It May Be Too Early for Christmas Movies - Pieces of April - A Review

Since November 1 is a bit to early for my wife to start enjoying Christmas movies, she has decided that I have to watch some Thanksgiving movies first. My wife, who unbeknownst to most people, was a poetry-writing-semi-goth-girl in high school, has a dark side, so she chose “Pieces of April” as our first Thanksgiving movie.

This movie is about a dysfunctional family getting together at Thanksgiving at the apartment of the older, and somewhat estranged sister April 

 (played by Katie Holmes - Joey from Dawson’s Creek - while we are on Dawson’s creek, Pacy was so wrong for Joey, She should have waited for Dawson).

Patrica Clarkson (from Simply Irresistible) plays the mother, and Oliver Stone (really Oliver Platt but my wife insisted it was Oliver Stone) is April’s father. The rest of the cast is also good but I am starting to zone out a little bit so here is the IMDB link.

So a couple things I noticed about this movie:

Unlike every other movie I will review this season, this movie is dark and gritty and has a sex scene in the first 15 minutes.

Unlike any other movie I will review this season, the title character has a cherry tattoo on her neck.

It is filmed (according to my wife) in the Cinéma vérité style.

Unlike any other movie I will review this season, someone vomitted in the first 30 minutes (in the movie not at my house).

Unlike any other movie I will review this year the line “Please give me my fucking turkey” is in the script.

However gritty and dark this movie is, In the end this is a “Christmas heals a brokenheart” film and it tells the story of a family that finds love and each other at Thanskgiving. Overall a good watch.

CRY TIME - I didn't cry but I did think about the darkness of the human soul.

I give this film 4 turkeys!

 

ABC FAMILY announces their countdown to "25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS" Schedule

Get ready for the COUNTDOWN to 25 Days of Christmas! 
Don't miss some of your favorite movies 
before 25 Days from November 22-30!

Sunday, November 22

5pm|4c The Parent Trap (1998)
8pm|7c Toy Story
10pm|9c Toy Story 2

Monday, November 23
4:30pm|3:30c Toy Story
6:30pm|5:30c Toy Story 2
8:30pm|7:30c Finding Nemo
12am|11c The Family Stone

Tuesday, November 24
5:30pm|4:30c Finding Nemo
8pm|7c ALL NEW Pretty Little Liars: Five Years Forward Special
9pm|8c ALL NEW Young & Hungry Christmas Special
12am|11c Jingle All The Way

Wednesday, November 25
4:30pm|3:30c Cinderella (1950)
6:30pm|5:30c Monsters, Inc.
8:30pm|7:30c Ratatouille
12am|11c Santa Baby

Thursday, November 26
3:45pm|2:45c Monsters, Inc.
6pm|5c Ratatouille
8:45pm|7:45c Planes (ABC Family Premiere)
12am|11c Holiday in Handcuffs

Friday, November 27
3:30pm|2:30c Tarzan
5:30pm|4:30c Planes
7:45pm|6:45c The Hunger Games
12am|11c Jingle All The Way

Saturday, November 28
6:30pm|5:30c The Incredibles
9pm|8c Wreck-It Ralph
11:15pm|10:15c Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

Sunday, November 29
5:30pm|4:30c The Incredibles
8pm|7c Wreck-It Ralph
10pm|9c Jingle All The Way

Monday, November 30
5pm|4c Jingle All The Way
7pm|6c Disney's A Christmas Carol
9pm|8c The Polar Express
12am|11c Little Fockers

Courtesy of ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas Facebook Page

We Need a Little Christmas, Right This Very Minute.

On November 1, The Hallmark Channel begins their “Countdown to Christmas”, this year they are showing 17 original holiday movies. A few weeks later, Lifetime Chanel starts their “Very Merry Christmas” with 7 all new Holiday movies.

So with only a week to go, it is time for a preview of what’s coming up. While I firmly believe there is no such thing as a bad Christmas movie, some are less spectacular than others. Since not all of you are insane and will watch all of these movies, I am picking out what I think are going to be the best 5. I make no guarantees! Before you start reading this year’s blog, you may want to read this post about the 6 types of Christmas Movies.

CHRIS’S Pre-Season Picks for Best Original Christmas Movie – 2015

November 1, 2015 – ‘TIS THE SEASON FOR LOVE (Hallmark)
This one looks like a “Christmas Heals a Broken Heart” when an out of work actress goes back to her small town for Christmas. It stars Sarah Lancaster (The Judge) and Brendan Penny, and kicks of Hallmark’s season. So get some hot chocolate, and a stale candy cane from last year and enjoy the (likely too early for most people) first Christmas Movie of the season.

November 8, 2015 - CHARMING CHRISTMAS (Hallmark)
A “Santa Clause is Real!” movie with a bit of a twist. Julie Benz (Darla from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) plays the heir to a department store dynasty who doesn’t have time for love or Christmas, until she puts on an antique “Mrs. Claus” costume. Also starring David Sutcliffe (Rory’s dad from Gilmore Girls).

THE SAME MOVIE – TWO NETWORKS
The next two movies only count as one pick because they are seemingly the same plot on two different networks.

November 28, 2015 - A CHRISTMAS DETOUR (Hallmark)

December 5, 2015  - THE FLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (Lifetime)

Both of these movies involve people on planes that are detoured because of a snow storm and the subsequently find the magic of Christmas. I wish they were on the same night. The Flight Before Christmas stars Mayim Bialik (Blossom) and Ryan McPartlin (Chuck).   Christmas Detour stars Candace Cameron (Full House) and Paul Greene.

November 29, 2015 – THE CHRISTMAS GIFT (Lifetime)
This “Inspired by a true story” Christmas movie is about a woman wanting to thank a Secret Santa from her childhood. I expect this one to be tear inducing from the first scene. It stars Michelle Trachtenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

December 12, 2015 – BECOMING SANTA (Lifetime)
“Santa is Real” is alive and well and coming to your T.V. on December 12. This soon to be classic stars Michelle Gross and Meredith Baxter (Mr. & Mrs. Keaton from Family Ties) reuniting as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. I think this may be the one I am most looking forward to.

HONORABLE/DISHONORABLE MENTION
Last year Hallmark’s overly hyped NORTHPOLE was disappointing at best. This year they are repeating that overhype (and of course the disappointment with NORTHPOLE: OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS . This seems to be a typical “Christmas Saves the Town” staring Lori Loughlin (Full House). I will watch it on November 21 and see if I can yet again be disappointed in what I am fearful will be an ongoing franchise for Hallmark.