3x3 Reviews of Christmas Stories on Netflix: A Movie, A Documentary and A Web-TV Series

The holiday break afforded me more time to watch and binge on Netflix of movies, mini-series and documentaries that are listed in my watch list for over a year now. Here is my review of Ghost of Girlfriends Past (movie), Home for Christmas Season 2 (web-TV series) and Holiday Movies That Made Us: The Night Before Christmas (documentary).

Holiday Movies That Made Us : The Night Before Christmas (Frost and Volk-Weiss, Netflix 2020) - A family favorite, it was fascinating to know the behind the scenes and the back stories of Jack and Sally. They are the one true pairing. Next to It's A Wonderful Life, this dark fantasy movie will remain a must-see movie at Christmas time.

Ghost of Girlfriends Past (Waters, Lucas and Moore, New Line Cinema 2009) - Why did I even bother streaming this movie?  I should have invested my time over one of the Hallmark Holiday movies in Netflix instead. All the talent of the good actors wasted in a movie that failed to put the magic and a new insight to a beloved Christmas novel.

Home for Christmas Season 2 (Sorensen, Netflix 2020) - Wonderful! Season 2 continues to show the complexities and the imperfections in families, relationships and one's personal journey to self worth. Johanne comes full circle with an ending that affirms how love conquers all, indeed!

So, there. You know which show to take time on. Have a restful holiday break!

Photo sources:

Ghost of Girlfriends Past- https://bhsblueprint.org/showcase/2015/02/04/ghosts-of-girlfriends-past-stereotypes-of-men-and-women/

Home for Christmas Season 2 - https://webbiesworld.com/each-and-every-details-regarding-home-for-christmas-season-2-is-illustrated-below/

Holiday Movies That Made Us - https://flixable.com/title/the-holiday-movies-that-made-us/

12 Days of Christmas Movie Review: The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas
Tim Burton, Writer 1993
Henry Selick, Director
Touchstone Pictures

Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King and Halloween celebrity had an attack of ennui. In his ruminations, he stumbled upon Christmas town. There he found joy and wonder in the cold winter snow. Bent on understanding this source of happiness, he brought in all the tidings and trimmings of Christmas in Halloween town. So enamored was he, that he even assumed the role of Santa Claus.

This animated movie is one of my favorites to watch with the kids at Christmas. They grew up watching Jack Skellington sing, dance and make himself look foolishly cute in Selick's amazing stop motion animation. We love the music and the soundtrack. Danny Elfman is an amazing musician and his baritone fits Jack Skellington's personality well.  Sally's character is the true hero though. She stands by Jack no matter what and made a great effort to save Santa Claus from the Boogey Man.

In the end, Jack realizes how things are and how they need to be left as they are. Happiness is everywhere. Jack found it after one big blunder. Going back to Halloween town to redeem himself by saving Santa Claus just in time, he got the girl and lived horrifically ever after.

Photo source: http://www.gstatic.com/tv/thumb/movieposters/15096/p15096_p_v7_aa.jpg