Reviews

I tend to take a movie at face value. If retelling an old story in another way was a problem, then "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" would not have been such a hit.

I liked this movie. It was cute, the characters interesting and colorful without being too far over the top.

Dog movies appeal to me. I've had a dog since I was 3 years old (she was a rough collie named Lassie), and she saved me from being hit and killed by an oncoming car when I was 7. I am 69, and still love having a dog (I prefer rescues).

I find if I go into a movie with an expectation of being entertained in some way, then I am not looking for a way to criticize or be disappointed. I enjoyed this movie a lot, perhaps in part because I am a dog person.

Perhaps some reviewers just prefer a sectarian view of the holiday. But the point of this movie is to explain the Christian origins of the holiday and the original meaning of the symbolism.

I liked the content, the juxtaposition of the almost comic book parts with the more serious explanations. The main point of the movie is that there is ample Christian symbolism in the usual Christmas decorations for those who choose to center Christmas on Christ.

The movie nowhere says everyone must celebrate Christmas only in this way. A tolerant non-Christian might not care (and can just not watch), or might want to know why his or her Christian friends are so focused on Christ during Christmas (and watch to get an idea).

There is quite a bit of history about Christmas in the early church and down through centuries. Much of the secular explanations are not factually accurate. For the curious, the topic is worth exploring.

In 1957, when I was 3, my parents brought home a collie puppy for me (my name is Jeff, so out 2 and 2 together).

I named her Lassie, and we were constant companions

About 6 years later, as I was crossing a two lane highway by myself, I did not see the oncoming car from my left. But Lassie did.

She jumped on my back to push me out of the way, and saved my life. My parents, aunt, and granny were sitting on my granny's front porch and saw the whole thing.

If "Jeff's Collie" had never happened, I may never have had that collie to save my life.