In 2015’s The Spirit of Christmas, Kate (Jen Lilley) is a broker who is convinced that she doesn’t have time for the good things in life. She doesn’t have time for a boyfriend. She doesn’t have time for Christmas. Instead, she’s going to spend the holidays trying to sell a historic inn. What she doesn’t know is that the inn is reported to be haunted and that the ghost, a former bootlegger named Daniel (Thomas Beaudoin), is seriously hot! Kate helps Daniel solve his murder and, in the process, falls in love.
This film is a nice mix of holiday spirit and …. well, real spirits!
Revenge of the Nerds captures the wild, unfiltered spirit of 1980s college comedies, blending underdog triumph with over-the-top raunchiness that feels both nostalgic and awkwardly dated today. Released in 1984, this Jeff Melman-directed flick stars Robert Carradine and Anthony Edwards as Lewis and Gilbert, two freshmen nerds who face relentless bullying from the jock-dominated Alpha Beta fraternity at Adams College. What starts as a straightforward tale of misfits fighting back evolves into a chaotic mix of pranks, parties, and questionable morals, making it a polarizing watch that still packs a punch for fans of the era’s humor.
The story kicks off with Lewis and Gilbert arriving full of optimism, only to have their dreams torched—literally—when the Alpha Betas accidentally burn down their dorm during a hazing gone wrong. Relocated to a rundown gym with other campus outcasts, the nerds band together under the banner of Tri-Lam, turning their rejection into fuel for clever retaliation. From panty raids to talent show showdowns, the film barrels through a series of escalating antics, peaking at the Greek Games where brains battle brawn in absurd competitions like tricycle races and tug-of-war twists. It’s pure 80s escapism, with a runtime under 100 minutes that keeps the energy high and the laughs coming in rapid-fire succession, even if not every gag is a home run.
The nerd ensemble steals the show, each character a walking stereotype brought to vivid life. Carradine’s Lewis is the slick-talking instigator with a knack for schemes, while Edwards’ Gilbert provides the earnest heart, delivering a pivotal speech about acceptance that gives the movie unexpected emotional depth. Curtis Armstrong as Booger delivers unforgettable gross-out moments, from belching symphonies to shameless flirtations, and Larry B. Scott’s Lamar brings flamboyant athletic flair that subverts expectations. The jocks, led by Ted McGinley’s smug Stan, serve as perfect foils—arrogant, muscle-bound villains who embody the era’s macho excess. Supporting turns, like Julia Montgomery’s Betty navigating boyfriend drama, John Goodman’s boorish Coach Harris, or Bernie Casey’s wise U.N. Jefferson, add layers to the campus power struggle.
Humor-wise, Revenge of the Nerds leans hard into juvenile territory: fart jokes, streaking, and wild panty raid sequences filmed with hidden cameras that push boundaries even for the time. The film’s climax involves Lewis impersonating Stan to woo Betty, a plot point that plays as triumphant revenge but lands as deeply problematic through today’s lens, highlighting consent issues amid the cheers. Similarly, the sorority spying and casual objectification reflect 80s attitudes toward women and minorities that feel crass now, contributing to its mixed modern reception. Yet, these elements are balanced by genuine camaraderie among the nerds, fostering a sense of belonging that resonates as a counter to real-world bullying.
Technically, the movie holds up as a product of its time. The soundtrack, featuring the iconic title track by The Rubinoos and funky cues during party scenes, amps up the fun, while practical effects like the nerds’ gadget-filled house add quirky charm. Cinematography emphasizes the divide between polished frat row and the nerds’ scrappy turf, with wide shots of campus chaos underscoring the rebellion. Written by Tim Metcalfe, Steve Zacharias, and Jeff Buhai, the script zings with quotable lines—”We are the sons of the sons of bitches”—and smartly flips the slobs-vs-snobs formula by rooting for the geeks.
Culturally, Revenge of the Nerds helped define the “nerd pride” archetype, paving the way for films like PCU and influencing pop culture’s embrace of geek culture from The Big Bang Theory to Marvel dominance. It spawned three sequels, a musical adaptation, and endless references, cementing its place as a time capsule of Reagan-era college life—rowdy, rebellious, and unapologetically politically incorrect. For balance, its strengths lie in infectious energy, memorable characters, and a pro-outsider message, but weaknesses include uneven pacing in setup scenes and humor that too often punches down rather than up.
The film continues the trend of 80s raunchy teen comedies first popularized by Bob Clark’s Porky’s, ramping up the gross-out gags and frat-house antics while shifting the focus to nerd empowerment over sexual hijinks. The nerds’ talent show finale, uniting misfits in a joyous medley, delivers pure catharsis, proving brains and heart can topple bullies. It’s not flawless—some jokes bomb, and the ending rushes a bit—but its scrappy spirit endures for those who grew up quoting Booger’s lines or cheering Tri-Lam’s win. Fans of Animal House or Old School will find familiar thrills, while modern audiences might prefer the cleaner satire of The Good Place. Ultimately, Revenge of the Nerds earns a solid recommendation with caveats: a rowdy good time if you roll with the 80s vibe, but skip if consent gags are deal-breakers.
Sheriff Rick Langston (Dean Cain) is having a terrible holiday season. When his ex-wife tells him that she doesn’t want him coming over for Christmas to see their daughter, Sheriff Langston goes to her house and is shocked to discover a fat man with a white beard having a sandwich in the kitchen. The man (Paul Hopper) says he’s Santa Claus. Rick says the man’s under arrest. Everyone in town thinks that Rick is a real Grinch, tossing Santa Claus in jail. But even behind bars, Santa has a way of solving people’s problems.
This is the second film that I’ve watched in two days in which Dean Cain plays a sheriff who arrests Santa. I guess this is the Dean Cain Christmas Cinematic Universe. It would have been funny if Dean Cain had been playing the same sheriff that he played in Defending Santa. How many times can this happen to the same person? In a few years, maybe they will remake The Santa Clause with Dean Cain’s sheriff having to replace Santa after one of his arrests goes wrong.
Small Town Santa has some cute scenes. Rick has a dream where everyone in town turns into Santa and starts telling him how much he sucks. There was a scene with an amateur Christmas pageant that I could relate to. (My 5th grade performance as Shepherd #3 was critically acclaimed!) Speaking of amateurish, some of the acting could be described that way but Dean Cain is believable and likable as the burned-out small town sheriff. Keep an eye out for the “Real Heroes Don’t Wear Capes” poster.
Santa Claus solves everyone’s problems. I knew he would!
The 2019 film, A Christmas Wish, takes place in a small Louisiana town where people leave their Christmas wishes in a wooden box. Faith (Hilarie Burton) is encouraged by her sister, Maddy (Megan Park), to wish for true love. Myself, I wished for a Christmas movie featuring not only several actors from One Tree Hill but also Pam Grier! And, with this film, my wish came true.
After finding a portly man with a big white beard passed out in a snowbank, small town Sheriff Scott Hanson (Dean Cain) brings him to the hospital. When the man wakes up, he says that his name is Kris Kringle (Bill Lewis) but you can call him Santa Claus. Kris uses his powers to give the children in the hospital what they want. (He creates a miniature pony for one girl.) District Attorney Robert Nielson (Gary Hudson) thinks that Kris is a public danger and wants to have him put in the mental ward. Public defender Sarah Walker (Jud Taylor) defends Kris and falls back in love with her ex-boyfriend, Scott. Santa Claus spreads his magic across town. He detoxifies the town drunk but not even Santa can save the life of a dying child. That scene was very sad.
Have you ever wanted to see Santa Claus play football with Dean Cain and Full House‘s Jodie Sweetin? This is the movie for you! Santa Claus plays in the park and even does a front flip. Go Santa Claus Go! But then old St. Nick also uses his powers to cause another player’s pants to fall down during a key play, which allows Dean Cain’s team to win the game. That’s cheating, which I was always told put you on the naughty list.
Speaking of being on the naughty list, it doesn’t ever make sense that the district attorney is so obsessed with putting Kris Kringle. Santa Claus never hurt anyone. Trying to put Santa Claus in jail before Christmas is definitely worth a lump of coal in your stocking! Defending Santa is an okay Hallmark Christmas movie but don’t spend too much time trying to make it make sense.
Amy (Denise Richards) grew up in the small town of Chestnut, where her Aunt Linda (Catherine Hicks) owned the local bakery and hosted the annual Christmas cookie contest. (Yum!) When Amy grew up, she moved away from Chestnut and got a job in New York at an advertising firm run by Don Dupree (Parker Stevenson). When Aunt Linda dies, she leaves half of the bakery to Amy. Aunt Linda’s last request was that Amy restart the annual cookie contest. The only problem is that the other half of the bakery has been left to Amy’s ex-boyfriend, Jack (Patrick Muldoon).
Sometimes, I wish that I lived in Hallmark Christmas movie because I would love to be able to just take off from my job and open a bakery in a small town. That would be a dream come true for me. I baked my first batch of Christmas cookie when I was six! (Mom helped.) Everyone said they were the best they had ever tasted! I think I could have won that cookie contest! Now, I wish I lived in Chestnut but I know that Chestnut is not a real place. It’s just somewhere that we all wish could be real.
I enjoyed A Christmas Reunion. It appealed to the romantic baker in me. Not only did Denise Richards and Patrick Muldoon spend a lot of time in the kitchen but they also outsmarted the crooked lawyer (Jake Busey) who wanted to sell the bakery to a Starbucks. I laughed when Busey gave them a contract to sign and said, “Just sign where the red flags are,” because his whole character was a red flag. A Christmas Reunion may not take place in the real world but it would be nice if it did.
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.
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.
When Georgia Hunt (Rachel Boston) was in high school, she was the queen of the school. She was a cheerleader, a member of the Glee Club, and a member of the Speech and Debate team. She was voted Most Likely To Succeed. Ten years later, Georgia is the unappreciated assistant to a haughty fashion designer and she feels like a failure. While visiting her mother (Marilu Henner), Georgia discovers that her class reunion is coming up. Georgia decides to go because she wants to win back her high school boyfriend, Craig (Jon Prescott).
I could tell that this movie was made back when Glee was still a big thing because there’s a whole subplot about the former members of the Glee Club getting back together and performing three numbers at the reunion. When Georgia wasn’t performing on stage, she was in the old practice hall and singing a song with her best friend from high school, Ben (Johnathan Bennett). The Glee Club stuff felt really tacked on but I was happy they went with the Glee stuff instead of having Georgia try to do something stupid and put on her old cheerleader uniform and lead everyone in a cheer. But then Georgia went ahead and did that anyways.
I had some issues with this movie. A major one was what school holds a class reunion a week before Christmas? What type of high school would still have ten year-old graffiti in its bathroom? Georgia somehow opens up her old locker and finds the key to the principal’s office that she hid in there during her senior year and we’re just supposed to accept that no one else has noticed that key in ten years time. (If I went to my former high school tonight and spent hours studying all the lockers, I would still never be able to remember which one used to be mine.) Also, there were a lot of flashback scenes to when everyone was supposed to be a teenager but there wasn’t much effort made to make anyone look younger. My biggest problem was that Craig treated Georgia like crap in high school and at the reunion but she still kept chasing after him even though Ben was obviously in love with her. I didn’t have much sympathy for Georgia. She just seemed pretty dumb about the whole thing.
Christmas Crush shows that you can’t go back to high school, no matter how much you might want to. It’s always better to live in the present.
Through the Shattered Lens 