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Reviews
Arthur's Whisky (2024)
Very enjoyable, lovely RomCom, famous cast amongst us Brits
Despite previous reviews, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I enjoy a believable story line, yeah I know a magic potion is rediculous but somehow it's carried off well! Good acting helps, well directed, editing and production etc, all good. Maybe I'm more tolerant of some of the subject matters as I'm a bit older now, had a near miss health scare and all subjects in this cleverly written story are very relevant to me. Also of course I'm a sucker for a RomCom. If you are too, I highly recommend this film. It's got travel, romance, a great story, happy times and some not so happy, and lots of famous actors. Hope that helps.
Christmas in Angel Falls (2017)
Finally, another good one
This movie has a refreshingly different storyline to the usual TV Christmas movies. And the actors are great. Finally believable lifelike characters.
None of the usual story plots like:
A horrible boss - nope.
Make a snowman - nope.
A snowball fight - nope.
Etc.
And they don't stand in a semi circle around the camera to have a conversation.
Yes there is snow, well it's Christmas. Yes the lead character walks around with summer clothes, but this is - for a change - addressed in the movie by someone who is dressed in appropriate clothing.
Everything is just about right. Jeff Bridges's brother Beau, didn't carry the movie, he's there just about the right amount. For this movie, IMDB has a rating at the moment of 6.5, I feel this movie should be around 6.9 to 7.2, even though I personally rate it at around 8 because for once, I wouldn't mind "rewinding" and watching the whole thing all over again.
Christmas Jars (2019)
Top ten Christmas movie, a must warch
Great movie. Believable story, great acting, very moving, a well done movie.
I watch a lot of these Romcoms / Christmas movies, (in the UK this one was renamed as Mystery Christmas Miracles) this one was different from the usual rubber stamped format. Within a minute or two you can see that fact.
This movie DOES have snow, but it DOESN'T have the obligatory ticklist of most of the other Christmas movies like: snowman building, snowball fight, saving a charity event, a money is no object successful business owner, etc etc. Such a refreshing change. Ok so there is ice scating, I guess the the original story in the book by Jason Wright needed something eh.
Talking of the book and the story, which I will read next Christmas I think, I only deducted one star because for just a moment near the end it all started to go cheesy and unbelievable, but later I realised that the story had to, so I kinda forgave it - maybe that's the Christmas spirit thang eh.
I have to admit, this film had me and my girl Weeping bucket loads of tears. I'd watch it again in a heart beat.
A Sugar & Spice Holiday (2020)
Mostly good acting, nice story, different to the usual Xmas movies
Jacky Lai the lead actress was great in this movie, as were most of the others, perhaps with exception of her parents.
The story had the obligatory snow ball fight, and a "save the local x by fundraising, someone saving the day, upsetting the boss, then the love, etc etc... Actually maybe it's not different after all, but it kinda felt like a story that slightly differs to the usual. Maybe it was good acting, maybe good leadership / directing / production... I don't know why, it just felt better than the usual movies.
I/we watch a lot of these Christmas romcoms and it's not often I will take my time to review one.
A Glenbrooke Christmas (2020)
Cheese
Oh boy.
Wasn't brilliant acting, storyline was one of those unleievable ones, with amazing luck, familiar to other (better) movies throughout.
I love watching these Christmas romcoms, but this one was not to my taste.
The only "usual thing" missing from other similar movies was that there wasn't a snow ball fight... Oh yes and they didn't make snowpeople. In that respect, it succeeded in surprising me.
If you've seen all the best ones then I guess you could give it a go, otherwise, don't be saving this one for Christmas Day. Again, if you're prone to sticking your fingers down your throat at extreme, sweet, romanticly predictable, fortune, hit next. Sorry, I'm struggling to find something positive to write :(
My Christmas Family Tree (2021)
Perfect
Finally, I've seen the Christmas movie that tops them all.
Good acting, NOT a COMPLETELY predictable story line, very emotional moments.
I love RomComs and the Christmas movies always deliver, but I don't leave reviews for many as they mostly all have predictable storylines. Or unbelievable acting, or vomit worthy fortune, or all of that and so much more/worse.
But this movie is refreshingly believable, probably down to good scripting, good directing, editing, producing and of course - acting - even the children.
I don't think I've ever awarded 10 before. My ratings often reflect how much I would recommend the movie to a friend, and also how much I want to just rewind and watch the whole thing again, or maybe how much I wish there were a sequel... Anyhow, this one's up there, for sure, I hope you agree once you've seen it, which you must.
Jolly Good Christmas (2022)
A summary of everyone's review
Having read most reviews here after watching the film/movie. I couldn't agree more.
It's nice to see various London locations as a backdrop. 2 startling things though, Will Kemps' incredible talents are a missed opportunity in this film, and a reference to the King when the Queen was still alive during the making of this film....
Beautiful scenery at the beginning and a current rating of 6.7 really made me want to like this film. Then Will Kemp's American accent caused distraction as soon as he opened his North. As many reviews say, his character could've just been English to no detriment.
Then people doing things that just doesn't happen in London. Strangers do not talk to each other in London, especially on public transport, it's an unwritten rule. And I've never ever seen 4 or 5 people begging for money by singing Christmas carols American style, singing like in the country club in Trading Places...
Some of the "extras" actors walk past in the background, but with their face turned a bit so that they get seen by the camera...
Will's obviously been told to do an accent he couldn't have agreed to, Reshma did a passable job but she's better in other films. Her characters' parents were over acting, and the plot of them owning for many generations what they apparently have, doesn't really fit - but hey that's the Hallmark way, make it unbelievable!!
I caught myself checking my phone a few times during this film, and also wondering whether to put something else on. I'll never willingly watch the film again, but it was kinda fun finding how cringe worthy it could get. I watch many of these Christmas Romcoms, because I love them, and regularly award 7s and 8s, even with some elements of bad acting and unbelievably good luck etc etc. But this film, no.
12 Pups of Christmas (2019)
Not the best Christmas film to spend your time on
Drastic continuity problems, and over exuberant romance, followed by impossible puppy adopter checking and incredibly, stupidly predictable good luck at the last minute.
When I watch these Christmas Romcoms (about 50 so far) some are really good, and others not so. But this one, I felt I had to write a review about. And that's enough. Acting is okay mind......
We agreed that the best bit of the film was that the dogs' actual names are listed first in the credits.
(The movie initially felt like we were building up to the story line for about half an hour, and the lead character was such a misery in the beginning that we wondered where the movie was going)