Put another log on the fire, another gift on the tree, it's time to rejoice wearing a reindeer onesie, whilst sipping a seasonal snowball. Do all this while we watch the next installment in our festive film run down. Which tonight is;
A Christmas Tree Miracle
The problem with the lead up to Christmas, when it comes to films at least, is the plethora of satellite channels pumping out their festive film fodder, hour after hour. Mostly "made for TV" movies, which really shouldn't have been made at all. With the mini synopsis you get whilst flicking through the channels, it is very difficult to determine what the film will be like. More often than not they will be American, extolling the virtues of Santa (usually dropping the "T"), surrounded by elves with candy canes and North Pole nonsense.
We try to avoid those.
Otherwise it is the formulaic films, where something bad happens, because someone did something bad to someone else and the moralistic tale unwinds, only to be fixed by some Christmas magic. Think A Christmas Carol without story, character or sentiment and you'll be close. So, all that being said it is a fairly hit or miss affair recording movies from the TV, but what about tonight's film; A Christmas Tree Miracle. It certainly sounds formulaic and winsome, but is that in a good or bad way?
To cut to the chase, it was a gem of a film. A real find amongst the potential dross. It doesn't have big name actors in it, there's no elaborate sets, no there's no big budget, but yet it has that key ingredient, certainly for a Christmas film; a really decent story. Yes, it is a moralistic tale of how the simplistic approach to life can make all the difference at Christmas, but it's a good moralistic tale. Anyway, enough procrastination let us have a synopsis.
The George family has a great life. The father; David George has a fantastic job and the children go to the best schools. Money is plentiful and life is luxurious. Immediately this tells us that this family is heading for a fall. Indeed, when David loses his job things start to spiral out of control and all just before Christmas. Days without work, turns to weeks and then months and eventually they have to sell their house and end up living in a motel. Then, one day, they meet a kindly Christmas tree farmer who takes them into his home and shows them the true meaning of Christmas.
In a nutshell, that is what happens, however there are many more layers to this story which accumulate as you go through. There are the standard Christmas acts of kindness that then see payback later on. There is also the bad influences, the greed and desire to want more, which obviously need to be overcome. All of these little things are tied in so very nicely with the way this story unfolds. It is a truly heart-warming film. One element that makes it special is the youngest daughter of the family; 6 year old Nina, narrates some of the story and you can tell that her innocent involvement is a key element to that feelgood festive feeling that is so very obvious in this brilliant little story.
There's no need to spin around the cast, they are all unknowns - but they play out their parts very well. Of note though is Terry Kiser who plays Henry Banks the eccentric Christmas tree farmer, whose business model of giving away Christmas trees seems a little askew, but proffers forward a true meaning of Christmas in this feelgood tale.
It is always tricky to extol the virtues of a film you have enjoyed without giving too much away, whilst still trying to sell the idea to those of you that decide to read this blog. All we can say is; A Christmas Tree Miracle is an old fashioned tale, set against the back drop of modernity, promoting heart-warming values, guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye and a smile to the face.
If you want to at least buy one Christmas film this year, then give this one a go, we're sure you will not be disappointed.
TNiFN Rating 95%
IMDB Link
Tuesday 24 November 2015
Tuesday 17 November 2015
The Christmas Candle - 17th November 2015
Hello again! Yes, it's been a few weeks, but things are very busy here, so no real time for films. However, this week we have the opportunity to settle down and watch a film and as it is only six more Tuesdays until Christmas, why not watch a Christmas movie?
Stop moaning! You love Christmas!
Anyway, tonight we are shutting out the cold, huddling under the blanket and watching;
The Christmas Candle
We have been neglecting our film duties recently, so to come back and straight into a Christmas film is a bit of a challenge. Luckily The Christmas Candle has stood up to the test. The one thing that it has going for it is the fact it is a British film and British Christmas films have been very sparse of late. Also it is a simple and traditional story, just what you want in an uncomplicated feelgood festive film.
Set in the 1890s, The Christmas Candle is centred on the small village of Gladbury, where a legend tells of Christmas miracles that occur every 25 years, when an angel appears and blesses a candle at the local chandlery. Whoever receives the candle, lights it and prays, will be bestowed with a Christmas miracle.
Stick with the fanciful plot, the whole point of these films is to bestow the warmth of the Christmas season on the viewer, so allow the magic of the story in, it'll be worth it.
The Haddingtons have run the chandlery for many years and it is currently in the hands of Edward Haddington, played absolutely superbly by ex Doctor Who; Sylvester McCoy. Unfortunately it looks like the run of Haddingtons making candles in Gladbury will stop, as the Haddington's son is making his living running an electric light company in London. So the candles are out and the electric light is in. That is one thread of the plot to follow.
The main attention of the film is upon the Reverend David Richmond (Hans Matheson), an up and coming vicar, renowned for his inspirational sermons, who is invited to Gladbury to become the local vicar. He accepts the invitation, but soon discovers the legend of the Christmas candle and is aghast that the locals hang their hopes upon such a ridiculous notion. He wants to turn the village around and use his style to promote a more traditional and religious ideal, rather than rely on false hopes.
There is quite a lot more to the story than this brief synopsis, but to say too much will perhaps tarnish some of that Christmas sparkle that you should get from watching this heartwarming tale. Hans Matheson is particularly well cast as the fresh faced vicar, keen to make the wishes of his parish come true, without having to rely on Christmas candle miracles. Samantha Barks is also well cast as Emily Barstow, a love interest for our young vicar, who clearly cannot resist her beautiful dimples. Other notable luminaries in this quaint story are Barbara Flynn and John Hannah who add some class to the cast.
Rounding off the cast is an unusual, but inspired piece of casting - if only for her singing voice. The Christmas Candle provides a vehicle for Susan Boyle's first outing as an actor. Judging by her acting prowess, it may well be her last! Wooden is not the word. At least it provided some moments of levity, albeit ones that were not in the story. She was in fine voice for the singing though, to be fair to her and all joking aside, it was good to see her give acting a go.
As a Christmas film it ticks all the boxes and more. It is heartwarming, it is traditional. It isn't overtly religious, but does promote the real Christmas values, from the real Christmas story. There's no Santa Claus or Father Christmas, just traditional Victorian Christmas themes, one could almost say Dickensian. All of which are plus points.
Definitely a winning combination that was enjoyed by all of us here. Add it to your list of Christmas films to watch!
TNiFN Rating 80%
IMDB Link
Stop moaning! You love Christmas!
Anyway, tonight we are shutting out the cold, huddling under the blanket and watching;
The Christmas Candle
We have been neglecting our film duties recently, so to come back and straight into a Christmas film is a bit of a challenge. Luckily The Christmas Candle has stood up to the test. The one thing that it has going for it is the fact it is a British film and British Christmas films have been very sparse of late. Also it is a simple and traditional story, just what you want in an uncomplicated feelgood festive film.
Set in the 1890s, The Christmas Candle is centred on the small village of Gladbury, where a legend tells of Christmas miracles that occur every 25 years, when an angel appears and blesses a candle at the local chandlery. Whoever receives the candle, lights it and prays, will be bestowed with a Christmas miracle.
Stick with the fanciful plot, the whole point of these films is to bestow the warmth of the Christmas season on the viewer, so allow the magic of the story in, it'll be worth it.
The Haddingtons have run the chandlery for many years and it is currently in the hands of Edward Haddington, played absolutely superbly by ex Doctor Who; Sylvester McCoy. Unfortunately it looks like the run of Haddingtons making candles in Gladbury will stop, as the Haddington's son is making his living running an electric light company in London. So the candles are out and the electric light is in. That is one thread of the plot to follow.
The main attention of the film is upon the Reverend David Richmond (Hans Matheson), an up and coming vicar, renowned for his inspirational sermons, who is invited to Gladbury to become the local vicar. He accepts the invitation, but soon discovers the legend of the Christmas candle and is aghast that the locals hang their hopes upon such a ridiculous notion. He wants to turn the village around and use his style to promote a more traditional and religious ideal, rather than rely on false hopes.
There is quite a lot more to the story than this brief synopsis, but to say too much will perhaps tarnish some of that Christmas sparkle that you should get from watching this heartwarming tale. Hans Matheson is particularly well cast as the fresh faced vicar, keen to make the wishes of his parish come true, without having to rely on Christmas candle miracles. Samantha Barks is also well cast as Emily Barstow, a love interest for our young vicar, who clearly cannot resist her beautiful dimples. Other notable luminaries in this quaint story are Barbara Flynn and John Hannah who add some class to the cast.
Rounding off the cast is an unusual, but inspired piece of casting - if only for her singing voice. The Christmas Candle provides a vehicle for Susan Boyle's first outing as an actor. Judging by her acting prowess, it may well be her last! Wooden is not the word. At least it provided some moments of levity, albeit ones that were not in the story. She was in fine voice for the singing though, to be fair to her and all joking aside, it was good to see her give acting a go.
As a Christmas film it ticks all the boxes and more. It is heartwarming, it is traditional. It isn't overtly religious, but does promote the real Christmas values, from the real Christmas story. There's no Santa Claus or Father Christmas, just traditional Victorian Christmas themes, one could almost say Dickensian. All of which are plus points.
Definitely a winning combination that was enjoyed by all of us here. Add it to your list of Christmas films to watch!
TNiFN Rating 80%
IMDB Link
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