The Big Gift

With so many Christmas movies being made every year this one stands out. There are giveaways that the budget is low, but that didn't stop me from being entertained. The story was very creative and the resourcefulness of the production really stood out. Even the fight scenes were impressive, very Jackie Chan like. I was also surprised at how many locations this film had, from a scene in Leavenworth, Washington to Moab, Utah. They really take you on a journey. There is a great mixture of humor and heart. You can tell this was made with love. It might not be for everyone, but it's definitely worth a watch.

A modern christmas classic. Brings you back to the golden era of family christmas movies and fun. Jarrod Crooks shines as an actor/director/writer. Pure fun. Amazing locations, action and adventure. There is nothing missing in this piece for it to be recognized as a yearly rewatch. As modern hollywood takes over we are fading away from core values slapstick wholehearted humor and quality setups, Jarrod Crooks's The big gift keeps to the core of what made movies a special activity in which you learn a bit about yourself while having some fun. Get your popcorn and some soda to open this gift!!!!

This was a fun film to watch. Lots of very cool action scenes. Very well produced. Great range of emotions. Written very well. The acting was nicely do e. Good cinematography. Amazing choices with the locations. Whats really funny is that I could watch this film anytime of year. Watch out Christmas Story, watch out Elf, watch out Its a Wonderful Life, watch out Grinch, watch out every Christmas flick ever...The Big Gift will give you a run for your money. And what is most impressive is that I have it on good authority that this film was produced on a shoestring budget. When you see all of the work put into this and the locations used...i enjoyed it thoroughly. I think you will too.

This film surprised me. I came across it on Tubi and thought it would be just as terrible as the rest of the terrible Christmas films. But I found myself really enjoying it. Sure it has it's problems and has a low budget, but I think that's part of the charm of this film. You would think this film had a much bigger budget than what they had. There's no A list or B list actors in the film. But everyone does a pretty good job and the fights scenes are top notch fun. Real locations and real snow was a real plus. The main actor is falling into the real snow and digging through it with his barehands for most of the movie. That's dedication. Considering this was mostly done by one guy with a small crew and his what appears to be just his friends is pretty impressive. This is indie film making at it's best.

Christmas movies are tricky to make feel genuinely different and special, and this one accomplishes that with a very clever high-concept based on a relatable adult fear, mixed with some fantastic black comedy and action sequences with the style and creativity of a Jackie Chan vehicle. Writer/actor/director Jarrod Crooks and the rest of the cast and crew show how there is still room left for unique stories and achievable within limited means, making this a very inspiring achievement for all low-budget filmmakers.

If you want to see a funny, edgy, poignant, action-filled take on the Santa Clause mythology that showcases the talent and ingenuity of independent filmmakers in the Midwest, this film comes very highly recommended!