This Christmas (2007)

Director:

Preston A. Whitmore II

Writer (WGA):

Preston A. Whitmore II (written by)

Release Date:

21 November 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

You can't exchange family.

Plot:

A Christmastime drama centered around the Whitfield family's first holiday together in four years. |

Plot Keywords:

Domestic Violence | Gambling Debt | Dancing | Camera | Car Accident

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Delroy Lindo	...	Joseph 'Joe' Black
Idris Elba	...	Quentin Whitfield
Loretta Devine	...	Ma'Dere / Shirley Ann Whitfield
Chris Brown	...	Michael 'Baby' Whitfield
Keith Robinson	...	Devean Brooks
Laz Alonso	...	Malcolm Moore
Columbus Short	...	Claude Whitfield
Sharon Leal	...	Kelli Whitfield
Lauren London	...	Melanie 'Mel' Whitfield
Lupe Ontiveros	...	Rosie
Jessica Stroup	...	Sandi
Mekhi Phifer	...	Gerald
Regina King	...	Lisa Moore
David Banner	...	Mo
Ricky Harris	...	Cousin Fred

Also Known As:

¡Al fin es navidad! (Argentina) (DVD title) [es]
Hristougenna tis symforas (Greece) (DVD title) [el]
This Christmas - Natale e altri guai (Italy) (DVD title) [it]
This Christmas - Un marito nuovo per mamma (Italy) [it]

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for comic sexual content and some violence.

Runtime:

USA:117 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

UK:12A | USA:PG-13 | Ireland:15A | Singapore:PG | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

El Rey Theater - 5515 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Facilitator Films

Trivia:

Release prints were delivered to theaters with the fake title 'Another Gathering'.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Chris Brown's character Baby is eating dinner in the opening dinner scene, he is shown eating collard greens but the next scene when it shows his plate there is no trace of collard greens being there.

Quotes:

Melanie 'Mel' Whitfield: So, technically, you slept with Santa?
Kelli Whitfield: Well... yes.
Melanie 'Mel' Whitfield: Well, ho, ho, ho!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2007-11-24)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Joy to the World ('Kool Aid' Version)

A Wonderful Christmas Surprise!

It is unfortunate the previews for this movie are so low profile. I didn't know what to expect and wasn't sure I wanted to see the move, but my 16 year old saw it on Black Friday and told me the movie was excellent. He's usually into movies like Live Free or Die Hard, hated Dream Girls and thought American Gangster was "just okay", so I HAD to see what had him so excited about THIS film. I must say, he was dead on with this one. This movie was EXCELLENT! The script was well written, the acting was SUPERB, and nothing was left out of this movie, which everyone, irrespective of race, can identify with in some way.

I wasn't sure if it would be appropriate for my 7 year old, but I did not find myself cringe once and say to myself "I wish she hadn't seen that." There was very minimal use of profanity (I think the "d" and "s" words were thrown around a few times) and no sex...although Regina King did a couple of scenes in her underwear.

I just can't say enough about the solid acting done in this movie. Delroy Lindo, Loretta Divine, Idris Elba and Regina King did stellar performances (I've never seen any of them NOT perform well) and EVERYONE did a great job. Chris Brown showed us he is more than a wonderful singer and dancer. I look forward to seeing him in more serious roles like this one. I believe he has a lot of potential to be a serious actor.

There are just not enough good things I can say about "This Christmas." You have to see it for yourself. One of the best gifts I gave myself this year.