In our effort to overflow our Christmas viewing with good cheer, my husband and I simply could not pass up "Christmas for a Dollar."
Movie Eight
Christmas for a Dollar
Starring: Brian Krause, Nancy Stafford, Heather Beers and Nancy Chuchman
About the movie (from Christian Movie Database):
America is in the midst of the Depression, and the Kamp family is
struggling to get by, especially after Mrs. Kamp’s untimely death. Now
little Ruthie, with her mother gone and her father overwhelmed by doctor
bills resulting from her brother s polio, expects another Christmas
without presents or festivities. But when her father brings home one
dollar in change and lets the children use it to buy special gifts for
each other, the Kamps come to find that money isn’t what fills Christmas
with joy, love, and miracles.
My Review:
We loved the opportunity to watch the portrayal of another simple Christmas. The movie takes place in the Depression so it is expected that times would be simple and also a bit stressful. The Kamp family is struggling like many are financially but also struggling over the loss of their mama. Mr. Kamp is doing all he can to provide for the kids financially and his elder children do what they can to make things work since the loss of their mom. Because times are so tight, the kids worry that Christmas is pretty much going to pass them by, but Dad has been scrimping and saving. The family will have one dollar in change to use to buy a gift for each member of the family. It will take creativity and heart, but the kids are delighted at the task at hand.
"Christmas for a Dollar" contains everything I enjoy in a Christmas film. Sweet kids, a message of hope and a display of generosity and caring. There was a sweetness to it that was charming. It is well written and well acted. I hope that it will be a film we can watch again and again. We watched it on UPtv.
I give this family friendly film a solid four stars. I hope to add it one day to our own personal collection.
Here's the trailer:
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.
