Last Christmas (2019)

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Starring: Emilia Clarke, Emma Thompson, Henry Golding, and Patti LuPone

Synopsis: Nothing seems to go right for young Kate, a frustrated Londoner who works as an elf in a year-round Christmas shop.  But things soon take a turn for the better when she develops a growing attraction to a charming suitor who seems to good to be true.

Review: When it started, I thought it was going to be a dull movie about a troubled girl.  I’m so glad I stayed with it.  As Kate evolves, with the help of Tom, we see all the layers to her and all her life experiences that led her down her path.  I can’t give away the part that makes it so special without ruining it for you.  I will say I cried a few tears.  When it was done, I felt uplifted.  Kate saying, “Helping each other is, in fact, what makes us happy,” sums up what Christmas means.

Scoring: 4

Last Vermont Christmas (2018)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Justin Bruening and Erin Cahill

Synopsis: The Marvin sisters gather for what may be their last Christmas at their childhood home.

Review:  This story has lots of relatable family and personal issues as well as a sweet story. It also moves very slowly. It felt like I was watching it forever. I didn’t mind but I prefer something that keeps me so interested I don’t notice the time. 

Scoring: 3

Lawrence Welk Christmas Shows (2007)

Rated: G

Genre: Musical

Starring: Lawrence Welk

Synopsis: Performances of Christmas favorites from Lawrence Welk Christmas specials.

Review: The music is mostly really good.  There is a big break where the performers introduce all their children.  Other than that, it’s great to watch or even to just listen to.  There are some songs I’ve never heard like children singing that the children on Mars have their own Santa.

Scoring: 3

The Least Of These: A Christmas Story (2018)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Religion

Starring: Tayla Lynn, Emma Faith, and Michael Nicolosi

Synopsis: A charming Christmas tale of hope, forgiveness and faith that centers around a single mom, her seven-year-old daughter and a Salvation Army Santa Claus.

Review: This movie is simple yet so beautifully moving.  The faith of this little girl, shared with her by her mother, is inspiring.  The characters all have a compassion and kindness that we need more of.  The community helping each other creates an emotional reaction.  I was emotionally invested from the very beginning.

Scoring: 4.5

The Legend of Frosty The Snowman (2005)

Rated: PG

Genres: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Larry Miller and Burt Reynolds

Synopsis: Frosty the Snowman goes where he is needed most and shares his magic with the town of Evergreen when they needed it most. 

Review: This is another sequel that seemed to be done solely for the sake of having a sequel. The story is poor but the rest of it is just as bad. It takes away from the legend of Frosty rather than adding to it. I’d skip this one and stick to the original. 

Scoring: 1

The Legend of The Christmas Witch (2018)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Fantasy

Starring: Paola Cortellesi

Synopsis: During the day Paola is an ordinary primary school teacher, but at night, she turns into The Christmas Witch, a magical creature who brings gifts to the good kids.

Review: I recommend parents preview this before showing their children.  There is some language and discussing how to French kiss that may not be appropriate for younger children.  That being said, I really liked it.  It’s the best version of the Italian La Befana I’ve seen.  It was funny but not silly.  It is in Italian but dubbed over in English so you don’t have to read subtitles.  I found it very entertaining.  It’s a good introduction to the Italian culture and how they celebrate Christmas.

Scoring: 3

The Legends of Santa (2008)

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Documentary

Synopsis: Santa's image is almost universally recognizable, yet the jolly old soul, with his bag of gifts, steering his reindeer and sliding down chimneys is a relatively modern image. This festive documentary shows how today's Santa is a fusion of cultures and traditions around the world.

Review: This is a very informative look at the origin of our modern-day Santa Claus as well as various celebrations around different culture’s version of Santa Claus.  I would not have children who still believe watch this as it may take away from that and bring about many questions you don’t want to answer.  For older children, this is a great way to learn about different cultures and Santa.

Scoring: 2.5

LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Animation, Fantasy

Starring: Billy Dee Williams

Synopsis: Rey leaves her friends to prepare for Life Day as she sets off on an adventure to gain a deeper knowledge of the Force. At a mysterious temple, she is hurled into a cross-timeline adventure. Will she make it back in time for Life Day?

Review: As a HUGE Star Wars fan I was really looking forward to this, but I was disappointed.  Maybe I’m not enough of a LEGO fan?  I did enjoy the flashbacks to key moments in the Star Wars franchise, but it was more about Star Wars itself than the characters celebrating a holiday.  If you like Star Wars, and LEGOs, and some silliness, or you want to introduce little ones to Star Wars you’ll love this.

Scoring: 2.5

The Leprechauns’ Christmas Gold (1981)

Rated: G

Genres: Animation, Comedy, Fantasy

Starring: Art Carney

Synopsis: An Irish sailor is stranded on an island full of Leprechauns and soon finds himself aiding them in protecting their gold from a greedy Hag.

Review:  Filled with whimsy and Irish magic, this does feel a little more like a St. Patrick’s Day special than a Christmas one.  I think it’s just because we’ve always associated leprechauns with that holiday.  It’s a sweet movie that children and families will enjoy.

Scoring: 3.5

Let It Snow (2019)

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Joan Cusack

Synopsis: In a small town on Christmas Eve, a snowstorm brings together a group of young people.

Review: This may be a film for millennials and teens.  Each story is superficial, and they never get too involved.  It seemed like they tried to duplicate Love Actually but missed on the story, the emotions, and Christmas.  The actors were good, but the story just felt forced.  I’d skip this one.

Scoring: 1.5

Let’s Get Merried (2021)

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Comedy

Starring: Nicole Power and Tahj Mowry

Synopsis: Follows a hard-partying, down-on-her-luck, holiday-hater who decides to get married at a Christmas-themed adventure park to a man she hasn’t met.

Review: I don’t think I’m the demographic the producers made the movie for. Maybe young adults will find it entertaining. I found it to be completely devoid of anything worth watching. It was just painfully stupid with gratuitous everything. If you’re looking for something that feels like Christmas, you’ll be disappointed. 

Scoring: 1.5

Let’s Kill Grandpa This Christmas (2018)

Rated: TV-MA

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family

Starring: James Wirt

Synopsis: Members of a family hatch a plot to kill the grandfather during Christmastime.

Review: This appears as if it was trying to be a dark comedy.  It’s a little dark and a little funny but that’s about it.  The story has the bones to be a quality funny movie had it been done better rather than a more amateur low budget film.  It’s okay but I wouldn’t watch it again.

Scoring: 2

Let's Meet Again On Christmas Eve (2020)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Kyla Pratt and Brooks Darnell

Synopsis: Two college sweethearts reconnect while coordinating a wedding just in time for the holidays.

Review: While a wedding is central to the story, Christmas and love are the stars. The couple having the wedding and their daughter and uncle are fun and unique. The couple, party planner and photographer, are amazing as well. Even though I knew there’d be a happy ending I still got goosebumps. Lovely story. 

Scoring: 4

Letters to Santa (2023)

Rated: G

Genres: Family and Fantasy

Starring: Katie Leclerc and Raphael de la Fuente

Synopsis: During the holidays, young siblings utilize a magical pen that grants wishes to bring their estranged parents back together.

Review:  Had this been directed better it could’ve been a new Christmas classic. Sadly it doesn’t go deep enough to really touch your heart. It’s still cute and I wanted everything to work out for the family. It’s enjoyable but the second time it’ll be better or not. 

Scoring: 3

Letters to Satan Claus (2020)

Rated: TV-14

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Karen Knox

Synopsis: Holly returns to her hometown to make a Christmas special before her promotion to a television anchorwoman, but first she must face Satan Claus and horrible childhood memories of him.

Review:  If you’re looking for a horror film, this probably isn’t for you.  It does poke fun at all Christmas movies so if you aren’t a Christmas movie fan you’ll enjoy it.  It’s cheesy, it’s silly, and a bit of a spoof.  I guess it was inevitable that a movie be made playing up Santa and Satan having the same letters.  It wasn’t one I’d watch again but it was okay.

Scoring: 2

The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus (2000)

Rated: G

Genres: Animation, Fantasy

Starring: Robby Benson, Dixie Carter, Hal Holbrook,

Synopsis: Based on the L. Frank Baum holiday classic, a human orphan raised by the Faire Folke becomes the benefactor of all human children.

Review: This version of Baum’s story is adapted to make the story understandable to even young viewers.  It’s a different Santa origin story than many are used to but the story is so elaborate and lovely I’d have children try it.  It’s one the family could enjoy together.

Scoring: 2.5

Life-Size 2 (2018)

Rated: TV-14

Genre: Comedy, Fantasy

Starring: Tyra Banks and Francia Raisa 

Synopsis: Grace is a hot mess in the middle of a quarter-life crisis, realizing that she is in over her head as a toy company's CEO. To make it worse, her wild-child ways are causing the company's stock to plummet.

Review:  First off, I ask you to notice the rating and not show it to young children. Secondly, when it began, I thought it might be one of the stupidest movies ever. Luckily, as it went on the story got better. It has a message of female empowerment. For me it’s still a one-time watch. 

Scoring: 2

A Light In The Forest (2003)

Rated: PG

Genres: Family, Fantasy

Starring: Lindsay Wagner

Synopsis: Britta must face her fears at her school's Christmas pageant while Holly Boy, the spirit of the season, must battle the forces of evil.

Review: I found this movie to be a little hard to watch.  There were places where it was really slow or far too much fantasy.  Even my imagination can only suspend so much belief.  This is more of a family movie but I wouldn’t have really young children watch.  The subject matter may be too much for them.

Scoring: 2

Lights, Camera, Christmas (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Kimberley Sustad and John Brotherton

Synopsis: It follows Kerry as she steps in as costume designer for a holiday rom-com movie shooting in her town.  She rediscovers her passion for costume design and finds herself falling for Brad, the film’s famous leading man.

Review: The movie going back and forth from present day to the movie seemed to impact the flow of the story. I never really got into it. I wasn’t bored either.  Sustad had a powerful performance, as always, and she was what held my interest. This is one I’ll watch again to see how it feels a second time. 

Scoring: 3

Like Father, Like Santa AKA The Christmas Takeover (1998)

Rated: NR

Genres: Family, Fantasy

Starring: Harry Hamlin

Synopsis: A ruthless toy tycoon, out to crush all of his competitors, travels to the North Pole to put an end to his biggest rival.

Review:  A bit corny, as some older made for TV movies are, but an interesting concept. I think children won’t mind the corniness and adults may enjoy it a little bit. 

Scoring: 2

Lil’ Santa’s Book Club: The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (2019)

Rated: NR

Genres: Animation, Fantasy

Synopsis: Celebrate the Christmas holiday with Santa and his favorite book-club as they gather around the fire to tell L. Frank Baum's classic holiday story, "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus".

Review: The stories are interesting but I question who their intended audience is.  The characters in the book club and the illustrations for the stories seem to be geared for the youngest viewers yet the stories use vocabulary that required me to pay full attention.  They use words and phrases like “irksome” and “sweet immortals who revel undisturbed in its depths”.  I think I’d try letting children watch it but if they lose interest it’s likely because they can’t follow the stories.

Scoring: 1.5

A Lionel Christmas 2 (2009)

Rated: NR

Genre: Documentary

Synopsis: Christmas morning memories captured in a series of incredible locations. Pure holiday enchantment.

Review: This is definitely geared towards train collectors and enthusiasts.  There were times when they were talking about technical facts that I found boring.  The best parts for me were people sharing their personal stories and the close ups of the animated features.

Scoring: 2.5

A Little Christmas Business (2013)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Daniel Baldwin

Synopsis: Don Collier has a wonderful life and family, but no time to enjoy either. His impossible boss even has him collecting signatures for a huge project the day before Christmas, but as he goes office to office it seems that every signer is a ghost from his past, and he soon begins to wonder if this is coincidence... or heavenly intervention.

Review: While I admit that this appears low budget and even has a few cheesy points, I really liked it.  It had a “Sixth Sense” feel about it.  Is he dead?  Is he having visions?  What’s going on?  And why isn’t he remembering his son is in the car this whole time?  I won’t ruin the story but it kept me really interested.  It’s one I’d watch again.

Scoring: 3.5

A Little Christmas Charm (2020)

Rated: G

Genre: Romance

Starring: Ashley Greene and Brendan Penny

Synopsis: Holly, a jewelry designer finds a lost charm bracelet and teams up with investigative reporter Greg in hopes of finding the owner and returning it by Christmas Eve. 

Review: This was a very lovely movie. Holly and Greg’s journeys as people and for the owner of the bracelet bring us surprises and a cast of interesting characters they meet along the way. This isn’t just a romance. It’s a true friendship turned to love. I can’t wait to watch again. 

Scoring: 4.5