If you like cheesy Christmas films…
The holidays are a time for family, friends, love, and of course, plenty of cheesy Christmas movies. I’m not talking about the big-budget Christmas films that hit the theaters with stars like Vince Vaughn and Will Ferrell, I mean the annual parade of holiday movies touted on channels like Hallmark, Lifetime, and ABC Family.
Let’s be honest here, there are a lot of bad films out there under the Christmas banner, and sadly, I’ve probably seen them. But let’s talk for a minute about which movies are actually worth watching if you can stomach all sappiness and cheesiness (warning: there is a lot). And yes, I have actually seen all of these films.
Ok, let me start out by saying that there is an element of holiday romance in
this one as well, The choir takes a series of rocky turns when members begin to drop out after run-ins with the law, commitment fears, fears of failure and more. But since it’s a Christmas film, we can rest assured knowing that all will turn out well. I like this one because of its portrayal of real-life issues that plague not just homeless people, but people in general. It shows a group of little-talented people joining together and supporting each other to become so much more with just a little guidance.but it takes the back seat to the main plot line. Peter Brockman decides to use his talents of musical direction and singing to help form a Christmas choir after his fiancée dumps him because she says he is too absorbed in his work. Even with the help of a spunky nun that works at the shelter, Peter finds that it is difficult to turn a dozen down-and-out men into a cheer-spreading choir that sings Christmas carols.
A Christmas Wish is the tale of a down-and-out mother who moves to a small town to find work after her husband leaves her a few weeks before Christmas. There she finds low paying work at a diner while she tries to build a home and a life with her kids in a new town. Well, if you know anything about Hallmark movies you know that she will become an endeared member of the community in a few short weeks, find love, and have the whole town rally to her aid come Christmas.
All of this happens and more, but it is still heartwarming to see it played out as the tale of a struggling mother does everything she can to provide for her family (even her ex-husband’s son who doesn’t initially like her). The plot of going from bad to getting better then to really bad and concluding with a happy resolution happens like clockwork, but it’s a nice story for a quiet movie night during the holiday season.
1. Mrs. Miracle
Yes, that is James Van Der Beek of Dawson’s Creek fame. Get excited!
Based on Debbie Macomber’s novel of the same name, Mrs. Miracle is the tale of a burnt-out widower who is trying to manage his life and his twin boys after the death of his wife. I’m not going to lie, this one pulled me over because it stars James Van Der Beek (I’m a sucker for 90s TV stars). Former Everybody Loves Raymond star Doris Roberts plays Mrs. Miracle who comes to Seth Webster (Van Der Beek) to be his new nanny after many failed attempts because the twins are some rowdy. Well, she helps out with more than just teaching discipline to the boys and begins to arrange for some Christmas romance between him and Reba Webster (Erin Karpluk) with some mingling and holiday magic. You should be starting to sense a pattern her of every Hallmark movie involves two people falling in love over a very short period of time. It may be the magic of Christmas, or just the Hallmark trademark. Either way, get used to it if you plan on watching any made-for-TV Christmas specials.
