Each movie listed includes:
(1) Title (2) Rating (3) Genres (4) Starring (5) Synopsis (6) My Personal Review (7) Scoring 1-5
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Da Kath and Kim Code (2005)
Rated: TV-14
Genres: Comedy, Family
Starring: Jane Turner and Gina Riley
Synopsis: This is a 2005 Australian comedy telemovie of the television series Kath & Kim. Here Kath and Kel's union is tested by Michael Bublé, daughter Kim tries pole dancing, pal Sharon finds love online, and a stalker lurks amid Yuletide cheer.
Review: I’ve never seen the television series and I have a feeling that I might have enjoyed it more if I had. I felt a little lost. It was funny, odd, and contained a group of completely unique individuals. The DaVinci code part of the plot seemed unnecessary and disjointed from the rest of it. If you want a sweet Christmas movie, this isn’t it. If you just want some silly fun, this will work.
Scoring: 2
A Dad for Christmas (2006)
Rated: PG
Genres: Drama, Family
Starring: Louise Fletcher and Kristopher Turner
Synopsis: 19-year-old father goes to the hospital to see his new son where he discovers his young girlfriend has already made arrangements for a couple to the adopt their baby boy. Matt has no family and falls in love with him. With the adoption imminent and no means to stop it - Matt takes Luke out of the hospital to his grandmother's house. The three form an off-kilter family unit. But can Matt and Luke win against the odds and stay together as a family...?
Review: A heavy drama, the love of Matt for his son and his determination to care for him is moving. It’s a beautiful story between father and son.
Scoring: 3
Daddy’s Home 2 (2017)
Rated: PG-13
Genres: Comedy, Family
Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, John Lithgow, and John Cena
Synopsis: Having finally gotten used to each other's existence, Brad and Dusty must now deal with their intrusive fathers during the holidays.
Review: In my opinion, the sequel was funnier than the first. The additions of Gibson and Lithgow were brilliant. They were like their sons but with magnifying glasses. It’s good for a laugh and a look at the modern-day family.
Scoring: 3
Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker (2020)
Rated: G
Genre: Documentary
Starring: Debbie Allen
Synopsis: Behind-the-scenes at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and their award-winning version of The Nutcracker, which blends a variety of dance traditions.
Review: I was really disappointed. I expected a behind the scenes making of the show and then the show. Instead, it’s a lot of interviews and people talking about dance. If you’re interested in dance this is for you. Otherwise, it’s quite boring and monotonous.
Scoring: 2
Dashing Home For Christmas (2020)
Rated: G
Genre: Romance
Starring: Paniz Zade and Adrian Spencer
Synopsis: Holiday traveling mishaps force a successful business consultant to find a way home with help from a stranger.
Review: It’s a nice story. The characters are fairly expected as is the story but it’s still fun. Watching Simon and Emily fall for each other is sweet. It feels like a watered down version of The Flight Before Christmas. Worth it if you want a romance with a little comedy.
Scoring: 3
Date By Christmas Eve (2019)
Rated: PG
Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Starring: Vanessa Lengies and Evan Williams,
Synopsis: When Chelsea, the good-hearted brand strategist for a popular dating app, The Nice List, discovers the app has granted her magical powers, she uses her newfound ability to make all of the naughty people in her life learn how to be good again.
Review: Predictable, a little boring, and sort of ho hum. Yet I couldn’t stop watching and waiting to see how it ended. Would I watch it a second time? Maybe not. But if you want an easy and silly movie this is for you.
Scoring: 2
Dear Christmas (2020)
Rated: G
Genres: Comedy, Romance
Starring: Ed Begley, Jr., Hilarie Burton, Melissa Joan Hart, and Jason Priestley
Synopsis: A podcast host develops an unexpected romance with a local firefighter during the holidays.
Review: This was the typical Christmas romcom. Some special moments were when Mr. Christmas would appear at job number 7 (him constantly showing up made me smile and laugh), all the love stories people shared, and the red glass hearts for our first responders turning up everywhere. The family was a sweet ideal family.
Scoring: 3
Dear Santa, I Need A Date (2019)
Rated: NR
Genres: Comedy, Family
Starring: Ray J. Norwood and Anne-Marie Johnson
Synopsis: Two successful and ambitious siblings make a bet to see who can find a date by Christmas.
Review: There are a lot of really funny moments, most of which are with the parents, who are desperate for grandchildren. The son’s dates are also pretty funny. It’s an engaging story and it’s easy to follow but it’s not gripping. It’s a relaxing watch.
Scoring: 3
Debbie Macomber’s Dashing Through The Snow (2015)
Rated: G
Genres: Drama, Romance
Starring: Meghan Ory and Andrew Walker
Synopsis: Stranded at an airport at Christmastime, Ashley Harrison accepts a ride from Dash Sutherland, who has just rented the last car in town. As the pair heads north, their adventures include car trouble, adopting a puppy and being secretly tailed by federal agents, who believe Ashley is up to no good. With a hint of romance gradually filling the air will these two fall in love or will their journey bring about an unexpected road bump to romance?
Review: Such a sweet story with the juxtaposition of a naive and open to life Ashley and savvy and closed off Dash. Opposites attract and, in this case, slowly bring out the best in each other.
Scoring: 3
Deck The Halls (2011)
Rated: PG
Genres: Adventure, Drama
Starring: Eric Johnson, Larry Miller, Kathy Najimy, and Scottie Thompson
Synopsis: Detective Regan Reilly and cleaning-woman-turned-private-eye Alvirah Meehan, investigate the kidnapping of Regan's father and a young female driver just before the holidays. The race is on to rescue the pair and get them home in time for Christmas.
Review: Is it cheesy? Yes. Did I like it? Yes. Najimy is her usual funny and wonderful self. There’s lots of action and it kept my interest.
Scoring: 3
Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic (2017)
Rated: NR
Genres: Documentary
Starring: Whoopi Goldberg
Synopsis: A behind the scenes look at how Disney parks set up their Christmas decorations.
Review: Think about it before you watch this program. It’s wonderfully done. It’s informative and entertaining. The problem is it flies in the face of what makes Disney parks so special, the magic. It’s like peeking behind the curtain and seeing the wizard. If you’re okay with that, you’ll get lots of information. If you want to keep the magic and not see behind the scenes, I wouldn’t watch.
Scoring: 2
Deliver By Christmas (2020)
Rated: G
Genres: Family, Romance
Starring: Alvina August, Eion Bailey, and Jim Thorburn
Synopsis: Bakery owner Molly meets Josh, a newcomer in town, but is also enchanted by a mysterious client whom she’s never met in person. A special wish to be delivered by Christmas could help determine who will win Molly’s heart.
Review: Starting out by Christmas tree shopping really put me in the holiday spirit. I was completely invested from the beginning. I knew they’d end up together and happy I just wasn’t sure when and how that would happen. The adorable children didn’t hurt. I’m not ashamed to say I got some goosebumps when they finally got together. Loved this one.
Scoring: 4
Desperately Seeking Santa (2011)
Rated: PG-13
Genres: Comedy, Romance
Starring: Laura Vandervoort and Nick Zano
Synopsis: Jennifer, a young, ambitious executive running promotions at a failing Boston mall comes up with a genius promotional gimmick to save her workplace and position herself for advancement: hold a "Hunky Santa" contest to replace the old Mall Santa. David, a local man trying to save his family's pizzeria, ultimately wins the contest and sparks fly between him and Jennifer. However, complications ensue when it comes to light that the company Jennifer works for is the same one trying to run David's family out of business.
Review: This is a fun movie with a nice love story. It’s silly but serious. The shoppers reactions to the hunky Santa are so funny. David trying to save his family's restaurant while Jennifer tries to save the mall add some drama to the story. It’s a fun easy view sure to make you smile.
Scoring: 3