The Christmas Choir

I was going to post this on Facebook but then decided to blog since I haven't blogged for a while and I wanted to write more than just a status message for a change.

I've been getting a bit fed up with some of the made for TV holiday movies available on Netflix lately. Some of them are so sappy and boring, even for me who has a high sappy and boring toleration level. They're so predictable and dull that it makes me want to write a screenplay as I'm positive I could write something better. Kobie, my cat could write something better!

Also I'm seeing the trend for these low budget productions being made in Canada and then passed off as American cities. That I don't understand at all. Why not actually show and say which Canadian city it is? It's like we're ashamed of our cities or something.

I guess it has to do with the Canadian government giving tax breaks to American film companies if they film in Canada. They have to pretend that it's New York City or Chicago when it's so obvious to me that it's not.

 Yesterday I bought a DVD called "The Christmas Choir", something I haven't done in a long time since getting Netflix. I got it from a bargain bin at Giant Tiger for $5.00 and wasn't expecting too much.

The Christmas Choir

As usual, it was a Canadian city trying to pass itself off as New York City. This time it was so obviously Montreal, it made me annoyed. New York City does not have subway trains like those distinctive blue ones that Montreal has. Montreal is a beautiful city. Why couldn't they show more of it? I guess it wouldn't fit with the story which was based in New York City and starred American actors like Rhea Perlman with her distinctly Brooklyn accent.

 Even though this movie had lots of sappy predictable elements, I was pleasantly surprised that it had more of a story than some of the others. And it was about a choir so of course it got my interest.

 It had the usual plot line of a workaholic who has a crisis and then finds the true meaning of Christmas. 

As far as sappy, predictable movies go, this one was a bit better than the usual fare. It even engaged me emotionally a few times which is more than I can say for some of the movies I've seen lately. Not the best movie I've ever seen but definitely not the worst either. 

I still like all the old classics like "A Christmas Carol", "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a Wonderful Life."  "White Christmas" is a fave with all that great music and dancing.

 Still, if you're looking for something more modern, this one is much better than some of the boring Christmas movies out there. It's not a classic, but it's not a dud either. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 7.

 What is your favourite Christmas movie?

Comments

  1. Dr Roshan RadhakrishnanDecember 13, 2015 at 6:13 PM

    You raise a really good point. Everything I know about Canada tells me it is a lovely beautiful place. Does setting the story/movie in Canada instead of USA really alter the perception of the viewer towards the characters? I think that attitude is a little weird.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownDecember 14, 2015 at 3:10 AM

      Thanks for your great comment, Roshan. I'm interested in hearing a viewpoint from India since you are seeing it from a distance.
      I have noticed this trend to Americanize movies for a while now, even though it's so obviously filmed in Canada. I doubt Americans would mind if they knew it was Canada so I don't understand the reasoning myself. I guess if the script calls for the setting to be the US, they have to pretend it's the States but often they don't even say where it is and make it all seem so vague. The worst movie was one I saw the other day. It was filmed in the Rockies and the setting was absolutely gorgeous but no mention of it being in Canada. Also they put fake snow everywhere and some of it even wiggled like it was made of cotton batting. I just don't get the reasoning behind it but I guess they figure Americans won't like it being Canadian and won't relate. I don't know why though. I watch lots of American movies and relate quite well to it.

      They film in Canada because the Canadian government gives them all kinds of tax breaks so it mainly comes down to money in the end, as usual! Sigh!

      Delete
  2. Shilpa GupteDecember 14, 2015 at 6:27 AM

    Cat, it happens here, too. We see scenes from movies which have been filmed elsewhere, but are passed off as being shot in India. At such times I simply change the channel! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownDecember 14, 2015 at 6:43 AM

      Interesting that it happens there in India, too. I understand using other locations but you'd think they'd try and make it look a bit more authentic instead of being so obvious that it isn't an American city. And they usually have lots of Canadian actors, too. I think there is some law about that I remember reading. If they film in Canada they have to hire some Canadian actors, too. Part of the deal.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousDecember 16, 2015 at 8:53 AM

    My favourite Christmas movie is CATS !
    love,
    Bigfoot

    ReplyDelete

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