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First Viewing Plot: In December 1914, an unofficial Christmas truce on the Western Front allows soldiers from opposing sides of the First World War to gain insight into each other's way of life.

My first "alternative" Christmas film this season, and easily the best one so far, Joyeux Noël has been on my to-watch list for several years, since 2008/2009 when I first started actively seeking out Christmas movies each December. Thankfully, it doesn't disappoint. This is a powerful, compelling anti-war movie with a strong message, supported by excellent performances and top-notch production values. The camaraderie between the characters is palpable once the ceasefire sets in, and it's easy to become invested in the story, hoping that nothing bad happens to these opposing sides. The ceasefire sequences are wonderful, and the film thankfully doesn't overplay these moments. Joyeux Noël is not cheery, upbeat festive viewing, but it is an excellent war movie that immortalises the 1914 Christmas ceasefire on-screen. I'm looking forward to watching it again.

First Viewing Viewing Date: December 4th Via: DVD Plot: In December 1914, an unofficial Christmas truce on the Western Front allows soldiers from opposing sides of the First World War to gain insight into each other's way of life. Rating: 9.0/10

First Viewing Plot: A college student faces an impossible journey when he is left stranded in the desert, thousands of miles from home, with no money and only a few days left until Christmas.

I'll Be Home for Christmas is a bog-standard Disney Christmas movie, for better or worse, and it was made using the same filmmaking sensibilities that permeated road trip comedies in the 1990s and early 2000s. You know the type - implausible happenings, lenient/gullible police, the protagonist diffusing all types of situations, and so on. At the very least, however, this is a short and sharp 85-minute movie and it's neither offensive nor boring. Rather, it's a pleasant enough factory-made Christmas comedy that has its charms and its moments. It's also interesting from a historical perspective to see a teenage Jessica Biel in one of the lead roles. I laughed a few times and enjoyed myself enough to make this a worthwhile Disney+ watch in the lead-up to Christmas.

First Viewing Viewing Date: December 4th Via: Disney+ Plot: A college student faces an impossible journey when he is left stranded in the desert, thousands of miles from home, with no money and only a few days left until Christmas. Rating: 6.1/10

First Viewing Plot: At an inn which is open only on holidays, a crooner and a hoofer vie for the affections of a beautiful up-and-coming performer.

So this...wasn't much of a Christmas movie; the majority of the movie takes place on other holidays, though a couple of iconic scenes take place on Christmas so I guess we can technically count it. However, this one didn't impress me as much as I had anticipated, given its status as a perennial holiday favourite. Oh, sure, there's plenty of lovely singing and dancing (this film introduced "White Christmas" to the world) as to be expected from Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, but I found the story to be a bit muddy, and the dialogue doesn't sparkle as much as other comedies from this era. It didn't exactly grab me and the musical sequences aren't exactly showstoppers, but there's still some charm here to prevent it from feeling like a total loss. I'm kinda happy I didn't blind buy this on Blu-ray as I had planned, as I can't see myself watching this flick again anytime soon.

First Viewing Viewing Date: December 2nd Via: Paramount+ Plot: A man discovers that his hallucinations are actually visions from past lives. Rating: 6.2/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: December 1st Via: Blu-ray Plot: During a long space war, the lives of two wounded enemies become dependent on their ability to forgive and to trust after becoming stranded on a remote planet together. Rating: 6.4/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: December 1st Via: Disney+ Plot: After her husband abruptly commits suicide, a widow begins to uncover her recently deceased husband's disturbing secrets. Rating: 6.7/10

First Viewing Plot: In 1980s Chicago, a ten-year-old sets out on a quest to get the Christmas gift of his generation - the latest and greatest video game system, a Nintendo.

I can't say I expected too much from 8-Bit Christmas, and it was only the presence of Neil Patrick Harris which attracted me to the trailer thumbnail on YouTube. Thus, I started this year's festive season (in the early hours of December 1st) with this new release title, and it's legitimately the best studio Christmas movie I've seen for some time. Heartfelt and frequently funny, not to mention family-friendly without being pandering or saccharine, this is a nostalgic-filled festive treat that also manages to capture the time and place of the 1980s with seemingly little effort. It's culturally relevant, too, as the story is put into motion because a young girl is desperate for her own mobile phone. The messages and themes are relevant, and it's not strictly a Christmas movie in this sense. It's also unexpectedly poignant as the movie reaches the finishing line, and I got a slight tear in my eye. I won't say I'll be watching this every year, but it won't be forgotten and I'll happily add the Blu-ray to my shelf.

First Viewing Viewing Date: December 1st Via: Binge Plot: In 1980s Chicago, a ten-year-old sets out on a quest to get the Christmas gift of his generation - the latest and greatest video game system, a Nintendo. Rating: 7.2/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: November 30th Via: Amazon Prime Video Plot: When a snowstorm traps the residents of Beaverfield inside the local inn, a newly arrived forest ranger tries to keep the peace and uncover the truth behind a mysterious creature that has begun terrorizing the community. Rating: 5.3/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: November 30th Via: iTunes Store Plot: Slick Private Investigator Mike Murphy and tough Police Lieutenant Speer, once partners but now bitter enemies, reluctantly team up to investigate a murder. Rating: 5.2/10