The Town Christmas Forgot

From back when Hallmark used to get some mainstream names in their Christmas movies, we get Lauren Holly as a former Broadway chorus girl who gave it all up for a family.

To start the movie, a family of four breaks down in the mountains in a snow storm, and wind up stranded in a small, failing town while the town's mechanic has to wait for parts for their SUV.

With no cable, no cell service, and no internet, the family is forced out of their motel room and have to start interacting with the remaining people in the town ... in a town where most have given up hope.

Each member of the family makes connections and seeks to give the town an emotional shot in the arm.

Recommended, and for us its a repeat watch. This year makes our third viewing.

Well if "micahcircuitry" did not like this one he will definitely not like "THE NIGHT BEFORE THE NIGHT BEFORE Christmas"..

It is a shame.

"jlf-7" and I both like this one.

If you drive around Colorado between US 50 and I-70 you will definitely find a few places like this one…

This is a good study of people. Check out the men sitting at the lunch counter.

I loved the Toy Store owner. He may be grumpy but he has a positive outlook that the Toy Store will reopen.

Santa may be making his list and checking it twice, but I've been watching just about every holiday movie this year that I can so I check them off my list. Although the plot may be trite (as most holiday movies are), I've seen more than a dozen, maybe two dozen, in the last couple weeks, and this one is one of the best put-together ones of the lot. And because it stands out from the crowd, I may be rating it higher than it deserves.

On the plus side, this flick is helped by a relatively tight script, decent direction, and worthy performances by its veteran stars, Lauren Holly and Rick Roberts.

Standouts in the supporting cast include the luminescent Stephanie Belding as the waitress who coordinates the Christmas pageant opposed by her mayor husband, owner of the restaurant where she works; the actor whose name I can't pin down as the barber who also "knows cars" (it seems the principal characters in town have two jobs, while most of the town is out of work); as well as the two who play the Benson kids (especially the son).

If you're looking for an Oscar-winning blockbuster then you'll be sorely disappointed but if you're looking for a feel-good, family movie that reminds all us gadget-orientated, money-obsessed individuals that the truly important things in life are the people we live with and that true happiness comes from giving (of yourself) not taking, then you'll like this cheesy movie. The acting isn't great, but it's good enough; the script is predictable and not clever but it works. It doesn't promise to be anything other than what you'd expect from a made-for-t.v. movie- and that's its attraction. If you watched this then posted a negative review, then you have no soul and have more in common with The Grinch than Santa Claus.

I think this movie was no worse than any other made for TV Christmas movie. It was predictable, yes, but still a cute movie nonetheless. It was definitely a great movie for kids to watch without fear of inappropriate scenes or language. The acting was fine, I certainly wouldn't call it horrid...let's try remember that this was not billed as a blockbuster, it wasn't "profound" but I loved it anyway...and Lauren Holly looked beautiful as always. I guess it's easy to be a critic when you aren't the one in the movie. It entertained and was definitely a 'feel good' story. There were several funny lines. It was a good little Canadian made film. Great job Stephanie!