This newly released (27.10.03) animated adaptation of Charles Dickens' Christmas classic retains the essence of the timeless tale while introducing some fresh interpretations. A celebrity cast provides voices for the voice of Scrooge (Simon Callow) and Belle (Kate Winslet), yet the beauty of the film flows from its artistic usage of CG technology, such as the "painted" scenery of Scrooge's thoughts during his journey through Christmas Past, Present and Future. The Script honours the original story while proving that it is indeed possible to be moved to tears by a group of animated characters. Dickens purists may argue that few movie versions of  "A Christmas Carol" can compete with Alastair Sim's 1951 rendidtion or George C. Scott's 1984 remake, yet this film does not need to supplant, but rather complement such predecessors. It is an especially good choice for young viewers who may find the black and white version too scary. (Ages 5 and older). Reviewer: Lynn Gibson.

Though promoted as a "full-length holiday movie", Mickey's Magical Christmas is more of a Christmas special spin-off from Disney's House of Mouse TV series. The premise is something like an animated Muppet Show: Mickey, Goofy and Donald run a nightclub for an audience of Disney characters, with plenty of songs, skits and cartoons. There's not much story to this holiday special--Mickey whips up an impromptu party for stranded guests and instills a "Humbug" quacking Donald with the holiday spirit--but it's full of sight gags and comic bits with dozens of Disney characters, from Ludwig von Duck to Pumba and Timmon. The special begins with the short Pluto's Christmas Tree and ends with the entire 1983 short film Mickey's Christmas Carol.  However, the highlight is a comic retelling of The Nutcracker with Donald as a reluctant Mouse King (complete with phony Mickey Mouse ears) and John Cleese as the exasperated narrator. Reviewer: Sean Axmaker.

This DVD has only just been released (17.11.03) so we haven't received an independent review from any of our visitors, as yet. However, I can tell you that it's an excellent movie that celebrates the Christmas season with Winnie the Pooh, in a brand new full-length adventure. Share the joy and magic of the holidays as Pooh and his lovable friends enjoy Christmas and the New Year in a delightful tale about spending special moments with those you care about most.  Al'

Bob the Builder's first full-length adventure, "A Christmas to Remember", is a festive extravaganza boasting an all-star cast, including Elton John and Noddy Holder. Bob's twin brother Tom, a zoologist, (voiced by Stephen Tompkinson) is coming home from the Artic for the festivities and Bob's planning the perfect Christmas. But there are so many things to do first and Bob will have to work his little yellow hardhat off if he's to get everything done in time: there's the tree to fetch, the lights to put up in the town square, not to mention the stage to build for Lennie and the Lazers' free concert on Christmas Eve. Fortunately, Bob has all his usual friends to help as well as an extra pair of hands in the form of the loveable Banger (Noddy Holder), roadie to the band--unfortunately, he also has Spud--but when news comes that Tom has been unavoidably delayed, it begins to look as though Bob won't be having a perfect Christmas after all...

Meanwhile all is not well within the band: Lennie (Chris Evans) is losing his voice and John (Elton John) is having trouble finishing his new song. Luckily, Roley is on hand to help the creative process along and even suggests a jazzier stage name when it seems that John will have to sing in Lennie's place at the gig.

"A Christmas to Remember" is priceless festive entertainment for adults and children alike: Noddy Holder, whose stage characteristics are perfectly transferred to his diminutive screen persona, complete with Doc Martens and a stovepipe hat, puts in a bravura performance as Banger--while Elton John underplays beautifully right up to, but certainly not including, the rousing grand finale. With this successful transfer to feature length adventures, it seems that no job's too big for this particular builder. Reviewer: Helen Baker.

One day, sparkly clouds appear over Tellytubby land. Soon, everything is covered in fluffy, white snow--including the Tubbies' favourite things--their ball, bag, hat and scooter. The chubby foursome are at first afraid, but soon get stuck into some serious snow games, including rolling snowballs, sliding down hillsides, making footprints and making a snow Tellytubby--even their goggle-eyed vacuum-cleaner, Noo-noo, gets covered from brush to wheels in it. Teletubbies and the Snow will particularly delight pre-schoolers just getting their first taste of a real winter, but children who have never seen snow will love the four short films of real-life children singing winter songs and celebrating the year-end, as well as the antics of Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-laa and Po, giggly Sun Baby and a cast of hundreds of fluffy bunnies hopping around. Reviewer: Alison Jardine.

For those who never thought Disney would release a film in which Santa Claus is kidnapped and tortured, well, here it is. The full title is "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, which should give you an idea of the tone of this stop-action animated musical/fantasy/horror/comedy. It is based on characters created by Burton, the former Disney animator best known as the director of "Pee-wee's Big Adventure", "Beetlejuice", "Edward Scissorhands" and the first two Batman movies. His benignly scary-funny sensibility dominates the story of Halloweentown resident Jack Skellington (voice by Danny Elfman, who also wrote the songs), who stumbles on a bizarre and fascinating alternative universe called ... Christmastown! Directed by Henry Selick (who later made the delightful James and the Giant Peach), this PG-rated picture has a reassuringly light touch. As Roger Ebert noted in his review, "some of the Halloween creatures might be a tad scary for smaller children, but this is the kind of movie older kids will eat up; it has the kind of offbeat, subversive energy that tells them wonderful things are likely to happen." --Jim Emerson.

Although both animations are lovely, "The Snowman" is the real masterpiece of the two. The Briggs book is brought to life, and the story is actually enhanced by the lack of narration.
Having loved this video since I was young, I wanted to introduce it to my young son (he's 5). I had a suspicion that, as fast-paced as today's shows and games are, he would find this dull. I was pleasantly surprised that the story won out, and that he was into it from beginning to end. (I also recommend the 'Kipper' series of videos for this calm but engaging style of storytelling.)
'Father Christmas' is nice enough. It's a good bonus feature, but isn't quite as wonderful as 'The Snowman,' and doesn't hold my son's interest (or mine) as well. I understand that the British version is racy and lot more charming. Anyhow, it's a real treat to be able to share this movie with my son! Reviewer: Deirdre Menard.

In the 50-minute Christmas TV Special, The Christmas Toy, Rugby the Tiger is Jamie's favourite Christmas toy from last year. Rugby is convinced that he will be wrapped up and placed under the tree again this year. When it's Christmas Eve and all the other toys try to explain to him that that is not going to happen, Rugby decides to take matters into his own paws and place himself under the tree. He makes the dangerous trip from the playroom to the living room trying not to be seen, for if a toy's secret of being able to move when humans aren't around is discovered, it becomes frozen forever. Now all his friends from the toy room must get him back before it's too late. This sweet story about friendship and loyalty is delightful, as are the songs, including "Try the Impossible" and "Old Friends". Think Toy Story with Muppetts.  Reviewer: Peggy Maltby-Etra

Under a thick carpet of green-dyed yak fur and wonderfully expressive Rick Baker makeup, Jim Carrey is up to all of his old tricks (and some nifty new ones) in this live-action movie of Dr. Seuss's holiday classic. He commands the title role with equal parts madness, mayhem, pathos, and improvisational genius, channeling Grinchness through his own screen persona so smoothly that fans of both Carrey and Dr. Seuss will be thoroughly satisfied. Adding to the fun is a perfectly pitched back-story sequence (accompanied by Anthony Hopkins's narration) that explains how the Grinch came to hate Christmas, with a heart "two sizes too small." Ron Howard proves a fine choice for the director's chair with a keen balance of comedy, sentiment, and light-hearted Seussian whimsy. Production designer Michael Corenblith gloriously realizes the wackiness of Whoville architecture, and his rendition of the Grinch's Mt. Crumpit lair is a marvel of cartoonish, subterranean grime. Then there's Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen), the thoughtful imp who rallies her village to recapture the pure spirit of Christmas and melts the gift-stealing Grinch's cold, cold heart. You've even got a dog (the Grinch's good-natured mongrel, Max) who's been perfectly cast. (Ages 5 and older.) Reviewed by Jeff Shannon.

How can words describe one third of this films goodness? It is a remake of the classic film but with brilliant actors such as Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle. When Dorey Walker (Elizabeth Perkins) hires a seemingly insignificant elderly gentleman (Kris Kringle) to be their Cole's Santa she has no idea of the success it would bring Cole's. Just as every thing in life is peachy, Cole's rivals decide to discredit Santa by framing him. When it goes to court to decide weather Kris Kringle is a nut case as he believes he is Santa it is up to the judge to decide if Santa Clause is real, Challenging all that is good and pure about Christmas. It's time to ask your-self "Do you believe in Santa?"
Reviewer: An un-named person from Wales in the U.K.

If you wanna start your Simpsons collection (frankly you should have started years ago - Smithers get this customer out of my office), then this is a great place to start.
As with every Simpsons' video, this has a theme (surprise, surprise: Christmas), and the episodes chosen for this particular one makes for great festive viewing. You have the first ever Simpsons episode ('The Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire'), which may look a little strange now, but it was made in the late 80s. Remember that people!
'Mr Plow' is a classic episode (remember Homer's rhyme?!), and 'Miracle on Evergreen Terrace' is a great take on 'It's a Wonderful Life', albeit with a Simpsons' twist. The last two episodes are new to me, since I only watch whatever's on terrestrial TV. Nevertheless, they'll probably be fantastic!!
With Christmas just around the corner, what better way to celebrate than with the Simpsons. This DVD is ace, a must buy!!  Reviewer: Red10devil from Bedford, England.

This semi-remake of Holiday Inn (the first movie in which Irving Berlin's perennial, Oscar-winning holiday anthem was featured) doesn't have much of a story, but what it does have is choice: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, an all-Irving Berlin song score, classy direction by Hollywood vet Michael Curtiz (Casablanca, The Adventures of Robin Hood), VistaVision (the very first feature ever shot in that widescreen format), and ultrafestive Technicolor! Crosby and Kaye are song-and-dance men who hook up, romantically and professionally, with a "sister" act (Clooney and Vera-Ellen) to put on a Big Show to benefit the struggling ski-resort lodge run by the beloved old retired general (Dean Jagger) of their WWII Army outfit. Crosby is cool, Clooney is warm, Kaye is goofy, and Vera-Ellen is leggy. Songs include: "Sisters" (Crosby and Kaye do their own drag version, too), "Snow", "We'll Follow the Old Man", "Mandy", "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" and more. Christmas would be unthinkable without White Christmas. Reviewer : Jim Emerson.

Under a thick carpet of green-dyed yak fur and wonderfully expressive Rick Baker makeup, Jim Carrey is up to all of his old tricks (and some nifty new ones) in this live-action movie of Dr. Seuss's holiday classic. He commands the title role with equal parts madness, mayhem, pathos, and improvisational genius, channeling Grinchness through his own screen persona so smoothly that fans of both Carrey and Dr. Seuss will be thoroughly satisfied. Adding to the fun is a perfectly pitched back-story sequence (accompanied by Anthony Hopkins's narration) that explains how the Grinch came to hate Christmas, with a heart "two sizes too small." Ron Howard proves a fine choice for the director's chair with a keen balance of comedy, sentiment, and light-hearted Seussian whimsy. Production designer Michael Corenblith gloriously realizes the wackiness of Whoville architecture, and his rendition of the Grinch's Mt. Crumpit lair is a marvel of cartoonish, subterranean grime. Then there's Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen), the thoughtful imp who rallies her village to recapture the pure spirit of Christmas and melts the gift-stealing Grinch's cold, cold heart. You've even got a dog (the Grinch's good-natured mongrel, Max) who's been perfectly cast. (Ages 5 and older.) 
Reviewed by Jeff Shannon.

Chevy Chase is back again, to keep us laughing through the holidays! I have never seen this movie, wasn't always a fan of Chevy Chase, but during the holidays i ended up seeing it with my family. I absolutely loved it! Everything in this movie you can laugh about! Chevy Chase is a typical man in the movie, needs to have everything perfect, but with his luck, everything goes bad...and its hysterical! This is the best movie to watch around the holidays with your family. I HIGHLY recommend this movie!!!! Now, its tradition to watch this movie every year. Reviewer: Lisa from Long Island, NY.