#Xmas (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Brant Daughtry and Clare Bowen

Synopsis: When Jen gets the chance to enter a brand-design contest, she poses as a family influencer, and when her video is selected as a finalist, she's torn between continuing her perfect "family" or revealing the truth.

Review: This is another movie that was nothing like I expected. I thought social media was going to be a main focus, but it was really just part of the story. The main focus is Jen’s learning to love herself and learn who she is and how to accept herself. It’s a cute romance and a relatable character for those who feel flawed. 

Scoring: 3

1,000 Miles from Christmas (2021)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Tamar Novas

Synopsis: A Christmas tale, a romantic comedy and the story of a man in his 30s who learns reluctantly to get carried away by the Christmas spirit.

Review: The story has lots of points where it’s over the top silly and Raul seems to change from Scrooge to Christmas lover way too quickly.  It’s a little slow and sometimes just odd but fairly entertaining.

Scoring: 2

12 Dates Of Christmas (2011)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Family, Romance

Starring: Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Amy Smart

Synopsis: A story that follows Kate, a young woman, who after a horrible blind date on Christmas Eve, wakes up to find she is re-living that same day and date all over again.

Review:  Another Groundhog Day take-off but I still liked it. This one felt fresh and original. Smart makes Kate relatable, funny, and three-dimensional. I wanted her to find her happiness but I appreciated all her changes along the way. I watch this one every year.

Scoring: 5

The Twelve Days Of Christmas Eve (2004)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

Starring: Steven Weber, Molly Shannon, and Teryl Rothery

Synopsis: Calvin Carter, a successful business executive, has it all, but neglects those closest to him. On Christmas Eve, all that changes when the sign on his office building falls on him. He awakes in a hospital bed, attended to by Angie, a nurse who soon lets him know he has 12 days (12 chances) to get his act together and achieve the "perfect" Christmas Eve. If he doesn't, there will be dire consequences.

Review:  Yet another Christmas version of Groundhog Day. We find the main character reliving the same day until he has an epiphany and becomes a good person. Despite its unoriginal plot, it’s a fairly well done version.  Molly Shannon adds some levity. Waiting to see how each day ends is a fun part. 

Scoring: 3

The 12 Days of Christmas Eve (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Kelsey Grammer, Spencer Grammer, and Mark Jacobson

Synopsis: Brian Conway a successful businessman gets into a car accident on Christmas Eve, Santa gives him twelve chances to re-do the day and repair the relationships in his life to find the true meaning of Christmas.

Review: This is another Groundhog Day style Christmas movie.  It’s interesting and fun but there’s nothing unexpected. 

Scoring: 3

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Ashley Jones and David Blue

Synopsis: A man who wins a small fortune decides to share his winnings by acting as a Secret Santa to people in a small town.  One of the characters chosen is a boy whose father is deceased. The man grows fond of the boy’s mother and begins to fall in love with her.

Review: This movie is a bit syrupy but the idea behind it is unusual compared to most repetitive plot lines. The characters are so likable and I rooted for them and I was invested in them. Endearing.

Scoring: 3.5

12 Dog Days Till Christmas (2014)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Reginald VelJohnson

Synopsis: After being assigned to an animal rescue shelter as part of his community service by his probation officer, a troubled teenager is forced to get into the spirit of the holidays when he is recruited to help find homes for twelve unwanted dogs before Christmas.

Review: While I found this movie to be a bit slow, I liked the characters and the animals. It was a good reminder of the impact we have on our communities and that Christmas is a good time to give of ourselves.

Scoring: 3

The 12 Dogs Of Christmas (2005)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Jordan-Claire Green

Synopsis: A girl uses dogs to teach people about the true meaning of Christmas during the Depression.

Review:  A nice family film. The children and dogs will appeal to children. It’s got lots of light moments. The setting can provide historical information for family discussions. 

Scoring: 3

12 Dogs Of Christmas: Great Puppy Rescue (2012)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Family

Starring: Sean Patrick Flanery, Danielle C. Ryan and D.B. Sweeney 

Synopsis: In this heartwarming sequel to the holiday classic, Emma rallies her friends new and old to save a beloved puppy orphanage by putting on a musical holiday extravaganza.

Review:  It’s something I think children would enjoy more. It’s a little corny and slow for adults. It’s a sweet story but not easy to sit through. 

Scoring: 2

12 Games of Christmas (2023)

Rated: G

Genres: Fantasy, Romance 

Starring: Felisha Cooper and Johnny Ramsey

Synopsis: A group of friends are magically transported inside a Christmas-themed board game during a holiday party. They must play through the game's levels to return home. They work together to survive and escape back to reality.

Review: This movie was so disappointing. The sets and acting were beyond subpar. The story couldn’t pick a lane. Is it about faith, fun, friendship?  And I felt like I was being lectured to. This is the movie version of an awkward teenager. With more development it could’ve been amazing. 

Scoring: 2

12 Pups For Christmas (2019)

Rated: PG

Genre: Romance

Starring: Charlotte Sullivan and Donny Boaz

Synopsis: Struggling to keep his dog GPS locator company afloat, Martin expect his new hire, Erin, to help him save the company and find homes for 12 puppies that were left behind after a photo shoot.

Review: Even though this is a dog movie, it’s not for children. There are some funny moments and some sweet moments but the story lacks a cohesive flow.  I enjoyed watching it, especially all the people who worked for the tech company and their kindness and spirit.  The characters are what makes this movie.

Scoring: 3.5

12 Trees Of Christmas (2013)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Lindy Booth, Robin Dunne, Mel B, and Casper Van Dien

Synopsis: Cheri Jamison rallies the residents of her beloved Manhattan neighborhood to participate in a Christmas tree contest when her cherished local library is abruptly set for demolition. Cheri finds herself up against an ambitious developer Tony Shaughnessy.

Review:  I love Christmas and libraries so I thought this would be a great movie for me. Unfortunately it was a little boring. The story dragged and was more like a deflated balloon.  It isn’t bad to watch if you keep your expectations lower. 

Scoring: 2.5

2nd Chance For Christmas (2019)

Rated: NR

Genres: Family, Fantasy

Starring: Vivica A. Fox, Jonathan Lipnicki, Mark McGrath, Tara Reid, Brittany Underwood

Synopsis: A popular, young singer does not like Christmas. Just like Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, she's visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

Review: Unlike so many other takes on the Dicken’s classic, this one is tired, boring, and just plain blah. There’s nothing moving or truly funny, although I did like Christmas Past. They didn’t even manage to make Chance likable enough that you wanted her to be better.

Scoring: 2

3 Day Test (2012)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Family

Starring: Corbin Bernson, Megyn Price, and George Newbern

Synopsis: Martin Taylor believes that his family needs to connect and in order to achieve this challenges them to stay in the house for three days without the conveniences of modern life which includes no phones, gas, heating, television and computers. Things take a turn for the worse when some familiar intruders enter the house and the family realize they need to act together.

Review:  It’s an interesting concept but the way it was done was so corny. There were some great family moments but overall it’s just too much over the top. 

Scoring: 1

The 3 Dogateers (2014)

Rated: TV-Y

Genre: Fantasy

Starring: Dean Cain

Synopsis: When they are left on their own a few days before Christmas, three white little fur balls get their paws into a world of trouble. A couple of no-good burglars have made off with all of the family's presents and decorations, and it's time for the Three Dogateers to unite! The always-hungry Barkos, the pampered purebred Wagos and the adventure-loving Arfamis set off on a journey to sniff out the bad guys. But with the world's meanest dogcatcher hot on their tails, they may need a little help from Santa Claus himself to save Christmas!

Review: Yet another talking dog movie. Why is Dean Cain in so many of them?  It’s as inane and ridiculous as so many others. Kids may like the talking dogs but that’s it. The three musketeers references will go right over their heads. 

Scoring: 1

48 Christmas Wishes (2017)

Rated: G

Genres:  Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Bruce Gram

Synopsis: For the first time ever, two junior Elves have to leave home after losing an entire town's letters to Santa. While attempting to blend into small town life, they set out to retrieve every missing wish before Christmas Eve.

Review:  It’s a cute movie but definitely more for children. I think they’ll like the child elves. Adults can watch it but children will enjoy it more. 

Scoring: 2

5 Star Christmas (2018)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Comedy

Starring: Massimo Ghini

Synopsis: When the Italian Premier and his companion find a dead body in his hotel suite, while on a trip to Hungary, they find themselves embroiled in a series of comedic situations as they try to avoid a scandal.

Review:  You should know this movie is Italian with subtitles so if you can’t do subtitles, stay away. That being said, it’s slapstick comedy that manages to fall short on the comedy. It just seemed too silly, but not in a good way. 

Scoring: 2

8-Bit Christmas (2021)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Steve Zahn and Neil Patrick Harris

Synopsis: In 1980s Chicago, a ten-year-old sets out on a quest to get the Christmas gift of his generation-the latest and greatest video game system.

Review: I think this movie may have a key demographic and I’m not in it. I remember being the cool kid because I got a gaming system before anyone else and how exciting waiting for that Christmas morning was. Sadly, the movie doesn’t effectively evoke those emotions. The sentimental ending was the best part. 

Scoring: 3

8 Stories (2015)

Rated: NR

Genre: Drama

Starring: Drew Brock Baker

Synopsis: Living in a crowded New York City apartment does not mean getting close to the neighbors. During the hectic Christmas season, 8 strangers get stuck in an elevator 8 stories high. 8 strangers are about to find out what being a true neighbor means.

Review: While the concept is interesting, it’s poorly done.  The characters are a little bit of a caricature of the average person. There are lulls that stop the story that could’ve easily been avoided.  Worst is, it’s not a Christmas movie.  If I wasn’t watching to review it, I would’ve stopped by twenty minutes in.  It finally got to a point where I felt like I knew the characters and wanted to know how it ended.  It just took too long to get there.

Scoring: 2