Topic: Christmas 2016

[addicted2dvd]

Santa Clause 2: 10th Anniversary (2002/United States) IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer | Buena Vista Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Michael Lembeck Writing: Leo Benvenuti (Story By), Steve Rudnick (Story By), Don Rhymer (Screenwriter), Cinco Paul (Screenwriter), Ken Daurio (Screenwriter), Ed Decter (Screenwriter), John J. Strauss (Screenwriter), Leo Benvenuti (Original Characters By), Steve Rudnick (Original Characters By) Length: 104 min. Video: Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Portuguese: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Russian: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Thai: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: Chinese, English, French, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai

Stars:
Tim Allen as Scott Calvin/Santa/Toy Santa
Elizabeth Mitchell as Carol
David Krumholtz as Bernard
Eric Lloyd as Charlie Calvin
Judge Reinhold as Neil Miller

Plot:
Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of a magical holiday adventure – available for the first time on Blu-ray, featuring a new digital restoration with enhanced picture and sound. Tim Allen is back in Santa Clause 2, the hilarious sequel to the original Christmas favorite.

Scott Calvin (Allen) has been Santa Claus for the past eight years and all seems merry... until his son Charlie lands on the "naughty list." Things gets even more complicated when Scott discovers that he has to marry by Christmas Eve or he'll stop being Santa forever. Your whole family will want to unwrap the heartwarming holiday fun of Santa Clause 2 on Blu-ray High Definition!

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Outtakes/Bloopers

My Thoughts:

This is a fun sequel. I enjoyed it quite a bit... though it isn't as good as the first part. I liked the whole storyline... making him get a wife and all. I just didn't care much for the fake "Toy Santa" part of it. But over all well worth the time put in to watch it.

Rating:

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How The Grinch Stole Christmas!/Horton Hears a Who: Special Edition (1966/United States) IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer | (United States) Director: Chuck Jones Writing: Length: 53 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, French: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Boris Karloff as Narrator/The Grinch
Thurl Ravenscroft as Singer
June Foray as Cindy Lou Who/Jane Kangaroo
Chuck Jones as Horton and Dr. Hoovey
Hans Conried as Narrator

Plot:
From one of the greatest fable-writers of all time come two enchanting tales for the whole family!

Few storytellers are as delightfully unique as Dr. Seuss - and few animated tales are as beloved as his "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" and "Horton Hears a Who!" All of your favorite Suess characters are here - and the whole whild, wooly, completely adorable and outrageously imporobably menagerie comes parading your way in one mammothly entertaining presentation!

In "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!," the crotchety Grinch, with "termites in his smile" and "garlic in his soul," tries to wipe out Christmas for the cheerful Whovillians - only to discovere that the true spirit of the season lies beyond his covetous grasp! Just the opposite of the miserly Grinch is Horton, the big elephant whith an even bigger heart, who protects the miniscule inhabitants of Whoville from impending disaster in "Horton Hears a Who!" Filled with songs and tongue-twisting verse galore, these Dr. Seuss favorites are a festival of fun for the entire family.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Featurettes
• Interactive Games
• Pencil Tests, Music Selections

My Thoughts:

This is a very good Christmas special that I try to watch every year. While watching this I can't help to somewhat feel like a kid again. A true classic in every meaning of the word. Definitely one I feel safe recommending.

Rating:

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Larry the Cable Guy's Christmas Spectacular (2007/United States) IMDb | (United States) Director: C B Harding Writing: Length: 62 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles:

Stars:
Larry The Cable Guy as Himself
Tony Orlando as Himself
Jamie Kennedy as Himself
Penn Jillette as Himself
Carrot Top as Himself

Plot:
In his first Christmas DVD ever, Larry The Cable Guy presents a Christmas variety show in the vein of the classic shows of the 1970s! Larry The Cable Guy's Christmas Spectacular certainly lives up to its name, featuring special guests Tony Orlando, Vicki Lawrence, Jamie Kennedy, Flavor Flav, Penn Jillette, Jim Breuer, George Wallace, George Wendt, Jeffrey Ross, Carrot Top, Lisa Lampanelli, and a surprise musical guest!

Larry's over-the-top sketches and songs–such as "The Roast Of Santa Claus" and "A Very Larry Christmas Carol"–will keep you laughing long after the last bite of fruitcake has been eaten!

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Bonus Trailers
• Featurettes

My Thoughts:

OK.. what to say about this one? It has some good and some bad.There was a couple sketches I liked in it. Over-all just an average Christmas special. Nothing here to go out of your way to see.

Rating:

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Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006/United States) IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer | Walt Disney Home Entertainment, Buena Vista Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Michael Lembeck Writing: Leo Benvenuti (Original Characters By), Steve Rudnick (Original Characters By), Ed Decter (Writer), John J. Strauss (Writer) Length: 92 min. Video: Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: PCM: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Tim Allen as Santa/Scott Calvin
Elizabeth Mitchell as Mrs. Claus/Carol
Eric Lloyd as Charlie
Judge Reinhold as Neil Miller
Wendy Crewson as Laura Miller

Plot:
Tim Allen is back in the big red suit for more adventures and laughs in Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause – now merrier and brighter than ever on Blu-ray Disc®.

As Christmas nears, Scott Calvin invites his in-laws (Ann-Margret, Alan Arkin) to join the festivities. But the holidays take a chaotic turn when Scott discovers a way out of his "Santa Clause" and the mischievous Jack Frost (Martin Short) puts the big freeze on Christmas's big cheese! Now, unless Scott can get his job back in the St. Nick of time, it's going to be a very glacial "Frostmas" all around the world! Bundle up for fresh thrills as your favorite reluctant Santa Claus faces his most chilling challenge yet in the crystal clarity of high definition, while spectacular audio enhancement makes sleigh bells ring out like symphonies.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Bonus Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Interactive Games
• Music Videos
• Outtakes/Bloopers

My Thoughts:

I don't feel it quite held up to the first 2 parts... but I still enjoyed it a lot. While the storyline with Jack Frost left me a little cold (Sorry... couldn't help myself)... I thought Martin Short was a good choice for the role. I also liked the whole family reunion at the North Pole thing.

Rating:

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Holiday in Handcuffs (2007/United States) IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer | Gaiam (United States) Director: Ron Underwood Writing: Sara Endsley (Writer) Length: 90 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles:

Stars:
Melissa Joan Hart as Trudie Chandler
Mario Lopez as David Martin
Tim Bottoms as Dad Chandler
Markie Post as Mom Chandler
June Lockhart as Grandma

Plot:
A ne'er-do-well thirty-something (Melissa Joan Hart) attempts to appease her family by kidnapping an attractive boyfriend (Mario Lopez) for the holidays. Despite unlikely oddsand dysfunctional family moments, the two fall in love and share a magical Christmas.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Bonus Trailers
• Interviews

My Thoughts:

This is one I wanted to check out as I am familiar with both the main stars. I found it to be a fun, entertaining film. One I found to be worth the time put in to watch it. It is an unusual idea... but I like the way it works. Recommended.
 

Rating:

[Danae Cassandra]

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas
Year of Release: 1977
Directed By: Jim Henson
Starring: Jerry Nelson, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, Marilyn Sokol, Dave Goelz
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Musical, Television

Overview:
In Frogtown Hollow, live Emmet and Ma Otter: a family with little money, but lots of love. With Christmas coming, they want very much to buy each other a store-bought gift – but are barely scraping by doing odd jobs. When a local talent contest offers a special prize, Emmet must make a sacrifice to join his Jug-Band for the competition. Will the Jug-Band prevail or will fierce competition from the Riverbottom Gang steal the show – and the prize?

My Thoughts:
This a deceptively sweet Christmas special. It's about a widowed mother otter and her only son risking everything to win enough money to buy the other a Christmas present. Paul Williams puts together some good 70's folk/bluegrass inspired songs. The Muppets are cute and memorable, and even the minor characters have a surprising amount of personality.

It's also surprisingly dark, and though things turn out well for the Otters, it so easily couldn't have. After all, Alice and Emmet have destroyed their ability to earn a livelihood in the hope of a monetary show of love for the other. For me that impracticability mars an otherwise wonderful little special.

Bechdel Test: Pass
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 3/5

[Danae Cassandra]

Arthur Christmas
Year of Release: 2011
Directed By: Sarah Smith
Starring: James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton, Ashley Jensen
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Animation

Overview:
How CAN Santa deliver billions of presents to the whole world in just one night? With an army of one million combat-style Field Elves and a vast, state-of-the-art control center under the ice of the North Pole! So how could this incredible operation have MISSED one child?! To Santa's young son, Arthur, it threatens to end the magic of Christmas. With retired Grandsanta, a rebellious young elf, an old sleigh and some untrained reindeer, Arthur sets out in a crazy mission to deliver the last present! Deck the halls with excitement, fun and wonder in this new Christmas classic!

My Thoughts:
This was a great, fun movie for the season. For being 5 years old now, the CGI still looks really good. The heart of the film is the relationships between the members of the Santa family, and the characters are pretty well fleshed for an animated film. It has a good story and lots of humor to keep it going as well. This has made it into my yearly rotation, and would be a good addition to the collection of any Christmas movie fan or any family with children.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 3.75/5

[Danae Cassandra]

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Year of Release: 1966
Directed By: Chuck Jones, Ben Washam
Starring: Boris Karloff, Thurl Ravenscroft, June Foray
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Animation, Television

Overview:
"Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot." And every family likes How the Grinch Stole Christmas! a lot! This joyous, heart-tickling holiday event based on Dr. Seuss' beloved book and featuring the voice of Boris Karloff has delighted all ages since its 1966 debut. The fun begins when the grumpy, grouchy, Yule-hating Grinch plots to ruin the Whos' Christmas. Can he steal their holiday spirit by stealing their holiday treats? Or does Christmas...perhaps...mean a little bit more? The answers to those questions unfold charmingly under Chuck Jones' pitch-perfect direction. You can't help but have a Merry Grinchmas!

My Thoughts:
A bonafide Christmas classic. I never miss it in December and you shouldn't either.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 5/5

[Danae Cassandra]

The Brian Setzer Orchestra: Christmas Extravaganza!
Year of Release: 2005
Directed By: Pierre Lamoureux
Starring: Brian Setzer, Bernie Dresel, John Hatton, Will Murillo
Genre: Music

Overview:
Dig That Crazy Santa Claus / This Cat's On a Hot Tin Roof / Boogie Woogie Santa Claus / The Dirty Boogie / Winter Wonderland / Sleigh Ride / Santa Claus Is Back in Town / Everybody's Waitin' for the Man With the Bag / Caravan / Pipeline / Stray Cat Strut / You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch / Jump Jive An' Wail / 'Zat You Santa Claus? / Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! / Run Rudolph Run / Gene & Eddie / Blue Christmas / Jingle Bell Rock / Rat Pack Boogie / Fishnet Stockings / Rock This Town / Nutcracker Suite / Rumble in Brighton / Gettin' in the Mood / Jingle Bells

My Thoughts:
Really fun, lively modern big band/swing concert. If you like that sort of music, you won't go wrong here. I picked up the DVD of this last year, and it's going to be in the seasonal rotation from now on.

Bechdel Test: N/A (Fail)
Mako Mori Test: N/A

Overall: 3.5/5

[Danae Cassandra]

White Christmas
Year of Release: 1954
Directed By: Michael Curtiz
Starring: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, Dean Jagger
Genre: Romance, Musical

Overview:
White Christmas is a treasury of Irving Berlin classics, among them "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," "Sisters," "Mandy," and the beloved holiday song, "White Christmas." In this incredible Anniversary Edition, you will find the timeless musical, plus new features that include backstage stories, a look at the actors and more!

Two talented song-and-dance men (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business. One winter, they join forces with a sister act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) and trek to Vermont for a white Christmas. Of course, there's the requisite fun with the ladies, but the real adventure starts when Crosby & Kaye discover that the inn is run by their old army general who's now in financial trouble. And the result is the stuff dreams are made of.

My Thoughts:
This is a true Christmas classic.  It's everything you want in a Christmas film - bright and cheery, romantic, and warm-hearted, more than a touch sentimental, and it has an old-fashioned charm to it that's hard to replicate in films today.  I love Bing Crosby, and his rendition of "White Christmas" is still the standard, despite how many people have recorded it.  I love Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney here too (she's from my home state!), and Vera Ellen does a good job as well.  The heart of the film is Dean Jagger's general, and he's a sweetheart. 

In short, frothy, fun, and filled with wonderful songs and Christmas spirit, this will continue to be one of the best Christmas films for years to come.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 4/5

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How Sarah Got Her Wings (2015/United States) IMDb |Trailer | Marvista Entertainment, House Lights Media (United States) Director: Gary Entin, Edmund Entin Writing: Damon Hill (Writer) Length: 87 min. Video: Widescreen :1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles:

Stars:
Lindsey Gort as Sarah
Derek Theler as Jordan
Melanie Liburd as Amanda
Jeremy Luke as Stuart
Caleel Harris as Mason

Plot:
Good Samaritan Sarah Fitzpatrick (Lindsey Gort - The Carrie Diaries, Impastor) has a fatal accident just before Christmas and finds herself in the lobby before the gates of Heaven. Certain that she will be let in, she is shocked to find that her name of not on the reservation list.
However, she is granted the chance to return to Earth as an "angel in training" with the requirement tto help a soul in need. Sarah has the 12 days before Christmas to secure her place on the list leaving her in the race for her after-life.

Extras:

• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

This is a TV movie I found on Netflix. It is one I enjoyed quite a bit. I enjoyed most the characters and the story held my attention with ease. I found it to be worth the time put in to watch it.

Rating:

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The Night Before (2015/United States) Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Jonathan Levine Writing: Jonathan Levine (Screenwriter), Kyle Hunter (Screenwriter), Ariel Shaffir (Screenwriter), Evan Goldberg (Screenwriter), Jonathan Levine (Story By) Length: 101 min. Video: Widescreen 2.35:1 Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 5.1, Audio Descriptive: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: DTS-HD Master Audio: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Thai: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: Bahasa, Chinese, English, French, Korean, Spanish, Thai

Stars:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Ethan
Seth Rogen as Isaac
Anthony Mackie as Chris
Jillian Bell as Betsy
Lizzy Caplan as Diana

Plot:
Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Seth Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie) have been friends since childhood, and for a decade, their yearly Christmas Eve reunion has been an annual night of debauchery and hilarity. Now that they're entering adulthood, the tradition is coming to an end, and to make it as memorable as possible, they set out to find the Nutcracka Ball — the Holy Grail of Christmas parties.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Bonus Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Outtakes/Bloopers

My Thoughts:

This one has some good, funny moments... but it isn't one that will become a favorite. I mean it is worth the time put in to watch it but not one that I will feel the need to watch every year. I found the guy that was throwing the party every year to be predictable... but at the same time who he ended up being a bit on the stupid side. Though that is really just a minor part of the movie.

Rating:

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The Heart of Christmas (2011/United States) IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer | Image Entertainment (United States) Director: Gary Wheeler Writing: Lance Dreesen (Writer), Matthew West (Original Material By) Length: 86 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles:

Stars:
Candace Cameron Bure as Megan Walsh
Jeanne Neilson as Julie Locke
Dax LockeChristopher Shone
Nicholas Shone

Plot:
Based on a true story of hope and compassion, The Heart Of Christmas will touch your heart and bring home the spirit of the holidays. Austin and Julie Locke are devastated when they learn that their young son, Dax, has been diagnosed with cancer. But with courage, determination and faith, they decide to give Dax a one last Christmas, even if it has to be in October. When the community sees the holiday decorations and learns the heartbreaking truth, what happens next is a miraculous outpouring of caring and support. Starring Candace Cameron Bure (Make It or Break It), Jeanne Neilson (Faith Like Potatoes), George Newbern (Father of the Bride), Erin Bethea (Fireproof), Anita Renfroe (Bless This Mess), and Matthew West (Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter). The Heart Of Christmas is the greatest gift of all.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Bonus Trailers
• Music Videos

My Thoughts:

Wow! Now this one is a different kind of Christmas movie. It is a true story....and an extremely emotional one at that. If you are one that will cry from a movie this one will easily have the tears flowing. A very powerful movie with a strong message. It is one I definitely recommend and hope to add to my own collection.

Rating:

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An American Christmas Carol (1979/United States) IMDb |Wikipedia | (United States) Director: Eric Till Writing: Jerome Coopersmith (Writer) Length: 96 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: Subtitles:

Stars:
Henry Winkler as Benedict Slade
David Wayne
Chris Wiggins
R. H. Thomson [R.H. Thomson]
Kenneth Pogue

Plot:
This loose adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens tale moves the story to New England, where stingy elderly businessman Benedict Slade (Henry Winkler) ruthlessly collects debts and makes life miserable for everyone around him. His unscrupulous behavior warrants a Christmas Eve visit from his ghostly former partner and other spirits that show him the error of his ways. Can Slade turn his life around and become a better person before it's too late?

Extras:

• Featurettes
• New Interview With Henry Winkler

My Thoughts:

I caught this one on Amazon Prime. And I must say I really enjoyed. Actually more then I thought I would. I liked the changes they made in the story to make it somewhat more modern...and I enjoyed Henry Winkler in the role more then I thought I would. This is one I could see myself watch again so hope to get the chance to add it to my collection.

Rating:

[Danae Cassandra]

Rise of the Guardians
Year of Release: 2012
Directed By: Peter Ramsey
Starring: Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Jude Law, Isla Fisher, Hugh Jackman
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Animation

Overview:
DreamWorks' newest animated adventure is a fun-filled and magical story about the legendary guardians - Jack Frost, the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and Sandman - together for the first time! When the evil Pitch threatens to take over the world, it's up to our beloved heroes to protect the hopes and dreams of children everywhere. Filled with non-stop action and laughs, it's a dazzling family film that's being hailed as "an instant classic. You will believe."

My Thoughts:
I thought this was really pretty good. The animation is absolutely gorgeous, and some of the details are simply beautiful. The frosting effects Jack does are so well done, as are Sandy's dreams. I enjoyed all of the characters, from Russian Santa, to badass Aussie Easter Bunny, to sweet little Sandy. Jack's a bit more predictable character archetype (lonely, brooding teen), but he makes a good protagonist for a kids film. Pitch makes a very suave villain, especially with Jude Law's voice behind him.

The plot is pretty predictable though ... but that can be said of almost every movie out there aimed at the younger audience. But that doesn't ruin the enjoyment or charm of the movie. This may likely make it into rotation for holiday films, provided room can be found. Just a really fun film.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5