The Mistle-Tones

If you want to see a great movie track this down. It is a miracle that a film this great was made for television. For having a limited budget the director works wonders with camera movements and fancy editing. There is not one false note in this movie.

I know many people for some reason do not like Tori Spelling but she plays a mega frigid bitch here and she is great. The nastier her character gets the nicer Holy gets. (I HIGHLY DOUBT THEY USED TORI'S REAL SINGING VOICE)

The plot is not very complex which fine. This is just about a singing contest at Christmas time! The vocal arrangements are exciting and full of energy. For a movie with a very limited budget the director made the most with camera set-ups and locations. It shows there is true talent in front and behind the camera. There is 2 singing numbers that take place in a warehouse but the director used that environment to his advantage. The whole movie however is never boring. .

Now why there has not been a DVD release is shocking. The film almost sings "Repeated Viewing is a Must".

I hope in the future Tia Mowrey, Andy Gala, Jonathan Patrick Moore, Jason Rogel, and Megan Kathleen Duffy get cast in more projects. They made a great ensemble.

Tia is great in this. The story line is "cute". The music is wonderful. Would buy the soundtrack, if I could find it. The "relationship" between Holly and Nick is believable. They have great chemistry. And that works. It is a little funny, that there are so many people with costumes, and choreography, who want to sing at a mall on Christmas Eve. They just happened to have sequin clothes at home, waiting for a chance to sing somewhere? LOL The thumbs down part? Tori Spelling. The girl cannot act. And, it's obvious that SHE isn't actually singing. It would have been much better, with someone else in that part. If you can get past that, you will love the movie.

This film is awesome. It is also a miracle that this film is a well made musical that was made on a low budget. In fact this is a television movie but it does have a small but very devoted cult following that alert people when the film will air. The 2012 film was made for the "Disney Family Channel". I don't know who gave this film the green light but I hope they were promoted. As for the story

So what Holly is excited to audition for the Snow Belles, a Christmas-themed pop group founded by her late mother. However, lead Belles singer Marci denies Holly a chance to audition when she shows up late. Nevertheless, Holly takes to the stage and delivers a sensational audition and is upset when Marci passes her over in favor of Staci. Holly is depressed about being turned down, even after her sister suggests she start her own group.

Soon, though, Holly begins to see merit in the idea and decides to ask the manager of the local mall if she can perform at the local Christmas Eve celebration. The manager decides to hold auditions and a competition as a publicity stunt and agrees to let Holly's group into the show. Holly however doesn't have a group. She later recruits a group of her coworkers.

I don't want to say anything more but I will say "Watch This". Trust me of you love Christmas Music you start singing along!

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA.

In this film a very talented singer Holly (Tia Mowry-Hardrict) gets rejected when she auditions for "The Belles" which is a a Christmas Caroling group. What hurts her more was that her late mother started this group and now she can not be part of it. "The Belles" is now led by Tori Spelling who's campy performance works wonders!

Later on Holly's sister tells her to "Start He Own Group" and she does with her fellow co-workers. She now has started a rivalry and now "The Belles" have to compete with Holly's group "The Mistle- Tones" to see who will sing at the annual Christmas Eve concert! Trust me this film is great!

What is nice about this film is that it's a musical that when people break into song and dance it's because they are rehearsing or performing! There is no awkward transitions. What also helps is that this film has songs that you know. In a minor way the film makes the audience a cast member.

Another plus is that who ever produced the songs did a great job. Its modern and respectful spin on old "Christmas Standards"

My favorite moment of the film is the "Winter Wonderland" segment! However the entire film sparkles and shines like Beautiful Christmas Lights.

If you are looking for a family safe film then WATCH THIS TOGETHER. It is lots of fun. Tia Mowry has a very infectious spirit that makes this film very special! This film will be part of my annual Holiday movie watching! (If ABC FAMILY runs it again) If not I want a DVD release!

I am not lying when I say "This is one of my all time favorite films". This is the first film I had scene in years that I wanted to watch it all over again when it ended.

This was a film I just discovered. I hope if you are reading this review you will watch it. Trust me if you like "Christmas" and "Christmas Music" you will love this film.

Again I like a DVD release!

This is the 3rd consecutive year we've watched the Mistle-Tones. It just gets better. Out of all the movies, this is the one my young adult sons request (and they don't like musicals). The Christmas singing is all done by the cast and it is great- especially since that is not their specialty. Tia Mowry is just precious in the lead as Holly. The whole movie is just delightful with lots of humor. It is well done. It is creative. They got the small things right. For instance, how the group finds out Holly named the group "The Mistle-Tones". One of the group members comes back and says "you named us the Mistle-Tones terrible" Another says "it's not bad", another "I like it" and the original guy changes his mind and likes it too. Love the "Burning Love" number. Tori Spelling was excellent in the role- they all were.