2nd Chance for Christmas

This is yet another take on "A Christmas Carol" and not a good one. The budget didn't extend to decent special effects, the acting was stilted and unbelievable and the sets were rubbish. The casting was the main problem. The makers would have been better off finding new talent rather than paying for known stars who didn't fit well. Tara Reid is incapable of facial expression and I found her mask like visage distracting.

The main character, Chance, was so awful it was hard to believe her 180 degree turn at the end. Brittany Underwood, who played her, was totally unconvincing. Her character was so one dimensional. The romance storyline was cringeworthy. The poor bloke should have run a mile long ago!

Avoid! There are much better Dickens' adaptions out there.

I've been watching a different Christmas movie every day since December 1st, it's been a lot, I've been trying to watch things I haven't seen before. And while I have seen plenty of A Christmas Carol adaptations, as far as they go... this one is not bad. I recognized a lot of the actors, the song the lead character sings but seems to hate isn't bad, and honestly... it has decent enough acting for a Christmas movie (my expectations aren't high there and I don't know why anyone's would be). All and all, totally watchable.

Then Grade F-. And in keeping with the Dickensonian theme I think the writer, director and most of the actors should be visited by 3 ghosts on how to make a film. This movie was completely without charm, the special effects were laughable, the acting stilted, and a completely missed opportunity with a new premise. I am assuming this in fact was a failed high school AV project to which I will see you all in detention.

I make it a point to watch every variation and adaptation of Charles Dickens Christmas Carol I find. I came upon this by chance. I liked it. Nothing fancy, just the basic story with a Pop Star diva in the lead. You'll recognize a lot of the actors and they were just fine.

I liked the Christmas ballad that the lead character sings; it's just as good as any of the newer Christmas songs you hear on the radio today.

I threw in an extra star or two to up the rating. Rather than watch endless adaptations of the same basic Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas romcom, add a new version of Scrooge to your holiday viewing.

I just watched this movie, and was interested to see how it was reviewed. One review??? And, graded so harshly (1/10)???

It may have been a little "simplistic," but it wasn't THAT bad, and it had the traditional last 10-minute resolution where everybody gets redeemed and life is perfect. If you get the chance to watch it, give it a try. While it won't get an Academy Award, it's FAR from being a total loss.

Gary in Sandy Eggo