That Christmas

A charming, wholesome family movie that could easily become a yearly rewatch in many households. It finds the sweet spot where it is enjoyable for young children and adults. I would strongly recommend this movie to parents who are looking for something to watch with their kids who may still be a little too young for some of the other Christmas classics. The countless positive messages open a door for many important discussions with your kids, and even adults could benefit from some of the reminders this movie offers. It has a similar feel to Arthur Christmas, so if you enjoyed that movie you may like this one too.

Netflix offers us a very entertaining animated Christmas movie that brings all the British humor and sweetness to a family pastime with a nice message to enjoy.

Director Simon Otto brings Richard Curtis' script to life with a tenderness and lightness that allows us to enjoy a fun Christmas adventure that manages to bring out emotions and a few tears, too. It's an ensemble story that gives us fun characters with truly emotional stories that allow us to have a simple connection with several of them. Curtis' first foray into animation draws on the same authentic energies that made his previous works so beloved.

Its beautiful messages such as community, kindness, affection and pure love are reflected in a big heart and it is generous with its happy endings, which inevitably invites us to have a film full of positivity and generosity when it comes to making us feel delighted and comfortable with what we are watching.

It's a simple story. We won't find any major plot challenges within the story and you may never feel that evil is present, but even so the film manages to give us moments of tension and satisfaction in equal parts, making us experience a rather pleasant and delightful family pastime.

Netflix hits the mark again with its animated releases. Although the film may not be the most spectacular of the year in the genre, it has its British charm that makes it totally enjoyable and pleasant, allowing you to have a good time without having to try too hard, which helps to win over the little ones and the older ones in equal measure.

My daughter and I chose to hop into this one sporadically and it was so cute and warming. The variation of overlapping character experiences over the holidays and how they all work together to tell a larger tale of appreciation, gratitude and love during Christmas time is perfect for families and audiences of all ages. A truly heartfelt and palpable yet interestingly diverse assortment of characters across a wideset of ages makes it a movie anyone can relate to. I laughed and smiled!

It's a cute, magical and whimsical new Christmas story that is bound to be a favorite among many animated classics.

I must admit I found "Love Actually" to be far too saccharine-sweet for my taste and don't think of it at all when considering my favourite Christmas movies, but here Richard Curtis has a second crack at the season to be jolly with this movie, based on recent short stories he's written and published. The twist this time is that he's adapted them into an animated feature, directed by Simon Otto and featuring the voices of such prominent actors as Brian Cox, Bill Nighy and Jodie Whittaker, amongst many others.

It's pretty clear that we're back in Curtisland with the familiar use of multiple plot strands, gentle ribald humour, a touch of drama and a big heartwarming finale with a few Easter Eggs, just to mix up my festive seasons, thrown in too, with post-it messages replacing hand-held notice-boards, some more kooky dancing, a happy-ever-after (kiddie) love story and even a cheeky nod to "Love Actually" itself thrown in for good measure.

The plot or plots are simple enough to follow as a bunch of young kids are accidentally stranded at home while their parents are caught out in the wild on a road trip by a huge blizzard. While the mums and dads await rescue in their overturned Volkswagen camper van, the main focus is on the kids they left behind, who happily make hay while the snow falls, adapting Christmas to their own ends.

Bookended by a tribute to more obviously fantasy-filled Christmas fare by including the Christmas Eve mission of a hard-pressed Scots-accented Santa and reindeer, as ever Curtis seeks to cover a lot of bases with various messages of goodwill, family and love and while you can't quite escape the odd incursion of cloying sentimentality and despite the absence of a really memorable set-piece scene or even joke, I was happy to be transported to Wellington-on-Sea and safely returned to reality with a warm glow and smile on my face.

The animation was suitably colourful and inventive, the piece is well-voiced as you'd expect from the cast and there's a good mix of modern and classic Yuletide tunes on the soundtrack too.

All in all, this one makes for a good addition to the canon of entertaining Christmas movies and certainly cheered my wife and I, this approaching Christmas.

That Christmas is a heartwarming holiday film that beautifully captures the essence of the festive season. The movie revolves around the intertwined lives of several families, each dealing with their own unique challenges and joys during Christmas time. The storyline is both touching and humorous, offering a perfect blend of emotional moments and lighthearted scenes that are sure to resonate with audiences of all ages.

One of the standout aspects of "That Christmas" is its emphasis on the importance of family, love, and togetherness. The movie reminds us that, despite the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the true spirit of Christmas lies in the connections we share with our loved ones.

Overall "That Christmas" is a delightful and uplifting film that will leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling long after the credits roll. It's a must-watch for anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit and experience the magic of Christmas through the lens of a beautifully crafted story.