Ein klitzekleines Weihnachtswunder

One reviewer said the content wasn't for children. That's the joke. Those jokes are meant to go over the head of children and they do, if they don't I suggest you look at how you aren't your children. What nonsense. Anyway, film is great. British humour and added modern twists like the way we communicate in our little communities. Very heart warming and very pretty scenery. People in Suffolk do not have the same accent as those in the west country though. This is always and issue with anytging set IN Norfolk or Suffolk and it is a shame. There's a lot of locals who would be great in roles. Enjoy.

I must admit I found "Love Actually" to be far too saccharine-sweet for my taste and don't think of it at all when considering my favourite Christmas movies, but here Richard Curtis has a second crack at the season to be jolly with this movie, based on recent short stories he's written and published. The twist this time is that he's adapted them into an animated feature, directed by Simon Otto and featuring the voices of such prominent actors as Brian Cox, Bill Nighy and Jodie Whittaker, amongst many others.

It's pretty clear that we're back in Curtisland with the familiar use of multiple plot strands, gentle ribald humour, a touch of drama and a big heartwarming finale with a few Easter Eggs, just to mix up my festive seasons, thrown in too, with post-it messages replacing hand-held notice-boards, some more kooky dancing, a happy-ever-after (kiddie) love story and even a cheeky nod to "Love Actually" itself thrown in for good measure.

The plot or plots are simple enough to follow as a bunch of young kids are accidentally stranded at home while their parents are caught out in the wild on a road trip by a huge blizzard. While the mums and dads await rescue in their overturned Volkswagen camper van, the main focus is on the kids they left behind, who happily make hay while the snow falls, adapting Christmas to their own ends.

Bookended by a tribute to more obviously fantasy-filled Christmas fare by including the Christmas Eve mission of a hard-pressed Scots-accented Santa and reindeer, as ever Curtis seeks to cover a lot of bases with various messages of goodwill, family and love and while you can't quite escape the odd incursion of cloying sentimentality and despite the absence of a really memorable set-piece scene or even joke, I was happy to be transported to Wellington-on-Sea and safely returned to reality with a warm glow and smile on my face.

The animation was suitably colourful and inventive, the piece is well-voiced as you'd expect from the cast and there's a good mix of modern and classic Yuletide tunes on the soundtrack too.

All in all, this one makes for a good addition to the canon of entertaining Christmas movies and certainly cheered my wife and I, this approaching Christmas.

That Christmas is a heartwarming holiday film that beautifully captures the essence of the festive season. The movie revolves around the intertwined lives of several families, each dealing with their own unique challenges and joys during Christmas time. The storyline is both touching and humorous, offering a perfect blend of emotional moments and lighthearted scenes that are sure to resonate with audiences of all ages.

One of the standout aspects of "That Christmas" is its emphasis on the importance of family, love, and togetherness. The movie reminds us that, despite the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the true spirit of Christmas lies in the connections we share with our loved ones.

Overall "That Christmas" is a delightful and uplifting film that will leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling long after the credits roll. It's a must-watch for anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit and experience the magic of Christmas through the lens of a beautifully crafted story.

It's hard to call this a classic right away, but is it Good? Yes, it's very good.

The director has delivered other projects in live action. This film looks, feels and is written like a good holiday movie performed by capable actors.

The animation is excellent in its realistically rendered environments and caricatured personalities.

The story, or stories, also follow a more mature theme than typical cartoon fare. Parents trying too hard to manage every aspect of the children's lives, an aging single teacher allowing a little too much of her life's disappointments bleed into her teaching, a houseful of kids celebrating Christmas without parents who are unable to get home because of the weather, a shy, nervous twin trying to understand and love her disrespectful and naughty sister, and the main protagonist who ties all of this together: the new kid who's trying to fit in at school, understand his mom's challenges with being a new single parent, and get the nice girl at school to notice him.

It's all charming, funny, sad, redeeming and thoroughly enjoyable.

Highly recommend.

A charming, wholesome family movie that could easily become a yearly rewatch in many households. It finds the sweet spot where it is enjoyable for young children and adults. I would strongly recommend this movie to parents who are looking for something to watch with their kids who may still be a little too young for some of the other Christmas classics. The countless positive messages open a door for many important discussions with your kids, and even adults could benefit from some of the reminders this movie offers. It has a similar feel to Arthur Christmas, so if you enjoyed that movie you may like this one too.