Genres

Visitors Review

2013-05-18 12:28:36

A Very Enjoyable Christmas Movie

This is a very good movie which starts off a bit questionably (primarily with the obvious comic relief character, the teacher's aid) but really develops into an enjoyable movie. I've given this movie a solid three star rating because it is not a perfect five star movie. The elaborate show at the end is fantastic but unrealistic given a school's resources and the characters don't have great development except for the lead. But these are minor nitpicks in what was an extremely enjoyable movie. Definitely recommended. I do wish there was more than a Spanish subtitle (there's a cute blonde boy (who looks like a young Simon Pegg)) who just cracks me up but with the English accent, is hard to follow. There's also no extras beyond a trailer for the movie. But if you think a delightful English Christmas movie is right up your alley, then definitely check out this movie. I bought my DVD sight unseen and I'm very happy for doing so.

2013-05-18 00:36:11

Nativity DVD

This review is from: Nativity! (DVD) Great movie to watch for Christmas. This movie is fun for the whole family to watch together. Everyone enjoyed it and the music in it is good.

2013-05-17 04:40:46

Fabulous!!!!! Sweet and Very Funny Christmas Movie!

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie... from the dvd cover at my local rental place I figured this was more warmed-over seasonal schlock of a Christmas movie. INSTEAD, I was thoroughly entertained (twice in a row!) with this VERY VERY funny and sentimental BBC (British) Christmas movie for all ages which came out in 2009, but is being released this year. It was, in a word, FABULOUS! I am definitely buying my own copy and place it in the 'top 10' of my Christmas musical-comedy movies! [I wish I had a "Mr. Poppy" in all my grammar school classes!]

2013-05-16 13:00:00

Unexpectedly delightful British Christmas fun

This review is from: Nativity! (Amazon Instant Video) My family and I discovered this movie last year and it became an instant favorite at our house. A story filled with struggles we all can relate to, clean humor that's family-friendly yet very funny, and a happy ending that also remembers the reason for the season.Give your family the gift of a wonderful Christmas movie and rent Nativity! What more could you want for Christmas?

2013-05-13 21:37:41

Adorable!!!

This review is from: Nativity! (DVD) Every year I look for a new Christmas movie that is clever and comical. This one fits the bill. I just wish I had found it earlier. It is cute and whimsical. Definitely a Christmas movie that will bring a smile to your face!

2013-05-13 15:49:05

Enjoyable Fun!

This is a delightful movie for the entire family. The plot is nothing new. Paul is a teacher who never seems to measure up to his old friend when it comes to their school's nativity programs. One day Paul sprouts off to his competitive ex-friend that a mutual friend of theirs and Paul's ex (Jennifer), who has made it big in Hollywood (or has she?) is going to make Paul's nativity into a gigantic Hollywood production.Thanks to Paul's clumsy but hilarious teacher's aide (Desmond) the entire town quickly finds out about this lie and are thrilled. Soon Paul is getting all the attention he ever hoped for though he might not want it. Hollywood fuels his class' enthusiasm and Paul can't bear to let them down by telling the truth. Before long Paul's lie becomes so outrageous he goes to desperate lengths to make the Hollywood farce become true. It might not work out the way Paul planned it but it all works out in the end.Desmond and the kids were a delight. It's funny seeing Paul lie and scramble around desperately to make things right. The best part was the kids' nativity play at the end. Very cute, funny and entertaining film for the entire family.

Andy Steel 2013-05-11 23:24:32

Ends on a high!...

What starts out as a bit of a run-of-the-mill comedy about a smallschool putting on a Nativity play ends up as something totallydifferent. Yes, it's (for the most part) fairly easy stuff to watchwith, it has to be said, some nice performances. I thought MartinFreeman (pre-Bilbo) did a very good job and Marc Wootton, although Ifound his character a bit creepy, was also pretty good. No, for me, thestars of the show were the kids (too many to name individually heresadly). They did a very good job in all the events leading up to theend, but really shine in the performance of the play (which is reallygreat by the way!). I guess the film did its job and gave me that feel-good factor I have been missing! Would I watch it again… Well maybejust the last quarter when I need a little boost!...SteelMonster's verdict: RECOMMENDEDMy score: 7.1/10You can find an expanded version of this review on my blog: Thoughts ofa SteelMonster.

2013-05-11 07:08:56

Adorable xmas movie

This review is from: Nativity! (DVD) I had friends who recommended this movie to me. Rented it online then had to buy it for my Christmas movies collection. It's really sweet.

JohnRouseMerriottChard 2013-04-30 03:43:03

As warm and as enchanting as a Whisky Mac.

He's a failed actor, his girlfriend has left him and gone to make itbig in America, and now, school teacher Paul Maddens has to direct theNativity play. Worse still, after a little white bragging lie to an oldrival, Maddens finds things escalating out of his control.Ah, the Christmas movie, a piece of work aimed at a certain market at acertain time of year. Many movies of Christmas past have beenexcruciatingly bad, either by losing sight of the holiday heart, or bygoing for a different angle at a season which is meant to be jolly. Inthe main then, the Crimble picture has been blighted by a train ofthinking akin to damned if you do, damned if you don't. Debbie Isitt'sNativity! will not achieve any reviews proclaiming it to berefreshingly new, rightly so since it's a standard seasonal fare basedstory. What hopefully will be said is how utterly beguiling and warmingthe film is, so yeah! Basically a Christmas picture doing its job.Chiefly in its favour is that it has a naturalness to it that keeps itscharm grounded. There's no miracle in the offering here, no boink overthe head with a sledgehammer to enforce its message. Isitt is happyletting the film and its delightful characters go with the flow, theresult ending up as being a fully involving experience. It helps toothat the army of children (plucked from local auditions by Issitt) areadorable and funny in equal measure. Not that the adults come up shorteither. Martin Freeman (Maddens) gives a wonderfully controlledperformance as the central character, while Marc Wooton as Mr. Poppy, acharacter showing the child in all us adults, almost steals the moviefrom the delightful moppet squad. It has its faults, such as a trip toAmerica that quickly loses momentum, and if we are honest then surelythe actual Nativity finale goes on a touch too long. But such misstepsare easily forgiven given the impact as a whole.My cinema visiting group at Xmas 2009 consisted of 4 adults and 4teenagers. As we filed out, there was a mixture of wet eyes and beamingsmiles. So yeah! Job done for sure. 8/10Footnote: Xmas 2012. With a sequel hitting the theatres this ChristmasI thought it time to revisit this film. Delighted to report that itstill manages to warm the old cockles of my Xmas heart and remains aseasonal picture that I urge more folk to seek out.

2013-04-29 09:32:09

Fabulous Christmas Movie!!!

This review is from: Nativity! (DVD) I caught the last ten minutes of this on TV one morning last December as I was wrapping presents and thought it looked interesting. As a former music teacher and wife of a minister who has had her share of producing Nativity programs I LOVED this movie. It is so funny yet with kind spirit. It's also very silly at times but I LOVE silly. I bought the DVD, showed it to another teacher friend who then bought it for her daughter who is also a music teacher. And then I sent a copy to my son for his birthday.I even showed to to one certified grinch who couldn't keep from laughing.It's not for really young kids, in some parts, tho, but nothing any upper elementary student hasn't heard. It's a gem of a movie.

2013-04-17 05:56:09

The Little Christmas Movie That Could

This review is from: Nativity! (DVD) I stumbled upon this movie on Netflix and decided to give it a try because I like Martin Freeman. Little did I know that by the time it was over I would be captivated.When the contract ran out on Netflix I wanted to watch it again so badly that I bought it and I'm not sorry. Without giving away too much of the plot the story is basically an underdog type movie. The children are told to do a Nativity play for their school, a school not known for its excellence, shall we say, and Freeman's character is the teacher in charge. Enter Mr. Poppy, a child seemingly stuck in a man's body hilariously played by Marc Wooton. There is a romantic back story which added to the plot but didn't distract from the thrust of the story. One of the things that amazes me about this move and it's sequel, Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger (that I have yet to see) is that they are all improve. That's right. No script! Yet the children as well as the seasoned adult actors do so well that I never knew it until out of curiosity I researched it. This has quickly become a Christmas favorite and everyone I've shared it with has loved it. I now eagerly anticipate it's sequel which has not dropped below the #5 spot in the UK since it's release, falling just behind the new James Bond movie, Skyfall, and taking the #2 spot behind The Hobbit, also starring Martin Freeman. (Why neither of the Nativity! movies were released in the US is no mystery, Hollywood is interested in blockbusters over quality) Nativity! is the little movie that could, and when I watched it I understood why it did so well in the UK.

2013-04-16 19:15:54

A new Christmas treasure

This review is from: Nativity! (DVD) HILARIOUS!! Touchingly acted and undeniably British. I love Christmas movies and this is a new staple for every year. Yule love it too!!

jojordan2003 2013-04-15 23:18:43

100% joyful

Nativity is heartwarming and completely joyful. It's about a teacher, Mr Maddens, who is so stressed about organising aNativity play and meeting an old rival, that he tells the huge whitelie that a Hollywood Studio, headed by his ex girlfriend, is coming tosee his Nativity Play in Coventry! The lie spirals out of control andsoon parents are asking if their kids are going to need Hollywoodagents. I loved the teachers, the British humour and of course the kids. I was hooked into the world from the word go. I loved the rivalrybetween the two schools. The introduction of Mr Poppy created even moreof a spark. The trip to Hollywood is hilarious and the 20 minutemusical finale is stunning.I took my 9 year old and her mates and they loved it. It's so rare thatwe can enjoy a film together that isn't about shopping and starringHannah Montana! I want to find out if there is a soundtrack.It's so good to see a film that is just simply joyful. I think it'sappeal will last for years.

A56T 2013-04-15 17:56:13

Lights, camera, Nativity

Nativity is a lovely family film that can be enjoyed by all. No it'snever going to be an Oscar winning film but for nice entertainment thisfilm can not be beat. It is perfect for Christmas.The plot is simple and Martin Freeman is impressive as the lead teachtrying to stage a great nativity play and the kids playing his pupilsall bring their own charm to the piece.Ashley Jensen and Pam Ferris add their own talents to the proceedingswhile Alan Carr is ... well Alan Carr. Special credit must also go thethe actor playing Mr Poppy who steals every scene he is in while alsoforming a nice double act with Freeman.Overall a film well worth finding.

2013-04-14 13:15:08

Not disappointing!

This review is from: Nativity! (DVD) I had been recommended to watch it by a family member -- and knowing their good taste in films, I didn't doubt that this would be disappointing. I ordered it promptly and watched it with the family. It was surprisingly well written, clever, and heartwarming. Should be a new Christmas favourite for not just the holidays, but any season!

2013-04-14 00:07:41

Cheesy as it May be, WE LOVE IT!

This review is from: Nativity! (Amazon Instant Video) I don't know how we stumbled upon this movie but the kids and I love it and have watched it a few times. My husband thinks we're nuts but I don't think he has good taste when it comes to humor :) either that or we're easily amused. This cute & quirky Christmas film is sure to give you lots of laughs. We especially enjoyed Mr. Poppy & Bob and it was fun to watch the school nativity play come to life.

2013-03-31 06:10:26

Fantastic!

This review is from: Nativity! (DVD) I absolutely love this movie! One of the best I've seen...it reminds me of my everyday life where I work. Way too funny and fun! Everyone should watch this at least once!

2013-03-30 18:16:46

Great Christmas Movie! This is one our family's favorites.

This review is from: Nativity! [HD] (Amazon Instant Video) Cute, fun, good for all ages.We have watched this for the last two years. My son asks for it by name.

2013-03-27 19:39:36

Cute Christmas movie

This review is from: Nativity! (DVD) I found this movie on one of the movie stations at Christmastime. Really cute, silly British movie about a school's nativity play.

freelancethinkers 2013-03-27 14:04:50

Warm and cuddly, if very predictable, Brit flick

Nativity centres around a 30/40something primary school teacher who,being a loser in love, has allowed himself to become bitter andresentful towards his pupils.Needless to say he needs to win back the love of his life and re-findhis love for his job, and people in general.It comfortably falls back on the rich British heritage for nicey niceromcoms and does a fair job. Not one aspect of any of the characterscame as any surprise or helped to enrich a two dimensional plot - butwho cares, its a Christmas heartwarmer and it does its job well.Marc Wootton, in particular, was excellent as Mr Poppy and both hisvisual performance and his well drawn out character were responsiblefor the majority for the laughs - the remainder falling on the narrowshoulders of a funny looking kid, well cast for his comedic value, butpossessed of a face that I was sick of seeing after 90 minutes ofobvious set ups, but then that's probably because I'm as misanthropicas the lead character!I took my seven year old daughter, and she absolutely loved it. Ifyou're not a parent and hate children, this is definitely not for you.If, on the other hand, you love Christmas and still have a tender, warmspot in your heart then you could do a lot worse than to go and seethis.