Booky & the Secret Santa

This was one of the best Christmas movies made recently. I really enjoyed watching this movie with my family. It is SO hard to find quality films that are not offensive (really) in any way, but this "Booky" hits the mark. Megan Follows is one of my favorite Canadian actresses, and she does her usual fine job, so no surprises there. My thanks to CBC-Windsor, Ontario, for airing this excellent movie, and I hope that they will consider rerunning it for Christmas or the New Year. When a movie like this can capture the attention of two young teenage boys, someone must be doing something right! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2008 to everyone!!!

What a sweet period piece this is. Perfect for Christmas and thoroughly feel-good all around, even though it is chockablock with impossible events. It is almost a fairy tale, but that doesn't matter, it's the feeling we get from it that counts. I hope that people everywhere could see this, not just Canadians, but certainly this film would be of particular interest to people in Toronto.

The character Booky is the sweetest child imaginable, what great casting. Set design seems authentic, for as much as I know about the 1930s. This movie is at least as much about the late, lamented T. Eaton Co. as it is about a girl trying to save her family from poverty, unemployment, and the prospect of no Christmas! I think that Canadians may have a few poignant memories of Eaton's thanks to this movie.

This movie is a true joy to watch as much for the story as it is for the memories of Christmases past. Growing up in Montreal I remember fondly how our family looked forward to receiving the Eaton's Christmas catalogue and dreaming of making our Christmas list for Santa. Simpson's also produced a Christmas catalogue later to be called Simpson/Sears and then simply Sears. This movie and A Christmas Story are truly classic nostalgia. They bring back such wonderful childhood memories when life was simpler and the joy of Christmas filled the air. It is more than just sentimental but a part of our history. Enjoy them both!

BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY REVIEWED ONE FILM. THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 Christmas MOVIES. I HAVE NO AGENDA. I AM FARE ABOUT THESE FILMS.

Now with that out of the way I want say this was a great film to discover. In this film Booky (Rachel Marcus) tries to bring her family the best Christmas possible, despite hard times during the Great Depression of the 1930s when her dad (Stuart Hughes) loses his job. She gets help from her mum (Megan Follows) and a department store owner (Kenneth Welsh).

What this film is about us that "Acts of Kindness are the greatest gifts you can give". Also the faith of a child is all you need at time to get you through the hard times.

The story is very believable and each character is believable as well their own motivations. This film does everything right.

If you have children at home then watch it with them. If you don't have kids watch it anyway. You will enjoy it.

This was a very special program for me as my mother was Booky's age during the time period in which the story is set. I saw my mother and her family in Booky's. She was born and raised in Toronto during the depression years and her family was not well off. I was actually brought to tears. Eaton's was very important to Toronto then and for many years to come. It was a sad day for Torontonians when Sears took over Eatons. Nevertheless, this production is very meaningful for families who've had generation after generation living in Toronto. I can remember attending the Eaton's Christmas Parties when I was a child. Not at the family's home, but in an auditorium in the Eaton Store. All the children got a gift and some candies. These are lovely memories for my Mother and her children. Thank you CBC