The Santa Clause (1994)

Title: The Santa Clause
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
Release Date: November 11, 1994
Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: John Pasquin
Starring: Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson


Who would I recommend this to?
Christmas fans.

What is this about?
Scott Calvin kills Santa, puts on the suit, and becomes the next St. Nick. Even if he doesn't believe.

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

Where does it take place?
Chicago and the North Pole.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It's a Christmas classic.

How did I like this?
This movie is great! It's not the standard workaholic neglecting his family at the holidays tale. In fact, Scott is trying hard to make sure his son does have a great Christmas.

It's a lot more interesting as an adult, because ultimately this movie is about a father kidnapping his son and taking him across state lines while his ex-wife works with the cops to bring him home. Yikes.

Have you seen The Santa Clause? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

 

Jingle All the Way (1996)

Title: Jingle All the Way
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 29 minutes
Release Date: November 22, 1996
Genre(s): Comedy
Production Co.: 1492 Pictures
Director: Brian Levant
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, Phil Hartman


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes slightly off-beat '90s Christmas comedies.

What is this about?
A workaholic father forgot to pick up the hottest new toy for his son, so hijinks ensue!

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

Where does it take place?
Minnesota.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I don't remember the first time, but I do know I watch it almost every single December since then.

How did I like this?
This is a nearly perfect Christmas movie. It's so over-the-top and fun. There's no way in heck it'd ever get made today, but I consider it a classic that everyone needs to see.

It has the typical workaholic neglecting his family during the holidays type plot, but completely flipped around and awesome.

Have you seen Jingle All the Way? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)

Title: Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
Release Date: November 11, 1997
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Musical
Production Co.: Disney Television Animation
Director: Andrew Knight
Starring: Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Jerry Orbach


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of Beauty and the Beast.

What is this about?
Belle brings Christmas to the castle despite the Beast's hate for the day.

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

Where does it take place?
France.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because Beauty and the Beast is my favorite princess movie, duh.

How did I like this?
It's obviously not as good as the original, but it's a very pleasant Christmas special. Forte is an awesome villain, and I'm still creeped out by him visually all of these years later.

This is a typical grump who hates Christmas getting a change of heart.

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

The Holiday Calendar (2018)

Title: The Holiday Calendar
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Release Date: November 2, 2018
Genre(s): Romance
Production Co.: Netflix
Director: Bradley Walsh
Starring: Kat Graham, Quincy Brown, Ethan Peck


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of predictable Christmas romances.

What is this about?
A cynical photographer inherits a magical advent calendar.

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

Where does it take place?
Somewhere on Earth...

Why did I decide to watch this?
I like Kat Graham and Christmas movies and yay POC!

How did I like this?
I love the premise of this, but it's so stiff. I'm not quite sure how to explain it, but it just felt stiff.

We obviously know how this is going to end, which is fine, but the journey getting there did nothing for me.
 

Have you seen The Holiday Calendar? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)

Title: Mickey's Christmas Carol
Rating: G
Run Time: 26 minutes
Release Date: December 16, 1983
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Drama, Short Film
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Burny Mattinson
Starring: Alan Young, Wayne Allwine, Hal Smith


Who would I recommend this to?
Disney fans and whoever likes Scrooge stories. Kids.

What is this about?
Uncle Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas to change his unloving heart.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you've got half an hour for some Christmas cheer.

Where does it take place?
London?

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because it's Christmastime and I hadn't seen in it...forever.

How did I like this?
Uncle Scrooge is probably the least scary and mean Scrooge ever, perfect for little kids. It's also fun how the Disney characters' personalities are infused into their Dickens counterparts.

This is a delightful retelling of a classic in an easily digestible format.

Have you seen Mickey's Christmas Carol? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Christmas Chronicles 2 (2020)

Title: The Christmas Chronicles 2
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Release Date: November 25, 2020
Genre(s): Fantasy
Production Co.: 1492 Pictures
Director: Chris Columbus
Starring: Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Darby Camp


Who would I recommend this to?
Christmas junkies.

What is this about?
Kate runs away right before Christmas and winds up helping Santa save Christmas again.

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

Where does it take place?
The North Pole.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because the first one was super good.

How did I like this?
It started off rough. It was so cliche with the blended family holiday vacation, teenage girl temper tantrum, "evil" character swooping in at just the right time to sweep her away. I missed grumpy, sassy Santa who has a jam sessions with criminals and hookers! This one was much more the typical family friendly holiday adventure movie, rather than the slightly offbeat version of the first movie.

Unfortunately, it doesn't get better. It was lacking the charm and any kind of sense.

Have you seen The Christmas Chronicles 2? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Title: The Christmas Chronicles
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Release Date: November 22, 2018
Genre(s): Fantasy
Production Co.: 1492 Pictures
Director: Clay Kaytis
Starring: Kurt Russell, Darby Camp, Judah Lewis
 

Who would I recommend this to?
Christmas enthusiasts.

What is this about?
A pair of siblings attempt to catch Santa on film on Christmas Eve and wind up as stowaways on his sleigh.

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

Where does it take place?
Chicago.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It's Christmastime and this is a Christmas movie.

How did I like this?
I had so much trouble accepting Kurt Russel as Santa Claus, since I'm so use to him as Stunt Man Mike in Deathproof. Is he going to crash the sleigh and kill the kids?! Aahhh! I mean, obviously he doesn't. Well, he does crash the sleigh, but no one dies, except maybe the world's Christmas spirit. But once I got into it, I loved seeing a grumpy, possibly serial-killer Santa!

This is a pretty typical must help Santa save Christmas movie, but like I said, grumpy Santa was a fun change. And PAIGE MICHALCHUK cameo! It's always a good time when Santa gets arrested.

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