MovieChat Forums > The Family Holiday (2007) Discussion > Not very good

Not very good

posted 16 years ago by Sorcerersbroom
5 replies | jump to latest

I like adding to my Christmas movie collection so I bought this DVD last week. There is a very good reason that this went direct to video. And I will say that I usually like all the corny made for tv movies that come out every Christmas so my standards aren't very high in this category.

The premise of the story is good, but the movie just hurries you along with too many subplots. It is all tied up into a happy ending in an equally hurried way and I didn't care by the end of it. I'll be leaving this on the share library at work for the next unsuspecting person.

Younger children may relate to this film because of the kids and dog (who serves no other purpose than to be cute as far as I could tell). But I'm sure even the children would be more entertained by one of the old classics instead. I don't have any Grandchildren yet so I couldn't gauge a reaction from a younger viewer.

I judge movies on the basis of being able to watch them over and over again. This movie definitely does not fall into that category for me.

If any of you see it, please share your thoughts.

[–] imeviltoad 16 years ago

I agree that it's not the best holiday movie, but I've still seen worse. I was clicking through the channels and stopped when I saw Dave Coulier, missing the first 20 minutes or so of the movie.

The production value is low - they definitely didn't break the bank making it, but it's worth watching once. The whole time I was watching it, I kept thinking I'd love it if I were a kid, but the subject matter was about family melting a man's greed; that's not as interesting to a kid as helping Santa at the North Pole.

If you have kids, it's a safe movie to watch with them. If you don't have kids, watch it if it's convenient, but don't rush out to buy the dvd - even though it's nice to see Dave again.

[–] jmatrixrenegade 16 years ago

I saw this movie on Lifetime yesterday (12/22, so it's timely) and agree it isn't a great movie. For instance, in the period of an influx of Xmas movies on channels like Lifetime and Hallmark, it is at best middle range. A movie with Carla Giugno (also about a couple younger children, boy and girl, in need of a family [mom in jail]) was on, and it was much better.

OTOH, there are other more lame films. This isn't a movie you want to see over and over again, sure. Honestly, one didn't expect that from the least known of the three guys from "Full House" anyway. It was cute enough though, had a few touching scenes, and the girl in particular hit home for me. The little girl was pretty much true in my eyes and made the movie worthwhile. As to how the movie tied up quickly at the end, sure. The twist was cute though imho.

I didn't expect too much so I guess it was a pretty decent watch for me. Sure, I wouldn't want to pay $10, but a rental? Maybe.

[–] McDanielClanof4 16 years ago

I agree, the movie wasn't the best but I didn't expect it to be. I mainly watched it because I was positive it was filmed in Spokane, Washington (and it was) where I use to live. The subtle showing of Spokane landmarks are what caught my attention. One really has to know this area without any dialogue stating otherwise, even though Doc mentions the city once.

Anyhow, it was a slight departure from what Dave Coulier usually does.

And yes, the production company didn't break the bank when it came to spending on the set, etc.

But it made the time pass and my boys watched it only because their Mom was screaming (too often) hey this takes place in Spokane.

[–] lakealice 16 years ago

Doc Holliday was funny and the kids were cute. The nanny was ok, but the woman who came to stay with them was just awful--I couldn't stand to watch her--some kind of strange facelift. Sorry if I'm being insulting to her, but this is a movie on national tv, and she didn't have to be in all those closeups.Something like this ruins an otherwise acceptable movie.

[–] KAnnD86 15 years ago

Agreed. I was going to say the same thing. Not very good.

Tomorrow's just your future yesterday!