This is a holiday film which one can’t have too high of expectations, as most holiday films, you shouldn’t. Just enjoy it with family and the kids (who love dogs) will definitely have fun watching it.
Click here to watch “Alone for Christmas” on Amazon
TITLE: Alone for Christmas
FILM YEAR: 2013
DURATION: 90 Minutes
COMPANY: The Asylum
Directed by Tim Hill, Joseph J. Lawson
Screenplay by Nancy Leopardi
Story by Naomi L. Selfman
Executive Producer: David Rimawi
Line Producer: Eva Herndon
Producer: David Michael Latt
Co-Producer: Paul Bales
Music by Chris Ridenour
Cinematography by Ben Demaree
Edited by Rob Pallatina
Production Design by Kalie Acheson
Art Direction: Charles Latham
Set Decoration by Hector Flores II
Costume Design by Kelly Fluker
Starring:
Bill Pomeroy as the voice of Bone
Hooligan as Bone
David DeLuise as Dad
Kim Little as Mom
Davis Cleveland as Dilon
Kevin Sorbo as Quentin
Natalie Jane as KC
Jeremy Mascia as Jake
Justin Hoffmeister as Rob
John Kenward as Phil
Jonathan Nation as Anthony
Gerald Webb as the voice of Columbus
Torpedo as Columbus the Dog
A family leave their dog home when they visit relatives on Christmas Eve. When burglars break in to steal the presents under the tree, the dog uses a variety of tricks to stop the crooks.
Back in 2013, a family direct-to-video holiday film was released titled “Alone For Christmas”.
Directed by Tim Hill (writer of “SpongeBob SquarePants”) and visual effects veteran Joseph J. Lawson (“Star Trek: The Motion Picture”, “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”) and a screenplay by Nancy Leopardi and a story by Naomi L. Selfman. The film features voices by Bill Pomeroy and Gerald Webb and stars David DeLuise (“Wizards of Waverly Place”, “Jesse”), Kim Little (“Diagnosis Murder”, “Z Nation”), Davis Cleveland (“Zeke and Luther”, “Shake it Up”), Kevin Sorbo (“Andromeda”, “The Santa Suit”), Natalie Jane, Jeremy Mascia (“Kung Fu”, “Into the Dark”), Justin Hoffmeister and John Kenward.
One can probably feel that the film is quite similar to “Home Alone” but the primary features are the talking canine (via visual effects).
Bones the dog has gotten in trouble with damaging the Christmas tree decorations and because the family is planning a Christmas trip to visit grandma, Bopnes is left to stay at a shady kennell. While the other dog Columbus is allowed to go with the family (because he’s small).
Meanwhile, thieves pretending to be the USPS are casing the neighborhood and mom (portrayed by Kim Little) tells the postman that they are leaving for a family holiday trip. So, as the family leaves for vacation this leaves the thieves to rob the family.
Back at the Kennel, Bones find s way to escape and finds a way to go back home. And fortunately tries to find a way to thwart them. But sensing that his brother Bones is in trouble, Columbus tries to find a way to get back home and help him.
For the most part, “Alone for Christmas” is intended to be a children’s holiday film, with talking dogs and crazy antics (as the thieves are even more dumber than the thieves in “Home Alone”) and of course, being a lower budget holiday film compared to “Home Alone”, the film does display cheesy CG special effects utilize for its time (ie. shower holding to much water flooding the home).
But you know, I didn’t dislike the film at all because at its core, it’s an entertaining holiday film meant to be watched by children. And I wouldn’t be surprised if many children grew up watching this holiday film which has been available for digital streaming for years.
Of course, this is a holiday film which one can’t have too high of expectations, as most holiday films, you shouldn’t. Just enjoy it with family and the kids (who love dogs) will definitely have fun watching it.
