*** 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
*** My review of The Christmas Chronicles: Part 2 is here *** 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… 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
A Bad Moms Christmas 2.5 stars
I adore Christmas, and had no qualms watching this on November 1st, while eating homemade mince pies. I used to manage a retail Christmas department, which meant wearing musical antlers blaring our “Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer” from September to February, and I still adored Christmas. I also make my own mincemeat, bake and ice… A Bad Moms Christmas Read More
Office Christmas Party 3 stars
While by no means a Christmas turkey, this isn’t quite a Christmas cracker either, which is a shame considering the calibre of the cast – and the fact that at this time of year we’re often full of goodwill to whatever festive movie is released. It’s years since I went to an office Christmas party… Office Christmas Party Read More
Black Christmas 4 stars
It’s nearly the end of term and the sorority students are finishing up with school and getting ready to head home for the holidays; though not everyone has a warm family to go back to. The brittle, heavy drinking Barb (Margot Kidder) is having difficult phone calls with her mother in the hall, in… Black Christmas Read More