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Addicted2DVD's 25 Days of Christmas Marathon: 2010
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorAddicted2DVD
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Laverne & Shirley: O Come All Ye Bums
Laverne (Penny Marshal) and Shirley (Cindy Williams) raise money to save the annual Pizza Bowl Christmas Dinner for the less fortunate.

My Thoughts:
I watched this episode from a Best of DVD called Christmas Treats... it has a Christmas episode of 9 different series.

I always remembered this to be a good show... but not quite as good as Happy Days... which it spun off of. But I must say... I enjoyed this one just as much as the Happy Days episode I watched. This episode has a few good laughs in it. Lenny and Squiggy providing most the laughs. And the story is actually about Christmas this time... it isn't just the background. Which is always a plus.

My Rating: 4/5
Pete
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With 10 days left in my marathon... I am now up to...

Movies: 15
Specials: 2
TV Eps.: 9
Shorts: 1

Not sure if I will get to anything more today or not.
Pete
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorLJG
Registered: March 14, 2007
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Just finished watching Christmas in Boston, an ABC Family movie about 2 pen pals who have been writing each other since they were children. Around Christmas time, they get an opportunity to meet each other for the first time; problem is, they each had sent their best friends' picture as themselves. As most people realize by now, this presents a problem and antics ensue.

Cute movie, I'd give it a 3/5. Kind of a sappy love story at Christmas which I was in the mood for. The one thing I didn't like, was the female character's job was affected by the whole thing but yet, the movie never resolves that and she never has a reaction to it either...it just happens and it's a pretty major work issue.  But, it's a made for tv movie and one of those ABC Family ones at that, so I guess that should be expected.  I wouldn't go out of my way to watch this again, but it was okay.
Lori
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorAddicted2DVD
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NCIS: False Witness
A Naval petty officer and sole witness in an upcoming murder trial disappears


My Thoughts:
This is the episode that aired this past Tuesday. It is a good story... I definitely enjoyed it... but unfortunately the whole Christmas aspect of the episode is nothing more then backdrop. Though I did get a kick out of what DiNozzo did in this episode.

My Rating: 4/5
Pete
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorDanae Cassandra
Registered: Apr 11, 2004
Registered: May 26, 2007
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Title: Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Year: 2001
Rating:  NR
Director:  Bart Perry
Stars:  Ossie Davis, Allie Sheridan, Jewel, Michael Crawford, Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Overview:  The Ghosts of Christmas Eve, is a timeless holiday story of a young runaway who has broken into an old movie palace, looking for shelter on a snow filled Christmas Eve. Closed for decades, the building is filled with countless discarded artifacts from the past. There she is discovered by the old caretaker who uses the ghosts and spirits that inhabit this long abandoned world to turn her life around. This enchanting tale featuring Ossie Davis, singer/songwriter Jewel, and Broadway superstar Michael Crawford is highlighted by the performances of Christmas favorites as well as Trans-Siberian Orchestra's own unique arrangements of holiday classics.

My Thoughts:  I picked this up last year, and my opinion from then still stands - man do they make fabulous music!  This is some of the best Christmas music to be had.  Sure, the connecting story is a bit hokey, but the music is so darn good as to make up for it in every way. 

My Rating:  4/5 (can these guys make better music?)

-------------

Count:
Movies: 5
Short Films: 10
TV specials: 3
Music & Ballet: 2
TV episodes: 0
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
-- Thorin Oakenshield
 Last edited: by Danae Cassandra
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorAddicted2DVD
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Title: A Christmas Story: 20th Anniversary: Two-Disc Special Ed.
Year: 1983
Director: Bob Clark
Rating: PG
Length: 93 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1, Pan & Scan 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono, French: Dolby Digital: Mono, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Melinda Dillon
Darren McGavin
Peter Billingsley
Ian Petrella
Scott Schwartz
R. D. Robb

Plot:
The Christmas spirit isn't served up with more observant hilarity than in this beloved adaptation of Jean Shepherd's holiday story. In 1940s Indiana, nine-year-old Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) dreams of his ideal Christmas gift: a genuine Red Ryder 200-shot Carbine Action Air Rifle. But when gruff dad (Darren McGavin) and doting mom (Melinda Dillion) regularly respond with "You'll shoot your eye out!" Ralphie mounts a full-scale Santa-begging campaign. He encounters a slew of calamities from snowsuit paralysis to the dreaded tongue-on-a-frozen-flagpole gambit. We triple-dog-dare you to unwrap a more welcome Yuletide classic!

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Featurettes
Interactive Games
Interviews
Closed Captioned
Radio Readings by Jean Sheppard

My Thoughts:
While I have seen small bits and pieces of this movie on cable over the years... this is actually the first time I got to see this one from start to finish. It is a fun movie... I definitely enjoyed it. Though from all the years of hearing about this one... I think I was expecting more from it... and felt it didn't live up to it's reputation for me. But it definitely had some decent laughs in it. OMG... that terrible gift from his aunt... the bunny pajamas... and the fact that his mother liked it so much was scary as well. I do think the story was over exaggerated... but I believe that was on purpose. After all it was supposed to be a guy telling the story about a childhood Christmas.

My Rating: 4/5
Pete
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Howdy Doody's Christmas
Howdy Doody, Buffalo Bob and Clarabell the Clown prepare for Santa's arrival and when Santa Claus becomes a no show, the gang takes a Flash Gordon rocketship to the North Pole.


My Thoughts:
This is more my eldest brother's time then mine. But I have seen some episodes in reruns when I was a kid. But to be completely honest I really remember extremely little about it going into this one. While I see this as really nice for nostalgic reasons... it really is geared 100% to the younger kids. Since I remembered next to nothing about this show to get anything from the nostalgia of it... I really had a hard time getting through this one... even though it is only an 8 minute clip. The one fun memory from this show that I had was Clarabell the Clown. So it was at least fun watching him again.

My Rating: 2.5/5
Pete
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorAddicted2DVD
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Title: The Santa Clause
Year: 1994
Director: John Pasquin
Rating: PG
Length: 97 Min.
Video: Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Tim Allen
Judge Reinhold
Wendy Crewson
Eric Lloyd
David Krumholtz
Larry Brandenburg

Plot:
Superstar comedian and Golden Globe winner* Tim Allen shines bright in Disney's magical, larger-than-life hit comedy that People Magazine dubbed "the most playfully amusing, inventive cinematic...fable in several decades

Rooftop clatter leads to merry adventure after Santa falls down on the job, and Scott Calvin's son Charlie convinces dad to try on the red suit. Eight reindeer pilot the pair to the North Pole, where they soon discover that by donning the famous suit, dad must now accept all of Santa's duties! Over the next year, a surprised, not-so-jolly Scott grows a Santa-sized tummy and beard, causing friends, family and business associates to wonder if he's lost his marbles. All except Charlie, who thinks his dad is perfectly suited for his new job!

Each well-kept secret of the North Pole is revealed in Disney's hilarious and heartwarming tale that's "destined to become a holiday classic" (New York Post). Now you can unwrap all the magic of the holidays any day of the year!

*Best Actor ("Home Improvement")

Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
This is one I always make sure I watch every year.  I have liked Tim Allen since I first saw him on Home Improvement. So when this was first being released I couldn't wait to see how they did it. I found that it is just a fun movie and for some reason always brings out the Christmas Spirit in me.

My Rating: 4/5
Pete
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Annie Oakley: Santa Wears a Gun
A elderly sharpshooter, Snowy Kringle, arrives in town for show where he will demonstrate his skill with a flintlock rifle and cap-and-ball pistol. The man who is charged with delivering the Army payroll warns the Deputy Sheriff that the old sharpshooter is really a crook and is probably after the payroll. When the express office is robbed, all the evidence points to the old man, but Annie suspects he's been framed for the crime.

My Thoughts:
This is the first time I ever seen any episode of Annie Oakley. But it definitely looks like a show I would enjoy. As I have said many times before I always liked a strong woman... and a female sharpshooter in the old west is definitely that. I enjoyed this show... but for a holiday episode like this it is lacking a little. But taking in account that they are limited with what they can do in a story set in this time period... it is good.

My Rating: 3.5/5
Pete
 Last edited: by Addicted2DVD
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorAddicted2DVD
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The Christmas Carol
This 1949 version of a Christmas Carol with Vincent Price aired live on US television at Christmas. It's still a magic!

My Thoughts:
I wasn't sure what to expect when I decided to watch this one. My main reason to wanting to watch it is that I am such a big fan of Vincent Price. But when I went to look up a little background info on it before watching it I learned it was only 25min long Christmas special that aired (apparently) live back in 1949. For some reason this concerned me. But it shouldn't have... as I found this to just be a fun and simple telling of the classic story. It has some low production value as well. Even with the low production value I found I liked how they did the ghosts. Which has always been important to me for any version of this story. The only thing Vincent Price does for this show is hosts and narrates it. But it is enough as it does go to him reading the book for short periods through-out the entire story. They did change a couple things that I am not sure how I feel about... like Scrooge's initial reaction to Marley's ghost. I am used to seeing him not believe it and completely ignore the warning...  but in this one his initial reaction is belief and fear. Also I am used to all three ghosts visiting him within the one night... but in this one it is 1 ghost per night for 3 nights. I am surprised to say this about a TV Special as old as this one... but this is one I will be looking forward to very much... every year! If you are a fan of this story... and are able to find this TV Special (I got mine in the Holiday Family Collection from Mill Creek Entertainment)... I definitely recommend checking it out!

My Rating: 4.5/5
Pete
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Date with the Angels
This series revolves around newly married Vicki Angel (Betty White) and her insurance salesman husband Gus Angel (Bill Williams) who get themselves and their friends and neighbors into various comedic situations. The series ran for 33 episodes from 1957-1958.

Episode Watched:
Santa's Helper
Vickie tries to find a suitable outlet for Mr. Finley, Sr.'s energy, so she enlists the help of her friend Dolly to get him a job in the local department store as one of Santa's helpers. Her plan backfires when Mr. Finley - as Santa - starts to give out free toys to all the children who meet with him, with the skinflint toy department manager on the hook for the unwitting expenditure.

My Thoughts:
This is a series I never even heard of before. It is a show I found in the  Holiday Family Collection set that I recently got. As soon as I read that it was a series that starred Betty White I wanted to check it out. The first thing I would say is... wow... Betty White was quite the looker in her day. The friend Dolly is played by Nancy Kulp of Beverly Hillbillies fame. Another familiar face is Richard Deacon (The Dick Van Dyke Show)... as well as a name you may not recognize... but you would the face. Burt Mustin... who is an old time character actor. The show itself... while entertaining... didn't impress me too much going by this single episode. Nothing more then an average sitcom.

My Rating: 3/5
Pete
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The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
Neighbor Blanche Morton frequently joins Gracie in escapades which annoy accountant hubby Harry and provide George with an opportunity to offer a humorous soliloquy.

Episode Watched:
Gracie's Relatives
A holiday episode in which Gracie's relatives come to visit, much to George's dismay. Watch for Gracie's hilarious version of "A Christmas Carol".


My Thoughts:
This is a classic sitcom I always enjoyed. I only ever seen a small handful of episodes. And unfortunately they have always been on cheap DVDs where the quality had much to be desired. But I guess that is to be expected with such an old show. While George Burns is always a funny man... Gracie can come out with some stuff you can't help but to laugh out loud at.

My Rating: 4/5
Pete
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorDanae Cassandra
Registered: Apr 11, 2004
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Title: A Kilted Christmas With Coyote Run
Year: 2009
Rating: NR
Director: David Doersch
Stars: David Doersch, Catherine Hauke, Michael Kazalski, Douglas Bischoff

Overview:  A concert of Christmas carols and songs from the band Coyote Run.

My Thoughts:  A wonderful set of carols and songs, filmed live.  I love Coyote Run - we saw them live earlier in the year, and I picked this up at their vendor booth.  I've been waiting to watch it, and talking a bit about them in the music thread put me in the mood for this yesterday.  A bit low on the production values, but I wasn't expecting great filming technique, these guys aren't The Rolling Stones, they play Celtic festivals and Ren faires.  Fabulous music more than makes up for anything, though. 

My Rating:  4/5 (love their music)

-------------

Count:
Movies: 5
Short Films: 10
TV specials: 3
Music & Ballet: 3
TV episodes: 0
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
-- Thorin Oakenshield
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorDanae Cassandra
Registered: Apr 11, 2004
Registered: May 26, 2007
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Title: The Nutcracker
Year: 1968
Rating: NR
Director:
Stars: Rudolf Nureyev, Merle Park

Overview:  This historic performance from 1968 captures Rudolf Nureyev at the peak of his career. Nureyev's legendary performance makes this the definitive Nutcracker on video. Watch, and enjoy being transported with Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairies and the Nutcracker Prince into a world of fantasy!

My Thoughts:  I picked this up a bit over a week ago, having ordered it solely because of the presence of the fabulous Rudolf Nureyev.  Who does not disappoint in the least!  I may I like this version better than the other one I've seen (Mikail Baryshnikov's from 1977), but perhaps it's only because I just watched this one and I like them equally, for I still think the Baryshnikov is very good.  Nureyev's version, which he choreographed, is more innovative and less like the traditional version of the ballet - multiple ensemble pieces, many more dancers, and has a longer pa de deux between Nureyev's Prince & Merle Park's Clara alternating with solo dancing from both.  If you love ballet, or even just like it, I highly recommend this one.  Absolutely wonderful.

(I have a third version as well, in addition to the Nureyev & Baryshnikov ones, from 1995 danced by the Ballet of the Slovak National Theatre ... perhaps I'll try to get it in before the season ends...)

My Rating:  4.5/5 (spectacular)

-------------

Count:
Movies: 5
Short Films: 10
TV specials: 3
Music & Ballet: 4
TV episodes: 0
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
-- Thorin Oakenshield
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorAddicted2DVD
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Title: The Santa Clause 2
Year: 2002
Director: Michael Lembeck
Rating: G
Length: 104 Min.
Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Tim Allen
Elizabeth Mitchell
David Krumholtz
Eric Lloyd
Judge Reinhold
Wendy Crewson

Plot:
Walt Disney Pictures presents an all-new comedy adventure overflowing with holiday cheer. Tim Allen reappears in 'Santa Clause 2' , the hilarious sequel to everybody's holiday favorite. Scott Calvin (Allen) has been Santa for the past 8 years, and his loyal elves consider him the best one ever. But Scott's got problems. His son Charlie landed on this year's "naughty" list, and if Scott doesn't marry before Christmas Eve - one very, very short month away - he'll stop being Santa forever. Embracing Chrsitmas and the magic of family with heart, warmth, fun and charm, 'Santa Clause 2' is classic holiday entertainment everybody will enjoy again and again.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
Interactive Games
DVD-ROM Content
Closed Captioned
THX

My Thoughts:
This is a pretty good sequel. I enjoyed it quite a bit. But this one was not as good as the first one. I think the only real problem I have with it is the whole Toy Santa storyline. That part just didn't feel right to me, personally. Other then that I enjoyed every minute of it... and watch it every year. I did like the whole must find a wife storyline though.

My Rating: 4/5
Pete
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Title: The Nightmare Before Christmas: Special Edition
Year: 1993
Director: Henry Selick
Rating: PG
Length: 76 Min.
Video: Widescreen 1.66:1
Audio: English: DTS: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: Spanish

Stars:
Danny Elfman
Chris Sarandon
Catherine O'Hara
William Hickey
Glenn Shadix
Paul Reubens

Plot:
Enter an extraordinary world filled with magic and wonder. This Special Edition of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas celebrates the groundbreaking accomplishments of the first full-length stop-motion animated feature with Bonus Materials never before available on DVD!

Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King Of Halloween Town, decides to spread Christmas joy to the world. But his well-meaning mission unwittingly puts Santa Claus in jeopardy and creates a nightmare for all good little boys and girls everywhere! Who will save Christmas?

The visionary genius of Tim Burton (Sleepy Hollow) and the ten original songs by Danny Elfman (Oingo Boingo) make this critically acclaimed movie milestone a uniquely engaging fantasy for the whole family!

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Bonus Trailers
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
Gallery
Closed Captioned
Tim Burton's shorts "Vincent" and "Frankenweenie"

My Thoughts:
OK... while I liked the storyline on this one quite a bit... there really is way too much music in it for my taste. So much so that it took away quite a bit of the enjoyment from me. But I still liked the story... and liked the way it was animated and such. So I pretty much have mixed feelings on this one. I would have enjoyed it a lot more if it wasn't for all the music.

My Rating: 2.5/5
Pete
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