12 Dates of Christmas

12 Dates of Christmas is a romantic comedy that follows Kate (Amy Smart), a young woman who re-lives the same first date on Christmas Eve over and over again. In an attempt to win back her ex-boyfriend on Christmas Eve, Kate ends up ruining her blind date with Miles (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), a handsome guy she's been set up with. In a strange twist of fate, Kate is given the chance to re-live Christmas Eve twelve times! Kate decides to embrace what Christmas Eve has given her--a loving family, great friends and Miles, who turns out to be a great guy! However, just as she seems to think she has gotten it right, the clock strikes midnight and Kate must live Christmas Eve once again. Under these weird new circumstances, Kate learns to take risks and enjoy what she's been given. Thanks to the gift of Christmas Eve, Kate finds happiness by finally trusting fate.

Our Two Cents:
12 Dates of Christmas is sort of a Christmas Groundhog Day. But in Groundhog Day, you see the real need for Phil Connor to go through that experience. This movie it isn't so clear why. She had some pretty good days in the middle that you'd think would do the trick to stop the curse. Also in the end, I'm not sure how she got all that done in one day... but that's the magic of the movies, right? Don't think about this one too much, just take it for what it is, and you'll find it a pretty enjoyable movie.

Note: Be sure to watch for the hidden 12 gifts of Christmas each day (partridge in a pear tree, 2 turtle doves, etc).

Ratings:
Storyline/Writing ★★★★★  •   Acting ★★★★★  •   Chemistry ★★★★★  •  Overall ★★★★★


Links:
IMDB


Trailer:

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A Christmas Kiss

Wendy Walton is the best designer in Boston... but no one knows it yet. Hoping to kick-start her career, Wendy has left work with the local theatre to take a job as an assistant to Priscilla Hall, the most prestigious designer in the city. Ms. Hall works Wendy around the clock, which is how Wendy finds herself trapped in an elevator late one night with an incredibly handsome stranger. Wendy and the mystery man share an impulsive, romantic, life-changing kiss before the doors open and Wendy runs out, leaving him behind. The next day at work, Wendy answers the door to find the handsome gentleman standing in front of her.

Turns out he's Adam Hughes, a wealthy philanthropist--and Ms. Hall's long distance boyfriend. He doesn't recognize Wendy, which makes things all the more awkward for her when Ms. Hall assigns her to decorate his house for a big party at Christmas. As the holidays approach and Wendy and Adam spend more and more time together, Wendy realizes she's falling in love. Should she risk everything she's worked for and tell Adam the truth about their moment on the elevator before he proposes to Ms. Hall? And will Adam ever open his eyes and realize that the one true love of his life is right in front of him? A Christmas romance about how one kiss can change everything. 

Our Two Cents:

Mixed feelings with this one. Mostly, we like it. The main character is bubbly and awkward in a likeable way. The male lead, went back a forth a little on liking him. Eventually, he got our approval but there were moments where it was a little touch and go. This is mostly because we can't help wonder what in the world he's doing dating a person like Priscilla at all! And, there's something just a little doofy about him... In the end, you are rooting for them and (spoiler alert...) your team wins.

Ratings:
Storyline/Writing ★★★★★  •   Acting ★★★★★  •   Chemistry ★★★★★  •  Overall ★★★★★

Links:
IMDB  •  Buy DVD on Amazon



Trailer:

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Desperately Seeking Santa

Jennifer is a young, ambitious executive running promotions at a failing Boston mall. In hopes to save her beloved mall, and maybe position herself for a promotion, she comes up with a genius promotional gimmick: hold a "Hunky Santa" contest to replace the old Mall Santa. David, a local man trying to save his family's pizzeria, ultimately wins the contest and sparks fly between him and Jennifer. However, complications ensue when it comes to light that the company Jennifer works for is the same one trying to run David's family out of business. 

Our Two Cents:

Now, (this might not be the best way to start this but, need to get this off my chest) we understand the draw that Sexy Santa at a mall would have, but seriously, no regular Santa too? Anyway, it takes a little time to warm up to Jennifer, before she starts to soften, but once that begins to happen, this movie starts to pull you in. You'll be rooting for David and Jennifer by the end!

Ratings:

Storyline/Writing ★★★★★  •   Acting ★★★★★  •   Chemistry ★★★★★  •  Overall ★★★★★


Links:
IMDB

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Trading Christmas

Emily (Faith Ford) misses her daughter Heather (Emma Lahana), who is attending college in Boston. Since her father died, Heather is sensitive to her mom’s dependence on long-standing holiday traditions. This Christmas, Heather has planned a trip to Phoenix with her boyfriend, but tells her mother she is staying on campus to study.

After Emily arranges a house-swap with Charles (Tom Cavanagh), an English professor from Boston who wants Washington State’s solitude in order to finish his novel, Emily hops on a flight to Boston to surprise Heather for Christmas. Unaware of the house swap, Emily’s best friend, Faith (Gabrielle Miller) walks in on Charles at Emily’s house and in Boston, Ray, Charles’ brother (Gil Bellows) responds to a 911 call only to find Emily at Charles’ condo. Will Christmas travel calamities lead to cross-country romances? Or have there been one too many surprises already?




Our Two Cents:

So, we started this thinking, This is just a The Holiday rip off! But we ended up pretty much loving it. We could go into why, but just trust us and watch it.

Ratings:

Storyline/Writing ★★★★★  •   Acting ★★★★★  •   Chemistry ★★★★★  •  Overall ★★★★★

Links:
IMDB  •  Buy DVD on Amazon  •   Official Site


Trailer:

Have you seen Trading Christmas? Tell us what you thought of it!