14th century English knight Sir Cole Lyons can chop a Christmas tree down in one axe stroke, which rather concerned me when I started considering what his job might be back in snowy medieval Norwich – especially when he later captures a purse thief and wastes no time telling the pickpocket exactly what his punishment… The Knight Before Christmas Read More
Klaus 4 stars
Director Sergio Pablos’s yuletide fable is surprisingly unsentimental, considering this time of year tends to brings out as much treacle in movies as in the traditional festive gingerbread. A Santa Claus origins story, it’s surely destined to become a Christmas classic – as lonely woodsman Klaus’s unshakeable belief that “a true selfless act always sparks… Klaus Read More
Last Christmas 2.5 stars
Twenty-something me had quite a lot in common with Kate, the twenty-something heroine of Last Christmas: blonde bobs, a love of fake leopard print, and a job in a Christmas shop. As I’m now an ancient 48, you could say I’m her Ghost Of Christmas Future, and if that’s not a warning to her to… Last Christmas Read More
“I’m not a career elf!” – the Last Christmas international trailer is here
*** Read my review of Last Christmas *** And this one goes in much more heavily on the dark side of the festive season. In this case it’s the illness Kate (Emilia Clarke) suffered the previous Christmas, which left her near death. 12 months on, the experience still has her in its grip and she… “I’m not a career elf!” – the Last Christmas international trailer is here Read More
Cheesier than Waitrose’s festive deli counter, the “Last Christmas” trailer is here!
*** Read my review of Last Christmas *** “You have thrown away your life, working in some silly Christmas shop!” THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A SILLY CHRISTMAS SHOP, MISTER! I should know, I managed a Christmas department for two years, wearing musical reindeer antlers which only played Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer on repeat… Cheesier than Waitrose’s festive deli counter, the “Last Christmas” trailer is here! Read More
The Christmas Chronicles 3 stars
Both a Christmas cracker and Christmas crackers, The Christmas Chronicles is a festive must-watch, even if some of it will be through your fingers. But if you’re a True Believer, you’ll already know all that. This Santa is old yet modern, and, dare I say it, hot? Clad in a long burgundy leather coat, with… The Christmas Chronicles Read More
The Nutcracker & The Four Realms 2.5 stars
However enticingly tasty they look, too much refined sugar and clotted cream can give you indigestion, and coming out of the indulgently sweet Nutcracker And The Four Realms what I really wanted was a couple of Rennies. Like the toy soldiers that the villainess brings to life in their droves before the climatic battle, this… The Nutcracker & The Four Realms Read More
Pop Up Screens Are Back for 2018 With Christmas Movies & SNOW!
Pop up cinema experts Pop Up Screens are back this winter with Cinema In The Snow – a terrific selection of Christmas and wintry-themed movies running from 13-23 December 2018 at East London’s Hackney Showroom. As with last year, they’re turning the location into a Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe winter wonderland, complete with… Pop Up Screens Are Back for 2018 With Christmas Movies & SNOW! Read More
Big Bad Fox And Other Tales 3.5 stars
From accidental abandonment in a butcher’s van to being packaged up in a polystyrene-filled box, the adorable baby Pauline, star of the first film in this trilogy of tales, is never less than happy. Being a child of the 1970s I did question the necessity for the BBFC warning “some dangerous behaviours” at the start… Big Bad Fox And Other Tales Read More
Bad Santa 2 1.5 stars
It’s probably not a great idea to include the line “welcome to the shitstorm” in your sequel as the temptation for disgruntled movie reviewers to start their review with it is just so strong. Luckily I am more creative than that. But unfortunately Bad Santa 2 is really not a great movie. Where the first… Bad Santa 2 Read More
The Man Who Invented Christmas 4 stars
A Christmas Carol is so traditionally festive that we sometimes need reminding that the novel itself created much of that tradition. The Man Who Invented Christmas picks up the story of its author Charles Dickens, in 1843 – three years after the publication of the hugely successful Oliver Twist, sadly quickly followed by several flops…. The Man Who Invented Christmas Read More
Christmas – Invented By Charles Dickens, Patented By Scrooge (Probably)
*** Check out my review of The Man Who Invented Christmas *** Of course it was invented by a man, that’s why women do 80% of the bloody work for it. Just kidding guys! I know it’s tough doing the £5 Secret Santa for the person you’ve sat next to in the office for 10… Christmas – Invented By Charles Dickens, Patented By Scrooge (Probably) Read More