A Christmas Star (2015)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Born under the Christmas Star, Noelle believes she has the gift to perform miracles, so when conniving developer McKerrod threatens her peaceful life she and her friends determine to use this gift to thwart his plans and save their village. A Christmas Star is not something that you haven't seen before but thanks to some good performances by the leading kids and a very strong ending it really did well in my opinion. The rest of the acting was mediocre especially from Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson was good as the narrator but his role wasn't something important to begin with also great acting by James Stockdale who played Spud-Bob i'm gonna give this film an 6.5/10

This is better than most of your Christmas films, which seem to bog themselves down in sentimentality and Christmas Spirit. This isn't a bad thing since that's what Christmas is about. However, when you get a film like this which is set in more realistic situations it's a nice break from the over cheeriness of the usual Chrimbo fodder.What also make this a movie worth watching is the acting, which, by and far, is superb. They actors did a great job and must have taken more than a few notes from the cameo "Stars" in the film, as this was the intended purpose of the Television Festival for Young People.That said, the film could've done with a bit better script and direction, there were times when my attention would stray, and the acting wasn't enough to keep me glued to the gogglebox.I recommend this film to all and we need more Christmas films like this - and more films helping young actors to come forward.

Based on other reviews, I watched and I'm glad I did - it was good! I have no idea why the overall rating is poor. The acting was excellent - children and adults - the scenery's lovely, and the story is pertinent - economic development. (I learned that the Irish say 'nigh' for now ;) which is either pronunciation or a different word - I plan to use it more often!) The story is completely clean, no harsh enmity just conflict. ..Although Pierce Brosnan insults his worker, and the worker insults his son - not great but not awful. This may be best for ages 8-9 and up, since there might not be enough action or shiny things for small tots. If you like this, also see Journey to the Christmas Star (Norway). That makes two great finds for me this season, I'll be watching this movie and that one again this year, and onward. Thanks, Netflix!

I found this movie on Netflix streaming. I watched it with my wife on Christmas Eve, as we both were suffering with very bad head and chest colds. Bah, humbug!The story focuses on young Erin Galway-Kendrick as Noelle O'Hanlon, so named because she was born on Christmas day and, because her dad had vehicle issues, she was born in a manger of sorts and delivered by an older woman who had only delivered calves before.Noelle grows up much like all her friends in their small sea-side town, but she finds she has a talent, the ability to perform "small miracles". Usually manifest this way, when two people were quarreling she could look at them, squint a bit, and all would become happy and cooperative.The drama comes when Rob James-Collier (the nasty guy on Downton Abbey) as Pat McKerrod comes back to town. He grew up there but obviously with great disdain for the place and its struggling snow globe factory. He has returned to represent himself as their savior, he will buy the company and assure jobs for all, but he is lying to them. He is working for Pierce Brosnan back in the States, who literally phones in his role as Mr. Shepherd, a tough businessman who only cares about himself.So the resolution of the various stories requires Noelle and her young friends to discover the truth and to point it out so that her small town and its snow globe business can be preserved.It is all fairly trite and over-simplified but I don't believe the filmmakers ever thought they were making an award-winning movie. It is just a small movie with a Christmas theme and entertaining for those in the right frame of mind for it.