Two new original movies make their premieres this week: CBS‘ holiday tale The Sons of Mistletoe and VH1‘s Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story.
Should you watch? We take a closer look at both.
The Sons of Mistletoe
Airs: Wed., Dec. 19, 9 p.m.
If you can imagine a combination of A Christmas Carol and the first half of The Cider House Rules, mixed with a dash of Highway to Heaven (or anything else you might find airing on PAX) and you’ve got CBS‘ new original film The Sons of Mistletoe.
This is sticky-sweet territory, so if you’re looking for something with a higher alcohol content, stick to Scrooged. Yes, it’s that sweet. Expect to lapse immediately into insulin shock upon viewing.
That’s not to say the movie is bad. The premise is pretty sound. Roma Downey (Touched By an Angel) stars as Helen Radke, the daughter of a man who financially supports a boys’ foster home…until his untimely passing. Suddenly, Helen–spurred on by Jimmy, the benevolent caretaker of the home, played by George Newbern (Father of the Bride)–has to decide whether to continue funding the operation.
The Scrooge-like Helen hears his pleas but needs a bit more convincing. Getting to know the rambunctious young boys at the home does melt her cold exterior somewhat. However, she’s still a tough nut to crack.
The film takes a nice turn toward the end; some unexpected business with Jimmy’s past and broken family becomes an enjoyable diversion. Without question, this is really Jimmy’s movie, not the top-billed Downey.
If you’re a fan of Touched By an Angel and its aw-shucks ilk, check out Mistletoe. If you’re not, West Wing is a safer bet.
Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story
Airs: Wed., Dec. 19, 9 p.m.
Competing with Mistletoe at 9 p.m. is VH1‘s latest biopic Too Legit, which examines the rise and fall of rapper MC Hammer (played by relative newcomer Romany Malco), who rose to fame with such smash singles as U Can’t Touch This.
Did we mention that West Wing is on at 9 p.m., too?
All joking aside, Too Legit works on a biographical level, revealing what Hammer went through as a young boy and teenager growing up in Oakland, Calif. Fans of the rapper may be surprised to learn that Hammer once tried out for the A’s baseball film (and failed miserably), obsessed with the sport and the very stadium in which the team plays. It’s a major contrast with his subsequent hip-hop image.
Upon hearing that a feature-length film was being made about the life of Hammer, you immediately start to salivate, hungry for details about his extravagant spending and embarrassing demise as a musician. Too Legit is basically unconcerned with such information, showing the beginning of the man’s slip into obscurity and eventual career in the ministry. If you’re looking for some juicy scenes of bereavement, look elsewhere.
Much like one of VH1‘s other biopics this year, Hysteria: the Def Leppard Story, Too Legit starts to scrape away at the legend of a musical juggernaut–fingernails almost dirty–but pulls its punches, becoming too forgiving and sympathetic.
