Christmas Movies – What’s Your Fav?

Since I turned in my most recent book, I have abandoned myself to one of my favorite holiday pastimes – watching sappy Christmas movies. I love them. But some more than others. Here’s a summary of the ones I’ve watched so far. I’ll rate them on a scale of * (lousy) to ***** (recommended).

  • FALLING FOR CHRISTMAS – since this movie stars Lindsey Lohan I expected more. She plays a privileged socialite who suffers amnesia and ends up at a small town ski resort that is failing financially. It was entertaining enough, but my rating would be *** out of *****. Netflix.
  • CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE FARM – very cute movie about a widower father who inherits owns a failing farm. His kids are determined to stay there while he is struggling to pay the bills and maintain his job. Cute and entertaining, but the humor is a bit on the slapstick side. I’ll give it *** out of *****.
  • THE NOEL DIARY – oh, I really liked this one. An adopted woman finds the place where her mother was a nanny for a family while pregnant with her. She and the handsome owner of the house where her mom worked set out to find their lost parents. I really enjoyed this one. I’d give it a **** out of *****. Netflix.
  • SURVIING CHRISTMAS – I really had hopes for this one, and it was entertaining…to a point. It’s about a British family reunion at their family ancestral home. Lots of weird, unhappy family members get together while the sweet owner of the home tries to put on the traditional British Christmas gathering of their past. I really wanted to like this one, but honestly, there were too many family members’ sordid backgrounds to really care about any of them. I’ll give it a ** out of *****. Amazon Prime.
  • NEW IN TOWN – Since this movie stars Renee Zellweger I expected big things – and I wasn’t disappointed. She plays an executive sent to a small town factory to reduce the workforce by 50% – and gets involved. Though this isn’t technically a Christmas movie (because the time period spans several holidays, including Christmas) I was totally engaged in the main character from the beginning. Engaging story, great acting. I highly recommend this one. ***** out of *****. Amazon Prime
  • A CHRISTMAS WISH – A heart wrenching story about an abandoned wife with 3 kids who is desperate to find a way to support herself and her kids when her husband deserts 2 weeks before Christmas. She finds a job as a waitress in a small town café, but she continues to struggle. I LOVED this movie, and if you like stories that let you connect with the main character and feel for her and with her, I think you will too. Some of the subplots are really sappy and unbelievable (but hey! it’s Christmas! I expect that!!!) There is a definite faith element, though the resolution to that is pretty subdued and a little disappointing. Still, I give it  ***** of *****. Amazon Prime.
  • DR. SEUSS’S HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS – No, not the full-length Jim Carey version. (ICK!!!) I love the original. It’s less than 30 minutes long, and it tells the whole story, proving that a writer doesn’t need quantity of words to make a point, only a few artistically written words to tell a story that touches millions of hearts. This is my all-time favorite Christmas movie (and I have Whoo-ville in my living room!!!). Available on public television. ***** of *****.

What are you watching this Christmas season? I’m looking for recommendations!