George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (1993)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Fantasy, Musical

Starring: Macaulay Culkin and Kevin Kline

Synopsis: On Christmas Eve, a little girl named Marie falls asleep after a party at her home and dreams herself (or does she?) into a fantastic world where toys become larger than life. Her beloved Nutcracker comes to life and defends her from the Mouse King, then is turned into a Prince after Marie saves his life.

Review:  This is the best version of The Nutcracker I’ve seen. Culkin was a little awkward but that should be expected since he isn’t part of the ballet company. Other than that everything was wonderful. It is a little long so younger children may lose interest. 

Scoring: 4

Get Santa (2014)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Jim Broadbent, Rafe Spall, and Warwick Davis

Synopsis: A father and son team up to save Christmas once they discover Santa Claus sleeping in their garage after crashing his sleigh and finding himself on the run from the police.

Review:  A nice family movie showing the bond between father and son. A charming cast and a little silly but in a good way. 

Scoring: 3

Getting To The Nutcracker (2014)

Rated: NR

Genres: Documentary, Family

Starring: Marat Daukayev School Of Ballet, LA

Synopsis: This documentary takes you inside the major effort involved in gathering the resources, assembling the volunteers, casting the dancers, rehearsing and staging the performances of this classic ballet. Los Angeles-based Marat Daukayev School of Ballet, led by the former Kirov star, takes you behind the curtain from auditions, the rigorous hours of rehearsals, the joy of landing a principal role to the pain of losing one.  The dancers (boys and girls ages 3-18) are profiled; passionate people who, with their families, make incredible sacrifices of time and money just so that they may dance.

Review: This is an interesting look at not only how the ballet is done but also the personal lives of the performers, in this case children, including the sacrifices they make and the time they spend. I especially liked that they addressed both male and female dancers. They talked openly about the stereotyping and issues that come with it, including from family members.  It's a well-rounded look at child dancers.

Scoring: 3

Ghosting: The Spirit Of Christmas (2019)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

Starring: Aisha Dee, Kimiko Glenn, Kendrick Sampson, and Missi Pyle

Synopsis: Jess goes on the greatest first date of her life, but inadvertently “ghosts” Ben when she tragically dies in a car accident on the way home.

Review: This may be more of a millennial movie.  I found it to be a little silly and lacking substance.  A ghost, who can only be seen by her best friend and the guy she went on a date with, is trying to figure out how to cross over.  Somehow, she’s magically able to sleep with the guy.  I won’t spoil the ending but she seemed quite self-absorbed, even in death.  Everything works out, of course, but I won’t spoil it.

Scoring: 2

Ghosts of Christmas Always (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family

Starring: Ian Harding, Kim Matula, Lori Tan Chinn, and Reginald VelJohnson

Synopsis: It follows Katherine, a Ghost of Christmas Present, as she helps one soul to rediscover his Christmas spirit, but this year has something unusual in store

Review: At first, I thought it was a little corny. Then I was worried Peter and the ghost were falling for each other but also related. No spoilers here. By the end I was loving it. This is one of those movies that will probably become more enjoyable every time I watch it. 

Scoring: 3.5 

Ghosts of Christmas Past (2021)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Annie Clark and Morgan David Jones

Synopsis: Ellie is told by a fortune teller that she must resolve her past and make amends with all of those she ghosted before Christmas and discovers love in the process.

Review: I liked this modern twist on romance. A girl is forced to make amends to the men she ghosted while not knowing one is her person. It’s funny and sweet. 

Scoring: 3

The Gift of Christmas (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Religion

Starring: Bruce Davison, Dee Wallace, and Nathan Todaro

Synopsis: A Kentucky family comes together for a Christmas Eve church service.

Review: This is an awful movie.  It’s boring.  It is just about preaching religious values.  The characters and story are barely developed and they seem to be created around the religious content rather than making good characters and organically working in the religious messages.  Very disappointing.

Scoring: 1

The Gift of Peace (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Nikki Deloach and Brennan Elliott

Synopsis: After her husband's death, long-time devoted Christian Traci stops believing, and on her second Christmas without him, she visits a support group in search of comfort and inspiration.

Review: This movie had me feeling every emotion.  Anyone dealing with grief or faith will find a positive message here.  It was so amazing.  Seeing Traci create a community and heal through helping others was exciting.  I can’t wait to watch again.

Scoring: 4

A Gingerbread Christmas (2020)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Tiya Sircar, Marc Bendavid, and Sugith Varughese

Synopsis: An architect enters a gingerbread competition to save her mother’s bakery.

Review: I found this to be surprising.  It started out as a typical romcom but it actually hard some surprises.  You know to expect a happy ending with a Christmas romance but the path there was interesting.  I only wish the daughter was in it more.

Scoring: 3

Gingerbread Journeys (2015)

Rated: NR

Genres: Documentary

Synopsis: Learn about the history and making of gingerbread.

Review: If you like history and/or baking, you’ll enjoy this.  There are so many interesting facts, like the use of beeswax, that kept my attention.  This is definitely one documentary where you have to be interested in the topic to enjoy it.

Scoring: 2.5

Gingerbread Miracle (2021)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Merritt Patterson

Synopsis: A man and an old high school friend try to sell his uncle's business-a Mexican bakery that's famous for magical gingerbread cookies that grant wishes.

Review: This was a cute movie. I knew the ending from the start and even the magic cookies didn’t add to my interest. I’m not sure if it’s the casting or just the way they tell the story.  It’s walking the line between comedy and romance.  Had it committed to one it would have been better.  It also has too many storylines going on that don’t work together as well as they should.  It’s a sweet romance but nothing too special. 

Scoring: 3

A Gingerbread Romance (2018)

Rated: G

Genre: Romance

Starring: Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Duane Henry

Synopsis: An architect begins to find herself longing for a place to call her own as she works alongside a baker to win a gingerbread house contest. 

Review:  A little too sweet and predictable, however, this movie is an easy one to watch. For a gingerbread competition they spend more time with other holiday traditions than with the house.  Of course, the little girl completes the picture.

Scoring: 3.5

Girlfriends Of Christmas Past (2016)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Starring: Tammin Sursok

Synopsis: When three hilarious, strong-willed women join forces to seek the ultimate revenge on their cheating ex at his upcoming holiday retreat, lovestruck event planner Livvy meets Carter, the charming colleague organizing it all, leaving Livvy to question if she can leave off their revenge scheme long enough to finally forgive her ex and let a real holiday romance blossom.

Review:  Bad is the only word to describe it. I kept waiting for it to get good or at all interesting but the women’s bitterness ruins it. 

Scoring: 1.5

A Glenbrooke Christmas (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Romance

Starring: Autumn Reeser and Antonio Cupo

Synopsis: In search of relaxation, an heiress visits a small town and soon encounters a handsome fireman.

Review: In a sort of reverse, the female lead, while a millionaire but not royalty, goes to a town and doesn’t say who she is. She uses her middle name as her last name. Surprise, she falls in love with a guy who is biased against the wealthy. Yes, we have a happy ending.  The real stars and joy are the community center and the teen artists

Scoring: 3

Godmothered (2020)

Rated: PG

Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Jillian Bell, Jane Curtin, Isla Fisher, and June Squibb

Synopsis: A young and unskilled fairy godmother ventures out on her own to prove her worth by tracking down a young girl whose request for help was ignored.

Review: At first I though this was less than magical and possibly a little boring.  As it went on, I realized the people were the magic.  They learned to live and love again.  More importantly, the fairy godmothers changed their mission from happily ever after to living happily.  A cute family film.  Christmas is more of a backdrop than the theme but it’s still sweet.

Scoring: 3

A Godwink Christmas (2018)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Religion, Romance

Starring: Kathie Lee Gifford, Paul Campbell, and Kimberley Sustad

Synopsis: Paula, a St. Louis antique appraiser, reluctantly accepts a marriage proposal from her boyfriend, Daniel, a career-focused attorney. When her Aunt Jane senses she has mixed emotions over the engagement, she invites Paula to her Nantucket home. Upon her arrival, Paula plans a trip to the nearby island of Martha's Vineyard where she meets Gery, a charming inn owner. When Jane invites her back to Nantucket for Christmas, Paula accepts, unaware that Jane has devised a plan to bring her and Gery together. 

Review:  A charming romantic film. I like the part about God winking. It’s a little slow, much the like carousel in the movie. The fact that it’s based on a true story makes it more special. It left me with a hopeful feeling.

Scoring: 3

Godwink Christmas: First Loves, Second Chances (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Sam Page and Brooke D’Orsay

Synopsis: After 15 years, a single father moves home from Hawaii with his two sons and, through a series of coincidences-or Godwinks, ends up stuck in traffic next to his high school sweetheart.

Review: While this isn’t as sappy as the first two Godwink movies, it’s also missing a little bit of the heart that made them so special.  It’s like the God is missing from Godwink.  Even so, it is a beautiful love story about friendship, family, romance, and loyalty.  It’s a really lovely movie.

Scoring: 3.5

A Godwink Christmas: Meant for Love (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Religion, Romance

Starring: Cindy Busby and Kathie Lee Gifford

Synopsis: A chance meeting at a weekend wedding celebration brings together Alice and Jack, two singles from very different family backgrounds.

Review: I was a little thrown at first.  Gifford was in this movie as well as the first but playing different characters in different cities.  This movie had the same Godwink feel but it was also just a good movie about the love and importance of family as well as a romance.  I felt the illness was an unneeded wrench that seemed to make the story veer off path.  Then I saw the end and understood and I nearly cried.  No, I won’t spoil it.

Scoring: 4

A Godwink Christmas: Miracle of Love (2021)

Rated: G

Genres: Romance

Starring: Katherine Barrell and Alberto Frezza

Synopsis: Brought together by community service, Eric and Joy find new purpose at Christmas.  As they help a family rebuild their home, coincidences and a medical miracle lead them to believe in destiny.

Review: I know this is based on a true story but it seems like it is too perfect.  The characters are too nice, too perfect, and the story too smooth.  They don’t seem like real, flawed, relatable people.  Like they got from point A to B in a straight line when in real life it’s all over the place.  It was still uplifting and enjoyable but I think it wasn’t as good as the other Godwink stories.

Scoring: 3