Radio Christmas (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Keshia Knight Pulliam and Michael Xavier

Synopsis: When her Philadelphia radio station is closed for repairs during the holidays, DJ Kara Porter is forced to broadcast from the small town of Bethlehem.

Review:  This movie is very sappy.  In the beginning it made it harder to watch but as it went on the sappiness was worth it.  I love the community togetherness under the theme no deed too small.  Everything we do is meaningful.  The search for secret Santa added another layer to the story.  Truly the Christmas spirit.

Scoring: 3

Random Acts of Christmas (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Erin Cahill, Kevin McGarry, Jaclyn Smith, and Patrick Duffy

Synopsis: While uncovering who is behind the random acts of Christmas popping up around her city, an investigative journalist meets a competing reporter who captures her heart.

Review: This is a cute romance.  I like the Secret Santa and all the Christmas spirit.  It's enjoyable.  Cahill and McGarry make a good duo.  The only downside is I felt like every time they'd be doing something that feels like Christmas, it would veer to the journalism.  As the movie went on the two worked together better.

Scoring:3

The Real St. Nick (2012)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance 

Starring: Torrey DeVitto and Callard Harris

Synopsis: A pretty psychiatrist is saved from an accident by a man who, after hitting his head on a rock, believes he is Santa Claus. As she nurses him back to health at her institute, he brings the spirit of Christmas to the hospital.

Review:  Despite the glaring “this would never happen in real life” moments, I liked it. Dr. Bryant is kind and Nick reminds us of the true spirit of Christmas. I even loved the ending. 

Scoring: 3

Rediscovering Christmas (2019)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Jessica Lowndes, B.J. Britt, and Jessica Walter

Synopsis: A talented department store window designer helps her sister design the décor for the annual Snowflake Festival Christmas Eve dance and clashes with the stubborn grandson of the founders of the festival.

Review: The movie doesn’t have a lot of surprises but it feels like Christmas.  There’s more winter than Christmas but the spirit of giving and community is throughout.  I enjoyed the relationship between Mia, her sister, and their father. Watching Mia and Adam’s romance slowly develop was enjoyable.  Charming movie.

Scoring: 3

The Ref (1994)

Rated: R

Genres: Comedy, Family 

Starring: Dennis Leary, Judy Davis, and Christine Baranski

Synopsis: A cat burglar is forced to take a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.

Review:  One of the funniest movies I’ve seen. The characters, dialogue, and Christmas traditions are quite unique. Between the couple fighting over everything, the St. Lucia wreaths, and the kids enjoying tying up and gagging their grandmother, I couldn’t stop laughing. 

Scoring: 5

Remember The Night (1940)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray

Synopsis: A shoplifter and her prosecutor fall in love, creating tensions for his career and family.

Review: I loved this movie.  These older movies tend to be hidden gems with the addition of experiencing the opening of a time capsule.  The story has a few twists and turns to keep it interesting even though you know the romance is coming.  Stanwyck is fabulous as usual. 

Scoring: 5

Rent An Elf (2018)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance 

Starring: Kim Shaw and Sean Patrick Thomas

Synopsis: Ava owns Rent-An-Elf, a business in which she sets up Christmas for busy families. This year she’s hired by newly single Liam and falls for him and his adorable son Nathan. But just as Ava thinks she’s found her match, Liam’s ex-wife returns. 

Review:  I liked all the Christmas in this movie. I had the ending figured out but they managed a few twists and turns along the way. It was fun to watch and I want to be a Rent-An-Elf. 

Scoring: 3

Return To Christmas Creek (2018)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance 

Starring: Tori Anderson, Steven Weber, Stephen Huszar, and Kari Matchett

Synopsis: As Christmas approaches, Amelia, a career-focused Chicago app developer lacking in holiday spirit, returns to her small hometown of Christmas Creek to rediscover the meaning of Christmas. There, she reunites with her childhood best friend Mike and her estranged uncle Harry, whose mysterious rift with Amelia's father divided her family during the holiday season when she was a child. On Christmas Eve, disappointed by her family's continued fighting, Amelia prepares to return to Chicago but just as she's about to leave, she feels a burst of inspiration that just might turn things around and help her finally restore family peace and embrace romance as love prepares to take flight for Christmas.

Review:  It’s a charming movie but the events unfold so slowly it’s hard to remain interested as they do. If you can hang in there it’s a sweet story. 

Scoring: 3

Reunited At Christmas (2018)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance 

Starring: Nikki Deloach and Mike Defaiola

Synopsis: Frazzled and struggling with writer's block, novelist Samantha, along with her boyfriend, heads home to her late grandmother's home to spend Christmas. While at home with family, her grandmother's wise words reveal the true meaning of Christmas with Samantha at a time when she most needs encouragement.

Review:  This movie was refreshingly different. It deals with the issue of divorce and how it affects the children as adults. It’s very relatable and current and yet has the same sweetness as Hallmark’s other Christmas movies. 

Scoring: 3

Rick Steves’ European Christmas (2005)

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Documentary, Religion

Starring: Rick Steves

Synopsis: Join Rick Steves for a colorful, musical celebration of Christmas across Europe. From England to Wales, France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy, you'll see the bright Christmas markets, hear local choirs, share holiday traditions with families...and even play in the snow.

Review: I really enjoyed learning about different traditions and the families that let us be a fly on the wall for their holidays.  There’s a lot of religious tradition included.  As much as I enjoy this type of information, I still felt it was a little slow.  Still, it’s a great introduction to different cultures and how and why they celebrate Christmas.

Scoring: 2

A Ring For Christmas (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Lilliana Tandon, Lorraine Bracco, Dean Geyer, and Michael Gross

Synopsis: A spoiled young woman tries to find a husband so she can inherit a trust fund before Christmas.

Review: There were a few surprises in this story. The way it started out I thought Angie was an entitled, selfish, superficial person. It turns out she’s a kind and giving person who had just lost her way. I think the ending could’ve tied up loose ends better but overall, it’s a good movie.

Scoring: 3

Rise Of The Guardians (2012)

Rated: PG

Genres: Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy 

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Alec Baldwin, Isla Fisher, Chris Pine, and Jude Law

Synopsis: When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs, and imaginations of children all over the world.

Review:  While not about Christmas it does include Santa and Jack Frost. Seeing the mythical figures we grew up with unite for a purpose was original and fun. I enjoyed it but I think children will like it even more.

Scoring: 3