Two More Christmas Movies

I managed one more Christmas movie last night and then one this afternoon. Both, again, which I have never seen before.

First was The Muppet Christmas Carol. Yes, really, I have never seen it. I'm partial to the George C. Scott version which premiered in my youth, as well as Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol. I also like the Bill Murray film Scrooged. 

The Muppets version is pretty good. I appreciated the authenticity of Dickens' voice (through the mouth of The Great Gonzo), and most of the time the use of the Muppets as minor characters was effective. Michael Caine is good as Scrooge. The ghosts are great. For me, though, Kermit and Miss Piggy were kind of distracting in their roles, and the music was mostly annoying (I kept waiting for it to be over).

But it overall, it was a masterpiece compared to the movie I watched this afternoon. 

I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised at the letdown, because I made the mistake of watching a romantic "Christmas movie," the kind that shows on the Hallmark Channel (though this one is on Netflix). I knew it was that kind of movie, but it's one that was highly recommended so I thought maybe A Christmas Prince would be better in some way.

It's not. It's completely formulaic in writing and directing. Most of the acting is generic or worse. The prince's little sister and the mother are the only two who are worth watching, and even they're not worth the 90 minutes. Obviously, I disagree with the film's 73% Rotten Tomatoes score.

I think that's it for Christmas movies until next year. Whew.