Christmas with a Capital C

Awful, simply awful. The atheist who returns to the town after 20 years, seems like an embittered and angry man, out on a personal vendetta against the heroic Christian mayor.The premise is that the mayor is building (and using some city funds) to build a stand outside of the town's city hall, for Christmas. There will be Christian decorations displayed along with more secular Christmas decorations. So this evil atheist type files an injunction to stop work on this stand.

Now, atheists aren't the only people who support keeping government and religion untangled, many Christians (though usually not evangelical types) also favor that. Atheists aren't out on personal vendettas against some Christian mayor or politician when we do so. Also, the "Merry Christmas" banner is moved because of this injunction. Frankly, no atheist has ever objected to a "Merry Christmas" sign, even in front of a courthouse.

In fact, I don't know if any church/state or atheist group would even object to this stand, unless it solely has Christian symbols. Atheists just want neutrality or at least, an open forum. Have Christian symbols such as a nativity scene, fine, but allow a display of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

The Christian mayor in one scene recites the free exercise clause of religion, which for some reason makes this evil atheist type, say touché. That seems to imply the atheist knows he is violating the free exercise rights of the residents, but there is of course no free exercise right to have the government put up a display, even if not centered around Christian images solely.

This movie was produced by people who seem to have never met an actual atheist in their lives. Full of fear and straw man. If I could give a negative star, I would.

What in the name of cheez-its were they thinking? You have to be trying to make a movie this bad. But the fact that some people like this movie is interesting to say the least. In this garbage, an atheist guy comes back to his old town and tries to "ruin" Christmas for his old high school rival . His plan? Take down the nativity scene in front of the church for some reason. Quick question... why does he still have a grudge? It's been probably many years since they were in high school, just get over it dude. Throughout this movie, he continues to jump the shark. Heck, he even calls the police because a 6 year-old was singing in town. This caused me to laugh harder than ever before, I swear this dumb movie makes zero sense. Spoilers I guess ahead, but who even cares? In the end the town feels bad for him and line up at his house and burn it down. The End. Jk, they instead help him by giving him goods. Heh? Didn't see that comin'. And so, the huge bully is stopped because of love, cool, whatever. If you like this, whatever, it just makes me cringe.

In an America that has an increasingly diverse population, it is astounding that people do not GET IT. Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and atheists all pay taxes and are citizens. Seasons greetings is appropriate. Merry Christmas and religious displays paid for with my tax money, not OK. Unless the city also wants to fund Hanukkah, Quanza, Winter Solstice and Ramadan displays as well.

In five minutes of watching, the mayor quickly displays a stubborn streak that can be a disaster in a public official. He mayor completely ignores all his civic responsibilities to serve his private believes. Being set in Alaska, I guess this explains Sarah Palin.

The title for this film is somewhat clever from the plot, but otherwise, "Christmas with a Capital C" has very little original. With Christmas movies being made every year, originality in the plot is quite important. Some of the acting is good while most of it isn't.

The story has some well-worn small plots. One is about a school days feud and later reconciliation. Another is about a modern battle of secularism with religion. Here, it's over the display of a traditional Christmas scene on public property, because it is connected to religion. There's a third smaller plot about two young teens - a boy and a girl, competing and discovering mutual attraction for one another.

But with all of this, the story just isn't very interesting. The screenplay is weak and choppy. The actions of the townsfolk seem forced or contrived. The character of Mitch Bright is stiff and strange in the smugness that Daniel Baldwin gives it. On the other hand, the Greg Reed role by Brad Stine is over the top goofy in his staged belligerence. And, the teens aren't at all convincing.

Ted McGinley as Dan Reed and Nancy Stafford as his wife, Kristen, are the only roles done well and that seem like real people. The film was shot entirely in Seward, Alaska. For the scenic shots, the movie is worth five stars.

This movie was done really well. I loved the message about taking Christ out of Christmas. I was equally pleased with the presentation of the Bible. There were only 2 parts in this movie that I think could have been written more accurately to portray Christianity. The first situation was at the beginning when the family was talking about the book that they were reading (vampires falling in love) which is easy to see as supporting the Twilight series. This to me is distasteful and didn't need to be in there. Any other thing could have been discussed between mother and daughter instead of promoting Twilight. If you truly love God, why would you want to put this demonic stuff in a Christian show? The second situation I wish was rewritten was the part when the dad was talking with the son about his "girl" friend. The father asks his son if she's cute. He responds with a yes. Then the dad (without knowing anything about the girl) comes back with, "That's my son!" This portrays to all boys that you should look for a good-looking girl and to all girls that acquiring physical beauty is important if you want to find a guy. What does it say in the Bible about beauty? Beauty is deceitful, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. If these 2 scenes were taken out of this movie, I would have rated it probably a 9. I am just tired of seeing weak Christianity portrayed on television. Now, Courageous is not a weak Christian film and I would give that a 10!