Blu-ray Movie Reviews

For the first time in years, all the Whitfield kids have come home to spend the holiday with their mother Ma'Dere (Loretta Devine) and her boyfriend Joe (Delroy Lindo). Each has brought their own issues with them, and as the family prepares for the holiday festivities, the ties that bind them together are tested. Isn't family wonderful?

This holiday story is a bit contrived by writer/director Preston A. Whitmore II, but the strong cast overcomes its shortcomings with likable characters, and it moves along at a brisk pace, which always helps. While it isn't a holiday classic, there are worst people—and movies—to spend the evening with.

The AVC encode provides a very pleasurable viewing experience with a bold color palette featuring red and green—it is Christmas after all! Black levels are deep and inky, although there are a couple of spots where some minor noise creeps in. Detail is outstanding with fine textures in clothing and every facial pore.

The Dolby TrueHD soundtrack is a more laid-back affair, but it's pleasing nonetheless. The dialog-intensive track is always intelligible and mostly front-loaded with the surround speakers relegated to ambience. On occasion, the soundtrack opens up the rear soundstage, but these moments are few and far between in this uneventful but solid track.

The standard-definition bonus features include an audio commentary, two deleted scenes, a "making of" featurette, and a music video by Chris Brown.

As I said before, This Christmas isn't a holiday classic, but it has a lot to offer. I found most of the characters very likeable, but the screenplay lost touch with reality at times. The solid presentation on Blu-ray makes it well worth a rental, especially if you're in the mood for a dramatic comedy with some holiday flair.

Release Date: November 11, 2008

Movie: 6/10
Picture: 9/10
Sound: 8/10

Review System

Source
Panasonic DMP-BD55

Display
JVC DLA-RS1 projector
Stewart FireHawk screen (76.5" wide, 16:9)

Electronics
Onkyo Pro 85 pre/pro
Anthem PVA-7 Amplifier
Belkin PF60 power conditioner

Speakers
M&K S-150s (L, C, R)
M&K SS-150s (LS, RS, SBL, SBR)
SVS PC-Ultra subwoofer

Cables
Monoprice HDMI cables (source to pre/pro)
Best Deal analog-audio cables
PureLink HDC Fiber Optic HDMI Cable System (15 meters) from pre/pro to projector