2 Holiday Movies to air on TV One: "A Royal Family Holiday" and "A Royal Family Christmas"

MOVIE REVIEW: "A Royal Family Holiday" and "A Royal Family Christmas"

Network: TV ONE

Original Air Date:
"A Royal Family Holiday" - November 21, 2015
"A Royal Family Christmas" - December 5, 2015

CAST:

Vivica A. Fox
Romeo Miller
Debbi Morgan
Richard Lawson
Tichina Arnold
Ricky Harris
Lulu Dahl ... Winifred Cox
Jonathan Ricardo Holloway ... Brian "Brick" Walls
Javon Van Anderson ... Theo Johnson.

TV ONE Logo

PLOT:

From TV One's press release - via futoncritic:

A Royal Family Holiday (previously titled Royal Family Thanksgiving)
Royalty in name and mind only, the Royal family led by patriarch Leighton (Richard Lawson) and matriarch Alfreda (Debbi Morgan), kick-off the first film, Royal Family Thanksgiving, with a fake break-up ruse to lure their overly-busy children home for Thanksgiving. Surprises and challenges ensue, including drama with Alfreda's envious sister Mona Levi (Vivica A. Fox); the revelation of a deep, dark family secret involving Alfreda's former acquaintance Chivonne Price (Tichina Arnold); and dealings with Leighton's super-loud, outspoken cousin Nelson Royal (Ricky Harris). Unfortunately, Leighton and Alfreda both play their roles too well as old wounds are re-opened and their carefully planned reunion leads to chaos - and a potentially real break-up. Royal Family Thanksgiving premieres on TV One, Saturday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. ET.

Royal Family Christmas
In the sequel, Royal Family Christmas, the children Phillip "Flip" Royal (Romeo Miller), a good-looking spiritual guru; Austin Royal (Eric Myrick III, At Sunrise), a Washington, D.C. community activist; Kelsey Royal (Chelsea Tavares, Fright Night), a fashion designer's gopher; and Pamela Royal (Taquilla Whitfield, Magic Mike XXL), a hair and nail salon owner; join forces to reunite their parents in time for Christmas. They try every trick in the book - including "playing nice" and setting aside old sibling rivalries - only to learn their mom and dad are enjoying "the single life." Their plan also goes awry as getting their parents back together ends up taking a back seat to their own personal and professional drama. Viewers can tune into TV One's Royal Family Christmas debut on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. ET.

 

 

*PLEASE NOTE: I have no knowledge, at this time, what these made-for-TV movies will be rated, or if the content therein will be family friendly. Please always check ratings before viewing.

New Years Eve Movies for the Family!

Countdown to Midnight with these Family Movies
 with "New Years Eve" Scenes!

Holiday Inn




It Happened on 5th Avenue




A Boyfriend for Christmas




Bachelor Mother




Bundle of Joy




Remember the Night




A Kiss at Midnight

(Not available on DVD. However, it will air on the Hallmark Channel on January 4th and 5th. *see the Christmas TV Schedule)  

Hitched for the Holidays 2012 Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie
(Not available, yet, on DVD!)


After the Thin Man




Holiday Affair




Holiday Affair (only available on vhs)




While You Were Sleeping




On the 2nd Day of Christmas

      10--9--8--7--6--5--4--3--2--1--   HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!   God's Blessings to You All!

The National Tree

MOVIE REVIEW

The National Tree:

Network: Hallmark Channel

Original Air Date: November 28, 2009

CAST:

Andrew McCarthy ... Corey Burdock
Evan Williams ... Rock Burdock
Kari Matchett ... Faith Russell
Paula Brancati ... Katie Coyle
Jayne Eastwood ... Lana
Vasanth Saranga ... Ash
Emily Andrews ... Stephanie
Amanda Joy Lim ... Ming





PLOT:

from the Hallmark Channel:

Willful Oregon teenager Rock Burdock (Evan Williams, “Save the Last Dance 2”) wins a national Christmas tree contest and convinces Corey (Andrew McCarthy, “Lipstick Jungle”), his overprotective father, to move the fifteen-year-old tree that commemorates Rock’s birth to Washington, D.C. Corey, in turn, persuades Rock to transport the tree on a road trip across the country so he and his son can enjoy some quality time together. Although not excited about the idea, Rock agrees, and the journey turns out to be an adventure that strengthens the bonds between father and son.



Movie Review:

I generally love all Hallmark Christmas Movies, whether they are a bit cheesy or emotionally deep - this however, is the exception.

From the start, the teenage boy, Rock was obnoxious and disrespectful to his father, Corey. Rock was constantly texting and using his video camera - uploading stuff to his blog and acting like his dad was so uncool about technology.

There were all kinds of political messages in this, as well. I know many didn't enjoy that, at all. We watched for the enjoyment of a Christmas Movie - what we received were political protests and green proproganda. I was all for saving the large beautiful tree and replanting it - but did it have to be so political? Did the teenager have to be so disrespectful?

The story was completely about taking this large tree to Washington to plant it there and make it their National Tree. Notice I said National Tree and not Christmas Tree... already there was a political message there, I believe, in the title of the Movie... with not labeling it Washington's Christmas Tree.

In the beginning, the father didn't want to dig up the boy's tree- he didn't want to risk it's dying... but the boy got his way - and was arrogant and possessive about the tree - calling it his tree since the father had planted it there for him when he was born.

Along the Father and Son's travel to Washington- the teenager, Rock, met up with a girl, Katie, who he had been writing back and forth with on-line. Katie drove up to where they stopped along the route with the tree. They met and then Rock hopped in her car and they took off together. I coudn't believe it. I thought this was a totally bad message for kids to meet up with a complete stranger from on the web and then be alone in a car. It gets worse.

Rock and the girl, Katie decide that it would be fun for her to join them for the rest of the trip to Washington. Whoa... she just met this boy - from on-line - and now she wants to travel miles with him and his father alone in a semi all the way to Washington. Sounds crazy to me. Rock asks his father and he says no.

This, however, doesn't stop Rock... he decides to sneak Katie into the back of the semi trailor with the tree and she rides there with them. At first, Rock secretly texts her back and forth while sitting next to his father, but eventually, this plan is not working - it is winter - so she is Freezing!!! They have to come clean. She ends up in the cab riding with them. Rock's Father is, at first, upset and determined that she should go home, but he gives in, says he'll contact her parents and she can go the rest of the way, after all. There are no consequences or disciplinary actions taken for their deception.

SPOILER ALERT:

In the end...
The tree is saved. Rock & Katie are happy. And the father, Corey, finds love, too.

This movie just didn't move me or make me feel the Christmas Spirit. It was long, slow, and disappointing.


See or Skip:

I suggest skipping this one.