Christmas Do-Over

You know when a record keeps skipping and you hear the same thing over and over and over and nothing happens? Consider this movie a Barry Manilow LP that skips for 2 hours. Jay Mohr is a guy that hates xmas and has to relive the same xmas every day until he gets it right. You will hate xmas after seeing this movie.

Go with Groundhog Day instead. This movie rips it off in every way possible, but lacks Bill Murray's genius, a sun shy mammal, and a funny script. Phenomenally terrible in every aspect.

My girlfriend says I need to say something nice and not be such a grinch, because it "does have a positive message and is very sweet and family oriented" but the bottom line is that it's like watching Santa & Mrs. Claus get hot and heavy after a long night of present delivery...not a pretty sight.

It's insulting to anyone with taste that movies like this even make it onto cable.

I'm watching it now. It's fun, but so much a copy of Ground Hog Day that I find it surprising that the producers haven't been sued for copyright infringement.

So, as I watch this, I can know how the central character in each of these feels. Deja vu all over again.

Perhaps you could say that this movie is unique in that it's about a different holiday, has different characters, but that's about it. And, since I can't remember how the Bill Murray character got out of the loop, maybe I'll be surprised and find that this guy solves it in a different way.

Kevin (Jay Mohr) is visiting his ex-wife, Jill (Daphne Zuniga) and their young son at her parents' house on Christmas Day. He arrives late and he shopped at the last minute for his son, too. To add insult to injury, he is rude and catty with his ex-in-laws and the new cardiologist boyfriend of Jill. Nevertheless, his young son, Ben, is so happy to see him that he proudly announces at dinnertime that he, Ben, wishes every day was Christmas. A soft breeze seems to blow through the dining room, but, it doesn't change Kevin's attitude. He continues to be rude through the caroling and the street fair. Nevertheless, when Kevin wakes up the next day, he is there at the doorstep of his in-laws, present in hand and having to live the day over again. Will Kevin learn something the second, third, or fourth (and more) time around? This is a fun family movie, with plenty of laughs and good performances. Mohr and Zuniga are experts as the quarreling ex-mates who still might harbor feelings for each other. How nice to see Adrienne Barbeau again, too, as she gives a nice turn as Jill's mother. The production values, the costumes, and the scenery are all top notch, too. One little caution: there is an unusual scene involving a live nativity scene, where Kevin has a run-in with Joseph. BUT, the most important part of this film is its theme. Most of us do not get a chance to relive Christmas Day or any other day and learn from our mistakes. The best thing we can do is to try and live every day as if it were our last chance to do good for those around us and for ourselves. With that in mind, Christmas Do-Over should be a new classic for the season that deserves a re-run at holiday time and a DVD release. Families everywhere will laugh at the antics but will also recognize the important realities of decision making that is the heart of the film.

Sure, we've seen Ground Hog's Day before, but isn't it always a case of the "Emperor's New Clothing." The casting is great. Jay Mohr is acerbic, endearing and flat out funny! Daphne Zuniga is always a treat. And great to see supporting cast with Tim Thomerson and Adrienne Barbeau. Again, you've seen it before, this time more funny! The blend between humor and drama (there are moments between Jay and Daphne that have you in tears laughing, then crying). Kudos to ABC Family for not giving us the same, saccharine sweet, dramatic Christmas movie we see every year. Definitely better than everything I have seen this year (did you see "Deck the Halls" which requires paid admission). Save your money and tune in. This one has attitude. All and All a 9/10. Well done!

The last reviewer said it was a remake of Groundhog day or a rip off and that's not true. This film is a remake of Christmas Everyday which is a film i grew up with and stars Erik Von Detton was aimed more at teenagers. It's a funnier film and has a warmth to it. This film however lacks snow, and likable characters at first. This is one of the shows I catch every year on ABC Family Channel as well as Christmas Everyday. However this isn't as good as the original, and lacks a little bit of warmth and charm that the original had. The only funny thing really about the movie is Jay Mohr, who it's kind fun to see go crazy and psychotic. It was nice to see Daphne Zuniga in something new, but other than that it's average at best.