User reviews

Cindy Busby's character was so over the top that I didn't know how she functioned. Like she wasn't believable as an actual person. I know she's not usually most viewers cup of tea, but I've always liked her. I didn't like her in this. She couldn't pull off this type of character. She works better as a downbeat character with a touch surliness. Other annoyances: Her disruptive singing while at work and then encouraging her friend to quit her job just because she had was awful.

I also found the movie so boring. The only thing that made it bearable was Katherine Barrell who will always be Officer Nicole Haught to me.

For the umpteenth time, Hallmark revisits the old trope where someone in town either looks or acts like Santa and seems to have magical Christmas powers. Sometimes, the Magical Santa appears briefly, sometimes the Magical Santa grants a wish and checks back in a few times, and sometimes, as in this movie, the Magical Santa not only looks the part, goes by the name Kris Kringle, drives something red, and constantly bellows "Ho Ho Ho", he dominates the entire movie with his magical powers and carefully planned coincidences.

40 year old Cindy Busby plays 32 year old Lori Jo and, to be polite, she comes across as a wee bit maniacal from time to time. She's also kind of a crappy friend. She quits her job because of a task that she's been planning for years but has decided, rather arbitrarily, to complete this year. Then she encourages her friend and co-worker Tori, played engagingly by Katherine Barrell, to also blow off work and join her. Their jobs don't appear to be the kinds of jobs that have allowed them to squirrel away wads of cash. But hey, who needs money?

Lori Jo and Tori start driving cross country so Lori Jo can hang an ornament on a tree somewhere in Ohio (is that really worth quitting a job to do?). It was apparently something she and her grandmother had talked about doing for years but never did before her grandmother passed away 4 years ago. Along the way, their car breaks down and they meet a tow truck driver named Carl, played by Corey Sevier, who just happened to be passing by. Magic Santa also drops by and employs his first bit of magic (and not the real world illusion kind). The three new friends then team up with Jason, another stranger played by Matt Wells, who has a great line ("career, family, it doesn't have to be one or the other").

The plot essentially amounts to them being repeatedly manipulated/tricked by the All Powerful Kris Kringle in ways that make them wonder if he has some Higher Power. It's moderately entertaining, especially if you like old white guys with white beards messing with peoples' lives. No one has any past lovers or spouses to complicate the story and I actually liked that this movie gave equal time to the 2 new budding romances. I was actually more drawn to Katherine Barrell's character which, in most other movies, would have been the cardboard best friend whose sole purpose was to cheer on the main female lead. She's a real person with thoughts and feelings here (and attractive in a girl next door sort of way).

Aside from the, um, very animated performance by Busby, the acting was solid especially by George Masswhol, the actor who fully commits to the role of Kris Kringle. The movie also included a couple of great quotes but only one was properly attributed. "Life is a journey, not a destination" is often misattributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, as it is here. But the first known recorded use of the aphorism was by Lynn H. Hough. The other great line, "not all those who wander are lost" was indeed written by J. R. R. Tolkien, in The Fellowship of the Ring."

This wasn't a classic but it wasn't a complete misfire. It all depends on your tolerance for Magic Santas and Cindy Busby (I'm not a hater but she's not one of my favorites).

Everything Christmas was a real mixed bag for me. I thought it started out quite well with the over the top Christmas loving Busby and her level-headed friend played by Katherine Barrell on a buddy road trip to the town of Yuletide Springs. They break down and shortly after are helped by a man who resembles Santa in body and spirit. From there are a series of coincidences and almost magical experiences that lead them to believe that he might be the real thing. Oh, and of course there is romance for the both of them.

Unfortunately, after a good start with some legitimate laughs provided mostly by Barrell, it starts becoming more and more bland and predictable. I've pretty much liked Busby but here she comes across almost like a child going on and on about "believing," etc. Etc.

I thought Barrell pretty much stole the show, and George Masswohl provided solid support as the continually appearing Kris. The biggest disappointment was Corey Sevier who was the major love interest but didn't say or do much of anything. He was always just staring googly-eyed at Busby and was basically just a bubble-brain. The other male love interest wasn't a whole lot better.

Kind of a head scratcher and somewhat of a lost opportunity.

I watched this movie the other day, and I have to admit I was not impressed.

Part of the problem may be that we watch so many of them, there is a natural tendency to compare them to others. If they were just stand alone movies, we might like them fine.

Part of the problem may be that it was a Cindy Busby movie. She's never been one of my favorites.

But I think the biggest problem for me was reducing Cory Sevier, so brilliant as the grinchy stroke victim in Noel Next Door, into a guy who just grins and says "Me too!" about 40 times.

The story about a road trip where two girls keep running into the same two guys and maybe Santa Claus was a little flimsy to say the least. Supporting cast was so-so, although the Santa and the pastor were good.

Others may enjoy this, I'm sure I'll get thumbs down, but for me it's a pass.

Here we have two girls on a road trip who keep running into ..... Santa Claus? Well, Kris Kringle, anyway.

He continues to detour the two girls in a way that might have been creepy if you didn't have the comfort of knowing you're in a Hallmark movie.

The two girls keep running into and traveling with the same two guys, one of whom, Cory Sevier, was in one of our favorites from last year, Noel Next Door. He was great in that movie, but was given much less to work with here.

Separately, each of the parts of this movie are charming and friendly. Placed end to end, they don't make a compelling story.

This is the story of two friends, one a skeptic and one Christmas crazy. The Christmas crazy one, Lori-Jo 'LJ', who is played by Cindy Busby, lost her grandmother four years ago and is determined this year to keep a promise that she made to her by visiting the town of Yuletide Springs. The town celebrates Christmas all year round, but LJ plans to hang a Christmas tree ornament she made together with her grandmother on the public Christmas tree in the town square on Christmas Eve. This practice has a tradition of making wishes come true. LJ is so serious about completing this promise that she quits her job when her boss reneged on her time off and convinces her best friend...the doubting Thomas, Viktoria 'Tory', yo come with her on the road trip. Along the way they have car trouble and meet Zack, Jason and a man named Chris Kringle. A series of amazing miracles or illusions occur leading the two couples to question whether Chris Kringle is the real Santa...Turing the most hardened skeptic into a believer.

I loved the infectious love for Christmas shared by LJ and Zach and how perfect the two couples were for each other, but that is where my love ends. This was kind of a middle of the road Hallmark holiday romance, that I probably won't be recommending to any but the most hardcore hallmark fans.

Truly the best part of this Hallmark holiday romance is the Kris Kringle played by George Masswohl, he was fantastic! I even liked his hair.

As a connoisseur of Hallmark movies, I especially enjoy Christmas storylines that tug on my emotions, by illustrating the spirit of thoughtful giving. Some of their holiday movies empasize the romance, while others, it's the "journey". To me, "Everything Christmas" is nothing original - there's a redundant storyline, ie. Big-city protagonists leaving on a road-trip to a snowy, small-town, steeped in Holiday tradition. Nor, is it about the quality of the acting, or magnetism I sense between the love interest(s). At times, there are exciting Hallmark casts that will influence my desire to watch, more than the teaser storyline (Corey Sevier, here). Although, Cindy Busby doesn't usually draw my interest in romance themes, here she was a believably reminiscent (teary-eyed) woman. But, I found myself more entranced by an unfamiliar actor portraying Kris - his mystique (ie. An illusionist) and his aura as the true Santa. There was nothing surprising with the twists in his "illusions", but each one creatively tied-in as a true gift of the heart. The romances really weren't the core, or excitement, of this film, and I didn't feel the storyline built up any tension to warrant a "final kiss". Definitely, a feel-good watch, not for a kiss, but one I would recommend to lead-off in sparking your Christmas spirit, say after Thanksgiving dinner...

Is it really magic or is it illusion? The two ladies, Tori and LJ keep running into Kris Kringle and he seems to be directing their paths through some mysterious process. He performs tricks that seem to surpass mere illusion, but the movie leaves you to wonder.

In the beginning, LJ quits her job after her boss cancels her long scheduled vacation which for LJ is something special. These plot devices always make me angry because you just can't do that. But LJ seems happy to be free of that job. She cons Tori into going with her. She intends to visit "magical" stops along the way to hanging her grandmother's ornament at their final stop. Along the way, the two women pick up two guys who join them, sort of.

The acting is decent. The dialogue is OK with some good moments. The story is about as simple as I described it. There are no great highs or lows. I would say there are no real surprises, but Kris does keep them all on their toes.

I'm not a Cindy Busby fan, and she pretty much does her usual. Katherine Barrell makes a good sidekick as her character Tori tries to break her habit of being a rule follower.

It seems like once every season Hallmark presents a movie where the main theme is the spirit and meaning of Christmas. This is the one for 2023 - and any year, actually. This should put you in the Christmas mood and you may find yourself smiling through the entire movie.

There are no personal conflicts or traumas - just plain old Christmas fun and sentimentality.

Cindy Busby as Lori Jo and Katherine Barrell as Tori are driving cross country on a Christmas mission and we see their adventures as they encounter Corey Sevier as Carl (a tow truck driver), Matt Wells as Jason ( on his way to visit his aunt), and, yes, Kris Kringle.

The acting by these performers is very sweet and genuine, and the actor who plays Kris is not listed on Imdb, but he is quite a character and the actor who plays him does so in a very endearing and fine fashion.

The writing by T. Booker James is clever, the direction by Marni Banack is believable, and the sets and real locations are all very nice.

You have to suspend your belief at the end when the real identity of Kris is revealed, but you will do so willingly because that's the magic and spirit of Christmas.

And this story and the performers exemplify that perfectly.

In this movie, everything is about Christmas, and it's done in a magical, charming, and genuine way.

Lori Jo's love for Christmas takes her on a road trip to Yuletide Springs, where Christmas is celebrated year-round. Her roommate and friend, Tory, joins her to participate in a longstanding town tradition to honor her late grandmother. Along the way they meet a mysterious guy named Kris who seems to make miraculous circumstances come their way. Stars... Cindy Busby, Corey Sevier

If your looking for romance this is not the movie for you. Although the two female friends do meet a couple of guys , its more about the coincidences of how they keep running into them on their journey rather than detailed romantic interactions with each other. You sense an interest, but no more than that.

But overall it's a cute movie, something a little different from the save the business, store, farm storylines. I thought Cindy Busby, while a little old for the part, her portrayal of the positive bubbly character, Lori Jo, was spot on, and contrasted nicely with her more practical friend, Tory, (Katherine Barrell). Of course, Corey Sevier is always excellent, and George Masswohl, (Kris) is perfect in his role.

This movie was 115 minutes too long. Where to start... 1. The geography. They kept talking about going to Ohio and clearly they were no where near Ohio, and I mean nowhere near!!

2. Acting over the top and at times bad.

3. The story is confusing, halfway thru my viewing partner and I said, "what is the point of this storyline." 4. The sets. Why are the Hallmark sets over decorated? Have some taste and pull way back. Way back!!

5. The fake snow! Put some money behind these sets and make the snow look semi real.

6. The enchanted forest was full of fake trees. Tacky sets.

7. The ending. Predictable and stupid.

If you like to make of terrible movies, you will enjoy this one.

6.4 stars.

This film doesn't provide 'Everything Christmas' has to offer, but for certain gives us some insight into the mythos surrounding the holiday. Of course, there are a plethora of beliefs, but I will focus on the two primary ones. The first being that Christ was born and was sought out by shepherds and wise men with the aid of a star in the east, followed by the nativity 2000+ years ago. Second is the magic and mysticism of the Yuletide, A. K. A. The winter solstice (which is what actually happened on December 25, contrary to popular belief). Kris happens to be a false spelling of Chris or Christos (Greek for Messiah, the Anointed) and Kringle is a Norse surname that might be linked to Yuletide. There are those who believe in magic and mysticism of the Yuletide, but the present day Christmas is an amalgamation of multiple fables originating and melding over the past several hundred years by authors, historians, etc... The main characteristics of the west's current traditions stem from Catholicism mingled with Protestantism. Was Saint Nicholas just a good protestant man who was venerated by the Catholic church? Who knows.

It appears this film is about combining the two historical figures: Santa Claus, and The Christ. Notice that the emphasis rests upon two aspects of supernatural happenings: magic vs miracles: a little of both. It's Kris Kringle who is supposedly working these Godlike miracles, but he's a manifestation of The Christ, and so we have yet another fusion of traditions portraying the sentiment that Saint Nick is the same person, performing miracles (considered magic) and teaching us to have faith, rather than settle on coincidences alone. He performs "tricks" that cannot be explained, but they manipulate fate instead of being called divine intervention, or maybe a bit of both. And we also have an allegory of different types of people, a woman named L. J. (Busby) who has faith, but what sort of faith? In contrast her best friend Viktoria (Barrell), who has no faith and feels it's all just coincidence (she's the doubter), and the two men who are nothing more than bystanders and love interests (representing the uneducated, ignorant, innocent, vast majority of other peoples).

Do I think the writers had all this allegorical, figurative, metaphorical nonsense in mind when they penned this script? Yes. If so, did they wholeheartedly commit to this allegorical Santa/Messiah unification? No. Notice how at the end the mayor explains how this Kris Kringle fellow is simply a magician, a flim flam, if you will. Highly unlikely considering the miracles/magic he performed, which no magician mastermind could accomplish. Is there an agenda? Who knows, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. A bit of an abomination if you ask me.

This movie was alright, the acting was mostly great by specifically the Santa and Tori, the rest did well with what they had. Cindy Busby always overacts in these movies. She drives me a little nuts and when playing an already over the top character, it was hard to watch. Also they write her character as a terrible friend. She actively tries to get Tori fired the entire movie, she keeps asking her why she has her job? Well people do actually have bills that the magic of Christmas doesn't pay? She also seems to make digs at Tori for not being with her family, everything Tori does seems to be wrong and over analyzed. If I were Tori I'd ditch LJ and go beg for my job back, bah humbug.

This movie lives in a fantasy world and repeatedly reminds the viewer by mentioning "magic" every chance it gets. Illogical magic drives every single plot point, which very quickly leaves you rolling your eyes. More than simply being illogical, though, the plot is also boring. There are a couple of plot exposition scenes that leave you looking for the fast forward button if you haven't already tuned out the movie.

If the ridiculous plot isn't enough to sink the movie then Cindy Busby's over the top portrayal of the unhinged lead character ensures viewer dissatisfaction. Another reviewer mentioned that they didn't know how her character functioned, and I have to agree. She is also a bad influence on her friend, trying to get her to dump her job because being a responsible adult is apparently terrible.

The two male love interests in this movie are cardboard cutouts with nothing substantial to say or do. The second lead female character is actually realistic (sorely needed in this mess) and moderately interesting. That's the reason I gave this movie a 2 instead of a 1.