The Santa Box

Fantastic! Fun! Original! This is a modern times Christmas movie that brings to mind pre modern times movies, i.e. Miracle Maker, Christmas Oranges and so many others and Cami Carver is a new comer to acting and is an obvious natural and it spans the casting from new to veteran in Shawn Stevens as Otto many have grown-up with him in so many productions and as always he never disappoints and this spans to Spanky Ward who has written and directed so many wonderful genres over his lifetime. Don't miss this wonderful movie it will not disapoint!

Kallie thinks she's cursed by Christmas. For the past 5 years, something bad has happened every Christmas season. One day she finds THE SANTA BOX on her doorstep. Inside is a note that changes how Kallie feels about Christmas forever.

Where do I start? Probably the Story. The story is great. It's a fairy tale type story about a girl, Kallie ( Cami Carver) who has suffered loss so dislikes christmas, a girl who bullies others to feel better, an old man who's war experience left him wanting to be nice to everyone, and a collection of sad people who's lives were blighted in one way or another. There's even an evil witch in the shape of Nelly Green (Cindy Perez). Through the story the old man, Otto (Shawn Stevens) enables Kallie to bring every single person in the story together to be friends, and they all live happily ever after. I wish I had been able to read this story, it's a lovely one.

However this is a film and the reality is awful. The acting is B movie grade. Nelly Green is played by a surgically enhanced actress who I honestly thought was made to look like she does for artistic licence and she would look much nicer at the end. There's not a single strong performance from any member of the cast, so that brings the story down. Also, it tries too hard to bang home the morals of happiness, forgiveness, loving others no matter how they harm you etc etc. Lovely ideals but not ones that humans are capable of keeping forever. Yet there are so many speeches, with rising music as if the very voice of God was being heard, encouraging everyone to be good and wonderful. But the speeches keep coming til you get to the point of fast forwarding til you get to the next one.

As I say it is a lovely story, it would have worked as an animation, but with poor actors and poor direction and poor editing, it feel completely flat as a film. I gave it a 3 for the story alone, but I would like to see an animated version which might be better.

This is the perfect holiday movie with such a great meaning!

This is such a welcoming Christmas movie that I would put number one on the family Christmas movie list to watch every year. The actors were superb, including the setting, and of course, the storyline, which had a unique plot that kept your attention as if we were in the movie. Such a strong and realistic storyline with teens and families, including the Christmas spirit.

From adults to teenagers, this movie clearly shows how the behavior and feelings among teens are affected by the adults who are in their lives. It will keep the entire family interested, as both adults and teens will relate to the storyline. I highly recommend this movie. I saw it last year and am happy I found it again this year and will watch it again. Spread the word and take the time to watch The Santa Box (2020). Truthful, creative, all-family Christmas movie.

The poster suggests that this is a bigger production than the average Hallmark film. This impression is almost confirmed by the opening scene, which takes place during WWII. However, this "Christmas movie" turns out to be nothing more than an overly sentimental, poorly acted B-movie with bad sound quality and little to no Christmas atmosphere. The constant tinkling of the piano becomes irritating after the umpteenth emotional moment, as does the poor German accent of the character Otto.

Cami Carver in the lead seems to be the only one doing a reasonable good job. That doesn't have this very disappointing movie though.