A '90s Christmas

I like Hallmark movies, and I even like the cheesy Hallmark movies. This was, however, SO bad that after it's over I'm angry. The idea for the movie was good, but it did not remotely deliver - hence the frustration. The writing, acting, casting, costumes & makeup, even the sets - no real thought to the eras they're in, how to make it believable, or why we should care. The mom was good (I actually could believe she was grieving) and the ride share driver/spirit? Angel? Was likable. One star for each. But dear god, the rest of it was unwatchable.

For good time travel Christmas movies watch: Journey Back to Christmas, Kristin's Christmas Past, A Shoe Addict's Christmas, A Timeless Christmas, and one for Hanukkah - Round and Round. They're good! And I'll still be waiting for a good time travel '90s centered movie.

've always been fascinated by the idea of time travel. More specifically going back in time and changing decisions you made. Or possibly correcting mistakes or enjoying moments that you know you'll never get again. In A '90s Christmas we get to see that scenario play out for successful lawyer Lucy (Eva Bourne).

In present day, Lucy earns a long-sought after partner position at her law firm, but has no one to celebrate with. Luckily Grace (Katherine Barrell), a magical time-travel angel/old time uber driver, shows up to transport her back 25 years when she made some critical decisions that shaped her life.

Of course, she returns to struggling with her decisions about boy-next-door Matt (Chandler Massey). Their relationship is the A storyline. But we're treated to several others, too. I'll point out just one. Sister Alexa (Alex Hook from The Way Home), is working through coming out to her mom. Lucy, of course, knows Alexa is gay and gives her great advice to help her deal with any struggles that will come her way in the future. This sort of side story isn't one we see a lot on Hallmark and I really appreciate the inclusivity.

The 90s references are funny, but consist mostly of Lucy mentioning things from the present day that her 1990s family wouldn't understand. Pinterest board, anyone? I would have liked to see more 90s cliches, but the Y2k and Windows 95 references were on point.

I chucked at how easily Lucy believed she time traveled. Lucy believed Grace's story really fast. Ok, I guess I time traveled ... moving on. Sure, we didn't need to belabor the point, but a little bit of skepticism would be expected. Newspapers and familiar dogs did the trick though.

Let's be real, every Hallmark Christmas movie ends with a kiss at the end, when the two people declare their love for eachother. We aren't expecting to be surprised. Most of the time it's not exactly earned. We just need that kiss to complete the story. But, dang it, this one was different. It takes you on a lifetime journey that feels real and emotional. Yeah, I got a little lump in my throat. This movie earned that kiss and that ending.

Props to Writer Ryan Peckinpaugh and Director Marni Banack for bringing that scene to us.

Finally, I'm concerned about Chandler Massey's time travel/alternate reality experience. He was the understanding boyfriend in the wonderful Next Stop, Christmas. He watched someone time travel in that one, but didn't get to himself. In fact, he had to wait around for a long time to find out if his girlfriend was full of baloney about time travel. And in A Tale of Two Christmases, he's one corner of an alternate reality love triangle-ironically with Katherine Barrell again. So my question is this: when does Chandler get to time travel?! Or is he destined to observe, but never partake? How very sad indeed.

Cast Kudos: I have to go with Eva Bourne on this one. Super fun. To play herself at 44 and 19, and be modestly believable is commendable. Losing the glasses and gaining bangs helped things along.

Measuring Christmas Magic: Full magic. I mean, we time-traveled, right? This wasn't a regular movie disguised as a Christmas movie either. It's a solid Christmas story that could only really be told this way as a holiday tale.

Alternative Movie Titles: It should have been anything but '90s Christmas. The title made it seem as though the 90s was a much bigger part of the movie. How about these alternatives: Going back to Christmas; The Christmas Do Over; 19 at Christmas.

My partner and I love the 90s and so were really excited to watch a ridiculous Christmas movie about traveling back in time, however, this has NOTHING to do with the 90s. It's almost as if no one in the movie actually lived through them. The clothing was just modern Christmas. The makeup was 2024. There was one 90s song and that was it. If someone didn't explicitly tell you this was 1999, you would never, ever know it. Also, to go from supposedly 44 to 19-years-old all she did was remove her fake glasses (yes, they legitimately had no lenses). I was ready for a trip down memory lane and they absolutely did not deliver.

I am fan of time travel movies. I couldn't find the elements of surprise and suspense in the story line bcz most of it was predictable.

Furthermore, the landmarks. It was shot in Canada and a scene that shows the transition from "Nicola Tesla road" in Hamilton, ON to a bridge in Turkey (Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge (Third Bosphorus Bridge)) which is used to showcase Chicago/Milwaukee, doesn't make sense. Any body would identify that Chicago/Milwaukee don't have such bridge. Don't confuse it with the bridge in San Francisco because it is not.

Otherwise it was a good movie for its genre. I recommend it over other Christmas movies.

As a house pro at our local poolroom, I tried to find out who actually shot the pool shots, thinking I might know them, but I can't find any reference to them. Could've just been hand models, both male and female, but the film looked halfway believable, unlike many pool shots in movies.

I enjoyed the movie. Don't we all wish we could go back and fix certain things? The females were cute and believable, and the guy really aged well. One thing I don't like in casting is the mom is blonde and the daughters are dark haired. It happens all the time. Yes, the mom might be dyed, but it just doesn't look cohesive. But that's just my own OCD pet peeve. Very enjoyable movie.