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

Reba McEntire’s Christmas In Tune (2021)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Reba McEntire and John Schneider

Synopsis: Story of Belle, a marketing executive who is worried that she may lose her job.

Review: The movie started out slowly and not that great. It’s one I would’ve stopped watching if I wasn’t reviewing it. Thankfully, once they got into the family and relationships it got better. It’s not too music but if you don’t like Reba, you won’t like it. 

Scoring: 3

Rebuilding a Dream Christmas (2021)

Rated: PG

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Meggan Kaiser and Zane Stephens

Synopsis: Abbey rediscovers her Christmas spirit and finds romance as she recreates her grandmother’s handmade ornaments for her hometown’s Yuletide fair.

Review: This movie is slow but in a good way.  It’s like taking a leisurely stroll to enjoy the sights.  Abbey’s relationship with her friends and the one friend’s son is so sweet.  There’s plenty of Christmas but it’s mostly about people learning to love who they have in their lives while moving on from loss and facing their fears.

Scoring: 3

A Recipe for Joy aka Christmas a La Carte (2022)

Rated: PG

Genre: Romance

Starring: Erin Agostino and Dillon Casey

Synopsis: When food correspondent, Carly, gets a shot at her own show, she is sent to Angel Heights to help Grant open his diner and film it as a Holiday special for her TV show. Will Grant and Carly open their hearts too?

Review: I was a little confused as to what Carly’s job was and her network’s format. Was she the producer, director, set designer, host, and/or editor?  The whole restaurant opening, and show seemed background to the romance. It was cute at moments but Tess, as children do, made for many of the best

Scoring: 3

Record Breaking Christmas (2022)

Rated: G

Genre: Romance

Starring: Michelle Argyris and Andrew Bushell

Synopsis: Leah is forced to travel to a small town to investigate its plans to break multiple holiday world records. Later, she discovers that she may be the person who can help them reach their true Christmas goal.

Review: I enjoyed it.  Especially the array of characters, like Jin passing out when people sing or he sees a beard.  Everyone is very likable and waiting to see if they earn a new record.  It felt like it needed a little more oomph, but it was still cute.

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

Reindeer Games Homecoming (2022)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Starring: Sarah Drew and Justin Brüning

Synopsis: When her father dies, MacKenzie keeps her father's tradition of the town's fundraising "The Reindeer Games" alive, but when high school crush Chase shows up and plays against her, the spark between them grows.

Review: It starts a little slowly, but as we learn more of the characters’ back stories it gets more and more enjoyable. It does jump around between comedy and drama but I was entertained and really enjoyed watching it.  Seeing the community come together in the end was special.

Scoring: 3

Reindeer in Here (2022)

Rated: G

Genre: Animation

Starring: Gabriel Bateman, Candace Cameron Bure, Adam Devine, Henry Winkler and Donald Faison

Synopsis: Blizzard, a young reindeer living at the North Pole, and his unique group of friends band together to save the future of Christmas, creating a magical holiday tradition in the process.

Review: I found it to be cute but a little boring. I think it’s one for children that adults can sit through. I did like that the reindeer had different antlers and the message that you don’t have to change yourself. It also emphasized that we are all unique and that’s was makes us special. A good message for children. 

Scoring: 3

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

Reno 911!: It’s a Wonderful Heist (2022)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Comedy 

Starring: Thomas Lennon, Kerri Kenney, Cedric Yarbrough, Niecy Nash, and Wendy McLendon-Covey

Synopsis: After receiving a visit from a special "Christmas Angel", Lieutenant Dangle will see what life in Reno would be like if he had never been born.

Review: I used to watch the show, but this movie was so stupid.  I didn’t find a single moment funny.  If you liked the show, you could give it a try.  It just seemed too juvenile and all over the place.

Scoring: 1

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

A Rich Christmas (2021)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Bill Bellamy and Tyler Abron

Synopsis: A spoiled socialite will learn a lesson after her father asks her to work in a family homeless center.

Review: The beginning was a little silly but then it good really good. I was amazed at the way they handled Valerie being at the Haven. It shows the true meaning of Christmas-selflessness and giving.  The ending wraps up too easily, but the middle is so worth it. 

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