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The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Review
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Budget of $20 million – 1 hour and 39 minutes
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The small town of Emmanuel is abuzz because their 75th Annual Christmas Pageant is falling on Christmas Eve. But Beth Bradley doesn’t feel the joy because the pageant hasn’t changed. She attends Sunday school with her brother, Charlie. The minister allows the students to attend the first 15 minutes of service once a month and present to the congregation. Their topic is ‘why I love church.’ Charlie tells the members he loves attending church because the Herdmans aren’t there. The Herdmans are a family of kids that steal, smoke, start fires, and fight. The eldest, Imogene, leads her younger siblings – Ralph, Claude, Leroy, Ollie, and Gladys – as they terrorize the town. Bob and Grace apologize for Charlie’s sentiments while leaving with their children.
Bob and Grace prepare their home for the holidays when they see flashing lights across the street. Grace and Beth spy the paramedics wheeling Mrs. Armstrong out because she broke her legs. Beth’s friend, Alice, and Alice’s mother, Rebecca, check on Mrs. Armstrong, too. For decades, Mrs. Armstrong directed the pageant. And Alice played Mary for three years. Grace mentions becoming acting director, but Rachel hints that Grace isn’t up to Mrs. Armstrong’s standards. Grace takes the job when Rachel and Mrs. Armstrong give each other a knowing glance, much to Bob’s chagrin.
Two days in a row, the Herdmans stole Charlie’s lunch. On the third day, Charlie gave it to them. Then, he bragged about receiving free food and snacks at church. When the Herdmans arrive at church, everyone stops and stares. The minister informs them that everyone will get snacks after Sunday school. The Herdmans sit with the students as Grace tells them about the play. Beth explains to Imogene that the play is about the birth of Christ. Then, Beth describes a play to Imogene. Imogene wants to be Mary, her sister the Angel, and her brothers will be Joseph and the wise men. They threaten the other children to dominate the parts.
The parents meet Grace at Mrs. Armstrong’s home. They demand that Grace pull the Herdmans out of the play. They believe the Herdmans will destroy the play and disgrace the town. Grace reminds them that their kids didn’t volunteer. She refuses to exclude the Herdmans and vows it will be the best pageant ever. But can she deliver?
Based on The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson, this film brings the children’s classic to life (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Fans of the book will recognize passages from the beloved tale and memorable scenes they imagined. The Herdman children are wild and have a tainted past with the townspeople. However, the Bradleys slowly see the changes in the children and the non-Christian behavior in the community. The audience laughs while opening their heart to the story of Christ’s birth. It will allow the audience to see the story in a new light. The Herdmans ask unique and funny questions about the story while getting their book license. Parents should tell their younger children that the story is set in the 1970s. So they won’t see cell phones or tablets, but it has a card catalog. The same joy and faith you get from the book will ignite in the theater. The Herdmans aren’t lost children. The community ignored them. This film is the perfect start to the holiday season and will become a classic.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
I chose my neck – Beth
I told Mrs. Armstrong it’s going to be the best Christmas pageant ever – Grace
My ham’s in the pageant – Bob
Well, we haven’t melted yet – Imogene
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Relay – Review
Relay – Budget Unknown – 1 hour and 52 minutes
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Ash watches his client, Hoffman, sit nervously at a diner. Hoffman hands documents to the CEO, takes a picture with him, and exits the restaurant. Ash follows Hoffman through the city and watches him board the train. Ash retreats to his lair, stashes a copy of the documents in his safe, and burns envelopes meant for the press. He attends his AA meeting and listens to new messages from potential clients.
Whistleblower Sarah meets with a lawyer. She discovered that her employer, Cybo Sementis, did not disclose the harmful side effects of the new food additive. She received the incriminating document in an email and brought it to her superior’s attention. They moved her to another branch of the company and fired her for a minor infraction. When they discovered she had a copy of the email and its contents, the company sent goons to harass her. The lawyer alerts Sarah to legal routes she can take under whistleblower protection laws. However, she wants to return the documents to stop the harassment. The lawyer informs her about a service that deals with this sensitive matter. He gives her a number and tells her to leave a message. If they choose her case, they will call back. However, she will never see the person’s face or hear their voice.
Sarah arrives at a safe house, calls the number, and leaves a message. She gets a call from the Tri-State Relay. They inform Sarah that they are a service for people with hearing impairments who want to make a phone call. The calls aren’t recorded and are confidential. She agrees to take the call. Ash accepts her case, but she must follow his directions without question. Any failure on her part will void their deal. She will be a lamb to the slaughter. Sarah agrees, and Ash puts his plan into motion. However, Cybo Sementics won’t bow down without a fight.
This movie is a battle of wits with low-tech solutions. Ash doesn’t use a hacker or a crew to flush out Sarah’s harassers. Instead, he uses the relay service, the post office, and cunning to stay one step ahead. During the opening sequence, you never hear Ash speak. Ash feels like a mythical character. However, it’s not for good. It’s for cash. He locks a spare document in his hideaway for insurance. This paperwork contains secrets that are harmful to the community. They should tell others. This movie waits for the height of the climax to stun you. It’s a long-forgotten plot point that knocks you out of your seat. The slick presentation pacifies you into a sense of relaxation, so you don’t see what the writer is preparing. This moral dilemma is a highly entertaining and captivating spy thriller.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
Who said I listen to The Who – Ash
I followed a recommendation – Sarah
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Categories: Judy Greer, Lily James, Molly Belle Wright, movie, Must Buy, Pete Holmes, Relay, review, Riz Ahmed, Sam Worthington, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
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