🎥 Reviewing Netflix Holiday Movies 🎥

In the spirit of full disclosure, this was going to be a “Top Five Hallmark Holiday Movies” post, but then someone deleted the movies I recorded (no will own up to it, but only one person in this household deletes everything non-sports related) so Netflix it shall be!! Who’s ready for some ho-ho-holiday cheer and ooey, gooey, tropey mush?

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Netflix Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: ⭐⭐.5

Release Date: 2017

Synopsis: To inherit her father’s company, socialite Ellen must first visit his small hometown, where she learns the value of hard work and helping others.

 

First Thoughts: Ignoring that glaring typo (?) in the summary, I’m going to guess Ellen is a salty b*tch who goes to her hometown like, “Ugh, why do I have to muck about with these peasants?” and then runs into Love Interest who shows her the true value of LOVE and then she either A) ditches the company or B) throws money from the rooftops for all the aforementioned peasants. I’m always down for some cash, let’s see where this leads! *hits play*

While Watching Review: 

Yes, it does start right off the bat with some Christmas music! Our protagonist is M.I.A. for an important speech while she does gymnastics in a back room. Gymnastics. I’m so thrown. I’m also thrown by how much the man playing Ellen’s father overacts. Every hand gesture is a dramatic arm fling. This may be released by Netflix, but it has all the beauty of a Hallmark classic. *wipes tear from eye*

Ellen: “I want to prove to you that I’m not just a party girl!” 
Father: “Great! What did you have in mind?”
Ellen: *blank stare*

Father has decreed that the Great Idea shall be that Ellen … will … deliver letters! I actually don’t understand why these letters are important, hopefully that comes up, but she must 1) only do it with $100 dollars and her pre-paid round-trip ticket 2) not tell anyone who she really is (a.k.a. the heiress to a multi-million dollar company). Ellen is completely down, so I fully misjudged her?

Ellen: “I’m tired of people seeing me as just some dumb rich kid.”

Final Thoughts:

Ellen’s character wasn’t always consistent, but she was super bubbly and personable. It was hard to buy into the idea that she really needed to learn about helping others, especially through a plot as extreme as her dad’s. I don’t think I remember Love Interest’s name, but he’s one of those “do it all and show the wayward protag the right way!” types. I just didn’t love his acting and chemistry with Ellen. Verdict: great protag, trope and cheese filled, but it won’t be a holiday classic.

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Netflix Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

IMDB Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Release Date: 2018

Synopsis: A talented photographer stuck in a dead-end job inherits an antique Advent calendar that may be predicting the future—and pointing her towards love.

 

First Thoughts: Not only a holiday movie but a magic holiday movie?? With POC characters? Okay, this, I am excited for.

While Watching Review: 

I think I need to accept that it is the norm for holiday movies to start with Christmas music. Also I’m immediately sucked in by Abby (Kat Graham), the hard-working photographer who has lost her true passion but hey, it’s paying the bills. Her best friend Josh just got back from about a million different trips around the world and their reunion was so cute that I’m now sitting back and waiting for this Advent calendar to *wink wink* and *nudge nudge* that true love = Josh.

Oh no. Oh noooo. Abby has the most adorable family. I love movies with families in them. (I’m recommending this for the family rep right now.) Okay, if Josh is the Love Interest, I stan. They have cute little inside jokes and the actors play off each other really well.

Abby: “You know what I want? I want to be fearless enough to go after my dreams.”

Abby’s (totally sweet) Gramps gifts her an antique Advent calendar for the holidays which kicks off this movie. On the first day of Christmas, the calendar somehow opens one of the doors, revealing a pair of tiny boots. Later in the day, Josh gives her a pair of boots (replacing the old, worn pair she has).

Final Thoughts:

I was always excited to see what magic the calendar would reveal next but even better I lived for the chemistry between Abby and Josh, and Abby and um, the other guy she meets, and her entire family whom I LOVED. Verdict: Not as much classic corny but I advocate for a new holiday fave!

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Netflix Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

IMDB Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Release Date: 2018

Synopsis: When a down-to-earth Chicago baker and a soon-to-be princess discover they look like twins, they hatch a Christmastime plan to trade places.

 

First Thoughts: Obviously I have to get on any train that includes princesses. Even ones where I only need the cover to guess what is going to happen. (Despite my first movie guess going so, so wrong). Green shirt falls in love with the prince and red shirt falls in love with the pauper. Hi-jinks ensue! What I really expect is a Princess Vanessa and Pauper Vanessa duet about finding similarities in their differences.

While Watching Review: Baker Vanessa’s bakery has the cutest look! I love setup and pastel blue/pink decor. Not to mention I totally missed seeing Vanessa on screeeeeen. And this just in, the royal kingdom is called “Belgravia” and all I picture is mashed potatoes with gravy. Ya know, gravy-a. I can’t deal. Every time I hear the name I laugh a little.

(The Princess in this movie is actually a Duchess, it turns out, but I’m continuing with my established princess theme.)

“And what are you making for your piece de resistance? Cheetos a la mode?”

OMG. Princess Vanessa’s face when she does her accent. Her entire composure. I’m so thrown. The accent might not be the best, but it’s so amusing to watch her become a stately woman. And the moment she meets Baker Vanessa, she’s like GIRL LET’S SWITCH YAAAS. Except more like, “Let us do the switching of places *sips tea*”

Final Thoughts:

After the switch, the acting had some off and on awkward moments where I didn’t know if I was laughing because something was funny, or because it was just a bit ~odd~. I expect corny in my Christmas films, but this was just moments of uhh. Also, I didn’t know either character well enough to be like, “Ooohh, I can see Baker Vanessa’s traits popping out in her Princess Vanessa disguise!” since they switched so fast. Verdict: I could have done without watching this Christmas, never mind any Christmases to come.

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What are your holiday movie faves?