Holiday Classics: “It Happened on 5th Avenue” (1947)

Some movies just make you happy, and “It Happened on 5th Avenue” is one of those. The comedy was the first film produced by Allied Artists Pictures, and was directed by Roy Del Ruth. Many viewers will likely notice, however, how Capra-esque the story is. Frank Capra actually did option the story to direct, but ended up […]

Streaming Movie Recap: November, Part 2

Happy December! Here’s part two of my mini reviews for new movies that came to streaming in November. Keep scrolling for reviews of “Hillbilly Elegy,” “The Christmas Chronicles 2,” “The Princess Switch: Switched Again,” “Lovers Rock,” “Happiest Season,” “Uncle Frank,” and “Black Beauty.” “HILLBILLY ELEGY” (Netflix) There are a lot of stories we need to […]

Holiday Classics: “Christmas in Connecticut” (1945)

“Christmas in Connecticut” is my personal favorite holiday movie. It’s chock full of delightful actors, hilarious situations, and is set in the most Christmas-y little town you could ever imagine—even if in reality it was just a set on the Warner Brothers lot. The story revolves around Elizabeth Lane (Barbara Stanwyck), a food columnist for […]

Review: “Dear Santa”

Every year, thousands upon thousands of children write letters to Santa Claus, asking for him to make his Christmas wishes come true. But where do all those letters go? One might call to mind the climactic courtroom scene at the end of “Miracle on 34th Street,” when postal workers deliver huge bags of letters addressed […]

Streaming Movie Recap: November, Part 1

Here’s part one of my mini reviews for movies that were new to streaming in November- and as you will see, holiday movie season is already in full swing! Keep scrolling for reviews of “Holidate,” “Operation Christmas Drop,” “The Life Ahead,” “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” “Run,” “Mangrove,” and “Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square.” […]

Streaming Recap: November 2019

With the holiday season in full swing, tons of movies were released on streaming services in November, from Christmas comedies to awards season contenders. You can read my capsule reviews of new movies released on Netflix and Disney Plus in November below. HOLIDAY IN THE WILD (NETFLIX) “Holiday in the Wild,” directed by Ernie Barbarash, […]

Review: “Last Christmas”

2.5 out of 5 stars. “Last Christmas, I gave you my heart, but the very next day, you gave it away.” We all know the words to “Last Christmas,” the iconic holiday favorite by Wham! And that knowledge just adds to the painful predictability of the movie “Last Christmas,” a sort of rom-com directed by […]

Review: “The Grinch” (2018)

3.5 out of 5 stars. “The Grinch” is a holiday tradition for many, whether it’s watching the classic animated television special, the 2000 live-action adaptation starring Jim Carrey, or reading the original story by Dr. Seuss. Now, Illumination Entertainment puts their spin on a 3D animated version of the Christmas classic, directed by Yarrow Cheney […]

Review: “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms”

2.5 out of 5 stars. When you think of “The Nutcracker,” chances are all the things related to the famous ballet come to mind: beautiful dances and costumes, Tchaikovsky’s music, and of course the main characters, a young girl named Clara and a nutcracker prince. However, only a handful of those elements are present in […]