turboawd-x

Basic plot has underpinned many horror movies - hardly a crime. The 3 protagonists (Timpkins Philpot, Judge) do a significantly abive average job, expressing appropriate emotions for their characters. A downfall of many lower budget horror movies is the ten minutes devoted to casting the characters.

Timkins plays the role of kid headed to college with an incredibly bright future but clearly has concerns about what he's leaving behind (Philpot and Judge). He's been raised right but has a heart. Not the usual jock whose life takes a turn in other horror movies.

The character Judge plays is well written and acted. Again, defying most horror movies, her back story with Timkins is never fully revealed. The story leans on this "hidden plot point":again, in a way few lower-budget horror films do. And it makes what occurs when a manipulated Timkins attacks her the scariest part of the movie.

The climax & ending are less horror than they are dramatic & emotional. In fact, it's highly debatable this movie ranks as "horror". More "supernatural drama."

You can do SO much worse with the hundreds of yawners and time wasting horror flicks.

We all know Halmark holiday movies are meant to be fun lighthearted rom coms with a bit of temporary heartache/drama. Then they throw one at us that hits hard. Holly & Ivy was certainly one example.

As another reviewer mentioned, Beau Bridges absolutely nails it here. Early on, there's a scene in the kitchen with labels everywhere. Looked identical to my grandmother's home. She died from Alzheimers in 1988, and dad died in 2020. He died from cancer but suffered dementia, often severe. I am now showing early signs myself and this is terrifying.

So for Hallmark to make a movie which places light romance in the background and shines a light on real life difficulties and pain with a Christmas setting, they are to be applauded. Hallmark has the template in this movie for a Hall of Fame film, akin to A Dog Named Christmas.

Yes, the pickle ornament is German (I know personally) but families make traditions from things with varied backgrounds. Not something that should keep one from enjoying the movie. The characters RJ and Anna are relatable, imperfect adults whose stories weave into the greater storyline we'll.

Christmas time evolves for all of us, more so as you get older, lose parents, raise children to adults, and hold on to what is important best we can. It goes from magic to melancholy. This movie isn't heartbreaking. It's like a preview for people in their 20's - 30's as to what the future may hold.

The closing of the movie is wonderful, but do yourself a favor - watch the movie. It's a worthy two hours. Kudos to Beau Bridges for his portrayal of a man dealing with dementia. It's worthy of an award nomination.

Thank you for reading. I don't write many reviews but this was a personal one.