Daily Archives: December 17, 2025

Holidays on the Lens: A Christmas In Tennessee (dir by Gary Yates)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

2018’s A Christmas In Tennessee tells a story that’s as old as time.

In a snowy Tennessee town, Allison (Rachel Boston) and her mother (Patricia Richardson) run a bakery.  When a developer named Matthew (Andrew W. Walker) shows up in town, he seems charming enough.  Except … oh no!  He’s planning on buying the town and turning it into a ski resort!

Can love save Christmas?  Only in Tennessee!

Oh, stop being cynical!  It’s a cute movie that takes place in a nice small town and everything works out for the best in the end.  It’s simple and it’s cozy and it’s just right for the holidays.

Song of the Day: Last Christmas by Taylor Swift

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Sorry, Wham fans.  This will always be a Taylor Swift song to me.

Last Christmas
I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year
To save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special

Last Christmas
I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year
To save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special

Once bitten and twice shy
I keep my distance
But you still catch my eye
Tell me, baby
Do you recognize me?
Well, it’s been a year
It doesn’t surprise me

Merry Christmas

I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying “I love you”
I meant it
Now I know what a fool I’ve been
But if you kissed me now
I know you’d fool me again

Last Christmas
I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year
To save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special

Last Christmas
I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year
To save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special

Oh, oh, baby

A crowded room
Friends with tired eyes
I’m hiding from you
And your soul of ice
My god, I thought you were someone to rely on
Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on

A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man under cover, but you tore me apart
Now I’ve found a real love. You’ll never fool me again

Last Christmas
I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year
To save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special

Last Christmas
I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year
To save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special

A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
I gave you my heart
A man under cover, but you tore him apart
Maybe next year I’ll give it to someone—
I’ll give it to someone special

Special
Someone
Someone
I’ll give it to someone—
I’ll give it to someone special

Who give me something in return
I’ll give it to someone—
Hold my heart and watch it burn
I’ll give it to someone—

I’ll give it to someone—
I’ll give it to someone special

I thought you were here to stay
How could you love me for a day
I thought you were someone special

Gave you my heart

I’ll give it to someone—
I’ll give it to someone—

Last Christmas
I gave you my heart
You gave it away

I’ll give it to someone—
I’ll give it to someone—

Holiday Scenes That I Love: The U.S. Postal Service Proves The Existence of Santa Claus in Miracle on 34th Street!

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Is there a Santa Claus?

Well, if you’ve ever seen the original 1947 Miracle on 34th Street than you already know the answer.  There is a Santa Claus and he looks exactly like Edmund Gwenn!

In this scene, Kris Kringle is on trial.  He swears that he is Santa Claus.  The prosecution claims that not only isn’t he Santa Claus but Santa doesn’t exist at all.  Fortunately, it’s the U.S. Post Service to the rescue!

The original Miracle on 34th Street is true Christmas classic and I hope you enjoy this holiday scene that I love.

4 Shots From 4 Holidays Films

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films is all about letting the visuals do the talking.

4 Shots From 4 Holiday Films

Santa Claus (1959, dir by Rene Cardona)

Santa Claus (1959, dir by Rene Cardona)

Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (1964, dir by Nicholas Webster)

Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (1964, dir by Nicholas Webster)

Scrooge (1970, dir by Ronald Neame)

Scrooge (1970, dir by Ronald Neame)

Santa Claus: The Movie (1985, dir by Jeannot Szwarc)

Music Video of the Day: What Have I Done To Deserve This? by Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield (1987, directed by Eric Watson)

Posted on by Jedadiah Leland

“Someone who’s in this relationship that they know they shouldn’t be in. It’s this dysfunctional relationship, and they don’t have the strength to get out. And ‘what have I, what have I, what have I done to deserve this?’ – there’s a real sense that they shouldn’t be there, but they’re basically a slave to this obsessive love. It’s one of the few songs of mine that is about that but doesn’t turn itself around and go, ‘I’m leaving here, screw you, go make someone else miserable.’ Usually I don’t just leave it at ‘what have I done to deserve this,’ but it felt right for the group, so that’s what it was.”

— Allee Willis, co-writer of What Have I Done To Deserve This?

Though this song may be out a toxic relationship, I always think of it as being about the showgirl taking off her glasses before going out to dance on stage.  That’s the power of a good music video.

This video was directed by Eric Watson, who spent most of his music video career working with Pet Shop Boys, though he also did videos for Samantha Fox, Rod Stewart, and Debbie Harry.

Enjoy!