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IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE    PG  Drama/Family/Fantasy  8.6 Stars/10

Boy Meets Girl ~ Girl Marries Boy ~ Looking forward to a ‘Wonderful Life’.

But LIFE doesn’t always go as planned.  Despair sets in.

LIFE gets some ‘Intervention’.  But intervention is not always welcome….

But LIFE finds a way ~ Where there is LOVE.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)  NR   7.9  Stars  (black & white)

Natalie Wood is wonderful as the pessimistic little girl in this original Black & White version.   Edmund Gwenn as ‘Santa’ was perfectly marvelous.  One of the things I always remembered about this movie was when he sent folks to other stores (the competition) where they would find what they were looking for.  Whenever I’ve see someone in a store doing that same thing I’ve complimented them, saying it reminded me of “Miracle on 34th Street!” I’m happy to say, it has happened quite a few times.  I know one place that does it regularly, and that is Gregory’s Wheatshop in Utah!  Makes me proud to be admin on their FB page!  Maureen O’Hara, also an old favorite is great as the joyless mother and John Payne, lovely as well.  Perfectly cast all in all, as their characters find out how special the simple things in life are and the Joy in Believing with the help of a little ‘Magic’ that brings out the inner-child in all of us, making us want to also want to BELIEVE.  

*Streaming on amazon Video

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I had to also include this awesome 1994 version!  I would recommend watching BOTH!

Miracle on 34th Street (1994)  PG   6.4  Stars

Mara Wilson also couldn’t be more perfect.  Loved her also in Roald Dahl’s film rendition of “Matilda”.  Richard Attenborough  is also another perfect Santa in his roll.

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WHITE CHRISTMAS  (1954)   NR  7.6 Stars

Another musical ~ About as classic a Christmas movie as you can get!

Vera Ellen and Rosemary Clooney (Did you know she is George Clooney’s aunt?) playing as sisters, singing “Sisters”! 

Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen

There’s just something magical about this movie that so many are drawn to.  Of course, Bing Crosby singing, “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”, is the white icing on the cake at the end, and what I think is what everyone remembers the most, leaving us with old memories and the desire to be in front of a cozy crackling fire with our loved ones and snowflakes falling, blanketing our little worlds with beauty.

A story of comedic romances while people come together in unity as they team up to save the failing Vermont inn where they are supposed to be performing, and lift up their former commanding general who has lost hope.

Available on NETFLIX 

Streaming on amazon Video

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ANGELS IN THE SNOW  (2015)  NR  5.6 Stars

I’m watching this now and one of the characters just said this… Such true words that fit all of these movies , physically or emotionally.

“Sometimes the hardest roads lead to the best places.”

I’m actually about half way through this movie and tears are streaming down my face.  I think I just ‘got it’.  I wonder how they will make it unfold.  (Let me know if you did too, before the end…) The story is of a family who is losing their way with bickering and a father whose primary concern is business.  Life as they know it is about to change. I highly recommend this as a new family Christmas movie as a reminder what that truly means.

(It just ended and I’m crying again…  They finished it even better than I had anticipated.)

Available on NETFLIX

Streaming on amazon Video

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~ FARE THEE WELL, FLORENCE HENDERSON ~

THE CHRISTMAS BUNNY  (2010)  PG  Family   6.2 /10  Stars

Florence – I was about a third of the way through this movie, before I realized it was Florence Henderson!  I was watching on Netflix and hadn’t paid attention to the actors beforehand.  Suddenly I looked closely at her and thought, ‘Oh my, look who it is!’  I didn’t recognize her, due to her character – the ways she dressed and no makeup.  She was wonderful in this movie and I think must have been one of or her last appearance.  She will be missed.

A lonely foster child who has been tossed from home to home, is now with a foster family that truly wants to accept her, but they have trouble as she acts out and will not speak to anyone.  On Christmas Eve, she finds an injured rabbit in the woods.  It reminds her of a story book that she loves – her only possession.  The Bunny Lady (Florence Henderson), who is also withdrawn from humans, runs a rabbit rescue in an old barn behind her farmhouse.  See how they all come together to find nurturing.  (There was a tiny scene in the end I wasn’t wild about, but overall, I really enjoyed this movie.)  And yes, I shed a tear.

Available on NETFLIX

Streaming on amazon Video

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THE CHRISTMAS BOX    (1995)   G    7.3/10   Won 2 Primetime Emmy Awards

Based on the NYT Best Selling novel sensation – The Christmas Box, written by my very dear friend, Richard Paul Evans.  This was his first novel and a very personal one for him.  More than eight million people around the world have love this book! 

A family moves in with an elderly widow as live-in help.  The father begins to have recurring dreams about an angel and a heart-breaking yet enlightening story begins to unfold.  The film did a very nice job of capturing his story.

Stars: Richard Thomas, Maureen O’Hara, Annette O’Toole

Available on amazon SHOWTIME.

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I hope you enjoyed my thoughts, Everybuddies!  I would love your COMMENTS below!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE (left column or scroll down on phone). And have your self a merry little visit to my IMDb page! 😉

Thank you so kindly for joining me.  ~ Deba Do ♥

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