Christmas with a Capital C (2011)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Perfect cast and a good story

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.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

I will say that Christmas With A Capital C has one undeniable value. If you want to know the kind of place that spawned the Palin family and inflicted them on the world than this film is a must. Wasilla where Sarah Palin was mayor was just the kind of place you see here with Ted McGinley as chief executive.This looks like a most homogeneous community when McGinley's old rival Dan Baldwin comes back. He's seen the great big world outside and made a small fortune doing it. For some reason he's decided to be the Grinch and is starting a lawsuit to get the nativity scene removed. The 'war' on Christmas is a big theme in the evangelical circuit where this played.Baldwin does have ulterior motives and they are discovered, of course. I only thought that Stephen Baldwin went the Christian route. I've always said Thanksgivings are most interesting when the Baldwins gather. Now more than ever.Nancy Stafford late of Matlock plays McGinley's wife and part of the reason for Baldwin's Grinch like behavior is as always beautiful. Christmas With A Capital C is not overtly preachy and could be enjoyed in a theater as well as a church.

Don't watch it, it's sh*t.The good guys are from small-town America, simply trying to celebrate Christmas in the same unconstitutional (so it seems) way that they have done for many a year when evil corporate lawyer sleazes into town. He immediately sets out to spoil Christmas for everyone and steal it for himself .... oh no that was the Grinch wasn't it. Needless to say he is just as bad, old man Potter in a nice suit, ready to do anything (including calling the police on little girls) to get his own way. Muuhhuu haw. Hmm, self-indulgent, preaching, terrible characters (Mr Baldwin might as well be twisting his moustaches and tying virgins to train tracks he is painted so obviously as the villain). This is one out of the bottom drawer. IMDb should allow for zero or negatives on the rating system.

I have posted this review because I rented this movie and enjoyed it very much. I find it interesting that the reviews that have been posted so far include the same type of sentiments or arguments that are presented in this movie. We have people who more then likely are not of a Christian faith that are highly offended and use somewhat vulgar verbiage to express their views. Then we have those of a Christian background that vehemently defend their faith. Does that not prove the timeliness of this movie? I love the reminder (presented in the film) that it is important to love those that disagree and even love them when they treat you harshly or criticize you strongly. This movies reminds us that Jesus was criticized and that we should not be surprised when we (or our godly films) are criticized in the post-modern society we live in. I do not believe you have to be a Christian to appreciate the reminder that love can warm even the hardest heart...so I believe all can enjoy this movie.

In an America that has an increasingly diverse population, it is astounding that people do not GET IT. Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and atheists all pay taxes and are citizens. Seasons greetings is appropriate. Merry Christmas and religious displays paid for with my tax money, not OK. Unless the city also wants to fund Hanukkah, Quanza, Winter Solstice and Ramadan displays as well. In five minutes of watching, the mayor quickly displays a stubborn streak that can be a disaster in a public official. He mayor completely ignores all his civic responsibilities to serve his private believes. Being set in Alaska, I guess this explains Sarah Palin.