I have been enjoying a plethora of Christmas movies with the goal of seeing 30 before Christmas. I am going to probably have a blogging extravaganza to cover what I have seen, but today it is all bout movie number six "The Heart of Christmas."
Movie 6 The Heart of Christmas Starring: Candace Cameron Bure, George Newbern, Jeanne Neilson, Eric Beck, Karl T. Wright, Dendrie Taylor, Burgess Jenkins, Anita Renfroe, Erin Bethea, and Matthew West.
"The Heart of Christmas" is a movie inspired by the story of the Locke family, and how their community in Illinois all supported young Dax and his family, by decorating the whole neighborhood for Christmas in October to bless this sweet boy who had been battling cancer. In fact people all over the world decorated in the Christmas spirit for Dax that year. My review: Whoa! First of all, I totally have wanted to see this movie since it was released last November 2011. One of my favorite singer-songwriters Matthew West wrote this song called "One Last Christmas" inspired by the family and Dax's story. It is a song that tugs right at your heart. When I found out that a movie would be made, I knew I had to watch it, yet...I couldn't bring myself to do it until this month. In the end, I am soooo glad that I did. "The Heart of Christmas" is a touching story of a family's love and of joining together to support one another in anyway we can. It is also a story of living life now, enjoying each moment and cherishing every experience and person around you. "The Heart of Christmas" shares the story of the Locke family through memories captured in the mom's blog as she and her family deals with their son's cancer treatment. Another mom, reads the blog and we see how the Locke's story can impact other's lives. It is a story that should impact lives. We are all blessed, no matter what the circumstances, with the time we have. Dax's family learns this, the community learns this, and we as viewers catch on too. Will you cry? I can't imagine you not. I cried, and my husband cried. There was certainly a sadness felt, but also inspiration. :) I'd rate "The Heart of Christmas" four candy canes out of five. I watched "The Heart of Christmas" via Netflix streaming, but I also own it. I picked up my copy at Family Christian Stores. :) If you would like to support the work of St. Jude's you can learn more by clicking on the banner below.
I am loving all the Christmas movies that I have had the chance to enjoy. I have found quite a few that I have never seen before. This is one. "One Magic Christmas" is a Disney film and I am actually surprised I have never seen it before.
Movie number 5: One Magic Christmas Starring Harry Dean Stanton, Mary Steenburgen, Gary Basaraba, Arthur Hill, Sarah Polley, and Michelle Meyrink (plus Elias Koteas - had to mention that...I'm a big fan)
It is Christmas season and Christmas angels are getting their assignments to help others. Gideon has been assigned to help Ginny Grainger discover the true meaning of Christmas and the joy that she had lost along the way which is likely to happen when life gets you down. The Grainger family has had it rough. Jack lost his job at the factory six months ago, and Ginny has been doing her best to make ends meet with her job as a cashier in a grocery store. Needless to say, things are not working out well. The Grainger kids have the Christmas spirit as does Jack who spends time working on a bike for a gift for a poor neighbor and doing a little dreaming of a shop of his own. Ginny just doesn't have room in her busy schedule for more than taking care of business which also involves the family moving out of their home (that is owned by the company her husband no longer works for). Gideon has his work cut out for him. My review: One Magic Christmas is a gem. With an angel, children, parents, a struggling town and Santa, it has everything a movie needs to have in order to give a lift to the spirit during the holiday season. There is a life change and a little magic sprinkled in the story. It is sweet without being over the top. It came out in 1985, and somehow I never saw it. By the way, I'm glad I didn't because it was lovely coming across it this week. It is available via streaming on Netflix. Catch it, you'll like it. I'd rate it 4 candy canes on a scale of 1 - 5.
I have been getting into the Christmas spirit with lots of forays into Christmas movies. I have been watching at least one a day, and it has been lots of fun. It has also been pretty easy thanks to Netflix and their instant streaming. I have been able to watch all kinds of fun holiday movies. I hope to share each one here. The good, the bad, and the merry.
Starring Nicole de Boer, Patrick Muldoon, and Gig Morton.
The film begins with Liz a very career oriented real estate agent heading off with her son Mason to visit her father Jack in a small town named Hollyville (also known as America's Christmas town). Liz's father is much like herself. A city person who was very focused on a very successful career. Now that he has taken up residence in Hollyville, Jack has tossed his life of a banker to a life in the sweetest little Christmas town around, and Liz is not thrilled with the changes in her dad nor the quirky little town. One of the townies named Kevin shares with Liz that he was once a mess before he came into town and that Hollyville is like the land of misfit toys. All the residents had the need to be fixed. Liz definitely fits that description. Young Mason is completely taken with the town. Mason is also intrigued with the small factory outside the town called NP Enterprises. Mason is convinced that the guy they call "the big guy" just could be Santa Claus. My thoughts - Christmas Town is a sweet movie. There is a lot of fluff to it, but it has its moments. I liked that Liz and her father became close again, it was nice seeing a little town dedicated to Christmas, but it was also weird because there was no snow. I like snow in Christmas movies. This could seem kind of silly since I grew up in California for half of my life and where I lived there was no snow. The characters were all pretty sweet and on the dorky side, but they fit the movie. For me the only oddity was Patrick Muldoon. The dude's hair distracted me throughout the movie. This is what happens when your husband buys a very hi definition TV. :) On a scale of 1 to 5 candy canes, I'd give it 2.5 candy canes.
In order to really get into the spirit of Christmas, I thought it would be fun to watch 30 Christmas movies in 30 days. I unfortunately haven't been able to post about each and every one each day, because my schedule has been a little busy so, I will probably post several today to catch up. So far all the movies I have watched have been through Netflix streaming.
Starring Dudley Moore, John Lithgow, David Huddleston, Burgess Meredith, Judy Cornwell, Christian Fitzpatrick, and Carrie Kei Heim. Santa Claus the movie begins with telling the tale of how Santa became THE Santa. Santa is first a kindly toymaker who along with his wife delivers the toys every year. He and his wife have no children of their own so it is a special delight for them to make children happy with handmade toys. Santa and his wife are given immortality by the toy making elves in order to share their toys with children all over the world. Hundreds of years pass with Santa delighting many with his wonderful gifts until we find ourselves in the 80s. Santa is getting tired and needs an assistant. One of the elves named Patch is up to the task with his creative ideas. But of course some things go wrong and an evil toy manufacturer sets his sights on eliminating his North Pole competition. In general, Santa Claus: The Movie has some sweet parts and fun parts. Santa and Mrs. Claus were amazing. Both actors were completely delightful. The elves were also wonderful. Their home in the North Pole...FABULOUS.
I think it all went great until they landed in the 80s. At that point, the story lost its magic. There is a Dickensian boy living on the streets that befriends Santa. This boy Joe and his friend Cornelia (the poor little rich girl) defend Santa against all naysayers when people begin to turn against St. Nick. They were sweet, but again seemed to be an odd addition to the film. You picture little street urchins in old Dickens stories, but this loner boy was kind of odd. The poor little rich girl seemed to belong in a movie in the 50s. Sweet kids. Just odd. They aren't why the film fell flat for me. It was just an odd combination of everything that went down from the modern era on.
It was fun to kind of look back on the special effects choices that were made back then, but all in all, this was not a story that delighted me or gave me the holiday spirit like others. I didn't get all misty eyed. Not that getting misty eyed is necessary, but it just didn't tug at me emotionally at all. There were a few moments that made me and my husband laugh. When it was over, I didn't feel anything. It was just okay. With so many other Christmas movie options, I'd probably give this one 2.5 candy canes. :)
I love Christmas and I love Christmas movies. Now ordinarily I go for more of a thriller or dark movie, but I thought it would be fun to really get into the spirit of the season by watching a new Christmas movie every day for thirty days before Christmas. So here we are on to day number 2. Movie 2 Christmas with a Capital C PureFlix Entertainment Starring Ted McGinley, Brad Stine, Nancy Stafford and Daniel Baldwin.
I initially was taken with the movie because I just love the Go Fish song also titled "Christmas with a Capital C." I work at a Christian radio station, and kids always call asking for that song. Christmas with a Capital C opens in a small town in Alaska called Trapper Falls. The scenery is so beautiful that I was ready to move on the spot. I love movies that capture areas so well. Anyway, the townsfolk are getting ready for the Christmas season and see a car pulling into town along with a moving truck. The owner of the car turns out to be Mitch a gentleman who grew up in the town and left for college and big city life as a lawyer. He pretty much brushed the snow off of his shoes many years before, so Dan (the mayor and Ted's former rival) is a little suspicious when Mitch says he is coming back to town and even more suspicious with Mitch's plans to pretty much put the town on the map as far as tourism goes. Things go downhill from there with Mitch annoyed at the town's Christmas display and Christians altogether. It is obvious that Mitch is holding some pain inside. Mitch is holding his own issues inside from pride with the town's traditions and his old rivalry bringing back old feelings. Both learn the real reason for the season and that truly it isn't what is displayed on the town grounds that count, but the love you display to others. Christmas with a Capital C may have some silliness to it, but the message is definitely on point. Everyone truly learns the meaning of Christmas and community. It is nice seeing people in the town reach out with love to others. There are quite a few comedic moments thanks to comedian Brad Stine (you can hear part of his act in the Go Fish song). My husband and I both really enjoyed it. I would give Christmas with a Capital C 3.5 candy canes. :) Check it out for free on Netflix streaming.
I thought it would be fun to get into the spirit of Christmas daily with 30 days of Christmas movies. Movie 1 - Christmas Angel PureFlix Entertainment (I love their stuff) Originally released as "Angel Next Door" Starring Kevin Sorbo, Teri Polo, Izabela Vidovic, Tyler Humphrey, Della Reese, Tamera Mowry-Housely and Jaiden Kaine.
Olivia's class is sharing their impossible Christmas lists. As they listen, Olivia and her friend Lucas take note of these wishes and share them by tossing rocks at the abandoned house next door. Olivia notices a light in the house and believes an angel is living there and that if you shout out your wishes, they will come true. Some of the wishes indeed are coming true. This begins a series of events that causes Olivia to wonder to her mother if God is about to do something really special. Christmas Angel is a really sweet movie. It isn't about Santa but learning about what we can do and what we should give to God. Of course leaving things to God is not always easy. It is a very sweet movie and well acted. It is definitely a great family friendly movie that may get you a bit teary eyed. I watched "Christmas Angel" via Netflix's Instant Watch. There are two Christmas Angel movies available. This one is from 2012 in case you are looking. I would give Christmas Angel 4 Candy Canes.
