swarner-74260 What a shame. One bad scene puts a negative spin on an otherwise great Christmas flick. I really enjoy the characters, amusing one-liners, and predictable but fun plot. Henry Winkler is a bright spot as always. Unfortunately, the scene when the main characters assault a man behind his store and then leave him lying unconscious is just too foul to overlook. The characters behave as though beating a man with a metal trash can is a big joke, but there's really nothing funny about it.I like everything else about this movie. What a shame that someone didn't see the implications of a violent scene and edit it before the film was released. I still watch the movie at holiday time, but that one scene spoils it for me every time.

MartianOctocretr5 It's another rom-com meets Christmas themed movie. If you wondered whatever happened to Fonz, he's a veteran New York cop or something. As late December approaches, he travels to visit his only living relatives, a niece and her son who live in Chicago. Now, hold your breath: through some incomprehensible turn of events starting with almost missing his flight to Chicago, his niece (a single mom of course) agrees to let this stranger (a square jawed guy with 3 days' stubble) stay at her house. OK: Uncle Fonz. Single Mom. Square-jawed guy with 3 days' stubble. Kid. One more element needed: the obnoxious uppity business minded wrong-guy-for-her dude who's always talking on a cell phone. Antagonist cliché in place; here we go.Give the cast credit: they take this jumbled premise and make a story out of it. Uncle Fonz and the beard stubble guy provide most of the jokes. Several gags do work: the sound effects for Kris Kringle's visit scene was actually pretty funny. The romantic tension between the triangle members has its moments. Since it's a rom-com, the public address system bit (like the whole movie) has to be taken with a grain of salt, or you'll roll your eyes so hard they'll hurt. Will the guy she's known for two days win the girl over a jerk? Who can possibly guess?

gee-15 Christmas-themed romantic comedies seem to be all the rage right now. You can watch about a hundred of these movies every December and the plots are generally the same: attractive single father (or mother) with steady, stable (boring) boyfriend (girlfriend) and cute kid(s) meets seemingly inappropriate man(woman) who works their way into their heart as well as instills the "true" meaning of Christmas. There are a few variations (sometimes Santa gets involved, sometimes there is some kind of magical element). The variation I like the least involves the children doing the matchmaking (Ugh! What child of any age has ANY interest in his or her parent's love life?) What does "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" offer? Nothing new EXCEPT sharp writing, actual comedy, and Henry Winkler. Yes! Winkler really makes this movie with his funny, warm portrayal of our heroine's interfering uncle Ralph from Brooklyn. This is the first comedy I've seen him in in a long time, and he really does shine in these kinds of pictures.However, Brooke Burns and Warren Christie are also very fun to watch as the mismatched couple. I liked that they didn't make Burns a Scrooge who hates Christmas. She is simply a busy woman who loves her son and wants Christmas to be special. And in her desire to do so, has lost sight of what Christmas should be. And kudos to Connor Christopher Levins who gives a boy with some mature habits (his penchant for organization) some very real childlike desires (his wish to believe in Santa even when logic dictates he shouldn't).The plot moves along very briskly and the movie seems to end all too soon. Would that we could all be neighbors to such warm, funny and attractive people! There's even a good message about how we need to stopping stressing about Christmas.My favorites quote (from Uncle Ralph): "When it comes to life, she's dumber than a bag of barber hair!"

cam3150 This movie is for you if you like pure romantic fluff in a Christmas setting. I personally love these type of movies so I loved this one. It's complete escapism for me but I'm also a romantic at heart. This one will definitely go in to my annual rotation and, if it does come out on video, I'll be purchasing it.With these type of movies, the romantic leads don't always have chemistry but Brooke Burns and Warren Christie have boatloads of it. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Warren is one of the best looking men I've seen in a while :) The story is cute and uncomplicated - The Uncle of an impossibly beautiful single mom (Jen) shares a flight with an impossibly beautiful guy (Morgan) in his 30's who can't seem to settle down in one place (read: very full Passport). Several snow storms and canceled flights later, the Uncle convinces his niece to allow the "stranger" to stay with them "for just one night" until the airport re-opens. One night turns in to 2, etc, due to some finagling by the uncle who is convinced that Morgan is good for his niece. He is considerate, kind, helpful with household chores, and is wonderful with her son. He really helps Jen to find the "Christmas Spirit" so to speak. Not helping matters is that Jen has a boyfriend who is a self-centered jerk complete with $800 shoes and completely stuck-up parents. He is awful with her son and is responsible for the plot point that eventually drives Morgan and Jen together.Yes, it's predictable. Yes, it's "fluffy". But, in all reality, that's what makes it an enjoyable movie for me. I love romance movies anyway and I really love those that are set during Christmas. If you feel the same way, and aren't looking for anything more out of it, you will love this movie.