Christmas at Xander Point

Christmas at Xander Point has all the trimmings of a classic holiday romance, sans snow. It has the long-lost long, seasonal misunderstandings, as well as some surprises along the way, like a PSA for cellphone usage and bullying.

One of the standout aspects is the cinematography-beautifully shot with a polished look that elevates the production beyond typical TV holiday fare while capturing the natural beauty of Beaufort, Newberry, and Dreher Island, SC.

The set design deserves a nod too-it's detailed, festive, and gives the town a believable, lived-in charm. Full disclosure: I had a hand in helping with that, so I'm a little biased, but I think viewers will agree it brings the world of the film to life.

Musically, the score complements the story without overpowering it. There's a balance of whimsy and sentiment that works well with the tone of the film. (Yes, I was involved in the music, too, except the cheesy parts that were repetitive).

The story itself is what you'd expect: comforting, a bit corny, occasionally clunky-but peppered with moments of genuine humor that help break up the sweetness. It's not perfect, but it has heart, and that goes a long way in a holiday film.

OK if you love Xmas movies with bad acting, bad storyline and overall just so over the top in romance this movie might be for you?

I had the misfortune of watching the whole of this bore fest movie and believe me its 1:28 min of my life I am not getting back.

They obvioulsy couldn't afford Karen Gillan so they got a temu version instead.

The other main character is wearing an eye patch because he was in a war so he is suffering from flash backs just like the one I am going to get after watching this dud of a movie. He looked like a temu version off G. I Joe.

The final thing was the poor acting from the children who made my blood boil that I actually wanted to punch the TV screen with my fist. Seriously they were so wooden they could have passed off as being wooden fence panels.

Overall just a naff, pointless Xmas movie which lacks anything in substance.

Giving this turkey 0/10 because I can folks!

It's nice to be able to watch movie with my kids without worrying about foul language, sex, violence etc. This movie has a unique plot without centering on the tired "do you believe in Santa Claus" theme. The plot moves pretty quickly and it is a refreshing change from most Christmas movies.

The movie has a happy ending (of course) but does end rather abruptly and I would have liked to see a little more wrapping up of loose ends. But overall a good movie.

Rent the movie for five dollars and support small independent film-makers rather than supporting corrupt Hollywood, who hates you and your children.

I'm sitting here waiting for the acting to get better, and resigning myself to that hope going unanswered. Junior high school productions have much better acting.

The mood music is distracting from the dialog, which might be a good thing. Someone thought that stringed instruments being plucked too loudly during scenes where we're supposed to be listening to the lines was a good idea. As if that wasn't obnoxious enough, they switched to other repetitive music effects.

Not one character managed to make me care about their plight. The actors stumbling over their lines doesn't help with that. Extremely disappointing and not worth the time wasted on it.

A Perfect Christmas Gem for the Whole Family

This movie is everything you could ask for in a Christmas film-exciting, heartwarming, and perfect for watching with the entire family. From start to finish, it captures the magic of the holiday season with a plot that keeps you engaged and characters you can't help but root for.

The story blends moments of suspense, humor, and emotional depth, reminding us of the importance of love, family, and the true spirit of Christmas. Beautifully shot, with festive music that will have you humming along, it's a movie that leaves you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.

Whether you're snuggled up on a snowy evening or enjoying a family movie night, this is one Christmas film that will quickly become a yearly tradition. Highly recommended!