George Newbern, Megyn Price, Taylor Spreitler, Corbin Bernsen, Francesca Capaldi, Aidan Potter, Kevin Crwoley
Martin Taylor (George newbern) feels he’s lost touch with his family. They don’t talk anymore, and the electronic gadgets rule their lives. So in desperation, Martin comes up with a plan to lock his family down in the house with no power, no water, and no heat. The family despises the idea and rebel, only to gradually come around to stick together when Martin’s crazy brother decides to interfere and toughen them up by stealing their food and supplies. The thinks Martin has always been a wimp, but Martin learns to stand up and defend his family bringing them all closer.
Up Television is a religiously oriented channel that is doing Christmas up right this year. They have had a number of really good new movies, although this one is not the best by far. It’s a little like Home Alone, and the brother, played by Corbin Bernsen is a comic book character. The whole thing is a bit bizarre. They could have planned a little ahead, stocked some wood and supplies (to avoid chopping up their furniture for heat!), and had a nice stay-in vacation, but instead started this off as wildly unprepared and made it a lot harder than it had to be. But the basic premise is good, and the idea that we need to get closer as a family and listen to each other is a good idea. The movie is different, and interesting enough to keep your interest. I wish it was a little better thought out, and not so haphazard. Not a classic Christmas film that will last for years and year, but a pleasant diversion if you happen to catch it.
CBS Productions, Downey/Todoroff Productions, Jaffe/Braunstein Films
Roma Downey, George Newbern, Scott Terra, Cathy Lee Crosby, Doris Roberts
An heiress, Helen Radke (Roma Downey) has never had a close relationship with her father who has recently passed away. He was the benefactor of an orphanage for boys. While trying to settle his estate, she has to decide whether or not to sell off the property of the orphanage. Jimmy Adams (George Newbern) is the one who runs the orphanage and will try anything in his arsenal to convince Helen not to turn the boys out into the street.
This is another touching Christmas story. Helen hardly knew her father, and she thought to come into town and sell off her father’s assets and get out of town without getting involved. But instead she makes a Scrooge like transformation as she learns more about who her father was and why he did the things he did. Unlike Scrooge, she wasn’t a bad or stingy person, but had been hurt and hardened herself to being hurt again. It has a lot of heart and is very touching. This is an excellent tale, very well told. Roma Downey is very good in the lead and really carries the movie. George Newbern is also does a very good job as the nice guy, former orphan, who cares for the Sons of Mistletoe. I highly recommend this film. It’s got a whole different look at the wonders of the season.
Eric Jay Beck, Erin Bethea Candace Cameron Bure, Burgess Jenkins, Gary Moore, jeanne Neilson, George Newbern
Megan (Candace Cameron Bure) is a very busy lady. Struggling, like most of us, with a schedule that’s too busy and there’s no time for anything but work, hauling kids around, and supporting her husband who is trying to work and go to school at the same time. Her son shows up wearing a costume, and Megan realizes it is Halloween. She takes her son out to a nearby neighborhood for trick or treat and finds the neighborhood setting up for Christmas in October. She is given a card with a blog site on it, and a warning that “It will change your life”. As she begins reading the story of the Locke family she becomes involved in the true story of the Locke family. Their son Dax developed a very rare form of leukemia at 13 months, and the families life has been turned upside down. With a positive attitude and faith they are doing everything they can to help their son. As Megan reads the day to day blog about the family’s struggles, she gains an appreciation for the blessing she has.
The Locke family story has touched millions of lives around the world. This new film in 2011 has premiered on the the GMC channel and will be run throughout the season. There will eventually be a DVD if you are unable to get the movie. But there is a web site for the blog: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/daxlocke. This is a heartbreaking true story of a whole community coming together. Featuring the music from Matthew West’s “The Heart of Christmas” CD, this is an excellent story.
As for the film. It’s very well done. The actors are really good. The story is very good. It is very heartbreaking, but sometimes it takes adversity to build character. I would recommend this to you if there is anyway you can get a chance to see it. What a remarkable story.
DTM3 Productions, Sneak Preview Entertainment, Valkyrie Films
Maxwell Perry Cotton, Robert Wagner, Louise Fletcher, Isaac Durnford, Kim Schraner, George Newbern, Jake Beale, China Anne McClain
Dennis is up to his usual tricks. Everything he does is done with a pure heart and in a clumsy way. It’s one attempt after another to make Mr. Wilson happy, but each adventure ends in a bigger disaster. Dennis wants a bicycle for Christmas but his last adventure with Mr. Wilson left his family with a big debt and no way to pay it off and afford a bike for Christmas. Mr. Wilson has forbidden Dennis to come on his property. As Mr. Wilson falls asleep in his chair, a Christmas angel appears and takes him through the past, present, and future to show him what the path he is on will lead.  We learn why he’s the way his is, and the future Dennis doesn’t turn out so good either.
This is a cute Dennis the Menace story that is just what you would expect, nothing more. It’s a cutesy kids story, but those of us like me who grew up with Dennis every Sunday Night after Lassie, will remember the way it was. This is the same Dennis. The Christmas Story part in the last half hour isn’t very long, and it’s appropriate to the story line. But the best part is the accidents and destruction at the hands of Dennis. Everything that could happen to Mr. Wilson, does.  It’s worth watching for all the fun!
