Chris Winston

19 May 2013

Jumpin Jingle Bells!

Oy. For some reason, maybe it had to do a little bit with Christmasspirit,I had high hopes for this movie. Not long after this was underway thosehigh hopes began sailing along pretty low. It's too bad. Maybe it had todo with the fact that the setting was L.A. I mean, come on, Christmas andpalm trees?!? It just ain't right. There've been many Christmas moviesover the last ten years and how come so many of them take place where it'ssnowy and cold? Because that works! Christmas is just out of place inplaces like L.A. Aside from that, this movie often moved along at a veryslow pace. Yawn. I would have been eagerly awaiting the end if it wasn'tfor some absolutely hilarious lines perfectly executed by Whoopi Goldberg.Overall, I give it a "D+" - one and a half thumbs down, sadly, just aboutnot worth spending 90 minutes on.

19 May 2013

Pretty Good

This review is from: Call Me Claus (DVD) This movie was great to pass the time! I think that this is a great christmas movie and was very interesting to watch, definitely worth a watch.

19 May 2013

Whoopi Goldberg was fantastic as ever

The movie Call Me Claus was just great for young and old. If you appreciate the wonderful actress, Whoopi Goldberg then you will really love the movie. Ms Goldberg gives a great performance as usual.

18 May 2013

Call Me claus

This review is from: Call Me Claus (DVD) I love it and enjoy it. It is a miss see and have for all kinds of people. Try it with the family

18 May 2013

This movie had me laughing all the way....

At least, that's the way the song goes. I like this movie because everything fits like a puzzle. Lucy has tried to hide her pain all these years because her father, who fought in Vietnam, came home--but not alive. Instead of blaming God, she gets mad at Santa because she doesn't get her wish exactly. I also like what he said to her,"I may be able to do a lot of things but I am not God."I also like the multi-cultural aspect of this movie. In all the original movies I've seen like Miracle on 34th Street and Dicken's Christmas Carol, I have never seen a black person in a major role like I did in this one. The song her niece sings in the church is done very well as are the songs Garth Brooks sings. Ok, the parts that made me laugh are: (1)when all those santas come to try out for Kristmas Korner. (a)I like what Lucy said when one of the unkept santas turned around, bent over, and had his rear hanging out of the back of his pants. Lucy said, "I got up early this morning just to see this?" (b)Then there was the other santa wanna be that tried to turn santa into Shakespeare's "Hamlet" with that long-winded big-word speech that made no sense. Her assistant had to hold her back. (2)The part where she meets the elves was funny too, *except for the one who has the glandular problem.(a)Of course, with Lucy's dredlocks, there had to change the style of the traditional santa suit, she wouldn't wear the mustache beard or belt, because she wasn't a man. (b)Her assistant was the most profane person on the planet, he was greedy and lusted after Lucy. When she saw his true nature, she screamed. One of the things that stood out in this movie was Lucy's willingness to change. She said thank you to the girl who bought her a vanilla cappochino, she is kinder to santa, and she accepts her role as his replacement and realizes what The "Or Else Factor" is. That was a unique twist, tying Armegeddon in as a consquence to not having the next santa in place by midnight on Christmas Eve. I definitely plan to buy this movie when it is released on video. It is destined to become a holiday classic.

newleaf

17 May 2013

Ho-ho-hum

Like many made-for-TV Christmas movies, you'll be able to figure outthe entire plot within the first five minutes, and you'll know exactlyhow it's going to end.Whoopi Goldberg stars, but even though she seems to be just goingthrough the motions, I imagine the movie would have been worse with alesser actress in the lead role. Nigel Hawthorne, portraying SantaClaus, is by far the brightest spot in the movie.If you've seen more than a handful of other Christmas movies, you'veseen all of this before. Think "The Santa Clause" with Whoopi Goldberginstead of Tim Allen, and you're 90% of the way there.But it's Christmas, after all. I imagine there are worse things youcould do during the holidays.

15 May 2013

Whoopi Goldbergs Finest Moments

Whoopi Goldberg is an acquired taste, but to my mind she has never been funnier or had more affect than in this soon to be holiday classic. I don't see why, with a little luck, CALL ME CLAUS won't soon be regarded as the beloved Xmas perennial that is the happy fate of MIRACLE on 34TH STREET or SCROOGED. Or even A CHRISTMAS STORY or CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT or COME TO THE STABLE. Nigel Hawthorne, from the PBS MAPP AND LUCIA shows, and nominated for the Oscar for his part in THE MADNESS OF GEORGE III, outdoes every other part he ever had the privilege of playing and gives us the authentic Santa Claus for once and for all. You will laugh with recognition at Hawthorne' elfish grin and big red heart. Too bad he died so soon after making CALL ME CLAUS because as soon as this telefilm comes to an end, you're all primed for a sequel!While Hawthorne is warm and tender, Goldberg is (at first) strident and severe, but soon liike Scrooge she melts right into the part of Lucy Cullins. Many of my friends credit the broadcast of this late 2001 film with helping them cure their depression and trauma over the events of 9-11-01, when it looked like for many the spirit of Christmas had been permanently extinguished, and then along came Whoopi and Sir Nigel, like two nutty Wise Men, to light the lamp of mirth and joy once again. Hosanna to entertainment for it goes a long way towards curing the ills of those sorry old world.

Meredith Bird

15 May 2013

Amazing!

Call Me Claus is an excellent movie!Whoopi Goldberg is so cool! She isan excellent actor. I have to say this... You know the little girl whocalls Nigel Hawthorne (Santa)? That's me! And I'm not joking either. Iremember recording my voice for that! It was so fun! I was like six.Check back soon under cast and crew; Brian Bird (my dad) will add me onafter he completes the Last Sin Eater (AWESOME MOVIE). Anyway, back toCall Me Claus... The first time I watched it, I cried because I was sotouched. All of my classes have seen the movie (I brought it in) andthey all thought it was AMAZING!!! Oh yeah... Call Me Claus was NigelHawthorne's last movie... :( Bummer, huh?

11 May 2013

Great Idea

This review is from: Call Me Claus (DVD) A modern day women's lib story with Santa being a woman. Lots of places to laugh and a wonderful family story.

10 May 2013

A Holiday Delight destined to be a New Christmas Tradition!

I have watched this movie over and over again. That's how good it is. I love holidays films in general, but this one tops my list. It is a great mixture of fantasy and reality. Some holiday films get a bit saccarine and syrupy, but with Whoopi's portrayal of the crusty Lucy Cummings keeps the story more down-to-earth and prevents the film from drifting into the maudlin. There's some touching and sad moments as well, which makes for a well-balanced story, along with great humor. This movie definitely will be an annual holiday tradition in my home.

08 May 2013

A Christmas story Whoopi style

This review is from: Call Me Claus (DVD) I saw this on tv and had to buy it. Whoopi is unique and brings that magic to Santa. I'm going to watch it every year. She's adorable in this L.A. Christmas story.

07 May 2013

Disapointing Whoopi movie

This review is from: Call Me Claus (DVD) As much as I love Whoopi, and love Christmas (movies), I have to say I found the movie disappointing because the script wasn't funny, and so Whoopi had little to work with... it wasn't even amusing for that matter. I suppose I was looking for a movie to match the humor and good feeling and emotion of 'Sister Act' (1 and 2). And this wasn't it! I also have to say that I was bothered by Santa being willing to mass-market sell ANY toy on a home-shopping network that he is told to except just one - in order to just get close to Whoopi, a message that negates the better message found in the much better, older version of "Miracle on 34th Street". The best part of movie are the Garth Brooks songs (who partially produced this movie), but even HERE I was dissapointed in that I had hoped they would work Garth into the plot line as a character, or just make an appearance IN the movie to sing one of the Christmas songs.

Jackson Booth-Millard

06 May 2013

Call Me Claus

I noticed this TV movie listed as being rated three stars, and starringone of my favourite African American actresses, and a good soundingactor playing the lovable yuletide hero, so I decided to watch.Basically when she was a little girl, Lucy Cullins had a big belief inthe magic of Christmas, and sitting on the lap of a Santa Claus (NigelHawthorne) she wears his hat which glows and proves he is the chosenone to have Christmas spirit. While there she also asked as a Christmaspresent for her father, fighting in Vietnam, to return home, butinstead he is brought home in a coffin. Years later, Lucy (WhoopiGoldberg, also producing) is grown up and is the network executive andproducer of the home consumer "Shop-A-Lot" Channel, with a grumpyattitude with no real Christmas spirit and not paying much attention toher family. Her boss Cameron (Brian Stokes Mitchell) wants to boost thesales for the shopping channel during the holiday season approaching,so he wants to hire a Santa Claus to advertise the festive merchandise,so auditions are held with no successful applicants. Then they spot theman calling himself Nick (still Hawthorne), with a jolly attitude, alove for Christmas, and a real heartwarming charm, so he is hired.Within minutes of his debut on the channel, he is an instant hithelping to bring in big numbers of sales, more than any of the othernetworks, but he has another agenda than just making money. Nick has anawkward friendship with Lucy, and he tries to convince her that he isnot only the same Santa she saw in the mall years ago, but that he isthe real Santa, and he has an important job for her. After convincingher he really is Santa Claus with a trip to the North Pole and theworkshop with all the elves, Mrs. Claus, the reindeer and the sleigh,Lucy is then told that she is destined to be the next Santa. Nickexplains that every Santa since the 2nd Century reigns as the man thatdelivers presents worldwide (with the help of the space time continuum)for 200 years until another person with Christmas spirit is found, andshe is that person. If Lucy doesn't put on his hat once again, embracethe spirit of Christmas and become the new Santa Claus, there will comethe "Or Else Factor", where the giant flood Noah's Ark went throughwill happen again. She is unconvinced and is made to believe everythingwas a dream to go back to normal, and Nick makes his final broadcast onthe shopping channel, Christmas Eve, and leaving to go back to theNorth Pole he can only leave a note to say "it's not too late".Realising her boss was only interested in making money and wanted to"oen Christmas", Lucy runs home and finds the note left by Nick, andthat is when she decides to try the Santa hat on and create the glow ofthe Christmas spirit again. She has now truly become the new SantaClaus, she is picked up by Nick and main elf Ralph (Taylor Negron) tobe transformed into a Santa figure with the red suit and whitened hair,and of course being Christmas Eve start delivering all the presents.After a few deliveries they make a pit stop so Lucy can see her nieceperform in the choir with a solo on stage, make her peace with hermother (Melody Garrett) and brother Dwayne (White Chicks' Frankie R.Faison), and with Nick still in tow flying away as as Santa. Alsostarring Titanic's Victor Garber as Taylor and Total Recall's RobertCostanzo as Teamster Santa. Goldberg with her sharp-tongued schtickmakes her a different approach to an originally Scrooge like charactertransformed by Christmas cheer, and Hawthorne is a perfect choice asSanta Claus with his Christmassy charm and good nature. Being made forTV I was worried it would be very cheesy with cheap special effects andcorny performances, but actually it works really well, it doesadmittedly have a hard to swallow final few minutes, but overall, anice seasonal comedy. Worth watching!

06 May 2013

gets u in the holiday spirt

this was a great movie it realy gets you in the true spirt of christmas. a must see for the whole family to get into the spirt of christmas, was very fun to watch. makes you warm all over a feel good kinda show

03 May 2013

Call Me Claus

This review is from: Call Me Claus (DVD) This was a different type of Santa Claus movie and I really enjoyed it. Whoopi Goldberg is really funny in this movie and really made it great.

BigWhiskers

02 May 2013

Wonderful movie and Nigel Hawthorne is adorable in sadly his final film role

I loved this movie and of course I had and still have a major thing forthe late Nigel Hawthorne who is so charming and handsome even at 72 inthis film. His portrayal of Santa Claus is so genuine and heartfelt ,you really just want to hug him. The plot of him looking for someone toreplace him as the new Santa is cute. He finds Whoopi Goldberg and hemust convince her that she is the one. . I'm shocked that this moviedid not get a theatrical release ,while a movie as awful as ELF withthe abysmal Will Ferrell did. It's kind of sad to know that NigelHawthorne had been fighting cancer for months and still did this movieas sick as he was. Without Hawthorne this movie wouldn't have beenworth watching.He pushed to promote it and get it released and then he sadly passedaway the day after Xmas that year. Wonderful movie and should be givena re-release at Xmas time in theaters.

02 May 2013

CALL ME CLAUS

This review is from: Call Me Claus (DVD) WHAT CAN I SAYIT MISS GOLDBERG DOING WHATMISS GOLDBERG DOES GET A MOVIEAND MAKE IT HER'S JUST ONE MOVIETHAT IS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTSLOVE IT.

01 May 2013

Outrageous concept makes movie funnier!

This review is from: Call Me Claus (DVD) My wife and I enjoyed this movie so much when we saw it on television. "Call Me Claus" became a must have for our library! We have been wanting a copy since Christmas 2008. It is a cute story about Santa Claus needing a replacement every "200" years. And Whoopi fit the bill, as a child visited "Santa", tried on Santa's hat and it "glowed". Whoopi became the "designated" replacement for St. Nick. Add in how a child thinks "Santa" can do anything, resulting in Woopi's disillusionment , plus Woopi ending up in the most materialistic job as an adult-TV producer for a shopping channel and you end up with a situation that has you thinking there is no resolution. The movie was probably designed for children, but more than fulfill "the kid in me" for entertainment.

aliveandblessed

28 April 2013

Slow moving but good

The movie starts out slowly, but, gently evolves into a tale of overcomingpast pain and disappointment. As with most Christmas stories the premiseissort of limited but has a great ending. Destined to become a classic, inmyhumble opinion.

28 April 2013

A touching legacy

This was Sir Nigel Hawthorne's last film role before he passed away on December 26, 2001 - the day after Christmas Day.His performance as Santa was truly beautiful, as always. Subtle, fun, compassionate and full of life, Nigel's Santa will always remain the Santa of my imagination.He and Whoopi worked wonderfully together, the story was engaging, poignant and fun and the underlying message of hope and new beginnings was apt for a season that has been so commercialized in recent modern history (as the film so brilliantly shows).I loved this film. I laughed and I cried and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who dares to still believe in the magic of Santa Claus.