why, for fifty-three years I've put up with it now. I must stop Christmas from coming... but how?

Interesting, isn't it, that so many schmaltzy Christmas movies are released under multiple titles?

Christmas in Vermont {Vermont Christmas Vacation} {The Christmas Apprentice} (2016) - "A company executive is tasked with liquidizing a small town outerwear manufacturer over the Christmas season."

source: Pluto
IMDB: 5.5/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: N/A% Audience: 20%
my IMDB: 3/10 🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

notable quote: "I read somewhere recently that it takes three seconds to fall in love, and the rest is denial."

MPAA rating: TV-PG

directed by: Fred Olen Ray

my notes: Unnecessarily rude/snarky or stupid/näive characters, and WTF was up with the pointless dog?

Scrooge character = an especially awkward Chevy Chase (though the "Be the ball" quote was a nice touch)

Santa character = Howard Hesseman's Nick Harper (get it - Nick?!)

Star Power: Chase, Hesseman, and Morgan Fairchild
overall: not recommended

 

Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946) - "Andy Hardy goes to college after returning from World War II. He is in love with Kay Wilson this time."

source: Pluto
I watched it because: comedy seemed appealing
IMDB: 5.9/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: N/A% Audience: 59%
my IMDB: 1/10

notable quote: "You've got to eat crow before you can appreciate the taste of chicken."

MPAA rating: approved

directed by: Willis Goldbeck

my notes: Awful! An extremely shallow story. Lewis Stone as Judge Hardy is the lone bright spot.

overall: not  recommended

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) - "It is Christmas Eve and everyone in Whoville is looking forward to tomorrow. Everyone, that is, except the Grinch, who hates Christmas and can't stand to see people so excited over it. He decides to ruin Christmas for the people of Whoville by stealing all their presents and other Christmas goodies."
source: Peacock

IMDB: 8.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 100% Audience: 94%
my IMDB: 10/10 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

notable quote: "Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart, and hand in hand."

MPAA rating: NR

directed by: Chuck Jones, Ben Washam

my notes: one of the best ever!

overall: uniformly recommended

Naughty & Nice (2014) - "A cynical radio host is banished to Colorado, where he has an on-air spat with a hopeless romantic. Soon, their antagonistic relationship sparks the interest of the whole town."

source: Pluto
IMDB: 5.9/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: N/A% Audience: 46%
my IMDB: 8/10 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

notable quote: "It's like I've turned into a TV movie, man."

MPAA rating: TV-PG

directed by: Sam Irvin

my notes: Better, smarter, more thoughtful and realistic than expected. Tilky Jones (Pepper Sterling) is, very surprisingly, the best of the bunch.

Santa character = Eric Petersen as Jonah

Star Power: Haylie Duff and Maureen McCormick

overall: recommended

[the title quotation is from How the Grinch Stole Christmas]