A Christmas Movie Christmas

OK, I'm going to try to be kind. The movie was clean, Christmasy, and had a new plot -something totally missing from most Hallmark Christmas movies which all follow the same formula. 2 sisters, whom are obsessed with Christmas movies (obviously Hallmark ones) get transported Into an actual "Hallmark style" Christmas movie. You find this out in the first few minutes so I don't consider it a spoiler. This plot had so much promise but as much as I liked the characters, the acting was so amateurish. I even began to wonder if it was "camp style" on purpose? Still not sure! This didn't seem like a Hallmark production and I wonder if someone else produced it and Hallmark simply aired it on their movie channel just to have something different to offer. Lastly, if your idea of a balanced meal is cotton candy, cotton candy, and cotton candy, this is the movie for you. If you are expecting decent acting and quality entertainment....well.... I watched it in 20 minute segments. Kind of like pacing yourself when eating at the county fair.

Cool idea, it kinda falls flat by the midway point though.

'A Christmas Movie Christmas' is far from a terrible film, you could watch much worse during the festive period - this is at least different from the usual made-for-TV Xmas formula. It just gets a little boring as it goes on. I'm not exactly sure how they could've done it better, but there is certainly something missing to keep it fresh and entertaining for the full duration of the run time.

The cast give satisfactory if unspectacular performances. Lana McKissack (Eve) is, as you'd expect, the most standout as the lead. I actually watched her YouTube videos when she was doing that about eight years ago, back when YOMYOMF/'Internet Icon' was a thing - what a throwback!

Elsewhere, Kimberly Daugherty is alright as Lacy, starring alongside co-writer/producer and real life husband Brant Daugherty (Paul). I can't say I'll remember this cast, but they are all fine for what this film is to be honest.

It is the season for sugar coted fluff fields - this fits the bill completely.

Two ridiculously attractive, wholesome American women find themselves transported in to a formulaic Xmas movie - meta much?

As one of the women is a massive fan of Xmas movies she knows all the tropes and recognizes the stereotype characters as they roll up.

This is super sweet, romantic, wholesome drivel - but in a good way.

The production is of good quality for a made-for-tv movie and I liked the two leads.

I enjoyed wrapping my presents with this on in the background.

I often nicknamed the Hallmark channel the harlequin channel. This movie made by one of their competitors, UP TV, makes fun of the trend of Christmas Romances that are the main feature in almost 80% of such movies set and shown at Christmas time, except the ones about commercialism and a reimagined Fantasy Santa with magic powers. This movie is clearly marked comedy fantasy, and in deference to those who thought that it wasn't done as well as it could've been or had no plot, I think they miss the point. The plot is making fun of Christmas movies,. IMD?B lists it as a comedy for a reason, and even the title and story line, much less the wooden acting they seem to be honing in on says loudly and clearly to me "this isn't meant to be taken seriously folks." I think the whole idea of a parody on Christmas movies shows that some writer in Hollywood still uses the brain they were given. If the makers of these kinds of movies can't bring themselves to show the true religious meaning of Christmas because of people who would complain about a movie being too religious, this is at least a refreshing treatment of a cliché theme in overly sappy sentimental romance at Christmas movies.

The concept for 'A Christmas Movie Christmas' immediately grabbed the attention, one of the best and most interesting concepts for any Christmas film seen recently and ever. Have not seen a concept like this in anything to do with Christmas, and while there was the worry that the execution would go too over the top part of me actually thought this could be a very well done film if done well and if the idea was not wasted.

Luckily the concept was not wasted and on the most part 'A Christmas Movie Christmas' executes it well. It is not a perfect or quite great film, and more subtlety and depth would have been more welcome. For a film that contains all the things often criticised in Christmas films from especially Hallmark and Lifetime and pokes fun at them in a satirical way, 'A Christmas Movie Christmas' was a lot of fun and those involved clearly put a good deal of effort making the most out of the concept.

'A Christmas Movie Christmas' is not perfect. There are times where there was a bit too much of a try too hard feel, even for the concept, with some of the satire being on the forced side and in need of more sharpness. Absolutely none of the actors can be accused of not trying, but will agree that a few actors go a little too far with their roles, exaggerating the character flaws too much that they become annoying. Ryan Merriman and Lana Mckassick being the worst offenders.

Would have liked more depth to some of the secondary characters, a case of them being present and correct but not done enough with. The final act also felt too convenient and compared to the rest of the film it loses energy and takes itself too seriously.

However, 'A Christmas Movie Christmas' looks nice, especially the suitably picturesque location work and the photography is never too drab or garish. The music doesn't come over as too intrusive or over-bearing, though there were times where it could have been used less. It is directed in a lively fashion, it didn't feel draggy and the interaction didn't seem too stiff. On the most part, the acting is better than average with nobody looking as if they were phoning in. And while there is some over-compensating there are charming performances from Brant Daugherty and Kimberly Daugherty, they have fun but didn't overact too much to me, and Brigid Duffy is a scene stealer.

Furthermore, while the script is not always sharp enough and has moments where it is forced much of it is highly amusing and smart. It also didn't seem as cheesy or as sappy, or at least it didn't go too far on them, as other Christmas films. Although the story is admittedly very predictable and has a lot of cliches, both deliberate choices with both being two things that the film is poking fun at, it for the first two acts is full of energy and charm.

Concluding, didn't wow me but entertaining enough for what it was. Just not something to take too seriously. 6/10