Battle of the Bulbs

Matt Frewer and Ryan Grantham were childhood friends until they fell out over a competition in high school. Now, many years later, they find themselves neighbors and in a fresh competition over who will win the town's Christmas decoration competition with the prize a check for five thousand dollars.

As this seasonal comedy wended its course on the Hallmark Channel, I was pleased to see a movie that did not feature Santa Claus. However, even more, I was pleased to see Matt Frewer in a comic turn, as his and Grantham's competition becomes more and more cartoon-like, eventually drawing in their entire families.

One of these days, I would like to see one of these movies end with utter destruction, perhaps with a mushroom cloud over the remnants of the neighborhood; there is something about Mr. Frewer that strikes me as very Wile E. Coyote. However, I can't blame the film makers for going with a more conventional happy ending. The result is a very pleasant couple of hours.

Review Date 2/3/2018

PLEASE BEWARE OF SOME REVIEWERS THAT ONLY HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN! I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY GEMS IN MY QUEST TO SEE AS MANY " C H R I S T M A S " MOVIES AS I CAN.

Now Someone keeps reporting my reviews. I guess they are jealous because I do tell the truth. I want to point out that I never make snide remarks about actors weight or real life sexual orientation. If there acting is terrible or limited "I talk about that". If a story is bad "I will mention that" So why am I being "picked on"? IMDB? When one of my reviews gets deleted IMDB will not even tell me what someone found offensive. Well on to this review.

In this film Dr. Wallace makes sure to go all out every year on Christmas decorations so that he can have the brightest and most festive house in his neighborhood. This year, he notices that his new neighbor has put up an even brighter and more lavish display. What is worse the new neighbor is former best friend ! So the fight is on when they declare war for the best Christmas decoration display in the neighborhood.

After 5 minutes you know how it is most likely going to end but there is a few surprises along the way.

The film however works and its nice and simple. Its very family friendly. It also has "The Christmas Spirit" that is written between the lines. The film entertains and it isn't preachy.

Harmless Christmas Movie the family will enjoy.

In this film a new neighbor moves in. See Wallace makes sure to go all out every year on Christmas decorations so that he can have the brightest and most festive house in his neighborhood. This year, he notices that his new neighbor has put up an even brighter and more lavish display. However this new neighbor is an old friend but they became bitter enemies years ao. Now The fight is on when they declare war for the best Christmas decoration display in the neighborhood.

What I loved about this film was that they had a great cast and the film was never boring!

Two neighbours battle to win the best dressed Christmas house. It's a similar set up to both the UK film Christmas Lights and the US film Deck the Halls. As I enjoyed both of those films I thought I'd give it a go. Although not as good as either of those films, it still entertained me.

It's totally predictable and you know what is coming right from the off but it at least manages to achieve what it's supposed to. It uses all the Christmas clichés but to honest that's what Christmas films are about. Although not riotously funny there are some gently amusing scenes.

As a made for TV film this is one of the better ones and worth watching if you're in the mood for some festive spirit.

Okay so the premise isnt that far off Deck the Halls and the budget certainly isnt on the same level, however it is not without its charms and has a poignant touching ending.