christmas angel

 

the year: 2009

 

the genre: drama

 

 

the cast: Kari Hawker (Ashley Matthews); K.C. Clyde (Will Price); Bruce Davison (Nick Anderson)

 

 

the plot: Ashley has been on her own all her life and feels even more alone before Christmas as she searches fruitlessly for a job. But her neighbor, Nick, knows exactly what to do. He offers her a job, to be his assistant in the best work: helping others. There's one caveat: Ashley can't tell anyone that her new boss is a sort of Secret Santa, helping others anonymously. Through her new job, Ashley meets Will, a writer for a business magazine who uncovers what Ashley is doing, and more importantly, Nick's involvement. As Ashley and Nick help people in need, Ashley tries to protect Nick's secret, and her own heart, while Will must weigh the consequences of what he does.

 

 

listen for: "Nothing wrong with getting a jump start. Only comes once a year."

"So does hurricane season."

 

 

the christmas choir

 

the year: 2008

 

the genre: drama

 

 

the cast: Jason Gedrick (Peter Brockman); Tyrone Benskin (Bob); Michael Sarrazin (Henry Brockman); Marianne Farley (Marilyn); Rhea Perlman (Sister Agatha)

 

 

the plot: Nineteen days before Christmas, successful accountant Peter Brockman's life is turned upside down when his fiancée Jill dumps him because of his emotional detachment and his tendancy for being a workaholic. While sipping on soda at a lounge, he meet Bob, a blues pianist and singer, who is working for tips. The two talk about their love of music. When Bob invites Peter to his house, Peter is amazed to find Bob's house is a homeless shelter, and that the occupants have some musical talent.  Peter meets the caring, straight-talking nun Sister Agatha, who gives him some perspective and he decides to organize the men into a choir to raise some funds for the shelter.  Although the choir's musical abilities become better each day, Peter and the other singers go through their own personal trials.  They finally begin to trust in each other and share in the gift of music. 

 

 

don't miss: Sister Agatha. 

 

 

a grandpa for christmas

 

the year: 2007

 

the genre: drama

 

 

the cast: Ernest Borgnine (Bert O'Riley); Katherine Helmond (Roxie Famosa); Juliette Goglia (Becca O'Riley); Jamie Farr (Adam Johnson); Karl Sugerman (Richard Libertini)

 

 

the plot: Bert is an old-time movie-star singer/ hoofer, who's retired from showbiz and estranged from his daughter and 9-year-old granddaughter, Becca. Bert, about to sell his house and move into a retirement home, suddenly finds himself caring for Becca when her mom is hospitalized - and the bond between the two of them grows.

 

 

I love Ernest Borgnine as Bert in this sweet story of love and forgiveness.  His group of friends are a kick - especially Roxie & Adam.

 

 

you can watch the movie in parts starting here.

 

 

 

the wishing tree

 

the year: 2012

 

the genre: drama

 

 

the cast:

 

 

the plot: Professor Evan Farnsworth  is a widower who works tirelessly at a prestigious boarding school in Maine, dedicating all his time to helping his students believe in themselves. Accepting a job to teach the students left behind during Christmas vacation, including talented scholarship student Juliet, nerdy outcast Albert and privileged bad boy Drew, Farnsworth quickly faces a challenge when Drew gets into trouble. Upset his wealthy parents ditched him for a Paris skiing vacation, Drew takes his anger out on the neighboring town’s Wishing Tree, a bare tree decorated with handwritten notes containing the townspeople’s holiday wishes. A much loved tradition, it doubles as a fundraiser for needy families, depending on donations from eager wish-makers. Drew's misguided mother eventually threatens Farnsworth's job, but with the help of the students, Farnsworth discovers that anything is possible.

 

 

don't miss: Albert's secret hot cocoa recipe.

 

 

listen for: Juliet's solo of "There's a Place for Us".

 

 

I think the trailer is a bit misleading.  The romance takes a backseat to the plot of Farnsworth's interactions with the students - which is a much better storyline anyway.

 

the giant mechanical man

 

the year: 2012

 

the genre: romedy

 

 

the cast: Jenna Fischer (Janice); Chris Messina (Tim); Malin Akerman (Jill); Rich Sommer (Brian); Topher Grace (Doug); Lucy Punch (Pauline) 

 

 

the plot: Janice is out of work, living with her well-intentioned but overbearing sister Jill, and struggling to build a fulfilling life for herself. Tim is a street performer whose unique talents as a "living statue" don't exactly pay the bills.  When they both get a job at the local zoo, their connection begins to blossom.  Meantime, Jill pushes Janice to date the deluded, smarmy, self-help author, Doug Duncan.  Will Jill's meddling ways threaten to undermine Janice's first real shot at love?

 

 

 

extra bonus points: if you don't want to punch Doug after 30 seconds.

 

 

listen for: "I once had a wool sweater. It was really itchy. I almost wore it when I was flying to London in first class for a book signing. I'm an author."

 

 

 

don't miss: when Janice goes postal on the guy who pokes the monkeys. 

 

 

also listen for: “It only takes one person to make you feel special and valid and feel like you belong.”

 

 

the lucky one

the year: 2012

the genre: drama

the cast: Zac Efron (Logan); Taylor Schilling (Beth); Blyth Danner (Ellie); Riley Thomas Stewart (Ben); Jay Ferguson (Keith Clayton)

the plot: U.S. Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault returns from his third tour of duty in Iraq, with the one thing he credits with keeping him alive - a photograph he found of a woman he doesn't even know. Discovering her name is Beth and where she lives, he shows up at her door, and ends up taking a job at her family-run local kennel. Despite her initial mistrust and the complications in her life, a romance develops between them, giving Logan hope that Beth could be much more than his good luck charm.

listen for: "Start appreciating the memories you have and stop begrudging the ones you never got to make."

did you know: theaters on military installations were given an advanced showing of the film.

a shout out to: Blaine, Scott, Logan, and anyone else who has made it so I now view all Nicholas Sparks' movies skeptically.  My two thoughts after watching this: 1) could someone please get that girl a bobby pin so she could pin back her bangs?! and 2) let me get this straight: this guy can repair boat engines, play the piano, train dogs for agility courses, do dishes, good naturedly lose at chess to a kid, dance, single-handedly renovate a house, lift three 50 pound bags of dog food at a time without breaking a sweat, and is great with dogs AND kids?  Guess they've got their chick flick formula pegged.

disclaimer: there are a few make out scenes in this one.

the magic of ordinary days

the year: 2005

the genre: drama

the cast: Keri Russell (Livy Dunne); Skeet Ulrich (Ray Singleton); Mare Winningham (Martha)

the plot: After she becomes pregnant by a soldier departing for WWII, Livy Dunne, the wealthy, pampered daughter of a Denver minister, is forced to abandon her hopes of becoming an archeologist. To shield her from further scandal, Livy's father ships her off to a remote town and arranges her marriage to shy farmer Ray Singleton. 

don't miss: Livvy's friendship with two well-educated Japanese American women, Florence "Flory" and Rose Umahara, who are at a nearby internment camp.

listen for: "Moths rest with their wings spread. Butterflies with their wings together. And more often moths have protective colorings so they blend in. Butterflies are bold!"

did you know: the movie is based on a novel of the same name by Ann Howard Creel.

man on a ledge

the year: 2012

the genre: suspense

the cast: Sam Worthington (Nick Cassidy); Elizabeth Banks (Lydia Mercer); Ed Harris (David Englander); Jamie Bell (Joey Cassidy); Edward Burns (Jack Dougherty)

the plot: As a police psychologist works to talk down an ex-con who is threatening to jump from a Manhattan hotel rooftop, the biggest diamond heist ever committed is in motion...

don't miss: Jack Dougherty - I think he's my favorite character.

did you know: All of the wide shots of the actors on the ledge were real. Restraining cables were either hidden from camera view or edited out in post.

 

listen for: Yes. Mr. Walker. Room 2105, South Tower. Great view. We also have a larger unit available on the east side, I can offer you at the same price.
No, I think I'll stick with the view.

also listen for: First, cut the red wire.
Red wire? They're all red wires!
Babe, pick the reddest one.

extra bonus points: if you know how Nick stops Englander from getting away.