Christmas Pen Pals Movie Review

I am always thrilled to find a new wonderful Christmas movie!  

Most often, I default back to classics of the past during the holidays, but this year I was searching for something new.  I tried several that ended with the movie being clicked off within the first 15 minutes.  I wanted a good movie, not just a time-passer. When I discovered "Christmas Pen Pals" starring Sarah Drew & Niall Matter, I knew almost immediately that I had found the Christmas movie gem I was seeking.

This sweet, romantic movie was perhaps a bit predictable since we knew Hannah (Sarah Drew) was going to fall in love.  However, there were plenty of fun surprises along the way that kept my attention and made me hopeful that this kindhearted woman would find someone who loved her as much, or more, than she loved them.

Yes, I know.  I am an unapologetic hopeless romantic!  I love a great love story whether I am reading a book or watching a movie.  Of course, no love story is better than a real life love story, but we rarely get to see that from the very beginning and see those first sparks. 

Christmas Pen Pals Movie Synopsis

Hannah Morris has a well organized life and in isolated from people and pain by her electronics and gadgets.  As the creator of a dating website, her financial stability is also dependent on the internet via those devices.  When her company partner shares how their site is struggling because people are leaving it in droves due to the lack of the emotional element they desire, the two woman know they need a new "catch" to continue to succeed.  

 CHRISTMAS PEN PALSCheck Price Unfortunately, Hannah also lacks a romantic relationship in her own life. That makes it rather hard for her to envision how to set up a new dating app that would have the needed emotional appeal.  When searching through her phone list of men from her past, she accidentally calls her dad.  Because she doesn't want to let her father down, she ends up agreeing to come home for Christmas.

However, home is where Hannah must come face to face with pain, the past, and the reality of Christmas at home without her mother.  But, she is also greeted by family and friends who welcome her home with open arms. 

The town is celebrating Christmas this year by having secret pen pals assigned to participants who decide in advance if they are seeking love or a new friendship. Because of her current work problem, she decides to check "love" on the application, hoping she will find that needed inspiration for her dating website.

Does she find that inspiration and the "catch" she needs to be professionally successful?  I won't tell!  

You must watch the movie for yourself to find out.

 

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Krampus Movie Review

To be completely honest, I didn't really know what to expect when "Krampus" was the family choice Christmas movie this year.  From the trailers, it seemed scary and macabre to me.   It certainly didn't seem like the perfect family Christmas movie.  However, I survived the viewing and I am here to tell you, it was actually pretty awesome. 

There is an underlying lesson that we all need to hear and consider.  It just might change how we interact with the people we love and often seem to take for granted.  Have you ever criticized the food choice, the clothing choice, the decor choice, the table setting choice, anything about the family Christmas day celebration?  Or have you been the criticized host, hostess or attendee?  If so, you will totally get the message of the movie.  Of course, you may have just observed these bad actions.  If that is the case, you will have no trouble grasping the plot.  I suspect we can all identify in one way or another.   Perhaps, even cheer the Krampus.

You see, Krampus is a rather evil dude who comes in place of Santa to those who have been, shall we say, "naughty".  He even brings evil toys and minion elves with him.

[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The History of Krampus

Krampus is an old folklore figure that resembles the image of the devil we are all accustomed to seeing.  He has cloven hooves and goat horns.  He is a hairy "devil" with a long tongue.  

In the old tales, he is the antithesis of Santa and punishes children who have been bad.  In the movie, he is referred to as the "shadow of Santa". 

Making it Personal

I never like to ruin a movie for anyone by giving away too much of the plot, so in this case I am going to give a personal example.  Just this year, my mother spent a day before Christmas helping me wrap gifts.  I always enjoy the time with my Mom.  I can be just "me" with Mom, which makes these laborious activities much easier.  However, I am still always tired by the end of the day.  

As it was getting dark, Dad came in and offered to take us to look at the Christmas lights.  I confess, I was still in my pajamas.  I honestly can't remember if Mom and I stopped for lunch or if we just snacked all day when hunger pains hit.  At first, I grumbled to myself that I didn't want to go look at stupid Christmas lights.  Then I thought, but it would make a fantastic opportunity to take pictures.  So, I grabbed my house shoes and camera and jumped in the car.

When we got to the town square, I was literally overwhelmed by the breathtaking beauty of the entire square decorated with garland, ribbons and lights.  I wanted to take pictures from the car, but there were cars parked in the way, so I grumbled about the cars being in the way.  Dad drove around the square to give us a view of the lights from every angle and to find a good photo spot.  As he was cruising around, this woman slowly crossed the street in front of us, because she was looking at the lights as she walked and not the traffic.  I grumbled about how people really needed to pay attention to cars to avoid being run over.  After all, the driver of the car could be looking at lights too.  Than, a toddler came running toward the street.  (Remember the cars were parked in every parking spot and the child could only be seen due to movement catching our eyes.)  I grumbled that parents really needed to be watching their children. 

It was at this point, that I recognized myself that every word out of my mouth since we got in the car had be negative.  I started laughing and said, "grumble, grumble, grumble!  Bah, Humbug!  I guess I am going the spend the whole holiday grumbling!"  My parents laughed.  You see, they know me well and take my grumbling in stride.

I used this real life illustration because the grumbling and criticizing others is exactly the kind of attitude and action that would bring the Krampus to MY Chimney!

Just so you know, I never got that picture, but I did get a Filet O' Fish from McDonalds on the way home.  Wait!  That is not truly accurate.  I got 2 Filet O' Fish sandwiches.   I felt much better after getting out of the house for a bit, spending time with my parents, looking at the beautiful Christmas lights, and eating.   Go Back in Your Hole, Krampus! 

Krampus, the Movie 

The movie starts with an exaggerated version of something we have all experienced. Christmas shopping and how crazy people get over getting the "last", the "only", the "must haves".

The children's Christmas play is interrupted by a fight between children.   The mall Santa Clause is shown to be a pervert.  And then, the out of town family arrives, with surprises!  Seriously, don't people know you don't surprise the hostess at Christmas!!!

When Max's letter to Santa is read at the dinner table, Max is embarrassed, upset that his private thoughts had been shared with the entire family, and deeply distressed that others were hurt by those words.  He destroys the letter and throws it out the window.  It is immediately gathered into the sky.  What happens next will scare the Christmas socks right off your feet!

Keep Krampus Away!   Watch the Movie and Behave!

 Krampus [Blu-ray]

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