Looking for a way to get in the holiday spirit? Netflix is gifting viewers with plenty of festive films to choose from this season. Learn more about five new titles, below. 1. Father Christmas Is Back ’Tis the season for family infighting! Control freak Caroline Christmas (Nathalie Cox) invites her quirky sisters to her fabulous country manor for a peaceful holiday retreat. But when their estranged father (Kelsey Grammer) turns up with his much-younger girlfriend, they don’t see his presence as a present. Available now 2. A Castle for Christmas Move over, Outlander! A new romance hits the Highlands when an author (Brooke Shields) heads to Scotland to buy a castle from a reluctant seller with royal roots (Cary Elwes). Thankfully, a seasonal celebration and the lush setting help melt the chilly pair’s hearts. “The landscape, the castles, the villages…they lend a fairy-tale feeling,” director Mary Lambert says. Available Friday,...
- 11/26/2021
- TV Insider
Stars: Kelsey Grammer, Elizabeth Hurley, Kris Marshall, John Cleese, Caroline Quentin, Katy Brand, Ray Fearon, Talulah Riley | Written by Hannah Davis, David Conolly, Dylanne Corcoran | Directed by Mick Davis, Philippe Martinez
Another day, another new Netflix Christmas movie. Father Christmas is Back took my interest because of its cast. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of any of the actors (although I’ve seen most of them put in good performances) but it’s just such a random mix of people that thought I’d check out this festive movie.
So lets start with that cast. The biggest star and playing ‘Father’ Christmas (that’s the surname of the family) is Kelsey Grammer and he’s alongside this odd group of actors who I didn’t expect to see in a Netflix movie together – Elizabeth Hurley, Kris Marshall, John Cleese, Caroline Quentin, Katy Brand, Ray Fearon and Talulah Riley.
Another day, another new Netflix Christmas movie. Father Christmas is Back took my interest because of its cast. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of any of the actors (although I’ve seen most of them put in good performances) but it’s just such a random mix of people that thought I’d check out this festive movie.
So lets start with that cast. The biggest star and playing ‘Father’ Christmas (that’s the surname of the family) is Kelsey Grammer and he’s alongside this odd group of actors who I didn’t expect to see in a Netflix movie together – Elizabeth Hurley, Kris Marshall, John Cleese, Caroline Quentin, Katy Brand, Ray Fearon and Talulah Riley.
- 11/11/2021
- by Alain Elliott
- Nerdly
Nina Dobrev gets catfished in a pleasant, if mostly unoriginal, Christmas comedy
It might only be early November but ’tis already the season for Netflix to litter its halls with boughs of cheap Christmas content, the most obvious time of the year for the streamer to model itself after the Lifetime and Hallmark channels, a strategy that’s undoubtedly, somewhat depressingly, paying off.
Last year’s truly execrable A California Christmas was the streamer’s biggest film for a week, beating out bigger-budget options (a sequel drops next month), despite being almost maliciously incompetent, following on from the continued success of The Princess Switch franchise. And so this year there’s more questionable options than ever, from Brooke Shields in A Castle for Christmas, Elizabeth Hurley in Father Christmas is Back and Netflix’s first LGBTQ Christmas comedy, Single All the Way.
It might only be early November but ’tis already the season for Netflix to litter its halls with boughs of cheap Christmas content, the most obvious time of the year for the streamer to model itself after the Lifetime and Hallmark channels, a strategy that’s undoubtedly, somewhat depressingly, paying off.
Last year’s truly execrable A California Christmas was the streamer’s biggest film for a week, beating out bigger-budget options (a sequel drops next month), despite being almost maliciously incompetent, following on from the continued success of The Princess Switch franchise. And so this year there’s more questionable options than ever, from Brooke Shields in A Castle for Christmas, Elizabeth Hurley in Father Christmas is Back and Netflix’s first LGBTQ Christmas comedy, Single All the Way.
- 11/5/2021
- by Benjamin Lee
- The Guardian - Film News
This NOS4A2 review contains spoilers.
NOS4A2 Season 2 Episode 1
Turning the holidays on their ear is something of an easy way of creating irony within a production. I’ve watched dozens of Christmas horror movies, and another dozen or so horror movies related to other holidays not traditionally associated with killing, so it’s something I’m very familiar with. NOS4A2 does a solid job of using Christmas as something ominous, with the twinkling lights and zooming rides of Christmasland populated not by adorable, doe-eyed children, but by mini-demons with razor sharp teeth who play games like “Scissors for the Drifter” and do things like tackle and eat the smallest one of the bunch. Christmasland was already trying too hard to appeal to kids, but this extra layer settles it: Christmasland is as creepy as its Strong Creative mastermind, Charlie Manx.
Then, as the kids giggle and gnaw on the smallest,...
NOS4A2 Season 2 Episode 1
Turning the holidays on their ear is something of an easy way of creating irony within a production. I’ve watched dozens of Christmas horror movies, and another dozen or so horror movies related to other holidays not traditionally associated with killing, so it’s something I’m very familiar with. NOS4A2 does a solid job of using Christmas as something ominous, with the twinkling lights and zooming rides of Christmasland populated not by adorable, doe-eyed children, but by mini-demons with razor sharp teeth who play games like “Scissors for the Drifter” and do things like tackle and eat the smallest one of the bunch. Christmasland was already trying too hard to appeal to kids, but this extra layer settles it: Christmasland is as creepy as its Strong Creative mastermind, Charlie Manx.
Then, as the kids giggle and gnaw on the smallest,...
- 6/22/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Disney has shared a new trailer for their upcoming Disney+ streaming service and it’s over 3-hours long! I don’t know if you want to spend over three hours seeing what Disney+ has to offer when it launches, but you have the option!
Disney+ also posted all of the films and TV shows coming to the streaming service on a super long Twitter thread, which I included below the trailer. As you’ll see there’s a ton of stuff that will be available that will make Disney fans happy. Gargoyles and several other classic 90s animated series are among them along with a lot of old weird films that have been pulled out of the Disney vault.
If you don’t want to watch the trailer or scroll through the Twitter feed, I shared the full list of titles for you. Check everything out below and let us...
Disney+ also posted all of the films and TV shows coming to the streaming service on a super long Twitter thread, which I included below the trailer. As you’ll see there’s a ton of stuff that will be available that will make Disney fans happy. Gargoyles and several other classic 90s animated series are among them along with a lot of old weird films that have been pulled out of the Disney vault.
If you don’t want to watch the trailer or scroll through the Twitter feed, I shared the full list of titles for you. Check everything out below and let us...
- 10/14/2019
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Viewers can Celebrate the Season with More Than 600 Hours of Holiday Classic Films, Specials and Family Favorites Beginning November 26 Through December 25
AMC has viewers covered this holiday season with “AMC Best Christmas Ever,” its largest slate of holiday programming ever featuring 35 films and 18 specials, airing all day, every day. Beginning Monday, November 26 through Christmas Day, the monthlong programming marathon will offer up more than 600 hours of holiday-themed movies, specials and family favorite films, as well as the television debut of Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You (2017). AMC will be the exclusive home to Christmas favorites including Elf, The Polar Express and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation as well as 12 classic Christmas specials from the legendary Rankin/Bass production company, including The Year Without a Santa Claus, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Jack Frost, Rudolph’s Shiny New Yearand Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, among many others.
“In...
AMC has viewers covered this holiday season with “AMC Best Christmas Ever,” its largest slate of holiday programming ever featuring 35 films and 18 specials, airing all day, every day. Beginning Monday, November 26 through Christmas Day, the monthlong programming marathon will offer up more than 600 hours of holiday-themed movies, specials and family favorite films, as well as the television debut of Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You (2017). AMC will be the exclusive home to Christmas favorites including Elf, The Polar Express and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation as well as 12 classic Christmas specials from the legendary Rankin/Bass production company, including The Year Without a Santa Claus, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Jack Frost, Rudolph’s Shiny New Yearand Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, among many others.
“In...
- 11/30/2018
- by Andrew Wendowski
- Age of the Nerd
2017-11-30T06:49:56-08:00'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' Finally Comes to Netflix
It seems like forever since Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was in theaters. After all, there have been three superhero hits (Wonder Woman, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Thor: Ragnarok) and one flop (Justice League) since then. But for those of you who have been waiting to see the April release on your home screens, December brings good news, as the Guardians and many more new titles come to Netflix.
Via Variety.
December is right around the corner and with it comes holiday greetings, inexplicable fruitcake, and the inevitable visits from family members. So in order to help you get in the mood or to keep those holiday guests entertained, the streaming services are here to help you whether you’ve been naughty or nice.
Netflix is helping to kickstart the Christmas...
It seems like forever since Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was in theaters. After all, there have been three superhero hits (Wonder Woman, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Thor: Ragnarok) and one flop (Justice League) since then. But for those of you who have been waiting to see the April release on your home screens, December brings good news, as the Guardians and many more new titles come to Netflix.
Via Variety.
December is right around the corner and with it comes holiday greetings, inexplicable fruitcake, and the inevitable visits from family members. So in order to help you get in the mood or to keep those holiday guests entertained, the streaming services are here to help you whether you’ve been naughty or nice.
Netflix is helping to kickstart the Christmas...
- 11/30/2017
- by EG
- Yidio
Zap2it: What's your take on the reason for the continuing popularity of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" as it nears the end of its 12th season?
Ted Danson: I guess what's so impressive is that it's the No. 1-watched show in the world, and I think the reason the fan base is so loyal is that [the series' makers] continue to produce a really great forensic mystery that allows you to help solve the crime. Even though they've brought new faces in over the years, they've stuck to their guns.
Zap2it: Does it surprise you that the show still comes up with fresh crimes to drive the stories?
Ted Danson: I suppose it's a sad commentary on real life, but you can always find a new and different way to do harm to your fellow man. They're really smart in having three people on staff, two writers and a technical adviser,...
Ted Danson: I guess what's so impressive is that it's the No. 1-watched show in the world, and I think the reason the fan base is so loyal is that [the series' makers] continue to produce a really great forensic mystery that allows you to help solve the crime. Even though they've brought new faces in over the years, they've stuck to their guns.
Zap2it: Does it surprise you that the show still comes up with fresh crimes to drive the stories?
Ted Danson: I suppose it's a sad commentary on real life, but you can always find a new and different way to do harm to your fellow man. They're really smart in having three people on staff, two writers and a technical adviser,...
- 4/3/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Josh brought his Mousterpiece Cinema podcast to Sound on Sight this time last year, starting by reposting his older podcasts beginning with his very first podcast about Cars 2.
One of Ricky D‘s constructive criticisms for Josh on joining the site was that his best podcasts were the ones where he was joined by a guest like Gabriel Bucsko for their podcast on The Muppets film. Since Gabe actually works in Hollywood (an experience he discussed during the podcast on the cinematic atrocity Disney Animated classic Fox and the Hound 2) he is not regularly available to do the podcast. I volunteered to be a more regular co-host, taking the opportunity of Gabe being around to boycott films I had no interest in watching or re-watching like say the Disney Direct to Video Sequels, Midquels and Prequels, or films I couldn’t get my hands on, or allow me to...
One of Ricky D‘s constructive criticisms for Josh on joining the site was that his best podcasts were the ones where he was joined by a guest like Gabriel Bucsko for their podcast on The Muppets film. Since Gabe actually works in Hollywood (an experience he discussed during the podcast on the cinematic atrocity Disney Animated classic Fox and the Hound 2) he is not regularly available to do the podcast. I volunteered to be a more regular co-host, taking the opportunity of Gabe being around to boycott films I had no interest in watching or re-watching like say the Disney Direct to Video Sequels, Midquels and Prequels, or films I couldn’t get my hands on, or allow me to...
- 1/5/2013
- by Michael Ryan
- SoundOnSight
The Rescuers
Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, John Lounsbery, Art Stevens
Written by Larry Clemmons, Vance Gerry, Ken Anderson, Frank Thomas, Burny Mattinson, Fred Lucky, Dick Sebast, Dave Michener
Starring Bob Newhart, Eva Gabor, Geraldine Page, Pat Buttram, George Lindsey
One of the most fascinating aspects of our podcast is watching the struggle within the Walt Disney Company to blend reality and fantasy. From the beginning, Disney had stated that he wanted movies like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to be perceived as films for adults, as opposed to films for children or families. I’m always heartened to see that comment brought up in modern conversation, because the stigma that animation is specifically for children hasn’t ever dissipated in popular culture. What frustrates me is the film Disney refers to, and how it became a template of sorts for the animators and filmmakers who work at the Walt Disney Company.
Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, John Lounsbery, Art Stevens
Written by Larry Clemmons, Vance Gerry, Ken Anderson, Frank Thomas, Burny Mattinson, Fred Lucky, Dick Sebast, Dave Michener
Starring Bob Newhart, Eva Gabor, Geraldine Page, Pat Buttram, George Lindsey
One of the most fascinating aspects of our podcast is watching the struggle within the Walt Disney Company to blend reality and fantasy. From the beginning, Disney had stated that he wanted movies like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to be perceived as films for adults, as opposed to films for children or families. I’m always heartened to see that comment brought up in modern conversation, because the stigma that animation is specifically for children hasn’t ever dissipated in popular culture. What frustrates me is the film Disney refers to, and how it became a template of sorts for the animators and filmmakers who work at the Walt Disney Company.
- 12/29/2012
- by Josh Spiegel
- SoundOnSight
Is the Christmas season one tinged with bleakness? Do all the great holiday movies–It’s A Wonderful Life or A Christmas Carol, for example–begin at a place of immense sadness? Is that what makes them great? And how does religion factor into our enjoyment of holiday films? Lots of heady topics to unwrap on this week’s new Mousterpiece Cinema, where Josh and Mike tackle the 1985 Disney film One Magic Christmas, starring Harry Dean Stanton and Mary Steenburgen. And yes, in between all of this craziness, Mike was able to turn the show into a brand-new Ducksterpiece Theatre. Plus, at the end, a bit of chatter about the new Hobbit film, which Josh reviewed at Sound on Sight. Your early Christmas present is here–you just have to listen to it!
iTunes...
iTunes...
- 12/15/2012
- by Josh Spiegel
- SoundOnSight
One Magic Christmas
Directed by Phillip Borsos
Written by Phillip Borsos, Barry Healey, Thomas Meehan
Starring Mary Steenburgen, Harry Dean Stanton, Elisabeth Harnois, Gary Basaraba
I suppose it’s perfectly fitting that religion became a topic of discussion on our most recent episode, seeing as the movie we were discussing was set at Christmas, one of the most religious times of year. I alluded to this on the podcast, but I was not raised in any kind of religious setting. If secularism has become the prevailing attitude during the 21st-century holiday season, as is so often espoused by hand-wringing media pundits, it sprang forth from homes like the one I grew up in. Like Mike’s mom, my mother was raised Catholic and taught by nuns. She grew up in the working-class suburbs of Buffalo, New York, one of six children living under the rule of two strict, God-fearing parents.
Directed by Phillip Borsos
Written by Phillip Borsos, Barry Healey, Thomas Meehan
Starring Mary Steenburgen, Harry Dean Stanton, Elisabeth Harnois, Gary Basaraba
I suppose it’s perfectly fitting that religion became a topic of discussion on our most recent episode, seeing as the movie we were discussing was set at Christmas, one of the most religious times of year. I alluded to this on the podcast, but I was not raised in any kind of religious setting. If secularism has become the prevailing attitude during the 21st-century holiday season, as is so often espoused by hand-wringing media pundits, it sprang forth from homes like the one I grew up in. Like Mike’s mom, my mother was raised Catholic and taught by nuns. She grew up in the working-class suburbs of Buffalo, New York, one of six children living under the rule of two strict, God-fearing parents.
- 12/15/2012
- by Josh Spiegel
- SoundOnSight
HollywoodNews.com: Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney, Chris Lowell, Ahna O’Reilly, Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone, Sissy Spacek, Mary Steenburgen, Cicely Tyson and Mike Vogel to be honored at the Hollywood Film Awards Gala Ceremony.
The 15th Annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Film Awards, presented by Starz Entertainment, are pleased to announce that the cast of DreamWorks Pictures and Participant Media’s “The Help” – Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney, Chris Lowell, Ahna O’Reilly, Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone, Sissy Spacek, Mary Steenburgen, Cicely Tyson and Mike Vogel – will be recognized at the Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony with the “Hollywood Ensemble Acting Award.”
The announcement was made today by Carlos de Abreu, Founder of the 15th Annual Hollywood Film Awards Gala Ceremony, which will take place on the evening of Monday, October 24, 2011, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
The Hollywood Film Awards Gala launches the awards season.
The 15th Annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Film Awards, presented by Starz Entertainment, are pleased to announce that the cast of DreamWorks Pictures and Participant Media’s “The Help” – Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney, Chris Lowell, Ahna O’Reilly, Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone, Sissy Spacek, Mary Steenburgen, Cicely Tyson and Mike Vogel – will be recognized at the Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony with the “Hollywood Ensemble Acting Award.”
The announcement was made today by Carlos de Abreu, Founder of the 15th Annual Hollywood Film Awards Gala Ceremony, which will take place on the evening of Monday, October 24, 2011, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
The Hollywood Film Awards Gala launches the awards season.
- 10/6/2011
- by Josh Abraham
- Hollywoodnews.com
The weekend before Thanksgiving is prime box office real estate. Here's a look back: 5 Years Ago - 2005 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire blazed into 3,858 locations and conjured $102.7 million, which a new November record and the franchise's top-grossing opening weekend yet. There was also room for Walk the Line to set a new music biography opening record, pulling in $22.3 million at 2,961 venues. * Weekend Report: Harry Potter's 'Goblet' Runneth Over with Cash 10 Years Ago - 2000 This was the biggest pre-Thanksgiving weekend yet, featuring four new releases that received at least a decent sampling. People flocked to see Jim Carrey in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The Christmas comedy drew $55.1 million at 3,127 locations, which was the biggest opening yet for a children's book adaptation as well as for a Christmas movie. Animated sequel Rugrats in Paris: The Movie came in second with $22.7 million at 2,934 locations, which was a step down...
- 11/21/2010
- by Brandon Gray <mail@boxofficemojo.com>
- Box Office Mojo
Most of the-world-is-being-destroyed! flicks don’t have budgets like 2012 or The Day After Tomorrow, so I didn’t expect much from the special effects in Meteor Apocalypse. And to give the creators of the film some credit, the effects weren’t That bad. You know what I mean; they weren’t Superboy; The Complete First Season bad. Unfortunately though, the plot Was that bad…and I usually love these types of movies; even the ones that border on being completely asinine.
The film begins with a botched attempt by the government to destroy a massive meteor on course to blast into our planet, breaking it into hundreds of smaller meteors which still blast into our planet. David Dematti (Joe Lando, of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman fame) is home with his wife and daughter when the first meteors strike. David is called into work, and once he arrives he discovers his co-worker foaming at the mouth.
The film begins with a botched attempt by the government to destroy a massive meteor on course to blast into our planet, breaking it into hundreds of smaller meteors which still blast into our planet. David Dematti (Joe Lando, of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman fame) is home with his wife and daughter when the first meteors strike. David is called into work, and once he arrives he discovers his co-worker foaming at the mouth.
- 3/16/2010
- by Natasha Hurt
- ReelLoop.com
Do any of you lot remember a movie called One Magic Christmas? I was talking to Lainey about this earlier. I loved that movie as a child, but it turns out that it's super creepy from an adult perspective. It was made in 1985 and it's really fucked up and is basically all about teaching children the best strategies to get kidnapped, probably molested, and then killed. Mary Steenburgen plays a poor lady with two kids and a husband who's been unemployed for six months. Somehow they're still living in the company house, because the 1980s were a real period of corporate generosity, you know. It's what that decade's most famous for, right? Riiiiight. Things get slightly more realistic when we find out the family will be evicted on January 1st. Despite the impending homelessness of his children, Unemployed Dad is in no hurry to get a job, and instead tinkers...
- 12/24/2009
- by Dustin Rowles
Now that both Tori and her mother Candy Spelling has finished whoring out their books about how they can’t stand one another they’re finally coming to terms and acting like adults for once spending the holidays together as one big happy family.
The only Spelling with breast implants, Tori, voiced her feelings on the holidays with her family.
Tori says:”We’re very lucky. It’s just a blessing that it happend around the holidays. And it just makes me think, ‘Wow, it’s an amazing thing and it happened this year and it’s just the best gift we could get.’”
Well if it’s the best gift you could get then why didn’t you get it years ago? Happy holidays to the Spellings…and Dean.
Related posts:Missed Christmas movies: Disney’s ‘One Magic Christmas’ DVD Review: Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse...
The only Spelling with breast implants, Tori, voiced her feelings on the holidays with her family.
Tori says:”We’re very lucky. It’s just a blessing that it happend around the holidays. And it just makes me think, ‘Wow, it’s an amazing thing and it happened this year and it’s just the best gift we could get.’”
Well if it’s the best gift you could get then why didn’t you get it years ago? Happy holidays to the Spellings…and Dean.
Related posts:Missed Christmas movies: Disney’s ‘One Magic Christmas’ DVD Review: Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse...
- 12/18/2009
- by Porsche Simpson
- ReelLoop.com
Like most of the planet (or at least the 12 people I’ve talked to), I count National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation as one of the best (and certainly funniest) Christmas movies in cinema history. I also greatly enjoy Home Alone, Elf, A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Santa Clause and Noel (yes, Noel. I know, Paul Walker lacks a little, um, well, acting talent, but it’s still a good movie). And right up there with my favorite December 25th-themed flicks is Disney’s One Magic Christmas starring Harry Dean Stanton and Mary Steenburgen and released in 1985. Sadly I feel this movie has been left in the dust in popularity, but it is not a film to forget. It’s family-friendly (for kids 10 and up) and possesses depth and heart-felt emotion.
The story revolves around a woman named Ginny Grainger (Steenburgen) who seems to lack all joy in life. Her love for her husband,...
The story revolves around a woman named Ginny Grainger (Steenburgen) who seems to lack all joy in life. Her love for her husband,...
- 12/14/2009
- by Natasha Hurt
- ReelLoop.com
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