Nia Long Movie:

		List Price: $38.96		Label: Sony Pictures Salesrank: 29412 Released: November 11, 2008
		Our Price: $11.95
		Used Price: $7.70
		MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Media: Blu-ray

Editorial Review:
This year Christmas with the Whitfields promises to be one they will never forget. All the siblings have come home for the first time in years and they've brought plenty of baggage with them. As the Christmas tree is trimmed and the lights are hung, secrets are revealed and family bonds are tested. As their lives converge, they join together and help each other discover the true meaning of family.

Description of This Christmas [Blu-ray]:
Touted as a comedy but filled with its share of drama, This Christmas focuses on a middle-class African American family celebrating the holiday together at the matriarch's home. Ma'Dere Whitfield (Loretta Devine) lives with her youngest son Michael (singer Chris Brown) and her longtime boyfriend Joe (Delroy Lindo). Though all the kids know about her relationship, Ma'Dere insists that Joe temporarily move out every holiday season. Her kids don't care that they're cohabitating, but they play along. The Whitfield kids are a hodge podge of trouble: Eldest daughter Lisa (Regina King) tries to convince Ma'Dere to sell her home and business at the behest of her wandering husband; Claude (Columbus Short) is a Marine whose holiday leave actually is a euphemism for AWOL. And even sweet Michael looks like he might break his mama's heart by pursuing a career in music (a nice setup that treats viewers to a few songs by Brown). Ma'Dere's husband had left the family years ago to follow his musical dream and she's afraid her son will follow suit. The Whitfields definitely are a dysfunctional family with numerous skeletons stuffed away in the closet. Though not earth-shattering in terms of plot (one of them is having a relationship with a Caucasian!), the film touts a strong cast that makes some of the implausible elements relatable. King, who grew up on television on shows such as 227, does a superb job adding depth and emotion to a rather unlikeable and bossy character. While not warm and fuzzy, This Christmas is a welcome addition to any holiday viewing. Just make sure small children aren't included in the audience. --Jae-Ha Kim

This Christmas [Blu-ray] Reviews:
This Christmas
2009-12-10 - I really enjoyed this movie, all the casts were magnificent and so beautiful I am looking forward to watching it again. This is a Christmas Movie indeed.

A dysfunctional family Christmas
2009-11-26 - This was an enjoyable but not great movie. All of the actors involved turned in stellar performances. Regina King is one of my favorites and she definitely did not disappoint in this movie. Idris Elba and Columbus Short are so handsome their mere presence made this movie enjoyable to watch.

The family drama, in my opinion, was not plausible. Although it's never really stated, from conversations it appears that Senior, the husband of the matriarch Ma'Dere has been gone for many years. All of her children grew up without him, and are now adults. It just made no sense to me that she'd still be afraid of how they would feel if she divorced him and moved on with her life.

My other issue with this movie was that although it's titled This Christmas, and has lots of Christmas songs playing in the background, Christmas was more of a prop or back-drop for this movie than a major theme. This film could easily take place at Easter, Thanksgiving, or even the 4th of July and nothing about the plot would need to be changed.

But this was an enjoyable movie. It's a great DVD to own and pull out to play around the holidays.

Carol
2009-10-22 - Loved this movie! I had seen it advertised on cable several times before actually watching the movie. Thought it was not going to be good but actually liked it so much I came in the next day and bought it through Amazon. Will be one of my every year Christmas movies!

The worst order
2009-09-08 - This is the worst experience I've ever had. I still have not received my video. I normally have no problems with receiving my orders. This is ridiculous.

A movie that is worth watching over and over
2009-07-12 - The movie is more than just excellent. It has an all star cast that not only delivers the story they live and are the entire story. This is already a classic in our home where it is watched on a regular basis. I love the growth of the entore family as they lived, loved, and fought around the holiday. Wow it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.