This Christmas Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
You can't exchange family.
A Christmastime drama centered around the Whitfield family's first holiday together in four years.
| Delroy Lindo | Joseph 'Joe' Black |
| Idris Elba | Quentin Whitfield Jr. |
| Loretta Devine | Shirley Ann 'MaDere' Whitfield |
| Chris Brown | Michael 'Baby' Whitfield |
| Keith Robinson | Devean Brooks |
| Laz Alonso | Malcom Moore |
| Columbus Short | LCpl. Claude Whitfield |
| Sharon Leal | Kelli Whitfield |
| Lauren London | Melanie 'Mel' Whitfield |
| Lupe Ontiveros | Rosie |
| Jessica Stroup | Sandi |
| Mekhi Phifer | Gerald |
| Regina King | Lisa Moore |
| David Banner | Mo |
| Ricky Harris | Cousin Fred |
| Preston A. Whitmore II |
5.00 out of 10 (2219 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Wonderful family story thats pretty free of clichés
posted on 31 Aug 2009Family drama of a(black) family coming together for the holidays. I mention the color aspect only because there is a moment where color plays a role, however color and race are really irrelevant since this is an excellent little family drama about the things that make us family-what ever our color. A strong cast that includes Delroy Lindo makes what is occasionally a clichéd story into something more universal. Frankly these are real people up on the screen and any cliché's reflect that life is something like that. Huge bonus points for the fact that there aren't really movie of the week problems or histrionics. Things happen, but the family takes it all in stride with out a great deal of gnashing of teeth and rending of clothes. I really like this movie a great deal and look forward to seeing the film again down the road. 8 out of 10 for making a truly universal family drama that is just good time with good people.(This is very much deserving of a longer better review but I haven't figured out how to explain the tapestry of the film with out making it sound petty or less than it is.)
A movie that is worth watching over and over
posted on 21 Aug 2009The movie is more than just excellent. It has an all star cast that not only delivers the story they live and are the entire story. This is already a classic in our home where it is watched on a regular basis. I love the growth of the entore family as they lived, loved, and fought around the holiday. Wow it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
AWESOME....DESTINED FOR "CLASSIC" STATUS!!!
posted on 19 Aug 2009With its "can't miss" cast, I thought for sure that This Christmas would be a hit...and I wasn't wrong. Loretta Devine "M'Dear" is the matriarch of her family of six (did I miss anyone?)....who has been scarred emotionally by the love of her life...who deserted her and his family to pursue his love for music. Unfortunately for M'Dear, not one but two of her sons have that same love....leaving her with a fear of further desertion. Insert also cheating spouses, sibling rivalry, interracial romance....and the constant tug of war between her longtime partner (Delroy Lindo) and her eldest son (Idris Elba), and there is never a dull moment in this flick. Add to that a great soundtrack...and you have a recipe for success. Great "eye candy" (for both sexes), also. Don't make the mistake that I did of renting this one....purchase! Makes a great addition to any DVD library.
DYB
Wonderful Christmas Movie
posted on 11 Aug 2009My sister and I went to see this movie last year on Thanksgiving night. We were in the mood for a christmas movie and this seemed like a decent one. We didn't think it was going to be great, but worth it to go because we were bored. This movie was Wonderful! The family dynamic was so loving yet they were real. It was a very funny and entertaining movie. I can't wait to watch it many more times this holiday season!
Chris Brown Makes "This Christmas" Special
posted on 07 Aug 2009Chris Brown Makes "This Christmas" SpecialRecent box office receipts have been swept away by a wave of feature films with black star power. In October, Tyler Perry's "Why Did I get Married?" crashed ashore at #1 with $21.4 million on its opening weekend, marking another successful launch for the Tyler Perry brand. Last month, the first crime saga to eclipse the $30 million mark went #1 with a bullet on its opening weekend, with Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas in "American Gangster." Next month the last man on earth will not be in theaters alone when Will Smith's "I Am Legend" opens in theaters, but a surprise holiday gift was delivered early when "This Christmas" arrived this weekend. "This Christmas" is a feel good movie about growth and acceptance. Once the table is set, a satisfying film leaves you rubbing your stomach and picking your teeth with content. Among the ensemble cast of familiar faces, a shining young star makes his presence known. With pretty boy looks, a golden voice and a charismatic smile, Hip hop R&B singer Chris Brown makes "This Christmas" a very special movie for all ages.A dancer since the age of two, Brown was not aware of his vocal abilities until he was 11. He can now add acting to his resume of showbiz talents with an accomplishment that included not one, but two vocal solos and a compelling performance in the role of Baby, the youngest child of the estranged Whitfield family. As they attempt to reconnect over the holidays, dark secrets are revealed as a family in crisis searches to rediscover unity and togetherness. The dramatic comedy boasts an ensemble cast including Delroy Lindo, Idris Elba, Loretta Devine, Columbus Short , Sharon Leal, Mekhi Phifer, and the incomparable Regina King, who plays a memorable role as a submissive housewife to an unfaithful husband (Laz Alonso). However, the powerful actress gets the last laugh in a must-see showdown reminiscent of "Waiting to Exhale," and appears not once, but twice in her underwear! Why don't we see more of Regina King?Brown has made appearances in UPN's. "One on One" and the N's "The Brandon T. Jackson Show." He appeared as a band geek in the fourth season of FOX's "The O.C. early this year and made a very brief film debut in the dance movie "Stomp The Yard." Brown's character was murdered in the opening scene, but not before astounding audiences with inhuman dance moves and a star quality that could not be denied. Chris Brown's acting career was waiting to happen.Producers Rob Hardy and Will Packer know all about punching tickets at the box office. In fact, they've been doing this for more than a decade. They created Rainforest Films and promptly released their feature, "Chocolate City" to critical acclaim in 1994. They followed with their independently funded, produced and distributed breakout feature "Trois," which became the fastest African-American distributed film to ever pass the million dollar mark and put Rainforest at #34 among the top 500 film distributors of 2000 (listed by the Hollywood Reporter in August 2001). "Trois" was one of the top 50 highest grossing independent films of that year (Daily Variety, July 30, 2001). Until "This Christmas," Rainforest's last release was the surprise talk of the charts—Screen Gems/Sony's "Stomp The Yard" kicked off the holiday weekend last season at #1 with an appeal far beyond African-American youth. It stomped the competition with an estimated $26.5 million over the 4-day weekend. Exit polls showed the Stomp audience was 59% female and 41% male, with 62% over 18 and 65% African-American. "This Christmas" should yield similar results, with $27.1 million in total gross receipts, in second place at the box office despite showing in less than half of the theaters of the "The Enchanted," which grossed $50 million at #1."This Christmas" boasts strong performances and refreshing twists to not-so-original subplots. A surprise pregnancy is far from cliché as the family quickly accepts Claude Whitfield's (Columbus Short) pregnant white wife (Jessica Stroup), as the real bolt from the blue is that Claude is also AWOL from military service. Delroy Lindo and Loretta Devine have a screen chemistry you can feel, and Idris Elba delivers a compelling role as an alienated jazz musician and gambler who remains bitter after their birth father's disappearance years ago. The legacy of the Whitfield men is that they never seem to stick around, but Chris Brown's performance will undoubtedly make you do just that.Miles Maker is an independent filmmaker, screenwriter and freelance columnist: milesmaker@gmail.com
The only saving grace in this fiasco of a movie was the debut of R&B singer Chris Brown
posted on 07 Aug 2009"O Come All Ye Faithful!" It's that time of the year. Time to make the pilgrimage back home to the folks. Everyone has family and being home for the holidays is near universal comfort--or dilemma. This is one of the reasons why a film like this was released during the week of the Thanksgiving holiday comes early before the rush of the Christmas movie madness,and righteously so. Director/Writer Preston A. Whitmore II,taps into this common thread with verve as frothy as spiked eggnog. Whitmore's previous films were a formulatic sports movie Crossover(a disaster with the casting and the movie debut of Britney Spears)and the poorly conceived war film The Walking Dead. This time around and for good measure he's eschewed genre films for a family comedy/drama/romance that not only recalls his own experiences,but experiences from any and every family member that we come to know and love in the most joyous time of the year.The result is a tumultanous holiday fete with a very personal feel and beguiling flair that will carry audiences over some arrhythmatic pacing. For the first time in four years,the Whitfeld family flocks to its Los Angeles home that has more bedrooms than the White House. The family matriarch,Ma' Dere (Loretta Devine) still resides here,thanks to a family dry-cleaning business that's on its last leg. She has put her kids through college and continues to give her youngest son Baby (Chris Brown)a roof over his head. Lisa(Regina King)arrives with her two kids and two-timing,domineering husband Malcolm(Laz Alonzo),who pressures Lisa to convince the family to sell their dry cleaning business to used the family's money for a financial scheme. Malcolm's the moral enemy of Lisa's feisty-independent sister Kelli(Sharon Leal). Claude(Columbus Short)surprises everyone;he's on leave from the Marine Corps. Mel(Lauren London),a perpetual college student,brings her latest boyfriend Devan(Keith Robinson). And Ma'Dere's lover man,Joe(Delroy Lindo),is the gentleman of the house;although he's living there on the down low. Presents are wrappedd. Dinner plans are made. Barbs exchanged. Love is in the air. Jealously and envy too. In between the holiday greetings,family drama and tangled relationships emerge. This is when the film goes from family-friendly perspective into a black soap opera. Its changes too when the family goes from season's greetings to season's ghetto.Characters get bitten by the love bug in which Kelli falls for the Gerald,the firemen(Mekhi Phifer). While the eldest brother Quentin (Idris Elba),makes a guest appearance,this gives the house one more alpha male too many. Tempers flare. Words are said. Feelings are hurt. Thugs show up,unexpected. The police arrive. Half of the family members are arrested and thrown in jail. Merry Christmas! This a movie that has its sexy moments,but there is no nudity or offensive language. There is only a wisp of blood. Tangy enough to please an adult,but it is safe enough for the kids. With this many characters,and accompanying conflicts happening just around every corner,the excessive subplots weigh the film down especially with the cast the live-wires such as Loretta Devine,Regina King,Sharon Leal and Delroy Lindo. The only saving grace here that prevented this film from going into a fiasco was the acting debut of R&B sensation Chris Brown--who steals the show with his breathtaking rendition of a R&B Otis Redding classic. With other music from Aaron Neville,James Brown and Kool and the Gang,its worth watching.
waste of time.....
posted on 19 May 2009Starring: Delroy Lindo; Idris Elba; Chris Brown; Loretta Divine; Chris Brown and Sharon Leal Written and Directed by: Preston A. Whitmore II This Christmas is everything you'd expect in festive season little bundle: it's funny; exciting and leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling at its conclusion. Here's the story of the Whitfield's – an urban African American family. This is their story, replete with amusements; disappointments and big surprises.When Mama Whitfield decides to invite all her babies home for Christmas, it's bound to raise the roof. There are multiple stories within this well-scripted little tale and that's where it scores big points with the audience – everyone can relate to this in some way or other.The music is simply splendid; the silky-smooth voice of 18-year-old Chris Brown is something surreal. It's time to enjoy some good old-fashioned family entertainment this summer with This Christmas! Written by Brett Chatz at 5:10 AM
GREAT MOVIE....GREAT SERVICE !!
posted on 01 May 2009"THIS CHRISTMAS" is a very heartwarming movie with excellent performances by all of the actors and actresses. For us baby boomers, it brings back memories of the old family dinners during the holidays and those infamous Sunday dinners. The plot is very basic but still holds you in suspense for the final ending. I watched it twice and will probably watch it again. The "Soul Train" dance line, at the end, is fun! It's a "must have" movie that can be viewed anytime but had special meaning for me "this Christmas"
What a Pleasant Christmas Movie
posted on 01 May 2009This film borrows from just about every Christmas movie ever made (and which Christmas movie hasn't done the same), but blends it all together in a totally pleasant funny film. Yes I laughed a good 10 times (that's a lot for a film).
Chris Brown can't act. Yeah he needs to stick with singing. But you know, who cares, the film was fun.
This isn't G rated family fun. The PG-13 comes from two scenes, one a lingerie scene that is, well PG-13 warm. The other is when Kelli decides to get revenge on her husband Malcom and mercilessly whips him with a belt after he falls on baby oil. It's a very funny scene, but PG-13.
Delroy Lindo and Loretta Devine are really wonderful in this film. Delroy in particular is good here as the Deacon lover.
Yes it's predictable. Yes it's campy. I did fast forward through a lot of the music, not because I didn't care for it. The director left almost full songs in here and it seriously interrupted the story flow.
The sound mix was also off pretty badly, voices were very muted and low volume; and the music was very loud. There's dynamic range, and then there's just over boosting the music.
All in all, a nice pleasant, funny Christmas movie. You could do a lot worse (anything with Tim Allen and Christmas).
There Were So Many Plots In This Movie That It Was Hard To Keep Up
posted on 01 May 2009I had to laugh at the fact that Loretta Devine played the family matriarch in this movie! It was never revealed to the family that she was still "married" to Senior while sleeping with Joe. Regina King's character waited too long to get revenge on that cheating husband. And why does someone always meet someone and fall in love instantly in the movies? We all knew that Quentin was going to come back at the end of the movie. And Chris Brown's character just happened to be singing at the club that all the siblings went to late at night. This movie couldn't be too bad with fly Lauren London, fly Sharon Leal, and Regina King in it. There were too many problems in this family. a corporal who went AWOL and married and got a white woman pregnant. A brother who owes bad guys $25,000 and gets beat up by them a lot. And many many more subplots!
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart...
posted on 21 Apr 2009Looking at the ads on television and realizing who is playing in this movie, it could be very easy to write this off as a Soul Food knock off that will quickly be forgotten. However, walking out of the theater after the two hour movie (complete with a random dance off for a finale that served as its closing credits), I realized that there was something more to this movie. It has a big heart and it's in the right place, even if the final product isn't as rewarding as It's a Wonderful Life or A Christmas Story. Nonetheless, this is probably the best Christmas movie of 2007, even if that isn't in itself a big accomplishment.This Christmas chronicles the days prior to Christmas at the Whitford household. The Whitford family seems to have a lot of family members, and what are the odds that every single person at the family has a secret that they are afraid of being found out? I'd say the chances are pretty good. I'll try not to spoil much, but the problems in the family are best detailed with a bulleted list.We have: -A guy who hasn't spent a Christmas with his family in four years, as he's pursuing his dreams as a musician, much to the dismay of his mother, who worries that he is turning into his father. That connects to...-A father who abandons his family to pursue a musical career. This connects to...-The youngest son trying to hide the fact that he wants to be a singer so he won't break his mother's heart, as she's already dealing with the pain of two of her loved ones leaving her to become a musician. This connects to... (not really, but I don't like to break the chain) -A son that marries a white woman without telling his family while simultaneously being AWOL from the military.-A daughter that is being cheated on by her husband while simultaneously thinking that she's better than everybody else in the Whitford household.-A daughter that brings home her new boyfriend.-Yet another daughter that is rather promiscuous.-A mother trying to hide the fact that her boyfriend has been living with her for quite a while.(If only I was able to tie all of that in with some kind of Christmas music...) Did I miss anything? Oh yeah, the guy who hasn't spent time with his family was stalked back to his mom's house by two bookies that are owed $25,000 from him. With a family that has that many problems, it's a surprise that the whole family aren't alcoholics.Miraculously, the director/writer is able to chain all of these problems together so that each situation has a hint of closure by the film's end, even if it is done in typical Hollywood happy ending style. Still, This Christmas is pleasant and a sigh of relief in the midst of some of the other, inferior Christmas movies that contains no originality and no entertainment.If I could say one thing about This Christmas, it's that you will walk away entertained.Rating: *** out of ****
Very pleasant surprise!
posted on 15 Apr 2009I went to this movie expecting a humorous funny slapstick black comedy. I was mistaken. It was a real look into families at holiday time. It had several story lines which were interesting to follow and the actors did an excellent job in carrying them out. There was some really good humor as well but I appreciated the drama and the real look into what so many of us experience. I don't know the names of the characters but I've seen many of them before and they have done good work. You're going to love the very end(after the movie) so don't leave! Granted we all want a warm good feeling Christmas movie and this one will certainly not disappoint! The only hint I will leave is don't miss the scene with the baby oil! Go see this!
do not go see it sucked!!!
posted on 15 Apr 2009This movie was titled as a "comedy" it was no such thing. My favorite part was toward the end when everyone came together at church throughout the whole 2 hrs movie, there were maybe 3 of 4 funny parts the rest do not go see!!!! not worth 8.50 wait for the DVD. They had too much arguing/family talks in it for it to be called a "comedy." It was a very strung slow pace movie with 90 secs of fast past Christmas related stuff in between. The dance off at the end was pathetic. I was lost throughout the whole movie. I know for sure my holiday's aren't anything like the one portrayed in this movie. I was almost ready to walk out because this movie was so bad. The directors need to go back to film school, and learn take film making 101.
I love this movie!!
posted on 26 Mar 2009I have waited all year for this movie and I cannot wait for it to come out on DVD!!! I loved everyone's performance in this movie. It was so well put together and funny. I suggest that everyone see this movie for the holidays and it will be great to watch all year long too. I know I will be playing it out myself. =) I will also be buying it as Christmas gifts for my family members.
It's Good BUT. . .
posted on 18 Mar 2009I took my teenage sister to see this movie last week. If Chris Brown wasn't in it, I don't think she would've been interested. Chris Brown, by the way, really impressed me in this movie. His acting is great and his singing, in my opinion, has improved a lot. I thought he was great in "Stomp the Yard" despite his small role and I would love to see him in more movies in the future.
At first glance, "This Christmas" seems like a family film. However, if you do watch this with your family, make sure there are no little children around because there are too many inappropriate things in this movie:
1) The mother in the film, Loretta, and her boyfriend Joe, who is a DEACON in a church, have been living together -in Loretta's house- for the past several years. They're not married and Loretta's youngest son "Baby" accuses her of being afraid of marrying Joe due to a bad marriage she had in the past. I thought Joe was going to propose to Loretta at the end of the movie, but it never happened.
3)The oldest daughter, Lisa, has a husband, Malcome, who is cheating on her. While he is in the shower, Lisa confronts him about it. Malcome, not knowing that Lisa squirted baby oil all over the floor, wraps his lower body with a towel and comes out of the shower. The entire scene is of Malcome slipping and sliding on the bathroom floor with Lisa beating him with a leather belt. Even though Malcome is wearing a towel, he is not fully overed, he's slipping and sliding on the floor AND YOU CAN SEE HIS PRIVATE PARTS AS HE ATTEMPTS TO GET UP OFF THE FLOOR. I saw TOO much. Laz Alonso is an extremely handsome man, but the entire scene looked like S&M to me.
2) The middle daughter, Kelli, has a one night stand with a guy she met at the club. A few days later she sneaks this STRANGER inside her mother's house so they can sleep together. Supposedly they went to high school together and the guy claimed he liked her back in the day, but I don't know. For a successful Harvad-educated woman getting up in age, I guess Kelli was desperate for a man.
3) The youngest daughter, Mel, brings her boyfriend over for the holidays. They are only boyfriend/girlfriend, but they are allowed to sleep together in the same bed as well as play hanky panky in the closet and it's no big deal even though there is a young niece and nephew and other family members in the house.
Sorry, that I gave away parts of the movie, but this isn't a Huxtable Christmas movie and people need to know this before watching it with children around. But then again, who am I to say what is appropriate and inapproprite?
Christmas Soap
posted on 16 Mar 2009Sometimes funny and heartwarming, the Whitfield's Christmas homecoming often comes off as a fragmented, episodic, soap opera. The heart's in the right place, but the execution could have resonated more than a substandard holiday greeting. However, when there's singing and dancing, the whole venue shines like a holiday star. (The soundtrack is a must though.)
Good Times and Bad Times
posted on 31 Aug 2009Cons: I despised the movie "Waiting to Exhale" because I think women who destroy a man's property because she's mad that he's cheating on her is not only corny, but it's childish. There was an SUV scene in this movie that was beyond stupid to me, and I turned up my lip in disgust. Then there was another scene that annoyed me about a domestic dispute, but I heard women cheering during that part. For the life of me, I do not understand why ladies think it's funny for a man to be physically abused under ANY circumstances, but if a man does it, then it's wrong. That scene almost made me walk out of the theater because it's so hypocritical.There were some plot scenes that were a little overused, such as the mother's name, the mother cooking big meals, the couple going through marital issues, and the one son being chased by bookies. After awhile, I started thinking the plot to this movie was a blend of several other movies I've seen. However, it's not like these plots are not common within African American households, so I shrugged and kept watching.Pros: Chris Brown. Flat out, he made this movie interesting for me. Whereas Columbus Short was the highlight of "Stomp the Yard" and Chris Brown fell to the sidelines, Chris Brown really showed out tremendously within this movie. I liked him as a singer before, but I LOVE him as a singer now. He did a couple of songs within this film, and I've never heard his pipes be so on point. I was impressed and grinned big during every one of his scenes. He's such a great artist no matter what he does: acting, dancing, singing, comedy (he isn't a comedian, but he's hilarious). Other than Chris Brown, there were some stellar actors in this movie like Idris Elba (even with his rough hairstyle); Delroy Lindo (who gets more handsome and charismatic in every single movie I see him in and always an excellent actor); Laz Alonso (who played a jerk to a tea--great job!); Regina King (love her acting generally but did NOT care for her character in this movie at all); Sharon Leal (who I'm seeing more and more--she's such a pretty woman and does a great acting job as well); Keith Robinson (the pantry scene was cute); Lauren London (pretty woman and improving in every single movie she's in, although I think my favorite will always be "ATL"); Loretta Devine (who played a great mother, but I liked her spin with having a man and her own mind; her back story with her ex was a refreshing switch from the usual widow story); and David Banner trying out his acting chops. All of the actors were cool in this film. It was in Chicago, but it was looking awfully warm for the wintertime. I enjoyed the musical parts of the plot and all of the siblings got along. I also appreciated how they flipped the script on the white wife scene (although I won't go into that and ruin the plot).I enjoyed the film, but those cons are what gave this movie three stars. Other than that, thumbs up.