London Mitchell’s Christmas (2019)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Aaron D. Spears

Synopsis: When a man is diagnosed with prostate cancer, it forces him to rethink his outlook on life. 

Review: This was really boring. They don’t develop London’s character, or any character. They show him as a really horrible human and when he gets the diagnosis it’s hard to care. You feel for his ex-wife and kids more than him. Even when diagnosed he still cares more about himself. The problems aren’t worked through so much as miraculously resolved. 

Scoring: 1

Lonestar Christmas (2020)

Rated: PG

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Stephanie Bennett and Marco Grazini

Synopsis: Erin takes her daughters to spend Christmas with her estranged dad on his Texas ranch, where she unexpectedly falls in love with local restauranteur Mateo while learning to forgive her father for the past.

Review: I wish they did a better job of explaining why Erin is so hurt by her father.  Him not being there enough is very vague and doesn’t allow the viewer to empathize with her.  The romance is an okay story but the special Christmas things they do with the girls are what really hooked me.  It’s one I wouldn’t mind seeing again but I won’t look for it.

Scoring: 3 

Long Lost Christmas (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Family

Starring: Benjamin Ayres and Taylor Cole

Synopsis: Follow Hailey, an interior designer set to surprise her mother Patricia with an unexpected gift related to her long time yearned extended family.

Review: In most movies you know exactly how it will end. This one had me guessing and hoping. I loved the characters and wanted them to be happy. I was thoroughly invested in the story. The entire time there was something going on to keep you wondering.  I won’t ruin it but it’s a quality movie. 

Scoring: 4

Love Actually (2003)

Rated: R

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Starring: Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Laura Linney, Colin Firth, and Keira Knightley

Synopsis: Follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England.

Review:  While this movie takes place at Christmas rather than being about Christmas, the messages are all about Christmas spirit. You may need a tissue for this one. It goes back and forth between tender, funny, moving, and heartwarming.   This is a classic Christmas must-see.

Scoring: 5

Love at the Christmas Contest (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Samantha Cope, Ross Jirgl

Synopsis: A young woman enters a Christmas tree decorating contest to honor the memory of her mother, only to discover that the competition includes her recently widowed high school sweetheart, and his adorable 10-year-old daughter.

Review: This film is simple, but it emphasizes family and the Christmas spirit. I was really moved by so many moments. It’s the type of movie that makes you really feel what the characters are feeling. I can’t wait to watch again. 

Scoring: 4

Love Hard (2021)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Comedy, Family, Romance

Starring: Nina Dobrev and Jimmy O. Yang

Synopsis: An LA girl, unlucky in love, falls for an East Coast guy on a dating app and decides to surprise him for the holidays, only to discover that she’s been catfished. 

Review: This was a surprisingly fresh and new story for a Christmas movie.  Throwing in online dating and catfishing makes it a modern love story.  Did the ending surprise me?  Not really.  I didn’t care.  I was thoroughly entertained and the actors brought the story to life.  I’ll definitely watch again.

Scoring: 4 

Love, Lights, Hanukkah! (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Mia Kirshner, Ben Savage, and Marilu Henner

Synopsis: A restauranteur receives a DNA test revealing that she’s Jewish.  The discovery leads her to a new family and an unlikely romance over eight nights.

Review: This movie is filled with very likeable characters.  Almost to the point where they lose realness.  The aspect of loss and reunion is what keeps it grounded.  A sweet feel-good movie.

Scoring: 3.5

Love The Coopers (2015)

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family

Starring: John Goodman, Diane Keaton, Olivia Wilde, Ed Helms, Marisa Tomei, Alan Arkin, Amanda Seyfried, Anthony Markie, And Steve Martin 

Synopsis: The intertwined stories of four generations of Coopers unfold right before the annual family reunion on Christmas Eve.

Review:  For all but the end there’s no fun in dysfunctional. It’s a realistic portrayal of individual and family flaws and strengths. It’s very dark and a little depressing but I’m glad I stuck with it. The ending is all the more meaningful because of the darkness. 

Scoring: 3

Love’s Christmas Journey (2011)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Natalie Hall, JoBeth Williams, Sean Austin, and Ernest Borgnine

Synopsis: While mourning the loss of her husband and daughter, recently widowed Ellie visits her brother Aaron and his children for Christmas. Ellie does her best to enjoy the holidays, making new friends with Mrs. Thompson, a local shop keeper, and handsome admirer Deputy Strode. When Aaron travels out of town to purchase land, Ellie agrees to watch his children, but the season's festivities are threatened when Aaron goes missing.

Review:  The main part of the movie is a good story but there’s so much extra stuff that feels like filler and slows the pace. The slow parts are worth sitting through for the few good parts but maybe just once. 

Scoring: 2.5

Lovely, Still (2008)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Martin Landau, Ellen Burstyn, and Adam Scott

Synopsis: An elderly man falls in love for the first time with his new neighbor.

Review: This movie is just plain magic.  From the story to the acting to how it unfolds.  This is hard because I can’t say what makes it so very special without spoiling it.  It was so moving.  I’ll leave it at that and say you should check it out.  It is for adults.  Children and teens probably won’t understand it.

Scoring: 4

Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Religion

Starring: Scarlett Diamond, Vincent Vargas, Adam Hightower, Florencia Contreras Stevens

Synopsis: Second chances start when a hardened criminal crosses paths with a precocious little girl who is helped by an angel to change hearts during the holiday season.

Review: I couldn’t love this movie more. Little Lucy is love and faith in a little five-year old’s body. She spreads the love of Jesus and the true Christian spirit. Have tissues handy. 

Scoring: 4.5

Lucy Worsley’s 12 Days of Tudor Christmas (2019) aka A Merry Tudor Christmas

Rated: NR

Genres: Documentary

Starring: Lucy Worsley

Synopsis: Lucy Worsley takes us back in time to see what it was like for the 12 day of Christmas in King Henry VIII’s day.  From the food, presents, dress, dances, music, celebrations, customs and more.  Using present day re-enactors, we get the real feel for the time period.

Review: Lucy has a way of making history come alive and keeps it very interesting. She explains all the celebrations and the reasons behind them while keeping it entertaining. 

Scoring: 4

Luna’s Christmas Around the World (2018)

Rated: G

Genre: Animation, Fantasy

Synopsis: Leo, Andy and Carmen enlist Luna to help them save Christmas, learning about holiday traditions around the world along the way.

Review: This is one that’s definitely for kids. I don’t think adults would like it. It teaches children ways Christmas is celebrated around the world.  Christmas concepts like giving is better than receiving. 

Scoring: 3