The holiday season is upon us. In the blink of an eye we’ll be unwrapping gifts around the Christmas tree (or Menorah). Before you know it the calendar will read January 2014. Sigh… time goes by way too quickly.
One of my favorite things about the holidays, aside from the music, great food, giving gifts and spending time with family and friends is watching holiday programming. Watching holiday movies is a “must” in my family.
If you are looking for holiday movies to add to your family’s holiday movie collection, or if you are a fan of Lifetime movies, you might want to consider picking up Lifetime Holiday 4-Film Collection available on DVD from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. This movie collection is great for your family to enjoy during the holidays as well as a great gift. I think this would make a wonderful hostess gift.
All four movies aired on Lifetime and are Lifetime® Original Movies. The collection includes; The Christmas Consultant, Holiday Spin, The March Sisters at Christmas and Holly’s Holiday. Perhaps you saw them when the aired on the Lifetime network?
The Christmas Consultant
David Hasselhoff (TV’s “Baywatch”) brings in the merry as a sought-after consultant hired by a workaholic mother to get her family through the holidays. When Christmas and family collide and the consultant takes over, they are in for a holiday season they’ll never forget.
To be honest with you I was concerned that this movie might be a bit silly or “wishy-washy”. For me, David Hasselhoff is more comical than serious. Every time I hear his name I feel like saying “Don’t hassle the Hoff”. 🙂 Hasselhoff WAS goofy in this film, but it actually worked. He’s silly but he’s also sincere and has a good heart in this film.
The movie, although silly at times, was also a bit sad and depressing, especially when viewers learn about Hasselhoff’s family life. The movie also addresses bullying, a young child having a hard time adjusting and a mom whose too stressed out at work to be there for her family.
This movie has a “ying and yang” aspect to it. It’s funny and silly at times and then deep and depressing other times. I kind of expected that. It’s not a real Lifetime movie it if doesn’t tugged at your heartstrings.
Holiday Spin
Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid) stars in a heartwarming story of a former dance champion and his estranged son. Watch as they overcome their differences and work together to prepare a dance routine for the Christmas Eve ballroom competition.
I want to know how Ralph Macchio doesn’t age!
I wouldn’t call this a holiday movie, per say. The dancers dance to holiday tunes, and they compete in a Christmas dance competition, but I wouldn’t fully label this a holiday movie. None the less it was entertaining. It does have some drama, angst and heartbreak, but in the end it’s a feel good movie.
The March Sisters at Christmas
Starring Julie Marie Berman (TV’s “General Hospital”), this contemporary take on the novel Little Women follows the legendary sisters as they fight to save their home and search for love during the holidays.
This film is similar to the classic Little Women, but with modern twist. All the characters are there – Jo, Beth, Amy, Teddy… – They even live in Orchard House.
I’m a huge fan of Little Women (Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes version). I was concerned that modernizing the classic story would ruin it. It actually wasn’t that bad. In fact it was kind of fun to find the similarities to the classic story and this “updated” version.
Holly’s Holiday
Claire Coffee (TV’s “Grimm”) plays an advertising executive who is strangely attracted to the handsome mannequin in the holiday window. After she is knocked unconscious by a falling icicle, he comes to life as the man of her dreams – until she learns that his personality is still plastic.
Out of all four movies this was my least favorite. It was a bit predictable. Plus hasn’t a living, breathing person fall in love with a mannequin been done before? I also didn’t care much for the characters in this movie. I couldn’t “connect” with them. I found Bo, the mannequin, to be my least favorite character.
Over all I enjoyed the DVD. I think watching it helped me to get into the Christmas spirit. It made me look forward to the holiday season.
The DVD retails for around $19.98 and it available where most movies are sold.
The run time is 360 minutes so it should keep you entertained for a long time.
Have you seen any of these films? If so, what did you think about it/them? Feel free to share your thoughts.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
Maria Iemma says
I love the classic movies and I think my mother who is also a big fan will love to have this as one of her Christmas presents.
ellen beck says
I havent seen any of these! I watch Its a Wonderful Life and Grinch and a few others but these are new!
Deb E says
These are also new to me. I love holiday movies and usually watch some on TBN since I don’t have cable or satellite TV. I’m easily entertained, lol, but most are real tear jerkers and make you thankful for something in your life. Thanks for the review.
Yona says
I’ve never heard about these movies, but we really do like Christmas films….even the really sappy ones.
M.Clark says
I have not seen any of these films, but I would probably watch them. The one that sounds most interesting to me is the one about the dance contest.
June S. says
(Lifetime Holiday 4-Film Collection) This is such a nice selection of DVD’s to have for the up coming Christmas holidays. Would like to have them all!