While the original “A Christmas Story” is a hard film to follow up, considering it’s an iconic holiday film, “A Christmas Story Christmas” is a film that gives those who grew up with the film, a proper sequel and follow-up to the Parkers. Full of nostalgia, fun and entertaining, this film is also recommended!
Watch or Purchase this film on Amazon
TITLE: Steppin’ Into the Holiday
FILM YEAR: 2022
DURATION: 87 Minutes
CHANNEL: Lifetime
Directed by David Kendall
Script: Aliza Murrieta, Peter Murrieta
Producer: Mark Roberts
Line Producer: Jemma Jones
Executive Producers: Chet Fenster, Richard Foster, Jana Kramer, Mario Lopez, Peter Murrieta, Jeff Stearns
Music: Cesar Vega Garcia
Cinematography: Ryan Galvan
Edited by Lorena David
Production Design by Maximilian Pizzi
Art Direction by Ashley Amezcua
Costume Design by Sally Kruse
Starring:
Jana Kramer as Rae
Mario Lopez as Billy Holiday
Cheri Oteri as Dallas
Courtney Lopez as Joanna
Carla Jimenez as Marissa
Mario Cantone as Wayne
Stefanie Black as Phoebe
Terri Hoyos as Irma
Enzo Rodriguez as Junior
For the 41st holiday film, it’s a Mario Lopez holiday film titled “Steppin’ Into the Holiday” and also a film that stars Lopez and actress Jana Kramer, two talents that have been big hit stars during the holiday season for Lifetime.
The film is directed by David Kendall (“Kelly Kelly”, “Growing Pains”, “Melissa & Joey”) and written by Aliza Murrieta (“Damon”, “Pyst”, “Ask Harriet”) and Peter Murrieta (“Mr. Iglesias”, “Wizards of Waverly Place”).
The film revolves around Hollywood TV star Billy Holiday (portrayed by Mario Lopez) who hosted a dance show with his girlfriend Joanna (portrayed by Courtney Lopez). But when the two broke up, the show has been waning. While Joanna’s popularity was still rock solid, unfortunately it’s not the same for Holiday and so he loses his job and is replaced.
Losing his acting job, Billy returns back home to spend the holidays with family and also to support his little nephew Junior (portrayed by Enzo Rodriguez). Junior is also a dancer and is taught by dance school studio owner Rae (portrayed by Jana Kramer), a former Broadway dancer who now teaches dance.
And while Billy goes to watch and support Junior, he grows closer to Rae and both want to put on a Christmas dance recital fundraiser.
But will Billy and Rae find themselves even closer and more than just business friends?
For the most part, I’ve said this in previous holiday marathons, anything that stars Mario Lopez and also Jana Kramer, are among the higher budget Lifetime films and one of the most joyful holiday telefilms to watch. And to see these holiday stars back again in a holiday film and working together makes for a wonderful collaboration.
Both have wonderful chemistry on screen, both are great at dancing (both competed on separate seasons of “Dancing with the Stars”, with Lopez being the champion of the third seasons in 2006 and Jana Kramer reaching the finals and finishing fourth) and for the most part, it’s an entertaining film. Once again, as I have said in previous years, love the fact that Lopez brings the Latino family and incorporates it into his holiday telefilms.
Overall, “Steppin’ Into the Holiday” is recommended!
