Jingle Bell Heist

2025 Netflix

Rated: Unrated

Length: 1 hr 36min

Christmas ~ Comedy ~ Romance

Starring: Olivia Holt, Connor Swindells, Lucy Punch and Peter Serafinowicz.

“Tis The Season To Give And Take.

FROM NETFLIX TUDUM:

Two down-on-their-luck hourly workers reluctantly form an alliance to rob one of London’s most illustrious department stores on Christmas Eve. As they hatch their plans, the pair start to realize there are sparks between them, and they’re not from the twinkly holiday lights around jolly London town. The Netflix original holiday film Jingle Bell Heist stars Olivia Holt (Heart Eyes) and Connor Swindells (Sex Education). The film was directed by Michael Fimognari (To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You), and co-written by Abby McDonald (Bridgerton) and Amy Reed (Diary of a Future President).

When Sophia Martin (Holt) moved to London from Philadelphia to care for her mother after a cancer diagnosis, she expected life across the pond to be a bit more affordable. Stuck caretaking while working two jobs, Sophia’s at her wit’s end when she learns her mother’s surgery won’t be covered by insurance. Desperate for a quick payday, she resorts to robbing her horrible boss, Maxwell Sterling (Serafinowicz), only to be caught by Nick O’Connor, a former security consultant turned phone technician.

Nick has no reason to turn Sophia in, though. He’s more interested in teaming up with her to land funds to take care of his daughter after his recent divorce. So Sophia and Nick form an alliance out of desperation, but, as the pair begin to plan the ultimate seasonal scam, a holiday heist at a posh department store, their scheming relationship might just turn into something more.

The Review:

I watched this last night (Friday November 28,2025), the day after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday. The official battle cry day of The Holidays. I wasn’t really in a Christmas mood yet being a little overwhelmed by how quickly Christmas was going to arrive. I looked for a movie in vain, which is incredibly odd because I have numerous streaming platforms to access, and numerous lists of movies to watch to review, including a growing Christmas/Holiday Movie List. But I wasn’t quite ready to watch a Christmas movie yet. Then I saw Jingle Bell Heist on Netflix, it is high up on my Christmas list of movies to watch, and was #2 on Netflix’s Top Ten Movies…..

Alrighty then, Christmas movie it is…..

I gave in and tried to get in the mood as Jingle Bell Heist started, honestly I felt more like The Grinch. The Movie starts with Sophia and Nick in a Department store Christmas Eve as the lights are getting turned off. They turn to each other and, Jinx Jinx they owe each other a coke as they both start to say, “You don’t have to do this…….”. Then we are transported back in time to two weeks earlier as Sophia is walking to work. She comes upon a man and his daughter busking, playing Holiday tunes on their violins when a grumpy old Grinch guy says, “You can’t do that here, take it somewhere else.”

Right away Sophie (Olivia Holt) grabbed my attention as she watched, then bumped into the old Grinch guy, promptly heists his wallet, takes out the cash and gives it to the buskers as she says, “Merry Christmas”. That was it, Jingle Bell Heist and Olivia Holt had my full undivided attention. I love the Underdogs and Sophie and Nick (Connor Swindells) sure have the world working against them. As their troubles unfolded before me, they instantly had my empathy. Both trying to lift themselves up out of their situations financially, working at jobs with bosses they don’t like. Both trying to look out for and take care of their families.

Sophie and Nick cook up a scheme to “get the money” but that is just the beginning of this Christmas Caper Roller Coaster Ride. There is more going on than meets the eye, everywhere we look and every step of the way, as these two plan a Holiday Heist. Unexpected twists and turns right up until the very end in this Christmas Rom-Com! In the end I enjoyed the Jingle Bell Ride! Why are you still reading this?

Turn off the lights and devices,

Make some popcorn,

Grab a beverage,

and Stream This Movie

on Netflix!

Red One

2024 MGM Amazon Studios

Rated: PG-13

Length: 2 hr 4min

Action ~ Adventure ~ Christmas ~ Comedy

Directed by: Jake Kasdan

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, J. K. Simmons, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt, Nick Kroll and Kristofer Hivju.

“Last night, Red One, also known as Saint Nicholas of Myra, was abducted from the North Pole Complex. And you’re gonna help us find him.”

J. K. Simmons stars as Saint Nicholas of Myra, code-named Red One by his security detail who follow his every step in and out of the North Pole. It is Christmas Eve and Nick, as everyone around the North Pole Complex calls him, is getting ready for his yearly marathon of delivering Christmas Cheer and presents to everyone around the world. He’s doing some last minute working out, lifting weights and bulking up on carbs or should we call that Christmas cookies. The entire complex is a beehive of activity as they prepare for the yearly run, it’s crunch time.

Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson) is the head of Nick’s Security team and has taken a moment for himself outside before the action starts. He is standing in front of Saint Nick and Mrs. Claus’ (Bonnie Hunt) original small cabin, the area roped off as a major landmark in the complex, when he notices lights going off in the new high rise building that houses Nick and Mrs. Claus (Code-named MC) and all operations. Callum checks with part of the security detail in the building and starts asking for Red One’s location. Frantic as no one can find Nick, Callum makes his way to Red One’s living quarters and finds the window open. He rushes to it and sees a Snow vehicle racing away and orders his team to lock the dome and complex down.

Whoever kidnapped Saint Nick gets away and Callum notifies Director Zoe Harlow (Lucy Liu) of M.O.R.A., The Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority, about the incident that now threatens to keep Christmas from happening around the world from. Zoe decides that they need to enlist the help of Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans), better known as “The Wolf”, a world renowned cyber hacker infamous for being able to find anyone and anything worldwide. They bring him in and find out that he is unwittingly responsible for identifying and selling the secret hidden location of Saint Nick and the North pole. Director Zoe decides that Jack is going to help them locate Nick and his kidnapper, accompanied by Callum.

And what follows is the globe-trotting chase to find Saint Nick and bring him back before Christmas. It is a journey through Norse legend and folklore. There is the legend of Grýla, the shape-shifting Winter Witch with thirteen shape-shifting sons who chase evil children. And the legend of Krampus, Saint Nick’s adopted Evil Brother who developed The Naughty List against Nick’s better judgement and along with his ex-wife Grýla sought to punish the children on the naughty list. There are also hell hounds, Ogres, Trolls, evil snowmen, elves, Polar Bear security forces, giant Reindeer and a high tech sleigh the likes you couldn’t even dream of.

It is a hilarious Christmas Adventure through Christmas lore filled with action and one-liners like “I love the kids, it’s the grown-ups that are killing me.” It is a different take on the whole Santa Claus and the North Pole theme, the Nordic folklore tends to give it a darker feel. The North Pole, it’s operations and look are definitely more high tech than we are used to. J.K. Simmons being the Buff muscle-strapped Santa working up to the big night, complete with infinite Santa wisdom was a good choice. Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Bonnie Hunt and Lucy Liu were all good in this. The best part of the movie is the end. At the very end they show Santa, Callum and the Christmas team travelling all over the world doing their thing. It is a unique look and take on the whole operation.

So that’s a yes for me, something a little different in the Santa Movie category.

Two Thumbs Up!

That Christmas

2024 Netflix

Rated: PG

Length: 1 hr 31min

Adventure ~ Animation ~ Christmas ~ Comedy ~ Family

Directed by: Simon Otto

Starring: Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker and Bill Nighy.

“Down to one Reindeer and the worst snowstorm in history, and a town that needed a sack full of Christmas fixing….You’re about to hear the tale of one of the most challenging nights of my long career.”

Brian Cox stars as The Handsome Fellow in the Red Onesie, and narrates as he tells the tale of one of the most challenging nights of his long career. Wrap up and get warm as he tells the Tale of That Christmas. At the end of his Christmas Eve journey and down to one reindeer, Santa Claus and Dasher have to make one last stop to Wellington-On-Sea. It has just shown up on his radar as having nothing but Christmas trouble all over town. He believes he can pinpoint the start of all the trouble to the School Christmas Play December 22, 4 PM.

And that’s where the story begins, at the school play and follows the trials, tribulations and troubles the townspeople face as they hurry to pull Christmas together over the next two days. The next day December 23 turns into a snow day as the town wakes up under feet of snow. Which hampers and changes everyone’s plans. To make matters worse, a huge unexpected snowstorm is headed right for the little seaside town later that evening.

The animation is outstanding in this movie. The story is great, full of adventurous twists and turns as the families try to deal with the many obstacles thrown in their way. The characters are all very loveable, and there is something very familiar and comforting about Brian Cox’s voice as Santa. It makes you want to nestle up all comfy with a nice big cup of Hot Chocolate. I really like Sam’s Christmas wish of a metal body Resonator Guitar, one of my personal favorites. I love the Blue Volkswagen bus, it is too cute.

Heck, I love everything about this movie. It takes me back to the standards from when I was a kid. There were certain movies you couldn’t wait to see every year….Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming To Town, Frosty The Snowman, The year without a Santa Claus……I think this belongs in that category. It should be the next new Christmas classic you want to watch every year.

With that being said about this Family/Kids Animated Christmas Adventure Comedy, I highly Recommend it as part of your Christmas season and viewing. Better hurry, there’s only 2 days left…….

Two Thumbs Up!

April 6, 2025

I just discovered that this movie is based on the Trilogy of Children’s books by Richard Curtis: Snow Day, The Empty Stocking and That Christmas.

There is a special edition with all three books coming out August 5, 2025: You can pre-order it here: That Christmas And Other Stories.

Our Little Secret

2024 Netflix

Rated: TV-14

Length: 1 hr 41min

Christmas ~ Comedy ~ Romance

Directed by: Stephen Herek

Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Tim Meadows, Jon Rudnitsky, Judy Reyes, Henry Czerny, Chris Parnell, and Kristin Chenoweth.

“This Holiday Season, you are invited to a very merry Ex-Mas.”

Lindsay Lohan stars as Avery Becker who works at her own Consulting Firm. Avery is getting ready to go on a long Christmas weekend visit to her boyfriend’s family’s house for the first time. She stops by her father’s house on the way while her boyfriend Cameron Morgan (Jon Rudnitsky) waits in the car. Her Dad is selling the house and has a box for her as he is weeding through his belongings. It is a box of old pictures of her mother and her ex-boyfriend. Her mother had passed away and she had broken up with her ex-boyfriend years ago. Avery and her ex had grown up together, became best friends and eventually dated as their relationship became very serious. After Avery’s mother died she had gotten a job offer in London and decided to take it against her ex’s pleading for her to stay. It ended their relationship in a really bad way.

Avery and Cameron head to his parent’s house as he re-assures Avery who is extremely nervous at meeting his family. Cameron’s Mother Erica (Kristin Chenoweth) greets them at the door with her small pet dog Veronica, and as Avery reaches to pet Veronica, she growls and snaps at her. Erica accepts the bottle of wine that Avery has remarking,” Oh…a screw-top.” and as she looks Avery up and down finishes with, “Fast and easy.” Off to a great start, Avery grabs a glass of Champagne from the waiter in the house and slams it. As she is introduced to everyone, Cameron’s sister Cassie arrives with her boyfriend and enters through the back into the kitchen. Avery is called to come meet Cameron’s sister and her boyfriend and as she enters the kitchen she is surprised by……..

Logan (Ian Harding), her lifelong friend and ex-boyfriend who she had broken up with to go to London ten years earlier. Trying to downplay the fact that they know each other, Avery quickly extends her hand and says, “So nice to meet you.” A little later Avery sees an opportunity to talk to Logan alone and explains to him that it is in their best interests to keep their past a secret for the weekend. As the knowledge of their lifelong friendship and relationship would lead to a very long awkward weekend. Logan reluctantly agrees and they shake hands on it and head back to the family and their boyfriend and girlfriend.

As the weekend progresses it becomes harder and harder for them to pretend they never knew each other as feelings of the past surface in both of them. Things get even more complicated when Cameron and Cassie’s younger brother overhear Avery and Logan talking and blackmails them to keep their secret. Cameron’s ex-girlfriend who he hasn’t seen in years and obviously has feelings for suddenly shows up and announces she’s moving back to town. As Avery and Logan try to hide and deny the feelings they have for each other, and try to keep the little brother from squealing, and Cameron gets keen on his ex-girlfriend, they are forced to deal with unexpected twists and turns that lead to a fiery Christmas Eve collision.

It is an interesting plot and dilemma for Avery and Logan. I liked how the movie started, nice graphics and a great story intro, it has a great soundtrack as well. I thought it was well played out. Humorous and in the end very touching. I loved the SNL alumni Tim Meadows and Chris Parnell, it was nice to see them in this. Kristin Chenoweth is funny as the evil mother Erica who means well. Lindsay Lohan and Ian Harding were great together.

I thought it was a great little Christmas Rom-Com. Definitely worth a watch.

Two Thumbs up!

Hot Frosty

2024 Netflix

Rated: PG-13

Length: 1 hr 32min

Christmas ~ Comedy ~ Fantasy ~ Romance

Directed by: Jerry Ciccoritti

Starring: Lacey Chabert, Dustin Milligan, Katy Mixon Greer, Lauren Holly, Chrishell Stause, Joe Lo Truglio, and Craig Robinson.

“You’ll never find the warmth unless you venture out into the cold. Good things happen to you when you venture out into the cold.”

Lacey Chabert stars as Kathy Barrett who lives in the small town of Hope Springs, New York. It is Christmastime and there is snow on the ground, cold in the air and Christmas decorations all around town. Her husband, who was a handyman, died of cancer two years ago. Her heating furnace is broke, the roof leaks and there is a broken step on her staircase. Every morning when the alarm goes off she deals with the cold in her empty house, the broken step as she goes down the stairs and empties the bucket catching the snowmelt from the leaky roof. Then she heads downtown where she owns a little diner named Kathy’s Kafé.

Her Chef Isaac looks out for her making sure she is well fed and runs the Diner in her absence. After the breakfast rush, Kathy delivers lunch to her friends Theo and Mel across the street who own Reclaimed Rags, a clothing shop. Mel tells her she has something for her, she had just gotten in a red winter scarf and it reminds Mel of the night she met the love of her life Theo. Mel thought of Kathy and wants her to have it. Kathy passes the snowman display in the center of downtown and notices one of the snowmen doesn’t have a scarf. She decides that’s where the scarf belongs and places it around the snowman’s neck.

Later that night as the town has gone to sleep, the snowman comes to life. Seeing himself in a store window and realizing he is naked, he breaks the glass on Reclaimed Rags storefront and steals clothes to wear. The next morning as Kathy arrives downtown to work at her Diner she notices a man (Dustin Milligan) wearing only coveralls talking to the other snowmen. Concerned about his well-being she talks to him and he tells her that after she placed the scarf around his neck last night, he came to life. Kathy is convinced that he is a drifter that is not quite right and invites him into the diner to warm up and get some hot food. She is concerned about him as she realizes his skin is ice cold to the touch and might have hypothermia so she takes him to the town Doctor.

Kathy takes him home with her while she tries to figure out what to do with him. Over the course of the next several days he grows on Kathy as Jack (the name she got from the coveralls he was wearing) continuously shows his gratitude at her saving him from being a snowman. Meanwhile the town Sherriff Nathaniel Hunter, who has delusions of being a great crimefighter and law enforcement man, vows to bring the culprit to justice for breaking the Reclaimed Rags storefront window. Jack Snowman causes quite a stir around town with the women who see him, and can’t seem to stay out of sight as Kathy has instructed.

So Jack the Snowman is hot because his inner core is ice, hence the name Hot Frosty. He is slowly melting (sweating) as the days pass and Sherriff Hunter hunts down the new criminal in town. It is a Christmas Movie, a Holiday Rom-Com complete with a love story, a snowman come to life, an over achieving Sherriff and a town full of people who believe in the Christmas Spirit. There are shades of the movies Jack Frost and It’s A Wonderful Life in Hot Frosty. In Jack Frost a man becomes a snowman, in Hot Frosty, a snowman becomes a man. Similar to It’s A Wonderful Life, the towns people come together to raise money to help free Jack from the mean old Sherriff who tries to control the town.

It is everything you would expect from a Christmas movie, it is Cheesy, Campy, Goofy, Funny and Heartwarming. Lacey Chabert is very likeable as Kathy, Dustin Milligan grows on you as he warms up on screen, and Craig Robertson is hilarious as the overachieving Sheriff trying to “catch his man”. There is a scene right after the end as the credits roll where Craig Robertson and Joe Lo Truglio are outside singing and playing a keyboard in the snow….

Crime doesn’t pay

not in here, not today

here in Hope Springs.

Don’t try and break the law

It’ll be a tragic flaw

here in Hope Springs……

As they show clips of outtakes and bloopers from the set. Don’t miss it, it’s hilarious.

Definitely worth a Christmas watch.

Two Thumbs up!