Christmas with the Campbells

Come on, people: this movie is a PARODY of Hallmark Movies! It is SATIRE. That means the inappropriately raunchy comments, how the parents are doing weird things like rough sex, purple drank and huffing paint are meant to MAKE FUN OF THE ULTRA-CLEAN HALLMARK MOVIES. It is HILARIOUS.

The R-rated dialogue, the incredibly awkward and cringeworthy break-up, the completely out-of-character Justin Long, and the ridiculous past love, are all meant as JOKES. Justin Long is SUPPOSED TO ACT TERRIBLY, with a TERRIBLE ACCENT, and completely inappropriate machismo. If you don't believe me, watch the extra behind the scenes clip on the DVD (yes, they still make those).

The plot is ridiculous, the movie is completely predictable, but some of the one-liners are bust-out laughing funny if you realize the movie is a SPOOF.

You might recall Brittany Snow from the Pitch Perfect movies. This movie had that same odd dialogue where characters say really odd, inappropriate or absolutely crazy things.

I am a HUGE Justin Long fan and I was really looking forward to this little Christmas truffle. But his character is really strange, like he grew up with the Amish.

Again - odd dialogue.

I ended up watching it all, attempting to jive with the vibe, but it's really not all that good.

That being said, it COULD have been good, perhaps with some tweaks in various areas. And, I did enjoy Brittany and Justin, even with his odd character.

Apparently this was filmed where it was really cold and there was a lot of snow which they used to great affect.

Also, it was great seeing Norm after all these years. NORM!

If you are adjacent to the Hallmark Movie phenomenon but can't bring yourself to fully dive into the trash pile, this movie is for you.

The negative reviews of this movie are particularly hilarious, because they make it abundantly clear that the reviewer is not in on the joke. This movie hits every ridiculous stereotype head on while showing enough restraint to still be funny instead of heavy-handed.

Julia Duffy said some truly outrageous things, with impeccable comedic timing. Justin Long made me laugh out loud more than once. The whole main ensemble knows their role perfectly but plays it earnestly.

In my perfect movie, Brittany Snow would've had a chance to show off her comedic chops more, but she did an amazing job playing the pitch perfect straight man. Occasionally the overwhelming horniness of her character's ex was a bit much, but it was tolerable.

Overall, hilarious takedown of a well-trod genre.

It's like "guy who bought a boat" got his own SNL movie. There are so many many bizarre choices, too many bizarre choices to not be on purpose.

"There are them smells"

Justin Long has really turned in something so special.

Brittany Snow does a good job selling the madness. The parents are right out of the movies Seth Rogen will make when he's older. George Wendt remains magical.

Peppered in are several "50 shades" level quadruple entendres about baked goods for the family focusers to avoid.

I can't wait to watch this at midnight at the Esquire.

Or it could just be thirty something American pie. I'm high.

After sitting and watching so many Hallmark movies with my wife I'm glad someone actually followed through on the dare to make a satire- well done.

It has the same tone, look and feel of the hundreds of holiday movies before it, but the dialogue goes a different direction.

Fantastic idea, but have the kids in the other room- not that they will want to come anywhere near a Hallmark movie anyway, but the language is spicy and absurd- reinforcing the satire.

In a day of serial writing and production this blows up the whole concept of the Holiday film in a fun and comical way. Not that you could or would invite your buddies over to watch a Holiday movie, but this one might be the one to recommend they watch with their wives on their own.

We've all been stuck watching these thing, now we have one for the (good) guys.