Die verzauberte Schneekugel

This time magic was gone : I was lucky to have 2 Christmas movies with Alicia in one week but this one is really not interesting : Alicia plays a sort of Scrooge who turns from bad to good by Christmas spirit but her transformation happens in a stupid tale : without knowing it, she has a black husband and two teens as child ! The small town is supposed idyllic but we don't see it ; Christmas is supposed to be a family Holiday but here it's rather belonging to a community (remember the Kranks ?) and the big drama is about a play ! So there's nothing to keep you awake and happy, with a crying eye and a moved heart ! The wardrobe and cinematography and the usual dynamism and smile of Alicia are worthy but sadly, this movie won't be a classic !

Though it rings of Family Man as many have pointed out, it bares a stronger resemblance to Nancy McKeon's Comfort and Joy. The film twists and turns in ways that are sometimes more frustrating than entertaining. However, the acting is good and the lighting is good and so is the sound. 2013 has not been a good year for sound and lighting in these types of holiday films. In particular kitchen scenes have been riddled with reverb, but not this film. They came through. The overlap with prior Snowglobe films is apparently coincidental more through casting than the story. There is no connection other than the name and a shared actress. It definitely tightens up at the end and makes for a good watch.

The only thing that's good about this movie is Donald Faison. He is quite funny. They made the lead so totally unlikable for so long in this dreadful version of a plot that has been done many times over before.

Trevor Donovan Alicia Witt Christina Milian Donald Fiason Good cast except Alicia Witt such a terrible actress . Usually 'ove Trevor Donovan his hair light brown looks nice Christina and Donald great .

Movie is beautiful like a snow globe needs new leads.

The idea was sort of interesting, though it wasn't anything innovative. 'A Snow Globe Christmas' could have been either sweet and entertaining or contrived and bland, like a lot of Christmas films on both extremes and in between. Alicia Witt has always been mixed for me. When she has the right material, she can be good. There have even been times where she's been great. When she has characters that are annoying and not very interesting, she struggles to make it work.

'A Snow Globe Christmas' is not a terrible film and has its moments. It is sadly also not particularly good either and is very lacking in most areas. It could have done so much more with its concept, which turned out to be rather ordinary and muddled. It fits in the extreme of contrived and bland, though not one of the worst examples when it comes to Christmas films. It is yet another festive film where it was a struggle to like Witt or her character, though she is not completely to blame here.

Will start with the good things, as they are there. The scenery is lovely and quite idyllic and the photography is neither drab or garish, looking slick while not doing anything elaborate or too static. There is at times a nice festive feel to the music.

Christina Milian does a good job with what she was given, giving some spark. There are moments of charm and heart.

Neither Witt or Donald Faison come off particularly well, though she comes off better. It is a case of her trying too hard (though she does a nice smile), so everything feels too exaggerated, and he not enough. There is absolutely no spark or warmth to their chemistry and the rest of the cast are forgettable. Only Milian comes off unscathed. The direction mostly is functional but not much more than that. Other parts of the music felt intrusive.

Moreover, a lot of the dialogue is very stilted and corny, with too much cheese and schmaltz. And the execution of the film' concept is very predictable, very strained, completely lacking in energy and the lack of sense spoils it too. None of the characters are particularly interesting or likeable, and the main character's Scrooge-like transformation/character development feels too rushed to be believable.

In summation, has its moments but lacking. 4/10