggletog Log
Neat animated yule log. Kudos for going the extra mile with multiple character interactions.
Puppies Crash Christmas (2017)
Ah, so the white elephant one is a sequel, that explains alot. This ones better / cuter.
The Gathering (2018)
Yeah, this ASMR thing is creepy and needs to fade away. Even if this video is ironic, just no.
Two Tickets to Christmas Town (2016)
Cute for what it is. What it is is a shot of a toy train circling a Christmas tree. I’ve run this a few times, usually with sound off or very low.
Gingerbread Home Remodel (2016)
First of these I ever viewed. Cute and the background ambiance actally works as background ambiance.
A Very Terry Christmas (2018)
Terry Crews channels his inner Bob Ross.
Library Cheer (2018)
More creepy ASMR.
The Snowman (2016)
Trigger warnings to all of the fans of the ASMR videos - he melts.
Stuck Santa (2016)
48 minutes of Santa dangling
Roast Expectations (2016)
Watch a roast roast.
A Sap Story. (2016)
Slow TV indeed.
Thermostat wars (2016)
Furnace ambiance.
