Oddsville Christmas (2016)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Family

Synopsis: A young girl and her two friends from the strange land of Oddsville make plans to celebrate Christmas together, but when she is late to pick them up, the pair wander out on their own leading to a series of mishaps until they find their little friend, who finally shows them the true meaning of Christmas.

Review: This may be the silliest movie I’ve ever seen.  It was filmed in Finland so the English voices don’t match how their mouths are moving which is a little distracting.  I think kids will really enjoy the follies and adventures and parents won’t mind watching it.  It was interesting to see Christmas through the eyes of two people who didn’t know about it.

Scoring: 1.5

Office Christmas Party (2016)

Rated: R

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Rob Corddry, Kate McKinnon, T.J. Miller, Olivia Munn, Randall Park, and Courtney B. Vance

Synopsis: When the CEO tries to close her hard-partying brother's branch, he and his Chief Technical Officer must rally their co-workers and host an epic office Christmas party in an effort to impress a potential client and close a sale that will save their jobs.

Review: I was so disappointed. I expected to be in hysterics. When it started, I thought it might have the feel of Bateman’s movie Game Night. This was a horrible wannabe. I kept waiting to laugh once. It’s beyond slapstick and crude. It’s just trying way too hard. Bateman is the only likable character.

Scoring: 1.5

An Old Fashioned Christmas (2010)

Rated:  G

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Jacqueline Bisset

Synopsis: The story of An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving continues. Isabella and Tilly pay a visit to Ireland, hoping Isabella's long-ago suitor, the Earl of Shannon, can assist Tilly in getting her writing published.

Review:  I found this movie to be a little more interesting than An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving. The scenery and story kept my interest but it still felt like it was lacking a little something. 

Scoring: 2

On The 12th Date of Christmas (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Mallory Jansen and Tyler Hynes

Synopsis: Two seemingly incompatible game designers team up to create a romantic city-wide scavenger hunt with the theme of the “12 Days of Christmas.”

Review: I love, love, love, this movie.  The stars are absolutely charming and work so well together in their roles.  The story is unique and offers an interesting and fun way for the characters to get to know each other.  The addition of Aiden’s family and their home adds extra dimension to the story. I can’t wait to watch it again.

Scoring: 4

On The 2nd Day Of Christmas (1997)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family

Starring: Mary Stuart Masterson, Mark Ruffalo, and Howard Hessman

Synopsis: Con-woman Trish and her niece/ward Patsy are caught trying to steal from a department store right before Christmas. With the holidays so near, Bert, a store employee, agrees to be responsible for the pair so that Patsy need not spend the holidays in social services. Romance ensues.

Review:  The relationships between these characters are warm and they remind us of the Christmas spirit. Patsy is a special treat. This is a classic. 

Scoring: 4

On Valentine’s Day (1986)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama

Starring: Hallie Foote, Michael Higgins, and Matthew Broderick

Synopsis: Christmas unites a small-town family divided by a couple’s elopement in 1917 Texas.

Review: This starts at Christmas.  The title refers to when they eloped.  This movie is so very slow with what seems like a never-ending parade of characters and side stories.  It took effort to focus on it.  The story felt like the surface of what could’ve been a really moving one.  It kept shifting focus.  Skip this one.

Scoring: 1

Once Upon A Christmas Miracle (2018)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Aimee Teagarden, Brett Dalton, and Steve Bacic

Synopsis: Told she would have less than a few months to live without a new liver, Heather’s time was running out when a kind stranger heard of her plight and discovered he was a perfect match. The two met and before long a friendship developed into romance. 

Review:  After reading the synopsis I thought this movie would be all about Heather’s illness and it would be depressing. I was pleasantly surprised. It was a beautiful story of friendship and love. Learning it was based on a true story made it all the more impactful. 

Scoring: 3.5

Once Upon A Sesame Street Christmas (2016)

Rated: G

Genres: Fantasy

Starring: Jim Gaffigan, Audra McDonald, and Zosia Mamet

Synopsis: Elmo’s father tells a tale of the man who brought cheer to a dreary and unfriendly Sesame Street.

Review: This was very interesting. Seeing the characters as 1900s people, especially the most familiar characters, like Oscar, was really fun.  I also enjoyed watching Sesame Street go from the worst street where people don’t care to the nicest street.  Believe it or not, Oscar was once the nicest person on Sesame Street.

Scoring: 3.5

One Christmas (1994)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Katharine Hepburn, Henry Winkler, and Swoosie Kurtz

Synopsis: A young man is sent to visit his estranged father for Christmas in 1930 in New Orleans. Based on an autobiographical short story by Truman Capote.

Review:  Seeing a piece of the childhood of Capote along with the cast makes this worth watching. The intricacies of the relationships and the historical time period are a bonus. 

Scoring: 3.5

One Crazy Christmas (2018)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family

Starring: Aleeah Rogers

Synopsis: Sabrina, a successful divorced attorney must juggle her family and guests during Christmas dinner when her daughter, Leslie, surprisingly brings home her new fiance, Juan, and also invites her father, Glen, Sabrina's ex-husband.

Review: The movie starts and ends slowly and a little boring.  The middle is the best part.  If you like awkward situations and slapstick innuendo, this is the movie for you.  Christmas dinner is towards the end but other than them saying it’s Christmas there’s no other holiday aspects here.  It’s not rated but I’d say it’s an R movie. 

Scoring: 2

One December Night (2021)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Musical

Starring: Eloise Mumford, Peter Gallagher, Bruce Campbell, Didi Conn, and Brett Dalton

Synopsis: Two music managers must put their history aside to oversee the televised reunion performance of their rock star fathers with a fractured past.

Review: Based on the previews, I had low expectations for this movie but I was wrong.  It was a lovely film about family, forgiveness, and finding our way through the pain life throws at us.  There wasn’t a lot of Christmas in it but it was endearing.

Scoring: 3

One Delicious Christmas (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Romance 

Synopsis: Follows Abby, who inherited the property of Haven Restaurant and Inn, but being unable to manage both, she must team up with hot shot chef Preston Weaver to "shake up" the holiday menu and get an investment from a restaurant mogul.

Review: Were there lots of surprises?  No. Was there lots of Christmas? Yes. The ending won’t be a big surprise, but I rooted for them the whole time. 

Scoring: 3

One Fine Christmas (2019)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Marla Gibbs and Rick Fox

Synopsis: A group of neighbors struggle to find time for their families during the holiday season. 

Review: I found this to be truly interesting. It took me a minute to catch up to which neighbor had which story but once I did, I was hooked. The stories are so relatable and the characters are as flawed as we all are. It ends with a true feeling of Christmas. 

Scoring: 3.5

One Magic Christmas (1985)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Fantasy, Religion

Starring: Mary Steenburgen, Harry Dean Stanton, and Elisabeth Harnois

Synopsis: Gideon, a Christmas angel, is sent, by Santa, to help Ginny Grainger. Ginny is a cynic, and she hates Christmas. She and her family (husband, Jack and two kids, Cal and Abbie) have fallen on hard times, making it even harder to believe in anything that can't be seen. With help from Abbie, and a trip to see Santa Claus himself, can Gideon find a way to make Ginny believe again?

Review:  I found it to be so depressing and some aspects were almost anti-Christmas.  Christmas is about believing in magic. Ginny has to be given tangible proof in order to believe. Their Santa is a little scary. If you want a heavy drama you may like it. 

Scoring: 1

One Royal Holiday (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Laura Osnes and Aaron Tveit

Synopsis: When Anna offers a stranded mother and son shelter in a blizzard, she learns that they are the Royal Family of Galwick. Anna shows the Prince how they do Christmas in her hometown, encouraging him to open his heart and be true to himself.

Review: It wouldn’t be Christmas without a movie where a girl falls for a prince.  This movie is just as charming as the prince is-at the end of the movie.  At the beginning he’s quite sour.  The supporting characters and town traditions are full of Christmas spirit.  I especially liked the Queen.  She perfectly bridged the gap between royal and non-royal.   A very lovely romance.  ***Update***I've now watched this numerous times and I enjoy it more every time.  I wish they'd do a sequel.

Scoring: 4

One Special Night (1999)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: James Garner and Julie Andrews

Synopsis: Robert, a contractor, is visiting his ailing wife in a nursing home. When it's time for him to leave, he can't get a taxi home, because of a snow storm. Catherine, one of the doctors, offers him a ride. However, their car gets stuck, requiring them to overnight in an empty cabin nearby. They talk and bond, but afterwards seem to have difficulty beginning a relationship.

Review:  The fact that actors as tremendously talented as Garner and Andrews star make this worth watching. Seeing two people, stripped of the extras in so many Christmas movies, communicate and learn to move past their dislike of each other is special. 

Scoring: 3

Open By Christmas (2021)

Rated: G

Genres: Romance

Starring: Erica Durance, Brennan Elliot, and Alison Sweeney

Synopsis: When Nicky finds and unopened Christmas card from a high school secret admirer, she and her best friend Simone search to find and thank the anonymous author.

Review: I knew the ending from the beginning although they did leave key pieces of the story unresolved. There was a lot of Christmas and the plot was original. Definitely good if you’re looking for a romance. 

Scoring: 3

Operation Christmas Drop (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Kat Graham, Virginia Madsen, and Alexander Ludwig

Synopsis: Congressional aide Erica forgoes family Christmas to travel at her boss's behest. At a beachside Air Force base, she clashes with Capt. Andrew Jantz, who knows her assignment is finding reasons to defund the facility.

Review: It’s got all the meaning of Christmas, especially the spirit of giving.  Once I saw they end and realized it was based on a true story, I went and watched again and really loved it.  The way the soldiers volunteer their time to help those on the remote islands is amazing.

Scoring: 4

Operation Christmas List (2016)

Rated: TV-Y

Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Family

Starring: Colton Gobbo

Synopsis: 12-year-old Barney is on a mission to get what he really wants for Christmas this year. He hatches a plan to beat the Christmas rush and buy the entire stock of the most sought-after gift, The Patty Panda doll! Barney and his friends sneak into the local department store after hours hoping to use the rare toys to swap for things on their own list. Things don't go exactly as planned when Forte and his slick gang of tight suit wearing thieves, show up with the same idea.

Review: This is a movie about children, on an adventure, that’s best enjoyed by children. Families will like watching it together but it’s not made for adults. The characters are almost cartoonish and very silly.

Scoring: 2

Ornaments (2008)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Drama

Synopsis: Religion, alcohol and politics are three things best avoided at holidays - but it's something this group of friends haven't learned. In this dark comedy, six friends have reunited for what may be their last holiday together.

Review: This low budget indie film is very amateur from the acting to the camera work.  The story jumps around so much you don’t really get to know or care about the people before they come together.  Then it’s like watching your most awkward and uncomfortable family dinner.  Like the family dinner, you’ll want to run from this movie.

Scoring: 1

Our Christmas Journey (2021)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Holly Robinson Peete, Lyriq Bent, and Nik Sanchez

Synopsis: A single mother and her teenage son come to a crossroad during Christmastime.

Review: It was hard to watch as there were parallels to Pete’s real life, so I kept seeing her instead of the character. The story was good and very emotional. The actors did a good job. The sister broke my heart in her selflessness.  It’s a bit heavy but has the required Hallmark happy ending. 

Scoring: 3

Our Christmas Love Song (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Musical, Romance

Starring: Alicia Witt and Brendan Hines

Synopsis: When country star Melody Jones is accused of plagiarizing her holiday single, she returns home to spend Christmas with her estranged family and old flame and learns what’s important in life. 

Review: A very enjoyable movie. The time flew as I watched it. It had a lot of familiar parts to it but felt original. It’s full of family, Christmas, and music.  I really appreciated the nod to our soldiers away from home for the holidays.  A good family film.

Scoring: 3

Our Christmas Love Story (2022)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Reggie Gaskins and Kendyl McCray

Synopsis: A couple share their Christmas Love Story with a friend to encourage that love and miracles still happen around Christmas.

Review: The story isn’t bad it just isn’t a Christmasy movie. It takes place at Christmas but it’s barely a background feature. The acting is pretty good but the sound sometimes is really bad. The story jumps around and has very slow points.  I wouldn’t watch again.

Scoring: 2

Our Christmas Mural (2023)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Alex Paxton-Beesley and Dan Jeannette

Synopsis: When single mom Olivia is secretly entered into a mural contest by her mom, she partners with the teacher, Will.

Review:  I enjoyed seeing characters working through grief with the support of their family and community. I appreciated them normalizing therapy and the power of less traditional therapy like the art therapy shown. The characters stories seem incomplete. It’s like a Cliffs Notes version but it was enough to keep me interested. 

Scoring: 3.5

Our Dream Christmas (2017)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Olivia Brown

Synopsis: A Mississippi woman brings her family to Los Angeles to spend Christmas with her dying mother.

Review: In the beginning I was having a hard time figuring out who everyone was and how they were related.  The middle was many slow moments that just dragged.  Then the end came and made it worth watching the rest.  It really illustrated the family dynamics and how they can overcome their issues and just be there in good times and bad.

Scoring: 2 

Our Italian Christmas Memories (2022)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Beau Bridges and Sarah Power

Synopsis: The Colucci siblings try to recreate their late grandmother’s legendary pasta sauce in an effort to jog the memory of their grandfather who is struggling with dementia.

Review: I had a hard time with this. I think it was a good movie but the majority of it is about dealing with their grandfather with Alzheimer’s. Having been personally affected by this in my family, I found no joy in this movie. It just made me sad. If you don’t have experience with Alzheimer’s you may like it or if you do you may find it cathartic. I feel it’s a quality movie but not for me. 

Scoring: 3

Our OWN Christmas (2020)

Rated: G

Genre: Musical 

Starring: Meagan Good and DeVon Franklin

Synopsis: The OWN Network brings together gospel and R&B singers together to sing holiday classics.

Review: There were very positive messages and some good music. Unfortunately, because it was made in 2020 there are pandemic references that won’t make sense down the road and remind us of a horrible time. 

Scoring: 2.5

Outrageous Holiday Houses (2022)

Rated: G

Genre: Documentary 

Starring: Lance Bass 

Synopsis:  Lance Bass visits families who take holiday decorating to the next level. 

Review: I loved seeing all the Christmas decorations and how creative people were. I want to have all the decorations. 

Scoring: 3

Ozie Boo!  Learn to Live Together: Winter Adventures (2009)

Rated: G

Genres: Animation, Fantasy

Synopsis: The Ozie Boo penguins are really excited about Christmas. They are on their way to deliver their letters to Santa. During their winter adventure, the penguins discover a Mammoth, must solve the mystery of the missing toys, and learn that a wish will not come true overnight

Review: I definitely recommend this for younger children.  It has nice messages about friendship and kindness but this is not geared for all ages.  I didn’t mind it but I didn’t enjoy it.

Scoring: 1.5