So This Is Christmas (2013)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family, Religion, Romance 

Starring: Eric Roberts and Vivica A. Fox

Synopsis: Eighteen-year old Ashley's life is headed in the wrong direction. She's been hanging out with a bad crowd and seeking an escape from the drama at home. Everything begins to change when a handyman working on the family's house encourages her to volunteer for a Christmas play with underprivileged children. Ashley finds purpose by helping people in need and uses that to help heal her troubled family. Together, they discover the impact one person can make through the gift of giving.

Review:  There are plenty of good moments in this film but just not enough in between to hold them together. The religious message is too preachy and the plot too expected. The good moments can make it worth watching for. 

Scoring: 2

Someday At Christmas (2021)

Rating: PG

Genres: Romance

Starring: Asia’h Epperson and Thomas Q. Jones

Synopsis: Stranded in a train station on Christmas Eve, two strangers meet at a bar, only to lose complete contact with each other.  After an unexpected series of events brings them together again, they find their lives are no longer so simple.

Review: They met by fate, lost touch by fate, but after finding each other the second time the distance was by choice. It made it hard to root for them, especially Jonathan. I understood Chance’s reasons. Thankfully we get our happy ending. Thankfully we get our happy ending. 

Scoring: 2

Some Girls (1988)

Rated: R

Genres: Comedy, Drama

Starring: Patrick Dempsey and Jennifer Connelly

Synopsis: An American college student flies to Quebec City to visit his girlfriend and her wacky family.  She doesn’t love him anymore, the grandmother mistakes him for her late husband, her sister appears naked and makes advances, and the father likes to be naked as well.

Review: The movie has a few 1980’s movie quirks to it that make it fun, if you like quirky 80’s movies.  Other than that, it’s lacking.  It can’t decide if it’s a comedy or drama, the characters aren’t relatable, and the whole story is too out there.  Seeing young Dempsey and Connelly are the most interesting parts of the movie.

Scoring: 2

Some Kind of Christmas (2020)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Tomathon McGinnis, Mariela Perez Calderon, Andre Lamar, Derrell Lester, and Arnell Pharr

Synopsis: For the first time in 5 years, Gary decides to break his tradition and go home and spend Christmas with his family. After an unexpected breakup he takes the advice of a friend and creates the perfect "Ken" to take home for Christmas. With Gary's broken heart , sibling rivalry and unresolved childhood trauma it's sure to be Some Kind Of Christmas.

Review: This is clearly a low budget film. It’s got lots of poor acting and too many pauses that break up the story.  The plot was good had it been well done. 

Review: 1.5

Something From Tiffany’s (2022)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Family, Romance

Starring: Zoey Deutch and Kendrick Sampson

Synopsis: Follows a woman as her life gets upended when an engagement ring that was for someone else leads her to the person she's meant to be with.

Review: It takes place at Christmas but it doesn’t feel like Christmas at all. If you want a sweet romcom you’ll love it. If you want Christmas, you’ll be disappointed. 

Scoring: 3

Sons Of Mistletoe (2001)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Family 

Starring: Roma Downey, George Newbern, and Doris Roberts

Synopsis: An heiress who was long estranged from her father comes to town to sell off all of his belongings. Too late she learns that she has sold a boys' orphanage run by a gentleman who grew up there.

Review:  I love this movie. The children have such diverse and funny personalities. It’s hard to describe without spoilers but I loved Roberts as the cop and Newbern’s dedication. 

Scoring: 5

Soul Santa (2021)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Comedy, Family

Starring: Sam Brice

Synopsis: A shopping mall Santa is the disguise for a business man who’s gotten into trouble with the mob.

Review: While not always realistic, it’s often quite funny. Santa referring to TV characters as people he knows is a good laugh. It’s corny and cheesy but at the heart of it is a family who loves each other. Worth a watch but I probably wouldn’t watch again. 

Scoring: 2

Special Delivery (2000)

Rated: NR

Genre: Comedy 

Starring: Andy Dick

Synopsis: A baby gets misplaced by a worker at an adoption agency during the Christmas holiday.

Review:  If you’re familiar with Andy Dick you know to expect slapstick comedy. This movie has that but the tender moments will surprise you. It doesn’t take itself too seriously but still delivers a terrific story. 

Scoring: 3

The Spirit Of Christmas (2015)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance 

Starring: Thomas Beaudoin and Jen Lilley

Synopsis: Emotionally frigid attorney Kate Jordan reluctantly accepts an end-of-the-year assignment to get a reputedly haunted inn appraised and sold by year's end. By and by she meets Daniel, the resident ghost who, for the past ninety-five years, inexplicably returns to life each December during the twelve days of Christmas. Kate has only one logical recourse for their mutual benefit: break the curse that binds him - but falling for a man almost a century her senior isn't among her plans.

Review:  The premise sounds far-fetched so I was surprised that I was so moved by this love story. I wanted Kate and Daniel to work it out so they could be together. I won’t spoil it and say if they did. I found the story to be original and charming.  The more times I watch it, the more I love it. 

Scoring: 5

Spirited (2022)

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Comedy, Family, Musical

Starring: Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds

Synopsis: A musical version of Charles Dickens's story of a miserly misanthrope who is taken on a magical journey.

Review: This movie is so hard to describe. The music and choreography was wonderful. The story was unlike any Christmas Carol version I’ve ever seen. It’s a perfect mix of laughter, emotion, and music. I loved it. 

Scoring: 4

Spookley and the Christmas Kittens (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Animation, Fantasy, Musical

Synopsis: Spookley and Mistletoe brave a raging winter storm to find a home for three stray kittens.

Review: I went into this not knowing anything about Spookley except that it’s geared towards really young children.  I expected it to be the typical little kid movie.  I can’t believe how much I enjoyed it.  It’s not overly saccharine.  The music is really good.  It also teaches great lessons to young children such as everyone wanting somewhere to call home and being a good friend.  I’d even enjoy watching again.

Scoring: 3.5

Spotlight On Christmas (2020)

Rated: PG

Genre: Romance

Starring: Tori Anderson and Victor Zinck, Jr.

Synopsis: Dumped before Christmas, famous Hollywood actress Olivia secretly returns to her hometown to eat cookies and avoid the press. Instead, she has to step up to take the starring role in her own life, realizing that home is where the heart is.

Review: I liked the drama aspect to it. Seeing the students brought back memories of my own high school days. Little Janey was precious and added tons of joy to the movie. The only thing I didn’t like was the slightly ambiguous ending. 

Scoring: 3

The Spruces And The Pines (2017)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance 

Starring: Jonna Walsh, Nick Ballard, Tom Kemp, Ken Cheeseman

Synopsis: A Romeo and Juliet romance takes place among two feuding New England Christmas Tree lot families. Against their families' wills, Julie Pine and visiting-from-Texas, Rick Spruce, fall in love, but are forced to hide their Yuletide relationship.

Review:  It’s a little corny but I liked it. Once you realize the connection between the story and Romeo and Juliet you start to expect where the story may go. The backdrop of the tree farms is beautiful and the story is lighthearted and fun. 

Scoring: 3

Stagecoach Santa (2010)

Rated: NR

Genres: Family, Religion

Synopsis: John's struggle to provide is bolstered by the childlike faith of his son who considers the meaning of Christmas. After a stagecoach rider visits Christmas eve, John must believe that troubles are temporary, and miracles can happen.

Review: The main message of this movie is religious faith.  It does do a good job of combining an acceptance of both the religious and secular parts of Christmas.  It emphasizes family and being grateful for what you have.  It has good lessons for children and would spark conversations with families.  While it’s clearly low budget, I believe the acting is good and the simplicity of the story makes it okay.

Scoring: 2.5

Staging Christmas (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Soleil Moon Frye, George Stults, Jaleel White

Synopsis: Lori is intrigued when a wealthy widower names Everett asks her to stage his home for the holidays to cheer up his daughter, Maddie. 

Review: This was a nice movie. It was a little flat but still enjoyable. All the Christmas decorating is fun. Lori and Maddie have more chemistry in their relationship than Lori and Everett.  While it has its faults, I still enjoyed it and have watched several times.

Scoring: 3

The Star (2017)

Rated: PG

Genres: Animation, Comedy, Religion

Starring: Anthony Anderson, Aidy Bryant, Mariah Carey, Kristin Chenoweth, Kelly Clarkson, Patricia Heaton, Gabriel Iglesias, Keegan-Michael Key, Kris Kristofferson, Zachary Levi, Tracy Morgan, Tyler Perry, Christopher Plummer, Ving Rhames, Gina Rodriguez, Oprah Winfrey, and Steve Yeun

Synopsis: A small but brave donkey and his animal friends become the unsung heroes of the first Christmas.

Review: I loved this!  There’s enough humor to entertain while maintaining the appropriate reverence for the story.  Tracy Morgan never failed to make me laugh.  This would be a great family film.  It would also be a good way to introduce the birth of Jesus to young children in a way they can relate to more than most movies.  Even just adults will enjoy the humor.  I laughed but I was also very moved at the end.

Scoring: 5

Star Dust (2010)

Rated: NR

Genres: Animation, Fantasy

Synopsis: Kobold, a grumpy elf with no toy-making talent, tries to redeem himself by embarking on a trip to find the magical star dust that powers Santa’s sleigh to save Christmas.

Review: The animation is fairly low quality but it’s a nice story.  Different people and beings work together and learn the true meaning of Christmas.  Meant more for children but still fun to watch.

Scoring: 2

Stealing Christmas (2003)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family 

Starring: Tony Danza, Lea Thompson, and Betty White

Synopsis: After bungling his latest heist, bank robber Jack Clayton flees the big city and winds up in the small town of Evergreen. There he’s mistaken by Sarah Gibson and her daughter, Noelle, as the Santa Claus they’ve hired to promote their local family Christmas tree farm. Jack plays along while casing a local bank. As his affection for Sarah and Noelle grows, can he leave his past behind him?

Review:  This movie is a little slow and a little too predictable, but it’s still got that Christmas feeling to it. I even got involved to the point of wondering how everything would sort out with Jack. 

Scoring: 2.5

Steppin’ Into the Holiday (2022)

Rated: G

Genre: Romance

Starring: Jana Kramer, Mario Lopez, and Cheri Oteri

Synopsis: Follows former Broadway star, Billy Holiday, who meets Rae, the charismatic owner of a local dance studio, and after Billy volunteers to help Rae with a dance recital fundraiser, their collaboration clicks and romantic sparks start flying.

Review: I found this movie so boring. It dragged on and on. The focus between the dance show and the family was too segregated. Had they been more in tune it might have been better. The best part was the children dancing at the end.

Scoring: 2

A Stone Cold Christmas (2018)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Fantasy

Starring: Demetria McKinney

Synopsis: A holiday encounter with a forsaken boyfriend forces money-grubbing Mia Stone to re-examine her past, present and future.

Review: A new look at the character of Scrooge.  It’s not a literal past, present and future journey.  It’s a look at a woman who gets a view of how she influences people.  We do have the prerequisite change at the end.  It’s still an enjoyable movie and I was thoroughly entertained.

Scoring: 3

The Story Of Santa Claus (1996)

Rated: G

Genres: Animation, Fantasy, Musical

Starring: Ed Asner, Tim Curry, and Betty White

Synopsis: The special presents an origin story for Santa Claus, who is depicted as a man named Nicholas Claus who wishes to give every child in the world a gift for Christmas. The elves of the North Pole become obligated to grant his wish, facing great obstacles.

Review: If you like stories about the origin of Santa, you’ll like this. I think it must be confusing for children with so many movies with different origin stories. Overall, they present the characters as good and giving which is a great message for kids. Adults may or may not enjoy it. 

Scoring: 3

A Storybook Christmas (2019)

Rated: PG

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Ali Liebert and Jake Epstein

Synopsis: If event planner Celeste is going to save her business and give her niece a happy Christmas season, she is going to need help. 

Review: A very sweet movie. Seeing Celeste try to honor her sister and the bonds between them and Finley was lovely. Taylor fit right in like am the perfect puzzle piece. The movie isn’t super deep but has just enough. 

Scoring: 3.5

A Sugar & Spice Holiday (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Jacky Lai and Tony Giroux

Synopsis: Suzie, A rising young architect, returns to her small hometown in Maine for Christmas.

Review: I love how the movie starts out lighthearted, especially with Suzy describing everyone as a dessert.  As it goes on, it develops more depth and emotion.  We see Suzy trying to deal with the loss of her grandmother as well as her need to succeed at everything while dealing with not being perfect.  It is a great balance of emotions.

Scoring: 3.5

Sugar Plum Twist (2021)

Rated: G

Genres: Family

Starring: Jamie Gray Hyder and Laura Rosguer

Synopsis: After failing to get the coveted role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in this year’s production of The Nutcracker, Viviana joins forces with Natalia, to create a surprise reprise of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy with a Latin Twist.

Review: The majority of Christmas movies can be described as sweet but this one is too much. The problems are minimized and resolved too easily. There’s just not enough meat to the story. If you like watching dancing you’ll enjoy it. 

Scoring: 2

Summertime Christmas (2010)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Religion

Starring: Josh Roy and Monica Eder

Synopsis: While vacationing separately in small-town USA, Elwood and Nora, two of Santa's elves, receive an urgent transmission, initiating a series of events that will change their lives, and the world, forever. With the help of one good little girl, they set out to rid the town out of an economic depression and turn the wayward children back from naughty to nice. As their relationship blossoms, they discover the limits of their magic, the true meaning of Christmas and the joy of helping others.

Review: The movie is filled with points it is trying to get across; how government affects families, the inclusion of religious Christmas with the secular, accountability for actions, and more. It’s a B-movie with some very average acting and it starts out quite slowly. If you’re okay with the religious content, it has some good family qualities and would create positive discussions. We can all use some Christmas year-round.

Scoring: 2

The Swan Princess Christmas (2012)

Rated: PG

Genres: Animation, Fantasy, Musical, Religion

Starring: Jennifer Miller

Synopsis: Princess Odette, Prince Derek and their trusted woodland friends return for their first Christmas celebration! But, with the villainous Rothbart striving to destroy Christmas itself, will they be able to stop him and save the day?

Review: Let me preface this by saying the story isn’t religious but plenty of the music is and there’s lots of wonderful Christmas music.  It’s a fun story with lots of silly and lighthearted moments.  I also like that the female saves the male when it’s typically the opposite.  This is a great one for families.

Scoring: 3

A Sweet Christmas Romance (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Family, Romance

Starring: Adelaide Kane, Greyston Holt, and Loretta Devine

Synopsis: When a food stylist finds out the owner of her favorite bakery is retiring and sponsoring a baking contest to see who will be her successor, she enters but then is forced to join forces with a rival chef to try and win.

Review: This is such a sweet love story.  It’s not full of surprises but there are just enough details and different relationships to keep it interesting.  They don’t overdo it on the baking.  The emphasis is on the people and their relationships.  This is one I’m definitely watching again.

Scoring: 5

Sweet Mountain Christmas (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Musical, Romance

Starring: Megan Hilty, Marcus Rosner, and Teryl Rothery

Synopsis: A musician who is set to headline a Christmas concert in NYC makes a pit-stop in Tennessee to see her family.

Review: This is a perfectly average movie.  It’s not good, it’s not bad.  It just falls flat.  I didn’t really care about the characters or what was happening.  There are a few moments; like them dancing, or her with the kids.  If you’re a Megan Hilty fan, give it a try.  Otherwise, I’d skip it.

Scoring: 2

Sweet Navidad (2022)

Rated: PG

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Camila Banus and Mark Halls

Synopsis: A pastry chef, dreams of opening her own pastry shop. Being paired with another chef for a grand event they have to learn from one another and eventually come together to create a truly inspired menu in time for Christmas.

Review: It’s a cute movie. Carmen’s family was my favorite part. The plot was a basic romance. No surprises.  It almost seemed like they were just friends.   But it’s sweet to watch. 

Scoring: 3

Swept Up By Christmas (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Lindy Booth and Justin Bruening

Synopsis: An antique seller and a cleaner clash as they work on downsizing a recluse’s magnificent estate.

Review: I found this to be a very original story.  The romance between the woman left at the altar and the jilted man who is trying to return to civilian life after the armed forces was handled so delicately and is so plausibly realistic.  The other characters add to the charm and round out the story perfectly.  It’s truly endearing.

Scoring: 4