This Christmas

It is unfortunate the previews for this movie are so low profile. I didn't know what to expect and wasn't sure I wanted to see the move, but my 16 year old saw it on Black Friday and told me the movie was excellent. He's usually into movies like Live Free or Die Hard, hated Dream Girls and thought American Gangster was "just okay", so I HAD to see what had him so excited about THIS film. I must say, he was dead on with this one. This movie was EXCELLENT! The script was well written, the acting was SUPERB, and nothing was left out of this movie, which everyone, irrespective of race, can identify with in some way.

I wasn't sure if it would be appropriate for my 7 year old, but I did not find myself cringe once and say to myself "I wish she hadn't seen that." There was very minimal use of profanity (I think the "d" and "s" words were thrown around a few times) and no sex...although Regina King did a couple of scenes in her underwear.

I just can't say enough about the solid acting done in this movie. Delroy Lindo, Loretta Divine, Idris Elba and Regina King did stellar performances (I've never seen any of them NOT perform well) and EVERYONE did a great job. Chris Brown showed us he is more than a wonderful singer and dancer. I look forward to seeing him in more serious roles like this one. I believe he has a lot of potential to be a serious actor.

There are just not enough good things I can say about "This Christmas." You have to see it for yourself. One of the best gifts I gave myself this year.

Saw the movie today, and LOVED IT!! Some parts were unrealistic, but that's with ALL movies! I loved the family interaction, the humor. This was a movie about the ups and downs that happen in ANY family, the secrets in ANY family, the infidelities in ANY family. The cast is outstanding. It was a wonderful role for Chris Brown (loved him), Sharon Leal is being seen more(Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?), and Regina King is not seen often enough. I enjoyed seeing Delroy Lindo and Loretta Devine.

See it if you want, it not, then don't! Life is all about making choices.

To see or not to see, that is the question...

Such a beautiful movie with beautiful different characters. they really looked like a family. felt like i was one among them too. people who need a holiday movies like "This is where i leave you", "Family Stone" & "Dan in real life". hit this movie without any second thought. you will definitely love this movie. there are no movies recently in this genre. wish we could see lot more of this kind movies in future. Family drama is really needed now a days. but its fading away slowly. this movie will hit you hard <3 iam an indian but i wish i could celebrate christmas like this every year <3 just go for it and you will love this movie for sure :)

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie! I watched this movie expecting it to be another movie making fun of us but instead I found it to be an enjoyable movie. I love the way it each character had real issues and real conflicts that affect real families. Regina King, as always, did an excellent job portraying a woman scorn that has had enough. This movie cannot be compared to any other movie out there because it offers something for everyone without nudity. Surely, everyone who watches this movie can relate it to themselves or someone in their family. Chris Brown rocked singing "This Christmas." He takes 2nd place with this song only to the original singer, Donny Hathaway. And who doesn't do the soul train line every once and a while?

Cons: I despised the movie "Waiting to Exhale" because I think women who destroy a man's property because she's mad that he's cheating on her is not only corny, but it's childish. There was an SUV scene in this movie that was beyond stupid to me, and I turned up my lip in disgust. Then there was another scene that annoyed me about a domestic dispute, but I heard women cheering during that part. For the life of me, I do not understand why ladies think it's funny for a man to be physically abused under ANY circumstances, but if a man does it, then it's wrong. That scene almost made me walk out of the theater because it's so hypocritical.

There were some plot scenes that were a little overused, such as the mother's name, the mother cooking big meals, the couple going through marital issues, and the one son being chased by bookies. After awhile, I started thinking the plot to this movie was a blend of several other movies I've seen. However, it's not like these plots are not common within African American households, so I shrugged and kept watching.

Pros: Chris Brown. Flat out, he made this movie interesting for me. Whereas Columbus Short was the highlight of "Stomp the Yard" and Chris Brown fell to the sidelines, Chris Brown really showed out tremendously within this movie. I liked him as a singer before, but I LOVE him as a singer now. He did a couple of songs within this film, and I've never heard his pipes be so on point. I was impressed and grinned big during every one of his scenes. He's such a great artist no matter what he does: acting, dancing, singing, comedy (he isn't a comedian, but he's hilarious). Other than Chris Brown, there were some stellar actors in this movie like Idris Elba (even with his rough hairstyle); Delroy Lindo (who gets more handsome and charismatic in every single movie I see him in and always an excellent actor); Laz Alonso (who played a jerk to a tea--great job!); Regina King (love her acting generally but did NOT care for her character in this movie at all); Sharon Leal (who I'm seeing more and more--she's such a pretty woman and does a great acting job as well); Keith Robinson (the pantry scene was cute); Lauren London (pretty woman and improving in every single movie she's in, although I think my favorite will always be "ATL"); Loretta Devine (who played a great mother, but I liked her spin with having a man and her own mind; her back story with her ex was a refreshing switch from the usual widow story); and David Banner trying out his acting chops. All of the actors were cool in this film. It was in Chicago, but it was looking awfully warm for the wintertime. I enjoyed the musical parts of the plot and all of the siblings got along. I also appreciated how they flipped the script on the white wife scene (although I won't go into that and ruin the plot).

I enjoyed the film, but those cons are what gave this movie three stars. Other than that, thumbs up.