Life-Size 2 (2018)

Title: Life-Size 2
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 1 hour 21 minutes
Release Date: December 2, 2018
Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy
Production Co.:  Bankable Productions
Director: Steven K. Tsuchida
Starring: Tyra Banks, Francia Raisa, Gavin Stenhouse


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone who loved the original movie!

What is this about?
Grace is a grump, and then her Eve doll comes to life to save Christmas!

When would be a good time to watch this?
Christmas time.

Where does it take place?
Some city, somewhere.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I loved the first one and just found out it was a Christmas movie.

How did I like this?
OMG this movie so gay and sexual! I love it! Not only were there actual gay characters, but just a lot of lesbian innuendo. And just generally a lot of not-so-subtle adult content. I have no idea who the intended audience is, but it's me.

It's also the least Christmasy Christmas movie ever.

Have you seen Life-Size 2? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Title: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rating: G
Run Time: 47 minutes
Release Date: December 6, 1964
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Musical, Short Film
Production Co.: National Broadcasting Company
Director: Larry Roemer
Starring: Billie Mae Richards, Burl Ives, Larry D. Mann


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone!

What is this about?
Rudolph and Hermey don't fit in in Christmastown, so they run away!

When would be a good time to watch this?
As soon as you see it on the Christmas schedule! It's only on a couple of times a year! But it's also on Youtube...

Where does it take place?
Christmastown and the Island of Misfit Toys.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Of course I watched this every single year as a kid because OMGCHRISTMAS!!!

How did I like this?
It's my favorite purely-Christmas movie/special thing. It's so freaking cute. I mean, I know it's so old and the sound is screwed up, but I do not care.

I have a stuffed Clarice.

Have you seen Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

 

12 Dates of Christmas (2011)

Title: 12 Dates of Christmas
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Release Date: December 11, 2011
Genre(s): Romance, Fantasy
Production Co.: ABC Family
Director: James Hayman
Starring: Laura Miyata, Vijay Mehta, Amy Smart


Who would I recommend this to?
People who like Christmas Romance or want a girly version of Groundhog Day.

What is this about?
A woman who is too hung up on her life plan is forced to repeat her Christmas Eve blind date until she gets things right.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Christmas season. Perhaps during a date...

Where does it take place?
New York.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It sounded cute.

How did I like this?
And it was cute. I'm glad that the plot moved along quickly, without her spazzing out too much. She got right on making changes during her repeat Christmas Eves.

I wonder what I do would if I knew I had to repeat the day over and over, with no consequences. But then what if you did something crazy like rip up a parking ticket or get a bad tattoo and then the clock moves forward...

Have you seen 12 Dates of Christmas? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Disney Magical Holiday Celebration (2020)

Title: Disney Magical Holiday Celebration
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
Release Date: November 24, 2020
Genre(s): Documentary, Musical
Starring: Derek Hough, Julianne Hough, Trevor Jackson


Who would I recommend this to?
Disney superfans.

What is this about?
A recap of previous Disney holiday specials since they couldn't film one for 2020.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Anytime you have an hour for Disney magic and music.

Where does it take place?
Disney World.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because it's Disney at Christmas time...

How did I like this?
The hosts were terrible. I know the hosts are always over-the-top cheerful and cheesy, but those two seemed so forced and like they were hating life. Most of the performances were good. I only remembered a few of them, but I don't always see these because I don't watch TV.

Now I miss Disneyland even more.

Have you seen Disney Magical Holiday Celebration? What did you think?

If not, would you watch it?

Eight Crazy Nights (2002)

Title: Eight Crazy Nights
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 16 minutes
Release Date: November 27, 2002
Genre(s): Comedy, Animation, Musical
Production Co.: Happy Madison Productions
Director: Seth Kearsley
Starring: Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, Jackie Sandler


Who would I recommend this to?
People who like Adam Sandler's humor.

What is this about?
A thirty-three year old Jewish guy who faces jail time during Hanukkah.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Holiday season.

Where does it take place?
Adam Sandler's imagination.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It was part of my holiday movie marathon and I couldn't remember if I liked this movie or not.

How did I like this?
I probably didn't, because this movie is hella annoying. Adam Sandler's movies are very hit or miss. This is one of his misses. There's a great story here, and not many holiday movies focus on Hanukkah, but it's brought down by the over-the-top humor.

Have you seen Eight Crazy Nights? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Knight Before Christmas (2019)

Title: The Knight Before Christmas
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Release Date: November 21, 2019
Genre(s): Romance, Fantasy
Production Co.: Hideaway Pictures
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Vanessa Hudgens, Josh Whitehouse, Emmanuelle Chriqui


Who would I recommend this to?
Romance readers! Or just those who like cheesy romance in all forms.

What is this about?
A Knight travels from 1334 to modern day and falls in love for Christmas!

When would be a good time to watch this?
Christmas season date night or girls' night.

Where does it take place?
Ohio.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I love time travel romance.

How did I like this?
It's very cliche, very predictable, very cheesy. It's cute, but very standard and formulaic. I definitely would love this as a book. It's still a fun way to spend some time.

Have you seen The Knight Before Christmas? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Arthur Christmas (2011)

Title: Arthur Christmas
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
Release Date: November 23, 2011
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy
Production Co.: Columbia Pictures
Director: Sarah Smith, Barry Cook
Starring: James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy


Who would I recommend this to?
Kids and the kids-at-heart.

What is this about?
One child was missed on Christmas, so Santa's son, Arthur, sets out to deliver her present.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Christmas time, of course.

Where does it take place?
The North Pole and England and random stops along the way.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It popped up when I searched "Christmas" on Starz.

How did I like this?
I had zero expectations since I hadn't even heard of this movie before. It's definitely a unique and fun twist on the Santa Claus myth. The plot is very much not unique though and I feel like it's been done better.

Have you seen Arthur Christmas? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?