Beaus of Holly (2020)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Jennifer Freeman, Johnny Pacar, Nikki Leigh, and Michael Copon

Synopsis: A woman must make a decision about her love life during the holidays after she proposes to her boyfriend and he confesses that he needs to work things out with an ex.

Review:  This movie was really enjoyable.  It has lots of unexpected moments, tons of Christmas, a few laughs, and yes, a little corniness.  This movie captures the magic of Christmas in a way most movies don’t.  I was sad when it ended because it was over.  I will definitely be watching it again.

Scoring: 4

A Beauty & The Beast Christmas (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Leah Pipes, Ryan Kelley, and Donna Mills

Synopsis: Ginger Holiday, a peppy Christmas influencer, is convinced by her agent to fake a holiday romance with viral bad boy Beau Bradley to gain more followers.

Review: If you’re looking for a new take on the traditional story, you’ll be disappointed.  I also don’t think this is for children.  The subject matter will go right over their heads and some may be inappropriate.  It is a sweet story about an innocent girl and a well-meaning guy being influenced by those around them finding themselves.

Scoring: 2

Beauty And The Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)

Rated: G

Genres: Animation, Fantasy, Musical

Starring: Robby Benson, Tim Curry, Angela Lansbury, Paige O’Hara, Jerry Orbach, Haley Joel Osment, Bernadette Peters, Paul Reubens, David Ogden Stiers

Synopsis: Astonished to find the Beast has a deep-seeded hatred for the Christmas season, Belle endeavors to change his mind on the matter.

Review: If you go into this expecting the quality of the original, you’ll be disappointed.  The original is so amazing nothing could live up to it.  It’s not a sequel.  It’s set when Belle is still a captive and the Beast is his growling nasty self.  There’s lots of Christmas and it’s still a sweet story.  This will probably be enjoyed most by children, families, and true Disney fans.

Scoring: 3.5

Beebo Saves Christmas (2021)

Rated: G

Genres: Animation, Fantasy

Starring: Yvette Nicole Brown, Victor Garber, and Chris Kattan

Synopsis: When an efficiency-obsessed elf decides that Christmas would run better without Santa, Beebo and his friends travel to the North Pole to help discover what makes Christmas meaningful.

Review: A sweet cartoon about the importance of love and traditions instead of just gifts. It’s clearly geared for children but adults will find some humor and heart in the story. Yes, the characters are sort of fluffy blobs and Santa has a gap so big he looks like he’s missing a tooth but that’s what makes it fun. 

Scoring: 3.5

Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure (2011)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Fantasy

Starring: John Cleese

Synopsis: A Christmas Elf accidentally takes off in Santa's sleigh, crash lands in a small town, and loses the magic toy bag. Beethoven must rescue the Elf, recover the bag from greedy crooks, and return the sleigh to Santa in time to save Christmas.

Review:  As silly as the other Beethoven movies. If you like others in the series you’ll like this one. I think it’s more for children.  I found it to be lacking in appeal to adults. 

Scoring: 2

A Belgian Chocolate Christmas (2022)

Rated: G

Genre: Romance

Starring: Jaclyn Hales and Zane Stephens

Synopsis: Photographer takes her best friend's place at a Belgian culinary school at the holidays and connects with the chocolatier leading the class. As romance begins to bloom, the only problem is a case of mistaken identity.

Review: Yes, the romance follows an expected path. It’s a Christmas movie. Happy endings are practically mandatory. That being said, I loved the feeling of the movie. It felt like Christmas and like a warm blanket by a fire. I know that sounds cheesy but it’s true. It was a perfect mix of chocolate, Christmas and romance.  I also enjoyed seeing two new actors.  It helped make the movie feel even fresher.

Scoring: 4

Believe (2016)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Religion

Starring: Ryan O’Quinn, Shawnee Smith, and David Deluise

Synopsis: After his family-run factory falters, jeopardizing his town's beloved holiday pageant, businessman Matthew faces a crisis of character and faith.

Review:  The synopsis and the beginning of the movie don’t do it justice.  Hang in there because it’s amazing.  It’s all about hope, faith, giving, and community.  It’s religious but in a more subtle way.  The little boy will steal your heart.  Definitely one to watch.

Scoring: 4

Believe: The True Story of Real Bearded Santas (2017)

Rated: NR

Genre: Documentaary

Starring: N/A

Synopsis: A cinematic sleigh ride deep into the strange but true world of the 'real bearded Santas,' including visits to Santa Claus University, and the annual convention of the Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas. 'Believe' chronicles a year in the life of several actual real-bearded Santas from across the country. For these men, it's not just a job - it's a calling. And they'll

stop at nothing to perpetuate the myth and magic of Santa Claus. 

Review: I found it to be a really interesting behind the scenes look at not only how these Santas do what they do but the emotional reward they do it for. It also shows the reality of how it affects their marriages and what it’s like to be a black Santa. If you’re interested in seeing behind the curtain, give it a try. It won’t make you believe less but it may make you believe more.

Scoring: 3

A Belle For Christmas (2014)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family

Starring: Dean Cain, Kristy Swanson, and Haylie Duff

Synopsis: When a sweet young boy and his precocious sister discover their newly adopted puppy Belle has been nabbed by the beautiful gold digger dating their widowed dad on Christmas Eve, the kids recruit their neighborhood friends and set out on an adventurous rescue mission to save her.

Review:  Another dog movie. They all feel and seem the same. Children should enjoy watching the kids and the puppy. Adults not so much. It just feels like a recycled plot. 

Scoring: 2

The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama

Starring: Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman

Synopsis: At a big city Catholic school, Father O'Malley and Sister Benedict indulge in friendly rivalry, and succeed in extending the school through the gift of a building.

Review: As a fan of older movies, I was a little disappointed.  It’s quite a simple and slow story.  It’s missing a little magic that I was looking for.  As someone who went to Catholic school, I found comparing it to today interesting.  All that being said, Crosby and Bergman are fantastic, as always.  If you enjoy the oldies, you’ll probably like it.  Either way, give it a chance.

Scoring: 3

Ben is Back (2018)

Rated: R

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges, and Courtney B. Vance

Synopsis: A drug addicted teenage boy shows up unexpectedly at his family's home on Christmas Eve.

Review: If you want a happy and festive Christmas movie, stay away.  There’s lots of drama.  I found Julia Roberts’ character to be extremely unlikable.  For example, she blames everyone else for her son’s drug use but when he tries to take accountability for getting someone else to do drugs (which ended in her death) the mom says that isn’t his fault.  The ending is also rather abrupt and doesn’t resolve anything.

Scoring: 2

Best Christmas Ball Ever! (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Elisabeth Harnois, Samuel Hunt, and Christian Oliver

Synopsis: After a surprising breakup at home in Chicago, Amy thinks that a change of scenery will do her well and impulsively decides to spend the holidays with her brother in Vienna.

Review: The music alone made this movie enjoyable. The love story, with the obvious misunderstanding, still felt fresh. The dancing was an added touch. Seeing Amy and Lucas begin to open up again and enjoy the holidays was done with a festive touch. Adding the message of the importance of family was a bonus. 

Scoring: 3

imaginations as they plan parties is amazing. Despite their tensions, the story makes them both likable. I really enjoyed watching their journey.

Scoring: 4

The Best Man Holiday (2013)

Rated:  R

Genres: Comedy, Drama

Starring: Monica Calhoun, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Taye Diggs, Terence Howard, Melissa De Sousa, Sanaa Latham, Regina Hall, Harold Perrineau, and Eddie Cibrian

Synopsis: When college friends reunite after 15 years over the Christmas holidays, they discover just how easy it is for long-forgotten rivalries and romances to be reignited.

Review:  This sequel to The Best Man is an amazing movie. The relationships are layered and complex. The feeling of family and friendship is palpable. Pay attention to the opening if you didn’t see the first one to understand who everyone is and how they’re related. It's truly moving.  Have the tissues ready.

Scoring: 4

The Bestest Christmas Ever (2013)

Rated: TV-Y

Genres: Comedy, Fantasy

Starring: Topher Hansson, Dane C. Volke, and Kevin McKeon

Synopsis: Best friends Chris, Dane, and Kevin put on a Christmas spectacular with the hopes of meeting the one and only Santa Claus.

Review: I can’t decide if this movie is ridiculous or genius.  Seriously.  It’s pretending to be a public access show so that can help explain the amateur filming and effects.  It’s almost like Saturday Night Live for a young audience.  It’s silly and goofy, maybe funny, but I wasn’t laughing out loud.  This is one I’d try if you have youngsters or if you want to see people being very immature and goofy.  I can say I didn’t laugh but I wasn’t bored either.

Scoring: 2 

Better Watch Out (2017)

Rated: TV-MA

Genre: Drama

Starring: Olivia DeJonge, Levi Miller, Ed Oxenbould, Virginia Madsen, and Patrick Warburton

Synopsis: A babysitter must defend herself and a 12-year-old boy when intruders invade a suburban home only to find out it’s not a typical invasion.

Review: This movie is an edge of your seat suspense thriller.  If you’re looking for a happy sweet Christmas movie, this isn’t for you.  I’m not a fan of horror or gore.  This movie manages to provide all the thrills without gallons of blood.  I was so engaged in the story I actually looked to see if there was a sequel.  Loved this.

Scoring: 4

Beverly Hills Christmas (2015)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Donna Spangler

Synopsis: With help from a guardian angel, a spoiled rich, very material teenage girl learns that true value is found in assisting others and not in material things.

Review:  The story, while not original, was nice. Unfortunately, the acting was so horrible it was awful to watch.  I truly had to force myself to sit through it begging it to get better.  It didn't.  Definitely one to miss.

Scoring: 1

Beyond Tomorrow (1940)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Starring: Harry Carey

Synopsis: The ghosts of three elderly industrialists killed in an airplane crash return to Earth to help reunite a young couple whom they initially brought together.

Review:  The movie is a little slower, as many of that time were, but if you enjoy classics you won’t mind. Honestly, every time a ghost was on screen, I marveled at how they did it so well so long ago. It’s a lovely stroll through time with the music, costumes, and expressions. The messages sometimes blur but it’s a nice film. 

Scoring: 3