The Christmas Yule Blog

I love watching movies in and about my home state, NM, but this was just wrong on so many levels. Making tamales with bell peppers and tomatos? Breakfast is pancakes, not menudo? Not a farolito in sight and the homes all look like CA. And, as others noted, the 2 main characters had zero chemistry. Not a fan.

Just OK. Certainly wasn't filmed New Mexico. Most houses in towns/cities in NM have some type or southwestern feel to them. Adobe mainly ... the house the lead male lived in with his son was unlike any house I've seen. Even in Albuquerque. One would think if they were going to say the story is set in a small NM town, they'd at least make it look believable.

Not a fan of the two leads and the "developing" love story. They have very little chemistry ... AND the kid is just too cute and agreeable for a real twelve year old.

All-i -all - just meh. Not one I'll watch again.

PS - those are unlike ANY tamale I've ever seen or eaten... HMMMM

No real subplots to keep interest going. A very slight secondary romance, between a pretty girl and a rather plump short chef. It was not a good match even though I like unlikely pairings. It's basically a travelogue exploring the Christmas traditions of a small New Mexican town. The acting was very weak, though Sara Canning was flashes of adequacy. Her love interest, a doleful widower with a young son, looked more like her father. He was very weather-beaten and too thin and had a terrible wardrobe. Like Hollywood's idea of what a Mexican-American man should be dressed like.

The flirty food fight was present and accounted for but thank goodness, the flirty snow ball fight was avoided but only because it was New Mexico. Very annoying Santa Claus imposter added to the overall fail.

A nice film for panchos, tapas, luminarias, Christmas tree, food and misses and mister C - not inspired, both actors are used only at symbolic level . But, unfortunately, not convincing. And not exactly romantic , against nice premises, effort of Zak Santiago and young Dominic Mariche. The end is catastrophic. But, sure, New Mexico can be a reasonable frame. If it is inspired used. In this case, only the first scenes are the good point, suffocated nu cliches.

I agree with most of the reviews...it was boring, no spark, no fun. The luminarias were a nice touch.