Christmas Every Day

Trying to get in the spirit of the holidays and I start with a remake of Groundhog Day. It's not Bill Murray, but it was a sweet Christmas story about how a 13 year old (Erik von Detten) finds the true meaning of Christmas.

Director Larry Peerce (Goodbye, Columbus) kept things moving smoothly and didn't get bogged down in what could have been a boring repetition.

"Starman" Robert Hays and Bess Armstrong ("My So-Called Life") were great as 1950s-type parents. Even George Allen made an appearance in his actual role as the Governor.

Great movie to kick off my Christmas adventure.

This show was never meant to be original. The producers decided to take the "Groundhog Day" formula and use it for the Christmas season. I thought this Christmas special was very good, even better than "Groundhog Day". The relationship Between Billy and Diane was more believable than the one in "Groundhog Day". In this Movie, Billy doesn't "step on the gas" so quickly. he just tries to get her to notice him, and they start a friendship. It is far less contrived then the Romance in "Groundhog Day" where the two Characters fall in love in ONE DAY. I also like the Christmas Pagent scenes, and I also like it when Billy always wakes up to "Jingle Bells" and the various expressions on his face. They should put this one out on video.

This movie may have not have been the winner of any Oscar, but still, it holds it's spot up there with a lot of other festive, made for tv movies, and always draws me to the couch with a bowl of popcorn while that special day approaches. This movie has all that a good Christmas fan will appreciate, and all that a good movie needs to be-well-good. A plot.

Young Billy just isn't in the spirit anymore. Due to a fateful wish his sister purposed to engage in Christmas every single day, Billy and his family (although he is in the only one who knows) engages in Christmas every single day for four of five days.

Some laughs.

The seconds manger scene was rather funny. And just some small quirky comments here and there. Oh yes. And of course I got a kick out of Billy's rich, spoiled cousin who was suppose to spend the day at Tinsel Town, but found herself in the prescene of carrots, mashed potatos, and peas instead.

A lesson.

To appreciate Christmas. To appreciate family. To appreciate life. To appreciate that this jubilant day can come but only once a year.

I love this movie and am so glad that ABCFamily airs it every year. I only wish it were out on VHS or DVD to buy. Maybe you can and I just don't know it?

I thought this movie was enjoyable. It was a little predictable but most Chistmas movies are. It was well acted and well presented - they casting choices were solid. It would certainly be suitable for children to watch, and it is something you can show your elderly relatives too. The dilemmas the boy in the movie faced and his different solutions were realistic. This movie is upbeat and amusing. But, it also deals with traditional Christmas themes and the problems with focusing on yourself versus the satisfaction of focusing on others. So many Christmas movies feel the need to be heart wrenching and dramatic - this one is primarily feel good.

If you are expecting Hitchcock - then pass. If you are looking for a feel good Christmas movie that kids and adults would enjoy (except maybe the most hardboiled action movie junkie) this is a good choice.

Review Date 1/31/0218

A self-absorbed 13-year-old (Erik von Detten) reliving Christmas, day after day, until he appreciates its meaning.

He pouts about gifts he doesn't want. Realities he doesn't want to see and little sister that is just a pain in the butt to him.

This is OKAY at best. However what it does show the viewer is the fact we will keep repeating mistakes if we don't learn from them. Those mistakes might not exactly repeat themselves in the same way but if you don't learn from them they will manifest somewhere.

What I like best about this film was that Christmas is more "Than gifts and giving gifts". "Its the giving of your time" how we "Treat One Another".

Family Safe.