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A Merry Little Ex-Mas – Review
A Merry Little Ex-Mas – Netflix – 1 hour and 31 minutes
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Kate pushed away her dreams of becoming a Boston architect after she met Everett. She moved with him to his small town, Winterlight, so that he could open his medical practice. They had two kids, Gabe and Sienna, and Kate became the local handywoman. However, Kate and Everett grew apart. And now they want a divorce after separating for several months. Kate plans to spend this holiday the same as the others so that it won’t affect their children. And Kate and Everett plan to use the words ‘I feel’ and ‘conscious uncoupling’ during this period. The townspeople laugh at their plan.
Kate has prepared a traditional meal to welcome her family’s arrival. She greets Sienna’s new boyfriend, Nigel, and her father-in-laws, Mike and Darryl. Gabe makes quips about both his grandfathers’ height, while Nigel gives uncomfortable hugs. During the meal, Nigel slips about Everett’s new girlfriend, Tess. Everyone knew, except Katie. She can’t believe it and pretends to be okay. She has a secret, too. She will sell the family home and move to Boston to reclaim her career. Despite Kate and Everett’s wishes, this family holiday will not be a traditional one.
This film has the classic Lifetime holiday plot with bigger stars. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be on Netflix. The supporting cast is the funniest part of this movie. From Nigel’s weird shenanigans to Kate’s love interest, Chet, stripping a fire out, they make the film bearable. Also, the grandfathers judging the gingerbread competition will rival the Food Network. Tess has the most relatable crash-out in a holiday film. If you like predictability with a few smirks, this picture is for you.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
You are asking me to be selfless, which is a big ask – April
We have joint custody – Katie
Don’t announce that – Sienna
I once had a boyfriend that I called the missile – Tess
I’m happy you’re here – Everett
I’m checking for a wedding ring – Chet
The tribe has spoken – Mike
Nice touch – Darryl
Playdate – Review
Playdate – Prime Video – 1 hour and 34 minutes
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Brian wants to find a way to bond with his step-son, Lucas. He coached Lucas’s lacrosse team, but that was a flop. Lucas would rather dance than play sports. Later, forensic accountant Brian refuses to commit fraud for his nepo-baby employers. So they fire him. Brian’s wife, Emily, thinks it’s time for him to be a stay-at-home dad while she works as a lawyer. Brian begrudgingly agrees. Brian takes Lucas out to play catch and sees Jeff throw a football to his son, CJ. Brian can’t believe the father and son’s level of expertise. Jeff comes over to help Brian and Lucas with their game. The two boys find commonality and arrange a playdate at Jeff’s house. Brian cringes, but Jeff loves the idea.
The boys run to the backyard while Brian tries to bond with Jeff. Jeff reveals that CJ’s mom died, and they moved to start over. He cashed out his savings to become a stay-at-home dad and help CJ get acclimated. As Brian finds holes in Jeff’s story, CJ and Lucas return because someone was staring at them. Jeff instantly decides to go to a Buckey Cheese with the kids. Everyone jumps in Jeff’s car, but Brian still feels that something is off.
As the boys play, Jeff watches a man enter. He follows the man to the back while CJ and Lucas return for pizza. They don’t know that Jeff and the unknown man are fighting. Brian asks CJ about his dad, but CJ replies that Jeff isn’t his dad. He has no idea who Jeff is or why Jeff took him. Brian runs to the front door, but the attendant won’t let him leave because their wrist bands don’t match. He tries to explain, but the attendant doesn’t believe him. When Jeff returns, CJ pretends not to know Brian or Lucas. They run off, and the attendant reports it as a kidnapping.
In the car, Jeff explains what happened. He was working at a secure facility when he heard a sound from inside a room. It was CJ. He realized they were experimenting on the kid, so Jeff broke him out. Now, CJ’s creators are coming for him. He has no idea why they created him or anything about CJ’s lineage. He feels compelled to help. Brian wants to leave, but he sees an amber alert with his picture. Jeff loves working with his new best friend, but Brian hates being a man on the run. Can Brian and Jeff save themselves and CJ?
This film is an outlandish time with plot holes, hijinks, basic graphics, and cheesy jokes. It contains the standard secret agent in the suburbs storyline and doesn’t seek to add more to the genre. The foreshadowing is the most painful part of this story. It ruins any reveals. And the final explosion is a letdown because you know what’s burning inside. The Mamma Mafia is hilarious. It’s a page out of Bad Moms. And the running Odyssey joke is made for suburbia. Parents should watch this movie before determining if it’s safe for their tween or older child. This picture is for anyone who wants mindless fun with kids and campy jokes.
I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars
It’s assumed – Brian
Help me – Lucas
Don’t let go – Jeff
Hell yeah – CJ
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