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Deck The Halls is not a new concept in film making, in fact it's a tale that we have all seen a hundred times before, it largely bases its story around neighbouring rivalry and bad feeling in the season of joy. Steve Finch (Matthew Broderick) the dentist and Mayer of a small snowbound town ... Read review
Recently widowed Holly Hall (Carteris) moves back to her childhood home with her young ... more
son Ben for a new life of peace and healing. But her job as CEO of her father's toy company brings a challenging new man into her life. He's Nick Saint James (Bacic). Soon he's driving Holly around the bend both as a neighbour and as her company's marketing consultant. But Ben sees something else in Nick: he's convinced he's Santa Claus! He's also convinced that Nick is just right for his mum and starts to play Cupid. But as tragedy strikes can Nick prove that at Christmas miracles really can happen?
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Determined to end his neighbour Steve's reign as the town's holiday season king, Buddy ... more
Hall plasters his house with so many decorative lights that it'll be visible from space! When their wives bond, and their kids follow suit, the two men only escalate their rivalry and their decorating! It's anybody's guess whether the holidays will wind up jolly or jostled in this wild and woolly laugh-fest that the whole family will love!
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Advantages: Great for kids Disadvantages: Not so hot for adults
...teenage favourite.
Deck The Halls is not a new concept in film making, in fact it's a tale that we have all seen a hundred times before, it largely bases its story around neighbouring rivalry and bad feeling in the season of joy. Steve Finch (Matthew Broderick) the dentist and Mayer of a small snowbound town is preparing for that very special time of year, a time of year he looks forward too for eleven months. But things are not going ... ...upside down.
Deck The Halls is far from viewing rocket science, its plot is simple its jokes repetitive and old. But what the movie does have is certain innocence for Christmas. It avoids near the knuckle humour never once even getting close to delivering risqué scene, or a swear word. And in a world where you can't switch on your TV without hearing a word that 20 years ago would have caused complaint. You can watch the movie as a ... more
I appreciate that as we enter the New Year I have kind of missed the season where this movie would be most appreciated. I originally planned to watch it around the20th, with my other half saying "Don't watch this, it would be great for Christmas Day"; then looking like a slapped backside on the big day having realised that one of its main cast was Matthew Broderick. Being Matthew Broderick is not a crime, those old enough considered him a hero 21 years ago when Ferris Buellers Day Off became a teenage favourite.
Deck The Halls is not a new concept in film making, in fact it's a tale that we have all seen a hundred times before, it largely bases its story around neighbouring rivalry and bad feeling in the season of joy. Steve Finch (Matthew Broderick) the dentist and Mayer of a small snowbound town is preparing for that very special time of year, a time of year he looks forward too for eleven months. But things are not going to be quite the usual contained standard that Steve desires this year; Buddy Hall (Danny DeVito) has just rented the house next door and about to turn this Christmas upside down.
Deck The Halls is far from viewing rocket science, its plot is simple its jokes repetitive and old. But what the movie does have is certain innocence for Christmas. It avoids near the knuckle humour never once even getting close to delivering risqué scene, or a swear word. And in a world where you can't switch on your TV without hearing a word that 20 years ago would have caused complaint. You can watch the movie as a family, or perch the kids in front of it without fear of them being introduced to a concept you never wanted them to know about for years.
The story has some big flaws in particular the main issue of the story The Halls (do you see the humorous reference here? Or at least attempted one) desire for their house to be seen on Google Earth. Anyone familiar with Google Earth will know that its satellite images are delayed sometimes up to two years out of date. As a result when Buddy does not see his increasingly illuminated house (which he adorns with Christmas lights) it fails to show up on Google Earth, it's almost a forgotten aspect of the story, and certainly a missed joke.
As strains between these two rival neighbours' strains each one goes out of their way to either perform a bigger and bolder stunt, or get a better revenge. Broderick's character more and more often on the losing side, even when initially he seems to be winning. Devito obviously has an initial disadvantage due to being the new guy in town, with Broderick being a popular character around town. It's not long before the townsfolk take a big shine to the Halls, and forget their long term popular town leader.
Matthew Broderick shines in a kind of old and crotchety way, sharing his house with Kelly, who is interestingly played by his real wife's work colleague Kristen Davis from Sex In The City. DeVito is more like he was back in the 80's a bit silly but fairly solid. The other supporting roles are relatively good, the kids of both families showing a reasonable amount of contempt for their parents especially Alia Shawcat who plays Broderick's disgusted daughter.
Deck The Halls is not a movie to write about in any real length, it is what it is, a simple and traditional seasonal movie. No major laughs for adults who will find it a bit silly most of the time, but the kids will undoubtedly take a shine to it laughing their socks off at all the silly old jokes. The film will most likely become the National Lampoons Christmas Vacation for the new generation; a reference which you cannot help but make if you have seen both movies as Deck The Halls borrows largely from Vacation. It is however nice to be able to sit down as a family and watch a movie together, while it might be tired it's certainly tolerable. If kids ae missing from your household however, this movie might prove to be a big mistake.
The DVD is released by Fox DVD with a Retail Price of around £10, sadly (or I guess not) it has no special features.
...proves me wrong again, and Deck the Halls is one of those films. ==Synopsis== Buddy is a man who's wandered through life never quite settling down, moving from job to job and town to town, dragging his young buxom wife and twin 15 year old daughters along with him. Steve lives in a nice quiet town, he's the local optician and everyone knows him, he's been in charge of the town’s winter festival for the last few years and is known as the 'Christmas ... ...of a truck pulling up to the house across the road, the new neighbours are moving in, in the form of Buddy and his family. The next morning S catches Buddy just as he's trying to steal the paper off the doorstep, and whilst Steve and Buddy aren't sure about each other, their wives Tia and Kelly hit it off. Buddy still can't settle in his new home, despite making a good start in his new job, but Tia tells him that she's fed up of moving and he'd better ...
Fiver29 01.12.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Deck The Halls (DVD)
Advantages: Festive Fun , Everyone Can Watch It Disadvantages: None
...favourite Christmas films is Deck The Hall. I bought this DVD a few weeks back to get me in the mood for the ever-so-fast approaching festive season. The DVD cost me £5.99 from play.com
Deck The Halls is an American family comedy film. It was released in the United Kingdom on the first of December 2006. The movie was directed by John Whitesell. Running time of the movie is ninety three minutes.
Steve Finch wants his kids to have the best ever Christmas. ... ...his house now ? Watch Deck The Halls to find out!
This is one jolly Christmas film ; one which I thoroughly enjoyed watching ; as did the whole family. It's a real fun film to watch with the family and you can guarantee that everyone will be lost in the whole festiveness of it all. Kids will love it as well as adults.
I have read a few reviews regarding how poor this movie is. I can't disagree more! What is there not to love about this film ? It's ...
xdonzx 07.12.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Deck The Halls (DVD)
Advantages: None Disadvantages: Boring - bad acting - drags foreverrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Directed by: John Whitesell
Written by: Matt Corman & Chris Ord
Genre: Comedy - Family Country: USA
Certification: PG
Language: English
Released: 26th November, 2007 (DVD)
MAIN CAST:
Danny DeVito (Buddy Hall) Matthew Broderick (Steve Finch) Kristin Davis (Kelly Finch) Kristin Chenoweth (Tia Hall) Alia Shawkat (Madison Finch) Dylan Blue (Carter Finch) Sabrina Aldridge (Ashley Hall) Kelly Aldridge (Emily Hall)
Buddy Hall is a devious little ... ...is constantly searching for happiness, for a way to leave his mark. He is fed-up of always being underestimated and over-looked, and wants to find a way to become 'visible'. Steve Finch is the type who thinks he knows it all. His idea of Christmas, which can be found between the covers of 'Good Housekeeping' and 'Vanity Fair', is so rigidly and meticulously planned that it becomes a chore.
In an effort to be the town's 'Mister Christmas' the two ...
GoFigure 09.12.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Deck The Halls (DVD)
Advantages: funny in places, de vito is on form, nice xmas movie Disadvantages: formulaic, cliche
The theme of this movie is formulaic and centred around two neighbours who go to war over decorating their house with Christmas lights. The byline of the movie is "There glows the neighbourhood". This byline has two meanings. One about unwanted neighbours and the other about going up in flames/lights.
The movie is set in Massachusetts (New England) and stars Matthew Broderick as Dr Steve Finch and Danny De Vito plays Buddy Hall, a car salesman. ... ...Buddy moves into the neighbourhood with his family and we discover that Buddy has never settled into any job and is moving his family regularly across America in search of a job.
Buddy puts christmas lights on his house and gets an idea into his head that he wants the house to be seen from space so goes to the extreme of putting up more and more lights and decorations. To the annoyance of his neighbour, Steve Finch. Different altercations ensue ...
jupiter28 31.03.2008 (11.05.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Deck The Halls (DVD)
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Quick review of Deck The Halls (DVD)
love it - great family fun at christmas time, superb actors, not too long, nice message...
and... it also has one of the most talented actresses starring in it - KRISTIN CHENOWETH - although she should have been given a greater role within the film, this film still gets my 5 STAR rating.
go buy it.
now. ...
blondi1 24.02.2008
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Deck The Halls (DVD)
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Advantages: All the disney characters together Disadvantages: none
. I think I saw pretty much all the Disney characters I have ever known, except those from the Jungle Book! They all join together to sing a song of love and friendship. My particular favourite bit of the song is sung by Eeyore from Winnie The Pooh;
'Im thankful for the laughter and joy,
and the high spirit
that fills my heart to over flowing'
AAaaahhh!!!!!!!!
Their is also bonus footage on the DVD which includes 'Sing along Songs'. There are two songs, Deck The Halls and Sleigh Ride. They say they are sing along and the words do come up on the screen in karaoke style. But to be honest, I couldnt keep up never mind a child!!!
SUbtitles are available in English, English for the Hearing Impaired, Norwegian and Danish. The format is Dolby Digital 5.1 (?)
This Disney picture is as beautifully animated as you would expect ...
Advantages: All my old favourite clips Disadvantages: Not the best have ever seen.
Picture this, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, a huge christmas tree covered in beautiful decorations, presents dotted here, there and everywhere and brightly coloured stockings hung with care. A toy train snakes its way through the brightly coloured present mountains and so it is that the scene is set, ready for the festivities to begin! So this is how the scene is set for the Disney dvd, Winter Wonderland.
This dvd is in effect a compilation dvd of new and old Disney clips, featured on this single disc is:
" jingle bells", "deck the halls" and "we wish you a merry christmas", three classic carols sung in the Disney way by all the old characters(Mickey, Donald,Goofy, Minnie, Daisy and Pluto).
This clip is taken from Mickeys once upon a christmas, another wonderful feel good christmas film.
"Once upon a wintertime", which ...
Steve Finch is an optometrist in the postcard town of Cloverdale, Massachusetts, who does double duty as the town's 'Christmas Guy.' Steve’s hopes for the perfect Christmas are disturbed, however, when Buddy and his family move in across the street. When Buddy takes it upon himself to create an extravagant Christmas spectacle so that his house can be seen from space, the rivalry between Steve and Buddy reaches drastic heights.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Danny DeVito and director John Whitesell Commentary , Deleted scenes , Cast interview by Dylan Blue , Blooper reel
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Professional reviews
Review
Tis a reason yule be jolly (News Of The World, 24/10/2007)
DVD Description
A slapstick holiday heart-warmer in the tradition of HOME ALONE, DECK THE HALLS boasts an excellent cast that includes both seasoned actors and promising stars. Matthew Broderick (FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF) stars as Steve Finch, an optometrist in the postcard town of Cloverdale, Massachusetts, who does double duty as the town's 'Christmas Guy.' Steve was raised as an army brat, and as an adult looks to make up for his childhood's lack of Yuletide cheer, organising Christmas around a strict regimen of maximum celebration efficiency. Because Steve finds his kids turning out a little weirder than he would like--10-year-old Carter (Dylan Blue) is suffering a midlife crisis and teenage Madison (Alia Shawkat, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT) is a loner with a bad attitude--he deems them in need of heightened holiday cheer. Steve's hopes for the perfect Christmas are disturbed, however, when new neighbours move in across the street. Car salesman Buddy Hall (Danny DeVito, BE COOL), his wife Tia (Kristen Chenoweth, RUNNING WITH SCISSORS), and their blonde-bombshell twin daughters (Sabrina and Kelly Aldridge) are a bit rowdier than most of the folks in the Finches' quiet neighbourhood, to say the least. When Buddy takes it upon himself to create an extravagant Christmas spectacle so that his house can be seen from space, the rivalry between Steve and Buddy reaches drastic heights of ridiculousness, until both men learn a little something about the meaning of Christmas. DECK THE HALLS offers much for families to enjoy, with a warm message about the importance of family and the value of spontaneity in a culture of efficiency. Kristen Davis of SEX AND THE CITY charms as Steve’s wife Kelly, while Broderick and DeVito are always fun to watch.
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