Ed's Review Dot Com

Route 40 Films, Flyover Films,

Kevin Sizemore, Claudia Esposito, Terry Kiser, Jill Whelan, Barrett Carnahan, Emily Capehart, Siomha Kenney, Michael Guy Allen

The George family is living way above it’s means, but David (Kevin Sizemore) has a great job and what’s another 2nd or 3rd mortgage to give the kids what they want for Christmas. But just before the holidays, downsizing loses David’s job, but he’s sure he’s going to find something again soon so the bring out the credit cards and keep the secret from the kids so they can have a “normal” Christmas. But as weeks turn into months, the Obama economy hits them hard, and there is no work to be had. As cell phones stop working, and utilities shut down, soon it becomes clear that they’re going to soon be homeless. In the midst of desperation, a kindly gentleman named Henry Banks (Terry Kiser) shows up and remembers a kindness David did for him when he needed it most and shows them a way out. Henry is an unusual guy who owns a Christmas Tree farm and who makes sure no one who needs a tree ever has to go without. Together the George’s find out their true selves and the future looks hopeful once again but in a way they could never imagine.

This is a unique Christmas film that is a bit strange feeling. Sure the usual themes of love and caring and family is all there, but Henry is a mystery. Who is this little guy, and is he really who he says he is or something more? You’ll see the ending coming a mile away, and guess what? You’ll be all wrong. This story is a wonderful tale, but not what you expect at all. This is a Christmas story unlike any other you’ve seen, and though it’s not perfect, it’s a good story. See it.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Von Piglet Productions

Elliott Gould, David DeLuise, Elijah Nelson

Ira Finklestein (Elijah Nelson) is a Jewish boy living in Hollywood who is obsessed with Christmas, much to the disappointment of his parents. But they are very busy this holiday season, so they have made arrangements to send Ira off to Florida to visit his Grandparents who haven’t seen him in years. Ira is very disappointed because they had planned to spend their holidays in Aspen where he could see snow for the first time and have a real Christmas. But while on a layover in the airport Greg runs into Mikey Amato (Justin Howell) who has to go to ChristmasTown (AKA Leavenworth, Washington) to visit his cousins for Christmas. Ira gets the idea of swapping places with Mickey and the two change names and switch tickets and Ira gets his first White Christmas while Mikey gets to spend time on the beach in the sand.

This is a fresh little Christmas film that came out of nowhere. It’s a nice story, lots of fun with less on the religious side of the holidays and more about caring and family and good times. The setting is beautiful and very scenic. This is Ira’s story, and Elijah is very well cast. He does an excellent job. All in all, I really enjoyed this film. It’s clever, funny, and with lots of heart. I found it streaming on NetFlix. Look for it.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Every year since November of 2010, I have reviewed as many of the Christmas films I am able to find on TV, Cable, Streaming, in the Theater, and anywhere else that I can find them. [Click here for the special page]“>This is the Sixth year and I am at it again!

Starting tomorrow I’ll start sending the holiday film reviews, but there is a list of hundreds of Holiday films that have already been reviewed. You’ll see them on the “Ed’s Christmas on TV Project” page, and you can recognize them as the titles will start with two snowflakes “**” in front of the name of the movie. These are films that appear on TV, on cable channels like Hallmark, and Lifetime, and all over the place. Many are available on demand and on Watch Instantly. I hope that if you are a Christmas Movie fan like I am, that this special list helps you find the gems among the clinkers are you enjoy your holiday viewing. Every year lots of new ones are released, and believe it or not, there’s still a few out there that I still haven’t seen. I’ll be scouring the schedule for new ones to add to the hundreds I’ve already done.

Season’s Greetings, everyone.

Ed Goettman

Movie Rentals Releasing Tuesday November 17, 2015

• Jimmy’s Hall
• The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
• Meru
• The Stanford Prison Experiment
• Trash
• We Are Your Friends

Paramount Pictures, Skydance Productions,

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, Jason Clarke, Matt Smith, Byung-hun Lee, J.K. Simmons, Dayo Okeniyi , Courtney B. Vance, Michael Gladis

John Connor (Jason Clarke) is determined to stop Skynet, and so he sends Sgt. Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) back to 1984 to protect Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke) and to protect the future, but something strange happens that interrupts the space time continuum sending him to a different past but with memories of both possible futures. He’s joined by the original Terminator (Arnold Swarzenegger) and together they set out to stop Skynet before it even comes on-line in this prequel to the original Terminator film.

This is not an extremely great film, but it was pretty darn good. There’s some great action sequences, with some pretty stunning CGI effects. The action and danger seems pretty real, and Arnold doesn’t take himself too serious and has a good time making fun of himself and the original series. He’s actually pretty funny sometimes. The movie is fast paced and has a lot of adventure in it, but it was a bit too familiar. The idea of an alternate past is a good add to the story, but it’s hard to follow things, and unless you really remember the original Terminator, you might, as I did, get lost a little. In the end it comes together, but it was a hard job trying to figure it out. Perhaps it’s just been too long in coming, but of course we had to wait until Arnold finished his governorship before he would able to do this. It might be good advice to re-watch the original before watching this, and it will probably be a lot easier to follow. I think I would have to mildly recommend this film just for the update to the Terminator story with something different, but my socks were definitely not knocked off by it. There were times when my mind wandered, and I had to make and effort to get back into the story. If you are a fan of the series, then this is worth watching.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog