ABC Family 25 Days of Christmas – Day 7

ABC Family tonight probably has one of what I consider the most underrated holiday classics.  We can talk Frost, Rudolph but ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas embodies everything a holiday show should have.  Some great animation, lovable characters, and a real message that comes out and throws a snowball at you so you do not miss it.  Along with that favorite we have Cranberry Christmas, which I have not seen and a Basic Cable Premiere of Unaccompanied Minors.  I have not seen Unaccompanied Minors either, but Wilmer Valderrama stars in it and that may just be enough to get people to turn the dial to that “holiday romp.”

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Actor Joel Grey narrates this animated holiday special adapted from the famous poem by Clement Moore. A kindly clockmaker, a friendly family of mice and a sensitive Santa Claus come together in a story where the citizens are afraid that Santa will pass them by because an unsigned letter to the editor of the local paper denounced him as a myth. (Animated)

CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS

Based on the popular children’s book series, “Cranberry Christmas” tells the story of a New England stalwart, Mr. Whiskers, and his efforts to keep the local skating bog from the evil clutches of his notoriously mean neighbor Cyrus Grape. With the help of young Maggie and her Granny, it’s up to Mr. Whiskers to prove the bog is his own and save Christmas day for all the children of Cranberryport. Barry Manilow wrote two original songs for this holiday special. (Animated)

UNACCOMPANIED MINORS – Basic Cable Premiere

Wilmer Valderrama stars in this holiday romp that finds a huge blizzard shutting down Hoover International Airport on Christmas Eve. En route to their father’s house for the holidays, Spencer (Dyllan Christopher) and his little sister, Katherine (Dominique Saldaña), are ushered to the airport’s Unaccompanied Minors Room, a holding cell for dozens of stranded, parent-free kids from all over the country. Desperate to escape, Spencer makes a run for freedom along with four other UMs. With every airport security guard hot on their trail, along with the attendant (Valderrama) responsible for their care, the very different kids learn to ditch their differences and help each other flee the clutches of airport authority. They turn Christmas at the airport into holiday pandemonium and, along the way, prove that the holidays aren’t about where you are, but who is there to share them with you. (Live Action)

We are back on track with some holiday specials and while I usually do not talk about it, later that night we get RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER AND THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS which might not be the best show, but my kids enjoy it.  The story is iffy and plays on a classic and the CGI is not so hot, but hey it’s the holidays!