LA_Musicworks

There are a lot of potentially interesting parts to the film but it doesn't ever actually take off - but then out of the blue at the end of 2.5 hours of build up it suddenly stops with a (hinted but mostly non sequitur) dense clunker of an ending.

It's almost as if it could have been the premise for a TV series - one of the kind of shows that just grinds away aimlessly with endless little challenges week in and week out with an overshadowing world altering mystery looming overhead - that's never ever explained or answered for as long as the renewals keep coming - yet ultimately doomed to cancellation without any resolution. It's actually a lot like that.

The acting and production is quite good - thus the extra bump to two stars out of 10 - instead of 0 or 1. But it really ended up being a massive waste of time for the viewer - not to mention the poor studio that got stuck paying to produce this mess.

Save yourself 2.5 hours and Leave the Movie Behind!

You get exactly what is expected - run of the mill formula, story, and production that's comfortable and bland - a good feeling filler of time that will make most any Lifetime or Hallmark watcher very happy. The actors had a fair amount of personality and chemistry. I personally tuned in because I've seen a number of other Danica McKellar Christmas projects over the years - so it's kind of tradition! Everyone did a decent job except with the graphics people and continuity - at one point the drive-in screen displays -

"Come Join Our Caralers Tonight!"

No - seriously. Uh Oh. Someone can't spell carolers!!!!!

It was quite a distraction from the movie.

Back to which - they wrote a mind numbing "twist" resolution to wrap up every loose end in one shot during the last few fleeting minutes of the run. BAM - it was over! That's how these things always go though. Would it be so hard to leave the formula behind and be a little more creative? Unfortunately the execs have to rubber stamp projects - and if it doesn't fit their mold, it becomes too frightening to green light. This one's worth a watch for an easy going holiday film.

A decent summer popcorn movie - overall it was pretty well done, just a bit predictable but that goes with the genre. We found the music to be substandard in some spots, and even distracting at points. It's not an earth shattering monumental film - just consider it to be a light easy-going filler kind of movie.