A Christmas Review
For many people, Christmas family movies are a tradition. Classics like "Elf", "The Grinch stole Christmas", and "A Christmas Carol" can tug at your heart within the first five minutes. For anyone wondering what to watch, I have many suggestions.
This article, much like Mackenzie's "Gummy Bear" reviews, is a special Christmas one, telling you which movies to watch and which ones to avoid.
First off, I'll start with the 2017 Netflix film, "The Star". It's an hour and a half long heart-warming animated version of Mary and Joseph's adventures leading up to Jesus's birth starring a donkey named Bo. It follows the story of Mary being selected to carry Jesus in Nazareth, where she marries Joseph, adopts Bo, and starts the journey to Bethlehem. Along the way, Bo befriends a friendly sheep named Ruth who has been separated from her flock. Bo and his dove friend Dave navigate their hopes and dreams of joining the royal caravan and their hope of saving Mary from the evil King Herod. This hilarious film also shows scenes of the Wise Men's camels, suggesting the whole plot of the well-known Bible story. While it is not a well-known Christmas classic, it is a funny, comedic film friendly to little ones and Bible-educating. I highly recommend as a family movie.
I'm going to say something highly controversial, but hear me out now. I think "Elf" has been seen so many times it's kind of lost its touch. If you think about it, you've probably seen it at least once every Christmas season. That's a lot of "I love you Dad's." Instead you should center your focus on more less-watched classics, or newer movies.
Personally, one of my favorite Christmas movies is "Miracle on 34th Street". I always love a good story where even the adults start believing in Santa in the end. I'll admit, the first time I watched it, the part where Santa was on trial for good cause had me on the edge of my seat. This old movie stars young Susan Walker, who has been told repeatedly by her mother that Santa is not real. The six-year-old girl is very bright for her age, and continually tries to set up her single mother with her neighbor, Brian Bedford, who also happens to be a lawyer. Meanwhile, a man claiming to be the real Santa is hired as an actor in the Macy's Day Parade. Doris Walker, Susan's mother, who is the head of entertainment at a department store, takes a liking to "Kris Kringle", who is thought by many to be insane. As Susan and Kris become closer, the other Santas become jealous of Kris and the department store, in some deals, the store which had been threatening to close, thrives on the Christmas spirit. Until Santa was seen hitting a man who "fainted". Unknown to all but Santa, the man was insulting the children harshly, provoking the usually calm and jolly Santa. Luckily, Brian Bedford was able to win over the case of Santa with a little help from Susan. The story resolves and everyone gets a happily ever after, even Santa. With good jokes and funny scenes, this film is also a good movie for family movie nights, no matter its age. I also highly recommend.
Please contact me with any other movies you would like me to review! I hope this article helps!
Segerstrom Events
If you're looking for a place to see something like Broadway but right here in Costa Mesa, I have just the place for you. Our very own Segerstrom Center for the Arts provides top-notch actors, music, and productions of Broadway that are lovely to watch.
The first production coming is "The Wiz", showing from January 13th to 25th. "The Wiz" is another storytelling of "The Wizard of Oz" with new songs and follows a retelling of Dorothy along with Toto, the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, and Scarecrow.
Next, "The Notebook" is playing from January 27th to February 8th. This musical, according to Google, tells the epic decades-spanning love story of Allie and Noah from their passionate young romance in the 1940's to their enduring bond challenged by life's obstacles and ultimately Allie's Alzheimer's, all framed by an elderly Noah reading their story from a notebook to his wife in a nursing home, showcasing themes of true love, memory, and loss.
There are others like "Monty Python's Spamalot" (February 17th to 22nd) and "The Phantom of the Opera" (August 12th to 30th), but for now I'll focus on the big ones, like "SIX: the Musical", "The Sound of Music", and "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child".
"SIX" will be playing from March 10th to 15th. This musical is about Henry VIII's six wives and their lives as they try to decide who had it the hardest.
"The Sound of Music" is a classic many know for its star Julie Andrews, who plays Maria, an orphaned nun who loves to sing sent to be a governess to the seven von Trapp children. She soon befriends all of them and marries the captain, their father. However, they soon have to flee Austria because of World War II. They escape towards the mountains, as "the hills are alive with the sound of music."
Finally, we have "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child". Most big "Harry Potter" fans have read the book for this (cough cough, Jack), but if you haven't, here is a quick synopsis. Harry is an adult and sends his three children off to Hogwarts, where his middle child is sorted into Slytherin. Devastated, he befriends the son of Draco Malfoy. Harry's son has good intentions, but together him and Harry's son steal a time-turner, creating an alternate universe they have to destroy. When I read the books, it wasn't as great an epilogue as I wanted it to be, but I suppose one can only go as far as seven books. However, it would be very fun to see it live in a theater.
I hope this article helps and you get to see all the amazing musicals that take to Segerstrom.
No Sports News
As all seasons come to an end for 2025, I have no sports news. Also, PLEASE email me with family news! As you may see, there is nothing about this family in this edition. I don't know everything that happens. Again, please email me at queenquinnie7272@icloud.com to send information about you and your family's news.
The Beach House Is Back!
Raise your hand if you want the Beach House back! Well, it may not happen for a couple decades, but if we start saving up now, we just might be able to hit eight million dollars! If you're interested in helping our cause, please contact Molly or me. You can purchase local lottery tickets or sell old junk cluttering up your house. If we can get twenty people to donate just fifty dollars, we're already at one thousand dollars! We'd like all the help we can get so that one day we can buy back the house we've had so many memories in! Thank you!
Written by
Quinn Hoang