THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – HUMBOLDT PARK

 

This seasonal drama is about the Puerto Rican Rodriguez family living in the area of Humboldt Park in west Chicago who face what may well be their last Christmas together.

The Rodriguez family is headed by jovial bodega owner Edy (Alfred Molina) whose recent secretive behaviour has convinced his hot-tempered wife Anna (Elizabeth Peña) that he is having an affair which prompts her to unceremoniously announce at the family dinner table that she wants a divorce.

This sets the tone for the whole film which goes on to reveal all the flaws and weaknesses in the lives of everyone around the table.

Freddy Rodríguez, Luis Guzmán, Jay Hernandez, John Leguizamo, Debra Messing, Vanessa Ferlito and Melonie Diaz make up the very able supporting cast in this enjoyable Christmas offering.

VENTURA HOLIDAY

 

A Christmas cruise in the Caribbean

What a dream for the Christmas season

It’s a dream holiday for anyone

And costs thousands of pounds for a reason

Among other things what you would expect

When venturing on the ocean waves

Is to be in company of likeminded people

Who comprehend how they should behave

You book early to avoid disappointment

And the chance to choose where to stay

Settle the amount in plenty of time

Then in December you’re on your way

But then to ensure a full compliment

Those greedy so and so’s at P& O

Heavily discount the remaining cabins

To all and sundry, happy Christmas ho ho ho

From every city, village and town

From Great Yarmouth to Merseyside

From John O’Groats to Lands End

And from Fishguard to Tyneside

They come in search of a bargain

And a cut price berth on a luxury cruise

The uncouth the loutish and the crude

They who measure fun in volumes of booze

And so begins the Chav cruise from hell

Not hell for the Chavs themselves sadly

But for the poor souls who paid their way

Chavs know no other way to behave but badly

For alcohol consumption they know no limit

This is apparent for every poor soul to see

Drunken food fights soon breakout

Some even set fire to the Christmas tree

What a sad indictment on our society

The way the Chavs behave abroad

It’s a shame that international law

Won’t let us throw the bastards overboard

CHRISTMAS SHOCKING

 

Well-worn festive tunes

Blare out

Hapless faces

Stare out

Faces strained

Bemused, Confused

Lists gripped tight

Pens ticking or deleting

Then onward

Loaded trolleys

Wildly steering

Zig zagging

Aisle to aisle

Every item

Must be had

Gin for her

Beer for dad

Chocs and cakes

Chops and steaks

Turkey, stuffing

Nuts and fruit

Frozen this

Prepacked that

Pop and juice

Something’s loose

Everything ticked

On the tight gripped list

Nothing missed

Merry Christmas wished

Hundreds of pounds

Of Christmas bought

The festivities can begin

Relax in the knowledge

The shops will only be shut

For twenty-four hours

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – A CHESTNUT FAMILY CHRISTMAS (2021)

 

Talented pastry Chef Nina Chestnut (Meagan Holder) works as a live-in Chef for a wealthy family although her family believe she is a successful lawyer.

When her employer’s family go away for Christmas to a resort, Nina looks forward to spending a relaxed Christmas in the luxurious house.

However, during a phone conversation with her brother she accidentally commits to hosting her ambitious brothers Kyle and Jayson (Jaime M. Callica and (Klarc Jerome Wilson) and her niece Rogue (Kalista Wilson) for the holidays, because she had told them that she was the wealthy homeowner in order to impress them.

Desperate to impress her siblings, Nina enlists the help of her best friend Malcolm Butler (Brad James) to keep up her ruse, as she has told her brothers that they are engaged.

Everything goes relatively well until her employers return to the house early and her secrets are revealed, but then so are the rest of the family. 

So, with everyone's secrets exposed and the web of lies unravelled the only unresolved issue was the unrealized relationship between Nina and Malcolm.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983)

 

It’s the 1940’s and Christmas is approaching and 9-year-old Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) wants only one thing for Christmas that year: a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun.

When he mentions it at the dinner table, his mother (Melinda Dillon) immediately reacts by saying that he'll put his eye out.

He does little better when he raises it with his father (Darren McGavin) or his teacher (Tedde Moore) but all the while he fantasizes about what it would be like to be “Red Ryder” and catch the bad guys.

When the big day arrives, he gets lots of present under the tree including a lovely gift from his aunt that his mother very much approves of but will the BB gun be among them?

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – PERFECT STRANGERS (2020)

 

Jen (Natalie Clark) travels to the Highlands to spend Christmas at the holiday home of the man in her life, unfortunately he is there with a wife and child that she didn’t know existed.

Meanwhile Rob (Kenny Boyle) had made the same journey with the intention to propose to his girlfriend, but when he does, she not only turned him down but also said she wasn’t in love with him.

So, the two lovelorn strangers with contrasting personalities come together at the railway station while waiting for a train that isn’t going to come and no way to get home for Christmas, with the weather closing in.

With no public transport and unable to get a cab Jen steals her boyfriend’s sports car and they head south in a car totally unsuitable for winter driving in the Highlands.

They eventually get stuck and have to walk until they happen upon a Hotel.

Where they join a motley crowd, Inn keeper (Sanjeev Kohli), guests including (Sylvester McCoy, Clare Grogan, Frazer Hines and Caitlin Blackwood) all sadly lacking in Christmas spirit.

Both betrayed by love and down on their luck Jen and Rob manage to find solace in each other and they even manage to resurrect Christmas for themselves and their companions.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – A GODWINK CHRISTMAS: MIRACLE OF LOVE (2021)

 

Newly qualified nurse, Joy Fickett (Katherine Barrell) and wannabee writer Eric Fellman (Alberto Frezza) are both at a crossroads in their lives as Christmas approaches so they both attend Community Cares seminars in their respective hometowns, Joy in Columbus, Eric in Minneapolis.

Liking what they heard they both apply for, and are accepted for, a two-week fellowship for Community Cares, Advent in Oshkosh, Joy to work in the community health clinic, and Eric writing for the Oshkosh program as well as helping a family in need, get a home for Christmas.

As Joy and Eric work together on the program, they get a better view of what they want from life for the future while falling in love with each other.