Christmas as Usual (Så var det jul igjen) (2023) has all the potential to be a really lovely story about one Norwegian family's journey to reassess and stretch their understanding of cultural traditions and norms in order to accommodate and welcome someone new into their fold. But no. That's not at all what happens. Instead, … Continue reading CHRISTMAS AS USUAL (2023): A Potentially Good Story Crushed Under the Weight of Cultural Stereotypes
VIRGIN RIVER (S5 Part 2): Two Very Special Pine Sap-Speckled, Tinsel-Bedecked, and Gingerbread-Scented Christmas Episodes
Welcome to the end of Season 5 of Virgin River, where for two episodes everything will be soaked in eggnog, decked with holly, and mined with mistletoe. I think a really good metaphor for the show overall and these two episodes in particular is when Jack and Mel are out in the woods looking for … Continue reading VIRGIN RIVER (S5 Part 2): Two Very Special Pine Sap-Speckled, Tinsel-Bedecked, and Gingerbread-Scented Christmas Episodes
GENIE (2023): The Leads’ Charm, Chemistry, and Comedic Chops Save This Movie From Itself
Genie (2023) is, for the most part, benign, though it is largely lacking in plot ( a common inconvenience when it comes to YuleTubing), and it really drives home the message that some relationship situationships can only and finally be fixed not through emotional labor, time, and introspection, but through good old-fashioned sparkly magic and … Continue reading GENIE (2023): The Leads’ Charm, Chemistry, and Comedic Chops Save This Movie From Itself
EXmas (2023), ROYAL RENDEZVOUS (2023), MARRIED BY MISTAKE (2023): Rom-Coms That Range From Decent-ish to OhHellNo—But Not in That Order
EXmas (2023) ROYAL RENDEZVOUS (2023) MARRIED BY MISTAKE (2023) EXmas (2023) In the spirit of giving and the YuleTubing season, I was going to open my heart and say, To each their own. Find your own bliss, bish. Watch what makes you happy and I will not judgeth—out loudeth. But, lo, I watched EXmas (2023) … Continue reading EXmas (2023), ROYAL RENDEZVOUS (2023), MARRIED BY MISTAKE (2023): Rom-Coms That Range From Decent-ish to OhHellNo—But Not in That Order
A STORM FOR CHRISTMAS & I HATE CHRISTMAS: For When You Need Some Melancholy in Your YuleTubing
A STORM FOR CHRISTMAS If you, like me, spend part of every Yuletide bemoaning the end of the Norwegian series Home for Christmas, then you’ll likely be happy to see that A Storm for Christmas (which stars many of the same actors and has some of the same writers) has blown into Netflix just in … Continue reading A STORM FOR CHRISTMAS & I HATE CHRISTMAS: For When You Need Some Melancholy in Your YuleTubing
More YuleTubing With: YOUR CHRISTMAS OR MINE? (2022), SOMETHING FROM TIFFANY’S (2022), & I BELIEVE IN SANTA (2022)
YOUR CHRISTMAS OR MINE? (2022) SOMETHING FROM TIFFANY'S (2022) I BELIEVE IN SANTA (2022) YOUR CHRISTMAS OR MINE? (2022) This is a movie with a good premise, great actors, and a sweet ending, but I feel like it leans too much on misunderstandings and misery for its humor. Hayley (Cora Kirk) and James (Asa Butterfield) … Continue reading More YuleTubing With: YOUR CHRISTMAS OR MINE? (2022), SOMETHING FROM TIFFANY’S (2022), & I BELIEVE IN SANTA (2022)
Short YuleTube Reviews: HOLIDAY HARMONY (2022), A HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS (2022), HOTEL FOR THE HOLIDAYS (2022)
HOLIDAY HARMONY (2022) A HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS (2022) HOTEL FOR THE HOLIDAYS (2022) Please note that all Christmas movies are rated on a curve for very obvious reasons. HOLIDAY HARMONY While I think it's perfectly plausible to enjoy Holiday Harmony as a Noel-flavored anesthetic agent for your eyes—with the added bonus of Brooke Shields—some things still … Continue reading Short YuleTube Reviews: HOLIDAY HARMONY (2022), A HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS (2022), HOTEL FOR THE HOLIDAYS (2022)