Tag Archives: Christmas Movie

LAST HOLIDAY (2006): The Things I Liked…

Last Holiday (2006), Queen Latifah, LL Coo J
Last Holiday (2006), Queen Latifah, LL Coo J

Just yesterday I was thinking about two things. Specifically where I’d love to travel to next and what I need to add to my vision board for 2019. Little did I know that Last Holiday, the 2006 comedy about a shy woman who suddenly decides to change her life and live it up in a posh European hotel would offer me so much inspiration. 

If you’re familiar with Last Holiday, you know that I probably don’t want to be in the main protagonist’s exact predicament. However I could most definitely do with a little more of the ’embracing life’ part. 

Starring Queen Latifah, LL Cool J and Timothy Hutton; what I like most about this fun Wayne Wang directed comedy – besides the way it has inspired me is how much it made me laugh and smile. It’s exactly what I needed this festive season. Latifah and her natural charisma is the reason I tuned in at all. Other reasons I stayed watching include the many engaging characters; from Latifah’s Georgia, Chef Didier who’s well played by Gerard Depardieu, LL Cool J’s Sean and all the staff at Grand Hotel Pupp.

As for everything else in Last Holiday, key highlights include the cinematography, the way food is featured and all the well chosen fancy outfits worn by Georgia while in Europe.

If I had to pick a moment in Last Holiday that I loved that little bit less, I’d choose the not completely believable way the snowboarding scene played out. Overall though, Last Holiday is a fun and funny holiday/Christmas movie that will put a smile on your face and have you looking forward as you think about how to best live the coming year(s). 

Watch it because it has a certain silly quality that’s good for your mood.

Happy Film Loving 

G

POTTERSVILLE (2017): New Trailer Starring Michael Shannon, Ron Perlman, Thomas Lennon, Christina Hendricks…

Pottersville (2017), Ron Perlman, Greta Lee, Michael Thomas Lennon
Pottersville (2017), Ron Perlman, Greta Lee, Michael Thomas Lennon

Michael Shannon, Ron Perlman, Thomas Lennon and Christina Hendricks are the stars of Pottersville; a Seth Henrikson directed comedy about a beloved local businessman who gets mistaken for the legendary Bigfoot, after which an international Bigfoot media spectacle follows. Along with a windfall of tourism dollars for his simple American town that’s hit by hard times.

I’m not sure what to make of this one. Seems silly but I’m hoping it’s silly in a good way because I’m looking forward to some amusement and the generally christmassy vibe this trailer seems to promise.

Also, I can’t help but think this can’t be that bad since Michael Shannon’s in it, right?

Ian McShane, Judy Greer, Michael Torpey and Blake Perlman also star.

Pottersville Release Dates: November 10th, 2017 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G

THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS (2017): New Trailer From Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce, Simon Callow…

The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017), Dan Stevens
The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017), Dan Stevens

Bharat Nalluri directs Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce and  Simon Callow in a movie about the journey that lead to the creation of one of Charles Dickens’ most classic characters.

The movie is The Man Who Invented Christmas and the character? Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol, of course!

With a title like The Man Who Invented Christmas, how can I not be curious enough to see this? Especially considering what a big deal Christmas is these days. I’m not really referring to the religious aspect, of course.

The Man Who Invented Christmas Release Dates: November 22nd, 2017 (US); December 1st, 2017 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

LOVE THE COOPERS (2015): For Weekend Easy Viewing With A Side Of Romance

Christmas With The Coopers (2015), Olivia Wilde, Jake Lacy
Christmas With The Coopers (2015), Olivia Wilde, Jake Lacy

I would describe Love The Coopers as less like Elf (2003) and more like ABC TV series, Brothers & Sisters.

Directed by Jessie Nelson and starring John Goodman, Diane Keaton, Ed Helms, and Steve Martin,  Love The Coopers is one of those holiday films that reminds you that every family has its unpleasant tensions and challenging relationships. But the good news is, in this movie, the tense moments are wisely interspersed with humour and cheer.

The character Olivia Wilde plays is my favourite, partly because I find Wilde rather likeable in real life, but mostly I relate most to aspects of her character above all the others in the movie.

I was in the mood to watch something that didn’t demand too much from me and that’s exactly what I got with this movie. Love The Coopers probably won’t make my top 10 favourite Christmas movies list, but it is easy relaxing viewing with a side of romance – and one can always make a little time for something like that, no?

Anthony Mackie, Jake Lacy, Amanda Seyfried and Marisa Tomei also star.

Happy Film Loving 🙂

G

THE HOLIDAY (2006): Good At Christmas & Any Other Time The Mood Strikes…

The Holiday (2006), Kate Winslet
The Holiday (2006), Kate Winslet

Set in England and Los Angeles during the festive season, The Holiday stars Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black and Cameron Diaz.

Written and directed by Nancy Meyers, the stories of the four main and very relatable characters is beautifully told and features just the perfect musical score by the one and only Hans Zimmer.

My favourite scene which I’m sure is also the favourite of many others is the one in the fort that features two talented child actresses. The Holiday is a film to watch when you’re in the mood for a good romance/comedy, whether it’s Christmas or not. There’s also a a certain Bridget Jone’s Diary (2001) vibe to enjoyed.

Watch it because it’s good and funny.

Happy Film Loving

G

ELF (2003): Will Ferrell Makes It Good

Screen Shot 2015-11-17 at 16.20.39.png
Elf (2003), Will Ferrell

Silly, with several funny and moving moments, plus all the right messages for the christmas season is just one way to describe Elf.

Starring Will Ferrell in the title role and directed by Jon Favreau; I’ve heard many people refer to Elf as their favourite Christmas movie. Having now seen it, I can’t say it’s mine but Ferrell does a positively memorable job with his character.

If you weren’t already a fan of Ferrell, it’s quite likely that after the movie, you’ll recognise and applaud his comic capabilities. Just make sure you’re in the mood for some silly.

Zooey Dechanel’s beautiful singing voice and the characters played by Faison Love and Peter Dinklage are two more of my favourite things about the movie.

Watch it for a reminder of why so many people can’t help but look forward to Will Ferrell in comedy roles. Daddy’s Home (2015) is his latest comedy, which will arrive  just in time for Christmas 2015.

Happy Film Loving 🙂

G

LOVE ACTUALLY (2003): Sweet, Funny & Perfectly British

Love Actually (2003), Chiwetel Ejiofor, Keira Knightley
Love Actually (2003), Chiwetel Ejiofor, Keira Knightley

Set in London, England, Love Actually is a romantic comedy written and directed by Richard Curtis, the man responsible for hit films such as Notting Hill (1999), Bridget Jone’s Diary (2001) and most recently, About Time (2013).

Focused on the love lives of several couples in the month leading up to Christmas, Curtis’s cast represent an excellent selection of some of the UK’s best acting talent. It is a cast that includes – to name just a few, Bill Nighy, Andrew Lincoln, Keira Knightley, Emma Thompson, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Liam Neeson.

In Love Actually, what Curtis has delivered is a very sweet and funny movie. Along with the classically British humour and eccentricities, there’s a healthy sprinkling of romance, drama and family – just the perfect balance for the holiday season.

Love Actually (2003), Hugh Grant, Nina Sosanya, Martine McCutcheon
Love Actually (2003), Hugh Grant, Nina Sosanya, Martine McCutcheon

On the other hand, there are one or two situations/relationships that I didn’t find particularly believable. Not to say that they would never happen, but they certainly felt like a stretch. Still, it is after all the holiday season so perhaps magic is supposed to happen, yes?

My inability to ‘believe in love aside…’ 🙂  Love Actually is a well paced holiday movie with all the right sentiments. I know Christmas is not quite here yet but I watched it anyway, for the love and humour.

My favourite of all the couples would have to be Billy and Joe in the recording studio, Sarah and Karl at the office and Judy and Jack. Who doesn’t like Judy and Jack?

Happy Love Actually and season’s greetings 🙂

G

LOVE THE COOPERS (2015): New Christmas Trailer Starring Ed Helms & Olivia Wilde

Love The Coopers (2015), Ed Helms, Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried,
Love The Coopers (2015), Ed Helms, Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried,

Summer isn’t over yet but if you didn’t already know, it’s time for the Christmas movie trailer. And Love The Coopers is the first one I’ve  seen for 2015.

Does it look refreshing different? No, but it does look like this Jessie Nelson directed seasonal film will provide precisely the mildly amusing, yet heartwarming entertainment one can enjoy after stuffing ones face on the Lord’s special day.

The cast list includes familiar names like Olivia Wilde, Diane Keaton, John Goodman, Amanda Seyfried, Marisa Tomei and Anthony Mackie.

Out November 2015 (U.S.) and December 2015 (U.K.)

Happy Love The Coopers 🙂

G