Silent Night

Rating: 3/10

Reason: This should be right up my alley, but the children were swearing at each other. the adults were unpleasant toward one another, and clearly dislike each other. Way too much tension and swearing, and it didn't seem very Christmassy... Abandoned (13 min)

*Watched on Netflix (Age Rating: Mature)

SPOILERS BELOW!

                                                               

A bunch of British people are getting together for British Christmas in the British countryside in a British house.

The children are calling each other inappropriate names.  Snobby Wife is belittling Dopey Husband and his driving skills.

This is not what I ordered...

Delivery By Christmas

Rating: 2/10

Reason: This movie was dubbed from Polish. It seemed like they had the voices from the Simpsons.  There was a lot of yelling by the man, and a lot of screeching by the woman... The voices were all wrong, and the emotion was all over the place. Abandoned after 8 min.

*Watched on Netflix (dubbed) (Age Rating: Mature)

SPOILERS BELOW!

                                                                                                                     

Delivery Lady is delivering packages to an office building with her Young Son.

Young Son needs to find a washroom, so Delivery Lady tells him to meet back by the elevator when he's done.

Young Son discovers the washroom is closed on that floor, so he goes to another one.  Young Son then gets distracted and wanders into Business Man's office.  Young Son starts shredding paper.  Business Man doesn't seem to mind.

Delivery Lady finds Young Son with the Business Man, and THERE IS SO MUCH YELLING HAPPENING!!!! But it's just the voice actors.  I can't...

#Xmas

Rating: 8/10 

Reason: Great acting, and the story was not too cheesy. Could have had more funny moments.

*Watched on Amazon Prime Video (Age Rating: ALL)

SPOILERS BELOW!

                                                                        

Interior Designer Lady (IDL) and Sister own an interior design store that is not doing well despite their best efforts. 

An Influencer Couple is having an influencer contest that IDL wants to enter, but she figures her best chances are if she poses as a wife and Mom, so she convinces her friend Photo Man (who she used to date) to pretend to be her hubby, with her Sister's baby as her kid.

IDL is in the top 20! (Did you expect any different?)

*Side note* Interior Designer Lady and Sister have fabulous hair! 

Mother sees the fake video and assumes IDL is actually married and had a baby. Mother decides to go visit her daughters for Christmas. 

Photo Man and IDL are very good at pretending to be a couple. A random lady compliments their couplehood, and now IDL feels bad for lying...

They made the top 10!

Sister tells IDL she needs to keep up the charade for the good of their store.

Mother arrives, and now they need to tell Mother the truth, but don't blow it up, Mother!  Mother declares herself an actress. "We can do this!"

IDL is suspicious of Mother's motives.

IDL is not happy. Mother tends to make things about herself, and IDL is worried how this will affect her chances in the contest. 

They are in the top 3!

The Influencer Couple are coming to visit. This is a disaster! 

The only way this charade will work is if IDL, Photo Man and the baby use Mother's rented house. This favour will come at a cost. Mother insists on being involved, and spending Christmas together with her daughters. 

The house is not decorated well, so IDL and Sister have a big job to make it look nice for the visiting Influencer People. And Christmas. 

Mother breaks out a few old family decorations. Now they are being sentimental.

Photo Man is beginning to like playing house with IDL. They have a brief 'stare at each other' meaningful moment...

Influencer Couple are fighting on the way to the house. They decide to pretend to be happy during the visit. 

Apparently the plan to stay at Mother's house did not include the baby staying there... Oh what a tangled web. I can't even begin to explain...

Influencer Couple asks IDL and Photo Man about their history, and ask about wedding photos... Quick change of subject, and the day is saved!

It's nighttime so IDL and Photo Man have to go to their shared bedroom... Photo Man says he likes this version of his life. IDL is worried that she will repeat Mother's mistakes, and she doesn't want to inflict that pain on anyone. Photo Man says nice things and IDL falls asleep. 

They both slept on top of the covers with their shoes on. (Shoes on in the house?! On the bed?! This is definitely not a Canadian movie!)

IDL is beginning to realize that being genuine is more important than being the best, and she's beginning to let her messiness and imperfections show. 

Oops! Photo Man and IDL ended up under some mistletoe! Kissing commences. They both appear a bit shell shocked afterwards. IDL reiterates that it wasn't real, but it helped them in the contest. Photo Man offers that they should do it some more... Practice makes it look more realistic, right? That's a step too far for IDL. She excuses herself to wash her hair.

Because of his newfound popularity, Photo Man gets a job offer in the city. IDL assumes he won't go, but Photo Man asks, "what's keeping me here?"

IDL replies, "family, friends... Me."

But that's not good enough for Photo Man. He wants more than pretend if he's going to stay. 

In a moment alone, Photo Man gives IDL a Christmas gift. It's a book of photos of IDL.  He has clearly loved her a long time. He wants to make this fake relationship real. IDL is afraid she'll lose her best friend of the relationship doesn't work. 

IDL then tells Sister she has very much enjoyed her fake family, and now she's afraid she also wants it to be real. 

The sisters put on a dance.

Influencer Couple have a fight about being a couple vs being influencers. 

IDL and Mother have a fight about Mother making things about herself and not being a good Mother to IDL.

Influencer Couple tell IDL they are separating and there's no such thing as a perfect couple.

Photo Man wants to know if he should take his job offer in the city, or stay here for IDL.

IDL doesn't know.

Time for a speech! IDL is feeling super guilty for all the lies. "We're not a couple! This isn't my baby! Mother and I don't get along!"

Photo Man is mad because it all felt so good being together. He's tired of IDL being scared. He has always loved her. Photo Man can't be IDL's friend anymore. 

IDL talks to Sister and Sister tells her she didn't think IDL was faking it as much as she thinks. That was IDL without the self-doubt!

IDL does a public apology video, and admits it's ok not to be perfect. "Just be yourself! Just be myself, IDL!"

Photo Man took the job in the city, and Mother tells IDL to tell Photo Man she loves him! Don't throw love away! IDL runs! 

Influencer Couple stop IDL and say,"thank you for being real. It brought us back together!"

IDL tells Photo Man she has always loved him too, but she was scared. She's still scared, but she doesn't want to lose him! Photo Man stops her with a kiss, then takes a photo of them.

The end

Peppermint and Postcards

Rating: 7/10

Reason: I was hoping for a bit more from French Fiance & Absent Dad. It was predictable, but overall pretty good.

*Watched on Amazon Prime Video (Age Rating: ALL)

SPOILERS BELOW!

                                                                

Single Mom and Young Daughter are getting ready for Christmas guests. 

Absent Dad and French Fiance arrive as Christmas guests. 

Absent Dad is ready to go get a Christmas tree! Single Mom says, "sorry French Fiance, no time for coffee!" Off they go on a step-family outing! 

News Guy is hoping for a promotion. Camera Guy suggests News Guy do an attention-getting news story, like love at Christmas. 

News Guy stumbles upon step-family buying a Christmas tree. News Guy makes it awkward pointing out that Single Mom is single.

There is a Christmas dance coming up, but Single Mom has no one to go with. Young Daughter writes a letter to Santa wishing for someone for her Single Mom to go to the dance with. The letter blows away into the street and Bakery Guy puts it up in his shop because he's not sure who to return it to. 

Camera Guy sees the note to Santa, and tells News Guy to follow it up. Camera Guy shows up at Single Mom's house to interview her. She is clueless about the note.

Single Mom declines an interview. 

...but News Guy got enough of a clip that he put out the story anyway!  Letters pour in from guys wanting to date Single Mom.

Bakery Guy seems sad that there are so many people interested in her. News Guy pushes for an interview, Camera Guy warns him not to be pushy. 

Young Daughter has chosen her top contenders for her Single Mom to date. News Guy tells Young Daughter he's not there to pick a guy for Single Mom to date, and he's also not good at dating, he's single too...

News Guy starts asking why Single Mom and Absent Dad got divorced. She tells News Guy that he's being pushy. News Guy asks what Single Mom is looking for in a man. They decide the goal is a date to the dance. News Guy sets her up with a few blind dates.

Date 1 - Picking out a Christmas tree. 

Dater 1 is a LARPer, and into video games. He's not going to work out. Single Mom is super intense. She's nervous and babbling. Dater 1 doesn't say much. News Guy coaches her a bit, tells her to calm down.

Single Mom, News Guy and Camera Guy discuss next steps... At a fancy restaurant. Clearly Camera Guy is working on getting News Guy and Single Mom together. News Guy is going for the story. Single Mom is looking for a match. 

Young Daughter asks if she can watch the date on TV. Single Mom says, "only if you remember that sometimes you don't connect with the person you think you should, and you do connect with the person you think you shouldn't." Seems like a prediction!

Bakery Guy shows up at the house with baked goods because French Fiance is addicted to coffee and baked goods, and ordered them to be delivered. Bakery Guy says Single Mom is very brave to be going public with her dating.

Date 2 - Ice Skating. 

Dater 2 is smooth and egotistical. Single Mom is charmed. News Guy is not having it. Dater 2 can't skate, falls down, and that's the last we see of him. Dater 2 was a liar.

News Guy and Single Mom have a heart to heart about why it didn't work out with Absent Dad. He was gone a lot (absent). Single Mom turns it back on News Guy and asks why he's single. 

News Guy's girlfriend ran off with his boss. Now he just wants to get that promotion. 

Single Mom tells News Guy she still wants to skate, but she can't do it alone. But News Guy doesn't know how to skate either! Single Mom will teach him... Camera Guy gets it all on camera. 

News Guy watches the video of them together and gets the feels. Camera Guy suggests maybe they found the right guy...

Single Mom starts to think there's no one that's right for her. French Fiance hints that News Guy seems pretty great. Single Mom says News Guy is pretty great. 

A box of cookies arrives on the doorstep with a note saying "let's go on a date". Single Mom goes to the bakery to say yes to Bakery Guy. Bakery Guy doesn't really seem to know what she's talking about, but says ok anyway. News Guy happens to be at the bakery and congratulates Single Mom on finding date #3.

Single Mom is super excited! She's never thought of Bakery Guy this way before! She asks News Guy if they could make this a really romantic date. News Guy sadly says, "yes."

Date 3 - Dinner at Cafe

News Guy is checking out Single Mom. Dater 3 is late, so News Guy and Single Mom get to chatting about their futures. Single Mom says News Guy should start dating, but News Guy doesn't know where to start. Single Mom asks what his type is and he proceeds to describe her...

Dater 3 arrives! (It's Bakery Guy, remember?). Bakery Guy is super nervous and clumsy. News Guy takes Bakery Guy aside and gives him some pointers. The date goes well. 

News Guy gives Bakery Guy the tickets to the dance, but Bakery Guy is still not sure she's into him. Bakery Guy goes to the washroom and News Guy gets a phone call that he got the promotion! Single Mom is sad. News Guy helps her with her earring. Bakery Guy is still in the washroom. 

Single Mom asks News Guy if he had something to do with setting up this date. Bakery Guy didn't seem to know much about it. News Guy demonstrates that he's been listening to what she wants, and reading her body language all along. How sweet. Single Mom is conflicted. 

Bakery Guy finally gets back from the washroom and asks Single Mom to the dance. She says yes. News Guy is sad. 

When Single MOm gets back home, French Fiance notices that she looks sad.  French Fiance asks Single Mom what's wrong. Single Mom likes News Guy! But News Guy is leaving because of his promotion. Young Daughter overhears and quietly whispers to no one, "News Guy."

Single Mom shows up to News Guy's news station to tell News Guy she doesn't want to continue to be his news story. She doesn't have time to talk. She's going sledding with Young Daughter. Camera Guy tells News Guy he needs too finish the story or he won't get his promotion. Now News Guy is conflicted! Should he chose the person he likes, or the job he wants? 

News Guy goes sledding. He starts to tell Single Mom that he might not get the promotion. Single Mom is excited he might not be leaving after all. Young Daughter pelts them with snowballs.

Young Daughter sees they are in love and decides to take action. She tells News Guy he's now at the top of her list. News Guy tells Young Daughter that Single Mom is already going out with Bakery Guy, but Young Daughter is not deterred. Young Daughter says, "sometimes the person you fall in love with isn't the person you're supposed to fall for."

Single Mom asks News Guy on a date. He says yes. 

Camera Guy asks News Guy if maybe there's something better to stay for, instead of leaving for the promotion...

Bakery Guy comes to tell Single Mom he doesn't want to go to the dance with her. There's no spark. Single Mom agrees. Bakery Guy suggests she go to the dance with News Guy since they both clearly like each other. 

News Guy tells Single Mom he needs her to go to the dance or he won't get his promotion. Single Mom is mad. She doesn't want to be the news story anymore! Single Mom tells News Guy there were no sparks with Bakery Guy! She yells at News Guy for just doing all of this for a promotion! "Fine! I'll go to the dance with Bakery Guy to get rid of you!"

News Guy feels bad. Camera Guy tells him to go fix it. News Guy says, "I'll finish the story and leave." He's dumb.

French Fiance gives Single Mom a pep talk. Young Daughter overhears Single Mom's plan to go to the dance with Bakery Guy and makes her own plan...

Step-family all go to the dance together. News Guy can't stop staring at Single Mom. She's pretty. Bakery Guy shows up to the dance. News Guy starts interviewing them and asks Bakery Guy, "what's so great about Single Mom?"  Bakery Guy turns it back on News Guy and says, "why don't you tell us what's so great about Single Mom?".  News Guy says nice things about Single Mom.

Bakery Guy can't stay for the dance, he gave his dance ticket to Young Daughter! Young Daughter is giving the ticket to News Guy!

Now News Guy is the subject of his own story. He tells everyone he got the promotion, but he's not taking it. He's staying. He loves Single Mom!

Single Mom is happy! Kissing! There's not even mistletoe! 

The end

Me and Mr Christmas

Rating: 7/10

Reason: Predictable but interesting

*Watched on Amazon Prime Video (Age 7+)

SPOILERS BELOW!

                                                                         

PR Lady is trying to start her own PR firm but no one is willing to take the leap to be her first customer.

Book Man owns a book store that is doing poorly, and he doesn't know how to turn it around. 

PR Lady decides she will represent him pro-bono in the Mr Christmas pageant. The only problem is that Book Man doesn't want to enter the contest, and he doesn't like Christmas. But Book Man's book store is doing poorly and PR Lady convinces him that this could be just the publicity he needs to help the book store. Book Man hates Christmas. Incidentally, PR Lady loves Christmas.

The contest involves lots of Christmassy type challenges. Book Man surprisingly wins the wood chopping competition. There's more to Book Man than meets the eye!

Next is gingerbread house building.  Book Man and PR Lady get a bit of help from PR Lady's Single Mom and Book Man's Widower Employee. It's too bad they are both sad and alone, especially over the holidays...

While baking together, the old folks devise a plan to get Book Man and PR Lady together. Widower Employee likes to cook, and PR Lady never uses her fancy kitchen, so he'll make dinner for all 4 of them. Book Man and PR Lady think, "wow these old folks are getting along so well already," while unknowingly falling into their love trap.

Officially the Mr Christmas competitors must be single, so Inquiring Lady inquiries about Book Man to PR Lady. PR Lady panics a little, and Inquiring Lady assumes that means Book Man is secretly dating PR Lady. 

There's a dance at the end of the contest, and Book Man needs lessons. PR Lady will be his dance partner for the lessons. Book Man admits to enjoying his time working with PR Lady. Then Book Man asks, "do you think Inquiring Lady likes me?" PR Lady sadly replies, "yeah, probably."

PR Lady tells Book Man his store is in need of some sprucing up. Book Man says he has kept the store exactly the way his parents had it before they died. He only has Widower Employee to hang out with over the holidays. Hence, Book Man hates Christmas. But now Book Man is learning that Christmas doesn't have to be sad. Book Man is ready to update the store. 

Inquiring Lady bumps into Book Man at the tree Lighting ceremony and shamelessly flirts with him despite thinking he's dating PR Lady. PR Lady walks up and starts possessively hugging Book Man which really confuses Book Man.

Time for the dinner. Single Mom is nervous. She hasn't been on a date in ages. Widower Employee has cooked a great meal, and he's nervous. He hasn't been on a date since his wife died.  PR Lady is nervous. She really likes Book Man, but Book Man is also her client. Book Man brings wine.

The next Mr Christmas event is the dance. Also, the Mr Christmas competitors will be auctioned off for dates.  Book Man asks PR Lady to save a dance for him. Inquiring Lady bumps into Book Man and asks if it's ok if she bids on him. Book Man is flattered. Inquiring Lady assures Book Man it would be just as friends if she won because she knows about Book Man and PR Lady dating. Now Book Man is confused...

Book Man asks PR Lady, "why does Inquiring Lady think we are dating?". PR Lady tells Book Man she was worried that if he knew Inquiring Lady was interested in him he would quit the competition, and PR Lady would not have a client anymore. PR Lady says, "I did it all for you, so you could win, Book Man." Book Man is angry. 

Book Man wins! 

Book Man is Mr Christmas. Book Man dances with Inquiring Lady. PR Lady is sad. PR Lady leaves alone. 

PR Lady decides to go back to the festivities because she really does love Christmas. Book Man tells Inquiring Lady he's actually single, but Inquiring Lady notices Book Man watching PR Lady across the room. Inquiring Lady tells Book Man to have a good Christmas. 

Single Mom tells PR Lady to stop prioritizing work, and set time aside for the people she loves. Single Mom takes her own advice and walks off with Widower Employee.

PR Lady tells Book Man she's sorry. Book Man asks if she's done talking yet, then kisses PR Lady. Kissing. And more kissing. 

The end

A Very Merry Bridesmaid

Rating: 6/10

Reason: Good acting, but slow and predictable

*Watched on Amazon Prime Video (Age 7+)

SPOILERS BELOW!

                                                                           

Shop Lady has dreams to travel the world, but she owns a shop and just can't make the time to get away. Her Brother is getting married on Christmas Eve, which also happens to be her 30th birthday. She's always had a crush on her brothers friend who grew up next door. 

Brother and Controlling Fiance arrive at the airport, and Controlling Fiance is grumpy! The airline lost her wedding dress and her suitcase with wedding gifts! 

Next Door Hot Guy (NDHG) and Shop Lady run into each other in the back yard and NDHG asks about her birthday plans. She doesn't have any. It's the wedding day after all... Controlling Fiance's parents are dead, and they loved Christmas, so she's getting married on Christmas Eve.

The next day Brother calls everyone except his Controlling Fiance over to let them know he's fulfilled his Controlling Fiance's wish! She always wanted to get married in her childhood home, and he's secretly bought it! He just needs everyone to help fix it up and keep it a secret that he's changed the venue from his parents' house to her old house an hour away! What could go wrong? 

Shop Lady's friend and NDHG are very concerned about her lack of birthday plans. It's her 30th! That's a big deal! Shop Lady is determined not to make a big deal about it. Weddings only happen once. 

NDHG is thinking about selling the house next door, where he grew up with his Nana. Controlling Fiance is sad. Family homes are important!

Controlling Fiance goes shopping for a new dress, and she isn't happy about it. She went to London 3 times for fittings for her wedding dress, and it was her dead mom's favorite designer! Now she's going to have to get an ordinary dress. She always dreamed about having a perfect wedding, and so far it's not....

NDHG decides Shop Lady not having a birthday celebration is an unacceptable plan. He will prepare some birthday surprises such as a horse drawn carriage ride, special hot chocolate like Nana used to make... It's clear he likes Shop Lady, but Shop Lady is oblivious to his affections despite her crushing crush she still has on him. NDHG has plans to continue teaching around the world, and Shop Lady has a shop, so there's obviously no future for them. 

Time for the house reveal. Brother brings Controlling Fiance to the house, and tells her the wedding will be here! She's so happy! (Well that worked out) 

NDHG's realtor brings a potential buyer to look at the house. Seems NDHG is not sure he actually is ready to sell the house....

Brother tells NDHG that he needs to be careful about his sister. She's always had a crush on him, and since NDHG is leaving again after Christmas, don't do anything that would hurt Shop Lady's feelings. NDHG says, "that crush was when we were kids. She doesn't like me like that anymore. Besides, I'd never hurt her."

Meanwhile Shop Lady brought Controlling Fiance to her friend's store, and her friend had a great wedding gown in the back that Controlling Fiance approves of! 

Uh oh, Shop Lady and NDHG are under the mistletoe! She kisses him and he breaks it off. She's embarrassed, and runs away. NDHG stands as if glued to the spot and calls impotently after her, "Shop Lady, Shop Lady, come back."

NDHG receives an offer on the house he doesn't actually want to sell because he really wants to stay because he's in love with Shop Lady but won't admit it to himself. He tells Shop Lady, "I received an offer in my house that is so good I can't refuse it." Shop Lady says, "great. congratulations." And walks away. 

Dad tells Shop Lady he knows why she hasn't gone traveling. It's not actually because of her shop. It's because he had heart attacks. But he's all better now, and he'd like her to go. Away. Travel the world.

On wedding day NDHG wishes Shop Lady a happy birthday while they are standing in the back of the church, ready to march down the aisle. Shop Lady tells him she's going on a trip. They march down the aisle. NDHG keeps looking at Shop Lady during the wedding. It's too much. It's awkward. Brother and Controlling Fiance are married. yay.

NDHG tells Brother the he had always had a crush on Shop Lady too. Brother is giddy with wedding day happiness and says it's the best news he's heard!

Controlling Fiance takes control of the reception and announces that it's Shop Lady's birthday. Clapping commences because how else should the guests respond? Mom takes over the mic and tells Shop Lady they all pitched in and gave her all their air-miles. This is the weirdest reception I've ever seen. Now Shop Lady is giving a speech about Christmas... At the wedding reception. 

As the couple leaves, NDHG whispers to Shop Lady to meet him in the gazebo. He tells her he's only taking a short trip, then he's coming back and not selling his house. He wants to be with her. Now they are kissing without mistletoe! Shop Lady thanks NDHG for really seeing her.

An airport van arrives at the house after everyone has left. Apparently the lost luggage has been found.

The end

12 Dares of Christmas

Rating: 6/10

Reason: Not terrible.  Acting was good, it was just too drawn out.  

*Watched on Amazon Prime Video (Age 7+)

SPOILERS BELOW!

                                                                                

A high-school teacher preparing for a French exchange program is challenged by her sister to 12 dares during the holidays. Teacher Lady's life is too predictable, and she needs a shake up!

French Guy is in the States and not thrilled about it, but he decides to head to the bar to relax before meeting his liaison....

Dare 1 - she has to give her number to 12 guys at the bar. 

Teacher Lady has the worst pick up lines ever, and is striking out with everyone. Teacher Lady gives it one last shot, and hits on French Guy not realizing he is French Guy.

They start talking and figure out they already kind of know each other, and the conversation switches to the exchange program, and apparently there has been a miscommunication. Teacher Lady hasn't got approval or funding yet. French Guy thought everything was ready, and the students flights are booked, and they'll be coming soon! Catastrophe!

French Guy freaks out. "We need to cancel!"

Teacher Lady reassures, "we can handle it, we'll call it a test run since there's only 3 students!"

Sister has made a social media page about the dares, and it's already got 150 followers! Time for...

Dare 2 - go to the school fundraiser and decorate a gingerbread house. 

Teacher Lady meets up with French Guy to get the board to approve the exchange program, and they end up at the fundraiser. Begrudgingly, Teacher Lady realises the social media page about the dares might be the publicity she needs to get the exchange program going, so she dares French Guy to a gingerbread house decorating competition. He is terrible, and grumpy about being terrible. 

Dare 3 - start a snowball fight.

French Guy arrives at Teacher Lady's house to plan activities for when the students arrive. They start arguing, and Teacher Lady heads outside, then starts a snowball fight with French Guy. (Seems like she's pretty on board with the dares at this point...)

She slips in the snow and he catches her. Oh, shenanigans! Are they falling for each other?

Teacher Lady admits that the snowball fight was premeditated, and tells French Guy about the daily dares. Then she suggests they do something similar for the students when they arrive. 

She also linked a fundraising app to the social media, so the dares are now bringing in money to help with the exchange. Now French Guy is on board! What's next? 

Dare 4 - ice skating... French Guy has a mild injury as a result.   He's not good at ice skating.

Dare 5 - make eggnog.  French Guy and teacher lady make eggnog. Next! 

Dare 6 - do the polar bear plunge. Check.

Dare 7 - lay out under the stars and watch a Christmas movie. Kissing nearly happens.

Dare 8 - find 5 Christmas bells hidden around town. It's a scavenger hunt! They chat as they hunt and Teacher Lady tells French Guy that her parents died when she was in highschool so she never got to study abroad like she wanted to. Now we know why she so determined to make the exchange program work. 

There's going to be a fruitcake competition at the school, so they team up to make some fruitcakes. And flirt. So much flirting. 

Dare 9 - sing a Christmas carol in front of a crowd. She can't sing! (She's actually quite bad) French Guy comes to sing with her and save the day. 

The principal shows up to yell at Teacher Lady. The only Inn in town has flooded. Where will the students stay? Perhaps the board could host them? Surely not this close to Christmas! Principal will not help with logistics. French Guy and Teacher Lady find placements for the students....

Dare 10 - sit on Santa's lap and make Christmas wish. Teacher Lady wishes for love. Santa gives her a candy cane.

Dare 11 - Christmas-ify someone's house. She chooses the principal's house... Principal loves it! And she apologizes to Teacher Lady for being grumpy, and offers her the vice principal job! 

French Guy's French Boss shows up and tells them he's very disappointed. The program isn't organized well enough, and he says it's off. Teacher Lady and French Guy argue about whose fault it is, and he storms off.

Sister tries to cheer Teacher Lady up by showing her the social media page. Look at all the followers! Everyone is so inspired!

Dare 12 - have hot cocoa in the old fort. Just like Sister and Teacher Lady did as kids. 

Sister says how much she has enjoyed her time back in town. She wants to move back. Teacher Lady gives Sister the deed to the house. Hugs.

There's a final board meeting at the school. French Boss has come around, he wants the exchange to happen again. Teacher Lady gives a good speech and everyone is convinced. The exchange program is a go. 

Dare 13 - Teacher Lady dares French guy to kiss her. He completes the dare.

The end

No Sleep 'Til Christmas

Rating: 7/10

Reason: The acting was good, and the story was different than most Christmas movies. 

*Watched on Disney+ (Age 14+)

SPOILERS BELOW!

                                                                     

There's this lady who can't sleep. She's getting married in a few weeks, but she can't sleep, and can't focus on wedding stuff. 

There's a guy who can't sleep. His girlfriend breaks up with him because he's a mess. 

The lady decides to go for a drive because she can't sleep. 

The guy decides to go for a jog because he can't sleep. 

She hits him with her car...

She offers to bring him to the hospital. She's playing a stupid song on the radio, so he turns it off. She gets mad and says, "don't touch my radio," and turns it back on. 

They get to the hospital and he says, "don't you want to listen to the rest of your song?" So they stay in the car... And fall asleep! 

They are awakened the next day by paramedics who were called because of the 2 people passed out in a car. Turns out the 2 insomniacs can sleep if they are together!

They go their separate ways, a few days pass, she can't sleep. She thinks maybe it was him! So she goes to the bar where he works and says, "let's try to sleep together." He thinks she's crazy and sends her away, thinks about it, calls her, and they meet up to sleep in her car. 

She figures it's a thing, so she makes up a contract, she'll loan him money so he can open his own bar, and they'll meet up to sleep together. He asks if it has to be in the car....

They head to a hotel to test it out... It works! 

They keep meeting up to sleep, they become friendly. Banter. hahaha

They sleep at his place (hotels are expensive).

Does he like her? "No, she's engaged!" That would be ridiculous.

She asks him why he can't sleep. Turns out his dad left to go live with his girlfriend in the middle of the night when he was a kid. Hasn't slept well since then. 

Her dad was always super busy, then her mom died and she thought he'd have more time for her, but nothing changed... They both have Daddy issues. 

The lady's fiance uses 'find my phone' and discovers she's at the hotel. He shows up and she tries explaining that they are just sleeping, no sex. So he says, "prove it."

So the 3 of them head to the sleep clinic...

And it works, but now the finance is mad. Why can she sleep with him, but not me?

So she starts pretending that she can sleep again.

Fiance demands they stop seeing each other, sleepy guy needs to pay back the loan. But fiance will still allow all the sleepy guy's friends to come to the wedding. Now sleepy guy is sad... So sad he decides he can't be at the wedding.

Time for wedding. Vows. Fiance says yes, sleepy girl dozes off. Wait... Has she been faking sleeping? Maybe we aren't right for each other! Sleepy girl agrees and says no. 

She runs out of the church and drives off in the wedding car. She sees sleepy guy running, and turns to try to catch him... She hits him with the car! Hahaha, again?!

Sleepy buddys get in bed, and a baby cries?!? The both say, "not it." Apparently we have jumped forward in time....

The end

Waking Up To Christmas

Rating: 9/10

Reason: many funny moments, and full circle jokes & gags

*Watched on Amazon Prime Video (Age 7+)

SPOILERS BELOW!

                                                          

Lady breaks up with her boyfriend just before Christmas. She's going on vacation to Bali by herself because Christmas is about spending time with family and spending money, and she hates it all! Christmas isn't like all those silly movies with the handsome lumberjack that sweeps you off your feet! Her assistant calls her Scrooge.

The plane hits a blizzard and has to land in Colorado instead of Bali. It's cold. Lady's suitcase got left in New York... Her laptop was in that bag! 

Santa appears in the airport!

Lady gets grumpy about Santa and snow. She trips on Christmas lights and a handsome Lumberjack type guy comes to her aid.

The storm is suddenly gone, so the Lady tries to find a flight out. But it's a tiny airport and they close for the holidays. The last flight just left! She'll have to stay a week!

Also the hotel (singular) is fully booked! But the Airport Lady has a guest room! Also, the Lumberjack dude is her son! 

Lumberjack and Lady go into town, and Lady slips on the ice, and a Doctorman catches her! And he's a widower with a young daughter. He's ready to love again...

Lady and Lumberjack proceed to his house... Guess what his name is! It's Chris Kringle!

Lady comments about all the decorations in the house being a bit much. Lumberjack says, "Christmas wasn't important to your family?"

Lady replies, "family wasn't important to my family."

Lumberjack calls her Scrooge.

Santa appears in the house and scares the crap out of the Lady. She freaks out and runs away tripping on the Christmas tree. 

She awakens surrounded by the family. She heads to the bathroom to discover there's no toilet. The fridge in the kitchen is only filled with eggnog. She blows out a candle and it immediately relights. "Oh no! I'm trapped in a Christmas movie!"

Santa appears to tell her she will remain in the Christmas movie and this small town until she finds her Christmas spirit. 

Lumberjack family discusses the town fair and how attendance is down. So sad... But Lady is a PR person. She offers to help (save the fair = go home, right?)

Lumberjack doesn't trust Lady. Why the sudden change of heart?

Lumberjack's ex girlfriend shows up. "Gwen Rinch" is her name. She's trying to make the fair profitable, bring in outside partners. Bad bad bad.

Lumberjack and Lady keep working on the fair. They decide to go walk around the town. It's cold. He offers her his coat. She says no thanks (who knows where that could lead in a Christmas movie).

Doctorman shows up. Gallantly picks up her dropped gloves. And mentions again that he's single and looking for love. Lady spins it and asks if he'll support the fair.

Part of what Lady feels she should do is the "regular" Christmassy stuff like:

Decorate a tree

Wrap presents 

Make gingerbread house

Drink hot chocolate

Ice skate

Have a snowball fight

But she's a bit misguided on how to do those things. She thinks a snowball fight is tossing the same snowball back and forth. She thinks decorating a 10" tree counts as decorating a tree...

Santa decides the lady needs some help, so he brings her assistant. Assistant is very excited about the prospect of being in a Christmas movie! 

Assistant helps Lady see that maybe what she's missing is the holiday romance. The Lady shows that every guy in town is "in love" with her. It doesn't mean anything!  But then Lumberjack tried to kiss her, and it gets too real. She runs away. 

Santa gives up on her and says she can go home if she wants. She's excited to leave, but Lumberjack asks why she hates Christmas so much....

Lady says she wrote Santa a letter when she was 9. She had a fabulous Christmas, and on New Years Day her dad walked out. She's just a realist. She knows it's all fake! Lumberjack is sad. If this isn't real, do you think we aren't real? 

Gwen Rinch has been working hard to convince all the businesses around town to pull out of the fair, so things aren't going well for Lumberjack...

Then ma and pa lumberjack demonstrate through their gifts to each other how much they love each other. It's not just the gift that counts, it's the care and love that go into it.

Lady decides to "embrace the Christmas of it all," so she takes Lumberjack around town and talks to all the business owners that she had convinced to come back and support the fair! It's saved!

The Lady found her Christmas spirit! Huzzah!  

Gwen Rinch has a change of heart too. She publicly apologizes for her actions. She also asks Lumberjack if he wants to grab coffee. 

But Lumberjack has eyes for the Lady! 

Gwen Rinch slips on the ice, and Doctorman catches her. Will they live happily ever after?

Lady has to go to the airport for her flight home. Lady gets in cab, and Lumberjack runs after her. Too late Lumberjack!

Santa appears in the airport, and tells the Lady she should reconnect with her dad who she has been avoiding for years. She calls him and leaves a voicemail. 

Santa asks what she really wants for Christmas... She wants to go back and talk to Lumberjack! But the only way to get back to him at this point is to turn it into a musical! So she begrudgingly breaks into song. It works. Lumberjack shows up in the airport. And they thank each other for saving the fair and the Christmas spirit. 

The end

Welcome Movie Watchers!

I watch quite a bit of TV.  Mostly dramas or comedies.  But during the holidays I watch some of the most predictable, ridiculous movies.  I have a friend who watches almost no TV or movies.  Whenever we talk, she asks me about what I've been watching, and I summarize the shows and movies for her.  This holiday season she encouraged me to make a blog.

I started by sending her summaries of a few recent movies, and we both agreed, they should be shared.  So, if you are thinking about watching a movie, check here and see if I've recapped it.  I'll give a star rating out of 10, and a short explanation of why it got the rating it did, and I'll tell you what platform I watched it on (in Canada).  There will also be spoilers, so be warned.

Don't agree with my rating? Leave a comment and let me know!

Don't agree with my synopsis?  Leave a comment and let me know why!

I'm here to have fun, and I hope you get some enjoyment from it too.